The aim of this investigation was to examine changes of electromyogram activity when subjects performed two kinds of reaching forward in standing and kneeling. Eleven healthy subjects with a mean age of 25.63 ± 1.86 years participated in this study. They performed reaching forward of two kinds as a motor task. Electromyography (EMG) of gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), rectus abdominis (RA), and erector spinae (ES) was measured in the reaching position and the distance of reach was measured. EMG of BF in kneeling was higher than in standing. Changes of EMG were shown in the two kinds of reaching forward. These results suggest that specific motor activity is facilitated by changing position and movement method.

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For 25 college soccer players, characteristics of physical abilities were evaluated according to their usual playing positions. The distance and speed of players' movements during a game were analyzed, and the percentages of the total distance over which they moved during the game were estimated by aerobic and anaerobic energy-producing mechanisms. No significant difference was noted in the results of fitness tests according to position, but analysis of the distance and speed of movements during the game suggested differences in the physiological requirements of players in different positions. Therefore, utilization of the assessment of physical abilities specific to soccer in coaching may lead to the appropriate positioning of players based on the characteristics of their physical abilities and the design of training menus to develop the abilities required for various positions.

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This research looked at the combined center of gravity of both the wheelchair and user when wheelchair casters lose contact with the ground, examining both skilled wheelchair users and those just learning. We focused on the point of contact between the wheelchair and floor, using an infrared camera to measure the combined reaction with the floor and used a three-dimensional movement analyzer to measure the movement of the contact point in order to identify the kinematic qualities of this movement. Our findings suggest that after the casters reach their highest point from the ground, in order to maintain balance and reverse the posteriorly located center of gravity relative to the contact point of the wheelchair and ground, it is necessary for the combined center of gravity of the user and wheelchair to shift anteriorly, relative to the wheelchair's contact point with the ground.

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The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes of the anatomical pattern of capillarization of atrophied soleus muscles in rats. Additionally, we studied the relationship between muscle atrophy and angiogenic growth factors. Male Wistar rats were divided into hindlimb suspension rodent model (HS) and age-matched control groups. After 2 weeks of HS, the mean muscle fiber cross-sectional area and muscle mass were significantly decreased in HS compared to the control. Despite a higher capillary density, capillary-to-fiber ratio was significantly decreased in HS compared to the control. Decreased capillary-to-fiber ratio was significantly related to decreased succiniate dehydrogenase activities in HS. Furthermore, the vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and protein decreased approximately 50% after HS. However, hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alfa mRNA levels of HS were not significantly altered. We found that HS produces a decrease in muscle capillarity. The down-regulation of VEGF gene expression is due to a negative feedback mechanism associated with lower metabolism activity and oxygen demand levels during HS.

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For patients with femoral neck fracture, findings of body sway, the loading rate on the wounded lower limb, the Functional Reach Test, and the Timed Up & Go Test (TUG) were continuously observed in order to examine what kind of physical factors affected their ambulatory ability in the process of regaining walking ability post-operation. The subjects were eight aged individuals, who suffered from femoral neck fracture in one of the lower limbs, and underwent medical treatment of operation follwed by physical therapy. After the start of walking, measurements of the above-mentioned items were executed every other week until the patients left the hospital. Walking speed improved in all subjects during the hospital stay. There was a rapid amelioration in the values of the loading rate on the wounded lower limb and TUG one week after the start of walking. The enhancement in the loading rate on the wounded lower limb seemed to be caused by the relief of pain and the recovery of muscular power. The value of TUG concurrently improved, suggesting that the supporting power of the lower limbs is important in mixed movements and dynamic balance, factors of TUG.

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In this study we investigated the power spectra characteristics of surface electromyograms of the muscles of the shoulder circumference (deltoid, latissimus, biceps and infraspinatus muscles) in response to reductions in maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) from 100% to 50% and 25%. We found a significant reduction in frequencies with decline in %MVC in the latissimus muscles and biceps. On account of this, it was considered that the activities of the thick, type II muscle fibers decreased with the decline in %MVC, leading to the lower of the frequencies. On the other hand, we found a significant increase in frequencies accompanying %MVC decline in the deltoid and infraspinatus muscles. We assume that the frequencies of the deltoid and infraspinatus muscles reach peaks at relatively low levels of contraction, and that there are unique characteristics of degree of contraction and movement in modes of action.

