Assessing the health impacts of past occupational activities in adulthood: a predictive model approach

Abstract

Introduction: Regular physical activity may help to reduce the effects associated with occupa-tional activity before retirement. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyse by a predictive model approach the effect of the relationship between the type of occupational activity and physical activity on anthropometric, physical, and mental health in an adult retired population.Methodology: 501retired participants (70.13 ± 1.23 years)were included and categorized into three groups based on their occupational activity. The model for prediction was built with: oc-cupational activity, sex, physical activity level, body mass index, no smoking, physical activity, and the smoothed variables s(Age). Dependent variables were six-minute walk test, handgrip strength, mental health, physical health, fat mass, and muscle mass.Results: For men, the vigorous work group showed lower values in the six-minute walk test and higher values in anthropometric variables when compared to the sedentary work group. For women, the moderate and vigorous worksgroupsshowed lower values in six-minute walk test when compared to the sedentary work group.For anthropometric variables, the same groups showed higher values when compared to the sedentary work group.For mental health, the moderate work group showed lower scores compared to the sedentary work group.Discussion: Occupational activity, physical activity, sex, and body mass index were predictors of anthropometric variables, mental health, and physical fitness.Conclusions: It would be beneficial to implement an exercise programme during the working stage in organisations with moderate and vigorous work.