The present study examined the relation between knee extension strength and motor ability. A motor performance test was administered to 106 (38 males and 68 females, aged 17 to 85) dwellers in Kasari town, Amami island. The test consisted of measurements of knee extension strength, grip strength, sitting trunk flexion, one-leg standing and walking at maximum speeds. The results indicate that mean values of knee extension strength were 29.4 kg in men and 21.7 kg in women. Mean values of knee extension strength/weight were 42.7% in men and 41% in women. The determinants of knee extension strength were one-leg standing and walking at maximum speed in all subjects; walking at maximum speed in middle-aged women; and grip strength and sitting trunk flexion in elderly women.

View full abstract

The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between agility and walking ability, with the factor of aging. Eight healthy young subjects and 8 middle-aged subjects took part in the experiment. We measured agility index (maximum tapping and maximum stepping) and walk ability (step length, stride width displacement, walking velocity, step rate at maximum walking speed). We found no significant correlations between gait factors and agility in the young subjects, while the correlation in middle-aged subjects was remarkable: the correlation coefficient of maximum tapping and maximum walking speed was r= -0.71 (p<0.05), and that of maximum stepping and step length was r=0.75 (p<0.05). Maximum tapping, maximum stepping, step length, walking velocity, walking rate in middle-aged subjects were decreased. We found that the agility and walking ability in the young subjects were not correlated, but they were correlated in the middle-aged subjects.

View full abstract

We measured the probe reaction time, which is an index of attentional demand, of 19 healthy people on a bicycle ergometer with changes of load and pedal revolutions, and determined the optimum RPM. The probe reaction time was measured at loads of 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 watts at pedal revolutions of 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 rpm, respectively. As a result of analysis of variance with pedal revolution as a factor, a significant effect was found. Furthermore, a post-hoc test (Tukey-Kramer test) showed significant differences between each of the pedal revolutions at 80, 100, 120 watts, and indicated the minimum probe reaction time at 60 rpm. These results suggest the optimal RPM was 60 rpm.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of afferent signals from mechanoreceptors related to the feet and ankle joints, and from proprioceptors of the crural muscles on postural control. Eighteen healthy young adults were the subjects of this study. Cooling below the knees was carried out, then the balance ability of the subjects was assessed using the Equitest apparatus. Under eyes closed, sway-referenced vision and sway-referenced support surface conditions, sway of center of gravity tended to increase and strategy tended to a hip strategy as the complexity of tasks increased from single tasks to combined tasks. With regard to latency, postural sway backwards after the support surface was perturbed forwards was significantly delayed compared to postural sway forwards after the support surface was perturbed backwards. Therefore, we consider that time is required to restore standing posture from a displacement inducing postural backward sway. In both forward and backward translations of the support surface, ankle joint plantar and dorsiflexion strengths, which are required for restoring standing posture, were significantly decreased after the cooling. Thus, we consider that factors of muscle strength around the ankle are important in postural equilibrium.

View full abstract

The present study examined the relation between Aerobic Capacity and Motor Abilities, and their regional characteristics. A motor performance test was administered to 206 (56 persons in 2002, 66 in 2003 and 84 in 2004) dwellers in Kasari town, Amami island. The test consisted of measurement of grip strength, sitting trunk flexion, one-leg standing, walking at maximum speeds, aerobic capacity (Physical Work Capacity, Breath Holding Time After Exercise, Vital Capacity). The results indicated that all aerobic capacities do not deteriorate with aging. Significant correlations between motor performances were detected in breath holding time after exercise and sitting trunk flexion, vital capacity and walking at maximum speeds. Breath holding time after exercise and vital capacity were smaller than those of two rural communities, and the national averages.

