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Gender Differences in Effects of Physical Activity on Quality of Life and Resource Utilization

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Abstract

Background: Physical activity is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population, but the effects may be different between sexes. In addition, the effects on resource utilization are not well elucidated. Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in a rural town, and follow-up data were obtained after 1 year. Physical activity was measured in two ways: amount and maximum intensity. The association between physical activity and the MOS Short Form-36 (SF-36) at baseline, and hospitalization, sick days, and medications in the following year were assessed by multiple regression models. Results: Among 4018 adult residents eligible, 3529 (62.4%) had completed the follow-up questionnaire. A greater amount of exercise was positively correlated with all domains of the SF-36: 2.4–9.5 increase in 100-scale at baseline, but association between maximum intensity and SF-36 was observed in only women. It was also associated with a 20–50% higher utilization of over-the-counter drugs in the following year in both sexes, but the effects of maximum intensity on sick days had different directions for men (relative risk, 2.0–2.4) and women (relative risk, 0.3–0.5). Conclusion: The amount of physical activity had positive effects on HRQOL for both men and women, but women had more preferable effects of maximum intensity on HRQOL and resource utilization than men.

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Abbreviations

BMI:

body mass index

BP:

bodily pain

CI:

confidence intervals

GH:

general health

HRQOL:

health-related quality of life

MET:

Metabolic Equivalents (kcal kg−1 body weight h−1)

MH:

mental health

PAI:

physical activity index (kcal/week)

PF:

physical functioning

RE:

role emotional

RP:

role physical

SF:

social functioning

SF-36:

the MOS Short Form 36

VT:

vitality

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Internal Medicine, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan

    Takeshi Morimoto

  2. Sports Medicine Research Center, Keio University, Yokohama, Japan

    Yuko Oguma

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Healthcare Research, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan

    Shin Yamazaki, Shigeru Sokejima & Shunichi Fukuhara

  4. Department of Health Informatics, Kyoto University School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan

    Takeo Nakayama

  5. Center for Medical Education, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Konoe-cho, Yoshida, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan

    Takeshi Morimoto

Authors
  1. Takeshi Morimoto
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  2. Yuko Oguma
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  3. Shin Yamazaki
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  4. Shigeru Sokejima
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  5. Takeo Nakayama
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  6. Shunichi Fukuhara
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Correspondence to Takeshi Morimoto.

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Morimoto, T., Oguma, Y., Yamazaki, S. et al. Gender Differences in Effects of Physical Activity on Quality of Life and Resource Utilization. Qual Life Res 15, 537–546 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-005-3033-2

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