Desk jobs may help boost mental health

People who work in jobs that require less physical activity - typically office and desk-based jobs - are at a lower risk of subsequent poor cognition than those whose work is more physically active, according to a study.

Lack of physical activity and exercise are known risk factors for major health conditions, including cognitive impairments such as memory and concentration problems.

For the findings the research team examined patterns of physical activity among 8,500 men and women who were aged 40-79 yearshad a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds and educational attainment.

In particular, the team were able to separate physical activity during work and leisure to see if these had different associations with later-life cognition. As part of the study, participants completed a health and lifestyle questionnaire, including information on the level of physical activity during both work and leisure, and underwent a health examination.

The findings showed that individuals with no qualifications were more likely to have physically active jobs, but less likely to be physically active outside of work. The study found that a physically inactive job (typically a desk-job), is associated with lower risk of poor cognition. Those who remained in this type of work throughout the study period were the most likely to be in the top 10 per cent of performers.