A Study on the Relations between Physical Exercise and Health Status in Middle-aged Women

중년여성의 운동실천과 건강상태에 관한 연구

The purpose of this study was to identify the physical exercise and the effects of exercise on health. Data were collected from Oct. to Dec. 1998. The subjects were 241 middle aged women living in Seoul and near Seoul. The following instruments were used in the study: The questionniare for physical exercise and health status was combined with simple CMI and climacteric symptom. Analysis of the data was done by chi-test. t-test. and ANOVA with SAS program. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The rate of physical exercise was 59.3% of subjects. The mean number of exercise per week was 3.1. Duration at one time exercise was 25.6 minutes. The period of exercise was 18.6 months. And main objective of exercise was health promotion. 2. The physical exercise had differences according to the age. job. monthly income. period of marriage. type of family. and perceived body image. 3. Musculoskeletal and mental complaints were lower in no-exercise group than exercise group(respectively P=0.04. 0.02). According to the duration of exercise. autonomous nervous symptoms was the lowest in 20 minutes group(P=0.04) and psychologic complaints was the lowest in below 60 minutes group(P=0.03). According to the period of exercise. cardiovascular and fatigue complaints was the lowest in 7-12 months maintenance group and autonomous nervous complaint was the lowest in below 3 months maintenance group(P=0.04). This study is only a preliminary effort. so I recommend that the repeated studies be carried out including detailed. comprehensive exercise practice and developing systematic exercise program.