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The assessment of the elderly needing care by physical therapists was analyzed. The subjects' levels of fundamental activity were related to the degree of care needed and dementia. These results make the points of physical therapy of the elderly needing care clearer. In the independence of each basic activity, the ability or inability of the activity in the order of the target activity was critical. Especially, for the elderly needing care, turning over ability indicated that the possibility independent getting up was very high. This indicates the importance of turning over. These results should be considered from the point of view of providing physical therapy under long-term care insurance.

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In this study we examined the effect and maintenance in healthy subjects of Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls (DNIC) on the finger-floor distance in forward flexion. The subjects were 40 healthy persons who were separated into a control group and a DNIC treatment group. The finger-floor distance was measured, before, after and 30 min after DNIC treatment. Significant differences were found for all combinations by analysis of variance and Bonferroni multiple comparison in the treatment group. By performing DNIC, the finger-floor distance became greater and the effect lasted for 30 min. However, at 30 min, the effect had declined compared to that immediately after DNIC. DNIC increased the finger-floor distance and although the effect showed a tendency to decline it was effective for at least 30 min.

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We measured the center of foot pressure (CFP) path on a center of gravity (COG) sway measuring plate in a task moving COG to its maximum limit in the standing position. We took the area encompassing the COFP path as the movable range of COG. At the same time, we traced the impression of the feet on graph paper and measured the area of the base of support. The object of this study was to investigate the possibility of using these parameters as an assessment of balance control ability. The subjects were 20 young men (13) and women (7). They stood on top of a sheet of graph paper spread on a COG sway measuring plate, and after the shape of the feet had been traced, they performed the prescribed movements. The area of the base of support was calculated from the graph of the foot trace. The area inside the perimeter of the COG sway was adopted as the movable range of COG. Two standing positions, legs together and 10 cm apart, were also employed. With legs together, the area of the base of support was 373 ± 38.5 cm² and the movable range of COG was 105.7 ± 18.2 cm². With legs apart, the respective values were 602.9 ± 54.2 cm² and 187.3 ± 21.2 cm². The ratios of movable range of COG and base of support area were 28.4 ± 4.2% with legs together, and 31.3 ± 4.3% with legs apart. Accordingly, we consider that these parameters could be used as an index for assessing balance control ability.

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In this study we investigated the applicability and limits of using commercially available bathroom scales for measuring lower limb loading force. The subjects were 53 hemiplegic stroke patients. We measured their walking, standing, and standing up abilities, and the maximum value of their lower limb loading force of the right and left legs separately in the sitting position. No significant differences were found in lower limb loading forces among those who could walk outside, those who could walk inside, those who could keep a standing position without using upper limb, and those who could keep a standing position with upper limb. However, when the ability of each action was high the lower leg loading force was significantly strong, suggesting that this method of measuring values of lower limb loading force could be used as an index for judging whether or not each action is possible. Although this method could be used to judge whether or not walking and keeping a standing position were possible, its limitations were also shown and it would be inappropriate to use it as a detailed functional assessment.

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In this study we measured body composition (skeletal muscle and fat volumes), upper and lower limb muscle strength and the circumferences of the extremities of 37 healthy adults, and investigated the relationships among them. For both men and women, a significant positive correlation was found between upper and lower limb strength and skeletal muscle volume. Also, a significant positive correlation was found between upper and lower limb muscle strengths and the circumferences of the extremities, though the correlation was lower than that of skeletal muscle volume. A significant positive correlation was found between body composition and the circumferences of the extremities as well, and within this relationship, the correlation with women's body fat volumes was extremely high. The present results suggest that skeletal muscle volume, which indicates body composition, reflects upper and lower limb strength. Also, we assume that the values of the circumferences of the extremities are greatly influenced by skeletal muscle and fat volumes in addition to muscle strength.

