To clarify the evidence in the field of sports physiotherapy, we selected and analyzed 76 systematic reviews of sports physiotherapy published since 2000. Reports on, knees and shins (n=26), ankles and feet (n=20) were greater in number than other body parts, while pain, weakness, and motor tolerance were common topics. As physical therapy interventions, stretching, mobilization, massage, muscle strengthening, orthosis, taping, splint and physical medicine were common themes.

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In this paper, orthopedic manual tests and signs of each major disease in sports physical therapy is explained.

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In the field of sports physical therapy, the word "conditioning" is often used, but there are many definitions of it. There is a distinction in "conditioning" between "conditioning" and "reconditioning" which is performed with the objective of restoring the physical ability of athletes who cannot compete to the fullness of their ability due to chronic injury, sequela or fatigue. In reconditioning, evaluation based on medical knowledge is required and for physical therapists involved in sports, there are many opportunities to practice reconditioning. The environment in which sports physical therapists are stationed is limited, and there is a need to nurture the ability of the athletes themselves to be sensitive to their physical condition and put into practice self-care, self-choice and self-check.

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People who play sports have specific medical needs. Physiotherapists who contribute to this field have also been requested to supply patient-centered management to specific issues of patients as well as managing their diagnostic problems. Applying sound clinical reasoning is one effective strategy of achieving this. In this paper, I demonstrate the basic thinking processes of how we can recognize both diagnostic problems and the "person" through diagnostic reasoning and narrative reasoning and role of clinical patterns.

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[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine an optimal index that easily estimates low physical activity (LPA) of elderly hemiplegic patients. [Subjects] The participants were 25 day-care users and hemiplegic men with independent daily activity living. [Methods] In this study, an index was prepared to estimate the level of physical activity with posture and exercise intensity (PA_PI) and the level of physical activity using METs methods (PA_METs). The effect of the index was evaluated using the double product (DP) obtained from multiplying heart rate with systolic blood pressure. The cut-off point was analysed to estimate the LPA based on this outcome. [Results] With respect to the outcome measured early in the morning, if the DP was higher than 8,000 (bpm × mmHg), the value determined in a deconditioning status. An receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed in relation to PA_PI and PAMETs for the predicted DP. The results revealed that the optimal cut-off point was significant with a PA_PI of 1,250 kcal (p<0.05). Each PA_METs was not a significant index for assessing low physical activity. [Conclusion] The optimal index to estimate LPA may be considered the PA_PI of 1,250 kcal.

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[Purpose] Joint contracture and disuse-induced muscle atrophy were created in rats by fixing their knee joints in the maximum flexion position for four weeks. [Methods] After removing the fixation, the rats were either trained by prolonged stretching exercise of the joints for four or eight weeks (4S and 8S groups), or were not trained (NS group). The angle of extension range of restricted knee joint, the average diameter of hamstring muscles, and the temporal profile of the hamstring single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) were examined. [Results] A significant electrophysiological improvement was found as an effect of the prolonged stretching exercise in the 4S and 8S groups. However, a significant improvement in knee extension angle and average diameter of the hamstring muscle was only found in the 8S group.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability of measurement of a fixed belt which was developed for the measurement of muscle strength of triceps surae with a Hand-Held Dynamometer (HHD). [Subjects] We studied 22 legs of 11 healthy adults for intra-rater reliability, and 20 legs of 10 healthy adults for inter-rater reliability. [Methods] The subjects put their hands posterolateraly in the long sitting position for the measurement of muscle strength of triceps surae. After sufficient practice, isometric foot plantar flexion exercise with the fixed belt was measured and we studied the reliability with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). [Results] The intra-rater reliability was 0.924 (ICC) and the inter-rater reliability was 0.809 (ICC). [Conclusion] It is possible to make objective and reliable measurements which are suitable for clinical use by any measurer.

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[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of body movement while using a horse riding simulator and an exercise treadmill. [Subjects] The subjects were eleven healthy male adults. [Methods] The horse riding simulator had 4 speed settings, and the treadmill speed setting was adjusted to the natural walking pace of each subject. The change in the angle of the spine, pelvis and lumbar vertebrae, and the movement distance of the head, trunk, and pelvis were measured with a three-dimensional ultrasound analyzer while subjects uesd each machine. [Results] Most of the body movements while using the horse riding simulator showed greater activity compared with those seen while using the exercise treadmill. Moreover, segmental spinal movement was observed at all speeds to maintain balance while using the horse riding simulator. [Conclusion] Given these findings, we believe that the movements produced by the horse riding simulator are linked to improving body function and equilibrium.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to consider the effect of the height of a backrest on shear force on the buttocks in comfortable sitting. [Subjects] Thirteen healthy adult men (age: 21.3 ± 2.4) participated in the study. [Methods] We measured the shear force on the buttocks in sitting using a force plate. Considering morphological effects, the measure of shear force after eliminating the body weight of each subject was adopted. The measuring position was the long sitting position with the buttocks on the force plate and lower legs outside the force plate. Instead of a backrest, parallel bars were used which were set laterally not to touch the force plate. The experiment was conducted under two conditions by adjusting the height of the backrest (46 and 49 cm from the floor). [Results] The shear force with the backrest height of 46 cm from the floor was 0.8 ± 0.27 [N/kg], and at 49 cm from the floor it was 0.71 ± 0.25 [N/kg], showing a significant difference between two conditions (p=0.014). [Conclusion] The result suggests that when the height of backrest is high, the shear force on the buttocks is small.

