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Rehabilitation Practice and Science

Translated Title

台灣地區成年人居住區域別對體適能狀態的影響

Abstract

Health-related physical fitness can be assessed using four principal attributes: body composition; muscular strength and endurance; flexibility; and cardiorespiratory endurance. Factors such as the lifestyle behaviors or dietetic habits can affect physical fitness. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences in physical fitness among adults residing in different areas of Taiwan. The study was conducted between April and November 2002. In total, 19638 subjects aged 18-65 years were recruited and divided into the following three groups: (1) urban group (subjects living in Taipei and Kaohsiung City); (2) rural group (subjects living in Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Chiayi City, Tainan County and Tainan City); and, (3) eastern group (subjects living in Yilan, Hualien and Taitung County). Comparative analysis was performed for the three groups under the same conditions of age and sex.Analytical results indicated that women aged 40-49 and 50-65 years in the urban group had the lowest body mass index. Females in the rural group at all age level had the poorest muscular strength and endurance. However, no obvious differences existed in flexibility among the three groups for females. Males aged 30-39, 40-49 and 50-65 years in the eastern group had the highest body mass index, and males in the rural group had the poorest muscular strength and endurance. In the urban group, men aged 30-39 and 40-49 years had the worst cardiorespiratory endurance. Residents living in highly urbanized cities may have rich diet resources and likely have increased awareness of the importance of good health and balanced nutrition, thereby explaining why subjects in the urban group had the best body mass index. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise leads to reduced cardiorespiratory endurance. Residents in the rural group exert more physical strength for their labor work; however, labor is not the equivalent of exercise. Notably, subjects in the rural group had the poorest muscular strength and endurance.

Language

Traditional Chinese

First Page

145

Last Page

151

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