This study aimed to examine the steps per day, physical fitness and functional capacity of independent elderly women ( ≥ 65 years) who attained the target step counts ( ≥ 6000 steps / day) of the Public Health Recommendation of Health Japan 21 (the second term). The participants included 146 elderly women (age : 75 ± 5 years). The participants who performed ≥ 6000 steps / day (73 ± 5 years, n = 83) and < 6000 steps / day (76 ± 5 years, n = 63) were classified into the high-step (HS) and low-step (LS) groups, respectively. The participants wore an accelerometer for 2 consecutive weeks to measure their daily physical activities.Their functional capacity was then assessed using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC). The physical fitness tests included handgrip strength, sit and reach, knee extensor strength, leg extensor power, stepping, one-leg standing time with eyes open, 10-m maximum walking speed (10MWS) and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG).The steps / day in the HS group (8536 ± 2135 steps / day) was significantly higher than that in the LS group (4097 ± 989 steps / day).The leg extensor power and one-leg standing time with eyes open scores of the HS group were significantly higher in comparison to the LS group. The average number of steps / day was significantly correlated with the 10MWS and TUG results in the LS group, but not the HS group. The present study suggests that the HS group had superior physical fitness, and that mobility gradually declines from a PA level of approximately 6000 steps / day as the number of steps decrease.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive factors of the masters sports orientation in middle and older adults focused on their sport lifestyle. The longitudinal data on the National Survey on Active Aging 2008 and 2009 targeting on 50 and over were used (n=1,073). 24 variables on enjoyment of participating sport activities in both 2008 and 2009 surveys were categorized into 3 factors: health sports (to keep or improve their health), leisure sports (to play or travel), and masters sports (to compete or challenge), and each of them consists of 8 variables. These variables on enjoyment contained 1(strongly disagree) to 4 (strongly agree), thus scores of participation and intention in each 3 factors were calculated based on the responses of 2008 (Each score of 3 factors ranged from 8 to 32). Multiple regression analysis with all samples was conducted with masters sports score of 2009 survey as a dependent variable. As a result of the analysis, scores of masters sports participation and intention of 2008 significantly influenced to masters sports score of 2009. The same tendency appeared with each analysis of age groups (50s, 60s, and 70 over) and sex (male and female). It shows that middle and older adults have the intention to participate in sports activities with competitive mind through years.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of strength training behavior according to the stage of change for exercise behavior among members of the Silver Human Resources Center. Methods: The participants included 753 elderly individuals (male, n=469; female, n=284). The stage of change for exercise (Ex) and strength training (ST) behavior was measured. Results: The agreement between the stage of change for Ex and ST behavior was low (kappa=0.29). A relatively large proportion of the individuals who were in the pre-contemplation or contemplation stage for ST (n=380), were at the maintenance stage of Ex ⊗ the precontemplation stage of ST (n=86, 23.9%), the preparation stage of Ex ⊗ the pre-contemplation stage of ST (n=74, 19.5%), and the pre-contemplation stage of Ex ⊗ the pre-contemplation stage of ST (n=73, 19.2%). Conclusion: The present study showed that the distribution of ST behavior according to the stage of change of Ex among members of the Silver Human Resources Center.

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In recent times, the registered number of certified sport leaders for the disabled has been stagnant. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors influencing activity satisfaction of sport leaders for the disabled. Data for the study were collected through interviews and questionnaires conducted among six certified and six uncertified leaders. The interviews collected information on the following aspects: ＂technical orientation,＂ ＂stress,＂ ＂sense of accomplishment,＂ ＂environmental factor,＂ and ＂social support.＂ These aspects had been explored by previous studies as well. We additionally explored ＂personal attributes＂ and ＂activity satisfaction＂ through questionnaires. The main results of the study were as follows. First, the high satisfaction group was positively influenced by ＂personal attributes,＂ ＂sense of accomplishment,＂ and ＂social support.＂ Second, the low satisfaction group was positively influenced only by ＂social support.＂ Furthermore, this group was negatively influenced by ＂technical orientation＂ and ＂sense of accomplishment.＂ These findings suggested that developing the environment and organizational frameworks were the clues to support the leaders and that it was important to provide opportunities to learn disability characteristics. In addition, there was no relation between the possession of a certification and the level of activity satisfaction. It can be suggested that it is necessary to improve the usefulness of the certification by distinguishing certified leaders from others. This would contribute to an increase in the registered number of certified leaders.

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