title: Work activities and musculoskeletal discomforts amongst active older Albertans on alternative employment trajectories.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bridge employment (scheduled paid work after retirement age) may promote successful aging and continued health, as work can be an important component of daily physical activity. Appropriate work demands for older adults are neither well-established nor well-applied, however, and excessive loading or increased perceptions of discomfort may negate the health benefits of work activity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined work status and musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) amongst older Albertans.
  
  
  METHODS
  1044 Albertans aged 55 years and older participating in an organized 'Games' received a research package. Enclosed in the package were an introductory letter, a return envelope, and modified versions of validated questionnaires examining leisure and work activities, activity frequency, and perceptions of musculoskeletal health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  228 respondents were classified into one of three employment trajectory groups: fully retired, fully employed, or bridge employed. Groups differed in age, and both employed groups more frequently reported MSDs in all body areas. Bridge employed reported increased 'occasional' frequency of musculoskeletal injury risk factors, while both groups reported similar overall ratings of work-related exertion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The increased MSDs reported by bridge employed adults may be the result of irregularity of work activity and soft tissue loading. Detailed examination of work demands and musculoskeletal injuries amongst bridge employed adults could help define safer levels for less regular work activity.
authors.affiliation: Engineering and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Jon B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Doan
authors.affiliation: Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Copeland
authors.affiliation: Balance Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Lesley A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: Engineering and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Jeff T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: Engineering and Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: D Shane
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D004651:Employment / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012179:Retirement; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Retirement; activity; aged worker; bridge employment; career