Muscle performance, work ability and physical functioning in middle-aged XXXX .

@entity1 @entity1442
BACKGROUND: Limited data exist on the associations between muscle performance and work ability measures in working age adults. AIMS: To evaluate how the results of simple muscle performance tests correlate with self-reported work ability and physical functioning in middle-aged @entity1 . METHODS: Muscle performance was measured with handgrip, sit-up, arch-up, squatting and lifting tests. The Physical Functioning scale and the Role Limitations due to Physical Health Problems scale of the RAND-36 health questionnaire were used to assess functioning and the @entity1442 ( @entity1442 ) questionnaire to assess perceived work ability in a subgroup of 51 subjects. RESULTS: A total of 104 @entity1 aged 45-55 years employed in physically active work participated. Muscle performance was weakly associated with @entity1442 and functioning measures, accounting for 10% of the variance at most. Dynamic lifting test results for both arms correlated with @entity1442 scores (right: r = 0.31, left: r = 0.34). Scores of the dynamic lifting test for both arms correlated with the Physical Functioning scores (right: r = 0.23, left: r = 0.28) and with the Role Limitations due to Physical Health Problems scores (right: r = 0.25, left: r = 0.28). Results of the squatting test were associated with the Physical Functioning scores (r = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: The study failed to provide support for the use of muscle performance tests in work-related fitness evaluations in middle-aged @entity1 employed in physical jobs.
