The number of employees above 50 is increasing in organizations because of demographic changes. People above 50 feel less involved in work and societal activities as they should be and as they are expected to be. Older workers‟ employment is accompanied by stereotyping that workers are less productive and less capable than younger workers. The current research is about older workers‟ wishes, desires and wants to further develop gradual retirement schemes as scenarios for both employers' and employees' mutual benefit. Furthermore, the perception of ICT tools supportiveness is researched for older workers‟ sustainable employability. The study is conducted in the northern part of the Netherlands and data were collected by questionnaires and interviews. Data were analysed with the statistical tool SPSS and with Excel for the search of patterns. Results suggest that workers between 50 and 65 like to retire gradually by applied flexible working schemes, reducing the workload and reducing the weekly hours. ICT tools are considered as helpful tools as long as they do not affect workers‟ health. Training is required as well as constantly being updated in the ICT arena. Respondents also indicated that they want to work after retirement either voluntarily or on a small-scale salary to cover their basic costs.
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ContextRetirement is an opportune time for people to establish new healthy routines. Exercise and nutritional interventions are promising in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenic obesity.ObjectiveThis systematic review aimed to assess the effectiveness of nutritional and exercise interventions for the treatment of sarcopenic obesity in persons of retirement age.Data SourcesPubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL databases were searched in September 2021 for randomized controlled trials; a manual search was also conducted. The search yielded 261 studies, of which 11 were eligible for inclusion.Data ExtractionStudies of community-dwelling individuals with sarcopenic obesity receiving any nutritional or exercise intervention ≥ 8 weeks with the mean age ± standard deviation between 50 and 70 years were included. Primary endpoint was body composition, and secondary endpoints were body mass index, muscle strength, and physical function. The literature review, study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment were performed by two reviewers independently. Data were pooled for meta-analysis when possible.ResultsMeta-analysis was only possible for the exposure “resistance training” and the exposure “training (resistance or aerobic)” in combination with the exposure “added protein” as compared with “no intervention” or “training alone.” Resistance training led to a significant body fat reduction of −1.53% (95%CI, −2.91 to −0.15), an increase in muscle mass of 2.72% (95%CI, 1.23–4.22), an increase in muscle strength of 4.42 kg (95%CI, 2.44–6.04), and a slight improvement in gait speed of 0.17 m/s (95%CI, 0.01–0.34). Protein combined with an exercise intervention significantly reduces fat mass (−0.80 kg; 95%CI, −1.32 to −0.28). Some individual studies of dietary or food supplement interventions for which data could not be pooled showed positive effects on body composition.ConclusionResistance training is an effective treatment for persons of retirement age with sarcopenic obesity. Increased protein intake combined with exercise may increase reductions in fat mass.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO registration no. CRD42021276461.
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The retirement phase is an opportunity to integrate healthy (nutrition/exercise) habits into daily life. We conducted this systematic review to assess which nutrition and exercise interventions most effectively improve body composition (fat/muscle mass), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) in persons with obesity/overweight near retirement age (ages 55–70 y). We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials, searching 4 databases from their inception up to July 12, 2022. The NMA was based on a random effects model, pooled mean differences, standardized mean differences, their 95% confidence intervals, and correlations with multi-arm studies. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Ninety-two studies were included, 66 of which with 4957 participants could be used for the NMA. Identified interventions were clustered into 12 groups: no intervention, energy restriction (i.e., 500–1000 kcal), energy restriction plus high-protein intake (1.1–1.7 g/kg/body weight), intermittent fasting, mixed exercise (aerobic and resistance), resistance training, aerobic training, high protein plus resistance training, energy restriction plus high protein plus exercise, energy restriction plus resistance training, energy restriction plus aerobic training, and energy restriction plus mixed exercise. Intervention durations ranged from 8 wk to 6 mo. Body fat was reduced with energy restriction plus any exercise or plus high-protein intake. Energy restriction alone was less effective and tended to decrease muscle mass. Muscle mass was only significantly increased with mixed exercise. All other interventions including exercise effectively preserved muscle mass. A BMI and/or WC decrease was achieved with all interventions except aerobic training/resistance training alone or resistance training plus high protein. Overall, the most effective strategy for nearly all outcomes was combining energy restriction with resistance training or mixed exercise and high protein. Health care professionals involved in the management of persons with obesity need to be aware that an energy-restricted diet alone may contribute to sarcopenic obesity in persons near retirement age.This network meta-analysis is registered at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ as CRD42021276465.
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BACKGROUND: Sarcopenic obesity significantly burdens health and autonomy. Strategies to intervene in or prevent sarcopenic obesity generally focus on losing body fat and building or maintaining muscle mass and function. For a lifestyle intervention, it is important to consider psychological aspects such as behavioral change techniques (BCTs) to elicit a long-lasting behavioral change.PURPOSE: The study was carried out to analyze BCTs used in exercise and nutritional interventions targeting community-dwelling adults around retirement age with sarcopenic obesity.METHODS: We conducted an analysis of articles cited in an existing systematic review on the effectiveness of exercise and nutritional interventions on physiological outcomes in community-dwelling adults around retirement age with sarcopenic obesity. We identified BCTs used in these studies by applying a standardized taxonomy.RESULTS: Only nine BCTs were identified. Most BCTs were not used intentionally (82 %), and those used derived from the implementation of lifestyle components, such as exercise classes ("instructions on how to perform a behavior," "demonstration of the behavior," "behavioral practice/rehearsal," and "body changes"). Only two studies used BCTs intentionally to reinforce adherence in their interventions.CONCLUSIONS: Few studies integrated BCTs in lifestyle interventions for community-dwelling persons around retirement age with sarcopenic obesity. Future studies on interventions to counteract sarcopenic obesity should include well-established BCTs to foster adherence and, therefore, their effectiveness.
