Recently, the role of occupational therapists has increased with diversification of medical/nursing care fields. However, the pass rate for Occupational Therapist National Examination ranges from 70 to <90%. A previous study showed that academic performance after entrance into a physical therapist training school was associated with the national examination score/success or failure. On the other hand, few studies have reported the association between the entrance examination score/academic performance at occupational therapist training schools and results of the national examination.

　The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between the entrance examination score/academic performance and results of Occupational Therapist National Examination in students belonging to the Department of Occupational Therapy and identify the performance characteristics of students who fail the national examination.

　Of 172 students who entered the Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, between 2015 and 2018, the participants were 106 who graduated without repeating the same year. They were divided into two groups: success and failure groups (n=96 and 10, respectively) based on the results of the national examination. The participants had received the same entrance examination system and curriculum.

　There were no significant differences in the man‐to‐woman ratio, entrance examination category, or entrance examination score between the two groups. In 10 of the 70 specialized required participants taken after entrance, the grade points in the failure group were significantly lower than in the success group. With respect to semesters, the grade points in the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th semesters in the failure group were significantly lower than in the success group.

　Academic performance early after entrance was associated with the results of Occupational Therapist National Examination, suggesting the importance of learning specialized required subjects early after entrance.

【Introduction】Running speed is often an advantage in athletic competitions, and running training is frequently conducted in various sports. The form during running is not always the same as that during short running; it has been reported that the acceleration phase at the start of running and the full‐speed phase afterwards are different. The purpose of this study was to analyze factors related to running time at different distances.

【Methods】The participants were 17 high school soccer players. The measurements were the 10 m time, 30 m time, knee flexion torque, knee extension torque, hamstring‐to‐quadriceps ratio (representing the ratio of flexion to extension muscle strength), and vertical jump height. Dashr‐Blue laser module was used to measure the running time, and the sensors were placed at three locations: the start position, the 10 m point, and the 30 m point. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between the 10 m and 30 m running time and other outcomes. The significance level was set at 5%.

【Results】There was a significant negative correlation of H:Q ratio (r=-0.54, p<0.05) with the 10 m time, and a significant negative correlation of vertical jump height (r=-0.50, p<0.05) with the 30 m time. No significant correlations were found among other measurements.

【Conclusion】

The factors related to short running times differed depending on the distance. When training for instantaneous running performance, it may be necessary to set up a training program based on the running distance and requirements of the sports event.

In this study, we focused on the level of care required at three and six years and examined longitudinal changes using a probability simulation model, to determine the mean value of significant differences in these levels, based on previous studies. A probability simulation model was constructed with reference to previous studies, a hypothetical sample of 10,000 people was created for each level of care (from one to five) required, the means and unbiased variances were calculated from the sample, and the mean values that showed a significant difference with a risk rate of less than one percent were calculated from the t‐values. From the analyses, the means of deterioration, maintenance, and improvement were calculated for each level of long‐term care needed. After excluding deaths and completion of care from the sample, the means that showed more concrete and significant differences were calculated by selecting samples that had been continuously certified as requiring long‐term care. The results suggest that the derived mean value can be used as an index for verifying the longitudinal effectiveness of older adult care measures and long‐term care service projects. Although this study made assumptions during the construction of the probability simulation model, it can be used as the basis in the future for the analysis of claims data that mean true values in the long‐term care insurance field, where analysis is currently inadequate. Furthermore, it is necessary to expand the extant literature using current methods, such as probability simulation models, to demonstrate the need for the analysis of claims data.

Introduction: To prevent medical accidents, it is critical for health care workers to develop skills for observing patients and the surrounding environment as well as to improve the ability to perceive potential hazards (hereinafter referred to as hazard perception). Differences in personality traits and clinical experience are likely to lead to differences in hazard perception. Therefore, we examined the relationship between personality traits and hazard perception in the clinical setting with the aim of improving hazard perception.

Methods: A total of 47 male students in the Department of Physical Therapy were recruited for participation in this study. The participants received a hazard perception score based on the number of potential hazards that they could identify in photographs of clinical scenes, and these scores were compared between students in different years of university. Ego states were determined using egograms and then compared between the group with high hazard‐perception scores (high‐perception group) and the group with low hazard‐perception scores (low‐perception group).

