Aged Working Population and the Need for Adopting Sporting Activities Among Those Engaged in Physically Demanding Jobs

[Abstract] The issue of an aging population is a subject of much attention all over the world. Health care and science resources should be conservatively allocated to Japan’s aging population, focusing on providing quality to the aging years. The aims of the present survey are: (1) to outline the actual rate of the aged Japanese labor force from 1996 to 2016 with a special focus on those with the age of ≥ 65 years; (2) to address physical decline due to the aging process; and (3) to recommend some low-intensity recreational sporting activities in order to maintain the health of this important group of working people in a good condition. According to the latest published data from Japan, the percentage of people with the age of 65 or more is the highest (26.7%) in the world. The percentage of non-regular employees has been increased from 21.5% in 1996 to 37.6% in 2016. As for those aged ≥ 65 years, the percentage of regular employees was 48.2 % in 1996, 34.2% in 2006, and 24.9% in 2016. On the basis of the reviewed material, it is obvious that older workers more often experience cumulative trauma disorders. Retaining the aging workers who have valuable job experience has many positive aspects in the society. By a comprehensive health program for the diagnosis of risk factors as well as the implementation of practical measures against work-related disorders, such as exercise schedule, more success in workers’ health conservation programs would be achieved