There are many experiments about the deodorant effects of essential oils. However, those mostly depend on chemical analysis and subjective evaluation. The physiological effects of those have not been studied using physiological indicators. When evaluating stimulation using subjective evaluation, the results must be re-interpreted by recalling them. In addition, different persons assign different meanings to an expression. A physiological indicator that allows objective and continuous evaluation of the status of the body under stimulation has been attracting attention as an important evaluation method for interpreting the status of the body. In this study, we used physiological indicators and psychological evaluations about the deodorant effect of an essential oil and tested it. Consecutive blood pressure and brain hemodynamics were examined with physiological indicators. Subjectivity evaluation using the smell strength and the unpleasantness degree were performed to determine changes in psychological impression. The bad smell of excreta gave subjects unpleasantness, and the systolic blood pressure and brain hemodynamics of the subjects' prefrontal area increased. The subjects' unpleasantness disappeared when they mixed eucalyptus oil with the bad smell, and the systolic blood pressure and brain hemodynamics became stable. The above demonstrates that eucalyptus oil has physiological and psychological deodorant effects. Eucalyptus oil will be useful for development of fragrance and deodorant products.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a live high-train low (LHTL) model of altitude training on erythropoiesis and exercise capacity at sea level. The LHTL group (n=5) were kept in a normobaric-hypoxic room (15.4%O_2) for 10-12 h per night for 14 days. The control group (CONT: n=5) were exposed to normoxic conditions. Erythrocyte parameters, maximum and submaximum exercise capacity were measured over the experimental period. Red cell count (RBC) and hemoglobin concentration were not increased by LHTL. The exercise time of the LHTL group was significantly increased from 19:07±0:44 to 19:40±0:55 (2.8%)(p<0.05). Power output at onset of blood lactate accumulation of the LHTL group tended to increase as compared with CONT. These data indicate that 14 days LHTL would be insufficient to increase RBC or Hb, but could improve aerobic performance at sea level.

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Measurement of EMG has been used to evaluate muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen. Evaluation by the usual method is not suitable because muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen is a low-impact and intermittent task. Thus, evaluating muscle activity using amplitude probability distribution function (APDF) analysis is more suitable than the usual method. The purpose of this study was to evaluate muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen by using APDF analysis. Using the usual method and APDF analysis we evaluated muscle activity during use of a ballpoint pen. Results indicated that there was no significant difference in muscle activity with evaluation by the usual method In evaluation using APDF analysis, however, differences in the ballpoint pen affected the flexor pollicis brevis muscle. In addition we were able to clarify the effect of writing on muscle activity.

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The present study examined differences in postural stability between 14 elderly Chinese practitioners of Tai Chi (Tai Chi group; mean age, 70.1 years) and 14 elderly Chinese sedentary controls (Control group; mean age, 72.1 years) between 60- and 78-years-old. Single leg stance time with eyes open and closed and center of pressure (COP) sway during quiet standing with eyes open and closed were measured to evaluate postural stability. Single leg stance time with eyes closed was significantly longer in the Tai Chi group than in the control group (p<0.05). Path length of the COP (p<0.001), area of the COP (p<0.05) and mean velocity of the COP (p<0.01) with eyes open, and path length of the COP with eye closed (p<0.05) were demonstrated significantly higher performance in the Tai Chi group than in the control group. These results suggest that practicing Tai Chi may prevent declines in postural stability for elderly Chinese individuals.

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Passive stretching is often performed in medical treatment, care and everyday life, before and after exercise to enhance the range of motion, limber up the body, and improve blood circulation, etc. Over the years, many different methods have been developed to effectively stretch muscles. Many studies have examined the effects of muscle stretching. However, there have been few investigations that have sought to determine factors involved with muscle stretching; although it is considered that the extent of muscle stretching depends on the viscoelasticity of the muscle tissues and the actions of the central nervous system. In this study, H wave amplitude of the opposite soleus muscle was measured to compare spinal excitement levels before, during and after passive stretching of the triceps surae muscle. We demonstrated that the H wave amplitude was slightly suppressed during and after stretching.

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The objective of this follow-up survey was to investigate influence of house adaptation provided under Long-term Care Insurance (LTCI) on independence accomplished by locomotion for the elderly with disabilities. Forty Subjects (average age:81±7.4,32 females and 8 males) who received the LTCI house adaptation services participated in this study. They were evaluated independence accomplished by locomotion in their lavatory, bath, home entrance, and indoor, after one month completed their adaptation. The independence after house adaptation was significantly greater than it before house adaptation. The results of this study suggested that house adaptation enables to reduce the care burden and to increase the: independence.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate risk factors associated with dysphagia among frail elderly in nursing home. The subjects were 62 persons (a mean age of 83 years) suffered from dysphagia. We evaluated swallowing function, oral function, pulmonary function, motor and cognitive function. As a result of analysis, risk factors significantly correlated with dysphagia were as follows; oral sense, mouth opening, soft palate, sputum, blowing, positioning, range of neck, and dementia. We found that these risk factors were connected together. The result of the present study suggested that risk factors associated with dysphagia have an influence on swallowing interdependently.

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