Leisure-time physical activity including vigorous-intensity activity was associated with lower sickness absence over the follow-up, although patterns differed by sex and activity level, and vigorous-intensity physical activity may be beneficial for reducing sickness absence already in early working life.
Women had significantly more sickness absence days than men over the follow-up period.
Women with moderate-to-vigorous leisure-time physical activity had lower rates of total sickness absence compared to inactive women.
Men with vigorous leisure-time physical activity had lower rates of total sickness absence days and short sickness absence spells compared to inactive men.
Active commuting showed protective associations with sickness absence only among women, with no confirmed associations among men.
The protective associations between physical activity and sickness absence differed by both sex and level of physical activity.
This research examined whether physical activity during leisure time and active commuting (such as cycling or walking to work) was associated with taking fewer sick days among young workers aged 19 to 39 employed by the City of Helsinki. Using survey data from 2017 linked to official sickness absence records through 2020, the study found that women who engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in their leisure time had about 31% fewer sickness absence days compared to inactive women. Men showed a similar benefit, but only at higher (vigorous) intensity levels, with about 40% fewer sickness absence days compared to inactive men. These findings suggest that regular physical activity—particularly at higher intensities—may help reduce workplace absenteeism even among younger employees early in their careers. The study also found that women had substantially more sickness absence days overall than men (135 vs. 97 days per 10 person-years). Active commuting showed some protective associations, but these were only confirmed in women and were generally weaker than the leisure-time physical activity findings. This suggests that the type and intensity of physical activity may matter differently depending on sex, and that leisure-time exercise may be more consistently beneficial than active commuting for reducing sick days. This research suggests that promoting vigorous-intensity physical activity among younger working adults could be a meaningful strategy for reducing sickness absence in the workplace. The fact that protective effects were seen even in this younger age group—before the typical accumulation of chronic health problems—highlights the potential value of encouraging active lifestyles early in working life. However, the different patterns seen between men and women indicate that one-size-fits-all activity recommendations may not capture the full picture.
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Upload Your LabsPäivärinne V, Fagerlund P, Lahti J, Rahkonen O, Lallukka T. (2026). Leisure-time and commuting physical activity and subsequent sickness absence among young and early midlife employees: a register-linked follow-up study 2017-2020.. International archives of occupational and environmental health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-026-02234-2