What does this research mean for the field?

Higher lifetime leisure-time physical activity is associated with better work ability at the end of working life. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This research aims to examine the relationship between lifetime leisure-time physical activity and work ability at the end of working life.

March 1, 2026

Association of leisure-time physical activity at different phases of life with work ability at the end of working life: a Finland-representative 45-year prospective cohort study

Key Points

This research aims to examine the relationship between lifetime leisure-time physical activity and work ability at the end of working life.
Conducted a 45-year observational cohort study in a representative Finnish population.
Created a latent lifetime leisure-time physical activity factor based on self-reported metrics from ages 10-19, 35-44, and 55-64.
Applied structural equation modelling and linear regression analysis to assess the association with work ability.
Higher lifetime leisure-time physical activity is significantly associated with enhanced work ability (ß=0.22, p<0.001).
Each phase of life (adolescence, mid-adulthood, late adulthood) positively contributes to the latent LTPA factor, with late adulthood being the strongest (ß=0.59).
In late adulthood, meeting WHO physical activity guidelines is dose-responsively linked to excellent work ability.

Abstract

Objective Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has been linked to better work ability in cross-sectional and short-term follow-up studies. Less is known about the effects of long-term habitual LTPA on work ability. We investigated whether differences in lifetime LTPA from adolescence to late adulthood affect work ability at the end of working life. Methods In this 45-year observational cohort study involving a nationally representative Finnish sample, we created a latent lifetime LTPA factor from three self-report PA measurements at ages 10–19, 35–44 and 55–64 years. The association between the lifetime LTPA factor and validated Work Ability Index at the end of working life (age 55–64 years) was explored with structural equation modelling-based linear regression analysis. Results Higher lifetime LTPA was associated with higher work ability at the end of working life (N=2385, 45% males; ß=0.22, SE=0.05, p2.38 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-hour/day (>300 min moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) or >150 min vigorous PA (VPA)/week) vs inactive (<1.19 MET-hour/day (<150 min MVPA or <75 min of VPA/week)) = 2.18, 95% CI 1.44 to 3.30; OR active (1.19–2.38 MET-hour/day (150–300 min MVPA or 75–150 min VPA/week)) vs inactive=1.67, 95% CI 1.04 to 2.68. The results remained unchanged after adjustment for covariates sex, educational level and work-related physical strain. Conclusions An inactive lifestyle adopted in youth and maintained throughout life may present a significant risk for impaired work ability up to the end of working life. To support workforce productivity, it is essential to implement robust strategies that promote PA, particularly among children and adolescents, but also among working age adults.

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