Age-related changes of the work ability construct and its relations to cognitive functioning in the older worker : a 16-year follow-up study

The aim was to find out age-related changes in the Work Ability Index (WAI) and cognitive functions as well as their cross-sectional and longitudinal relations. The data are based on the follow-up study of municipal employees which begun in 1981 when subjects' (N=6257) age-range varied between 44 and 58 years. The first dataset consists of those who replied to the questionnaires in 1981-1997, and remained at work until 1992 (n=717). The second consists of those who attended the laboratory tests and were occupationally active in 1981-1985 (n=68). It was expected that both the WAI and cognitive functions decrease during the 11 years, the changes being greater in the WAI than in cognitive func…