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The purpose of this study was to clarify the changes in the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) of patients with Cerebral Vascular Accidents (CVA) before and after the establishment of the convalescence rehabilitation ward at the Jiseikai Tokumaru Rehabilitation Hospital. The subjects were 316 patients (pre-establishment group, 158; post-establishment group, 158) who had been hospitalized for rehabilitation purposes at the hospital. There was no significant difference between the two groups in basic characteristics. The period from on-set to admission (POA) has shortened and the execution time of rehabilitation has significantly increased in the post-establishment group. In addition, gain of Barthel Index (BI) in the month after hospitalization has increased significantly in this group. These findings suggest that the effects of concentrated rehabilitation in the convalescent rehabilitation ward at the early stage of stroke appear in the increase of the BI in the month after therapeutic intervention and contribute to early discharge from hospital.

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The object of this study was to examine the effect of willingness to learn on the results of regular examinations. The subjects were 2nd year students of our college: 41 day school students and 40 night school students. We chose external motivation, internal motivation, health condition (in particular, mental health), interpersonal relationships and suitability for college as factors of willingness to learn. Then, we examined their effects on the results of regular examinations. We observed a positive relationship between suitability for college and the results of the regular examinations among night school students. Accordingly, we consider that it will be necessary, for the future instruction of students, to actively accustomize students to classes and college with class teachers playing a lead role in this. We should also consider the design of the instruction methods.

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With 28 healthy students as subjects, we measured the floor reaction force in standing up from the sitting position for 3 conditions: control, after proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) with legs together, and after PNF with the legs apart. In the control condition, the maximum value of plus direction of Fx, the anterior force, showed a higher value in standing up with the legs together than the legs apart. Compared to the control condition, in the PNF conditions, the maximum value of Fz, the vertical force, showed greater values. And although a significant difference was found in standing up from sitting between legs together and apart in the control condition, this difference was not significant after PNF. In comparison of the PNF conditions, Fz in standing up with legs together showed a higher maximum value than in standing up with legs apart after PNF with legs together. These results suggest that in standing up, legs together and legs apart have different movement characteristics both of which are affected by PNF. Also, the PNF effect has a partial ripple effect according to the characteristics of the standing movement, and these characteristics are partially involved in methods showing the effectiveness of PNF.

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In recent years rehabilitation incorporating congnitive tasks has become widespread. The purpose of this study was to verify the brain activation induced by a discrimination task using functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). We performed measurements of cerebral blood flow in 14 right-handed healthy young adults under two conditions, A and B. In condition A, subjects were required only to pinch-grip containers. In condition B, subjects pinch-gripped 5 containers with a predetermined task of deciding which was the smallest. In condition B, a significant increase (p<0.05) was found in the blood flow of the premotor area and the dorsilateral prefrontal cortex. The results suggest that by including a discrimination task in an active movement, the functions of the premotor area and the dorsilateral prefrontal cortex were mobilized in order to perform comparisons among the processes of retention of short-term memory and movement execution and their information feedback.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the present status of recognition of International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF) and its utilization by using a mail questionnaire sent to 300 Japanese physical therapists living in Ibaraki prefecture. One hundred forty-six completed questionnaires were returned (48.7%).It was found that most responders knew about the ICF, however its utilization was poor. Comparing clinical training with clinical practice, ICF was used more in training, suggesting that it is useful for students. In clinical practice, however, the lack of use of ICF suggests insufficient use of common terms, survey techniques and statistical tools, leaving room for improvement in the future.

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In this study we examined the relationship between the results of the Uchida-Kraepelin psychodiagnostic method and student continuation, resit and drop-out rates. The subjects were 87 physical therapy department students of our college, average age 24.6 ± 6.2 years. We found a tendency approaching significance (p<0.1) between levels 1~3 and 4 and above of "Characteristics of Personality and Behaviour" for continuing students and those who resit or drop-out. Accordingly, we consider it will be necessary to continuously monitor the academic work of students with level 4 and above Uchida-Kraepelin test results as described above.

