The aim of this study was to clarify the improvement factor from analyzing changes in the finger-floor distance induced by passive hip internal and external rotation exercise. We classified 27 healthy students randomly into a practice group (18 students: passive hip internal and external rotation) and a control group (9 students: passive hip flexion and extension exercise). The finger-floor distances before and after intervention were measured and the correlation coefficient of the change in value of the hip joint rotation angle, pelvic angle and dorsal and lumbar spine was examined for the improvement factor. The result was that a significant improvement in the finger-floor distance of the practice group was shown, but there were no correlation with the change of the finger-floor distance and angle change of internal/external rotation, right and left, pelvic stoop and lumbar and dorsal spine flexion. The mechanism is still unclear, but it was revealed that passive hip internal and external rotation exercise has an effect on improving the finger-floor distance.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of low intensity exercise in a head down position using oxygen consumption (VO₂) and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Ten healthy males (average age 21.7 ± 0.8 years) were the subjects. All subjects continued exercising in the supine and head down positions at the target heart rate (THR: 50%ATVO₂) for 10 minutes using cycle ergometry installed at 90 degrees on a stand. We analyzed the average of VO₂ and RPE for exercise from 5 minutes to 10 minutes in each position using the paired t-test. No significant differences were found in VO₂ but the RPE of the head down position was significantly lower than that of the supine position. From this observation, since the same amount of VO₂ as supine can be obtained in the more comfortable head down position, the head down position is expected to achieve greater continuity of exercise.

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This study tried to verify the reliability of lateral abdominal muscles thickness measurement using ultrasonography. In this study, lateral abdominal muscles thickness was measured at different phases of breathing activity to verify the reliability of the measurement. Ten healthy male subjects participated in this study. They were in the sitting position during the measurement. The muscle thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis, and also the total of the muscle thickness (lateral abdominal muscle) were measured under three conditions: quiet breathing (end-expiration and end-inspiration) and maximum expiratory effort. One week later, the subjects were measured again. The differences of muscle thickness among the conditions were compared and calculated for the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). During quiet breathing, no significant difference in the thickness of each muscle was found between end-expiration and end-inspiration, and the data for each muscle showed high reliability (ICC=0.87-0.91). On the other hand, during maximum expiratory effort, the thickness of each muscle significantly increased, and the data for each muscle in this case resulted in high values [internal oblique (ICC=0.93), lateral abdominal muscle (ICC=0.91)] and low values [external oblique (ICC=0.48) and transversus abdominis (ICC=0.66)]. High reliability of the measurement was not confirmed during maximum expiratory effort.

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To investigate the feasibility of gait ability evaluation in home-based rehabilitation, 1.5 meters, 5 meters, and 10 meters walking were analyzed and the validity was examined. Forty patients in inpatient rehabilitation (age 70 ± 12 years) were subjects of the study. Each patient completed a measurement of gait. The comfort and the maximum speed, the time required and the number of steps that passed each line of 1.5 meters, 5 meters, and 10 meters while walking were measured and compared with the walking speed, the walking rate, and the step length. The results revealed no significant differences among walking speeds, walking rates, and step lengths among 1.5 meters, 5 meters and 10 meters. For the walking speed, the walking rate, and the step length, significant correlations were found between 1.5 meters and 5 meters and 10 meters in both the comfortable speed and the maximum speed conditions. Therefore, these results indicate that it may be possible to use a 1.5 meters walking test as a gait ability evaluation.

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This study aimed to analyze the change with aging of the muscle strength of the shoulder girdle using a hand-held dynamometer. We analyzed 100 healthy women (200 shoulders); 20 for each 10 years between 20 and 70 years old. There was negative correlation between the age and muscle strength of the shoulder girdle. The muscles related to the interscapulothoracic joint showed a stronger negative correlation than the muscles mainly related to the scapulohumeral joint. Comparing the muscle strengths among the age groups, muscles related to the interscapulothoracic joint showed muscle strength decline from the onward 40's. On the other hand, muscles related to the scapulohumeral joint showed decline from the 50's or 60's. From the results, it is suggested that the strength of muscles mainly related to the joint had a strong negative correlation with age and this muscle strength decline begins early.

