[Objective] To confirm the significance of hand grip strength measurementfor infants, the hand grip strength of children aged 5-6 was measured and comparedwithvalues representing other motor skills. [Subjects] The measurement involved 408 (211 males and 197 females) healthy children aged 5-6. [Methods] After measuring the height, weight,and hand grip strength, the 5 motor skill tests for infants developed by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology were conducted to analyze their relationships with the hand grip strength. [Results] Malesʼand femalesʼmean hand grip strengths were 8.5 ± 2.2 and 8.1 ± 2.2 kg, but, sex difference was small. Single correlation analysis revealed small correlations of the hand grip strength with the height, body, and results of the following tests: 25-meter run, standing broad jump, and body support time.

This study examined elderly community residentsʼphysical functions, exercise behavior, and activities of daily living. Based on their exercise behavior, they were divided into 3 groups: <precontemplation/contemplation>(16.1%), <preparation>(15.7%), and <action/maintenance>(68.3%), to compare physical functions and activities of daily living among them. The <preparation for action> group showed markedly poorer scores in the CS-30, TUG, and 5-m walk (at the maximum velocity) tests than the <action/maintenance> group, while there were no significant differences between the latter and <precontemplation/contemplation> group. <Preparation> group members may have become aware of their declined physical functions during activities of daily living, consequently shifting their stage of behavioral change from <precontemplation/contemplation> to <preparation>. In contrast, <precontemplation/contemplation> group members may have been less motivated to perform exercise activities due to a lack of awareness of their declined physical functions, preventing such a shift. Based on this, the stage of change for exercise behavior may be shifted independently of physical functions.

This study aimed to clarify factors promoting the discharge of very elderlypatients with proximal femoral fractures to home. The following items were examined, involving patients with proximal femoral fractures aged 85 or over on the post-acute rehabilitation ward of a hospital: the age, sex, height, weight, surgical procedure, motor/cognitive-FIM and MMSE scores, hand grip strength, and family structure. Logistic regression analysis was performed, with the patients divided into home and non-home groups based on their discharge destinations. Through analysis, the motor-FIM score and family structure were extracted as independent factors related to the discharge destination. Therefore, to promote the discharge of very old patients with proximal femoral fractures to home, importance should be attached to approaches to increase their levels of ADL independence and improve environmental arrangements, such as housing repair and assistive technology use. It may also be important to focus on the presence/absence of other family members living with them.

[Objective] To clarify the relationships among the toe grasp power, Berg Balance Scale score, and functional reach test result. [Methods] The following items were measured in 13 (4 males and 9 females) elderly community residents: the toe grasp power,Berg Balance Scale score, functional reach test result, height, and weight. [Results] On simple correlation analysis, the toe grasp power was significantly correlated with the functional reach test result, but it did not show such a correlation with the Berg Balance Scale score. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the toe grasp power prevents sway in the anteroposterior direction. However, its relationship with Berg Balance Scale scores for balance evaluation remained unclear.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the features of rotation range of motion (ROM) of the shoulder joints of young athletes. [Subjects and methods] The Subjects included 25 little league baseball players and 17 little kendoplayerswho were healthy children belonging to the little league baseball club and little kendo club of H grade school. After examination with a questionnaire, external and internal rotation ROM at 90°abduction of the shoulder joint were measured and compared between the little league baseball and little kendo players. Comparisons were made on the dominant hand and non-dominant hand sides. [Results] None of ROM measurements showed significant differences between the little league baseball and little kendo players. Moreover, as for external rotation ROM, no significant difference was found between the dominant hand and non-dominant hand sides in both groups. However, as for internal rotation ROM, the dominant hand side showed lower values than the non-dominant hand side. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that in a school period, shoulder-joint internal rotation ROM is reduced on the dominant hand side.

[Objective] This study examined foot and toe morphological abnormalitiesin the elderly. [Methods] The following items were measured in 217 (41 males and 176 females, with a mean age of 74.2±5.6) elderly community residents: the foot width and length,and hallux, digitus quintus, and intermetatarsal angles. Subsequently, the presence/absence of the following foot/toe abnormalities was examined: floating toes, hallux valgus,digitus minimus varus, flatfoot, and splayfoot. The results were compared between males and females. [Results] Malesʼfeet were significantly wider and longer than those of females, while the latter showed a markedly greater hallux angle. A floating toe was the most frequent foot/toe abnormality, regardless of the sex, although hallux valgus was also prevalent among females. Among the toes, the floating toe was most frequently the fifth toe. Furthermore, the prevalence of a floating second toe was higher among those with hallux valgus.

This study examined the validity of the Figure-of-8 Walk Test at maximum velocities (F8Wmax). The following items were measured, involving 25 inpatients who were able to walk: F8Wmax (the time and number of steps), the Timed Up & Go Test (TUG),Functional Reach Test (FRT), and Frail Chair Stand-10 (FCS-10) results, and the knee extensor strength, duration of standing on one leg with the eyes open, walking velocity, LifeSpace Assessment (LSA) score, hand grip strength, Fall Risk Index (FRI), and FIM-m score. The validity of the F8Wmax was examined. Both the time and number of steps in the F8Wmax were significantly correlated with the TUG, FRT, and FCS-10 results, and the duration of standing on one leg with the eyes open, walking velocity, LSAscore,and FRI, confirming the sufficient validity of the test to assess inpatientsʼwalking abilities.