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Introduction: Several studies have shown that high levels of physical activity at work is associated with increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, sickness-absence, and disability pension. Higher levels of leisure time PA on the other hand reduces risk for musculoskeletal disorders, lower perceived job stress and lower work-related fatigue over time. In the The Study of New Technology and Health among Hospital employees (STUNTH) we want to examine the interplay between different dimensions of perceived work demands and patterns of device measured physical activity at work and leisure and the risk of sickness absence and disability pension due to musculoskeletal disorders in different occupational groups working in a hospital. Investigating the relationship between self-perceived work demands at work and physical activity is an important first step.

Purpose: To investigate the association between perceived work demands and duration and patterns of postures and activities at work and leisure among hospital workers with and without musculoskeletal pain.

Methods: The results are based on data from 1,927 hospital workers participating in the first wave of STUNTH between October 2021-May 2022. The included participants wore two Axivity AX3 triaxial accelerometers for 7 days. In addition, they reported working hours and rated their work demands using the NASA Task Load Index. Types of performed activities and postures was classified using the NTNU-HAR model.

Results:Preliminary results show a significant positive association (p<0.01) between time spent as physically active at work and self-perceived physical work demand, with standing being the highest correlated activity type. Further results from the analyses will be presented at the conference. STUNTH is an open cohort study of hospital workers in central Norway. The main aim of the STUNTH-study is to examine the relationship between work-related factors, health and work-life participation in work-life among hospital workers in a decade of digital and demographic change (www.stunth.no).