R. Karazman et al., Effects of ergonomic and health training on work interest, work ability and health in elderly public urban transport drivers, INT J IND E, 25(5), 2000, pp. 503-511
Public urban transport drivers of the Munich Transportation Authority (n =
122) with an average age of 50 years participated in 20 health days with fu
ll paid worktime over one year. The training consisted of physical exercise
, professional skills training and self-experience in groups. The evaluatio
n instruments were the work ability index (WAI) developed by the Finnish In
stitute of Occupational Health and the effect typology (ET) developed by th
e Austrian Institute of Occupational Health Promotion (IBG-Osterreich). No
changes were found in the WAI score. The ET evaluated for 50% of the partic
ipants the optimal effect "evolution", i.e., psychobiological and noetic ch
anges. A variance analysis of the WAI pre-post differences according to the
effect classes of the ET showed significant differences, namely an increas
e in the WAI in the evolution group and a drop in the recovery group. The t
houghts on early retirement decreased in the "evolution group". The improve
ment of work ability and interest in work is essential for keeping elderly
workers at work. The "individual" health training in Munich led to a. rise
of the WAI and indicated that, owing to its elements, this programme had an
impact on ergonomics and relations at workplace. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science
B.V. All rights reserved.