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.
Highlights
Discussions of the worst economic crisis of the past decades have given rise to discussions of happiness; the topic of happiness is frequently being addressed because it indicates the state of the economic progress of the nation as well as the physical and mental health of the citizens
Each participant was interviewed based on this questionnaire, which included items related to demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle behaviors, current health status, and associated factors related to happiness
The health-related physical fitness (HRPF) tests were conducted after pretest health screenings, which included measures of the resting heart rate (HR) and blood pressure as well as completing a modified Physical Activity
Summary
Discussions of the worst economic crisis of the past decades have given rise to discussions of happiness; the topic of happiness is frequently being addressed because it indicates the state of the economic progress of the nation as well as the physical and mental health of the citizens. Responding to the aforementioned effects, studies have first focused on the preventive and curative approaches toward negative mental health disorders [2]. The evidence of these reciprocal relationships between physical activity and mental health constructs are rare. From the perspective of positive psychology, few published studies have focused on disease prevention rather than the promotion of positive mental health outcomes, such as happiness. The positive thought and opportunity of health promotion models may be identified by examining physical activity participation and positive components of mental wellbeing [6], and may provide answers to some crucial questions
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