A1 Journal article (refereed)
Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Are Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life Among Young Adult Men (2020)
Appelqvist-Schmidlechner, K., Vaara, J. P., Vasankari, T., Häkkinen, A., Mäntysaari, M., & Kyröläinen, H. (2020). Muscular and Cardiorespiratory Fitness Are Associated With Health-Related Quality of Life Among Young Adult Men. Bmc Public Health, 20, Article 842. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08969-y
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Appelqvist-Schmidlechner, Kaija; Vaara, Jani P.; Vasankari, Tommi; Häkkinen, Arja; Mäntysaari, Matti; Kyröläinen, Heikki
Journal or series: Bmc Public Health
eISSN: 1471-2458
Publication year: 2020
Volume: 20
Article number: 842
Publisher: Biomed Central
Publication country: United Kingdom
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08969-y
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/70365
Publication is parallel published: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7268218/
Abstract
Despite numerous studies providing evidence for positive effects of physical activity and physical fitness, evidence for association between physical fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young adults is limited. The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the association of cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness with HRQoL from the perspective of its physical and mental components among young adult Finnish males.
Methods
The sample consisted of 754 men, with the mean age of 26 years (SD 6.7 years), who participated in the military refresher training. HRQoL was measured using the Finnish RAND 36-item health survey. Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by a bicycle ergometer test, and muscular fitness by various tests measuring maximal strength and muscular endurance. Logistic regression modelling was used to compare low, moderate and high physical and mental component of HRQoL scores to the respective levels of muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness.
Results
The findings of the adjusted (age, educational level, marital status, employment status, smoking, use of alcohol and BMI) analysis showed that cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness are positively associated with both physical and mental components of HRQoL. In terms of the physical component of HRQoL, even a moderate fitness level was positively associated with better HRQoL. In terms of the mental component of HRQoL, the impact was seen only in the group with the highest fitness level.
Conclusions
The findings suggest a positive contribution of physical fitness to mental health and highlight the importance of both muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness in the promotion of HRQoL. Even lighter forms of physical activity that result in moderate physical fitness could contribute to the physical component of HRQoL. In terms of the mental component of HRQoL, higher levels of physical fitness may be needed to gain higher levels of HRQoL among young males.
Keywords: physical fitness; muscle fitness; physical activity; experienced well-being; self-rated health; quality of life; mental health; young adults; men
Free keywords: cardiorespiratory fitness; health-related quality of life; mental health; muscular fitness; physical activity; physical fitness; young men
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2020
JUFO rating: 1
