Tag Archives: it is usually about ageing-related changes

875-880 Ü. Kristjuhan
Ergonomics slow down ageing and postpone ageing related diseases
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Ergonomics slow down ageing and postpone ageing related diseases

Ü. Kristjuhan

Chair of Labour Environment and Safety, Tallinn University of Technology, Ehitajate tee 5, EE19086 Tallinn, Estonia; e-mail: ulo.kristjuhan@ttu.ee Abstract: For thousands of years, people have been interested in healthy ageing without diseases and in slowing down ageing. They are interested in longer-lasting youthful condition. Ageing is determined by physiology, biological ageing is accumulation of bodily changes that increase the possibility of death. There is no border line between ageing and age-related diseases, but a continuum from ageing to diseases. Longer health is good for a country’s economy: social expenses are lower and people will retire later. Scientists have studied possibilities of postponing ageing for decades, but they have not found good solutions. In recent years, some attention has been paid to ergonomics. There is reason to conclude that ergonomics activities can be effective in slowing the pace of ageing. Ergonomics uses very different methods (psychological, physiological, physical, mathematical, etc.) for finding solutions, uses various professional skills (engineering, physiology, health sciences, psychology, etc.), and applies systems approach. Psychological knowledge can help solve many complex prevention problems. Our ergonomic research carried out in 1965−2000 in industrial enterprises in Estonia, Russia, Finland, and other countries also confirms these theoretical considerations. These studies have shown that it is possible to prolong good ability to work and health by up to 20 years. Ergonomics research can have potential in postponing age-related diseases, elucidation of new risk factors to health, and prolonging ability to work. Key words: ergonomic research, ageing, health, ability to work, diseases, industrial enterprises, risk factors.

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