A1 Journal article (refereed)
Changes in physical performance according to job demands across three cohorts of older workers in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (2023)

von Bonsdorff, M. B., Munukka, M., van Schoor, N. M., von Bonsdorff, M. E., Kortelainen, L., Deeg, D. J. H., & de Breij, S. (2023). Changes in physical performance according to job demands across three cohorts of older workers in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. European Journal of Ageing, 20, Article 21. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-023-00768-9

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: von Bonsdorff, Mikaela B.; Munukka, Matti; van Schoor, Natasja M.; von Bonsdorff, Monika E.; Kortelainen, Lauri; Deeg, Dorly J. H.; de Breij, Sascha

Journal or series: European Journal of Ageing

ISSN: 1613-9372

eISSN: 1613-9380

Publication year: 2023

Volume: 20

Article number: 21

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Publication country: Germany

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-023-00768-9

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/87612

Abstract

This study set out to evaluate the association between job demands at baseline and physical performance over a six-year period across three cohorts of older Dutch workers examined 10 years apart. Data were drawn from three cohorts (1992–1999, 2002–2009 and 2012–2019) of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Individuals aged 55–65 years from each cohort who worked for pay were included (n = 274, n = 416, n = 618, respectively). Physical performance was measured using gait speed and chair stand performance. A population-based job exposure matrix was used to indicate levels of exposure probability of physical (use of force and repetitive movements) and psychosocial (cognitive demands and time pressure) job demands. We found that psychosocial job demands increased and physical demands decreased across the three cohorts. No between cohort differences were found for how job demands affected changes in physical performance over follow-up. For men, faster decline in gait speed was observed when comparing higher and lower use of force at baseline (β −0.012, 95% CI −0.021, −0.004). Greater use of force and repetitive movements were associated with faster decline in chair stand performance (β −0.012, 95% CI −0.020, −0.004 and β −0.009, 95% CI −0.017, −0.001, respectively). In women, no association of job demands on change in physical performance was observed. The study concluded that higher physical job demands were associated with stronger decline in physical performance across six years for men in all cohorts, while no associations were found among women.

Keywords: ageing employees; ageing; performance (capacity); physical fitness; psychosocial factors; work; demands; change; cohort study

Free keywords: physical job demands; psychosocial job demands; physical performance; cohort study; ageing

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2023

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2