Research/studies Worker health and wellness Aging workers Worker Health and Wellness Older adults

Study links physical stress on the job to cognitive decline, memory loss later in life

lifting-box
Photo: KatarzynaBialasiewicz/iStockphoto

Fort Collins, CO — Physically demanding work may lead to poor memory and faster aging of the brain among older adults, results of a recent study led by researchers from Colorado State University show.

The research team studied 99 adults between the ages of 60 and 79 who were cognitively healthy – clear of psychiatric and neurologic illness, plus no history of stroke; transient ischemic attack, also known as a “mini-stroke”; or head trauma. By using brain images of the participants and an occupational survey about their most recent job, the researchers found that those who reported high levels of physical stress on the job had a smaller hippocampus – the region of the brain associated with memory – and performed worse on memory-related tasks. Examples of physically demanding work included excessive reaching or lifting of boxes onto shelves.

“We know that stress can accelerate physical aging and is the risk factor for many chronic illnesses,” lead researcher Aga Burzynska, an assistant professor in the department of human development and family studies at CSU, said in a July 16 press release. “But this is the first evidence that occupational stress can accelerate brain and cognitive aging.”

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average full-time worker spends nearly 8.6 hours a day on the job and around 40 years in the workforce. Therefore, occupational experiences are likely to play a role in cognitive health and brain aging because they occur long term, the researchers noted.

 

“By pure volume, occupational exposures outweigh the time we spend on leisure social, cognitive and physical activities, which protect our aging minds and brains,” Burzynska said.

The study was published online July 15 in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

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William N Lazaris
August 6, 2020
The results of this study are somewhat confusing and counterintuitive to me. For older workers, is there a difference between physical stress on the job versus weightlifting at a gym several times a week?

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Lee
August 6, 2020
The article does not explain what "physical stress" was in the study, this would be useful to know.

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Mary
August 6, 2020
Doubt it is physical stress that dulls the mind. Sounds to me that it is lack of mental stimulation.

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moonmac
August 6, 2020
Another reason not to work and let the Nanny State take care of you.

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Stacy H Woldie
August 6, 2020
Exercise causes cognition problems? This is disconcerting. I thought exercise was supposed to be a benefit.

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dr. liu wenpeng
August 6, 2020
Completely false. Physical exercise improves brain functioning. This is a well established fact that I recommend to all of my patients.

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Ronald C Wagner
August 6, 2020
Some possible flaws or things to consider in this study. Those with higher intellect may not be in as many physically demanding jobs. They may take better care of their overall health. They may be inclined to keep their minds very active compared to many of those who were physical workers.

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Mike
August 6, 2020
So I should stop working out!!?? What a stupid article.

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Leon
August 6, 2020
I am so screwed.

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Jon K
August 6, 2020
University study? Who paid for the study? Follow the money. I remember another study suggesting that a "Casual Dress Friday" could boost morale and productivity within the office environment. Sounded good after browsing the article. The study was sponsored by Levi Strauss Co. True!

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Jan Kennedy
August 6, 2020
Don't think I am buying the results of this study. There must be other variables that effect cognitive decline other than physical stress. Otherwise, why lift weights or exercise? I question the validity of this study.

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Ken Torsten
August 6, 2020
What about bicycle racers, runners, weight lifters, swimmers, etc?

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Mark
August 7, 2020
So we know that being too sedentary say to concentrate on mental work will contribute to physical decline....muscle weakness....back pain...etc. and now we now that to much physical activity will contribute to cognitive decline. Sounds like these studies should just stop looking for all the mysterious connections and just admit as we age we decline. I mean cmon.

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Mike Albert
August 7, 2020
I don't think having a higher intellect is necessarily related to cognitive decline. This study makes no sense to me.

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Howie Feinski
August 7, 2020
Goofballs! This same study could be !inked to the presence of a lighter in a pocket.

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Dean Austin
August 8, 2020
Are they dropping the boxes on their heads?

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Kat
August 8, 2020
It looks like people didn't get it. Statistically speaking people in manual labor jobs (think warehouse, construction, etc.) are less educated than desk job people, blue-collar vs white collar, and are less likely to engage in brain-stimulating activities outside of work. I have a labor job and after nearly 50 hours a week of physically demanding work I go home and sleep and maybe watch TV. Being college-educated I would much rather curl up with a novel, or take a class because I love to keep my brain active but I just don't have the energy. So no exercise doesn't make your brain mush, NOTHING BUT EXERCISE makes your brain mush. It's about balance. Use it or lose it goes for mind AND body.