Abstract
STUDY OBJECT: to reveal the relationship between regular exercise and physical fitness, life style, mental health, and other cardiovascular risk factors among the Japanese. DESIGN: cross- sectional study. SUBJECTS: 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%Cl;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. J Epidemiol, 1998 ; 8 : 15-23.
