Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42057045›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2026

The paradox of physical activity in relation to well-being and mental health: a compositional data analysis of the 24-hour movement patterns.

Anna Codina-Nadal, Kieran Dowd, Eva Cirera-Viñolas, J McKenna, Guillem Jabardo-Camprubí, Gemma Molist, Antoni Corominas, Antonio Torrejón, Anna Puig-Ribera

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Anna Codina-NadalSports and Physical Activity Research Group, University of Vic-Central - University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Vic, Spain. anna.codina@uvic.cat.
Kieran DowdSHE Research Group, Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technological University of the Shannon, Dublin Road, Co. Westmeath, Athlone, Ireland.
Eva Cirera-ViñolasSports and Physical Activity Research Group, University of Vic-Central - University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Vic, Spain.
J McKennaCarnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.
Guillem Jabardo-CamprubíSports and Physical Activity Research Group, University of Vic-Central - University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Vic, Spain.
Gemma MolistFaculty of Medicine, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain.
Antoni CorominasChair in Mental Health, UVic-UCC-Fundació Althaia, Manresa, Spain.
Antonio TorrejónHealth, Safety and Emergencies of SEAT, CUPRA and the Volkswagen Group Companies in Spain, Martorell, Spain.
Anna Puig-RiberaSports and Physical Activity Research Group, University of Vic-Central - University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Institute for Research and Innovation in Life Sciences and Health in Central Catalonia (IRIS-CC), Vic, Spain.

Funding

Joan Oró (AGAUR) 2022_FI_B 00437
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe physical activity paradox suggests that high levels of occupational physical activity (OPA) may lead to adverse health outcomes, despite physical activity (PA) generally being beneficial. In the workplace, OPA impacts on well-being and mental health remain poorly understood, limiting the development of effective public health interventions. This study investigates how 24-hour movement patterns differ between high-OPA (manufacturing) and low-OPA (office) workers, and how these patterns relate to well-being and mental health.

methodsA cross-sectional study (May 2022-June 2024) was conducted with 230 employees (114 manufacturing, 116 office). Participants completed surveys on sociodemographic, self-perception (SF-12), health behaviours (PREDIMED), experience of life events, job context (EWCS), physical demands (JCQ), work-related health problems (EWCS), well-being (WLB, PHI), and mental health (MBI-GS, PHQ-9). Movement data were collected using the activPal over seven days (weekdays, weekends, work hours, and non-work hours). Compositional data analysis was applied, adjusting for confounders, to explore associations of PA pattern with well-being and mental health.

resultsWith manufacturing workers, increased sitting during work was associated with lower depression (β=-0.57; p = 0.015; OR = 0.56) and higher happiness (β = 0.56; p = 0.009), while standing during non-work hours reduced depressive symptoms (β=-2.08; p = 0.004; OR = 0.12). Sedentary weekend time also correlated with greater happiness (β = 0.57; p = 0.049). With office workers, more sitting at work was linked to greater work-life interference (β = 0.69; p = 0.032; OR = 1.99), and sitting during non-work hours was associated with reduced work-life balance (β=-1.07; p = 0.022; OR = 0.34).

conclusionsThe effects of OPA on well-being and mental health vary by occupational context, supporting the physical activity paradox. Tailored workplace interventions should account for these differences to effectively promote employee well-being.

Indexed as

ExerciseMental HealthOccupational HealthAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPsychological Well-BeingSurveys and QuestionnairesWorking ConditionsWorkplaceBurnoutDepressionHappinessMental HealthOccupational Physical ActivityPhysical ActivityWell-beingWork-Life BalanceWorkplace

Identifiers

PMID42057045
PMCPMC13274025

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.