Relationship between physical exercise and health of the elderly people in a rural community

The significance of life style and regular physical exercise for health of elderly people in a rural community was evaluated by questionnaires. The subjects studied were a group who had been playing gate ball (such as croquet) for more than three years (N = 86) and a group who had not (N = 255). Significantly more males in the group playing gate ball (GB group) than in the group not playing gate ball (n-GB group) reported feeling healthier than three years before. The average overall score for life style which indicates a healthier life style was analyzed. The score for life style of males was significantly lower in the GB group than in the n-GB group. Significantly more males in the GB group did not take snacks or smoke than those in the n-GB group. Regarding regular physical exercise, significantly fewer females in the GB group went for a daily walk than those in the n-GB group. The average score for integrated regular physical exercise was significantly higher in the GB group than in the n-GB group. The scores for regular physical exercise of females in the GB group, even in spite of disability or hypertension, were significantly higher than those in the n-GB group. From this survey it appears that regular physical exercise including gate ball may be beneficial for health of elderly people in a rural community.