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12-Mo Intervention of Physical Exercise Improved Work Ability, Especially in Subjects with Low Baseline Work Ability

Author

Listed:
  • Oili Kettunen

    (Department of Health and Exercise & Paavo Nurmi Center, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
    Department of Health and Exercise, Sports Institute of Finland, 19120 Vierumäki, Finland)

  • Timo Vuorimaa

    (Haaga-Helia the University of Applied Sciences, 19120 Vierumäki, Finland)

  • Tommi Vasankari

    (UKK Institute for Health Promotion Research, 33501 Tampere, Finland
    National Institute for Health and Welfare, 00271 Helsinki, Finland)

Abstract

Objectives : This study’s objective was to assess the effects of a 12-month physical exercise intervention on work ability (WAI) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in healthy working adults. Methods : The study group had 371 participants, of which 338 (212 women and 126 men) were allocated in the exercise group and 33 (17 women and 16 men) in the control group. The exercise group underwent a 12-month exercise program followed by a 12-month follow-up. WAI and CRF were evaluated at baseline, and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 study months, in both exercise and control groups. The exercise group was divided into subgroups according to baseline WAI classifications (poor/moderate, good, excellent). Results : During the 12-month exercise intervention, the exercise group increased their leisure-time physical activity by 71% ( p = 0.016) and improved the mean WAI by 3% and CRF by 7% ( p < 0.0001, in both), while WAI and CRF decreased in the control group (ANCOVA using age, sex and BMI as covariates, for WAI, p = 0.013 and for CRF, p = 0.008). The changes in WAI and CRF between the exercise group and control group were significantly different during the intervention (baseline vs . 12-months, p = 0.028 and p = 0.007) and after the follow-up ( p = 0.001 and p = 0.040), respectively. A light positive correlation between the changes in WAI and in CRF ( r = 0.19, p < 0.01) existed. WAI improvement was the highest (13%, p < 0.0001) in the subgroup having poor/moderate WAI at baseline (ANCOVA, p < 0.001). Conclusions : The improvement of WAI associated with CRF. These results suggest that a physical exercise intervention may improve work ability.

Suggested Citation

  • Oili Kettunen & Timo Vuorimaa & Tommi Vasankari, 2014. "12-Mo Intervention of Physical Exercise Improved Work Ability, Especially in Subjects with Low Baseline Work Ability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:4:p:3859-3869:d:34790
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Joshua Zheng Rui Ting & Xiaoqi Chen & Venerina Johnston, 2019. "Workplace-Based Exercise Intervention Improves Work Ability in Office Workers: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-10, July.
    2. Kenneth Jay & Maria Kristine Friborg & Gisela Sjøgaard & Markus Due Jakobsen & Emil Sundstrup & Mikkel Brandt & Lars Louis Andersen, 2015. "The Consequence of Combined Pain and Stress on Work Ability in Female Laboratory Technicians: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Yasmin Ezzatvar & Joaquín Calatayud & Lars L. Andersen & Adrian Escriche-Escuder & Marta Aguilar & Jose Casaña, 2021. "The Importance of Lifestyle Factors for Work Ability among Physical Therapists: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-9, June.
    4. Jan-Bennet Voltmer & Edgar Voltmer & Jürgen Deller, 2018. "Differences of Four Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns in Work Ability and Other Work-Related Perceptions in a Finance Company," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-20, July.
    5. Pauliina Husu & Kari Tokola & Henri Vähä-Ypyä & Harri Sievänen & Tommi Vasankari, 2023. "Accelerometer-Measured Physical Behavior and Cardiorespiratory Fitness as Indicators of Work Ability," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-12, April.
    6. Jacky Y. K. Ng & Alan H. S. Chan, 2018. "The Work Ability of Hong Kong Construction Workers in Relation to Individual and Work-Related Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-24, May.

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