[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the differences in scapular movement during flexion and abduction of the shoulder joint with different postures. [Participants and Methods] This study included 15 male participants. Their shoulder flexion and abduction and angles of the scapular upward rotation, scapular anterior tilt, scapular external rotation, and thoracic spine flexion were measured. Measurements were taken in three positions: the control, thoracic spine flexion, and thoracic spine extension positions using a three-dimensional motion capture system. [Results] In the shoulder flexion, the amount of change in the scapular external rotation was significantly greater in the thoracic flexion than in the thoracic extension. In shoulder abduction, the amount of change in the scapular anterior tilt and external rotation was significantly greater in the thoracic flexion than in the thoracic extension. A comparison of the scapular angles in shoulder flexion and abduction showed that the upward rotation, posterior tilt, and external rotation were significantly greater in abduction than flexion. [Conclusion] To avoid posture-induced incoordination of the scapula and thorax movement during shoulder elevation, postural adjustment of the thoracic spine based on the movements is necessary for the shoulder joint exercises.

[Purpose] To investigate how different ankle-foot orthosis functions with the same dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle affect the walking ability in individuals with chronic stroke. [Participants and Methods] In this randomized crossover study, participants underwent a 10-m walking test and walked on a WalkWay MW-1000 three times under these conditions: (1) without ankle-foot orthosis; (2) with ankle-foot orthosis with an adjustable posterior strut at 5° of fixed dorsiflexion; and (3) with ankle-foot orthosis with an adjustable posterior strut at 5–20° of restricted dorsiflexion. The primary outcome was walking speed on the 10-m walking test. The secondary outcomes were walking speed and spatiotemporal factors measured by the WalkWay MW-1000. [Results] Fifteen individuals (mean [standard deviation] age, 60.9 [8.6] years; male, 12) were enrolled. Walking speeds of the ankle-foot orthosis with fixed and restricted dorsiflexion groups were significantly higher than those without the orthosis; however, no outcomes differed significantly between ankle-foot orthosis with fixed versus restricted dorsiflexion groups. [Conclusion] In individuals with chronic stroke, ankle-foot orthosis function may be less important than the dorsiflexed setting of initial ankle joint angle in the ankle-foot orthosis.

[Purpose] Childhood motor disorders and obesity are major health problems and concerns in children today. We performed a physical examination to test the motor system and motor ability of elementary school children based on their body types. [Participants and Methods] The obesity levels of 161 elementary school students aged six to ten were calculated based on the gender, age, and standard weight for each height category to classify them into somatotype groups, and analyze the relationships among the results of four motor examination items, Physical Fitness Test, and body composition analysis for two groups. [Results] More obese children were unable to reach the floor while performing a standing forward bend compared to non-obese children. In addition, a significant difference was found in the assessment of motor performance while performing side-to-side jumping, and obese children showed better values. Many endomorphic children were also unable to touch the floor with their hands when performing the standing forward bend. Among the items from a physical fitness test, the side-to-side hops revealed significant differences. There were no somatotype-related differences in the results of the body composition analysis. [Conclusion] In children aged six to ten years, somatotype differences were not associated with motor skill or body composition.

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of cognitive tasks on the non-minimum toe clearance gait cycles (nMTC) frequency during walking in healthy older and young adults. [Participants and Methods] This study included 20 healthy older and 20 young adults. The participants performed 3 min preferred-speed walking under a single-task and three dual-tasks (DTs) consisting of verbal, subtraction, and recall tasks. We determined the nMTC, which could not detect a trough in the toe trajectory during the swing phase. We evaluated the nMTC frequency (the cases of nMTC / total gait cycles) and compared them among the tasks and between groups. [Results] The results of the two-way analysis of variance revealed that there were no differences among the tasks, while the nMTC frequency in the older group was higher than that in the young group. The DT cost (DTc), which was used as an indicator of cognitive-motor interference (CMI), was higher in the subtraction and recall tasks in the older group than those in the young group. [Conclusion] This study showed that adding a cognitive task while walking increased in the nMTC frequency in older adults. These results suggest that the nMTC frequency under DT would reflect the increased CMI in healthy older adults.

