Association between physical activity patterns of working-age adults and social jetlag, depressive symptoms, and presenteeism

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association of physical activity with social jetlag, depressive symptoms, and presenteeism.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 8247 working-age adults (females, 44.6%; age, 20-64 years). Social jetlag was defined as the absolute difference between the midpoint of bedtime and wake time on workdays and free days. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and presenteeism was evaluated using the Work Functioning Impairment Scale. Exercise habits were classified into 4 groups based on the World Health Organization guidelines: nonactive (NA; n = 4223), insufficiently active (IA; n = 3009: exercise below guideline levels), weekend warriors (WW; n = 220: exercise 1-2 times per week meeting guideline levels), and regularly active (RA; n = 793: exercise at least 3 d/wk meeting guideline levels). Using multiple and Poisson regression analyses, we examined the association between exercise habits and each outcome.Results: Social jetlag, depression, and presenteeism were more favorable with shorter sedentary times and longer durations of moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise. Compared with the RA group, the NA group had a significantly higher prevalence of social jetlag (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.30), depression (PR = 1.31), and presenteeism (PR = 1.35). The IA group had a significantly higher prevalence of depression (PR = 1.33) and presenteeism (PR = 1.38).Conclusions: Exercising with a certain frequency and intensity may help prevent symptoms of depression and social jetlag, and consequently prevent presenteeism. Key points: What is already known on this topic: Social jetlag is associated with depressive symptoms, thus lowering occupational performance. Although exercise can improve mental health, exercising only on nonworkdays may contribute to social jetlag.What this study adds: Social jetlag, depression, and presenteeism were more favorable with shorter sedentary times and longer durations (3 or more days instead of 1 or 2) of moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercise.How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: Encouraging exercise routines of at least 3 d/wk rather than 1 or 2 days (ie, weekends only) could contribute to productivity and mental health.