Physical demands in working life and individual physical capacity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the excess of metabolic level (metabolic demands in work exceeding one-third of the individual's aerobic capacity) of working men and women today and to describe the population whose metabolic level is exceeded. A second aim was to explore how externally assessed metabolic demands match with the physical function and capacity of working men and women in jobs with the lowest and the highest demands. The aerobic power of each individual (94 men and 94 women) was estimated from heart rate and workload in sub-maximal tests from dynamic legwork on a cycle ergometer. Physical activity was assessed using a task-oriented interview technique. Physical function was measured by tests of muscle endurance in arms, abdomen and legs, handgrip pressure, balance and coordination. The calculation of individual metabolic demands during a "typical working day" showed that 27% of the men and 22% of the women exceeded their metabolic level. The results indicate that the physical fitness is low or somewhat low for two-thirds of the 94 men and for more than one-half of the 94 women. Women in the group with the highest job demands had significantly lower muscle endurance in the abdomen and legs and worse coordination than women in the group with the lowest job demands. Metabolic demands in working life today remain high. This is reflected in a mismatch between individual physical capacity and the physical demands of work for 25% of the population.     

Submaximal working capacity,heart size and body size in boys 8–18 years

Heart diameters, heart volume (HV), PWC ₁₃₀, O₂ at 130 heart rate, and cardiorespiratory reactions during work at 3 kgm·s^–1 were obtained in 237 boys ranging in age from 8–18 years. Results indicate that heart size, PWC ₁₃₀, O₁₃₀, and exercise HR, O₂/HR, and SBP change significantly with age. On the other hand, HV·kg^–1 and work O₂, _E and _E/ O₂ remain rather stable throughout the growth period.Correlation analysis indicates that about 85% of the observed variation in the size of the heart during growth can be accounted for by body weight, while about 70% of the variation in light submaximal working capacity ( O₁₃₀) can be explained by HV alone. Holding age, height and body weight constant by partial correlation procedures yields significant relationships between HV and O₁₃₀ (r = 0.461), and between HV·kg^–1 and O₁₃₀ (r = 0.414). Age, height, weight and size of the heart correlated simultaneously against O₁₃₀ account for 75% of the variance in the dependent variable.It would seem important to suggest the need for study of the interactions between age, size and maturity, in addition to indicators of size and efficiency of the oxygen delivery system, and indices of muscle oxygen utilization efficiency. Such an approach will permit a more definite partitioning of the variance in submaximal aerobic capacity during growth, and would probably yield a more conservative estimate of the relationship between the size of the heart and submaximal working capacity during growth.Abbreviations used HV heart volume - HV·kg^–1 heart volume per kg of body weight - PWC ₁₃₀ physical working capacity in kgm·s^–1 of work at a heart rate of 130·min^–1 - O₁₃₀ oxygen consumption per min at a heart rate of 130·min^–1 - O₂, , _E, _E/ O₂, HR, O₂/HR, SBP oxygen consumption, breathing frequency, expiratory volume, respiratory equivalent, heart rate, oxygen pulse, systolic blood pressure in the third minute of work at 3 kgm·s^–1 - CA chronological age Partially supported by grants from the Kuratorium für die Sportmedizinische Forschung, Federal Republic of Germany and Laval University, Quebec, Canada     

Effects of mental and physical demands on heart rate variability during computer work

