Workers older than 40 years show better results when employed not more than three days a week, study says Australian scientists, which was attended by about 3000 men and 3500 women over 40.
Scientists at the Melbourne Institute of applied economic and social research found that in conditions of incomplete working week and in the absence of fatigue and stress study participants who worked 25 hours a week, showed the best performance.
According to the study, the cognitive abilities of those who work 60 hours a week, be lower than that of unemployed peers.
Participants were asked to read texts aloud, to repeat a sequence of digits from the end to the beginning and perform similar tasks in a given period of time.
“Work can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it stimulates brain activity, but at the same time processing and certain types of problems can cause fatigue and stress, which, in turn, can adversely affect cognitive abilities,” reads the study.
According to Professor of Economics in Keio University Colin McKenzie, processing can cause far greater harm to the brain than no work at all.
The study authors emphasize that these conclusions are very important in the conditions when in many countries the decision about raising the retirement age.
Professor of Economics, Lancaster University Geraint Jones emphasizes that the study applies only to employees older than 40 years.
At the same time, according to him, it is impossible to conclude that for employees of other age groups, these findings are unfair.
