title: A comparative epidemiological study of the effects of regular exercise on health level.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Tako Central Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hiraoka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ojima
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yanagawa
mesh_terms: 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