Labour Is Not Exercise
by Dr. Jason Kwok
You can listen to an audible version of this article.
It is widely recognized that regular exercise offers numerous health benefits, including maintaining a healthy weight, reducing the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, improving balance and coordination, strengthening muscles and bones, and boosting self-esteem.
However, a common misconception is that physical labour at work equates to exercise, negating the need for additional physical activity. Studies indicate otherwise. A 2018 report published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, affiliated with the British Medical Association, revealed that men engaged in heavy physical labour at work face an 18% higher risk of premature death compared to those in less physically demanding jobs.
This research involved over 200,000 participants across six countries—Netherlands, Australia, Denmark, USA, South Africa, and Ireland—and analyzed 33 studies related to occupational physical activity and survival rates. The study accounted for lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, drinking, leisure activities), health-related factors (e.g., blood pressure, body fat), and socioeconomic status, following participants for approximately 20 years.
The findings defy conventional expectations, underscoring a paradox where occupational physical activity negatively impacts health and even increases mortality risks. Experts attribute this "physical activity paradox" to the distinct characteristics of occupational vs. leisure physical activity. Workplace exertion often involves prolonged, repetitive movements with inadequate recovery, which strains the cardiovascular system, while leisure activities typically offer balanced, voluntary, and controlled efforts that benefit heart health.
The Characteristics of Physical Activities |
Bodily Response |
Cardiovascular Effects |
|
|---|---|---|---|
Leisure-Time Physical Activity |
|
|
Deterioration of cardiovascular health |
Occupational Physical Activity |
|
|
Worsened cardiovascular health |
To counteract these risks, individuals in physically demanding jobs should prioritize health during their free time. Regular moderate exercise, such as 150 minutes per week (30 minutes a day, five days a week), alongside balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol, can improve overall fitness. This, in turn, reduces fatigue during labour, increases efficiency, and minimizes injury risks. 
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