Association between sugar-sweetened beverages and duration of physical exercise with psychological symptoms among Tibetan university students at high altitude

Background

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and duration of physical exercise are strongly associated with physical health. Unfortunately, there are few studies focused on the association with psychological symptoms, let alone Tibetan university students at high altitudes in China.

Methods

A stratified cluster sampling method was used to include 8,268 Tibetan university students aged 19-22 years in Qinghai and Tibet, both of which are high-altitude regions of China. Self-assessment questionnaires on SSBs, duration of physical exercise, and psychological symptoms were administered. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the associations among them.

Results

The detection rate of psychological symptoms among Tibetan university students in high-altitude areas of China was 16.7%, with in girls (18.2%) higher than that in boys (14.8%), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 11.73, p < 0.01). The proportion of SSBs for university students ≤1 time/week, 2-5 times/week, and ≥ 6 times/week were 54.2, 24.3, and 21.5%, respectively. The proportion of duration of physical exercise for >60 min/d was only 5.4%. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the SSBs ≤1 time/week group of university students, SSBs 2-5 times/week (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.24-1.70) and ≥ 6 times/week (OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 2.62-3.57) had an increased risk of psychological symptoms (p < 0.001). In the reference group, the risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the group of university students with duration of physical exercise >60 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48-2.93), and the risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the group with duration of physical exercise <30 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48-2.93). The risk of psychological symptoms was also significantly increased in the university students with the duration of physical exercise <30 min/d (OR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.48 ~ 2.93) group.

Conclusion

SSBs and exercise time may be important influences on the psychological symptoms of Tibetan university students at high altitudes in China. This study has important implications for mental health planning in universities in highland areas and may also provide guidance for mental health interventions for Tibetan university students.

A Longitudinal Study on the Effect of Exercise Habits on Locomotive Syndrome and Quality of Life during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, this study investigated the potential of exercise habits to improve quality of life (QOL) and prevent locomotive syndrome (LS) in residents of Yakumo-cho, Hokkaido, Japan. Participants from the 2018 health checkup were surveyed in February 2022, focusing on 200 respondents. These individuals were divided based on their 2018 exercise habits (at least 1 h per week): the exercise group (E group) and the non-exercise group (N group), further categorized in 2022 into the 2022E and 2022N groups. QOL was measured using the SF-36 (physical functioning, general health, physical role, physical pain, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, and mental health) and EuroQoL 5-dimension 5-level questionnaires (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), and LS was assessed with the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale. These showed no significant change in exercise habits from 2018 to 2022. In the non-LS group, the 2022E group had higher vitality and emotional role functioning scores compared to the 2022N group. For those with LS, the 2022E group reported less physical pain. Notably, the LS incidence was significantly lower in the 2022E group. This study concludes that consistent exercise habits positively impact QOL and reduce the LS risk, underscoring the importance of regular physical activity, especially during challenging times like a pandemic. These findings highlight the broader benefits of maintaining exercise routines for public health, particularly in periods of global health crises. Based on our findings, we recommend that people continue to exercise at least one hour per week to prevent LS.

Relationship between exercise habits and physical function in children aged 9-12 years

Exercise improves physical health and positively impacts physical functions in children. Additionally, the habitual exercise established during childhood often continues into adulthood. Therefore, childhood is an important period for establishing healthy habits. Investigating the relationship between the presence or absence of daily exercise and physical functions may provide important information to confirm poor physical function in children with poor exercise habits. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between exercise habits as defined by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare and physical function in children aged 9-12 years. Approximately 239 children were included in this study. Participants answered a questionnaire about their exercise habits. We evaluated the skeletal muscle mass index, grip strength, standing broad jump, one-leg standing time, and gait deviation index. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess exercise habit association with skeletal muscle mass index, physical function, and gait deviation index after adjusting for sex. Of the 239 children, 75.5% (n = 178) had exercise habits. A significant association was noted between exercise habits and skeletal muscle mass index and standing broad jump (skeletal muscle mass index: OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.01-3.36 and p<0.05; standing long jump: OR, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.04 and p<0.05). In conclusion, exercise regardless of exercise level for at least 30 min per day, 2 days per week, for at least 1 year is important for skeletal muscle mass and instantaneous lower limb muscular strength development in school-aged children.

