Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between general joint laxity (GJL) and foot structure in Japanese young adult women. Methods: Subjects were 157 young adult women (mean age 20.5 ±1.2 years). GJLwas evaluated using Beighton Hypermobility Score, and subjects were categorized in GJL and non-GJL group. For foot structure in dominant and non-dominant leg, foot length, foot width, naviculare height as an inner longitudinal arch, spread foot angle as a forefoot transverse arch, hallux valgus angle, and digitus quintus varus angle were measured. Results: Spread foot angle in non-dominant leg in GJL group was significantly greater than non-GJL group. In all subjects, spread foot angle in dominant and non-dominant leg was significant positively correlated with hallux valgus angle and digitus quintus varus angle. Discussion: Relation with GJL and change of foot structure is partial. However, a decline of forefoot transverse arch may participate in hallux valgus angle and digitus quintus varus angle. Conclusion: This study indicates that GJL may be partially related with a decline of forefoot transverse arch in Japanese young adult women.

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Objective: We verified the reliability and validity of a functional reach test with eyes closed (EC-FRT). Subjects: This study enrolled 36 local elderly individuals (mean age:78.9±4.6 years). Methods: An intraclass correlation coefficient ICC (1, 1), as determined from the reproducibility of the EC-FRT, and Bland-Altman analysis were used to investigate the reliability. Additionally, a Pearsonʼs correlation coefficient, as determined from the association with each physical function, was used to investigate the validity. Results:The ICC of the EC-FRT was high (0.89 [0.79­0.94]). The results of the Bland-Altman analysis revealed neither fixed nor proportional bias. We confirmed that, if thedifferenceinthe EC-FRT values is less than 2.3 cm, it means a measurement error. We observed a significant correlation between the EC-FRT values and one-leg standing times. Conclusion: The EC-FRT was suggested to be applicable as a measure of the balance performance of local elderly individuals.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the plantar flexion strength and quadriceps femoris muscle strength and physical function. The study subjects were 74 elderly people, and we measured their plantar flexion strength, quadriceps femoris strength, walking speed, CS-30, as well as the times achieved for the 10-m hurdle walk and standing on one leg with eyes open. We clarified that the plantar flexion strength was significantly correlated with all other items. As a result of multiple regression analyses using a stepwise method, TUG and the standing time on one leg were extracted as factors independently related to the plantar flexion strength,andthetimefor the 10-m-hurdle walk and walking speed were extracted as factors independently related to the quadriceps femoris strength. These findings suggest that the plantar flexion strength reflected the balance ability of elderly people more efficiently than quadriceps femoris strength.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of knee joint position on foot-gripping strength. [Subjects and Methods] The study included 14 healthy females. We measured the foot-gripping strength and maximum voluntary contraction activities of the rectus femoris muscles, and the biceps femoris muscles, andcalculatedduring foot gripping in the following 2 knee joint positions: 90°of flexion, and extension, for a subject positioned on the edge of a seat. [Results] A paired t-test showed that the footgripping strength and %IEMG of the biceps femoris muscle was significantly lower in knee extension compared to that in 90°of knee flexion. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggested that the knee extension position did not produce maximum foot-gripping strength.

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[Objective] The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the thickness of vastus intermedius muscle (VI), knee extension force, and grip force in healthy young women. [Subjects] The subjects were15healthy young women. [Methods] The knee extension force in sitting position, the muscle thickness of rectus femoris (RF), vastus medilis (VM) and VI, and the grip force were evaluated in the present study. Pearsonʼs product-moment correlation coefficient was used for the relationship between the muscle thickness and force. [Results] We found that the knee extension force was significantly correlated with the muscle thickness of VI, but not with that of RF. On the other hand, the grip force was significantly correlated not only with the knee extension force but also with each muscle thickness of RF, VI, and VM. [Conclusion] These results indicate that the muscle thickness of VI is more appropriate to speculate the knee extension force, because VI has a greater contribution to the knee extension movement than RF, In addition, grip force could reflect the lower limb and/or other muscle strength.

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The purpose of the study to clarify the relationship the related motor function and features of walking of vertebral compression fracture patients as gait index labile and regularity calculated from the acceleration signal which is obtained using a three-axial accelerometer. The study subjects were 19 healthy elderly persons (mean age 67.8±4.9) and 13 vertebral compression fracture patients. Accelerations were measured preferred walking a three-axial accelerometer mounted on the third lumbar spinous process in the vicinity. By calculating the gait index from the data of one gait cycle, we investigated the relationship between the motor function of the other and features of walking of vertebral compression fracture patients group. Motor function was significantly correlated with the labile of vertebral compression fracture patients group, it was one foot standing eye-closed. There was no motor function showed significant correlation with the regularity of vertebral compression fracture patients group. Vertebral compression fracture patients group was significantly higher in the labile of the vertical direction and significantly lower all items of motor function than healthy elderly persons group. One foot standing as time extension, labile of antero-posterior direction increases, vertebral compression fracture patients was suggested labile of the vertical direction is large and decline motor function.

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Abstract: This study aimed to identify patientʼs behaviors which are considered to suggest their willingness to undergo rehabilitation. In the first-round survey, we conducted an open-ended questionnaire survey involving 190 subjects, comprised of physical therapists,occupational therapists, and speech therapists, to identify the behaviors considered to suggest patientsʼwillingness to undergo rehabilitation. In the second-round survey, we assessed the importance of each behavior considered to suggest such a willingness. As a result, factors considered highly important were those related to the patientsʼlevel of physical activity and attitude toward rehabilitation. On the other hand, factors considered less important were those related to patientsʼnegative remarks and behaviors. These findings suggest that therapists attach importance to patientsʼlevel of physical activity and attitude toward rehabilitation, while considering their negative remarks and behaviors to be less important factors for assessment.

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