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Objectives: A general population job-exposure matrix (GPJEM) including physical and psychosocial demands as well as psychosocial resources applicable to older and retired workers was developed. Its validity was evaluated by examining associations of physical demands and iso-strain (combination of high psychosocial demands and low resources) with health. Methods: Physical and psychosocial work exposures reported by 55–64 year olds were derived from the Netherlands Working Conditions Survey and linked to the Netherlands Standard Classification of Occupations 1992. A GPJEM with low, moderate, and high probability of exposure to demands and resources was developed. To examine associations with health, two groups of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were selected: current (i.e. at the time of the interview, 55–64 years) and former workers (55–84 years). Linear and logistic regression models were applied. Results: Use of force and work in uncomfortable positions were significantly associated with functional limitations and self-perceived health (SPH), but not hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA), in current and former workers. A moderate probability of repetitive movements was associated with functional limitations in former workers. A high probability of repetitive movements was associated with functional limitations in current and former workers as well as with SPH and hip and knee OA in former workers. Respondents formerly exposed to iso-strain had significantly higher diastolic blood pressure and more often hypertension. No such associations were found in current workers. No association was found with cardiovascular disease. Conclusions: The results suggest that our GPJEM accurately classifies jobs according to physical demands and, although less clearly, iso-strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the trend in sport participation among retirees between 1983 and 2007. Sport participation is important for retirees because of its health benefits and the opportunities it offers for social interaction. Factors that influence sport participation such as educational level, physical limitations, and occupational background have changed during the last decades, possibly accounting for changes in sport participation. Data are from the Amenities and Services Utilization Survey (AVO), a nationally representative Dutch survey with seven observations between 1983 and 2007. The trend in sport involvement, sports club membership, and competition was investigated in a sample of 2,497 male and 1,559 female retirees aged 58–67 years. Increases in participation were observed in sport involvement and sports club membership. This trend can partially be explained by increases in educational level, decreases in the number of retirees with physical limitations, and in those retiring from sedentary jobs. Yet, sport participation seems to have increased for all retirees, regardless of their socio-economic background and health status. Alternative explanations for the observed trend are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Health consequences of retirement have not been included in the current public debate about increasing the age at retirement, which might be due to the fact that studies aimed at health consequences of retirement show ambiguous results. The literature indicates that various contextual characteristics might explain conflicting results. The current study examines the effect of retirement and age at retirement (55–64 years) on self-perceived health. Characteristics tested for confounding and effect modification were: demographic, health, psychological, job, and retirement characteristics. Subjects were 506 participants in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). After three years, 216 retired and 290 remained employed. Multinomial logistic regression analyses show no main effect for retirement compared to continued employment. Modal (59–60) retirees were more likely to attain excellent or good self-perceived health (less than good self-perceived health as the reference category). Early (55–58) and late (61–64) retirees were unaffected by retirement if they did not receive a disability pension. Early and late retirees who received a disability pension were less likely to attain excellent self-perceived health after retirement. Higher educated were less likely to attain excellent self-perceived health after retirement, especially at late retirement age, although health selection might explain this result. Finally, mastery possibly acts as an adjustment resource. The paper concludes with a discussion on explanations for the effect of retirement and age at retirement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]