Physical workload and the ageing worker: a review of the literature

Abstract

In the coming decades, demographic, economic and social changes will result in an increased proportion of elderly persons in the workforce in most industrialized countries. This trend is causing growing interest in the problems of the aging worker in current employment. The objective of this particular paper is to provide more insight into the impact of aging on the balance between physical work capacity and physical workload. To this end, the scientific literature in the field is reviewed and ordered by means of a specific conceptual model of "aging and physical workload". A progressive decline in physical work capacity, characterized by diminished aerobic capacity and muscular capacity, has consistently been reported. However, inter-individual differences appear to be considerable. The question of whether there are systematic differences in physical work demands between younger and older workers within occupations has been answered vaguely. Conflicting results in this matter bring into discussion the role of the actual working method as one of the determinants of the physical workload. An age-related imbalance between physical workload and physical work capacity is suggested to result in a chronic overload, increasing the risk of long-term health effects such as musculoskeletal complaints and disorders. For many aging workers in physically demanding occupations, extreme physical workloads, increasing the risk of disease or disablement, are still reported. The multiconceptual study of aging and physical workload in the present paper reveals several possibilities for preventive measures. However, as information is still lacking, additional research is needed, in particular on the onset and development of long-term effects on health in relation to age and work demands.

Physical Capacity of Occupationally Active Population and Capability to Perform Physical Work

“…In the age groups under 30 years the mean values of V O2max indicated an average level of capacity, and in the older ones a high level, according to Åstrand, and good according to Shvartz and Reinbold. The rate with which the level of V O2max decreases with age, ~0.74% per year of life for the subjects, is close to that reported by de Zwart, Frings-Dresen and van Dijk [17] on the basis of the results of 20 cross-sectional studies. When the level of physical capacity was assessed on the basis of the type of work and the intensity of the workload, it was found that it was good in men and women who did physical work, and average in men and women who did mental work (according to Åstrand [12] and Shvartz and Reinbold [15,16]).…”

Musculoskeletal complaints in the Netherlands in relation to age, gender and physically demanding work

“…Second, it is hypothesized that in order to cope with heavy physical work demands ageing workers change their working method and technique [10,19]. Cloutier [7] demonstrated that older rubbish collectors adopt speci®c work practices related to work rhythm and team work.…”

“…Second, the increasing number of years in service during which ageing workers are exposed to harmful work demands have been associated with an increased risk of disorders [34,36]. Third, a chronic overload for the elderly worker caused by a disruption of the balance between physical workload and physical work capacity with advancing age has also been suggested as a potential cause for the development of musculoskeletal disorders [10,15].…”

Profile of body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in brazilian aeronauts. (Perfil de la composición corporal y del condicionamiento cardiorrespiratorio en aeronautas militares brasileños).

“…The maximum aerobic power (VO 2máx ) is an important component of the physical aptitude related to the health and the qualification for work (Zwart et al, 1995).…”