In this study we obtained the following findings by analyzing the relationship between ADL and the results of the new physical fitness test advocated by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in a total of 376 healthy older adult subjects (223 males and 153 females), from the viewpoint of age-related change of physical fitness and ADL.

1. In respect to physical fitness, sex-related difference was noticed in muscular strength and endurance. However, no sex-related difference was detected in flexibility or sense of balance. Regarding age-related difference, there was not a major difference between the age brackets of the early 60s and late 60s in either sex, but the difference in physical fitness was noticed to be remarkably large in the 70s.

2. In respect to ADL, sex-related difference was noticed in the questions that required muscular strength, and the male subjects got high scores in those questions. Regarding age-related difference, ADL was demonstrated to be low in the 70s in both sexes.

3. In respect to ADL score, both the male and the female subjects got a high score of “three points” in questions about the activities of everyday life, while they got a low score of “one point” in questions that required muscular strength.

4. In respect to the relationship between physical fitness and ADL, high partial correlation was noticed in question 6 “standing on one leg with eyes open” and question 12 “sitting up from supine position” in both sexes. In addition, it was suggested that women’s ADL could be estimated by the 10-meter hurdle-walking test.

　This article discusses and summarizes previous studies dealing with fitness and motor performance in preschool children from the viewpoint of measurement and evaluation, and determines topics for further studies. The studies reviewed in this article were mainly published in the “Japan Journal of Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences” (edited by the Japan Society of Physical Education, Health and Sport Sciences), and the “Japanese Journal of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine” (edited by the Japanese Society of Physical Fitness and Sports Medicine). The element of endurance should be included in the structure of fitness and motor performance in preschool children, as has been done in some studies of cardio-respiratory functions in preschool children. Further examinations are needed to validate the structure and to explore new elements. Considering that the measures obtained from one test are influenced by plural elements of fitness and motor performance, some multivariate analyses, such as factor analysis, would be useful to describe and quantify the pure elements. A test battery by maximal exertion by the subjects has been utilized in many previous studies, and the tests are applicable to measurements in both research and practical fields because validity, reliability, objectivity and practicability were examined, and the norms are published. However, studies for the availability of pass or fail test are necessary in the future. In general, periodic studies examining the conclusions of previous studies on the structure of fitness and motor performance, age and gender differences, and the related factors for preschool children are needed because the environments influencing preschool children vary from year to year.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between visual function and performance of junior girls’ badminton players.

Methods: Sixty-one junior girls’ badminton players including national U-13 team members and 67 age-matched girls’ non-athletes were enrolled in this study. The binocular vision function and static visual acuity of all subjects were measured. The subjects were divided into three groups (G1, top players; G2, players; G3, non-athletes) and the results were analyzed statistically.

Results and conclusion: The static visual acuity of G1 was significantly dominant, as compared to G2 (p < 0.05). The binocular vision function of G1 was significantly dominant, as compared to G3 (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that the binocular vision function and the static visual acuity were important factors for the achievement of high performance in the junior girls badminton competitions.