Alexithymia and ergonomic health in academic work environments: Associations with physical activity,musculoskeletal discomfort,posture,and fatigue among university students

Abstract

Background

Alexithymia, defined as difficulty identifying and expressing emotions, has been linked to poor health behaviors and psychosomatic complaints. Evidence on its relationship with physical activity, musculoskeletal problems, posture, and fatigue in university students remains limited.

Objective

This study examined associations between alexithymia, physical activity, musculoskeletal complaints, posture, and fatigue in young adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 176 university students (59.1% female, mean age 21.3 ± 1.7 years). Alexithymia was measured using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20), physical activity with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire–Short Form (IPAQ-SF), musculoskeletal complaints with the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (CMDQ), posture with the New York Posture Rating Chart (NYPRC), and fatigue with the Checklist Individual Strength Questionnaire (CIS). Group comparisons were made by alexithymia status, and associations were analyzed with Spearman's correlation.

Results

Students with alexithymia (n = 29) reported lower physical activity (p = 0.012) and greater fatigue (p = 0.023). No significant differences emerged for musculoskeletal complaints or posture. TAS scores correlated positively with fatigue (r = 0.431, p < 0.001) and negatively with physical activity (r = –0.187, p < 0.05) and posture (r = –0.150, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Alexithymia is associated with reduced physical activity and increased fatigue, and showed a weak negative correlation with posture in university students. These results underscore the need for interventions addressing emotional regulation and physical activity to support ergonomic health and academic outcomes in young adults.