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ObjectivesAdherence to lifestyle interventions is crucial for the treatment of obesity. However, there is little research about adherence to lifestyle interventions in persons around retirement age. The objectives of this study are (1) to identify factors associated with the adherence to resistance training and a hypocaloric diet and (2) to describe the association between adherence and changes in body composition outcome parameters.DesignThis secondary data analysis included three randomized controlled trials.Setting & participantsThe inclusion criteria of the participants were an age of 55–75 years, a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and receiving both a hypocaloric diet and resistance training. All participants were residing in the community.MeasurementsAdherence to hypocaloric diet was measured through the mean dietary intake on the basis of a 3-day dietary record. If the participant consumed at least 600 kcal less than the individual caloric requirements, they were considered adherent. Adherence to resistance training was achieved if ≥67% of the recommended training sessions were attended over the course of the study periods.Results232 participants were included, 47.0% female, mean age 64.0 (±5.5) years. 80.2% adhered to resistance training and 51.3% adhered to a hypocaloric diet. Older age (Beta 0.41; 95% CI 0.05, 0.78; p = 0.028) and male sex (Beta 7.7; 95% CI 3.6, 11; p < 0.001) were associated with higher resistance training adherence. A higher BMI at baseline (Beta 6.4; 95% CI 3.6, 9.2; p < 0.001) and male sex (Beta 65; 95% CI 41, 88; p < 0.001) were associated with higher adherence to hypocaloric diet.ConclusionWe identified several associated factors (sex, age and BMI at baseline) that should be considered to promote adherence in future lifestyle intervention studies in persons around retirement age. We recommend including behavior change techniques in lifestyle interventions and consider sex-specific interventions to improve the adherence of women.
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Results and conclusions of research into gradual retirement. At the Mid-term conference in Norway, in June 2013 the research team presented the current situation of I-age regarding data collection and data analysis. Students presented an up-to-date poster about the research.
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One of the most important societal trends affecting our workplace and workforce in the following decade concerns the combination of a smaller number of younger workers relative to their older counterparts, and the current ‘early exit’ culture in Europe. Because of the staff shortages and possible knowledge loss (e.g., Calo 2008; Joe et al. 2013) that may accompany these demographic changes, there is a strong financial reason to retain and sustain ageing employees at work (Kooij et al. 2014; Truxillo and Fraccaroli 2013). In order to respond to today’s labour market needs, many governments have chosen to increase the official retirement age to 66 or even higher. In the Netherlands, for example, retirement age will be gradually raised to 66 years in 2019 and to 67 years in 2023. Other European Union countries have similar plans to steadily raise their retirement ages to 67 years in 2023 (France), 2027 (Spain), or 2031 (Germany). In the UK and Ireland, the retirement age will increase to 68 in 2028 (Ireland) and in 2046 (the UK). However, the reality of older workers’ current employment does not yet match these political ambitions. According to figures collected by the European Union Labour Force in the European Union Labour Force Survey (Eurostat 2014), the EU-28 (i.e., average of the 28 European Union countries) employment rate for persons aged 15–64 was 64.1 per cent in 2013. However, when looking more closely at the country level or when differentiating between age categories, the active labor participation of older European employees does not appear to be as high. The EU employment rate of older workers—calculated by dividing the number of persons in employment and aged 55–64 by the total population of the same age group—was 49.5 per cent in 2013 (OECD 2014), whereas the OECD average was 54.9 per cent in the same year. In the USA and Korea, for example, employment rates of workers of 55–64 years old were, respectively, 60.9 per cent and 64.3 per cent in 2013.
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Companies are on the verge to think about retention of older workers (workers above 50) in their company. Thus organisations, more specifically small and middle-sized enterprises (SMEs), are busy with the development of concepts how to make the time between 50 and retirement age of 65 or 67 for employees and thus for corporations attractive. One of the project objectives is to find out what employees in the aforementioned age phase want, need and desire in their job to stay employable and to be attractive for their employers. Additionally, will be examined how ICT tools can be supportively implemented in daily work so that older employees get used to it and increase their employability.
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With changing retirement ages and an aging workforce, interest is growing on the potential contribution of relevant bundles of HR practices in eliciting well-being and performance among aging workers. Drawing on theories on lifespan development and self-regulation, we distinguished two bundles of HR practices: development HR practices that help individual workers reach higher levels of functioning (e.g. training), and maintenance HR practices that help individual workers maintain their current levels of functioning in the face of new challenges (e.g. performance appraisal). Further, based on lifespan theories, we expected and found that the association between development HR practices and well-being (i.e. job satisfaction, organisational commitment and organisational fairness) weakens, and that the associations between maintenance HR practices and well-being, and between development HR practices and employee performance, strengthen with age. In addition, a third bundle of ‘job enrichment’ HR practices emerged that elicited higher job performance among aging workers.
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