[Purpose] This study aimed to identify the body composition characteristics that differentiate regular and non-regular players in amateur soccer teams, thereby providing objective metrics for player selection and enhancing team performance. [Participants and Methods] A total of 147 male amateur soccer players (mean age 17.2 ± 4.9 years) were included and categorized as regular (n=68) or non-regular (n=79) players. Parameters of body composition including muscle mass and phase angle were measured using an InBody S10 analyzer. Groups were compared using unpaired t-tests and analysis of covariance adjusted for age, height, and weight. [Results] The regular players demonstrated significantly higher lean body mass, muscle mass, and phase angle. The trunk muscle mass and phase angle emerged as the key distinguishing variables. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between phase angle and player regularity. [Conclusion] Trunk muscle mass and phase angle are effective indicators of regular player status. Phase angle, in particular, showed utility in objective player evaluations. These findings support the integration of trunk muscle mass and phase angle into the selection criteria and conditioning protocols for amateur soccer teams.

[Purpose] This study investigated the effectiveness of psychologically informed practice (PIP) combined with progressive exposure techniques in managing fear, pain, disability, depression, and anxiety among patients with chronic low back pain. It also examined the need for customized psychological interventions for these patients. [Participants and Methods] Nineteen patients with chronic low back pain participated in this study. The experimental group (n=9) received progressive exposure-based PIP combined with physical therapy, while the control group (n=10) received only physical therapy. The primary evaluation measures were fear (Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia), perceived harmfulness (Photo Series of Daily Activities), pain (visual analogue scale), disability (Oswestry Disability Index), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory). Changes in these measures before and after the intervention were compared. [Results] The experimental group exhibited significant decreases in fear, pain, disability, and depression, with significant between-group differences observed for pain and depression. No significant change in anxiety was noted. [Conclusion] PIP combined with progressive exposure effectively reduced fear, pain, disability, and depression in patients with chronic low back pain, underscoring the importance of integrating psychological factors into treatment. Multidisciplinary approaches may improve long-term treatment outcomes and quality of life.

[Purpose] The present study aimed to validate the heart rate of the consumer-level wearable device Fitbit Inspire 3. [Participants and Methods] Participants were 22 healthy university students (20.9 ± 0.6 years, 11 males and 11 females). They performed 5-minute resting lying, sitting, walking (3.2 km/h, 4.2 km/h, 6.0 km/h and 3.2 km/h with 3 kg backpack) and running (8.4 km/h running) on a treadmill, and stair climbing, with Fitbit- and electrocardiogram-based heart rate (Fitbit-HR and ECG-HR). The relationship between Fitbit-HR and ECG-HR was evaluated using a generalized linear mixed model. Additionally, Brandt–Altman analysis and absolute percentage error were used to examine the measurement error. [Results] Fitbit-HR was strongly associated with ECG-HR and oxygen uptake. In the Brandt–Altman analysis with Fitbit-HR and reference ECG-HR, most plots were within the limit of agreement. Fitbit-HR showed significant fixed errors, which were, on average, three beats smaller than those of ECG-HR. No significant proportional errors are observed. The mean absolute percentage error for most of the tasks was less than 10%. [Conclusion] The Fitbit Inspire 3 showed a strong correlation and clinically acceptable agreement with ECG-HR in healthy young adults, despite a small, consistent underestimation. Its validity was supported by its association with oxygen uptake.

[Purpose] This study aimed to elucidate the optimal knee flexion angles and contraction intensities for isometric quadriceps exercises to enhance the hemoglobin concentration in the infrapatellar fat pad. [Participants and Methods] This observational, cross-sectional study included 13 healthy young adults. Oxygenated hemoglobin in the infrapatellar fat pad was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy, and the change was calculated by subtracting the value after isometric quadriceps exercise from the value during exercise. Infrapatellar fat pad hardness was measured using shear wave elastography with ultrasonography, and the change was calculated by subtracting the value at rest from that during isometric quadriceps exercises. The changes were assessed under six combinations of knee flexion angle and isometric quadriceps exercise intensity based on maximum voluntary contraction (5°–10%, 5°–50%, 5°–70%, 30°–10%, 30°–50%, and 30°–70%), and were analyzed using a linear mixed model for angles and contraction intensities. [Results] Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration and infrapatellar fat pad hardness at 50% and 70% intensities were significantly higher at 5° knee flexion than at 30°. At 5° of knee flexion, the change in infrapatellar fat pad hardness increased significantly with exercise intensity. [Conclusion] Isometric quadriceps exercise at 5° of knee flexion significantly increased the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration in the infrapatellar fat pad.

[Purpose] Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive and fatal respiratory disease that affects older adults. Pulmonary rehabilitation improves symptoms and quality of life but faces barriers such as limited access. Telerehabilitation, enabled by technology, offers remote, personalized care and may overcome these barriers. Although its effectiveness is well-documented, it remains unclear whether telerehabilitation is superior or inferior to face-to-face rehabilitation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatment outcomes. This study aimed to systematically compare telerehabilitation and face-to-face rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. [Methods] We searched five databases for randomized controlled trials on telerehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from 2003 to 2024. Studies were screened by pre-defined criteria, and quality was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale. Data were analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. [Results] Eighteen randomized controlled trials (3,108 patients) were included. Telerehabilitation was less effective in improving lung function (six minute walk test) but slightly better in reducing dyspnea and symptoms (modified Medical Research Council score and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test). It was less effective for quality of life but significantly better at alleviating depression and anxiety. [Conclusion] Both methods effectively alleviated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Telerehabilitation may better reduce breathing difficulties and negative emotions, offering an alternative to face-to-face rehabilitation.

[Purpose] To quantitatively assess skin mechanical properties in a case of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) and examine their clinical utility. [Participant and Methods] A 69-year-old female was diagnosed with BCRL of the left upper extremity. In this case, the patient was admitted to our institute for two weeks of intensive lymphedema drainage. Complex decongestive therapy (CDT), the standard treatment for lymphedema, was administered during hospitalization. Pre-intervention and at one- and two-weeks post-intervention, circumferential diameter, motor function, and quality of life of the affected extremity were measured, along with skin mechanical properties using a skin elasticity meter. [Results] Skin mechanical properties on the affected side before intervention were inferior to those of the unaffected side. During inpatient CDT, in addition to reductions in limb circumference and improvements in motor function and quality of life, all three parameters of skin mechanical properties also improved. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that measuring skin mechanical properties using a skin elasticity meter provides a useful quantitative assessment for longitudinal evaluation in BCRL.