Assessment of work ability and vitality-a study of teachers of different age groups

This study was performed to analyse work ability and vitality of teachers of different age groups (group 1: < 45 years, group 2: ≥ 45 years) working at comprehensive secondary schools. Particularly, we were interested in detecting factors influencing work ability. 100 female teachers were included in this analysis. A multidisciplinary approach was applied, including life style analysis, work anamnesis, work ability index, scores of the effort-reward-imbalance (ERI) and of the relaxation inability (RI), burnout risks analysis (Maslach Burnout Inventory) as well as different physical, mental and social parameters of the participants, which were analysed by a so called measuring station of vitality. It was shown that already 24% of teachers of the younger age group and 49% of the elderly teachers show a poor/moderate work ability, which indicates an urgent need for measures for improving work ability. More than 50% of teachers suffer from psychic (exhaustion, fatigue, memory and concentration problems) and muscular-skeletal disorders. Factors positively influencing work ability are a low number of physical and psychological complaints, an appropriate relation between effort and reward at work and a low burnout risk. Factors which could be identified to be related to a low work ability are a high number of health complaints, a low level of physical fitness and an inappropriate waist-hip ratio. Measures for preventing a decline of work ability of teachers with increasing age should focus on identifying the reasons for health complaints, on measures which focus on effort and reward at work and on a healthy life style (avoiding individual health risk factors). Actions for promotion work ability of teachers are an important objective for preventing teachers from early retirement.