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of physical and mental demands on heart rate variability- (HRV-) derived indices of autonomic activity. Ten healthy, female subjects performed two computer tasks: one with combined mental and physical demands and a reference task primarily consisting of physical demands. The combined task, which was performed once with a keyboard and once with a computer mouse, was a computerized version of the colour word conflict task (CWT). The CWT is highly mentally demanding due to the inherent perceptual conflict between a word stimulus and a colour stimulus. In the reference task (REF) the physical demands were comparable to CWT, while the mental demands were low. Finally, the subjects rested at the workplace (REST). Data on performance, heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), HRV, and urinary concentrations of catecholamines were obtained. The following frequency bands were applied for HRV: very low frequency (VLF, 0.00–0.04 Hz), low frequency (LF, 0.05–0.15 Hz), high frequency (HF, 0.16–0.40 Hz) and total power (TP, 0.00–0.40 Hz). Indices of sympathetic nervous activity (I_SNS) and parasympathetic nervous activity (I_PNS) were estimated as normalized powers in LF and HF bands: I_SNS=LF/(TP–VLF) and I_PNS=HF/(TP–VLF). Values are expressed as normalised units (nu). There was an increase in I_SNS during CWT [mouse: 0.490 (0.052) nu [ave (SEM)] and keyboard: 0.476 (0.039) nu] and REF [mouse: 0.453 (0.059) nu and keyboard: 0.489 (0.047) nu] compared to REST [0.397 (0.047) nu], but no difference between CWT and REF. Corresponding decreases were observed for I_PNS. HR and MAP were higher during CWT compared to REST. No effects were observed for excreted amounts of catecholamines. There were no differences between the computer mouse and the keyboard condition for I_SNS and I_PNS. In conclusion, an increase in I_SNS and a decrease in I_PNS were found in response to a physically demanding reference computer task. Addition of mental demands did not elicit any further effect on I_SNS and I_PNS, suggesting a significant influence of the physical rather than the mental demands during computer work. Electronic Publication     

Physical work load,physical capacity and strain among elderly female aides in home-care service

A study was undertaken to investigate physical work load, physical capacity, physical strain and perceived health among elderly aides in home-care service. A secondary aim was to compare the work load and strain between the two main types of home-care service available in Sweden today. Work tasks and their distribution among 20 elderly aides (aged 45–65 years), working in open home-care service (clients living in their original flats or houses) and at service apartment houses (clients living in private flats constructed for the elderly and handicapped with service functions) were observed during whole work days. Heart rate and number of steps taken were also measured continuously during the whole work day. Oxygen consumption and work postures for upper arm and back were measured during parts of the work day. The results showed that home-care work is characterised by long periods of standing and walking and that postures potentially harmful for the low back and shoulders occurred frequently. Average physiological strain measured as relative oxygen consumption and heart rate during the work day did not exceed present recommendations. Average physical work load and strain in open home-care service slightly exceeded those in service apartment houses because of more frequent cleaning and walking outdoors. Many aides in this study showed slightly reduced physical capacity, and musculoskeletal problems were common. Many elderly aides in home-care service are probably exposed at work to high risks of overexertion and impaired health as a result of high postural loads in combination with other known important factors, such as time stress and lack of equipment.     

Physical work capacity and daily physical activities of handicapped and non-handicapped children

Summary In this study physical work capacity, mechanical efficiency on the bicycle ergometer and daily physical activities were compared between 24 physically handicapped and 24 non-handicapped children. As a measure of mechanical efficiency and physical work capacity, the oxygen uptake per kg body weight at 0.5 watt·kg^–1 and oxygen uptake per kg body weight at a heart rate of 150 beats·min^–1 were used. The daily physical activities were recorded during a 24-h period by means of a scoring list. The load imposed by the daily physical activities was investigated by registration of heart rate.The mean value of the physical work capacity of the group of handicapped children was found to be lower compared with the non-handicapped children. The mechanical efficiency of 7 of the 24 handicapped children was lower when compared with the mechanical efficiency of 23 of the 24 non-handicapped children. A significant correlation between mechanical efficiency and nature of the handicap (spastic hemi-, di-, tetraplegic) was found (p<0.05). During light daily physical activities the handicapped children showed the same mean heart rate as the non-handicapped children, but the mean heart rate during heavy daily physical activities was lower for the handicapped group than for the non-handicapped group. The non-handicapped children spent more time in physical activities with relatively high heart rates.From the results obtained of oxygen uptake and heart rate measurements it is to be expected that non-handicapped children are able to maintain a higher state of training by means of their daily physical activities than are handicapped children.     

Multivariate analysis of factors influencing physical work capacity in wheelchair-dependent paraplegics with spinal cord injury

The purpose of this study was to determine the main factors that influence physical work capacity (PWC) in wheelchair-dependent paraplegics with spinal cord injury (SCI) using multivariate analysis. Thirty-two male paraplegics with SCI (PSCI) performed a submaximal arm exercise test on an arm-cranking ergometer to determine their PWC (oxygen uptake: ml ·  kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹) at a heart rate of 150 beats · min⁻¹ (PWC150). Hayashi's Quantification first type was applied to analyze the effects on PWC150 of six factors: age, smoking, level of physical activity, occupation, level of SCI and period since SCI. This analysis revealed high partial correlation coefficients between PWC150 and the level of SCI (0.651) and physical activity level (0.583) compared to other factors. In addition, the multiple correlation coefficient for six factors in predicting PWC150 was 0.726. These results indicate that the level of SCI and physical activity are the most important factors in determining PWC in wheelchair-dependent male PSCI. Accepted: 28 June 1999     