Results: Hazard perception scores were significantly higher for later‐year students compared with earlier‐year students. The score for the Adult ego state was significantly lower in the low‐perception group than in the high‐perception group. The score for the Critical Parent ego state was lower, albeit not significantly, in the low‐perception group than in the high‐perception group.

Conclusion: Helping students understand their own personality traits and behavioral changes as well as providing them with opportunities to participate in role‐plays and simulations of hazardous situations were considered effective educational methods for improving hazard perception.

【Introduction】During the development of locomotion, rolling is the earliest pattern used for floor mobility, and it remains a useful mobility skill throughout an individual's lifetime. And,rolling is a basic indispensable movement for independently performing activities of daily living. Although the rolling elements are closely related to the basic movements that follow,no studies have examined the relationship between rolling and motor function or basic movements. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between rolling and motor function.【Methods】We included 42 community‐dwelling healthy female adults, with a mean age of 55.4±18.6 years. The following tests were performed to examine the relation‐ship between the time‐to‐rolling and each motor function: rolling time, 30‐second chair stand test (CS‐30), Timed ”Up&Go”test(TUG), Figure‐of‐8 Walk Test at maximum speed (F8Wmax), maximal walking speed, and grip strength, quadriceps mus‐cleandtoegripstrength.【Results】Significant correlations were found between the time‐to‐rolling and motor functions (CS‐30, TUG, F8Wmax, maximal walking speed). The correlation coefficient between rolling to the right and to the left was 0.84, significant at p＜0.01.【Conclusions】The study results showed an association between rolling and motor function in community‐dwelling healthy female adults, suggesting those who can roll faster may have better walking and balance abili‐ties than those who roll slower. In addition, it was suggested that practicing rolling improves motor function and basic movements in persons who need help and supervision in activities of daily living, and may increase their level of independ‐ent locomotion.

[Introduction] In recent years, the number of children with pre‐locomotive syndrome, or “children's locomo,” has been in‐creasing. The reason for certain locomotor function abnormalities, such as the inability to stand on one leg, may be due to changes in the growth of the foot itself, which is the foundation of locomotor function. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of the growth of foot morphology in school‐aged children, including sex differences, together with the development of their height and weight. [Methods] We investigated the height, weight, and foot morphology of 451 school‐age children. Foot length, foot width,hallux valgus angle, little toe varus angle, spread angle, and foot‐width‐to‐foot‐length ratio (foot width/foot length) were measured using a foot balance measuring device, Foot Look. The analysis compared height, weight, and foot and toe mor‐phology by grade (low, middle, and high)and sex using a two‐factor analysis of variance. [Results] Height, weight, and foot morphology increased steadily from lower to higher grades. There were sex differences in the growth of foot length, foot width, hallux valgus angle, and spread angle. Foot width/foot length, which indicates foot proportions, was significantly larger in boys than girls in the lower and middle grades, but the difference was not sig‐nificant in the upper grades. [Conclusion] Boys' feet were broader in shape in the lower and middle grades than girls', suggesting that boys' feet de‐velop to similar proportions to girls' in the upper grades. Girls' feet did not change significantly in foot width/length during school years, indicating that they have the same proportions from an earlier age than boys' feet.

【Introduction】Many patients with motor dysfunction of the ankle joint after a cerebrovascular accident use an ankle foot orthosis to support the ankle joint. An ankle foot orthosis that supports ankle dorsiflexion torque by a pneumatic artificial muscle has been developed, but its effects have not yet been studied. 【Methods】This study investigated the kinetic and electromyographic effects of orthosis use with or without ankle dorsi‐flexion torque support in two chronic post‐stroke patients. The artificial muscles was set to co‐activate when the foot of the paralyzed lower leg left the ground and flaccid when the foot touched the ground. We calculated the joint angles of the paretic lower limb using attached markers and a video camera. Hip, knee, and ankle flexion‐extension angles during the gait cycle were compared between assisted and non‐assisted gait. Electromyography of the tibialis anterior, gastrocne‐mius, and soleus muscles were measured using surface electromyography. 【Results】The results show the ratio of the stance phase and swing phase in the gait cycle did not change significantly un‐der the assist conditions. Hip and knee flexion motion from the terminal stance to the initial swing were delayed at 5‐10% of the gait cycle with assistance and the activity of the tibialis anterior increased significantly with assistance in one partici‐pant. 【Conclusion】These results implied that the supporting ankle dorsiflexion torque and preventing foot drop in the swing phase alters the movement pattern in the terminal stance and enhances tibialis anterior muscle activity in chronic stroke patients.

