[Purpose] In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of stride count on the values, validity, and test-retest reliability of autocorrelation-based gait variability variables in older adults requiring long-term care. [Participants and Methods] Thirty participants walked along a 20-meter walkway with a triaxial accelerometer attached to the trunk. The experimental protocol included two walking sessions, each consisting of two consecutive trials. Autocorrelation coefficients were derived from trunk acceleration signals while varying the stride count from 2 to 10 in one-stride increments. We analyzed the influence of stride count on the absolute differences between autocorrelation coefficients and their 10-stride reference values. Additionally, for each stride count, we assessed correlations between autocorrelation coefficients and age-related outcomes, as well as the test-retest reliability of these coefficients. [Results] Absolute differences in autocorrelation coefficients decreased as stride count increased. Variations in stride count influenced age-related outcomes associated with autocorrelation coefficients. Test-retest reliability improved with increasing stride count. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that changes in stride count affect the values, validity, and test-retest reliability of autocorrelation-based gait variability variables in older adults requiring long-term care.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the severity of post-stroke fatigue and trunk impairment, and to identify the associations between specific fatigue characteristics and trunk function. [Participants and Methods] This study included 20 patients with hemiplegia following a first-time stroke who were admitted to a convalescent rehabilitation ward. Fatigue was measured using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and trunk function was assessed using the Trunk Impairment Scale. Correlation analysis was conducted between the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory and Trunk Impairment Scale scores. Regression analysis was performed with fatigue characteristics as dependent variables and trunk functions as independent variables. [Results] The prevalence of post-stroke fatigue was 40% (8 patients) at admission. The Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory scores showed a significant negative correlation with Trunk Impairment Scale scores. Regression analyses of the subscales indicated that static sitting balance was significantly associated with reduced activity; dynamic sitting balance was associated with physical fatigue and reduced activity; and coordination was associated with general, physical, and mental fatigue. [Conclusion] Post-stroke fatigue was significantly correlated with trunk impairment, and fatigue characteristics were associated with specific trunk functions. These findings suggest that assessing trunk function may help manage post-stroke fatigue in the subacute phase.

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the relationship between fall experience and fear of falling, exercise-related health literacy, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling older adults. [Participants and Methods] A total of 360 community-dwelling older adults participated in the study. Surveys assessed fall experience, fear of falling, exercise-related health literacy, and exercise self-efficacy. Mean scores for these variables were compared between groups with and without fall experiences and between those with and without fear of falling. [Results] No significant differences in health literacy or self-efficacy were observed between the groups with and without fall experiences. However, self-efficacy was significantly higher among those without fear of falling than among those with fear of falling. [Conclusion] Lower self-efficacy was observed among individuals with fear of falling, indicating that fall prevention strategies should address both fear reduction and self-efficacy improvement to promote continued physical activity.

[Purpose] This study developed and examined a regression equation predicting height from the total lengths of the forearm and lower leg, establishing a simple method for estimating height in healthy young individuals. [Participants and Methods] Participants were 81 second-year students (41 males and 40 females) from our university’s Physical Therapy Department. The standing and supine heights and the forearm and lower leg lengths of the participants were measured, and the data were correlated and analyzed using regression. [Results] A strong correlation was observed between the total length on the left side and standing height (r=0.846). The regression equation calculated from the total length on the left side, “height (cm)=1.6 × total length (cm) + 67.0”, yielded a coefficient of determination of 0.72. [Conclusion] Our newly developed estimation formula does not require specialized equipment. It can quickly and noninvasively estimate height with just a tape measure, making it useful across a variety of settings, including disaster medicine, emergencies, school health checkups, and nutritional assessments.

[Purpose] This study aimed to develop and internally validate one-repetition maximum prediction models based on skeletal muscle mass or skeletal muscle mass index measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis in adults across all ages and both sexes. [Participants and Methods] Eighty-two participants (40 males, 42 females, aged 20–84 years) completed measurement of dominant leg skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle mass index using multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis. Unilateral leg press one-repetition maximum was measured. Two multiple linear regressions that incorporated age and sex were fitted and internally validated through bootstrap resampling. [Results] The model using skeletal muscle mass produced an adjusted R² of 0.701 and a standard error of estimate of 16.01 kg. The model using skeletal muscle mass index demonstrated higher accuracy (adjusted R²=0.737; standard error of estimate=15.0 kg). Internal validation indicated minimal overfitting, with optimism-corrected adjusted R² values of 0.677 and 0.715 and standard error of estimate values of 16.82 and 15.81 kg, respectively. [Conclusion] The developed and internally validated models can reasonably predict unilateral leg press one-repetition maximum in adults across a broad age range. However, caution is warranted owing to the magnitude of the prediction error.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the utility of maximum calf circumference by analyzing its relationship with body composition and whole-body endurance in healthy young Japanese males. [Participants and Methods] This cross-sectional exploratory study included 30 healthy young male participants, aged 19.1 ± 0.3 years. Maximum calf circumference was measured using a measuring tape, and body composition was measured using a bioimpedance device. Oxygen uptake and heart rate were measured during a multistage continuous treadmill test, and maximum oxygen uptake was estimated by calculating a linear regression equation based on the relationship between heart rate and oxygen uptake. Associations between maximum calf circumference and maximum oxygen uptake adjusted for body composition values were examined using Pearson’s product-moment correlation analysis. [Results] Maximum calf circumference showed moderately to highly significant positive correlations with all body composition parameters (body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, fat free mass, body fat mass, and phase angle). Maximum oxygen uptake per fat mass showed moderately significant negative correlations with maximum calf circumference. [Conclusion] These findings indicate that maximum calf circumference may serve as a useful potential index for checking normal-weight obesity in young males considered healthy based on body mass index.

[Purpose] This study aimed to classify patients undergoing outpatient hemodialysis into four groups (sarcopenia, dynapenia, presarcopenia, and controls) to clarify their distribution and compare clinical characteristics. [Participants and Methods] A total of 177 patients undergoing outpatient hemodialysis in the Tokyo urban area were classified into four groups according to skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) and muscle strength. Between-group comparisons were conducted for basic characteristics, body mass index, nutritional indicators, and body fat percentage. [Results] Among the 177 participants, the prevalence of sarcopenia, dynapenia, and presarcopenia was 35.6%, 28.8%, and 5.1%, respectively, and 30.5% were controls. Among participants, those with dynapenia were significantly younger and had higher SMI and than those with sarcopenia. Men participants with dynapenia also had higher extracellular-water to total-body-water ratio and markedly lower grip strength and Five Repetition Sit-to-Stand Test performance compared with controls. Among participants, those with dynapenia had significantly higher SMI and than those with sarcopenia and showed lower grip strength than controls. [Conclusion] Early detection of dynapenia may benefit from test batteries that takes sex differences into consideration.

The authors would like to apologize for the mistakes in the academic degrees of the authors.

Incorrect:

Junko Ochi, MD

Nobuko Shichiri, MD

Correct:

Junko Ochi, MEd

Nobuko Shichiri, MHSc