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Cardiovascular load and physical capacity in older workers engaged in physically demanding occupations
Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 901 87, Umeå, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4656-7606
KTH, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, Ergonomics.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7807-8682
KTH, School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health (CBH), Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, Ergonomics. Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5777-4232
Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-7285-824x
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2025 (English)In: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, ISSN 0340-0131, E-ISSN 1432-1246Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Objective: To measure and determine the occupational cardiovascular workload and cardiovascular fitness among older employees (50 +) in four physically demanding occupational groups. Methods: Health investigations, including aerobic capacity, were performed on 120 construction and kitchen workers, cleaners, and assistant nurses. Cardiovascular load was assessed over three working days using heart rate (HR) measurements. Data was processed for average loads (HR and Relative HR reserve (%HRR)) and measures describing variations in loads, such as time spent in different heart rate intensities. Results: Participants’ mean age was 57 (SD 4.1) years, and 63% of the participants were female. The mean %HRR over occupational groups was 24.9% (SD 6.8). Of the participants, 43% had an average cardiovascular load above 24.5%HRR and 11% over 33%HRR. Depending on the work sector, 22–37% of the worktime was spent in intensities over 30%HRR, and 2–4% was spent in cardiovascular intensities over 50%HRR. The average VO<inf>2</inf>max was 33.2 (SD 8.2) ml/kg/min for all, for men 39.0 (SD 7.0), and for women 29.8 (SD 6.9). Conclusion: We found a high mean cardiovascular load at work among the senior workers in all four work sectors, but low proportions of the worktime were spent in high intensity levels. Despite a high mean cardiovascular load at work, a high proportion of the workers had low cardiovascular fitness. Given the possible negative effects of occupational physical activity and to meet future demographic challenges, future interventions should aim to reduce physical loads and increase physical fitness in the workforce.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer Nature , 2025.
Keywords [en]
Assistant nurses, Cleaners, Construction workers, Kitchen workers, Occupational physical activity, Prolonged working life
National Category
Occupational Health and Environmental Health Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-369945DOI: 10.1007/s00420-025-02161-8ISI: 001549991900001PubMedID: 40810743Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105013165941OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kth-369945DiVA, id: diva2:1998707
Note

QC 20250917

Available from: 2025-09-17 Created: 2025-09-17 Last updated: 2025-09-17Bibliographically approved

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Abtahi, FarhadForsman, MikaelYang, Liyun

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Wahlström, ViktoriaAbtahi, FarhadForsman, MikaelYang, LiyunÖhrner, PontusTornevi, AndreasStjernbrandt, AlbinLewis, CharlotteJärvholm, Lisbeth Slunga
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Ergonomics
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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health
Occupational Health and Environmental HealthCardiology and Cardiovascular Disease

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