The number of steps taken by flight attendants during international long-haul flights

Background: Previous studies have revealed that female cabin attendants on long flights are most likely to have health problems. Since health problems can be related to workload and work stress and since the number of steps taken by an employee during a work shift can be an objective measure of the work load of cabin attendants, it is necessary to evaluate the predictors of the number of steps. Methods: We used pedometers worn by 118 female flight attendants to study the number of steps during flights and its predictors during long international flights. Results: The mean number of steps during 636.53 (SD = 129.11)-minute flights was 10,742.85 (SD = 3,547.17). The crude number of steps per minute was 16.88, and the adjusted number of steps per minute was 14.04. Flight length and the number of sleeping hours worked (i.e., between midnight and 6:00 am) were significant predictors of the number of steps. Conclusion: Although it is implied that flight duration and night flight increase the work load of flight attendants, we need to consider psychological aspects to evaluate the overall effects of their jobs on work stress and health.