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In this study we examined the effects of listening to music and mental workload (exercises of reciting figures backward and remembering fruits) on body sway of 16 healthy people (7 men and 9 women, average age 24.8 ± 3.7). The total length of sway path and circumference area as an index of body sway were significantly different among the three conditions: with no music, with music and with mental workload. Body sway under mental workload was significant larger than under the control condition (with no music). Body sway under listening to music had no significant differences. With this information, it was revealed that mental workload induced an increase in body sway that was greater than that of passive listening to music.

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Joint mobilization is a passive repetitive movement for various ranges of motion with low speed and various amplitudes and is used for the treatment of joint disease, improvement of low motion ability and pain reduction suggested by the compression and extension test mainly in synovial joint. In case of the joint function disorder caused by the structures comprising the joint (bone, joint capsule, ligament), joint mobilization can be applied. When both movements of structures around joints and muscles are restricted remarkably, soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization may be performed alternately. It is necessary to reveal the cause from a total evaluation in considering treatment, and look at the joint dysfunction from both aspects of soft tissue and joint in deciding treatment. Every joint dysfunction is caused by anatomic and structural dysfunctions, therefore, it is important to have the knowledge and techniques of anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and manipulation for evaluation and treatment.

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In this study, we report the important knowledge for rehabilitation of hip fracture from the orthopedic doctor's viewpoint: how to consider and progress with the fracture treatment; how to decide the operation adaptation and method; how to decide the weight bearing timing; and what kinds of situation interrupt rehabilitation. Most hip fracture patients are 80 years old on average, have different social background, suffer dementia and underlying complications. Therefore, the speed of rehabilitation, aim setting, and the problems of treatment are completely different with each patient. However, bringing the best result to every patient is our responsibility. To carry out our duty, the staff performing rehabilitation need to understand the viewpoint of the orthopedic doctor for the treatment. I hope this report provides valuable insights for rehabilitation in hip fracture treatment.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) consists of a generally progressive loss of articular cartilage accompanied by attempted repair of articular cartilage, subchondral bone remodeling, and in many instances the formation of osteophytes. Knee OA is steadily becoming the most common cause of disability for middle-aged and older people. There are multiple risk factors for OA: age, gender, and genetic predisposition. In addition, biomechanical factors such as knee alignment, obesity, and knee trauma are important. The goal of treatment for the patient who has knee OA is to minimize discomfort, improve function, and limit further injury. Traditional nonoperative treatment includes activity modification, weight loss, exercise, orthotics, NSAIDs, and intra-articular injection. Symptomatic disease may be more appropriately treated with a course of conservative therapy. However, surgical options have become increasingly popular, as recent studies have suggested that early surgical intervention leads to better long-term results.

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1.Osteoporosis does not cause pain until bone fracture occurs. Most of the pains complained by osteoporosis patients are caused by osteoarthritis and factors originating in the muscles. 2. It is known that administration of bisphosphonate, for osteoporosis, can improve pains caused by osteoarthritis. This report shows the results of research into pain reduction effected by administration of bisphosphonate. 3. Fractures of adjacent vertebra in the spine and the contralateral proximal aspect of the femur often occur after treatment of one's fractures. These are caused by the progressive weakness and decline of muscle strength during rest and immobilization for treatment of fractures. 4. In addition to these results, recent information about relationship of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis are outlined in this paper.

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The Nordic System is used for the improvement of reversible joint dysfunctions, such as joint, joint capsule, ligament, muscle, synovial capsule, tendon, nerve, periosteum and blood vessel. It is a system for reducing pain by improving joint dysfunction when the disorder is painful and has some joint dysfunction. This report describes the way of diagnosing the problem parts and the origins of lower back and limb pain, and the diagnostic approach after identifying the problem parts and pain originating in the soft tissues.

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