Physical Strength of Elderly in Japan Improves

October 9, 2018

Tokyo- The physical strength and athletic ability of elderly people in Japan has largely improved, while those of people in their 30s and 40s has mostly fallen, the Japan Sports Agency said in a survey report on Sunday.

According to the survey for fiscal 2017, the score hit a record high for men aged 70 or older and women aged 65 or older.

Men in their late 30s to the early 40s and women in their 30s and 40s saw their physical strength and athletic ability deteriorate.

Women in their 70s marked a record high of 36.03 points, up about 6.5 points from the results for fiscal 1998, the first year in which the current survey format was adopted.

People aged between 65 and 79 registered improvements in most tests, including standing on one leg when the eyes are open and sit-up. More than 60 pct of people aged 65 or older exercise once a week or more frequently.

"Many people share the belief that exercise is very important in order to gain health by themselves," said Hisashi Naito, professor of Juntendo University, who analyzed the survey results.

The scores of women aged between 35 and 39 remained sluggish, although better than the record lows marked in the previous survey. The proportion of women in junior high school to those in their 40s who do not exercise at all increased from fiscal 1998.

The athletic performance of people aged six to 19 years old worsened in such tests as throwing a ball.

The survey, conducted in May to October 2017, covered 64,648 people aged six to 79. The survey results were published ahead of the Sports Day on Monday. Jiji Press