Lifting sand bags for longevity

Recently, 74 year old man employed as "logistics" worker fell off a truck loading platform. Sadly, the worker died as a result of the fall. 

Such accidents are not rare but the risks can and should be minimized through application of the Hierarchy of Risk Controls.

Should seniors work in physically demanding jobs? 

The immediate reaction from the public was that seniors should not undertake such work. Some suggested that seniors should not undertake any strenuous work. Others believe that seniors should not have to work at all. 

I have a different opinion. I agree that many seniors should not undertake work which requires lifting uncomfortable loads, particularly where work at height is involved. (In this case, the platform was 1 m off the ground). 

Chronological age is not the same as biological age

However, we must be careful not to view all seniors of equivalent chronological age as being of the same biological age. 

A person who has take  steps to fight the effects of aging can undertake physical work, to a degree determined by their degree of frailty. 

Physical work, when appropriately allocated / selected and appropriately supervised can help seniors continue to maintain their physical strength and psychological strength. 

Those who wish to keep undertaking physically demanding work into their senior years, should train for lifting. Ideally, this training should start long before reaching your later years. Although there are many who can start lifting later in life, the earlier you start the better. 

What sort of exercise for lifting jobs? 



While barbell, dumbbell or kettlebell deadlifts and squats can train you to correctly lift heavy loads, I believe that high repetition sand bag lifts should be included in your training program. 

Lifting a wide bag from the floor presents its own difficulty and  better replicates the type of loads that you may have to carry in such jobs. A box may not have handles for you hold during a lift. Lifting a sandbag by holding the ends of the bag, forces you to engage your pectoral muscles in the lift.  

High numbers of repetitions will force you to develop strength and muscular endurance. Developing muscular endurance will help you resist fatigue which is often a cause of accidents. 

If appropriate, do consult with your medical professional before starting a strenuous exercise program. 

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