How Is the Self-Perceived Work Ability Affected by the Duration of Unemployment, Heart Rate Variability and the Amount of Physical Activity in Older Long-Term Unemployed Persons?

Anke Bumann,Daniel Niederer,Lutz Vogt,Winfried Banzer,Constanze Santarossa

doi:10.3390/ijerph17062039

Abstract

Background: This study investigated whether work ability is associated with the duration of unemployment, heart rate variability (HRV), and the level of physical activity. Methods: Thirty-four unemployed persons (mean 55.7 ± standard deviation 33.3 years, 22 female, 12 male, unemployed: range 1–22.5 years) participated in the cross-sectional study. The Work Ability Index (WAI) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were applied. Short-term (five minutes) resting HRV (Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF), Total Power (TP)) was collected. Results: Work ability was positively associated with the HRV: LF (r = 0.383; p = 0.025), HF (r = 0.412; p = 0.015) and TP (r = 0.361; p = 0.036). The WAI showed a positive linear correlation with the amount of total physical activity (r = 0.461; p = 0.006) as well as with the amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity (r = 0.413; p = 0.015). No association between the WAI and the duration of unemployment occurred. Conclusions: the relation between self-perceived work ability, health-associated parameters, the HRV and the level of physical activity points out the relevance of health-care exercise and the need of stress-reducing interventions to improve perceived work ability. Our results point out the need for the further and more holistic development of healthcare for the unemployed.

Highlights

There is a close relationship between unemployment and health [1]
Conclusions: the relation between self-perceived work ability, health-associated parameters, the heart rate variability (HRV) and the level of physical activity points out the relevance of health-care exercise and the need of stress-reducing interventions to improve perceived work ability
Our results point out the need for the further and more holistic development of healthcare for the unemployed

Summary

Introduction

There is a close relationship between unemployment and health [1]. In particular, unemployment may become a psychosocial stressor [2] with long-term consequences on work ability and the overall state of health [3]. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a global measure of the activity of the autonomic nervous system [4] which mirrors stress levels, their pathological effects, and the body’s ability to tolerate stress situations [5]. This study investigated whether work ability is associated with the duration of unemployment, heart rate variability (HRV), and the level of physical activity. Results: Work ability was positively associated with the HRV: LF (r = 0.383; p = 0.025), HF (r = 0.412; p = 0.015). Conclusions: the relation between self-perceived work ability, health-associated parameters, the HRV and the level of physical activity points out the relevance of health-care exercise and the need of stress-reducing interventions to improve perceived work ability. Our results point out the need for the further and more holistic development of healthcare for the unemployed

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion