The work ability index and functional capacity among older workers.
BACKGROUND
Decreases in functional ability due to aging can impair work capacity and productivity among older workers.


OBJECTIVE
This study compares the sociodemographics, health conditions, and physical functioning abilities of young and old workers as well as correlates of physical functioning capacity with the work ability index (WAI).


METHODS
This exploratory, cross-sectional study examined employees of a higher education institution (HEI) and those of a metallurgical industry. Older workers (50 years old or above) were matched for gender and occupation type with younger workers (less than 50 years old). The following evaluations were applied: the multidimensional assessment questionnaire (which included sociodemographic, clinical, health perception, and physical health indices), the WAI, and a battery of physical functional tests.


RESULTS
Diseases and regularly used medications were more common among the group of aging workers. The WAI did not differ between groups (p=0.237). Both groups showed similar physical functional capacity performances with regard to walking speed, muscle strength, and lower limb physical functioning. Aging workers showed a poorer performance on a test of right-leg support (p=0.004). The WAI was moderately correlated with the sit-to-stand test among older female workers (r=0.573, p=0.051).


CONCLUSIONS
Unfavorable general health conditions did not affect the assessment of work ability or most of the tests of physical functional capacity in the aging group.
Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Rosimeire S
RS
Padula
Maria L C
ML
Comper
Suzana A
SA
Moraes
Catherine
C
Sabbagh
Wagner Junior
WJ
Pagliato
Monica R
MR
Perracini
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation