We have previously developed a unique and simple procedure for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness. The present investigation was conducted to evaluate whether an aerobic index determined by torque auto-controlled system with the feedback of photoelectric pulse could sufficiently approximate the cardiorespiratory fitness reprenented by anaerobic threshold (AT) and maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max). Analysis of the cross-sectional data indicated that the aerobic score (AS : K (WR/Wt)/HR ; where WR=mean work rate during 12-min cycling, Wt=weight, and HR=mean heart rate during 12-min cycing) determined by the torque auto-controlled system was significantly correlated with directly measured VO₂@AT (r=0.922, 76males ; r=0.814, 34 females). Cross-validity of the predicted VO₂max from the AS was significant and sufficiently high (r=0.949, 3lmales) for use in the general public. In addition, the effects of cycling or jogging training on the AS were longitudinally investigated on 17 females and I male. Major effects of the training were significant improvements in the AS, VO₂max, and VO₂@AT. Delta percentage change [(post-value---pre-value)/pre-value ; △%] in the AS was closely associated (r=0.718, 8 females) with △% in VO₂@AT. It appears likely from the present investigation that information obtained through the use of our unique system (i.e.; the AS) could provide considerably reliable estimate of cardiorespiratory fitness in both males and females.

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Prior to evaluate the significance of bed rest in managing of obstetric diseases, characteristics of physiology of pregnant women were exermined on the basis of 24 hours heart rate changes in eight pregnant women at the third trimester and also distances covered in walking by a total of 53 multiparas and of 87 primiparas during free-living daily activities were measured by means of a pedometer. A significantly higher mean heart rate was observed in those pregnant women even during sleep than in non-pregnant control. The primiparas showed significant decreases in the pedometer readings in all stages except for 15-27 weeks of gestation, while the multiparas of less than 28 weeks exhibited no decrease as compared with non-pregnant control. The decrease in the pedometer readings were marked in both primiparas and multiparas, the value being much lower than that of any other week of gestation. However, the equation of weight x distance covered in walking remains rather constant throughout gestation.

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Changes in trantcutaneous PO₂(tcPO, ) during water immersions with O₂ and N₂ bubbling are presented. Three healthy male volunteers underwent water immersions for 30 min. Water temperature was controlled to 36.5°C to minimize any thermal stress. Minute ventilation (Ve), oxygen consumption (VO₂), heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and body temperature (Tb) were continuously monitored throughout exposure. In addition, tcPO₂ electrode was mounted on the volar side of the right forearm in the middle part of immersion and tcPO₂ and tcPCO₂ were then monitored in the water, Blood flow of the right forearm was also measured following tcPO₂/tcPCO₂ meanurements. The tcPO₂ Values during water immersions with O₂ bubbling were higher than those with N₂ bubbling for given blood flow. Although end-tidal PO₂ remained unchangd for any occasion, Ve, VO₂, HR, RR during water immersions with O₂ bubbling were significantly decreased compared to those with N₂ bubbling. Results suggest that cutanuous respiration facilitated by hydration may contribute higher tcPO₂ Values during water immersions with O₂ bubbling and may be somewhat related to systemic changes.

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