Influence of age on functional capacity and work ability in Chilean workers: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: International archives of occupational and environmental health Vol. 94; no. 6; pp. 1307 - 1315
• Main Authors: Marzuca-Nassr, Gabriel Nasri, Soto-Rodríguez, Francisco Javier, Bascour-Sandoval, Claudio, Cofré-Obando, Víctor, Hermosilla, Cristóbal, Sepúlveda, Pablo, Muñoz-Poblete, Claudio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-08-2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Age; Cross-sectional studies; Earth and Environmental Science; Environment; Environmental Health; Evaluation; Extremities; Flexibility; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Original Article; Physical tests; Rehabilitation; Workers; Health and safety; Cross-sectional studies; Musculoskeletal; Ageing
• ISSN: 0340-0131; 1432-1246
• DOI: 10.1007/s00420-021-01674-2

Objective
To determine if there are differences in functional capacity and work ability between older and younger active workers in public institutions, and to relate functional capacity to work ability.
Methods
This cross-sectional study evaluated 360 subjects from two public institutions, a university and a high-complexity regional hospital. The participants were divided into 3 age ranges 40–49, 50–59 and ≥ 60 years. The following evaluations were applied: a multidimensional assessment questionnaire, work ability and functional capacity using physical tests (strength, flexibility and balance).
Results
There are no significant differences in work ability among the different age groups (
P
 > 0.05). Significant differences were found according to age group in 30-s chair-stand test (30-s CST), 1 repetition maximum (1RM) extending the knee 90° (1RM-leg extension) and 1RM of handgrip strength (1RM-handgrip), upper body flexibility, lower body flexibility, static balance or dynamic balance (
P
 < 0.05). Only the variables 30-s CST (
r
s = 0.13,
P
 = 0.018)
,
lower body flexibility (
r
s = 0.13,
P
 = 0.012) and static balance (
r
s = 0.13,
P
 = 0.012) were related to work ability.
Conclusions
There are differences in functional capacity as the workers’ ages increase. By contrast, work ability does not present any differences when comparing older and younger adults. Some physical tests of the lower extremities presented a small correlation with work ability.