Sarcopenia as well as dietary iron intake in animal protein associate with arterial stiffness. However, it is unclear whether the coexistence of sarcopenia and high iron intake further increases the risks of arterial stiffness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction between pre-sarcopenia and dietary iron intake on arterial stiffness in Japanese women. The participants included 126 Japanese women （44-77 yrs） in whom skeletal muscle index （SMI; appendicular muscle mass/height2） was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Pre-sarcopenia was defined as the cut-off value of SMI based on Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. We assessed brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity （baPWV） for arterial stiffness and nutritional status by Brief-type self-administered Diet History Questionnaire, and the subjects divided into high- and low- dietary iron intake based on the mean values of this study. Two-way ANCOVA with adjustment for age, body mass index and physical activity as covariates indicated that high dietary iron intake and pre-sarcopenia interacted to produce a significant effect on the baPWV in Japanese women （P＜0.05）. This result suggests that to prevent arterial stiffness, it is important to maintain the appropriate dietary iron intake in women with pre-sarcopenia．

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The purpose of this study was to develop and examine the effects of an integrated unit for the health subject “Prevention of disease” and exercise subject “Physical Fitness （exercise for improving flexibility）” for students in sixth grade. For the health unit, we designed an activity for students to learn about their relationship with exercise, and to consider their physical fitness-related issues. In relation to skills, the results revealed that after the unit, both classes demonstrated significant improvement in flexibility as assessed by the measurement of a seated forward stretch. Regarding awareness, both classes displayed an awareness of their bodily changes. In particular, the students in the classes where the unit was implemented showed a willingness to take responsibility for issues related to physical fitness and health and make exercise part of their daily lives. Furthermore, in relation to attitude, both classes demonstrated significant improvement in their Physical Education Class Diagnostic and Summative Assessment scores. These results suggest that integrating health and exercise subject areas helps students to understand that daily exercise is an important method of disease prevention. Furthermore, it is thought that this unit raises their interest in physical fitness and health, thus enabling them to engage in exercise independently. Accordingly, the effectiveness of the program was confirmed.

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