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Health effects and acceptance of a physical activity program for older long-term unemployed workers

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Abstract

Purpose

Long-term unemployment has negative effects on both mental and physical health. In combination with an inactive lifestyle, it often leads to functional or constitutional limitations that make reemployment in the labor market difficult especially for older adults. The presented pilot study examined a 3-month-long interventional program for improving health of older, long-term unemployed persons with regard to its effectiveness and acceptance by the target group.

Methods

The low-threshold intervention was offered by a job training center that supports reemployment and was divided into lectures for enhancing the individual health competence and a supervised physical training part in a fitness center. One hundred and nineteen long-term unemployed workers (53.7 ± 3 years) took part in a prospective investigation with 3 data collection points: before intervention (T1), after intervention (T2, n = 94), and 6 month after intervention (T3, n = 59). The spectrum of methods included the assessment of nutritional status, cardiovascular risk factors, physical fitness, chronic backache, and depression.

Results

As a result of the intervention, the physical fitness improved significantly (maximal oxygen uptake: p < 0.002). Cardiovascular risk factors like systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.016; p < 0.001) and percentage body fat (p < 0.017) decreased significantly. There were also remarkable effects in the reduction in depression (p < 0.028). Chronic backache was lowered in more than 50% of the cases.

Conclusion

The health promotion program reached people who have a desire to improve both physical and mental health. To assume responsibility for their own health may be a first step in regaining self-confidence and lowering the work placement barriers.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Preventive Medicine, University of Rostock, St.-Georg-Str. 108, 18055, Rostock, Germany

    Steffi Kreuzfeld, Markus Preuss, Matthias Weippert & Regina Stoll

Authors
  1. Steffi Kreuzfeld
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  2. Markus Preuss
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  3. Matthias Weippert
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  4. Regina Stoll
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steffi Kreuzfeld.

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Kreuzfeld, S., Preuss, M., Weippert, M. et al. Health effects and acceptance of a physical activity program for older long-term unemployed workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 86, 99–105 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0749-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0749-5

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