Joint Association of Occupational and Leisure‐Time Physical Activity With Low Back Pain in Korean Adults

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to examine the effect of the interaction between gender‐specific occupational physical activity (OPA) and leisure‐time physical activity (LTPA) on low back pain (LBP) risk. Methods Data were obtained from a large‐scale cohort survey of Koreans, comprising a total of 2750 participants recruited during 2011–2012. OPA and LTPA were assessed using validated questionnaires and classified into two groups: “< 150 min/wk” and “≥ 150 min/wk.” LBP was defined based on the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) criteria. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and multiple linear regression analyses were used to estimate β coefficients with 95% CI to assess the associations between OPA, LTPA, and LBP. Results The results showed that increased OPA was significantly associated with higher ODI scores ( β = 0.02, p = 0.021), whereas increased LTPA was significantly associated with reductions in both ODI ( β = −0.07, p = 0.012) and VAS scores ( β = −0.01, p = 0.013). Furthermore, engaging in OPA for ≥ 150 min/week was associated with an elevated LBP risk (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.12–1.69), with significant gender differences observed. In contrast, for participants with < 150 min/wk of leisure‐related physical activity, LBP risk increased (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01–1.76), whereas for those with ≥ 150 min/wk, LBP risk decreased (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.66–0.95), a significant effect observed only in females. Conclusion These findings suggest that ensuring adequate rest during OPA and promoting leisure‐related physical activity may be critical strategies for reducing chronic LBP.