[Purpose] Inhalational aromatherapy using lavender essential oil or essence is known to alleviate pain and anxiety during rehabilitation. However, the effects remain unclear in individuals who are unaware of their pain and anxiety. In this study, we investigated the effects of lavender aromatherapy during sleep in females who did not experience pain or anxiety. [Participants and Methods] The study included 24 healthy females who were randomly allocated to control and aromatherapy groups. The control group used skin patches without aroma, and the aromatherapy group used lavender aroma-infused skin patches for seven consecutive nights. Psychological and physiological indices were measured before, during, and after the intervention. [Results] The lavender aroma-infused skin patches ameliorated a negative mood associated with fatigue and anxiety. However, neither group showed a change in pulse rate and salivary cortisol concentration upon waking. Furthermore, no significant intergroup difference was observed in sleep quality. [Conclusion] Lavender aromatherapy during sleep improved a negative mood associated with fatigue and anxiety in females who did not experience pain and anxiety; however, physiological indices remained unaffected.

[Purpose] We aimed to investigate the effects of the Otago Exercise Program in older hypertensive patients with pre-frailty. [Participants and Methods] Participants were randomly divided into the (Otago Exercise Program OEP) group (n=37) and the control group (n=38). The OEP group completed the exercise step 3 times during hospitalization. For 12 weeks, the OEP group exercised at home and the control group completed daily walking activities ≥3 times per week. [Results] There were significant differences in FRAIL scale score, 10-meter gait speed, one-leg standing test results, and functional reach test results between the two groups. In addition to the above indicators, the differences in diastolic blood pressure were also statistically significant between the two groups before and after intervention. [Conclusion] The OEP can improve frailty and the ability to perform activity in older hypertensive patients with pre-frailty. Diastolic blood pressure decreases significantly after intervention.

[Purpose] To verify the reliability and validity of lower leg muscle thickness (MT) assessment along the muscle’s long axis using ultrasound imaging (USI) in a sitting position. [Participants and Methods] Twenty healthy adult female participants (aged, 20.3 ± 0.9 years) were included in the study. Intra- and inter-examiner reliability of the proximal, middle, and distal MT of the tibialis anterior (TA) and medial head of the gastrocnemius (GM) were verified using USI in a sitting position. Additionally, the relationship between MT measurement using USI and muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) measurement using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as the ankle joint’s maximum muscle strength, were examined. [Results] The reliability of TA and GM MT measurement using USI was high for all regions. The relationship between MCSA measurement using MRI and MT measurement using USI showed a significant correlation in all the regions for both muscles. The relationship between ankle muscle strength and USI of MT was not significantly correlated in any region for both muscles. [Conclusion] Measurement of MT using USI is reliable and valid for MCSA, but must be combined with assessments of other factors for muscle strength.

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the preoperative and early postoperative health-related quality of life in patients who underwent surgical treatment for gastrointestinal cancer and also the factors that affect postoperative health-related quality of life. [Participants and Methods] The study included 198 patients who underwent elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer (129 males and 69 females, age: 65.4 ± 11.8 years). Health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey version 2 at the following time points: 1–2 days preoperatively (baseline) and 4 weeks postoperatively. [Results] Compared with baseline levels, physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, as well as physical, social, and emotional role functioning significantly decreased 4 weeks postoperatively. In contrast, compared with baseline levels, mental health significantly improved 4 weeks postoperatively. Physical functioning and general health evaluated 4 weeks postoperatively were significantly associated with income, baseline health-related quality of life, and the 6-minute walk test. [Conclusion] It is important to consider baseline income and health-related quality of life and increase postoperative exercise capacity to improve health-related quality of life in patients who undergo surgical treatment for gastrointestinal cancer.

[Purpose] The heel-raise test (HRT) is sometimes used to quantify ankle plantarflexion strength. However, descriptions of the test vary and normative values are limited. This paper, therefore was generated to summarize procedures and provide normative values for the HRT in a younger and older age group of adults. [Methods] Electronic and hand searches were conducted to identify relevant literature. Meta-analysis was used to provide norms. [Results] Among 439 nonduplicative articles identified, 13 qualifying articles were ultimately included. Procedures for the HRT described in the studies varied considerably. The mean number of HRT repetitions was 28.7 for adults with a mean age less than 40 years and 11.8 for adults with a mean age greater than 60 years. [Conclusion] This study provides information on HRT performance and norms derived with them for younger and older adults.