Aerobic capacity and fractional utilisation of aerobic capacity in elite and non-elite male and female marathon runners

Summary The physiology of marathon running has been extensively studied both in the laboratory and in the field, but these investigations have been confined to elite competitors. In the present study 28 competitors who took part in a marathon race (42.2 km) have been studied; 18 male subjects recorded times from 2 h 19 min 58 s to 4 h 53 min 23 s; 10 female subjects recorded times between 2 h 53 min 4 s and 5 h 16 min 1 s. Subjects visited the laboratory 2–3 weeks after the race and ran on a motor driven treadmill at a series of speeds and inclines; oxygen uptake O₂ was measured during running at average marathon racing pace. Maximum oxygen uptake ( O₂ max) was measured during uphill running. For both males (r=0.88) and females (r=0.63), linear relationships were found to exist between marathon performance and aerobic capacity. Similarly, the fraction of O₂ max which was sustained throughout the race was significantly correlated with performance for both male (r=0.74) and female (r=0.73) runners. The fastest runners were running at a speed requiring approximately 75% of O₂ max; for the slowest runners, the work load corresponded to approximately 60% of O₂ max. Correction of these estimates for the additional effort involved in overcoming air resistance, and in running on uneven terrain will substantially increase the oxygen requirement for the faster runners, while having a much smaller effect on the work rate of the slowest competitors. Five minutes of treadmill running at average racing pace at zero gradient did not result in marked elevation of the blood lactate concentration in any of the subjects.     

Aerobic fitness and body fat of young British males entering the army

Summary Aerobic fitness and percent body fat were measured in a sample of 438 male Army recruits between the ages of 17 and 30 prior to the commencement of training. The sample came from all areas of England and Wales. Aerobic fitness, as represented by maximal oxygen uptake ( O₂ max), was predicted from the Astrand submaximal bicycle heart rate test. Body fat was predicted from four skinfold measurements. Total group means ±SD were: age, 19.5±2.5 years; O₂ max 41.7 ±8.3 ml/kg·min; and body fat, 14.5±4.8% of body weight. O₂ max varied with age, athletic participation and aptitude score. No relationship was found with occupation of parent, prior civilian occupation or smoking severity. When adjusted for methodological differences, O₂ max was slightly below similar Army entrants in Norway and the United States.     

Individual factors and physical work load in relation to sensory thresholds in a middle-aged general population sample

The aim of this study was to explore individual and occupational factors possibly related to sensory thresholds in 484 middle-aged men and women from the general population. Multivariate analyses were performed using a linear model including eight covariates (age, body height, skin temperature, smoking habits, musculoskeletal symptoms during the last week before examination, isometric muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and average physical work load during the last 15 years). Men and women were considered separately in all analyses. Major findings were as follows: pressure pain thresholds increased with muscle strength; cold perception thresholds on the foot improved with increasing skin temperature; vibration and warm perception thresholds on the foot increased with age and body height; pressure pain threshold on the leg was decreased and vibration threshold on the hand was increased in women with musculoskeletal symptoms; pressure pain thresholds were slightly increased in men reporting long-lasting high physical work load. Significant sex differences were found for the majority of sensory thresholds, that is higher thresholds in men. However, body height was found to be more important than gender for differences in vibration and warm perception thresholds on the foot. Electronic Publication     

Physical exercise improves the functional capacity and quality of life in patients with heart failure

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical exercise on the functional capacity and quality of life in heart failure patients. METHODS: Forty-two patients of both sexes with heart failure of NYHA class II and III with different etiologies were randomly divided into untrained or trained groups. The six-month exercise program consisted of aerobic training, muscle strength training, agility and joint flexibility activities. Physical fitness was evaluated by testing the performance on these trained components. Quality of life was evaluated by scored answers to a standardized questionnaire involving multiple domains. RESULTS: Baseline values did not differ between groups. Improvement in the trained group was identified in all components of functional capacity when compared to the untrained group (p<0.001). Quality of life improved in the trained patients concerning physical, psychological, social and environmental domains (p<0.001), whereas no significant change was found in the untrained patients. CONCLUSIONS: Guided and monitored physical exercise is safe and has the potential to improve functional capacity and quality of life in heart failure patients with multiple etiologies.     

