Effects of Various Health Practices on Quality of Life: Estimation of a Health Promotion Program at Ohito Zuisenkyo

In 2001, health promotion programs were conducted twice at Ohito Zuisenkyo, a facility blessed with a beautiful natural environment, to measure changes of vital signs, psychological state using POMS, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) using SF-36. The total number of participants was 24 persons, from which 20 subjects performed the programs twice in succession. Although no significant change between before and after the first program was observed in the vital signs, the body fat ratio was significantly reduced and the peak flow was elevated in the second program. As for the psychological state, in both programs, significant improvements were found in all subscales of POMS. The score of 'physical functioning' in HRQOL significantly increased 3 months after. In a post-program questionnaire, most of the participants responded that they were pleased with the health promotion program, and had growing interest in their health, and then strove to achieve positive health in their daily lives. It was suggested that the effect of this program included not only direct effects of the program on its own, but also that staying at Ohito Zuisenkyo was a positive factor, and that the program played a role in motivation for health.