Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 7, 2026
05:59
Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
7.1K
Self-Reported Physical Work Demands in the Dutch Working Population from 2014 to 2023: A Repeated Cross-Sectional
Bo Janson1, Karen M Oude Hengel1, Lidewij Renaud1
1Department of Work Health Technology, TNO, Leiden, the Netherlands.
IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors
|January 1, 2026
Summary
Physically demanding jobs are common in the Dutch workforce, especially for those with lower education. Understanding these physical work demands is crucial for targeted health interventions and policies.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Sociology of Work
Background:
- Thirty-four percent of the Dutch working population engage in physically demanding jobs.
- This proportion has remained stable over time, highlighting ongoing occupational challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the prevalence and characteristics of physical work demands in the Dutch working population.
- To identify demographic and educational disparities in self-reported physical work demands.
- To inform the development of targeted occupational interventions and policies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of self-reported physical work demands across the Dutch working population.
- Stratification of data by education level, gender, age, and occupational sector.
Main Results:
- Lower education levels correlate with higher self-reported physical work demands.
- Significant differences in specific physical demands (force exertion, repetitive movements, postures, vibrations) exist between genders, age groups, and sectors.
- Physical work demands remain prevalent across various segments of the Dutch workforce.
Conclusions:
- Physical work demands continue to be a significant factor in the Dutch working population.
- There is a clear need for better understanding of the health impacts of these demands.
- Interventions and policies should be specifically tailored to address the needs of identified high-risk groups, such as those with lower education levels.
