Age and sex as determinants of the relative aerobic strain of nonmotorized mail delivery.

Abstract

Age and sex as determinants of the relative aerobic strain of nonmotorized mail delivery. by Oja P, Louhevaara V, Korhonen O The relative aerobic strain (RAS) of nonmotorized mail delivery was assessed in 54 Finnish maH carriers who represented both sexes, the entire work~ge range and both downtown and suburban delivery districts. The mean RAS of the entire delivery time was 55 Ofo of the maximal oxygen uptake (mllkg . min). It was higher for women than for men, and higher for suburban than for downtown delivery. The RAS tended to increase systematically with age after the age of 50. The work strain of mail carriers of over 50 years of age, especially of older women carriers in suburban areas, was concluded to be high enough to lead to possible excessive strain on the workers.

The Effects of a Change in Work Organization Upon the Work Environment and Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Letter Carriers

“…In the study by Oja et al (1977), the demands were higher among women than among men and higher in mail delivery in the suburbs than in downtown areas. Among mail handling staff high prevalence of muscular symptoms from the upper extremities and the knees have been reported (Knave et al, 1991;Wahlstedt, 1990;Wahlstedt, Nygard, Kemmlert, Torgen, & Bjorksten, 1993).…”

“…To deliver mail is a physically demanding work in which there has been recorded a physical load that from time to time exceeds current recommen dations (Knave et al, 1991;Oja, Louhevaara, & Korhonen, 1977). In the study by Oja et al (1977), the demands were higher among women than among men and higher in mail delivery in the suburbs than in downtown areas.…”

Circulatory and thermal responses of men with different training status to prolonged physical work in dry and humid heat.

“…The V0 2max of the subjects was directly measured on a treadmill by a method modified from that of Oja et al (24). The expired air was directed through lowresistan ce tubing (modified Koegel Y-valve) to 150-1 neoprene bags .…”

Arbete och Hälsa, Vetenskaplig Skriftserie

“…cleaners, and workers in restaurants and in the home care service), increasing RPE was noted, in line with other reports of high work loads among older women in these jobs. The suitability of high physical work loads in older workers has been questioned, especially after the age of 50 (Lusa et al, 1994;Oja et al, 1977). The finding of equal physical work loads (PWL scores) among the women in the present study in 1993 compared to 1970 was partly due to a decreased fraction of the working day spent sitting.…”