The association of physical activity and sedentary behaviour on health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study from the physical activity at work (PAW) trial

Abstract Introduction Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour independently increase morbidity and negatively affect quality of life. This study evaluates the associations between physical activity and sedentary behaviour with health-related quality of life, including the five dimensions of quality of life (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain or discomfort, and anxiety or depression). Methods This cross-sectional study analysed baseline data from Thailand's Physical Activity at Work (PAW) trial. Physical activity data were collected using the ActiGraph™ accelerometer, worn on the right hip for a minimum of three ten-hour workdays. Accelerometer data were then used to categorise participants into: (i) not-sedentary and physically active (the Reference Group), (ii) not-sedentary but inactive, (iii) sedentary but active, and (iv) sedentary and inactive. We employed the EuroQol-5 dimensions questionnaire with five scoring levels (EQ-5D-5L) to measure health-related quality of life. The Thai EQ-5D-5D valuation was utilised to convert the EQ-5D profile into utility index scores (EQ-5D values). Tobit regression models were used to analyse EQ-5D value differences. Moreover, the odds of having problems in each EQ-5D dimension were compared between categories. Results 277 valid participant data were included. Older age (P = 0.007), higher education (P < 0.001), and higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease (P = 0.032) were observed in participants who were sedentary and physically inactive compared to other groups. We found − 0.0503 (95% CI: − 0.0946–− 0.00597) lower EQ-5D value and 1.39 (95% CI: 1.07–1.79) higher odds of reporting pain or discomfort problems in the sedentary and physically inactive group compared to the Reference Group. We also found 2.12 (95%CI: 1.14–5.40) higher odds of reporting usual activity problems in the not-sedentary but physically inactive group than in the Reference Group. Discussion We found further evidence of the potential benefit of higher physical activity levels and lower sedentary time for higher quality of life among healthy office workers in Thailand. Further research with larger cohorts and longitudinal data is needed to establish a stronger foundation for interventions and economic evaluations targeting physical activity promotion to improve quality of life.