Objective: In epidemiological studies, physical activity is objectively assessed using pedometers and activity monitors. Understanding the types, features, and accuracies of these devices is crucial for interpreting the results of studies conducted on different devices. This study aimed to systematically collect and organize information on the step-detection methods, step cancellation functions, and memory functions of pedometers and activity monitors from major Japanese manufacturers, with the goal of facilitating their practical application.
Methods: Three domestic manufacturers were selected: Omron, Yamasa, and Tanita. From each manufacturer’s website, we collected information on the price, weight, placement, step detection methods, and the presence or absence of filter and memory functions, including their duration.
Results: Of the 34 models tested (six from Omron, eight from Yamasa, and 20 from Tanita), three models (two from Yamasa and one from Tanita) used a spring-levered pendulum mechanism and were worn on the waist. The remaining 31 models used accelerometers. All accelerometer models included step cancellation functions, but the setting conditions varied by manufacturer: Omron set it at 4 seconds, Yamasa at 10 stepshows, and Tanita at 7 seconds.
Conclusion: This study shows notable differences in step detection methods, filter functions, and memory functions depending on the manufacturer and device. When conducting research that measures step counts, implementing health guidance, and interpreting the results of measurements using different devices, it is essential to systematically consider the specific characteristics of pedometers and activity monitors.

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Objective: The present study used a natural experimental approach to examine the influence intention regarding screen time (ST), and ST on these variables one year among students who used and did not use physical education textbooks that contained sedentary behaviors.
Methods: Two web-based surveys were administered in March 2021 (T1; 2,219 students) and 2022 (T2; 778 students) to parents of sixth grade students at T1. Parents were asked about ST, awareness, intentions, attributes (sex, body mass index of the child, and household income in T1), and publishers of the health and physical education textbooks. A path model based on the simultaneous analysis of multiple populations adjusted for attributes was used to examine the effects of T1 awareness, intention, and ST on T2 awareness, intention, and ST in students using textbooks that discussed and did not discuss sedentary behaviors.
Results: Of the 624 participants analyzed, 25.2% were students who used physical education textbooks that contained sedentary behaviors boys. Path analysis showed that awareness of T1 and T2 significantly influenced intention in both groups who used and did not use textbooks that discussed sedentary behaviors （AGFI=0.954, HOELTER0.05=575, AIC=133.788, RMSEA=0.005）. The two paths showed no significant difference.
Conclusion: Awareness affected intention, but had no effect on ST. These associations were no differences with or without the use of textbooks that discussed sedentary behavior.

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Background: Several studies have reported that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has increased sedentary behaviour and obesity; however, these analyses used self-reported data, and the association between sedentary behaviour and visceral fat and adipocytokines during the COVID-19 pandemic remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of the COVID-19 pandemic with objectively measured sedentary behaviour and these obesity-related factors.
Methods: Longitudinal analysis was conducted on 257 Japanese participants who underwent health check-ups in 2018 before and in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. For both time points, sedentary behaviour was measured using an accelerometer for at least 7 days, visceral fat area (VFA) was measured using abdominal bioelectrical impedance analysis, and blood adiponectin level was measured using latex agglutination turbidimetric immunoassay. Multiple linear regression was performed to determine the association between sedentary behaviour and these outcomes.
Results: Compared with data in 2018, sedentary behaviour and VFA were significantly increased (P  < 0.001, P = 0.006) whereas adiponectin level was significantly decreased (P  < 0.001) in 2020. Increased sedentary behaviour was significantly associated with an increase in VFA (β = 3.85, 95% CI 1.22–6.49, P = 0.004) and a decrease in adiponectin level (β = −0.04, 95% CI −0.06 to −0.01, P = 0.005). However, the association of sedentary behaviour with adiponectin level was not significant after considering the effects of VFA.
Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with objectively measured sedentary behaviour and obesity-related factors in Japanese adults. Additionally, an increase in sedentary behaviour was associated with an increase in VFA, whereas the association of sedentary behaviour with adiponectin was partly mediated by VFA. These results suggest that avoiding increasing sedentary time is important to prevent visceral adiposity thereby ameliorating adiponectin, especially during behavioural limitations such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Writing a research paper is one of the culminations of a research activity and is often a major challenge for novice researchers, including graduate students. Although a wealth of materials on academic writing has been published, most are limited to general guidelines on how to write research papers. As a result, it can be difficult for novice researchers to understand more detailed and specific rules, skills, manners, and tips from these materials. In light of this, we presented examples of common pitfalls and offered strategies for addressing them, using ambiguous sentences that may be included in the paper. This work was based on the contents of the SNS project “#kenkyu aruaru (common pitfalls in research)”, conducted from May 6, 2023, to May 4, 2024, as part of the activities of the Seminar Committee and Public Relations Committee of the Japanese Society for Exercise Epidemiology. This research note focused on basic aspects of writing sentences and structuring introductions in research papers. We summarized the key points to consider when writing research papers, followed by a collection of examples to illustrate common pitfalls. While higher quality research is not always achievable, higher quality writing is always possible, regardless of the quality of the research. There is no single formula for writing research papers. We hope that this research note will prove helpful in the writing process.

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