The influence of leisure-time physical activity and lifestyle on a coronary risk index and health status of male managers

Abstract

Studies that have examined the relationship between physical fitness and mortality, indicate that moderate levels of fitness are associated with a significant reduction in the risk of adverse events including mortality (Winslow et al., 1996). Feingold (1996) estimates that ninety percent (90%) of all diseases can be prevented provided a person makes the correct lifestyle choices regarding physical activity, diet, smoking, drug use and the use of alcohol. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between leisure-time physical activity and lifestyle and coronary risk index and health status respectively. Eight hundred and twenty eight (828) Caucasian males from mid- and top management level from companies in South Africa participated in this survey. From the descriptive data it is clear that the mean age (±43.5 years) of top-level management is higher then midlevel management (±39.7 years). Top-level management tends to be more physically active (PAI=±33.3) than midlevel management (PAI=±30.3). Although midlevel management tends towards unhealthier lifestyle scores in comparison with top-level management, they seem to be better with regards to coronary risk index and health status compared to toplevel management. The result indicates that a better physical activity index (PAI) and a healthier lifestyle approach leads to a statistically significant (p≤0.05) lower coronary risk index in top and midlevel management. Although not statistically significant (p≥0.05), a better PAI and lifestyle score tends to improve managerial health status. Therefore it appears that physical activity and lifestyle affects the managers' coronary risk index to a large extent and their health status to a lesser extent.


Key Words: Top level management, midlevel management, physical activity, lifestyle, health, coronary risk index.


AJPHERD. Vol.10(1) 2004: 56-70