【Introduction】Although the increased femoral anteversion angle (FAA) has been reported as an anatomical risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, there have been no reports on the risk of other knee joint diseases apart from ACL injury. In this study, we investigated the relationship between FAA, medical history, and physical characteristics of female university students using the Craig's test. Based on reports of previous studies, we hypothesized that participants with a history of knee joint disease would have greater FAA.

【Methods】The participants were 71 female university students. Questionnaires regarding knee medical history were administered. Additionally, physical measurement tests, such as the general laxity test, hip joint rotation range of motion test in supine and prone positions, and femoral anteversion test (Craig's test) were performed.

【Results】The results of the questionnaire showed that 14 participants had a history of knee joint‐related problems, whereas 48 did not. Nine participants with a history of knee‐related problems were excluded. The most common knee‐related injury was isolated ACL injury (36%), followed by meniscus injury (14%), combined ACL and meniscus injury (14%), and patellar dislocation (14%). The angle of external hip rotation in supine position was significantly smaller and Craig's test was significantly greater in the group with a history of injury than in the group with no such history.

【Conclusion】The results of the Craig's test suggest that participants with a history of knee‐related problems have a larger FAA. These findings are important fundamental knowledge for athletes and rehabilitation professions.

【Introduction】Maintenance of balance is related to the ability to stand, move, and walk and influences functions of daily life. In this study, we implemented the “Toes Dance”, which involves exercising the toes and ankles to music, at a health class for older adults living in the community and examined the immediate effects of the program on improving balance function. This study aimed to examine the immediate effects of the “Toes Dance” on the ability to hold a one‐leg standing posture for a certain length of time. 【Methods】The inclusion criteria for the study subjects were older adult participants in the “Toe Dance” who were not certified for long‐term care and who gave their consent to participate in the study, and the exclusion criteria were those who had missing measurement data. The“Toes Dance” was performed using an approximately 11‐minute DVD video. The immediate effect of the “Toes Dance” before and after its implementation, was examined separately for men and women. 【Results】The mean age of the 21 subjects analyzed for immediate effects was 74.29±5.03 years. The median and quarti‐les of one‐leg standing holding time were 25.00 (7.50‐35.00)seconds before, and 33.00(15.50‐48.50)seconds after “Toes Dance”, with a significant difference (P＝0.033)in the before/after comparison. The effect size was r＝0.47 (Medium to large). 【Conclusion】Balance function was improved as a result of the “Toes Dance,” in which a variety of toes and ankles exer‐cises were performed to music for older community residents. It was thought that the various movements activated plan‐tar mechanoreceptors, which affected postural control. “Toes Dance” is an effective method for improving balance in older adults and can be performed in any environment where OVDs can be viewed.

[Purpose] People with developmental disabilities face various difficulties according to their life stages, and therefore need continuous and careful support. However, the number of reports from speech‐language‐hearing therapists (STs) to formu‐late such support is limited. This study examined the case of a preschooler with suspected developmental disabilities, fo‐cusing on the details of support for the child, parental support systems, and the roles of the ST in charge working in a medical institution. [Subject and Methods] The child was a male aged 5 years and 10 months. There were no noticeable delays in his develop‐ment, but his parents experienced difficulty parenting him. Through periodic assessments and interviews, the ST provided support to the child, which reduced the mother's anxiety and feeling of impatience, and examined appropriate methods to support the child with suspected developmental disabilities, and deal with his parents from the perspective of an ST. [Results] The child's characteristics became clear through periodic assessments. Furthermore, there were positive changes in his parents' behavior after clarifying their emotions and ways of interacting with the child through interviews, and pro‐viding advice. [Conclusions] The findings from this case study highlighted the importance of not only advice for children, but also support for their parents, when supporting children with suspected developmental disabilities. Communication problems are preva‐lent among children with mild or suspected developmental disabilities, and STs are expected to play important roles in special needs education for these children, but ST support is not yet sufficient in developmental disabilities. The roles of STs, who are capable of providing specialized approaches to language aspects, such as sociability and communication, are important, and they should continuously support people with developmental disabilities from their preschool period through collaboration with related institutions.