Physical activities and correlates of clinical nurses in Taipei municipal hospitals

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical activity profiles of clinical nurses in Taipei municipal hospitals. This study also explored the factors that influence physical activity, including personal background and social psychological factors. A total of 400 Taipei municipal hospital clinical nurses were selected using a randomized procedure to participate in a 3-day physical activity record assignment and fill in a structured questionnaire. Study results indicate that energy expenditure for clinical nurses on working days are higher than that on non-working days. Non-working days of clinical nurses are characterized by a lack of physical activity. Nurses who were required to take turns working in three shift rotation cycles, those with education at the junior college level or below, and those who were married tended to spend more energy on physical activity. Social psychological factors affecting the physical activities of clinical nurses include mainly exercise self-efficacy. Heavy work loading, poor health conditions, laziness, and lack of time tended to lower exercise self-efficacy. On non-working days, perceived barriers to exercise are the main issue area affecting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Nurses with greater perceived barriers to exercise spend less energy on physical activity. The main influencing factors for perceived barriers to exercise include laziness and lack of time.