title: Analysis of work ability and work-related physical activity of employees in a medium-sized business.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Work-related physical activity (PA) and work ability are of growing importance in modern working society. There is evidence for age- and job-related differences regarding PA and work ability. This study analyses work ability and work-related PA of employees in a medium-sized business regarding age and occupation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The total sample consists of 148 employees (116 men-78.38% of the sample-and 32 women, accounting for 21.62%; mean age: 40.85 ± 10.07 years). 100 subjects (67.57%) are white-collar workers (WC), and 48 (32.43%) are blue-collar workers (BC). Work ability is measured using the work ability index, and physical activity is obtained via the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Work ability shows significant differences regarding occupation (p = 0.001) but not regarding age. Further, significant differences are found for work-related PA concerning occupation (p < 0.0001), but again not for age. Overall, more than half of all subjects meet the current guidelines for physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Work ability is rated as good, yet, a special focus should lie on the promotion during early and late working life. Also, there is still a lack of evidence on the level of work-related PA. Considering work-related PA could add to meeting current activity recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation, German Sports University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. Wilke@dshs-koeln.de.
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilke
authors.affiliation: Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation, German Sports University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. philip.ashton@visiongesund.de.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ashton
authors.affiliation: Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation, German Sports University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. aktiv@jwo.com.
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Elis
authors.affiliation: Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation, German Sports University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. Biallas@dshs-koeln.de.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Biallas
authors.affiliation: Institute for Movement Therapy and Movement-Oriented Prevention and Rehabilitation, German Sports University Cologne, Am Sportpark Müngersdorf 6, 50933, Cologne, Germany. Froboese@dshs-koeln.de.
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Froböse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001076:Aptitude / Q000502:physiology*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D014937:Work / Q000502:physiology*