Age, human performance, and physical employment standards

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Gerontology
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• The Canadian labor force includes over 25% of workers aged 55 and older.
• Aging is associated with declines in cardiorespiratory and muscular function, potentially reducing work output.
• Existing methods for assessing older workers' physical function may underestimate their capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the impact of individual and occupational factors on the physical decline of older workers.
• To evaluate the risk of work-related injuries and illnesses in the aging workforce.
• To identify factors influencing physical capacity relevant to workplace accommodations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of individual factors (e.g., physiological decline, chronic disease, lifestyle, physical activity).
• Literature review of occupational factors (e.g., shift work, sleep deprivation, environmental exposures).
• Analysis of research on physical function assessment in older workers and its relation to job demands.

Main Results:

• Conflicting evidence exists regarding aging's effect on physical function, with some studies showing maintained or improved function in demanding jobs.
• Individual factors like chronic disease and lifestyle choices significantly influence physical capacity.
• Occupational stressors such as shift work and environmental extremes can exacerbate age-related physical decline.

Conclusions:

• Older workers' physical capacity is influenced by a complex interplay of individual and occupational factors.
• Current assessment tools may not accurately reflect older workers' abilities in real-world job tasks.
• Implementing appropriate workplace strategies and performance standards is crucial for optimizing the health, safety, and effectiveness of the aging workforce.