Changes in Maximal Cardiorespiratory Capacity among Aging Municipal Employees

• Published in: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 99 - 109
• Main Authors: Ilmarinen, Juhani, Louhevaara, Veikko, Korhonen, Olli, Nygård, Clas-Håkan, Hakola, Tarja, Suvanto, Sakari
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Helsinki Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment ＆ Health 01.01.1991; National Institute of Occupational Health (Sweden); Institute of Occupational Health (Finland); National Institute of Occupational Health (Denmark); National Institute of Occupational Health (Norway); Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health
• Subjects: Aging - physiology; Antihypertensive Agents - adverse effects; Antihypertensive Agents - therapeutic use; Antihypertensives; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Electrocardiography - drug effects; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Exercise; Exercise Test - drug effects; Female; Finland; Follow-Up Studies; Heart rate; Heart Rate - physiology; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Hypertension - drug therapy; Hypertension - physiopathology; Leisure Activities; Local Government; Male; Manual labor; Medical sciences; Medications; Men; Middle Aged; Oxygen; Oxygen - blood; Oxygen consumption; Physical Exertion - drug effects; Physical Exertion - physiology; Sprains and strains; Stress tests; Work Capacity Evaluation; Europe; Finland; work content; medication; aging; maximal oxygen consumption; physical activity; Human; Heart rate; Occupational environment; Maximum oxygen consumption; Work load; Employee; Ergonomics; Town; Working condition; Age 50-59
• ISSN: 0355-3140; 1795-990X

Before and after a four-year follow-up, maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) was determined for 67 municipal employees (initial age about 51 years). The VO₂ max (ml · kg-1 ) decreased 6 ° /o among the women and increased 8 % among the men, the greatest and smallest change occurring for employees doing mental and physical work, respectively. The men's increase was associated with an increase in leisure-time physical activity. Work content was not associated with the level of VO₂ max for either gender. After the four years the women's absolute VO₂ max was about 66 % of the men's. There were marked changes in VO₂ max at the individual level, the most marked decreases being associated with the use of medication in some cases. After the four years the women's VO₂ max of 63 % was insufficient according to current recommendations. Therefore physically demanding jobs are not generally recommended for older women.