Efficacy of a Health Promotion Program with Anti-Aging Medical Checkup and Instructions for Walking under Pedometer Management in Factory Workers

Objective: We developed an easily maintained health promotion program for factory workers in a company which introduced an anti-aging medical checkup with pedometer-based walking management. Here, we describe it's effect on body and mind.Methods: Subjects were 17 male employees (mean age, 50.6±4.3 years old; mean body weight 82.8±9.2kg; mean BMI, 27.2±1.9kg/m2: mean abdominal circumference; 95.6±5.7cm) of a machine factory (Murata Machinery, Inuyama-city, Aichi) who were judged to require lifestyle guidance. They were provided with pedometers and encouraged to walk. Data records for the number of steps taken were collected every four weeks. An anti-aging medical checkup was conducted three times before, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after the study.Results: Collection ratio for information on the number of steps walked was 82.8%. The average daily number of steps walked increased from a baseline of 10277 steps by 1096 steps (10.7%) at 24 weeks. Anthropometry showed significant improvements in weight (−3.9%, p=0.013) BMI (−3.6%, p=0.014) and abdominal circumference (−4.8%, p=0.003). Clinical laboratory tests showed significant improvements in HDL cholesterol (pre-value 51.0±10.0mg/dl, 12.7%, p=0.043), HbA1c (pre-value 5.5±0.6%, −8.4%, p‹0.001) and adiponectin (pre-value 5.17±1.03μg/ml, 39.9%, p=0.001). Anti-aging medical checkup showed the highest functional age, 35.3% in nerves, 35.3% in bone, and 29.4% in blood vessels, as well as significant changes in vascular age by acceleration plethysmography SDP-100 (pre-value 52.1±12.0 years old, −12.7%, p=0.024), calcaneus bone stiffness by ultrasonography A-1000 (9.5%, p=0.007), and response time by the Wisconsin card sorting test (p=0.024). No significant change was noted in muscle age as evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis (Physion MD). The questionnaire showed that the major reason for continuation with the program was “the presence of an anti-aging medical checkup”, health promotion was assisted by “results of anti-aging medical checkup”, and the modified behavior was “increased amount of exercise”.Conclusion: This health promotion program, consisting of an anti-aging medical checkup and pedometer-guided walking program, appears effective in improving the lifestyle and condition of factory workers.