[Purpose] We investigated the physical condition of middle-aged workers in Korea by job category (office job vs. production job). [Subjects] In total, 3,650 middle-aged workers (production job, n = 2,615; office job, n = 1,035) ≥50 years of age from eight geographical areas were evaluated from 2007 to 2008. [Methods] The subjects’ subjective physical condition, exercise status, smoking status, and drinking status were investigated, and precise physical measurements, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, reflexes, and reactions were measured. [Results] Subjectively, the physical condition and exercise status of those with office jobs were superior to those of production job workers. Office workers exhibited a higher rate of drinking than production workers, and also had better cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, reflexes, and reactions. However, production workers were more flexible than office workers. [Conclusion] Middle-aged production job workers in Korea have poorer overall physical condition than middle-aged office job workers. The physical condition of middle-aged and elderly workers must be managed through various health management programs to secure a productive aging society.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a worker's exercise program on work ability.[Subjects] The program was tested on 100 workers at 2 workplaces in Seoul.[Methods] Initially, we conducted a pre-test evaluation of the Worker's cardio-muscular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition analysis and WAI. Then, the program was applied to the workers for 2 months. After the program had been applied, their post-test conditions were evaluated. The obtained data were analyzed by correlation analysis using a statistical software application (SPSS for Window 13.0).[Results] As a result of this study, we can see how a worker's exercise program is associated with work ability. There were statistically significant differences in work ability (p<0.01).[Conclusion] In conclusion, a worker's exercise program increased work ability. This suggest that it is important to manage on-going work ability through a prescribed exercise program.

Although the Work Ability Index (WAI) has been used in many countries, its reliability is yet to be validated in Korea. In our study, test-retest results of WAI total score, WAI category and seven subscales were compared. The correlation coefficients of WAI total score and subscales 1 and 2 between test and retest were 0.70, 0.80 and 0.63, respectively. The κ values on WAI category, subscales 4, 5, 6 and 7 were 0.52, 0.32, 0.31, 0.48 and 0.85, respectively. The results of our reliability test show that WAI scores of female, younger and private company workers were found to be higher than those of male, older and public company workers, respectively. We conclude that overall test-retest reliability of WAI in Korea is acceptable. Another notable observation from our study is that work ability dimension (subscales 1, 2 and 7) had a higher reliability, whereas health dimension (subscales 3-6) had a lower reliability.

[Purpose] We sought to examine the relationship between lifestyle behavior and physical fitness in middle-aged and elderly laborers. [Subjects] In total, 2,469 male laborers between 45 and 64 years of age residing in eight cities in South Korea were studied between January and December 2007. [Methods] Age, height, and weight were evaluated as general characteristics. Lifestyle behavior items included exercise, dietary habits, smoking, drinking, and sleeping hours. Physical fitness was assessed by measuring muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, reflexes, and agility. [Results] In terms of physical fitness status, all items except handgrip strength showed significant changes according to exercise frequency. Dietary habits were associated with significant differences in the Sargent jump and whole-body reaction time between groups. Smoking and drinking were associated with significant differences in sit-ups between subgroups. Sleeping hours demonstrated significant differences in the Sargent jump and whole-body reaction time between groups. [Conclusion] Although there were differences according to physical fitness status, exercise frequency, dietary habits, smoking, drinking, and sleeping hours showed significant associations with physical fitness. Thus, healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as regular exercise, regular dietary habits, not smoking, moderate drinking, and adequate sleep, are important for physical fitness management and work capacity improvement in middle-aged and elderly laborers.

[Purpose] This study aimed to understand how office workers’ obesity, anxiety and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) affect each other. [Subjects] The study was conducted from February 1 of 2013 to March 31 of 2014 and targeted a total of 143 office workers working in Seoul, Republic of Korea. [Methods] The study collected data using both an assessment tool and questionnaire in order to learn the subjects’ obesity index, anxiety and HRQOL. [Results] The study revealed a significant difference in the total scores in regard to how the obesity index influences anxiety, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. The more overweight and the heavier the subjects were, the more severe was the anxiety observed, which resulted in decreased scores for mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. Obesity turned out to be significantly correlated with anxiety, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL, and in terms of how much anxiety the subjects felt, there was a significant correlation with the total scores for physical HRQOL, mental HRQOL and total HRQOL. [Conclusion] The present study found that overweight and obese office workers are more anxious than office workers with normal weights, as the former have a lower mental HRQOL. It also suggests that overweight and obese office workers should improve their mental HRQOL through professional workout programs, which would help with their obesity problem. The study also suggests that subsequent research should be carried out to observe the results of any such workout programs applied in the future.

Abstract. [Purpose] This study surveyed work accidents in order to prepare for an aging of society.[Subjects] We surveyed 785 workers at 493 workplaces in the area of Seoul.[Methods] An anonymous survey was done. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows for frequency, cross-tabulation, logistic regression, and correlation.[Results] The results demonstrate the necessity of the prevention of human errors at all levels, the implementation of the recognition of dangerous factors, the reduction of subconscious risky behaviors, and fast and rational decision processes for work performance. However, it is difficult to prevent 100% of human errors.[Conclusion] It is necessary to establish a work environment that considers humans' physical and cognitive characteristics to prevent human errors from developing into accidents, and to have a program that enhances work abilities in preparation for the aging of society. Such a program would enhance physical abilities as well as cognitive abilities.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a workers' cognition enhancement program on work ability.[Subjects] The program was tested on 128 workers in 3 workplaces in Seoul. [Methods] We evaluated a pre-test of cognition and work ability. The program for 2 months. After the program, a post-test was administered and evaluated. The data were analyzed by correlation analysis using the statistical software application SPSS (for Windows 13.0). We used a statistical significance level of 0.05.[Results] The worker's cognition enhancement program was found to be positively associated with work ability. There were statistically significant differences in work ability, but there were statistically significant differences in cognition level, sex or age. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the workers' cognition enhancement program increased work ability and suggested the need for continuous cognition management in order to prevent declines in occupational capacity.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the requirements of the introduction of a safety design and certification system for medical facilities. [Subjects] A survey was carried out of one hundred nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists from May to August in 2012. [Methods] The survey was conducted after giving subjects some information about safety design. [Results] The participants were aware of the need for establishing a safety design certification system. Total responses to services, facilities and space were analyzed in order to evaluate the priorities of safety, user characteristics, functionality, convenience and aesthetics. Regarding the application of a safety design certification system to services, items were prioritized in the order of children's items, household supplies and hospital supplies. For facilities, the priorities were, living space, social welfare and medical facilities; space, they were public and transportation-related places. The requirements for operating a safety design system were in order development of: highly skilled manpower, the legal system, educational promotion and qualifying facilities. [Conclusion] In conclusion, in order to implement safety design in medical facilities, a safety design certification system should be introduced first, and to do this a systematic and comprehensive study is needed.