Abstract
The rate of use of Japanese style toilets clearly decreases by change of a lifestyle in Japan. The object of the present study is to clarify the relationship between squatting posture for excreation and movements of the hip and ankle joints. The subjects were Japanese 113 young and 79 middle aged women. Questionnaire and measurements using a goniometer were performed. About 20% of persons failed to squat down perfectly over the bowel of the Japanese style toilet, and it was noted that there were differences in the movements of ankle joints in left and right sides during squatting down. In conclusion, the stable squatting posture was significantly correlated with the range of motion in extension of the feet.
