[Physical activities and health: results of a national survey of workers].

Since 15 years, the ASMT (Association for the promotion of sports in enterprises) has been trying to demonstrate that physical activities is a health factor for workers and their enterprises. Few studies (1980-1990) in individual enterprises (Alsthom, IBM, Aérospatiale, Peugeot...), and a national one (1985, 1,600 sportsmen) have shown the relationship between exercise and a lower absenteeism. These results were confirmed by a randomized national controlled study in 1990-1991. With the assistance of 115 work-doctors, the ASMT included more than 22,000 workers: 38% of them had physical activities (ASMT 1: 1 hour a week, ASMT 2: 3 hours a week, ASMT 3: competitors), and 62% had none. Exercisers have less industrial injuries than sedentary people (3.78% vs 4.52%. p. < 0.001) and less absences for illness (26.4% vs 30.8%. p. < 0.001). The duration of their absences are shorter for industrial injuries (sedentary people: 27.9 days, ASMT 1: 27.1 days, ASMT 2: 25.5 days, ASMT 3: 24.6 days) and for illness (sedentary people: 23.6 days, ASMT 1: 19.1 days, ASMT 2: 17.4 days, ASMT 3: 15.3 days).