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Muscular Fitness and Work Ability among Physical Therapists

Author

Listed:
  • Yasmín Ezzatvar

    (Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

  • Joaquín Calatayud

    (Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain
    National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark)

  • Lars Louis Andersen

    (National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
    Sport Sciences, Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark)

  • Edgar Ramos Vieira

    (Department of Physical Therapy, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Rubén López-Bueno

    (National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
    Department of Physical Medicine and Nursing, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain)

  • José Casaña

    (Exercise Intervention for Health Research Group (EXINH-RG), Department of Physiotherapy, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain)

Abstract

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a validated and widely used tool in occupational research. However, normative values for physical therapists (PTs) by age and sex are lacking. Although the nature of PTs’ work is physically demanding, it is unknown whether muscular fitness is associated with their WAI. This study sought to provide reference WAI data for Spanish PTs and to evaluate the association between PTs’ muscular fitness and WAI. Data on WAI of 1005 PTs were collected using a questionnaire. A subgroup ( n = 68) performed a battery of physical tests including grip strength, push-ups and back-extension endurance. Associations between muscular fitness and WAI were evaluated using logistic regression controlling for various confounders. PTs aged 50 years or older had lower WAI scores than their younger counterparts. PTs with high back-extension endurance scored 3.5 (95% CI) higher in the WAI than those with low endurance. No associations were found between grip strength or number of push-ups and WAI. Our findings seem to highlight the importance of muscular fitness in PTs, especially the back-extension endurance.

Suggested Citation

  • Yasmín Ezzatvar & Joaquín Calatayud & Lars Louis Andersen & Edgar Ramos Vieira & Rubén López-Bueno & José Casaña, 2021. "Muscular Fitness and Work Ability among Physical Therapists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-10, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:4:p:1722-:d:497316
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lisenkova, Katerina & Mérette, Marcel & Wright, Robert, 2013. "Population ageing and the labour market: Modelling size and age-specific effects," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 35(C), pages 981-989.
    2. N Renuga Nagarajan & Mineko Wada & Mei Lan Fang & Andrew Sixsmith, 2019. "Defining organizational contributions to sustaining an ageing workforce: a bibliometric review," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 337-361, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kristin Suorsa & Ville-Mikko Mattila & Tuija Leskinen & Olli J. Heinonen & Jaana Pentti & Jussi Vahtera & Sari Stenholm, 2022. "Work ability and physical fitness among aging workers: the Finnish Retirement and Aging Study," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(4), pages 1301-1310, December.
    2. Nicola Magnavita & Igor Meraglia & Giacomo Viti & Lorenzo Borghese, 2024. "The Work Ability Index (WAI) in the Healthcare Sector: A Cross-Sectional/Retrospective Assessment of the Questionnaire," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-17, March.
    3. Monica Unsgaard-Tøndel & Anne Lovise Nordstoga, 2022. "Are Work Demand, Support and Control Associated with Work Ability and Disability during Back Pain Treatment? A Prospective Explorative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-9, March.

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