Better Work Ability Is Associated With Lower Levels of Both Occupational Stress and Occupational Physical Activity in Professional Drivers

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the association of sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, work organization, and professional profile with work ability in professional drivers. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 449 drivers in Curitiba, Paraná (Brazil). Participants were assessed regarding their work ability (Work Ability Index [WAI]), sociodemographic, lifestyle (physical activity [Baecke's questionnaire] and stress [Work Stress Scale]), work organization, and professional profile using self-completion instruments. The association of WAI with sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, work organization, and professional profile was determined by multivariable ordinal logistic regression models. RESULTS: Lifestyle factors best explained the WAI variability. The WAI was inversely associated with stress and occupational physical activities but directly associated with leisure activities and locomotion and leisure-time physical exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Our data also challenge the concept that sociodemographic information and ergonomics organization influence determining the work ability of this population.