The growth of lung volumes affected by physical performance capacity in boys and girls during childhood and adolescence

Summary The paper concerns a longitudinal study of the relationship between growth in lung functions in terms of forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1s, and the development of maximal aerobic power during the age span from 8–18 years of age.The growth curves of anatomical dimensions for boys and girls were similar to those previously established for Northern European children. The growth in lung volume ended later than the growth in body height.It was found that the growth in lung volume was entirely due to growth in body dimensions, with no additional effect of changes in the development of physical performance capacity.     

Aerobic Fitness and Opioidergic Inhibition of Cardiovascular Stress Reactivity

The role of endogenous opioids in aerobic fitness-induced decrements in cardiovascular stress reactivity was examined by comparing the effects of opioid antagonism with naltrexone on responses to stress in young adults with high versus low levels of aerobic fitness. Two hundred forty subjects were given an activity questionnaire and males with the highest (Fit) and lowest (Nonfit) aerobic activity profiles were recruited for maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) treadmill testing and psychological stress testing (final sample N = 28). Heart rate and blood pressures were measured during performance on a computer-controlled arithmetic task after pretreatment with either naltrexone (Trexan, DuPont) or a placebo. During placebo challenges, Fit subjects, compared with Nonfit, showed lower heart rate reactivity during stress and lower mean arterial blood pressures immediately before and during recovery from stress. Naltrexone eliminated these reactivity differences by increasing heart rate reactivity and raising mean arterial blood pressure in Fit subjects. These data suggest that aerobic fitness is associated with enhanced opioidergic inhibition of circulatory stress reactivity. Opioidergic modulatory effects on stress reactivity may comprise an important mechanism in fitness-associated risk reduction for cardiovascular disease.     

Association between different attributes of physical activity and fat mass in untrained, endurance- and resistance-trained men

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess different attributes of physical activity and fitness and their relationship to nutritional state in endurance- and resistance-trained, compared to untrained men. The subjects were 42 men matched for age, of which 13 were untrained [UT, mean age 30.2 years, mean height 180.7 cm, mean body mass 83.6 kg, mean body mass index (BMI) 25.6 kg·m^–2], 14 were endurance-trained athletes (ET, mean age 29.6 years, mean height 178.4 cm, mean body mass 74.0 kg, mean BMI 23.2 kg·m^–2) and 15 were resistance-trained athletes (RT, mean age 28.4 years, mean height 183.4 cm, mean body mass 94.1 kg, mean BMI 27.4 kg·m^–2). Fat mass (FM), fat free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM) and total body water (TBW) were assessed using anthropometry and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Resting energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry (IC) and total energy expenditure (TEE) by a combination of IC and individually calibrated 24-h heart-rate monitoring. The activity related energy expenditure (AEE) and the physical activity level were calculated. Movements were assessed using pedometry. Aerobic fitness was determined using ergometry, muscle strength [quadriceps muscle (Fa_max), ischiocruralis muscle (Fb_max), biceps muscle (Fc_max), triceps muscle (Fd_max)] by computer tensiometry. Different time domain indexes of heart rate variability (HRV) were examined during sleep, rest and the whole day as an index of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. When compared with UT and RT, ET had reduced body masses and FM, but increased percentage TBW (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). FFM and MM were increased in RT, when compared with UT and ET (P<0.01). ET had higher TEE, AEE, pedometry derived activities, oxygen consumption and power during vigorous exercise than RT and UT (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Respiratory exchange ratio at moderate exercise intensities was increased in RT (P<0.05). In the 12 time domain indexes of HRV 6 and 10 were higher in ET than in RT and UT respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01, respectively) suggesting an increased SNS activity in ET. By contrast, Fa_max, Fc_max and Fd_max were elevated in RT (P<0.01). FM was negatively associated with aerobic fitness, but not with muscle strength. We concluded that the physiological and metabolic adaptations to exercise and nutritional state differ between ET and RT subjects. Participation in RT results predominantly in changes in body composition and strength but not in energy expenditure, movements and SNS activity. The opposite was the case for ET. Aerobic fitness, physical activity, movements and activity of SNS were all increased but body mass and FM were decreased. The latter finding may support the idea that, with regard to possible health benefits, ET is more effective than RT. Electronic Publication     

