Physical activity levels in Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) allied health professionals.

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Physical inactivity has been linked to increases in morbidity and mortality, with major implications for the general health. Participation in sufficient physical activity levels throughout the day is associated with significant health benefits. The study aims to evaluate the physical activity levels of allied health staff working in Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) to determine the contribution of workplace to daily physical activity levels. Specifically, the aims of the study are to: 1. Quantify the number of steps taken and the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity of allied health professionals during work time and outside work time. 2. Determine how the physical activity levels of allied health professionals employed within the SLHD compare to recommended physical activity levels for Australian adults. 3. Investigate how physical activity levels vary between allied health professionals working in different allied health disciplines. This study will be an observational cross sectional study. A recruitment flyer will be distributed to all allied health departments (physiotherapy, speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, nutrition and dietetics, pharmacy, radiography, and social work, podiatry, orthotics) across the SLHD (Royal Prince Alfred hospital, Concord hospital, Balmain Hospital and Canterbury Hospital). Interested participants will be given a participant information sheet and will be required to sign a consent form. Inclusion Criteria - Allied health professionals (aged 20 - 70 years) employed in the SLHD and who are working within their usual professional capacity during the data collection period (7 days). Exclusion criteria – Allied health professionals who are unable to perform their usual work duties over the seven day study period. Methods Allied health professionals who agree to participate in this study will have the following baseline measurements collected: - Demographic information - age, gender, occupational classification, work department. - Basic anthropometric measurements - weight, height, body mass index (BMI), - Administration of validated physical activity questionnaires: Activity Australia Questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Occupational Sitting and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OSPAQ). Participants will then be fitted with a physical activity monitor (uniaxial Actigraph GT1M accelerometer) and asked to wear for 7 days. Participants will also be asked to keep an activity diary. Physical activity data will be analysed and presented as means and standard deviations of daily step count and amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Physical activity during work time will be compared with physical activity outside work time. Physical activity levels will be compared with recommended guidelines for Australian adults.

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