The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the effects of increase in the daily number of pedometer steps during an exercise class with health instruction on body mass index (BMI) and abdominal circumference and polymorphisms of the obesity-related gene. The subjects included 21 men and 38 women aged from 55 to 70 years (Mean age: 64.0±3.7 years, height: 158.7±7.9cm, weight: 59.2±9.4kg, BMI: 23.5±2.7). The exercise class with health instruction consisted of 17 sport events 2 or 3 times per month and 9 lectures on exercise and health once every month, and the goal for number of pedometer steps was set at 10000 per day. BMI and abdominal circumference were measured at the start of the exercise class and at 21 weeks and 38 weeks after the start of the exercise class. Subjects were classified into three types in terms of polymorphisms of β3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) gene, uncoupling protein1 (UCP1) gene, and β2 adrenergic receptor (ADRB2) gene. The number of pedometer steps per day significantly increased during the exercise class period. BMI and abdominal circumference were significantly decreased at 38 weeks after the start of the exercise class compared to those at the start of the exercise class. The extents of decreases in BMI and abdominal circumference were not significantly different among the three groups of subjects with polymorphisms of ADRB3 gene, UCP1 gene and ADRB2 gene. The results suggest that the effects of increase in the daily number of pedometer steps on BMI and abdominal circumference do not depend on polymorphisms of the obesity-related gene.

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To estimate the cardiopulmonary endurance and muscular power required for performing independently daily physical activities in elderly women (n=7, mean age: 67.8±4.8 years old), we measured the oxygen uptake and acceleration simultaneously and continuously during the 13 activities of daily living. In addition, the lactate threshold and maximal voluntary power used for going up stairs were measured for each subject, and the strength required for the bodily movements in each of the 13 variations was calculated using the appropriate indicators. Accordingly, the actual measurements of oxygen uptake during these activities of daily living ranged from 3.9±0.6ml/min/kg to 17.2±3.1ml/min/kg, equivalent to between 22.9±3.9% and 100.7±19.3% of the lactate threshold. The mean power used for each bodily movement involved in the activities of daily living was estimated using the measured acceleration and it ranged from 0watt/kg to 3.3±0.6watt/kg, in which the strength required for bodily movements ranged from 0% to 54.3±14.9% of the maximum voluntary power that was required for going up stairs. Aside from their usefulness for evaluating the activities of daily living (ADL) of the elderly, these findings are also expected to be helpful in developing programs for promoting the independence of the elderly.

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We have developed a respiratory and heart rate rhythm analysis system to examine circadian changes of autonomic nervous activity. Tweny-four-hour period of electrocardiogram (ECG) and respiratory data were recorded simultaneously by using Holter monitoring system (morpheus, Model- Teijin (Compumedics)). To evaluate the circadian changes of autonomic nervous activity, we have analyzed ECG and respiratory data for every one minute interval by using Least Square Cosine Spectrum Method and extracted five parameters (Period, Mesor, Amplitude, Acrophase, Probability). Of these parameters, we used the Probability as an index to evaluate the regularity of respiratory rhythm. We calculated "Log(1/Probabilty)" and referred to as "RA (Rhythm Adaptability)". The RA of heart rate and respiratory rhythm were higher during sleep and lower during wakefulness, and showed 90-minutes rhythm during sleep. We suspected that the RA might be useful parameter for the evaluation of circadian and ultradian rhythm of autonomic nervous function and sleep state.

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The purpose of this research is to elucidate the relationship between changes in salivary cortisol and the subjective impression of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the atmosphere of the forest, or forest bathing). An experiment was conducted in which 13 subjects walked around Togakushi Kagami Pond, Nagano Prefecture, for 60min in the afternoon, to examine the physiological and subjective effects of Shinrin-yoku in humans. For comparison, a control experiment was performed around the center of Nagano City. At both sites, salivary cortisol was measured and a questionnaire survey was conducted. No significant differences were found in cortisol concentration between the subjects who walked in the forest and the control. However, according to the questionnaire, a significant decrease in cortisol concentration was found in the forest walking subjects who were "relaxed," as compared with those who were "excited." In conclusion, when compared with the control, the cortisol concentration did not change in subjects who walked in the forest; however, a significant decrease was found in "relaxed" subjects compared with "excited" subjects.

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We have developed a neuro-cardiovascular analyzing system for auditory evoked skin blood flow (SBF) response. Using software specially developed and designed by using Microsoft Visual Basic, Visual Basic for Applications and Cygwin, we have analyzed the heart rate (HR), electroencephalographic (EEG) changes and SBF reactions after white noise exposure. The beat-by-beat changes of mean EEG frequency (MF-EEG) and the mean EEG amplitude (MA-EEG) were analyzed by using least-square-cosine spectrum analysis Method. To verify the usefulness of the system, we recorded physiological data from 7 volunteers with a mean age of 20+/-0.9. In most cases, the HR, MF-EEG and the MA-EEG increased, on the other hand, SBF showed biphasic changes after the auditory stimuli. We suspect that biphasic changes of SBF were explained by time course changes of 1) heart rate, 2) passive vasodilation and 3) active vasoconstriction. This analysis system may be useful for evaluation of the time lag effect of auditory stimuli on neuro-cardiovascular dynamics.

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