PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY FOR A HEALTHY LIFE

The evidence surveyed by Blair and Connelly (1996) now provides a clea rly outlined challenge for action in applying physical activity for he alth promotion. Strategies to choose are single risk or broad spectrum within an individual or community approach. The 20-year results of th e broad spectrum, community intervention in North Karelia, Finland mor e than halved the coronary mortality of participants aged 35-64 years (Puska, Tuomilehto, Vartiainen, Korhonen, & Torppa, 1995). Many facets of human lives, including physical activity, were charted in another project: the 11-year follow-up of Finnish municipal employees aged 45- 58 years at entry into the project (Tuomi, 1991). In this project, phy sical activity showed marked positive associations with work capacity, lifestyle, and well-being. Thus, in addition to reducing morbidity an d mortality, Physical activity and fitness also promote mental and soc ial health and improve the quality of life.