Abstract
One thousand eight hundred male workers in an industrial factory were examined in 1981 using anthropometric measurements (height, weight, abdominal girth, chest girth, and skinfold thickness), physical fitness tests (vertical jump, hand grip force, respiratory function, and blood pressure) and a questionnaire about daily habits (cigaret smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity), and they were reexamined to compare in 1984.
ROHRER'S indices (weight/height3) of the same individuals in 1984 were larger than those in 1981 at the 44 year old age or younger. Vertical jump, hand grip force, and forced vital capacity (FVC) declined with increasing age. FVC in 1984 declined significantly as compared with the values in 1981 at the over-30 age group. There were no remarkable differences in vertical jump between 1981 and 1984.
The rate of non-smokers was highest at the 40-44 year age group. The rate of daily smoking in 1984 was about 60 percent which was less than that in 1981. The rate of daily alcohol consumption in 1984 was 45 percent, which was higher than in 1981. More than 50 percent of workers over 45 years old had no regular physical activity. The rate of daily sports activity in 1984 decreased as compared with that in 1981 at each age group.
FVC and blood pressure in non-smokers were fairly good over 45 years of age. Blood pressure in non-drinkers was generally lower than in drinkers. There were definite relationships between health and daily life habits in workers, although physical fitness generally declined with increasing age.
