A1 Journal article (refereed)
Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Disability Retirement : A 9-Year Register Linked Follow-Up Study (2024)

Kuusela, M., Pohjola, V., Sarttila, K., Munukka, M., Holopainen, R., Laaksonen, M., Lundqvist, A., & Lahti, J. (2024). Physical Fitness as a Predictor of Disability Retirement : A 9-Year Register Linked Follow-Up Study. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 21(8), 837-843. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0004

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kuusela, Markus; Pohjola, Valtteri; Sarttila, Katariina; Munukka, Matti; Holopainen, Riikka; Laaksonen, Mikko; Lundqvist, Annamari; Lahti, Jouni

Journal or series: Journal of Physical Activity and Health

ISSN: 1543-3080

eISSN: 1543-5474

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 10/07/2024

Volume: 21

Issue number: 8

Pages range: 837-843

Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers

Publication country: United States

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0004

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Abstract

Background: To prospectively examine the association between physical fitness and risk of disability retirement in a large population-based cohort. Methods: This study utilized data from Health 2011 survey Physical Activity subsample (n = 4898), combined with information on disability retirement derived from 2 national registers. In total, 2455 individuals aged 18–74 years underwent the physical fitness test protocol concerning measures of cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, and balance. The outcome variable was disability retirement, during the follow-up period of 9 years. After excluding those not at risk of disability retirement (ie, age ≥63 y) or who had already been granted disability pension, and those who had not completed the fitness protocol, the analytical sample included 1381 participants. Data were analyzed using Cox regression model with SPSS (version 29). Results: During the 9-year follow-up period, 61 individuals (4.4%) transitioned to a disability retirement. Cox regression analysis showed an association between the various physical fitness subdomains and the risk of disability retirement. In model 1, all fitness tests were associated with the risk of disability retirement, except the one-leg stand test with hazard ratios ranging from 1.69 (95% CI, 0.86–3.34) to 5.75 (95% CI, 1.84–17.90). Further adjustment for sociodemographic, health behavior, and health-related covariates attenuated the associations and statistical significance was lost, except for the vertical jump test (hazard ratio = 4.33; 95% CI, 1.32–14.10) and 6-minute walk test (hazard ratio = 3.81; 95% CI, 1.35–10.70). Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of physical fitness for preventing work disability.

Keywords: working population; work ability; physical fitness; work-related diseases; incapacity for work; retirement; pre-emption; physical activity; physical training; occupational health; public health; cohort study; population research

Free keywords: population study; public health; work disability; occupational health

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 1