This study examined the persistence rate of resistance training after intervention with progressive resistance training and the long-term changes in self-perceived function as Heath-related quality of life (HRQOL) between a maintaining group (TR) and a detraining group (DT) after the intervention.
One hundred sixty-seven persons aged 65 and older participated in this study. We measured SF-36 as indices of HRQOL before intervention (T1), after intervention (T2), and 1 year later (T3).
We assessed 135 participants at T3, and, of these, 58 were in TR and 77 were in DT. In TR, T2 scores significantly improved over T1 scores for Physical Functioning, Role Physical, and Mental Health (p<.05–.01). Moreover, in T3 scores, Physical Functioning (p<.01) and Role Physical (p<.05) significantly improved over T1 scores. In DT, T2 scores were significantly higher than T1 scores for Vitality and Mental Health (both p<.01), while T3 scores significantly decreased from T2 scores for Physical Functioning, General Health, Vitality, and Mental Health (p<.05–p<.01). Only Physical Functioning of TR was significantly higher than that of DT in T2. However, Physical Functioning, Role Physical, General Health, Vitality, and Mental Health of TR were significantly higher than that of DT in T3 (p<.05–.01). No subscale scores at T3 were significantly lower than at T1.
Our findings suggest that for the elderly, voluntarily continuing training after the structured program has beneficial effects for HRQOL, and the differences in HRQOL with regard to how to spend time after the intervention over the long term. However, it was possible for the HRQOL of the participants to deteriorate, though not significantly, at 1 year after the intervention in comparison to the baseline. This result suggests that the significant HRQOL gains of the DT group for the intervention period are very important.

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This study aimed to examine the effects of room temperature and body position changes on cerebral blood volume, blood pressure and center-of-foot pressure (COP). Cerebral oxygenation kinetics and blood pressure were measured by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and volume-compensation, respectively, in 9 males and 9 females after rapid standing from sitting and supine positions in low (12°C) or normal (22°C) room temperatures. COP was also measured in a static standing posture for 90 s after rapid standing. The total hemoglobin (Hb) decreased just after standing. Blood pressure after standing at normal temperature tended to decrease immediately but at low temperature tended to decrease slightly and then to increase greatly. The decreasing ratio of total Hb and blood pressure upon standing from a supine position at normal room temperatures was the largest of any condition. Total Hb recovered to a fixed level approximately 25 sec after standing from a sitting position and approximately 35 sec after standing from a supine position. All COP parameters after standing tended to change markedly in the supine position compared to the sitting position, especially at normal temperatures. The COP parameters after standing in any condition were not significantly related to the decreasing ratio of total Hb but were related to the recovery time of total Hb after standing. In conclusion, decreasing ratios of total Hb and blood pressure after standing from a supine position at normal temperatures were large and may affect body sway.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the body surface area (BSA) based on the alginate method, to derive formulae for estimating BSA, and to compare the error of the present formula to previous formulas obtained from other countries. We directly measured the entire body surface area of 34 males (20–60 years old, 158.5–187.5 cm in height, 48.5–103.1 kg in body weight) and 31 females (20–63 years old, 140.6–173.1 cm, 36.8–106.1 kg) using alginate. The measurements showed that the BSA had a mean of 18,339 cm² (15,416–22,753 cm²) for males, and 16,452 cm² (12,825–22,025 cm²) for females. Based on these measurements, a regression model to estimate BSA was derived: Estimated BSA (cm²)=73.31 Height (cm)^0.725×Weight (kg)^0.425 (r²=0.999). The mean error of the formula was −0.1%, and did not show any significant difference by gender or body shape. When applied to the datasets (n=506) composed of various races (Caucasians, Africans, and Asians), the mean error of the formula was 0.4% and was smaller than that of DuBois & DuBois's, Gehan & George's, and Mosteller's formulas when applied to the same datasets. The errors of the three previous formulas were also within 2%. Overall, formulas based on the DuBois exponent (Weight^0.425Height^0.725) did not show any tendency of overestimation or underestimation by body shape, but other BSA-formulae showed differences by body shape. The present BSA formula has shown good accuracy in Korean adults of all weight categories compared to traditional formulas.

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The aim of the present study was to determine whether oxygen supply to non-exercised muscle during recovery following fatiguing exercise is influenced by accumulated metabolites within exercised muscle. Twelve healthy male subjects performed 2-min isometric handgrip exercise at 40% maximal voluntary contraction with their right hand and the exercise was followed by a 3-min recovery period. Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO₂) determined by near-infrared spatially resolved spectroscopy was used as an index of oxygen supply to non-exercised muscle and was measured in biceps brachii and tibialis anterior muscles on the left side. Compared to the pre-exercise baseline level, SmO₂ in the biceps brachii muscle (SmO_2BB) increased significantly from 30 sec to 1 min after the start of exercise, while SmO₂ in the tibialis anterior muscle (SmO_2TA) remained stable during the initial 1 min of exercise. Both SmO_2BB and SmO_2TA began to decrease at about 1 min and continued to decrease thereafter. Due to the initial increase in SmO_2BB, only SmO_2TA showed a significant decrease during exercise. During recovery, SmO_2BB did not differ significantly from the pre-exercise baseline level, whereas SmO_2TA remained significantly lower until about 1.5 min of recovery and then it did not differ significantly from the baseline level. In another bout, subjects performed handgrip exercise of the same intensity, but post-exercise arterial occlusion (PEAO) of the exercised muscle was imposed for 2 min immediately after the end of exercise. During PEAO, SmO_2BB decreased significantly compared to the baseline level, whereas SmO_2TA remained significantly lower until the end of PEAO. The significant decrease in SmO_2BB and the prolongation of decrease in SmO_2TA by PEAO suggests that the recovery of SmO₂ in the non-exercised arm and leg is mediated by muscle metaboreceptors.

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The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of wearing different kinds of masks on the ear canal temperature, heart rate, clothing microclimate, and subjective perception of discomfort. Ten subjects performed intermittent exercise on a treadmill while wearing the protective masks in a climatic chamber controlled at an air temperature of 25°C and a relative humidity of 70%. Two types of mask—mask A, with exhaust valves and mask B, with exhaust holes—were used in the study. The results of this study indicated: (1) The subjects had a tendency toward lower maximum heart rate when wearing mask A than when wearing mask B. (2) Temperatures and absolute humidities (the outer surface of mask, the microclimate inside the mask, the chest wall skin and microclimate) of mask A were significantly lower than those of mask B. (3) The ear canal temperature increased significantly in mask B as compared to that in mask A. (4) The ear canal temperature showed significant augmentation along with increased temperature and humidity inside the mask microclimate. The mask microclimate temperature also affected significantly the chest microclimate temperature. (5) Mask A was rated significantly lower for perception of humidity, heat, breath resistance, tightness, unfitness, odor, fatigue, and offered less overall discomfort than mask B. (6) Subjective preference for mask A was higher. (7) The ratings of subjective overall discomfort showed significant augmentation along with increased wetness and fatigue. We discuss how the ventilation properties of masks A and B induce significantly different temperature and humidity in the microclimates of the masks and the heat loss of the body, which have profound influences on heart rate, thermal stress, and subjective perception of discomfort.

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