The purpose of this study was to develop evaluation standard values and cross-sectional developmental reference curves for the measurement values of center of pressure among Japanese children. The subjects were 1532 healthy Japanese children (boys, n=769; girls, n=763) living in Osaka and Hyogo prefectures aged between 4 and 11 years old. The measurement values of center of pressure were used to calculate total locus length (LNG) and environment area (Env. Area) measured while children stood closed foot for 30 seconds under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions using Gravicorder GS-7 (ANIMA Co Ltd). The results indicated there were no significant differences in the measurement values of LNG and Env. Area under eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions in boys from the age of 9 and older, and in girls from the age of 8 and older. Three-step evaluation standard values for center of pressure (LNG and Env. Area) for boys and girls under eyes-opened and eyes-closed conditions were created from the result of percentile values of center of pressure. Cross-sectional developmental reference curves for boys and girls were created from logarithmic functions from percentile values of center of pressure as the development variable and ages as the independent variable. Therefore, we suggest that three-step evaluation standard values and crosssectional developmental reference curves for center of pressure both boys and girls under eyes-opened and eyes-closed conditions can be assessed by an individual’s static balance ability, and also by groups who belong to schools and sports clubs.

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Pathogenic microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, readily enter the oral cavity because it is constantly exposed to outside air, for which actions of salivary immune components functioning as the frontline defense mechanism are important. Human-β-defensin-2 (HBD-2) plays an important role in prevention of upper airway infection. It is secreted by airway epithelial cells and salivary glands and contributes to antimicrobial activity against viruses and bacteria. We previously reported that antimicrobial peptide expression is suppressed by temporary or chronic exercise stress, leading to susceptibility to upper airway infection. In this study, focusing on moderate exercise considered to increase intraoral immune function, we investigated the influence of one-year exercise training on the oral local immune function and Streptococcus mutans-suppressing effect. The salivary HBD-2 levels were 35.9±7.4 and 60.4±8.7 pg/mL before and after intervention, respectively, showing that it significantly increased (p<0.001). Regarding the Streptococcus mutans-suppressing effect, a significant bacterial growth-inhibitory effect was noted after intervention compared with that before intervention (p<0.01). Focusing on moderate exercise training considered to increase intraoral immune function, the influence of one-year exercise training on the oral local immune function and Streptococcus mutans growth-inhibitory effect was investigated.

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In our previous study, we found that FetCO2 (PaCO2) increased during kendo with vocalization. Cerebral blood flow may increase during kendo exercises because PaCO2 has cerebral vasodilator effects. In this study, we measured the blood flow of the common carotid artery during intermittent bicycle ergometer exercise with vocalization as a basic study to elucidate the physiological characteristics of kendo. As a result, at the 80% V・O2peak with vocalization (same load as “kakari-keiko”), we observed a significant increase in FetCO2 (P = 0.022) and blood flow in the common carotid artery (P = 0.040). At the 60%V・O2peak with vocalization (same load as “kirikaeshi”), there was no significant increase in FetCO2; however, we observed a significant increase in blood flow in the common carotid artery (P = 0.035). In addition, in an ultrasonic image of the common jugular vein during exercise with vocalization, we observed the over-swelling of an internal jugular vein with partial blood regurgitation. This indicated that blood flow was temporarily stagnant. These results suggest that the increase in common carotid arteryblood flow was induced during exercise with vocalization. The increase in FetCO2 caused by vocalization, however, was not considered to be the main factor. One of the factors causing the increased common carotid artery blood flow was revealed to be related to an increasing-canceling of intrathoracic pressure due to vocalization-no-vocalization.

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　The aim of this study was to elucidate the thoughts of nurses working at hospitals about the therapies for elderly patients who were admitted because were likely to die due to senility. To this end, a questionnaire survey was administered to 97nurses working at three hospitals, who had participated in a workshop, and 49 valid responses were obtained. As a result, the following four categories were extracted: “supporting death with dignity,” “decision support in a non-uniform end-of-life care,” “practice of care according to the intentions of a patient and his/her family,” and　“conflict over the selection of a remedy, without performing any therapy.” Nurses wanted to support a death with dignity and a natural death due to senility. However, there were problems that nurses could not control, such as the level of therapy, and the directions for end-of-life care under the conditions of senility were uncertain. Therefore, it was considered necessary to examine end-of-life care strategies for elderly patients.

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The objective of this study is to investigate the factors that influence female students’ aversion to exercise, sports, and physical education classes during the growth and developmental period. The participants of this study were 444 female students, ranging from first graders in elementary school to third graders in junior high school. In order to understand what causes girls to develop a dislike for exercise, sports, and physical education classes, a 27-item questionnaire on physical, physical education, friends, values and interests was created. The survey data were analyzed to determine the transversal psychological changes associated with growth in female students. The analysis revealed that the aversion to exercise, sports, and physical education classes increased with age. In particular, aversion increased during the junior high school period, suggesting that disgust is associated with factors related to physical education classes and physical load. This suggests the importance of teaching in line with the stage of physical and psychological development for female students whose disgust increases with age.

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