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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
12:59
Improving Strength, Power, Muscle Aerobic Capacity, and Glucose Tolerance through Short-term Progressive Strength Training Among Elderly People
Published on: July 5, 2017
Age-related differences in muscular capacity among workers.
Heleen H Hamberg-van Reenen1, Allard J van der Beek, Birgitte M Blatter
1Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU University Medical Center, Van der Boechorststraat 7, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Summary
Muscular capacity declines with age in the workforce. Frequent sports participation benefits younger workers, while moderate activity aids older workers in maintaining physical work capacity.
Area of Science:
- Occupational health
- Exercise physiology
- Aging workforce
Background:
- Workforce aging presents challenges to maintaining physical capacity.
- Understanding age-related muscle changes is crucial for occupational health.
- The role of physical activity in mitigating these changes requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify age-related changes in muscular capacity within a working population.
- To determine if sports participation influences these age-related muscular changes.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study including 1,800 participants.
- Assessment of isokinetic lifting strength and static muscle endurance at baseline and after 3 years.
- Quantification of sports participation via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Static neck/shoulder muscle endurance decreased longitudinally across all age groups.
- Younger workers with high sports participation (>3 h/week) showed the best performance.
- Older workers with moderate sports participation (0-3 h/week) outperformed highly active older workers.
Conclusions:
- Significant age-related differences in muscular capacity were observed.
- Frequent sports participation is linked to superior muscular capacity in younger workers.
- Moderate sports participation appears beneficial for aging workers to meet job demands.
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