Objective: This study systematically reviewed the studies focused on sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA) patterns throughout the day among adults, as well as revealing remaining research questions.

Methods: A systematic search of multiple international and domestic databases was conducted. Included studies were required to conduct or independently analyze for adults, to measure hourly SB or PA as primary outcomes, and to publish in a peer-reviewed journal. Carefully screened, characteristics of studies (study design, sample, time section, and results) were summarized according to 3 points of view, 1) the prevalence and trend of SB and PA patterns throughout the day, 2) related factors for SB and PA patterns throughout the day, 3) associations between SB and PA patterns throughout the day, and health outcomes.

Results: Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were published after 2015, and conducted with over 60-year-old adults in Europe, North America and Australia. Studies mainly focused on each hourly period or periods classifying the day into three. 1) Twelve studies mainly showed that SB levels were higher and PA levels were lower in the evening than in the morning and afternoon, 2) Twenty-one studies mainly showed that age, sex and obesity were related factors, 3) Only one study showed obesity as a health outcome.

Conclusion: Studies focusing on SB and PA patterns throughout the day were scarce. The range of characteristics of the participants, related factors and health outcomes were narrow. For segmented health promotion, further studies, particularly in Japanese middle aged population, are required, given differences in environment and lifestyle.

Objective: To clarify whether the decrease in the full marathon record rate depends on the age of domestic elite master male citizen runners.

Methods: Data from the Japan marathon rankings, which cover almost all major domestic full marathons, were examined for every other year from fiscal year 2007 to 2015. We identified 1003 runners who achieved a ranking at least in 2011, 2013, and 2015; who were aged 36 years or older in 2007; and whose fastest time record was in 2011 or before. We grouped the runners according to their average age for the period from their fastest time record year till 2015, at 5-year increments. Each group’s average annual marathon speed change was analyzed using oneway ANOVAs, and in case of significance, post-hoc analyses were performed.

Results: The analysis revealed a significant difference in annual average decrease in marathon speed in each age group. The extent of decrease increased with age, and it was particularly large after the age of 70 years.

Conclusion: The present findings suggested that the higher the age of elite male master citizen runners, the higher was their yearly marathon speed decrease rate, which seemed to accelerate around the age of 70 years.

Objective: Adequate sleep duration and quality play a key role in physical growth and development of children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between sleep duration and quality, physical activity, and screen time among children (aged 10-12) and adolescents (aged 13-15).

Methods: In 2007, a cross-sectional study enrolling 524 students was conducted in Tsuru, Yamanashi, Japan. We assessed sleep duration and quality as the dependent variable. Sleep duration was classified into ‘achieved recommendation’ and ‘not achieved recommendation’ according to the guideline (aged 9-13: 9-11 hours/day, aged 14-15: 8-10 hours/day). Physical activity (step count evaluated by accelerometer, the frequency of exercise or sport, and the frequency of active play) and screen time (the amount of time of television viewing and playing game and computer using) were included as independent variables. Logistic regression analysis adjusting for gender, age, school, after school activity, subjective busyness to assess the relationships between sleep and physical activity and screen time.

Results: Those who spent screen time for <2h/day were more likely to achieve the recommended sleep duration (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04–1.86). In terms of sleep quality, high frequency of active play was significant related with high sleep quality compared with low frequency (OR = 2.00，95% CI ＝ 1.37–2.92).

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that screen time is associated with sleep duration, whereas the frequency of active play is related with sleep quality.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional associations of age, sex, weight, and dynamic balance capability of professional boat racers with their boat-race performance.

Methods: The participants were 137 boat racers (aged 24 to 69 years, mean age 40.2 ± 8.2 years, BMI 19.5 ± 1.0 kg/m²) belonging to the Japan Motorboat Racing Association. We investigated the rates of winning the races of the race results that occurred from May 2016 to April 2017. We evaluated one-leg standing time with eyes closed (OLS) and modified index of postural stability (mIPS) using a force plate as an index of dynamic balance capability, from June to October 2016. The associations of age, sex, weight, and dynamic balance with rates of winning the races was examined using simultaneous multiple regression analysis.

Results: The multiple regression analysis indicated a significant associations of weight and mIPS with rates of winning the races (p < 0.001). Age, sex, and OLS were not significant factors related to rates of winning the races.

Conclusion: Professional boat racer’s rates of winning the races is suggested to be associated with weight and dynamic balance, not with age and sex.

Objective: Physical activity is known to affect glucose metabolism and closely associated with the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. We investigated the effects of physical activity in the early decades of life may have on insulin resistance among middle aged and older individuals.

Methods: The subjects were 6,883 residents of Okazaki City between the ages of 40 and 79 years who underwent physical examinations at the Okazaki City Medical Association Public Health Center from April 2007 through August 2011. They gave informed consent for participation in the study. Data on individual characteristics were collected via a questionnaire and from the health examination records. We performed multivariate linear regression analysis to adjust for age, body mass index, alcohol drinking, smoking habits, and present physical activity habits.

Results: After applying the exclusion criteria, data from a total of 2,378 men and women were analyzed. Subjects who have exercised regularly in the early decades of life are less likely to have insulin resistance later in life. Furthermore, there was a tendency that subjects with a large amount of physical activity in the past had lower insulin resistance.

Conclusion: Subjects who have exercised regularly in the early decades of life are less likely to have insulin resistance, and insulin resistance becomes lower as the amount of exercise increase.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of active learning education on health literacy, cognitive and physical function, physical activity, and dietary habits in older adults.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Rural community in Japan.

Participants: Individuals aged 65 and older (n=84) randomly assigned to a health education intervention group (n=42) or a control group (n=42).

Intervention: The intervention group attended a weekly 90-minute active learning program on exercise, diet and nutrition, and cognitive activity for health promotion in older age for 24 weeks. Active learning included exploratory learning, group work, and self-planning for behavioral change, which promoted a healthy lifestyle.

Measurements: Outcome measures were obtained at baseline before randomization and at 24 weeks. Comprehensive health literacy was assessed as the primary outcome using the Health Literacy Scale-14 (HLS-14) and the 16-item European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16). Cognitive function was evaluated in 4 domains: processing speed, verbal fluency, working memory, and memory. Physical function and amounts of physical activity were also objectively measured.

Results: HLS-14, the disease prevention domain of the HLS-EU-Q16, category verbal fluency test, Scenery Picture Memory Test, and Timed Up and Go test scores; gait speed; number of steps per day; physical activity levels; and dietary variety scores were significantly improved in the intervention group than the control group.

Conclusion: This study suggests that health education through active learning is effective in enhancing comprehensive health literacy, verbal fluency, memory, gait speed, balance ability, physical activity, and dietary variety in older adults.