足踏み洗濯者の体力と健康

抄録

Although the prevalence of runnig water and electric washing machines in presentday Japan approaches 100%, there are still some places where washing by foot at common outdoor washing spots is effectively practiced, making use of spring or hot spring water and river water. Of these areas, the Okutsu Hot Spring area in Okayama Prefecture, where hot spring water is used, and the Hachinohe City Shirogane area in Aomori Prefecture, where running spring water is used, were chosen as the areas to be studied. In both these areas, we measured the health status and physical strength of groups of women practicing washing by foot and compared our findings with the standard values of Japanese women. Of the items measured, the requisite muscular strength at the time of washing by foot, namely such variables as grip strength, back strength, strength of ankle plantar flexion strength of ankle dorsal flexion, and strength of foot digitorium flexion were all found to be stronger in the group of women commonly washing by foot, compared to standard Japanese values. It became clear, that by using one's own feet for washing, extremely good development of all the basic muscles involved resulted. In addition, based on the results of heart rate, blood pressure, obesity index, and the results of a health status questionnaire, it was found that the present health status of those persons performing long-term washing by foot is very good and that their physical condition is also very good.