The incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT) was developed for the evaluation of exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A previous study reported that peak oxygen consumption (VO₂) was predictable using single regression line against the total walking distance of ISWT. However, it is still unclear whether VO₂ really increases continuously and straight linearly during ISWT since no study has measured changes in VO₂ continuously using breath-by-breath method. The purpose of this study is to determine whether peak VO₂ is predictable according to the total walking distance of ISWT. Twelve healthy men participated in this study. The ISWT and treadmill-walking test using same protocol of ISWT were performed at random. The VO₂ was continuously measured using breath-by-breath method with a portable gas analyzer (AT-1100, Anima, Co., Japan) during ISWT. Straight linear increase in VO₂ both against the total walking distance of ISWT and against the total walking time of ISWT were evaluated using a single regression analysis, and predicted peak VO₂ was calculated. Finally, the measured peak VO₂ was compared with the calculated values. Measured peak VO₂ showed only 1 ml/kg/min difference from the predicted peak VO₂ against the total walking distance. Measured peak VO₂ was 1 Met or significantly higher than the predicted peak VO₂ against the total walking time. In conclusion, peak VO₂ of ISWT was predictable using single regression line against the total walking distance of ISWT in normal subjects. Further study to determine the predictability of peak VO₂ of the ISWT is necessary before implementation to patient population.

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We used CAD/CAM to compare the dimensions of patella tendon bearing (PTB) prostheses and total surface bearing (TSB) prostheses, and to assess how well they fit with the residual limbs, in order to standardize dimensions for automated production.
The study involved 17 below-knee amputees, aged 21-73 years. Two of the amputees had a short stump, twelve had a medium-length stump and three had a long stump. We used CAD/CAM to measure the stumps, and the PTB positive models and TSB positive models, and then made three-dimensional simulation images in order to compare them.
We measured the stump length, the antero-posterior diameter, the side-side diameter and the circumference each at the level of the patella tendon, the volume of the stump from the mid-level of the patella tendon and the shape at the mid-level of the patella tendon. We used the dimensions to calculate standardized PTB and TSB sockets. Next, using Student's t test, we compared the standardized PTB and TSB sockets with the stump length, activity, sex and age of the amputees.
Both sockets were significantly (p<0.05) longer than the stump length by about 2.5-7% and there was also a significant difference (p<0.05) between the lengths of the PTB socket and the TSB socket. On comparing the antero-posterior diameter and also the circumference at the level of the patella tendon, both sockets were significantly (p<0.01) smaller than the stumps by about 2.5-5%. In order to shed more light on the characteristics of the sockets, we calculated the volume of both the top half of the stump (measured from the patella tendon) and the bottom half of the stump. As for the top half, the PTB was about 5% smaller than the stump and as for the bottom half, TSB was about 4% smaller than the stump. This implies that in the case of the PTB, strong compression tends to be in the top half of the stump and in the case of the TSB it tends to be distributed in the bottom half of the stump. For both standardized sockets, a smaller volume tends to be better for increased activity. Objective assessment of amputees' stumps and prosthetic sockets using CAD/CAM can be used as the most suitable socket index.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between leg extension torque at the time of the ventilatory threshold and peak leg extension torque measured by a pedaling type isokinetic device. Ten healthy male volunteers enrolled in this study. Pedaling at 50 revolutions per minute performed both isokinetic exercise test for peak leg extension torque and caldiopulmonary exercise test for ventilatory threshold. The results of this study indicated that leg extension torque needed at the time of ventilatory threshold was about 12% of peak leg extension torque. Our results showed clearly that ventilatory threshold is reached in low muscular activities to the maximum muscular strength.

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In the criteria presented by Japan Society for the Study of Obesity, the visceral fat accumulated in non-obese adults (BMI<25) is not shown. The aim of this study was to examine the individual body shape and body composition in non-obese adult males with visceral fat accumulation, and to analyze the relationship between them and the visceral fat area (VFA) evaluated by the abdominal CT. Body composition was measured by the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The results were as follows: In 40-59 yr. Group, 1) VFA correlated significantly with waist circumference and fat mass of upper limbs and trunk. The waist circumference border to the visceral fat accumulation (VFA=100 cm²) calculated by linear regression was 81 cm. 2) In the comparative study from three groups (BMI<25) (Y: 23-38 yr., VFA<100 cm², /A: 40-59 yr., VFA<100 cm², /B: 40-59 yr., VFA≧100 cm²), the B group was significantly higher than the other groups in fat mass of limbs and trunk, but there was no significant difference in muscle mass of these three groups. These findings suggest that the waist circumference and fat mass of upper limbs and trunk are important determinants of visceral fat accumulation in non-obese adult males with visceral fat accumulation, and that body shape in the visceral fat non-accumulated type does not change significantly at least until 59 yr.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of physical therapy on peripheral vascular response in a bed-rest deconditioned patient. Subject was one patient with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. He received our program after bed rest (two periods). Our program included muscle strength exercise, sitting (3-4 hours a day) and gait. The measurements of periflux blood flow and cardiorespiratory response under sitting and standing position were performed every two weeks. Peripheral blood flow in the fingertip was measured by Laser Doppler flowmeter. Blood flow response pattern, pulse rate, blood pressure and RPE (rating of perceived exertion) were measured in a 5-min sitting position and in a 5-min standing position. Peripheral vascular response, control of blood pressure and physical endurance recovered in 2-6 weeks. The results suggest that our program may influence on peripheral vascular response and be useful to recover from deconditioning.

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[in Japanese]

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