３年間にわたる子どもの体力縦断的変化が形態,生活習慣,心身の健康指標におよぼす影響

In this study we examined the association between longitudinal changes in schoolchildren＇s physical strength with their build, health habits, and psychophysical health index scores. Students (n= 195) were followed for three years, from the fifth to the eighth grade. Setting as a baseline the students＇ results on the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology＇s new physical strength test, we extracted data on those students whose physical strength relatively improved (improved group: 28 boys, 53 girls) and on those whose strength relatively declined (declined group: 15 boys, 16 girls). Build, health habits, and psychophysical health index scores were compared between the two groups. It was found that, although there were no significant differences in eating habits or sleeping habits between the two groups, compared to the improved group, the declined group was more likely to be either obese or underweight, have short durations of intense exercise and total exercise, and longer duration of watching television or videos. The declined group also showed poorer psychological health status, such as lower self-efficacy and higher anxiety. 　These findings indicate that children with good exercise habits, such as consistently engaging in a adequate physical activities that include intense exercise, will have improved physical strength outcome over time, whereas those children with few regular exercise habits and whose strength will not improve over time, will show outcomes such as polarization of body weight (obesity and underweight tendencies) and poorer psychological health status.