The Relationship of Self-Reported Health to other Indices of Physical Health and Performance among Soldiers

Abstract

A single question on self-reported health (SRH) is often used as part of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance to describe populations and as an indicator of general health. However, little information exists on whether a single question of SRH is related to other indices of a person’s health and fitness. The objective of this paper is to examine the relationship between SRH and other health-related self-disclosures, as well as physical performance. Demographic, self-report, and physical fitness data were collected from 579 US Army Health Care Specialist Trainees during their first two weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Physical fitness data was collected again after approximately 8 weeks and 16 weeks. Spearman Rho correlation coefficients were used to analyze the data. SRH was positively correlated with self reports of past and current physical activity and physical abilities, and with the physical fitness portion of the Banderet Life Experiences Questionnaire (p < .05). SRH was positively correlated with three sets of physical fitness test scores, taken at three different times over a four-month training cycle. Past smokers rated their health lower than did non-smokers (p < .05). SRH was not related to self reports of sleep or perceptions of tiredness (p > .05). Results indicate that a single question on self-reported health appears to be a good representation of a persons’ perception of his or her own health and of physical fitness among active duty service members.