Studies on the Physical Fitness of Farmers / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Recently a deep concern has been shown for the decline of physical fitness of Japanese people. There are many studies on physical fitness of the common people but few on farmers in Japan. The purpose of this study was to take the steps towards establishing the physical fitness norms for Japanese farmers. The statistical analysis was conducted using the records on their physique and motor ability measured on 3, 452 persons aged 20-70, during 1972-1974 years, in the agricultural regions designated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.<BR>The results obtained were as follows<BR>1) In stature, the males were nearly equal to that of a standard from Japanese people while the female were slightly inferior. In weight, both males and females were inferior to that of the standard. This tendency is remarkable in the following order mountain farmers>flatland farmers>suburban farmers. Farmers in Tohoku District were generally short of stature and broad of chest.<BR>2) Farmers were inferior to that of the standard in foot-balance and side steps but were superior in push-ups and endurance walk, the capacities of which lower less with their ages than in the cases of other persons. This tendency is exhibited in the same order as mentioned in 1).<BR>3) Since such tests involving pain as endurance walk have a problem as to their reliability, further investigation should be required.