Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the background factors of Functional Independence Measure (FIM) at the time of discharge, and to clarify the relationship between these background factors and admission ability in severe stroke patients.

Methods: Forty-seven first stroke patients whose FIM motor scores were less than 38 at the time of admission into the convalescent rehabilitation ward were included in the study. First, a factor analysis was conducted using the patients' FIM motor scores at discharge. Second, the partial correlation coefficients while controlling for age and the number of days from onset to hospitalization were analyzed based on the obtained factor scores, the Functional Movement Scale (FMS) scores, and the FIM scores on admission.

Results: All the patients who were discharged to home required a caregiver. The factor analysis revealed two factors. Of the 15 patients who were discharged, 14 patients had a factor score of 0 or higher on the second factor related to eating and grooming. The first factor was highly correlated with FMS, whereas the second factor was highly correlated with FIM cognitive items at admission.

Conclusion: Higher scores on both factors are more likely to lead to discharge home. FMS and FIM cognitive items at admission may help to predict both factors.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate changes in skeletal muscle mass and risk profiles for muscle atrophy during hospitalization in patients with COVID-19.

Methods: We enrolled 15 patients with COVID-19. Skeletal muscle mass was evaluated according to the skeletal muscle index (SMI) using computed tomography on admission and during hospitalization. The patients were classified into the severe muscle atrophy group or mild muscle atrophy group based on the rate of change in the SMI. Background factors and biochemical tests on admission were also compared. Profiles associated with severe muscle atrophy were evaluated by decision tree analysis.

Results: The SMI was significantly decreased during hospitalization (P=0.001); its rate of change was –8.1%. According to the decision tree analysis, BMI was selected as the initial split and, in patients with a BMI of ≥23.4 kg/m², 50% showed a severe muscle atrophy group. For patients with a BMI of ≥23.4 kg/m², the second version of the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score (APACHE II score) was selected as the second split. Seventy-five percent of patients with an APACHE II score ≥17 were categorized into the severe muscle atrophy group.

Conclusions: We demonstrated that skeletal muscle mass had decreased during hospitalization in patients with COVID-19. Patients with a BMI of 23.4 kg/m² or higher and an APACHE II score of 17 or higher upon admission were at risk for decreased skeletal muscle mass.

Objective: To verify the reliability and validity of the Japanese version of the Self-Efficacy for Exercise Scale in the elderly (SEE).

Methods: Individuals aged ≥65, who availed health services, were included. The Japanese version of the scale underwent forward translation and backtranslation by two bilingual interpreters. The intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman analysis were carried out for retest reliability verification. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to ensure internal consistency verification. A correlation analysis with the SEE was carried out for simultaneous validity verification, and an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was carried out for factor structure and model verification.

Results: Out of 294 participants, 217 participants aged 65 years and older were included in the analysis. The intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.57 for retest reliability and alpha coefficient was 0.95 for internal consistency. A correlation coefficient 0.42 was obtained with the SEE. Significant correlations were observed with motor behavior change stage, and maximum walking speed. Factor loadings of the three factors, namely, environmental load, physical load, and mental load, were above 0.5, and the contribution rate was 62.3%.

Conclusion: Construct validity was confirmed, and model goodness of fit by confirmatory factor-analysis was high, except for the root mean square error of approximation. Validation of reassessment reliability was shown as a challenge.

Purpose: The study aimed to establish a model to study factors influencing vascular endothelial function in male university students and identify its relationship with physical activity intensity, blood pressure, and body fat percentage.

Methods: A total of 22 healthy male university students participated in this study. We investigated body fat percentage, blood pressure, and daily physical activity routine as factors related to vascular endothelial function. We measured engagement time in low-, medium-, and high-intensity physical activity to assess physical activity. The suitability of the model was verified by path analysis to study the relationship between the survey measurement items and vascular endothelial function.

Results: Diastolic blood pressure showed a direct relationship with vascular endothelial function, while body fat percentage and low-intensity physical activity revealed indirect association through diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions: Vascular endothelial function in male university students was affected by low-intensity physical activity and high or low body fat percentage via diastolic blood pressure.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between low bone mass, low muscle mass, and physical activity in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: Data obtained from 173 older adults who participated in a community-based health-check survey (Tarumizu Study 2018) were analyzed. Bone mass was measured using the speed of sound (SOS) of the calcaneal bone and was considered low when the percentage of the %YAM of the SOS was ≤70%. Muscle mass was assessed based on the criteria for sarcopenia by the AWGS. Physical activity was measured using an accelerometer to determine whether there was an increase in sedentary activity time, a decrease in MVPA time, and a decrease in step count Classified. The groups were classified into healthy (normal bone and muscle masses), low bone mass (only bone mass decreased), low muscle mass (only muscle mass decreased), and low bone/muscle mass groups (both bone and muscle masses decreased).

Results: As a result of logistic regression analysis, MVPA time was significantly decreased in the bone loss and muscle loss groups compared with the normal group (odds ratio, 3.29; p<0.05; covariates: age [5 years], sex, depression tendency, and decreased walking speed).

Conclusion: This study indicated that MVPA levels were lower in the older adults who had lower bone and muscle masses.