The Association between Physical Fitness Performance and Subjective Happiness among Taiwanese Adults

Hui-Ling Chen, Po-Fu Lee, Yun-Chi Chang, Fu-Shu Hsu, Ching-Yu Tseng, Xin-Yu Hsieh and Chien-Chang Ho
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Hui-Ling Chen: Graduate Institute of Educational Leadership and Development, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
Po-Fu Lee: Graduate Institute of Sport Coaching Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei City 111, Taiwan
Yun-Chi Chang: Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
Fu-Shu Hsu: Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
Ching-Yu Tseng: Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
Xin-Yu Hsieh: Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
Chien-Chang Ho: Department of Physical Education, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to determine the association between health-related physical fitness (HRPF) performance and perceived happiness status among adults in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and data derived from the National Physical Fitness Survey in Taiwan 2014–2015 were reviewed. The participants included 27,930 men and 30,885 women, aged 23 to 64 years. Each participant completed a standardized, structured questionnaire and underwent anthropometric variable and HRPF measurements. The happiness outcome of an individual was obtained using the questionnaire, and the results were stratified into happy (very happy, quite happy, and fair) and unhappy (unhappy and not at all happy) groups for perceived happiness status. HRPF measurements were evaluated using cardiorespiratory endurance (3 min step test), muscle strength and endurance (1 min sit-up test), flexibility (sit-and-reach test), and body composition (body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio). To determine the existence of a dose–response relationship between HRPF component levels and happiness status, four quartiles of HRPF components were analyzed using multiple logistic regression models. Multiple logistic regression results indicated that with the worst performance level of HRPF components as a baseline, significant associations were observed for the sit-and-reach test (third level: OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.02–1.49) and BMI (second level: OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.64–0.95) among men. For women, significant associations were observed for the 1 min sit-up test (second level: OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.03–1.60; third level: OR = 1.32, 95% CI: 1.04–1.67; fourth (the best) level: OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.12–1.95) and BMI (third level: OR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58–0.92). The current study suggested that higher values in flexibility and body composition, happiness-related factors, potentially improve the occurrence of happiness among men. Moreover, this positive effect of higher values of muscle strength, endurance, and BMI was observed for the occurrence of happiness in women. However, the relevant mechanism underlying this phenomenon must be further explored.

Keywords: physical activity; health related physical fitness; quality of life; mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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