PHYSICAL FITNESS AND AGING OF FORESTRY WORKERS IN NORTH-EAST AREA OF JAPAN

Introduction
Forestry workers suffer the effects of hand-transmitted vibration using vibrating tools such as chain saws, grass cutters etc for forestry work. They have disorders in the peripheral circulation, peripheral nerve, muscles, bones and joints, that is, vibration syndrome. Specific health examination per year for forestry workers is carried out under the recommendation of the Ministry of Welfare and Labour to protect the health hazard of the workers in Japan.

Methods
We did a specific health examination for forestry workers with a questionnaire in the Fukushima area, located in the north-east part of Japan, in November and December. The subjects consisted of 450 male workers. Finger skin temperature, blood pressure, muscular strength, finger skill, vibration and a self-administered questionnaire about daily life habits, also job conditions etc. were examined

Results
The average age was 49.7 ±12.2 (SD) with age from 18 to 77 years old. The cigarette smoking rate of workers was about 52%. The alcohol drinking rate in the evening was about 55%. Average systolic blood pressures were 136mmHg. Systolic blood pressure tended to become higher with increasing age. Average diastolic blood pressures were 75mmHg. Diastolic blood pressures of age group showed to be the highest at the age group of 50 to 59 years old. Finger skin temperatures were 30.2? at room temperature about 20?.

Discussion
Blood pressure becomes higher with increasing age. The physical function, hand grip force and so on decreases with increasing age. These values are affected partially with life style, like smoking or alcohol drinking habits. Forestry workers are generally aging. There is a need to improve the items of the health examination, for example, blood exam to be added and so on.