This study investigated the relationships between habits (exercise and sleep) and physical abilities for behavioral health, and immunological defense for 300 elementary school children (166 boys and 134 girls). Measurement items that were used were a Total Mood Disturbances (TMD) score of Profile of Mood State (POMS), concentration of salivary Immunoglobulin A (SIgA) as the parameters for immunological defense, and a physical performance test, (the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology parameters of physical ability) and a self-questionnaire regarding sleep and exercise habits.
As the results, physical performance tests in both boys and girls were related to the exercise habits, suggesting that the exercise habit was important for the improvement of physical ability for behavioral health. TMD in both boys and girls was also related to the quality of sleep and awaking time. In addition, TMD in girls was significantly associated with sleep time. However, SIgA level did not significant correlation with the factors of sleep and exercise. Above all, we suggest that to acquire the exercise habit in boys and girls of upper elementary grades and to improve the quality and time of sleep in girls were important for improving physical abilities for both behavioral health and immunological defense.
