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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2004 and 2014, employment of workers age 65+ nearly doubled. Age alone doesn't cause Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), but since workers have been on the job longer and RSI is a result of trauma accumulated with time, the odds of having problems with increasing years are higher.
Other factors which contribute to RSI are genetic predisposition, obesity, slenderness, alcoholism, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes. Many of these problems appear as people age.
In addition, women get RSI more frequently than men, mostly because they have smaller muscles, but also due to hormonal changes from pregnancy, menopause, and gynecological surgery that can cause swelling. Even though women are more prone to RSI, men often ignore pain because of a macho attitude. They put off treatment until they are almost completely disabled with a severe injury.
For a more complete discussion on the topic of aging and ergonomics, read our Feature Article: Ergonomics & Aging (PDF).
The following table addresses common changes that occur with aging and recommended ergonomic solutions to accommodate these changes.| Visual | Decreased ability to read fine print Decreased adaptation to the dark Increased sensitivity to glare Altered depth perception Reduction in ability of eyes to tear | Brighter lighting Reduce/eliminate glare with indirect lighting Use special-purpose lighting Use high contrast materials |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing | Decreased high-frequency hearing Decreased ability to discriminate some sounds | Avoid high-frequency noise Reduce background noise Use equipment with adjustable noise levels |
| Skin | Decreased fat and water in subcutaneous tissue Decreased skin elasticity More difficulty in regulating body temperature | Stay hydrated Avoid work in extreme hot or cold temperatures Avoid work with chemicals with defatting properties |
| Muscles | Decreased muscle mass and strength Increased muscle response time and fatigue | Reduce work with static muscle effort (e.g. sustained positions) Increase use of mechanical lifts Keep work in "neutral zone" Eliminate twisting Stretch upper body throughout the day Continue or begin regular exercise programs |
| Endocrine | Decreased insulin production Decreased thyroid function Decreased tolerance to heat or cold | Take breaks each hour to stand up and stretch upper body Avoid work in hot or cold environments |
| Immune | Decreased inflammatory response Increased risk of infections | Avoid repetitive-motion work Take precautions to avoid infection |
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