Relations among Health Behaviors, Health Symptoms and Physical Fitness of People in the Same Community

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify relations among health behaviors, health symptoms and physical fitness of people in the same community. METHOD: The study was designed as a descriptive survey and the participants were 1,621 healthy people. Data were collected from March to December, 2003 using a structured questionnaire on health behaviors, health symptoms and physical fitness. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, chi2-test, t-test, two-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression using SPSS/PC. RESULTS: The result of multiple regression showed that sex, age, and BMI were related to physical fitness. In health-related physical fitness, regular exercise was related to cardiorespiratory endurance and flexibility, and daily caffeine intake was related to muscular endurance. In performance-related physical fitness, having breakfast regularly was related to power, daily caffeine intake was related to agility, and regular lifestyle and health symptoms were related to balance. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study suggests that for better physical fitness, nursing strategies and intervention programs should include physical fitness-related factors, and education programs should be developed based on the above parameters to promote positive perception of physical fitness.