A comparative epidemiological study of the effects of regular exercise on health level.
OBJECTIVE
To reveal the relationship between regular exercise and physical fitness, life style, mental health, and other cardiovascular risk factors among the Japanese.


METHODS
cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Three thousands, one hundred and thirty-two individuals (1,795 men and 1,336 women) over 40 years old who were examinees at one of seven centers for health promotion.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey on the life style, a physical fitness tests and clinical laboratory tests were performed.


RESULTS
Continuing regular exercise was associated with high levels of physical strength and their odds ratio (OR) was 2.09 (95% confidence interval(CI) 1.74-2.50). Many individuals in this group had good mental health: the OR for their sensation of fatigue (swift recovery) was 1.40(95% CI; 1.17-1.68) and that for mood recovery (fast) was 1.44(95% CI; 1.20-1.72). Thinness and obesity were scarce in this group.


CONCLUSIONS
High physical fitness level, good mental health, standard body weight are more common in regular exercise group.
Hiraoka
J
J
Tako Central Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
Ojima
T
T
Nakamura
Y
Y
Yanagawa
H
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010809:Physical Fitness