State of the art on the predictors of reduced capacity for work in Brazilian workers

Abstract

Work Capacity (WC) is a dynamic process that involves an interrelationship between human resources and work and is influenced by various factors, especially the work environment and working conditions, as well as the worker's lifestyle. Thus, a close and complex relationship between health and work is observed, and health is negatively affected when work activities are performed in inappropriate environments, which can precipitate or aggravate the reduction of WC, which represents a measure of functional aging and an indicator of worker health. This study aimed to evaluate the state of the art on the predictors of reduced work capacity in Brazilian workers. This is a narrative literature review study in which articles were searched in the BVS, Scielo, LILACS, PubMed, and Medline databases from July to December 2020, using the descriptors/keywords: work capacity evaluation, working conditions, and work capacity index. A total of 119 studies were identified, and 29 full articles were selected for reading in full and analysis. The factors associated with reduced WC were older age, female gender, high demand at work, long working hours, more than one employment relationship, presence of musculoskeletal disorders, absence of physical activity, tobacco use, and obesity. The identification and adequate management of the factors associated with the reduction of WC are fundamental for the prevention of functional aging in the working class, allowing the execution of prevention and health promotion actions that favor an active and healthy aging, avoiding the reduction or early loss of WC.