Effects of School Physical Education on the Exercise Habits of Children and Adolescents: An Empirical Analysis Using China Health and Nutrition Survey Data

BACKGROUND

Since 2002, the Chinese Ministry of Education has conducted reform in the physical education (PE) curriculums of schools in China, with a focus on shifting from sports skills to regular participation in physical activity (PA) and promoting health. The aim of the study, therefore, is to examine the effects of school PE on the exercise habits of children and adolescents in China over time.

METHODS

Data based on 5941 observations of 3708 individuals aged 6 to 17 were collected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) for the period 2004 to 2015. The data were analyzed using the fixed-effect Logit model and the random-effect Tobit model.

RESULTS

The likelihood of exercising outside of school is 20.2% higher for students who have school PE than those who do not. Our study found that increasing the duration of PE at school by 100%, increases the duration of out-of-school PA by 22.3%. The variety of the types of sports schools offer encourages students to participate in out-of-school physical activity. The likelihood of students exercising outside of school increases by 5.6% when 1 more exercise type is provided in school PE. In addition, soccer, basketball, badminton, and volleyball education increases students' participation in after-school exercises. Soccer and basketball education, in particular, improves the duration of after-school PA.

CONCLUSIONS

To form exercise habits in children and adolescents, we encourage the promotion of a variety of physical activities in schools, especially team sports such as soccer and basketball.

Unraveling the Nexus: Exploring the Relationship between Exercise Habits and Sleep Quality in Older Adults

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of exercise habits on enhancing the sleep quality of older adults. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale and other questionnaires were utilized to assess the sleep quality of older adults aged 60 years and above in the H district. The sampling method employed was stratified random sampling. To analyze the influencing factors of sleep quality, the average treatment effect was estimated, the robustness of the results was assessed and statistical methods such as Logit regression and propensity score matching were employed. The study revealed that exercise habits strongly correlated with improved sleep quality in the older adult (p < 0.05), with the average total sleep quality score being 6.22 (±3.53). It was observed that older adults who engaged in exercise habits experienced a significant 12.66% increase in the likelihood of achieving good sleep. This investigation highlights the positive association between exercise habits and enhanced sleep quality among older adults. Additionally, age, physical pain and self-rated health statuses were identified as significant factors influencing sleep quality in this population. To enhance the sleep quality of older adults, this article recommends promoting relevant exercise habits, thus contributing to their overall well-being and quality of life.

Cross-sectional study of depression tendency and sleep quality in 1352 people practicing Tai Chi

This cross-sectional study aimed to analyse the relationship between Tai Chi exercise habits and depression tendency and sleep quality in people practicing Tai Chi in Chengdu, China. A total of 1352 Tai Chi practitioners aged 50-79 years old were divided into six groups according to age and gender for Tai Chi exercise habits, depression tendency and sleep quality. The frequency of weekly Tai Chi practice and duration of single Tai Chi practice have a significant positive correlation with the exercise years. For female subjects who had long-term Tai Chi exercise, depression decreased with the duration and weekly frequency of a single exercise. Tai Chi exercise habits reduced sleep disturbance scores (in the male group aged 60-69 years old, exercise years, r = -0.242, p = 0.004) and sleep duration (in the male and female group aged 70-79 years old, duration of single Tai Chi practice, r = -0.334, p = 0.035; r = -0.235, p = 0.029), suggesting that long-term Tai Chi exercise may reduce the trend of poor sleep quality due to increased ageing.

Global Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Habits of Competitive Runners: An Analysis of Wearable Device Data

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in government restrictions that altered the lifestyle of people worldwide. Studying the impact of these restrictions on exercise behaviors will improve our understanding of the environmental factors that influence individuals' physical activity (PA). We conducted a retrospective analysis using an stringency index of government pandemic policies developed by Oxford University and digitally-logged PA data from more than 7000 runners collected using a wearable exercise-tracking device to compare the relationship between strictness of lockdowns and exercise habits on a global scale. Additionally, the time-of-day of PA globally, and activity-levels of PA in 14 countries, are compared between the pre-pandemic year of 2019 and the first pandemic year of 2020. We found that during the pandemic year there was a major shift in the time-of-day that runners exercised, with significantly more activity counts logged during standard working hours on workdays (p < 0.001) and fewer activities during the same time frame on weekends (p < 0.001). Of the countries examined, Italy and Spain had among the most strict lockdowns and suffered the largest decreases in activity counts, whereas France experienced a minimal decrease in activity counts despite enacting a strict lockdown with certain allowances. This study suggests that there are several factors affecting PA of dedicated runners, including government policy, workplace policy, and cultural norms.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural and urban cancer patients' experiences, health behaviors, and perceptions