View full abstract

We surveyed self-perceived physical health using the visual analog scale (VAS) among 54 elderly disabled people in a health care facility for the elderly, and studied the correlation between feelings of happiness, motor function, cognitive function and motivation. The result showed that the group showing high self-perceived physical health by VAS tended to indicate lower FIM cognitive function than the median group. Furthermore, only a low correlation was found between the self-perceived physical health by the PGC moral scale and VAS. From these results, self-perceived physical health by VAS of elderly disabled people, needs to be interpreted together with an objective assessment of cognitive function. Besides, it is presumed that the measurement of subjective feelings of physical health, as well as feelings of happiness, makes the setting of a concrete rehabilitation goal possible.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the influences of three different conditions on the task accomplishment of stepping over an obstacle: the difference of the distance of the obstacle in visual cognitive memory and the actual obstacle, the time difference in memorization from memorization in the stationary state and mobile state walking towards the obstacle. After being given 5 seconds under six conditions to memorize the obstacle in visual cognitive memory, 25 healthy students stood in front of the obstacle, and stepped over it gazing at a target in front of them. They were recorded on video, and the center of pressure of the footstep after stepping over the obstacle was measured using a force plate. We did not find significant differences in the footstep center of pressure and distance of obstacle-foot position between the stationary and mobile states. However, stepping over the obstacle straight after memorization showed a significantly shorter stride over the obstacle and the center of pressure tended to be more stable than after 15 seconds. Furthermore, in stepping over the obstacle in the stationary state, in the near condition the foot was placed closer to the obstacle than in the far condition. However, in mobile state walking toward the obstacle, there were no significant differences between the near and far conditions; in the near condition the closeness of the obstacle to the foot stepping over it became obscured by the approach. From these results, in stepping over something when the obstacle is close, we can recognize the obstacle properly with the sense that we can actually step it over, and it is also suggested that if the interval from memorization in visual cognitive memory was short, we could step over the obstacle more appropriately and economically. It was considered that approaching the obstacle from the far position contributed to improved appropriate visual cognition of the obstacle.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish physical therapy goal items for stroke outpatients. First, rehabilitation medicine goal items for stroke outpatients were established by medical doctors (n=3), physical therapists (n=5), occupational therapists (n=4), nurses (n=2) and others (n=4). Then, physical therapy goals were selected from the rehabilitation medicine goal items by the five physical therapists. Next, other physical therapy goal items were added by five patients and references in the literature. Following that, a number of these items were grouped together. These items were close in meaning. Sixty physical therapy goal items for stroke outpatients were established as a result of the above processes. Lastly, a preliminary study was carried out using these sixty physical therapy goal items. This study confirmed that these items were useful for further studies.

View full abstract

Upper limb tremor was measured in healthy adult women. Using the fast Fourier transformation (FFT) and the autoregressive (AR) model, total power (TP) and peak frequency were compared by age group. TP was high for women in their 40's and 50's but low for women in their 60's. The rate of TP at peak frequency of 5-8 Hz for women in their 60's tended to be high, but that at 8-14 Hz for women in their 50's and 60's tended to be low. The peak frequency profile for women in their 20's and 30's had two peaks, while that for most women in their 40's had three peaks. The peak frequency profile for women in their 60's mostly had three peaks. The results of the present study clarified the following: the higher the age of the women, the greater the TP, with a greater rate of TP at 5-8 Hz, and a lower rate of TP at 8-14 Hz. Also, with age, there was a shift in the peak frequency profile from two peaks to three peaks.

View full abstract

A girl was diagnosed as having hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy at the age of 3 years and 5 months. The patient was not able to roll at 3 years and 8 months at the start of treatment. Treatment was carried out for 8 years from the age of 3 years and 8 months. Therapeutic exercise to improve anti-gravity posture was undertaken. The patient presented hypotonus of the muscles of the lower trunk and pelvis, flexion spasm of the right leg, athetosis of the muscles of the dorsolumbar region and spasms in all four limbs of waist back, lower part human trunk. As a result of therapy the patient was able to walk independently at the age of 9 years and 8 months.

