Otsuka Rei, Nishita Yukiko, Hong Young-Jae, Takada Midori, Tange Chikako, Kozakai Rumi, Shimokata Hiroshi, Ota Atsuhiko, Yatsuya Hiroshi
Department of Epidemiology of Aging, Research Institute, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology.
Epidemiology of Aging, Aging Research (Partnership field), Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine.
Nihon Koshu Eisei Zasshi. 2025 Jun 9. doi: 10.11236/jph.24-137.
Objectives As the number of older workers increase, the proportion of occupational accidents among them has increased. To prevent such accidents, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of age-related decline in physical and psychological function from middle to old age. This study aimed to elucidate these characteristics and discuss occupational health issues in middle to old age.Methods This study was part of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging, involving 1,153 men and 1,117 women Japanese community-dwelling participants aged 40-84 years during the seventh wave (2010-2012). Hearing function, visual function, postural balance, motor fitness, gait function, cognitive function, mental health, and bone mineral density were measured using a survey. Descriptive statistics and z-scores (based on the age groups; 40-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and 75-84) were calculated based on sex and age group. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 (z-score; ≥ ±1.96).Results Compared to those aged 40-44 years, those aged 75-84 showed significantly lower z-scores for hearing function (z-score for air-conduction pure-tone threshold at 8,000 Hz; +4.78 for men, +4.91 for women), near visual acuity (+4.42 for men), information processing ability (-3.94 for women), and muscular endurance (z-score for upper body raising; -2.73 for men, -2.38 for women). Conversely, age differences were relatively small (-0.5 < z-score < 0.5 in all ages) in gait pace, depression scores, and life satisfaction in both sexes.Conclusion Hearing function (especially at high frequencies) scores were significantly lower in older age groups, followed by near visual acuity, information processing ability, and muscular endurance in both sexes. However, there were no clear age-related differences in the gait pace, psychological health, or life satisfaction. Occupational health check-ups must be implemented based on an understanding of the characteristics of changes in physical and psychological functions with aging.
目的 随着老年劳动者数量的增加，他们在职业事故中所占的比例也有所上升。为预防此类事故，了解从中年到老年与年龄相关的身体和心理功能衰退特征至关重要。本研究旨在阐明这些特征，并探讨中年到老年的职业健康问题。
方法 本研究是国立长寿科学研究所-老龄化纵向研究的一部分，涉及第七波（2010-2012年）期间1153名男性和1117名年龄在40-84岁的日本社区居住参与者。通过调查测量听力功能、视觉功能、姿势平衡、运动体能、步态功能、认知功能、心理健康和骨密度。根据性别和年龄组计算描述性统计数据和z分数（基于40-44岁、45-54岁、55-64岁、65-74岁和75-84岁年龄组）。统计学显著性设定为P<0.05（z分数；≥±1.96）。
结果 与40-44岁的人相比，75-84岁的人在听力功能（8000Hz气导纯音阈值的z分数；男性为+4.78，女性为+
