Abstract
Lifestyle factors such as smoking, sedentarism, low physical activity levels, and overweight are associated with poor health, and they can potentially influence work ability. However, it remains unknown which lifestyle habits are associated with work ability among physical therapists (PTs). The aim of this study was to examine the associations between smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, sitting time, and physical activity levels with work ability among PTs utilizing a nationwide questionnaire. Associations were modeled using logistic regression controlled for various confounders. Overweight, sitting >150 min/day, and <75 min/week of leisure-time vigorous physical activity were associated with lower work ability among PTs. Further, the existence of two unhealthy habits showed a weak-to-moderate positive association with lower work ability scores (Model 1: OR, 2.21, 95% CI = 1.16–4.22; Model 2: OR, 2.32, 95% CI, 1.18–4.54), with even stronger associations when three unhealthy habits (Model 1: OR = 3.30, 95% CI, 1.58–6.86; Model 2: OR, 3.34, 95% CI, 1.54–7.26) or four unhealthy habits (Model 1: OR = 8.91, 95% CI, 2.55–31.1; Model 2: OR = 8.20, 95% CI, 2.15–31.2) were present. In conclusion, overweight, low physical activity, and sedentarism were associated with lower levels of work ability, especially when ≥2 unhealthy lifestyle factors were present.
Highlights
Published: 22 June 2021Work ability is defined as a result of the balance between workers’ mental and physical resources and the work demands [1]
Work ability is not separated from life outside work [6]; it is determined by several influences, among which lifestyle factors are a key element
Data on work ability and lifestyle factors were obtained from a questionnaire sent to 1006 physical therapists (PTs)
Summary
Published: 22 June 2021Work ability is defined as a result of the balance between workers’ mental and physical resources and the work demands [1]. An 11-year followup study [3] reported that workers with physically demanding jobs had lower work ability compared with employees with mentally demanding work. These findings are consistent with other studies among general workers [4]. In this regard, it is well documented that healthcare professionals are at a higher risk of developing health disorders in comparison with workers in less physically demanding jobs, affecting their work ability through their entire working life, especially as they age [5]. Work ability is not separated from life outside work [6]; it is determined by several influences, among which lifestyle factors are a key element
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