Work ability in older age and associated factors

Introduction. In the context of global aging, working pensioners represent a valuable labor resource. This study evaluates work ability and analyzes associated factors among 60–74 years residents of Arkhangelsk.

Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study of a random sample (n=550) was conducted in 2023. Work ability was defined as self-reported employment or ability to work. Six groups of factors were assessed: socio-demographic (age, gender, education, financial status, marital status), behavioral (smoking, alcohol consumption), somatic (presence of chronic diseases), functional (Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), grip strength), sensory (vision, hearing), cognitive-psychological (MoCA test, Beck test). Sex-stratified multivariable logistic regression analysis with adjustment for age and education was used to evaluate factors associated with work ability.

Results. Of the total participants, 73.5% were classified as able to work, and 33.1% were employed. Each additional SPPB point increased the odds of maintaining work ability by 24% in women (odds ratio [OR] 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.49) and 49% in men (OR 1.49; 95% CI 1.15–1.94). In women, a higher in grip strength (kg) was also associated with work ability (OR 1.08; 95% CI 1.02–1.13). Financial difficulties in women (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.25–0.74) and anemia in men (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.09–0.95) were associated with reduced odds of work ability. Other factors showed no statistically significant associations.

Limitations. Cross-sectional design and self-report assessment of work ability.

Conclusion. Two-thirds of Arkhangelsk residents maintain work ability at 60–74 years. Work ability in older age is primarily determined by preservation of physical functioning abilities for both genders. Programs for maintaining and improving physical fitness in older adults may contribute to extending working careers and active longevity.

Compliance with ethical standards. The study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Northern State Medical University (Arkhangelsk) of the Ministry of Health of Russia (Protocol No. 03/04-23 dated 26/04/2023).

Contribution:
Mitkin N.A. – data collection and processing, writing text, editing;
Moiseeva A.A. – data collection and processing, writing text, editing;
Bulygina L.P. – data processing, writing text;
Zelentsov R.N. – data collection and processing, editing;
Poskotinova L.V. – study concept and design, data collection, editing;
Bebyakova N.A. – study concept and design, data collection, editing;
Krivonogova E.V. – data collection, editing;
Krivonogova O.V. – data collection, editing;
Kudryavtsev A.V. – study concept and design, data collection and processing, writing text, editing.
All authors are responsible for the integrity of all parts of the manuscript and approval of the manuscript final version.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. The study was supported by a grant of Russian Science Foundation No. 23-15-20017, https://rscf.ru/project/23-15-20017/.

Received: July 7, 2025 / Revised: March 11, 2026 / Accepted: March 24, 2026 / Published: June 18, 2026

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