Association between domains of physical activity and health among teachers: a cross-sectional study

The benefits of physical activity on health are well described in the general population. However, the association of physical activity in each domain and health among teachers is unknown.

To analyze the association between the domains and types of physical activity (PA) and the health of teachers.

The sample consisted of 500 Brazilian elementary school teachers who completed a self-report questionnaire to estimate PA and dependent variables (overweight, perceived physical fitness, recurrent musculoskeletal symptoms, chronic disease, burnout, common mental disorders, and occupational stress). Poisson regression was conducted to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) in multiple analysis.

The domains and types of PA associated with a lower prevalence ratio of the respective health-related disorders were: achievement of PA recommendation (low physical fitness, chronic disease, emotional exhaustion, low personal accomplishment, and common mental disorders, PR = 0.55–0.75); Leisure time PA (overweight, low physical fitness, musculoskeletal symptoms, PR = 0.59–0.75); Occupational PA and sports practice (overweight, low physical fitness, and common mental disorders, PR = 0.28–0.77); Strength exercises (overweight, low physical fitness, and chronic illness, PR = 0.62–0.63); Flexibility exercises (overweight, low physical fitness, and common mental disorders, PR = 0.67–0.70); and Domestic PA (chronic diseases, PR = 0.60). Occupational PA, active commuting, and sports practice were associated with a higher prevalence of depersonalization (PR = 1.56–1.76).

Heterogeneous results was found according to outcome. In general, PA across domains was associated with a better health profile in teachers, except for depersonalization, which was positively associated with PA.