Sportology to Prevent Locomotive Syndrome

Abstract

“Locomotive syndrome” is defined as a condition associated with being restricted in one’s ability to walk or lead a normal life owing to a dysfunction in one or more of the parts of the locomotion system, including the muscles, bones, joints, cartilage or the intervertebral discs. This syndrome especially refers to those elderly who have come to need nursing care services because of problems with the locomotive organs, or who have conditions which may require them to have such services in the near future. The recent epidemiological studies revealed that the one fourth of the reasons for requiring special assistance or nursing care in elderlies is currently the locomotive disorders. Osteoarthritis of the knee (knee OA) or hip and the spinal canal stenosis due to spondylosis are the three major locomotive disorders those are related to the requiring special assistance or nursing care in elderlies. We are trying to elucidate the mechanistic insight into the pathophysiology of knee OA and osteoporosis by receiving several supports, such as the COI program by a MEXT and the Juntendo Sportology Center under the concept of “Sportology”, as we believe to be able to contribute directly the concept of “locomotive syndrome” by these actions.