ABSTRACT
In this chapter the age-related changes of different physiological characteristics such as maximal aerobic power, maximal muscle force and skeletal mass, as found in the literature, are described. From age 25 onwards, physiological capacities lessen by an average of 1 per cent per year. Of great importance is the balance between work capacity and workload. It is suggested that an important measure against an age-related imbalance between these two factors is physical exercise and/or measures taken to adapt workload to the worker's capacity. The impact of physical training on several physiological systems is described. An illustration of this type of research is given by presenting results on the effects of taking ergonomic measures on the work capacity of refuse collectors.