Aerobic fitness and sympatho-adrenal response to short-term psycho-emotional stress under field conditions

A possible relationship between aerobic fitness (AF), measured by maximal cycle ergometry (CE) and sympatho-adrenal response to acute, short lasting psycho-emotional stress was investigated by monitoring heart rate (f _c) and excretion of catecholamines. The activation of the sympatho-adrenal system was characterised by the noradrenaline : adrenaline ratio. A group of 11 healthy men [22.8 (SD 2.52) years] lived under identical environmental conditions; their mean maximal oxygen uptake ( ) was 47.1 (SD 3.9) ml · min^–1 · kg^–1. After the physiological and psychological laboratory tests had been completed thef _c of the subjects was monitored continuously during the guerilla slide and parachute jump by night, two emotionally stressful military tasks. Maximalf _c (f _{c, max}) attained during these events was 84.5% and 83% off _{c, max} during CE (f _{c, max, CE}), respectively. A significant relationship (r=–0.92,P<0.0002) betweenf _{c, max} reached during the stressful tasks and was found only for the guerilla slide, which was preceded by physical strain, sleep deprivation and energy deficit. One subject with some prior experience in parachuting showed the lowestf _c response and the lowest sympatho-adrenal activation in both events, independent of the degree of AF. In conclusion, AF was found to influence the sympatho-adrenal and fc response to acute, short-lasting emotional stress when the stressful event was aggravated by preceding physical strain, the magnitude of the stress response depending largely on individual experience and effective mechanisms for coping with specific stimuli.     

Effects of physical training in a hypobaric chamber on the physical performance of competitive triathletes

The effects of training in a hypobaric chamber on aerobic metabolism were studied in five high performance triathletes. During 3 weeks, the subjects modified their usual training schedule (approximately 30 h a week), replacing three sessions of bicycling exercise by three sessions on a cycle ergometer in a hypobaric chamber simulating an altitude of 4,000 m (462 mm Hg). Prior to and after training in the hypobaric chamber the triathletes performed maximal and submaximal exercise in normoxia and hypoxia (462 mm Hg). Respiratory and cardiac parameters were recorded during exercise. Lactacidaemia was measured during maximal exercise. Blood samples were drawn once a week to monitor blood cell parameters and erythropoetin concentrations. Training in the hypobaric chamber had no effect on erythropoiesis, the concentrations of erythropoetin always remaining unchanged, and no effect on the maximal oxygen uptake ( O_2max) and maximal aerobic capacity measured in normoxia or hypoxia. Submaximal performance increased by 34% during a submaximal exhausting exercise performed at a simulated altitude of 2,000 m. During a submaximal nonexhausting test, ventilation values tended to decrease for similar exercise intensities after training in hypoxia. The changes in these parameters and the improved performance found for submaximal exercise may have been the result of changes taking place in muscle tissue or the result of training the respiratory muscles.     

Respiratory gas exchange and physiological demands during a fire fighter evaluation circuit in men and women

We examined the oxygen uptake (VO2) and carbon dioxide output (VCO2) during completion of a circuit developed for testing fire fighters and related performance time to laboratory measures of fitness. Twenty-two healthy university students (ten women) were trained in the tasks then performed the circuit as quickly as possible. Breath-by-breath gas exchange and heart rate were continuously measured with a portable system. Median circuit time was 6:13 (min:s, 25-75% = 5:46-6:42) for men and 7:25 (25-75% = 6:49-10:21) for 8 women finishers (P = 0.023), and VO2 averaged 68 and 64% VO2max for the men and women during the circuit. Both men and women had high respiratory exchange ratios (>1.0) suggesting marked anaerobic energy contribution. Physiological variables associated with circuit time were assessed by backward stepwise regression yielding a significant model that included only peak work rate during arm cranking exercise as a function of circuit completion time across men and women combined (P < 0.001). For men, but especially for women, the time required for the simulated victim drag (68.2 kg mannequin) was positively correlated with total time to complete the other circuit elements (r = 0.51, r = 0.96 respectively). The simple correlation between circuit time and VO2max (mL/kg/min) revealed poor relationships for men (r = -0.37, P > 0.05) and women (r = 0.20, P > 0.05). These data demonstrated that upper body fitness as reflected by peak work rate during arm cranking correlated with total circuit time for the men and women in our population sample.     