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The purpose of this study was to clarify the longitudinal perioperative change in knee proprioception after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and to identify factors affecting it. Thirty knees of patients with TKA for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis were prospectively analyzed. Preoperative score of knee proprioception averaged 19.0 (± 3.9). Mean score of knee proprioception was 6.2 (± 3.0) three weeks after the operation (p<0.01) and recovered with time, reaching a score comparable to the preoperative one three months after surgery (18.1 ± 4.1). Factors affecting the decrease in the score three weeks after surgery included age at time of operation, preoperative JOA knee score, BMI, perioperative blood loss, operating time, and length of skin incision. Maintaining and improving preoperative daily activity of the patients seems to be important for quick postoperative recovery of proprioception after TKA, when preoperative rehabilitation could effectively intervene.

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The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of endurance training by eccentric contraction on mouse quadriceps femoris muscles. Male ICR mice were divided into control (CONT), uphill running (concentrical contraction, +16°, UR), level running (0°, LR) and downhill running (eccentrical contraction, -16°, DR) groups. Running for animals was started at 15 m/min for 20 min, and then the duration of the running was lengthened by 10 min/week. Running was performed 6 days/week for 5 weeks. After 5 weeks running, the quadriceps femoris were removed and glycolytic and oxidative enzymes were measured. Glycolytic enzyme in UR and LR was higher than in CONT, but in DR was not. Oxidative enzyme in UR, LR and DR was higher than in CONT. In conclusion, endurance training by eccentric contraction was not effective for increasing anaerobic metabolism, but was effective for increasing aerobic metabolism.

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The object of this study was to examine the effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation, using the number of days to post-op. discharge as an index. The subjects were 179 patients of whom 87 received rehabilitation treatment. Their average ages were 65.0 ± 10.0, no-rehab group, and 66.1 ± 9.3, rehab group. Gender, age, physical measurements (height, weight, BMI), operation technique, lung function-vital capacity (%VC), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1.0%) - blood loss in operation, operation time, and length of hospital stay were obtained from medical records. We split the patients into short and long stay groups, and examined the relationships among basic attributes, age, gender, etc., factors and findings connected with the operation, and performance of rehabilitation. By examining each item, we found that hospital stay was short for patients who were males under 65 years of age, who lost less than 200 ml of blood during the operation, and who received rehabilitation. In rehabilitation, it is necessary to proceed with the understanding that occurrence of complications is connected with lengthened hospital stay.

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In this study we assessed two models of soft tissue stiffness meter (TRY-ALL Corporation NEUTONE TDM-N1 and TDM-NA1; STSM-with alarm, and without alarm) for inter/intra-rater reproducibility and reliability. In Experiment 1, subjects comprising 21 physical therapists (PT) or occupational therapists (OT) measured the surface stiffness of a polyurethane test piece with known physical properties using the STSM with no alarm (N1). They each took 7 consecutive readings at the same site. In Experiment 2, 22 PT or OT used the same model of STSM with an alarm (NA1) to measure the stiffness of the same test piece at the same site. The intra-subject reproducibility was high: N1 coefficient of variation % (CV) = 2.9 ± 1.3%; NA1, CV= 1.5 ± 0.4%. In addition, the inter-subject reliability was high; N1, Intraclass correlation coefficients: ICC (2. 1) (2. 7) =0.56, 0.9; NA1, ICC (2. 1) (2. 7) = 0.42, 0.83. Thus, it seems reasonable to conclude that STSM is a reliable and useful device for objective quantitative evaluation of soft tissue stiffness.

