Job Characteristics and Leisure Physical Activity

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study employs a sample population of older workers to estimate an empirical model of leisure exercise activity. Alternative theories relating work and leisure attitudes relevant for understanding the exercise behavior of older workers are tested empirically. METHODS: Responses of 6,433 full-time older workers (51 to 61 years old) from the 1992 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) are grouped into two white-collar and blue-collar worker categories and are analyzed to test whether self-reported levels of regular physical activity are associated with the physical demands and stress associated with one's job. RESULTS: Although the white-collar workers, whose jobs involve more physical efforts, are more likely to do light physical activity, the blue-collar workers, whose jobs are more physically demanding, tend to engage in more vigorous exercise. DISCUSSION: The empirical results are most supportive of the generalization theory, and they also illustrate the complexity of relationships between work and leisure physical activity.