Transtheoretical Model Is Better Predictor of Physiological Stress than Perceived Stress Scale and Work Ability Index among Office Workers.

Physical activity impacts positively on stress and anxiety. Working conditions affect the quality of life by increasing stress levels, which can affect job performance and work absence. The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Work Ability Index (WAI), Transtheoretical Model (TTM), as well as heart rate variability (HRV) have been applied to monitor the state of workers in their job. The aim of this study was to analyze PSS, WAI, and TTM classifications, and to find out how are they linked to physiological stress (HRV). One hundred and thirteen office workers responded to the three questionnaires and their HRV was monitored for at least two full days. Groups were set up according to TTM (Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3-4, Stage 5), WAI (weak WAI, medium WAI, good WAI), and PSS (low PSS, medium PSS, high PSS). Results obtained from the test were related to stress values measured by HRV with a Bodyguard2 device. The Stage 5 group from TTM had better HVR and stress levels than the other groups for both women and men (p < 0.05). Participants in the good WAI group and low PSS group had better results than weak WAI and high PSS, but the differences with respect to medium WAI and medium PSS were less clear. Finally, TTM seemed to be the best tool to discriminate physiological stress in office workers with regard to other questionnaires.

A Descriptive Analysis of Body Composition Among Forest Firefighters in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the body composition profile of forest firefighters. Data were collected from 701 forest firefighters. METHODS: We have carried out this analysis using a bioimpedance scale BC-601 of the brand Tanita ISO 9001 Certified. RESULTS: Obtained values of body mass index 24.85 in women and 27.83 in men. The visceral fat index was 5 in women and 9 in men. In both cases, taking as reference the values proposed by the WHO, women are within a low-moderate risk of cardiovascular or metabolic diseases. Men are at a moderate-high risk. CONCLUSIONS: The values obtained in the analysis show that forest firefighters have a moderate risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in the future. It is effective to propose future works that elaborate specific physical activity plans to improve their health profile.

Executive Stress Management: Physiological Load of Stress and Recovery in Executives on Workdays.

Objective: The use of high-performance sports technology to describe the physiological load of stress and the quality of recovery in a population of executives during the workday. Methodology: Heart rate variability values were recorded during 48 h from which the relationship between stress/recovery quality (stress balance) was obtained for three differentiated time slots: work, after work, and night in a workday. Results: We observed a negative stress balance during the 24 h of measurement in the course of a workday, being negative at work and after work, and positive at night. The stress generated or maintained outside working hours correlates significantly with a lower quality of recovery during the 24 h workday. Conclusions: It is necessary to prioritize strategies that help improve stress management in executives through the improvement of tools and strategies that mainly promote greater relaxation outside working hours.