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This study investigated the importance of weight bearing rate on the affected limb for independent going up and down stairs in 110 stroke patients. Age, Body Mass Index, period after onset, muscle strength of the non-affected lower limb, Brunnstrom stage, deep sensation, weight bearing rate on each of the non-affected and affected limbs were used as variables. The logistic regression analysis showed that only the weight bearing rate on the affected limb was a critical factor influencing the ability of going up and down stairs. Furthermore, 84% weight bearing rate on the affected limb gave a precise, clear cut-off value for independent going up and down stairs.

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Using a visual prompt, we trained a cerebrovascular dementia patient to walk with a T-cane and studied the effectiveness of the method. The research was conducted based on a single case design. First, just before and during the training, the patient was instructed in T-cane gait procedure orally and by gesture. Then, he was trained with a visual prompt, showing the T-cane gait procedure written on a large paper sheet. Finally, he was asked to do T-cane gait without any instructions. With the oral and gesture instructions, the patient made a mistake in almost every phase of the gait cycle. However no mistake was made with the visual prompt method and in the final stage of no instructions. It was concluded that the visual prompt method was quite effective for T-cane gait training of the cerebrovascular dementia patient.

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Increasing inpatients' physical activity is an important aim of rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate physical activity and to compare it pre- and post-discharge. Twenty inpatients discharged to home participated in this study. A portable accelerometer was used to measure physical activity. The measurement of physical activity was continued for 24 hours. We used three channels (0.05 G, 0.15 G, 0.2 G acceleration). Total counts of each channel were regarded as physical activity. We analyzed physical activity of 24 hours and physical activity at time intervals. We also investigated subjective activity, fatigue and aggravation of patients' pain. Physical activity of post-discharge was significantly higher than pre-discharge. Especially, physical activity after dinner was significant higher. In addition most participants complained of fatigue and aggravation of their pain. The results suggest that it is important to increase inpatients' physical activity to smoothly transition to home. In addition it is important to increase patients' physical strength before discharve.

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We measured center of gravity sway while standing still, maximum walking speed and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) of acute stage stroke and early post-op. stage orthopedic patients, and examined their balance ability. The BBS total score was high for patients who did not require supervision while walking in the hospital, and they had a walking ability which was not at risk of falls. However, if the BBS scores for one-leg standing, turning around 360 degrees, tandem standing and looking behind over the shoulder were low, it was easy for the patients to lose their balance. Furthermore, compared to healthy elderly persons, the area covering the center of gravity sway in standing still, a parameter detailing postural control, was significantly higher, and maximum walking speed was significantly lower. From these results it cannot be said that the patients could maintain their balance or walk like healthy elderly people.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of extension of hip external rotators on passive hip flexion. Hip flexion angle was measured in sixty normal healthy volunteers (thirty females and thirty males) with their hip joint rotated internally/externally in the saggital plane. Flexion angle decreased significantly in conjunction with increasing internal rotational angle (p<0.001). The hip flexion angle of a donated fresh cadaver was measured after cutting each hip posterior muscle in turn. The flexion angle was particularly increased after cutting the piriformis and obturator internus muscles. Because both the piriformis and obturator internus muscles are hip external rotators, we concluded that these muscles restrict hip flexion. Therefore, in the treatment of restricted hip flexion, the range of internal rotation should also be taken into consideration.

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The Myo- (muscle) Tuning Approach has come to be known as MTA. I report on the basic therapy principles of this technique, its suitability, therapy procedures and assessment. I also report on therapy methods for orthopedic problems: exercise pain, hernia, osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, range of motion disorders, etc.

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This paper presents diagnosis and treatment of knee joint injury. Especially, I report in detail the mechanisms of injury and therapeutic approach as for meniscus injury and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Moreover, I discuss the current opinion as to whether conservative or operative treatments are effective for these injuries, and future issues.

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Sports injuries comprise injuries from exercise and sports disorders. Sports disorders are due to overuse of a part of the body, and patients mainly complain of pain caused by repeating the same action. Examples of sports disorder are knee joint injury, patellar tendinopathy, baseball elbow and baseball shoulder, but in this paper I focus on impingement of the shoulder, and outline assessment and treatment (soft tissue mobilization) of impairment caused by overuse.

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