Purpose

The COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted many facets of life. We evaluated pandemic‐related health care experiences, COVID‐19 prevention behaviors and measures, health behaviors, and psychosocial outcomes among rural and urban cancer patients.

Methods

Among 1,472 adult cancer patients, who visited Huntsman Cancer Institute in the past 4 years and completed a COVID‐19 survey (August‐September 2020), we assessed the impact of the pandemic on medical appointments, prevention/health behaviors, and psychosocial factors, stratified by urbanicity.

Findings

Mean age was 61 years, with 52% female, 97% non‐Hispanic White, and 27% were residing in rural areas. Rural versus urban patients were more likely to be older, not employed, uninsured, former/current smokers, consume alcohol, and have pandemic‐related changes/cancellations in surgery appointments (all P<.05). Changes/cancellations in other health care access (eg, doctor's visits) were also common, particularly among urban patients. Urban versus rural patients were more likely to socially distance, use masks and hand sanitizer, and experience changes in exercise habits and in their daily lives (all P<.05). Less social interaction and financial stress were common among cancer patients but did not differ by urbanicity.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the COVID‐19 pandemic had a substantial impact on cancer patients, with several challenges specific to rural patients. This comprehensive study provides unique insights into the first 6 months of COVID‐19 pandemic‐related experiences and continuity of care among rural and urban cancer patients predominantly from Utah. Further research is needed to better characterize the pandemic's short‐ and long‐term effects on rural and urban cancer patients and appropriate interventions.

Is musculoskeletal pain related to locomotive syndrome even in young and middle-aged adults?

OBJECTIVES

Locomotive syndrome (LS) is the leading cause of persons needing long-term care in old age and is characterized by locomotive organ impairment including musculoskeletal pain. The aim was to examine the association between musculoskeletal pain and LS in young and middle-aged persons.

METHODS

A total of 836 participants (male 667, female 169; mean age 44.4 years) were examined in this cross-sectional study. The LS was evaluated by three screening tools: the two-step test, the stand-up test, and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. Musculoskeletal pain, exercise habits, physical function (walkability and muscle strength), and physical activity were also assessed.

RESULTS

The LS was found in 22.8% of participants. The number with musculoskeletal pain was significantly higher in those with the LS. A significant correlation was found between the degree of musculoskeletal pain and exercise habits. Less regular exercise was significantly associated with higher LS prevalence. Physical activity and function were greater in participants with more regular exercise.

CONCLUSION

Musculoskeletal pain was significantly related to LS even in young and middle-aged persons. The present results suggest that control of musculoskeletal pain and improvement of exercise habits in young and middle-aged persons might help prevent the LS.

Stay home and stay active? The impact of stay-at-home restrictions on physical activity routines in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic

We investigated which population groups were impacted most in terms of physical activity levels during the restrictions applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. We surveyed UK residents, sampled through users of a rewards-for-exercise app (Sweatcoin; n = 749) and an online panel (Prolific; n = 907). Of the app users, n = 487 further provided daily step-count data collected by the app, prior to, and during the periods of restrictions in the UK between March-June 2020. Regression models were used to investigate factors associated with self-reported change in physical activity and change in daily step-count during the periods of restrictions. Significant factors associated with self-reported change in physical activity included rural residents (positive, b = 0.87, p < 0.001), relative to urban dwellers, people classed as obese (negative, b = -0.51, p = 0.008, relative to healthy weight) and gym users (negative, b = -1.10, p < 0.001, relative to walkers). All groups had reduced step counts during restrictions, with Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups showing greater reductions compared to White British ethnicity (negative, b = -0.18, p = 0.008). Targeted interventions are required to ensure that physical and mental health impacts of sedentary behaviour are not exacerbated over the long-term by significant reductions in physical activity identified in these groups particularly those who are also more vulnerable to COVID-19.

Trajectories of peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms in children 5 years after a nuclear disaster: Fukushima Health Management Survey

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (NPS) accident, which occurred in March 2011, is having long-term effects on children. About 3 years after the accident, we identified three patterns of peer relationship problems and four patterns of emotional symptoms using group-based trajectory modeling. As a result, we reported that different factors might be related to very severe trajectories of peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms. In this study, we used five waves of data from fiscal year (FY) 2011 to FY2015 from the Mental Health and Lifestyle Survey, a detailed survey of the Fukushima Health Management Survey started in FY2011. We analyzed 7013 residents within the government-designated evacuation zone (aged 6-12 years old as of 11 March 2011) with responses to all items of psychological distress in at least one wave from FY2011 and FY2015. We planned this study to describe the trajectories of peer relationship problems and emotional symptoms in children and to examine potential risks and protective factors over the 5 years following the NPS accident. We identified four patterns of peer relationship problems and five patterns of emotional symptoms using latent class growth analysis. For peer relationship problems, male sex, experiencing the NPS explosion and lack of exercise habits were associated with the severe trajectory group. For emotional symptoms, experiencing the NPS explosion, experiencing the tsunami disaster and lack of exercise habits were associated with the severe trajectory group. Exercise habits are very important for the mental health of evacuees after a nuclear disaster.

Goal orientation, motivational climate, and exercise as predictors of eating disorder risk factors among college students

Objectives: This study examined how goal orientation, motivational climate, and exercise could be used to predict college students' eating disorder symptomology. Participants: Recruited in February 2017, the participants included 275 college-aged students from a university in the southeastern United States. Methods: Using achievement goal theory as the framework to conceptualize motivations behind eating disorder behaviors, each participant filled out questionnaires related to goal mindsets, perceptions of the social climate in the university recreation center, and exercise habits. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses, with R coefficients being used to evaluate prediction models. Results: The results of the study suggested that goal orientation and ego-involving climate were the only significant predictors of eating disorder symptomology, accounting for 3.4% of the total variance. Conclusions: This study provided preliminary evidence of the importance of studying achievement goal theory-related variables that contribute to our understanding of eating disorder symptomology in the collegiate population.

Impact of Habitual Exercise on Locomotive Function of Middle-aged and Elderly Volunteers: A Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVES

This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the effect of acquisition of an exercise habit on locomotive dysfunction (LD).

METHODS

The subjects were 121 male and 196 female volunteers aged more than 50 years who attended health checkups in Toei, central Japan, in 2012 and 2014. We divided the subjects into three groups: an acquiring exercise group (Ac-Ex) composed of those who acquired an exercise habit between 2012 and 2014, a non-exercise group (Non-Ex) who did not acquire an exercise habit, and an exercise group (Ex) who already had an exercise habit in 2012. We compared the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25) score among the three groups.

RESULTS

In men in the Ac-Ex group, the GLFS-25 score improved significantly between 2012 and 2014 (P=0.046), and sub-analysis of the GLFS-25 responses showed that fundamental and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL) improved significantly. In women in the Ac-Ex group, the prevalence of radiologically diagnosed knee osteoarthritis was significantly higher (P=0.027) than that for the other two groups, and there was no significant improvement in GLFS-25 score over the 2-year period.

CONCLUSIONS

The acquisition of an exercise habit had a positive effect on the locomotive function in men. Orthopedic surgeons must enlighten people on the need for a continuous exercise habit.

Exercise Habits Are Associated with Improved Long-Term Mortality Risks in the Nationwide General Japanese Population: A 20-Year Follow-Up of the NIPPON DATA90 Study

Exercise habits are known as a protective factor for a variety of diseases and thus recommended worldwide; however, few studies have examined long-term effects of exercise habits on mortality. We continuously monitored death status in a nationwide population sample of 7,709 eligible persons from the National Integrated Project for Prospective Observation of Noncommunicable Disease and its Trends in the Aged in 1990 (NIPPON DATA90), for which baseline data were obtained in 1990. To investigate the long-term impact of baseline exercise habits, we calculated the relative risk of non-exercisers (participants without regular voluntary exercise habits) in reference to exercisers (those with these habits) for all-cause or cause-specific mortality using a Cox proportional hazard model, in which the following confounding factors were appropriately adjusted: sex, age, body mass index, total energy intake, smoking, drinking, and history of cardiovascular disease. During a median 20 years of follow-up, 1,747 participants died, 99 of heart failure. The risk for all-cause mortality was 12% higher in non-exercisers than in exercisers (95% confidence interval, 1%-24%), which was also observed for mortality from heart failure, as 68% higher in non-exercisers than in exercises (95% confidence interval, 3%-173%). These associations were similarly observed when the participants were divided to subgroups by sex, age, and the light, moderate, or vigorous intensity of physical activity, without any significant heterogeneities (P > 0.1). The present study has revealed significant impact of exercise habits on long-term mortality risks, supporting worldwide recommendations for improvement of exercise habits.

The Associations between Individual Factors, eHealth Literacy, and Health Behaviors among College Students

Background: This study aimed to investigate the associations between individual factors, electronic health (eHealth) literacy, dietary behaviors, and exercise habits in college students, as well as the moderating effect of gender on the above target behaviors. Methods: A pen-and-paper questionnaire with a stratified sampling method was used to collect data, and at least 100 students from each stratum were determined to be used for the official sample in this study. Finally, 674 students completed the survey. Results and Conclusions: Chi-square test results demonstrated that genders had dissimilar dietary supplement use and subjective health status. Further analyses indicated females had a higher likelihood of taking dietary supplements and poorer subjective health statuses. The t-test results indicated that the functional eHealth literacy, dietary behaviors, and exercise habits of genders were different, and the mean scores showed that males had higher functional eHealth literacy, healthier dietary behaviors, and higher exercise involvement than females. Regression analyses showed that students who were male, took dietary supplements, placed the utmost importance on health, and had high critical eHealth literacy tended to possess healthy dietary behaviors. Students who were male and had good subjective health statuses tended to have higher exercise involvement. Specifically, the critical eHealth literacy changed dietary behaviors less effectively for women than for men, and the subjective health status changed exercise habits less effectively for women than for men. Therefore, when designing the diet and exercise intervention programs, gender-specific programs rather than generic programs should be given priority to develop.

Predictors for Incident Mild Parkinsonian Signs in Older Japanese

Background

Mild parkinsonian signs are important clinical symptoms related to the decline of motor and cognitive functions. We aimed to identify predictors for the incidence of mild parkinsonian signs in older Japanese by conducting an 8-year longitudinal community-based cohort study.

Methods

Participants aged 65 years or older, living in Ama-cho, a rural island town in western Japan, underwent a baseline assessment of motor function, cognitive function, depression score, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Tanner questionnaire, and cerebral white matter lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging from 2008 to 2010, and then underwent a follow-up neurological examination from 2016 to 2017. Mild parkinsonian signs were defined according to a modified Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale score.

Results

Of the 316 participants without mild parkinsonian signs at baseline, 94 presented with incident mild parkinsonian signs at follow-up. In addition to an absence of exercise habits, a higher score on the Tanner questionnaire, PSQI, and deep white-matter hyperintensity Fazekas scores were significant independent predictors for incidence of mild parkinsonian signs.

Conclusion

We suggest multiple factors related to incidence of mild parkinsonian signs. Vascular lesions and sleep disorders are associated with a pathogenesis of mild parkinsonian signs, the Tanner questionnaire is useful for early detection of subclinical mild parkinsonian signs, and exercise has a possibility of being associated with preventing onset of mild parkinsonian signs.

Exercise intolerance in Type 2 diabetes: is there a cardiovascular contribution?

Physical activity is critically important for Type 2 diabetes management, yet adherence levels are poor. This might be partly due to disproportionate exercise intolerance. Submaximal exercise tolerance is highly sensitive to muscle oxygenation; impairments in exercising muscle oxygen delivery may contribute to exercise intolerance in Type 2 diabetes since there is considerable evidence for the existence of both cardiac and peripheral vascular dysfunction. While uncompromised cardiac output during submaximal exercise is consistently observed in Type 2 diabetes, it remains to be determined whether an elevated cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex could sympathetically restrain exercising muscle blood flow. Furthermore, while deficits in endothelial function are common in Type 2 diabetes and are often cited as impairing exercising muscle oxygen delivery, no direct evidence in exercise exists, and there are several other vasoregulatory mechanisms whose dysfunction could contribute. Finally, while there are findings of impaired oxygen delivery, conflicting evidence also exists. A definitive conclusion that Type 2 diabetes compromises exercising muscle oxygen delivery remains premature. We review these potentially dysfunctional mechanisms in terms of how they could impair oxygen delivery in exercise, evaluate the current literature on whether an oxygen delivery deficit is actually manifest, and correspondingly identify key directions for future research.

