Leisure time physical activity as a determinant of self-perceived health and fitness in middle-aged male employees

Self-perceived health and fitness are epidemiological predictors of subsequent mortality and/or functional limitation. The present study was designed to analyze which lifestyle factors contribute to good status of self-perceived health and fitness in middle-aged male employees. Participants (n=401) aged 50-59 were assessed as to the status of self-perceived health and fitness, and various lifestyle factors including nutrition, smoking, drinking, physical activity, psychological stress, sleeping and relaxation. Logistic regression analysis revealed that among the lifestyle factors surveyed in the present study, doing exercise/sports at a medium level (either > or =4.5METs/1-2 times per week or <4.5METs/> or =3-4 times per week) of physical activity index (PAI) was the only predictor of good self-perceived health. Similarly, doing exercise/sports at or above the medium level of PAI was identified as the only independent predictor of good self-perceived fitness. In addition, maintaining the habit of doing exercise/sports at or above the medium level of PAI throughout the year, and having this habit through the 4th and 5th decades of life or starting to have it from the age of 50 through 59 were important to obtain a good status of self-perceived health and fitness. These findings suggest that leisure time physical activity level is a determinant of good health and fitness in the middle-aged male employees in the present study.