Ilmarinen J, Tuomi K, Klockars M
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Scand J Work Environ Health. 1997;23 Suppl 1:49-57.
Changes in the work ability of active employees were followed over a period of 11 years.
Men and women in the same occupation (N = 818) in 1981-1992 assessed their work ability according to an index on current work ability, physical and mental work demands, diagnosed diseases, work impairment from disease, sickness absence, work ability prognosis, and psychological resources. Their mean initial age was 46.9 (range 44-51) years. The means and standard deviations of the work ability index and the prevalence rates of 4 work ability categories were followed with respect to age, gender, and job content.
The mean work ability index declined significantly in 11 years for both genders. Its association with age and work was strong. Age of > or = 51 years and physical work load were critical factors affecting the work ability of both genders. At the mean age of 58 years, at least 25% of the installation, auxiliary, or transport workers had a poor work ability rating, as did the women doing kitchen supervision, auxiliary, and home care work. The annual rate of decline in work ability was highest for women aged 51 years at the onset of the study. Female teachers showed a less dramatic decline in work ability than male teachers.
Work does not seem to prevent a decline in the work ability of men and women as they age. Therefore, measures to promote work ability should be started before the age of 51 years, especially for workers in physically demanding jobs.
对在职员工的工作能力变化进行了为期11年的跟踪研究。
1981年至1992年从事相同职业的男性和女性（N = 818）根据当前工作能力、身心工作需求、确诊疾病、疾病导致的工作障碍、病假、工作能力预后和心理资源等指标评估他们的工作能力。他们的平均初始年龄为46.9岁（范围44 - 51岁）。按照年龄、性别和工作内容跟踪工作能力指数的均值和标准差以及4种工作能力类别的患病率。
11年间，男女的平均工作能力指数均显著下降。其与年龄和工作的关联很强。年龄≥51岁和体力工作负荷是影响男女工作能力的关键因素。在平均年龄58岁时，至少25%的安装、辅助或运输工人工作能力评级较差，从事厨房监督、辅助和家庭护理工作的女性也是如此。研究开始时年龄为51岁的女性工作能力的年下降率最高。女教师的工作能力下降幅度小于男教师。
随着年龄增长，工作似乎并不能阻止男性和女性工作能力的下降。因此，应在51岁之前开始采取促进工作能力的措施，尤其是对于从事体力要求高的工作的工人。
