Association between self-reported resistance training and self-rated health in a national sample of U.S. men and women.
BACKGROUND
Self-rated health (SRH) is a predictor of several clinical outcomes, including mortality. Physical activity is associated with SRH; however, the specific role that resistance training (RT) plays in this relationship is unknown. We explored the independent association between self-reported RT and SRH in a cross-sectional survey (National Physical Activity and Weight Loss Study; NPAWLS) conducted by the University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center in 2002.


METHODS
Subjects were 9651 men and women (mean age 46.5 yrs) classified as having high or low SRH; and they were categorized into 2 groups: (1) meeting nationally recommended levels for RT (>or= 2 days/week); (2) not meeting levels (<2 days/week or no RT).


RESULTS
Meeting national recommendations was associated with male gender (P < .01), normal BMI (P < .01), and higher education (P < .01). When compared to individuals with low SRH, those with high SRH were 2 times as likely to meet recommended levels of RT (OR = 2.32; 95% CI = 1.96 to 2.76). The model modestly attenuated when fully adjusted for confounding variables, including other exercise (OR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.49 to 2.15).


CONCLUSIONS
This study identifies the specific positive relationship between RT and SRH, further supporting the health benefits of meeting the national recommendations for RT.
Ciccolo
Joseph T
JT
Brown Medical School and the Centers for Behavioral and Preventive Medicine at The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
Pettee Gabriel
Kelley K
KK
Macera
Caroline
C
Ainsworth
Barbara E
BE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D055070:Resistance Training; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult