2004 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Yearlong pliysical activity and health-related quality of life in older Japanese adults : new guidelines for exercise
| Project/Area Number |
15500503
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Applied health science
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| Research Institution | Tokyo Metropolitan Foundation for Research on Aging and Promotion of Human Welfare |
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Principal Investigator |
AOYAGI Yukitoshi Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Head, 福祉振興財団・東京都老人総合研究所, 副参事研究員 (50202495)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2003 – 2004
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| Keywords | older adults / physical activity / independence / accelerometer / mental health / physical health |
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| Research Abstract |
Background : We hypothesized that in a healthy elderly population, a clinically relevant increase in health-related quality of life(HRQOL) score would be positively associated with a greater intensity and total volume of daily physical activity.
Methods : These hypotheses were tested in a cohort of 74 male and 109 female volunteers from the town of Nakanojo, Japan. Ages ranged from 65-85 years ; analyses of covariance adjusted for the effects of age upon HRQOL. Quantitative measurements of physical activity were obtained daily for one year, using a specially adapted accelerometer that distinguished 11 intensities of physical activity. HRQOL was assessed by a Japanese adaptation of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36) questionnaire.
Results : The results confirmed our hypotheses ; HRQOL was greater in the quartile of subjects meeting minimum standards of habitual physical activity : in men 5511 or more steps per day and/or at least 12.9 min per day at an intensity >3 metabolic equivalents(METs), and in women >4552 steps per day and/or >15.0 min per day at an intensity >3 METs.
Conclusions : We conclude that HRQOL scores are higher in elderly individuals who meet minimum standards of habitual physical activity, and that the elderly should be encouraged to meet such standards, even if much of their activity is at only a low or moderate intensity.
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