Tenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) level improves general health and quality of life (QoL) of the general population. It is however not known if leisure-time PA (LTPA) behaviour will reduce co-morbidity, cardiorespiratory fitness and QoL in mid-life men. This study explored the impacts of regular LTPA behaviour on co-morbidity, cardiorespiratory fitness and QoL among Nigerian sports club members. This cross-sectional study involved 174 age-matched male mid-life adults from three major cities in Anambra State of Nigeria: 87 engaging in LTPA in sports clubs (LTPA group) and 87 not engaging in LTPA (non-LTPA group). Information on age, adiposity indices (BMI and WC), VO2max, resting heart rate (rHR), QoL and co-morbidity level and severity were assessed using standardized procedures. Data were summarized using mean and standard deviation, explored using frequency and proportion, and independent t-test and Chi square were employed at 0.05 significance level. The LTPA group had lower co-morbidity level (p=0.05) and rHR (p=0.004), and higher QoL (p=0.01) and VO2max (p=0.003) than non-LTPA group. While heart disease (χ2= 10.99; p=0.01) and hypertension (χ2= 15.24; p=0.004) severity levels were associated with LTPA behaviour, hypertension (p=0.01) was the only co-morbid condition that had a significantly lower score in the LTPA group than in the non-LTPA group. Regular LTPA improves health status and QoL in mid-life men. Regular LTPA behaviour is recommended for health promotion and improved life satisfaction in midlife men. This health behavior has implications for improved physical and mental health status, and reduced health cost.