The Effects of Health Enhancing Physical Activity on Work Ability in Health Care Workers: A Lecture for Nursing Staff in Ruskatalot

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to search the literature for information on the effects of health enhancing physical activity on work ability in health care workers, and to provide a lecture for nursing staff working in Ruskatalojen palveluyhdistys ry based on the literature. The aim of the lecture was to provide the client group with theoretical knowledge about the concepts and promotion of work ability, concepts and recommendations of health enhancing physical activity, and the relationship between work ability and physical activity specifically in physically demanding work with a predominantly female work force.

The theoretical part of the thesis begins with a section on the concept of work ability, including defining work ability, factors affecting work ability, how work ability is measured, and how it is promoted. After that, health enhancing physical activity is discussed, with recommendations for the amount of physical activity, information on different forms of physical activity, and the health effects of physical activity. Finally, the effects of physical activity on work ability are discussed. The lecture followed the structure of the thesis.