The longitudinal relation between self-reported physical activity and presenteeism

•Baseline physical activity was inversely related to baseline work limitations.•Baseline physical activity levels do not predict changes in work limitations.•Changes in physical activity were related to changes in work limitations.

This study evaluates the longitudinal relation between self-reported physical activity and health related work limitations (also known as presenteeism) among employees from a public university system. A retrospective longitudinal study design was used to examine research aims. Data were from self-reported health assessments collected from employees at a large University System in Texas during the 2013-2015 plan years (n = 6515).Work limitations were measured using the self-report 8-item work limitations questionnaire. Latent growth curve models were used to test whether: 1) baseline physical activity was associated with baseline work limitations; 2) changes in physical activity were related to changes in work limitations; and 3) baseline physical activity predicted changes in work limitations. Models were adjusted for demographic and health-related variables. The final adjusted growth curve model demonstrated excellent fit. Results revealed baseline physical activity was inversely associated with baseline work limitations (β = − 0.12, p < 0.001). In addition, changes in physical activity were related to changes in work limitations (β = − 0.33, p = 0.02). However, no relation was found between baseline physical activity and changes in work limitations (β = − 0.06, p = 0.42). Results provide evidence that increasing physical activity among employees leads to decreases in health-related work limitations. Therefore, promoting physical activity among employee populations can help prevent and reduce presenteeism.