It is hoped that the trend of improvement in the physical strength and exercise capacity of the people will be continually heightened.
On the occasion of Health-Sports Day, the Japan Sports Agency has announced the results of a large-scale survey targeting about 60,000 people aged 6 to 79. The latest research follows similar annual surveys conducted since the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
Notable about the results is an improvement in the bodily strength of elderly people aged 65 or over. The latest results contrast with the data taken 20 years ago, indicating the limberness of present-day people in their late 70s is as good as that of people in their late 60s who were covered in a survey conducted at that time. Their endurance and balance also improved, comparing with people more than five years younger who had been polled 20 years ago.
A factor behind this seems to be that they have time to spare and extra money to spend, and therefore they are blessed with opportunities to get exercise.
Another case in point is a finding regarding the walking capacity of people, or how far they can walk within six minutes. Elderly people who fared better felt their lives were more fulfilling. This shows that confidence in their physical strength increases the degree of satisfaction felt about their lives.
Exercise is believed to offer various benefits. There have been a succession of reports that aerobic exercise, such as running and swimming, can rejuvenate one's blood vessels. A study conducted overseas shows that people who exercise regularly are at a low risk of developing depression.
It is important to form the habit of exercise in the effort to maintain mental and physical health.
The government has said that it will seek to increase the percentage of adults who exercise once a week or more from 42.5 percent in fiscal 2016 to 65 percent over a five-year period. In fiscal 2018, the figure had already reached 55.1 percent.
Among significant contributing factors is a sharp increase mainly in middle-aged and elderly people who have the habit of walking. This is a result of efforts that include local governments distributing pedometers to residents and planning events in which enthusiasts walk together. Such endeavors should be further spread.
It is worrying that the latest survey pointed to a less-than-satisfactory figure for the physical strength of women in their late 30s, even while indicating improvements among all other generations in this respect. Moreover, this tendency has continued over the past 20 years.
There has been an increase in the number of working women, and they may not be able to find opportunities to do physical activities for such reasons as trying to cope with the demands of both home and the workplace. Given this, it is indispensable for their places of work and their family members to cooperate in dealing with the problem.
The Himi city government in Toyama Prefecture has incorporated sports into a program whose theme covers beauty, health and food. Local women in their 20s and 30s enjoy playing a ball game that resembles handball, a popular sport in the city. The program, which offers a day nursery for participants, has been favorably received by women. This endeavor seems to serve as a good example.
Health-Sports Day will be renamed "Sports Day" next year, with the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo. The move reflects a wish to realize a healthy and vigorous society through sports.
Working up a sweat with family and friends -- increasing the amount of time spent in this way will help people lead a fulfilling life.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 23, 2019)
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