Association of practice hour, frequency and amount with self-rated health and outpatient visits among senior soccer players in Japan

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the association of practice hour, frequency, and amount with self-rated health (SRH) and outpatient visits (OV) among senior soccer players in Japan. This cross-sectional study included a total of 995 players who participated in the 5th Senior Soccer Festival in Shizuoka in May 2016. We conducted a self-administered questionnaire (response rate, 43.7%). Information on practice hour and frequency in the past 3 months was obtained. Practice amount was calculated by multiplying them. Information on SRH and OV were obtained using the same items of Health questionnaire on Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions 2013. Practice hour, frequency, and amount were divided into the following tertiles: low, moderate, and high. The SRH and OV for 16 diseases were categorized into 2 groups, respectively. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated using Poisson regression analysis with SRH or OV as objective variables, and practice hour, frequency, and amount as explanatory variables in separate models. The mean age was 67.2 years; all subjects were men. Overall, 196 (44.9%) subjects had good SRH, and 211 (48.3%) had OV for 16 diseases. PRs for good SRH on practice frequency and amount was 2.34 (95% confidence interval, 1.34-4.09) with high group (reference was low group) and 1.58 (1.18-2.11) with high group. The trend test was also significant. PRs for OV for the endocrine metabolic system on practice frequency was 0.39 (0.16-0.98) with high group. The trend test was also significant. This study suggested that higher practice frequency lead to maintain or improve health status.