Universidade Cidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Braz J Phys Ther. 2013 Jul-Aug;17(4):382-91. doi: 10.1590/S1413-35552013005000107. Epub 2013 Aug 30.
Decreases in functional ability due to aging can impair work capacity and productivity among older workers.
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).
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.
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).
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.
由于衰老导致的功能能力下降会损害老年工人的工作能力和生产力。
本研究比较了年轻和老年工人的社会人口统计学、健康状况和身体功能能力，并将身体功能能力与工作能力指数（WAI）相关联。
这是一项探索性的、横断面研究，检查了一所高等教育机构（HEI）和一家冶金行业的员工。老年工人（50 岁或以上）按性别和职业类型与年轻工人（50 岁以下）相匹配。应用了以下评估方法：多维评估问卷（包括社会人口统计学、临床、健康感知和身体健康指数）、WAI 和一系列身体功能测试。
疾病和经常使用的药物在老化工人群体中更为常见。WAI 两组之间没有差异（p=0.237）。两组在步行速度、肌肉力量和下肢身体功能方面的身体功能能力表现相似。老年工人在右腿支撑测试中表现较差（p=0.004）。WAI 与老年女性工人的坐立测试中度相关（r=0.573，p=0.051）。
一般健康状况不佳并未影响老化组的工作能力评估或大多数身体功能能力测试。
