The cardiovascular stress of 60% partialweight-bearing gait was studied in 9 normal male subjects aged from 23 to 34. Double crutch (DC), single crutch (SC) and single Lofstland crutch (SLC) were used for the walking device. Walking modalities were 3 point gait for DC walking, and 2 point gait for SC and SLC walking. First, the subjects ambulated for 5 minutes without crutches (control walking), then ambulated for the same time with various crutches at 50 m・min^-1 and on a 0% grade on the treadmill. So 4 tasks were given to the each subject. In determining the order of crutch using, the Latin square design was used to avoid the effect of sequence.
Heart rates (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO₂) were measured at sitting, standing and every minute during 5 minutes walking. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured at sitting, standing and 1st, 3rd and 5th minute, and Borg's rated perceived exersion (RPE) at 1st, 3rd and 5th minute during walking. Rate pressure product (RPP) was determined by a product of HR and SBP.
The results were summarized as follows:
1: There were no significant differences of VO₂ among 3 crutch walkings. VO₂ of the 5th minute were 14.6 ± 2.6, 15.1 ± 2.9 and 15.4 ± 2.3 ml・kg^-1・min^-1 for DC, SLC and SC walking, respectively. Those values were approximately 1.5 times to the control walking.
2: There were also no significant differences of HR but were obvious differences of SBP among 3crutch walkings (P < 0.01). The mean HR of 5th minute for each crutch walking increased by 12, 14 and 19 bpm over the mean HR that obtained for control walking and the mean SBP increased by 10, 20 and 30 mmHg for DC, SLC and SC walking, respectively.
3: RPP response was similar to SBP's one. So, cardiovascular stress was clearly demonstrated greater in order of DC, SLC, and SC walking.
4: RPE showed similar tendency to SBP or RPP, and significant correlations with SBP, VO₂ and RPP were observed for SC (r = 0.58, P < 0.01 for SBP and VO₂, r = 0.39, P < 0.05 for RPP) and for SLC walking (r = 0.50, P < 0.01 for SBP, r = 0.48, P < 0.05 for VO₂).
5: These results suggest that the observed differences among 3 crutch walking are a function of the degree of isometric contraction of the push up muscles in the upper extremities. And indicating crutch walking to cardiac or cardiac prone patients, DC walking should be prescribed up to the time when at least more than 80% partialweight-bearing is permitted.

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The children's asthma class has been in existence since 1982. It is held every spring and autumn at Ioh National Infirmary in Kanazawa, Japan, with the co-operation of paediatricians, nurses, physiotherapists, and a physical education teacher.
In order to investigate the efficacy of the class a survey was carried out. It was found, according to the respondents' replies, that the frequency of asthmatic attacks decreased in the majority of the children, and participation in sports or physical activities―especially the physical education class at school and swimming―became regular. In addition, the children became more confident and outgoing, and the parents' knowledge and efficiency in managing their children during asthmatic attacks improved. The expertise of the physiotherapists in instructing breathing control, positions for relaxation, blowing the nose, and postural drainage formed an integral part of the class. It should, however, be considered that the subjective improvement of the bronchial asthma must be the result of the interaction of modalities offered by each discipline.
It is recommended that physiotherapists should get involved in the management of bronchial asthma as educators as well as therapists with the establishment of an exercise tolerance training programme in a physiotherapy department.
Thus, those children with bronchial asthma whose physical fitness is low would readily be referred to it by the physicians.

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