Does subjective sleep quality improve by a walking intervention? A real-world study in a Japanese workplace

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 4-week walking intervention on subjective sleep quality.

DESIGN

A prospective open-label study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 490 healthy workers were included in the study. The 490 participants were divided into a group of 214 participants with exercise habits (exercising group, EG) and a group of 276 participants without exercise habits (non-EG).

INTERVENTIONS

A walking intervention with a target of walking 10 000 steps daily for 4 weeks.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was administered twice (before the start and after the end of the study).

RESULTS

Overall, the walking intervention improved the participants' PSQI global score, sleep latency (minutes), sleep duration (hours), perceived sleep quality factor and daily disturbance factor. Among the EG participants, the walking intervention significantly improved the PSQI global score and perceived sleep quality. Among the non-EG participants, the walking intervention significantly improved the PSQI global score, sleep latency, sleep duration and perceived sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

A walking intervention might reduce the sleep latency and increase total sleep duration in working persons without exercise habits.

Association of primary care physicians' exercise habits and their age, specialty, and workplace

Background

In this study, we investigated primary care physicians’ exercise habits, and the association of this variable with their age, specialty, and workplace.

Methods

The population of this cross-sectional study comprised 3,310 medical doctors who graduated from Jichi Medical University in Japan between 1978 and 2012. The study instrument was a self-administered questionnaire mailed in August 2012 to investigate primary care physicians’ exercise habits, age, specialty, and workplace.

Results

The 896 available primary care physicians’ responses to the self-administered questionnaire were analyzed. Their exercise frequency was as follows: daily, 104 (11.6%); at least 2–3 times per week, 235 (26.2%); no more than once a week, 225 (25.1%); no more than once a month, 278 (31.0%); and other, 52 (5.8%). Their exercise intensity was as follows: high (≥6 Mets), 264 (29.5%); moderate (4–6 Mets), 199 (22.2%); mild, (3–4 Mets), 295 (32.9%); very mild (<3 Mets), 68 (7.6%); none, 64 (7.1%); and other, 6 (0.7%). Their exercise volume was calculated to represent their exercise habits by multiplying score for exercise frequency by score for intensity. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that the primary care physicians’ exercise volumes were associated with their age (P<0.01) and workplace (P<0.01), but not with their specialty (P=0.37). Primary care physicians in the older age group were more likely to have a higher exercise volume than those in the younger age groups (50–60 years > older than 60 years >40–50 years >30–40 years >24–30 years). Primary care physicians working in a clinic were more likely to have a higher exercise volume than those working in a university hospital, polyclinic hospital, or hospital.

Conclusion

Primary care physicians’ exercise habits were associated with their age and workplace, but not with their specialty.

Factors affecting the estimated maximal oxygen uptake: a follow-up study of participants in the total health promotion plan

OBJECTIVES

To elucidate the effects of risk factors for arteriosclerosis on estimated VO(2) max and obtain useful information to advise enterprise employees.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and nineteen male and 87 female enterprise employees underwent exercise tests for health evaluation in the Total Health Promotion Plan at the Fukui Occupational Health Center between April 1990 and March 1993.

METHODS

Multiple regression analysis was performed using estimated VO(2) max as the dependent variable, and percent body fat, blood pressure, blood tests, habitual physical activity, number of cigarettes smoked and alcohol consumption as independent variables in the first and second year, and for yearly changes in these variables.

RESULTS

The significant variables selected were as follows: in the first year, systolic blood pressure and percent body fat in males, and age in females; in the second year, diastolic blood pressure and habitual physical activity in males and systolic blood pressure in females; for yearly changes in each variable, cigarettes in males and percent body fat in females were selected.

CONCLUSION

It was suggested that guidance to reduce cigarettes in males, and to keep a proper percent body fat in females would be effective in maintaining the estimated VO(2) max.