Exploring the link between physical activity and professional quality of life among nurses: a cross-sectional study in Qatar.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is crucial for maintaining physical and mental health, particularly for healthcare professionals like nurses, whose demanding roles can impact their well-being. Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) reflects caregiving roles' positive and negative outcomes, encompassing compassion, satisfaction, burnout, and trauma stress. This study explores the association between physical activity and ProQOL among nurses in Qatar.

METHODS

A quantitative, analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), with a sample size of 384, selected from approximately 10,000 nurses. Data was collected via an online survey using validated tools: the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-5). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ANOVA were applied to analyze associations between PA levels, ProQOL, and various sociodemographic, occupational, and health-related factors.

RESULTS

A total of 430 nurses participated (82.1% female, mean age: 43.3 ± 7.2 years). Most participants reported engaging in low (46.5%) or moderate (51.6%) physical activity levels. Moderate PA was significantly associated with higher ProQOL scores, particularly compassion satisfaction (40.3 ± 6.3), compared to low (36.9 ± 7.2) and high PA levels (38.7 ± 6.9). Burnout showed no significant association with PA levels. Sociodemographic factors, including age and shift patterns, were associated with PA, with moderate PA being more common among slightly older nurses and those working 8-hour shifts.

CONCLUSION

Moderate physical activity positively associates with nurses' professional quality of life, particularly by enhancing compassion satisfaction. While burnout did not show any significant relationship with PA, other factors like organizational support and work environment may play a more pivotal role. Promoting moderate PA among nurses through workplace interventions and supportive policies could enhance their well-being and caregiving capacity.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.