- 作者：Bego帽a Martinez de Tejada ; Nicole Jastrow ; Antoine Poncet ; Iona Le Scouezec ; Olivier Irion ; Bengt Kayser
- 关键词：Obstetrics ; Physical activity ; Mental stress levels ; Energy expenditure
- 刊名：European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
- 出版年：November, 2013
- 年：2013
- 卷：171
- 期：1
- 页码：44-48
- 全文大小：491 K
Objectives
Obstetric work generates important subjective and objective mental stress and is perceived as a physically demanding activity by obstetricians. The aim of this study was to quantify physical and mental stress levels in obstetricians at work and during leisure activities to investigate their association with overall physical activity levels and professional experience.Study design
18 obstetricians at the maternity unit of the University of Geneva Hospitals were enrolled in a prospective observational study. Physical activity and stress levels were measured in two different activity sectors (delivery room and outpatient clinic) and outside work. Physical activity was assessed by questionnaire, visual analogue scale (VAS), and accelerometer. Mental stress levels were assessed by validated questionnaires, VAS, measurement of urine catecholamines and salivary cortisol, and night-time heart rate variability indices.
Results
Daily stress levels were higher at work compared to outside work (all, P = 0.002). Adrenalin (P = 0.002) and dopamine (P = 0.09) levels were elevated after a labour suite shift and a trend was observed for reduced heart rate variability during the night after this shift. The median average daily number of steps was 7132 (range, 5283-8649). Subjects reached a median of 32 min (range, 19-49 min) of moderate or higher intensity (鈮?952 counts/min) daily physical activity.
Conclusions
Contrary to perception, obstetrics work is not physically demanding. It is, however, accompanied by important subjective and objective mental stress that may have a negative impact on health when combined with a lack of regular daily physical activity.