ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have identified that physical activity influences decrements of both mortality and morbidity. Besides these objective indices, positive influences of physical activity on individuals' lives are being studied upon various populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of physical activity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in relatively healthy adults of Korea. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent by mail to one thousand examinees who were scheduled for health check-up. We analyzed data from 214 men and 195 women. The physical activities were measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaraire (IPAQ)-short form and the HRQOL was assessed by the CMCHS ver 1.0. The subjects were separated by gender and into either a recommended level of physical activity group or a lower physical activity group according to the physical activity scale. RESULTS: The group with physical activity beyond the recommended level had better HRQOL measures than those who did not. After revising the factors that affected the HRQOL, cognition of present heath status, satisfaction for health status, bodily pain, physical function, emotional function, social function and general health measure scores were significantly higher in the female group with physical activity beyond recommended quantity than those who did not. However, there were no statical significance in the male group. CONCLUSION: Physical activity was associated with health related quality of life in middle aged women.