View full abstract

We noted some remediation of symptoms as a result of implementing rehabilitation based on cognitive therapeutic exercise for patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke in whom unilateral spatial neglect remained about 6 months after onset. At the start of rehabilitation, in desk-top tests there were cancellation results for only about 1/3 of the stars on the right side in star cancellation tasks, although after 6 weeks the results had improved to the extent that only part of the lower left was overlooked. Accordingly, there were also inprovements in terms of movement, i.e. collision with objects on the left and overlooking of left turns during wheelchair operation which were initially seen were halted. Based on these results, "training of directed attention", with respect to unilateral spatial neglect, as part of spatial perception was achieved by providing rehabilitation focusing on somatosensory information that took into account cognitive processes (sensory-attention-memory-decision-making-language). The results suggest that this rehabilitation may evoke awareness with respect to the neglected side of the body.

View full abstract

This report is based on international cooperation activities undertaken in Vietnam. Although medical treatment and technology of rehabilitation in developing countries is improving, there is a need for suitable welfare equipment, e.g. sitting support apparatus. At a child rehabilitation center in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, we produced a sitting support apparatus from locally purchased materials and examined its effectiveness.

View full abstract

We outline the learning effect of instruction and feedback used in the clinical setting by therapists. To make learning effective, instructions direct attention to external focus, not internal focus. Extrinsic feedback which has the same features of external focus similarly has high learning effectiveness, but the intervention by verbal instructions contains risk of hindering potential learning by the learners themselves. As a new concept, we introduce a learning method containing self-determining elements.

View full abstract

The implications of the Bernstein's reactive phenomena are discussed. The interaction torque in a multi-joint reaching motion is used to demonstrate an example of the phenomena. The interaction torque may play considerable roles not only in movement coordination and its disability, but also in so called anticipatory postural adjustment and dynamical electromyography.

View full abstract

In this report, we studied the perception of body information and actual action of hemiplegia patients in relation to regulation and learning in motor impairment. There are two functions in perception in terms of control: self perception and environment perception. In order to measure these two functions in hemiplegia patients, we set up a passage through an opening, a limited perception condition. In the π value, the timing difference in the perception of body information and actual action is important. It was confirmed that the passage of each patient through the opening was different; i.e. there was no fixed pattern of movement, indicating that there is diversity in the motor learning and regulation of perception in adapting to the environment. We discuss the implications for therapeutic exercise.

View full abstract

This report describes the relationship between functional recovery and motor learning of stroke patients based on the motor learning model devised by Carr and Shepherd. In order to set stroke patients on the path to independent activities of daily living, it is important to generalize the acquired movements and to support learning under a variety of circumstances. In order to acquire higher ability, it is of key importance that we consider the task specificity of each individual case on the process of motor learning, and try to set the appropriate environmental conditions.

View full abstract

In this article, I discuss the common ground of physical therapy and motor learning by reviewing findings and ideas in psychology, physiology and/or dynamics that overlap the practice of physical therapy. The concept of "KR" in the methodology of skill acquisition is derived from behaviorism in psychology. On the other hand, the schema theory has arrived at its own concept by utilizing the theory of information processing in cognitive psychology, and has revised the methodology of skill acquisition. Furthermore, the dynamical systems approach has its own theory, which denies the reflex theory and the hierarchical theory in the field of physiology, and incorporates the ecological approach from the field of psychology, as well as applying some findings from the field of dynamics. It seems that the motor learning theories are readily available in the clinical setting; however, their uptake in physical therapy has so far been limited. The conceivable reasons why the motor learning theories have not been widely used in clinical settings in physical therapy is discussed and proposals are made as to what is required for physical therapists to incorporate motor learning into their clinical practice.

View full abstract

Sports for the disabled have become more popular recently, and the number of disabled people playing sports is increasing. Medical staff are employing more coaches, trainers and revising equipment and management systems. Social understanding and awareness of sports for the disabled will also be more needed in the future. In this report we describe the meaning of sports for the disabled, rehabilitation sports, life-time sports, competitive sports and the introduction of the Paralympics.

View full abstract