A1 Journal article (refereed)
Physical activity and ability to meet different work requirements among adult working men with or without current depressive symptoms (2021)


Päivärinne, V., Thodén, M., Kautiainen, H., Arokoski, J., Koponen, H., Heinonen, A., & Kiviranta, I. (2021). Physical activity and ability to meet different work requirements among adult working men with or without current depressive symptoms. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 94(3), 451-458. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01595-6


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editorsPäivärinne, Ville; Thodén, Marie; Kautiainen, Hannu; Arokoski, Jari; Koponen, Hannu; Heinonen, Ari; Kiviranta, Ilkka

Journal or seriesInternational Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

ISSN0340-0131

eISSN1432-1246

Publication year2021

Publication date30/10/2020

Volume94

Issue number3

Pages range451-458

PublisherSpringer

Publication countryGermany

Publication languageEnglish

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-020-01595-6

Publication open accessOpenly available

Publication channel open accessPartially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX)https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72473


Abstract

Purpose
To examine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) and ability to meet different work requirements among adult working men with or without current depressive symptoms.

Methods
We measured LTPA with the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The Work Ability Index (WAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used to assess the work ability and depression of 921 Finnish employed male volunteers. Participants were divided into three groups according to the WAI for their work requirements: mental (MENT), physical (PHYS), and an equal amount of mental and physical work (BTH).

Results
When adjusted for age, BMI and employment years, there was a significant difference in weekly LTPA between WAI groups {p = 0.003, [F (2902) = 5.58]}, but not for depression. It appeared that participants with depressive symptoms scored lower WAI in each group regardless of LTPA. In addition, a linear relationship was found between higher LTPA and WAI in nondepressed workers in the PHYS [p = 0.011, β = 0.10 (95% CI 0.03–0.18)] and BTH [p = 0.027, β = 0.19 (95% CI 0.03–0.34)] groups. Among workers with depressive symptoms, similar linearity was found in BTH [p = 0.003, β = 0.20 (95% CI 0.03–0.55)]. In group-wise comparison, work requirements {p = 0.001, [F (2902) = 11.2]} and depressive symptoms {p < 0.001, [F (1902) = 177.0]} related with lower WAI.

Conclusion
Depressive symptoms were associated with lower work ability regardless of the job description. Therefore, higher levels of weekly LTPA was linked with better work ability among nondepressed working men. Workers with depressive symptoms in jobs that require extensive mental or physical work might need more than exercise to improve work ability.


Keywordsphysical activityphysical trainingdepression (mental disorders)work abilitymenquestionnaire survey

Free keywordsphysical activity; depressive symptoms; work ability; questionnaires


Contributing organizations


Ministry reportingYes

Reporting Year2021

JUFO rating1


Last updated on 2024-26-03 at 09:19