Southern Occupational Accident Technical Service Department Promotes Work Ability Support to Help Middle-Aged and Older Workers Reduce Occupational Accident Risks and Extend Their Healthy Working Lives
Small-Group Training Helps Middle-Aged and Older Workers Improve Physical Fitness and Adaptability at Work
The Southern Occupational Accident Technical Service Department of the Center for Occupational Accident Prevention and Rehabilitation (COAPRE) implemented the Work Ability Support Program for Middle-Aged and Older Workers from August 3 to September 9, 2026. The program comprised 10 small-group training sessions designed to help middle-aged and older workers, as well as individuals seeking to return to work, improve their physical function, adaptability at work, and ability to manage their own health through systematic training.
Led by professional instructors, the program began by helping participants understand their physical condition and establish proper movement fundamentals. Training then progressed to strengthening muscular strength and endurance, improving physical stability, and incorporating fall-prevention strategies, reaction training, and simulations of workplace tasks. The program was designed with both safety and practical application in mind, helping participants apply what they learned to their daily lives and workplace activities.
Participants demonstrated a high level of engagement and commitment throughout the program, with all participants attending all 10 sessions. After initially becoming familiar with their physical condition and movement patterns, they gradually progressed to exercises focusing on core stability, posture, muscular endurance, and reaction time. Through this progressive training, many participants said they gained a better understanding of their physical condition and gradually developed greater confidence in performing work tasks and everyday activities.
This program is only the beginning. Its fundamental goal is to enable middle-aged and older workers to apply the safe movement techniques and self-care methods learned during the program to their everyday lives and workplaces. Through continued practice, they can gradually develop safer, more stable, and more sustainable ways of working.
COAPRE will continue to address the needs of middle-aged and older workers in maintaining health at work, ensuring workplace safety, and supporting continued employment. Through prevention, training, and support services, COAPRE aims to help workers maintain their work ability and foster safer, healthier, and more supportive workplaces.
Participants and the instructional team pose for a group photo upon completion of the program.
The instructor helps individual participants adjust their posture based on their movements during exercises designed to activate and engage the deep core muscles.
During agility ladder training, participants practice different footwork patterns and changes of direction to improve their reaction time and fall-prevention skills.
Participants use a stair-climbing training machine to improve cardiovascular endurance, lower-body strength, and whole-body coordination.
Participants use Bulgarian bags to simulate manual handling tasks while practicing movements over obstacles to strengthen balance control and improve safety while moving.
Participants use the VCWS 19 together with a pneumatic lift cart to simulate workplace tasks, practicing stepping up to retrieve items, handling loads, and controlling their movements to reduce strain from bending and improve work safety.
Modular foam blocks and medicine balls are used to recreate a truck-unloading scenario. Balance and throwing exercises help participants practice throwing and catching, shifting their center of gravity, and maintaining body stability.
BTE equipment is used before and after the program to assess participants’ functional strength and movement capabilities.