The physical demands of riding in National Hunt races

Heart rate (f _c) and post-competition blood lactate concentration ([La⁺]) were studied in seven male professional National Hunt jockeys over 30 races. Thef _c response for individual races followed a similar pattern for all subjects. The mean peakf _c recorded during competition was 184 beats·min^–1 (range 162–198 beats·min^–1) with averagef _c during the races ranging from 136 to 188 beats·min^–1. During consecutive races the recoveryf _c did not return to resting values. The mean [La⁺] was 7.1 mmol·l^–1 (range 3.5–15.0 mmol·l^–1). The conclusions of this study suggest that riding in National Hunt races is a physically demanding occupation. The muscular activity in this profession requires a high metabolic drive and produces a significant cardiorespiratory response.     

Effect of aerobic capacity on sweat rate and fluid intake during outdoor exercise in the heat

We measured the aerobic capacity, sweat rate and fluid intake of trained athletes during outdoor exercise and examined the relationship between aerobic capacity and thermoregulatory responses at high ambient temperatures. The maximal aerobic capacity ( ) of the subjects, nine male baseball players of college age, was determined by maximal exercise tests on a cycle ergometer. The subjects practised baseball regularly without drinking fluids from 1330 to 1530 hours. After 30 min rest, they played a baseball game with free access to a sports drink at 15°C from 1600 to 1830 hours. At a mean ambient temperature of 36.7 (SEM 0.2)°C, the mean percentage of body mass loss (m _b) and increase of oral temperature (T _o) from 1330 to 1530 hours was 3.47 (SEM 0.12)% and 0.81 (SEM 0.14)°C, respectively. The sweat loss from 1330 to 1830 hours was 56.53 (SEM 1.56)ml · kg^–1 of body mass (M _b) while the mean fluid consumption was 44.78 (SEM 2.39)ml · kg^–1 ofm _b, with recovery of 76.08 (SEM 2.81)% of sweat loss. The was significantly inversely correlated withm _b, fluid intake and rehydration amount, but showed no correlation withT _o. These results would suggest that at a given exercise intensity in subjects with a higher aerobic capacity body temperature is maintained with a lower sweating rate than that in subjects with a lower aerobic capacity.     

The relationship of level of habitual activity to measures of leanness-fatness,physical working capacity,strength and motor ability in 17 and 18 year-old males

Summary The relationships between physical working capacity (PWC), level of habitual activity, relative leanness-fatness, isometric strength and motor ability have been examined in 85 17 and 18 year-old school boys. Level of habitual activity was found to be significantly related to PWC and to the strength and motor ability scores, whilst relative leanness-fatness was not significantly related to any of the other variables studied. Some of the apparent association between PWC and the strength and motor ability scores was due to a common dependence on body size, but the relationship between PWC and four performance variables remained significant when the influence of differences in size of the subjects was removed. It is suggested that differences in the level of habitual activity of post adolescent male school boys influence the physical working capacity but not relative leanness-fatness. The association between level of habitual activity and strength and motor ability scores suggests that the latter variables may possibly influence the level of habitual activity in this type of subject.This work was supported by a grant from the Medical Research Council of Ireland     

Musculoskeletal capacity of employees aged 44 to 58 years in physical,mental and mixed types of work

Summary The musculoskeletal capacity of 60 women and 69 men, average age 52.3±3.7 years was determined, including measurements of anthropometry, maximal isometric trunk flexion and extension, sit-ups, isometric hand grip strength and back mobility. According to the job and to cluster analysis, the subjects were divided into three dominating work groups; physical, mental, and mixed groups. The results showed significant differences in right hand grip strength of the women and in the number of sit-ups by men among the three work groups (p<0.05). The differences between the other tests were not significant, although the physical group in the women and either the physical or the mixed group in the men had systematically the lowest mean values in almost all tests. It is concluded that jobs with mainly physical demands do not guarantee superior musculoskeletal capacity in older employees.