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[Purpose] Injury in football is not limited to contact in play, and there is a possibility of injury occurring without contact, off the ball. It is necessary to pay attention to the movements that can cause injuries. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristic of movements in football match-play. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were high school football players. [Methods] First, the movement patterns off the ball were classified from recorded images of a game. Next, for 18 subjects, each movement in the match-play was investigated and analyzed. The subjects were divided into three groups according to their position, and compared between groups. [Results] This study clarified the tendency and the position characteristic of the movement. [Conclusion] In the future, it will be necessary to examine the relation between each movement and the injury occurrence for injury prevention.

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[Purpose] In this report we measured fear of falling among forty-five people aged 65-91 years old, and examined the related factor of fear of falling inclusively. [Methods] The measurement of fear of falling was investigated using the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale (MFES). We defined participants having low MFES score (< 140) as having fear of falling. Independent variables of fear of falling, such as body function, level of fall frequency in the past one year, ADL, body activity self-efficacy, and self-imposed restrictions the going out were obtained. [Results] Fear of falling was had 68.9% in the group, and showed a significant correlation with the ADL score and going out. Moreover, the ADL-20 score was extracted as a factor, and it was associated with fear of falling. [Conclusion] A decrease in fear of falling might be expected, in addition to body function improvement, by intervening to improve the ADL.

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[Purpose] We investigated maximal walking speed (MWS) and indoor walking independency in hemiplegic stroke patients. [Subjects] We investigated 66 hemiplegic stroke patients, who were performing physical therapy. The patients were classified into 3 groups: 20 patients whose walking was independent at the time of admission (the independent group); 24 patients who walked under supprvision at the time of admission, whose walking became independent at the time of discharge (the improved group); and 22 patients who walked under supervision at the time of adnission and discharge (the watched group). [Methods] In the watched group and the improved group, the evaluation criteria at the time of leaving were compared, and the factors relevant to walking independence were determined. [Results] MWS and Brunnstrom stage (BRS) were determined as factors relevant to walking independence in the institution. In cases where MWS was more than 30 m/min and BRS was more than III, 23 of 24 patients improved to walk independently. [Conclusion] In order for walking to become independent in the institution, it was considered that a certain degree of walking speed was required.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to consider the degree of physical therapy students' information literacy, how students perceived the reliability of the wealth of medical information, and how this changed with academic year. [Subjects and Methods] The survey was conducted by a questionnaire containing 16 items distributed to 161 students in a four-year physical therapy college. [Results] Though the degree of reliability of internet information is the subjective judgement of each student, it showed a tendency to increase significantly in moving to the upper grades. The percentage of students who felt internet information reliability was high was over 50%. [Conclusion] The result suggests that the education curriculum which arouses information literacy is important in the lower grades.

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[Purpose] It is common to avoid exercising for a while after eating, but we sometimes exercise shortly after eating, without taking enough rest in our daily lives, for health maintenance and promotion. [Subjects and Methods] We studied the effects of food intake on metabolism and heart rate during moderate exercise in 12 healthy men. The subjects consumed 571 kcal food, and pedalled bicycles at 60% peak Vo₂ for 15 minutes under two conditions, 30 minutes and 2 hours after eating. [Results] The oxygen intake, heart rate and oxygen pulse during exercise did not show significant differences between the postprandial conditions. As the energy metabolism estimated by gas exchange ratio, carbohydrate metabolism was predominant in the early exercise condition of 30 minutes after eating, and showed a delay in recovering the stationary motor condition compared to 2 hours after eating. [Conclusion] When we exercise shortly after eating, performing a certain level of warm-up exercise is important so that the metabolic responsiveness of primary exercise can be adjusted.

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[Purpose] Falls among elderly people are a serious problem. A recent study suggested that walking under a dual-task condition caused falls in frail elderly people. In this study, we investigated the factor which depressed walking ability under a dual-task condition. [Subject] The subjects were 161 elderly people living locally. [Methods] Evaluation criteria were 5 m walking time (ST walking time), 5 m walking time while performing calculation (DT walking time), attention function (trail making test part A; TMT-A), and cognitive function (mini-mental state examination: MMSE). Moreover, the difference between ST walking time and DT walking time was calculated (delta walking time). [Results] Multiple linear regression analysis showed that delta walking time was significantly correlated with TMT-A, MMSE (p<0.05), but ST walking was not (p>0.05). [Conclusion] These results suggest that improvement in attention function or cognitive function could prevent falls among frail elderly people.

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[Purpose] Lower-extremity muscle weakness is a risk factor for falls in elderly people. Although the 30-seconds chair-stand test (CS-30 test) has recently been widely used as a simple assessment tool for lower-extremity muscle strength, few reports evaluating the relationship between the CS-30 test and falls have so far been published. The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the CS-30 test as an assessment tool for predicting falls. [Subjects and Method] The subjects were 135 community-dwelling elderly people who performed the CS-30 test, and the relationship between CS-30 and history of falls was investigated. [Results] Based on the Receiver-Operating-Characteristic (ROC) curve of the CS-30 test, the statistically, most effective cut-off point was 14.5 times. As a result of logistic regression analysis with a fall used as the dependent variable, the validity of the cut-off point was confirmed. The degree of sensitivity to falls was 88%, and the specificity was 70%, when the cut-off point was 14.5 times. Furthermore, the AUC based on the ROC curve was 85.2%. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the CS-30 test is a useful assessment tool for predicting falls in community-dwelling elderly people.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of two different drop landing tasks on knee kinematics and muscle activities. [Subjects] Nine healthy males participated in this study. [Methods] The subjects performed two different drop landing tasks from a box (height, 30 cm), with the dominant leg and both legs. A motion analysis system was used to obtain knee valgus and maximal flexion angles in the frontal and sagittal planes. An electromyography system was used to record muscle activities of the lower extremities during the drop landing task. [Results] Single leg landing increased the knee valgus angle, decreased the knee flexion angle, and increased the activity of the lower extremity muscles as compared to double leg landing. [Conclusion] Increased knee valgus angle and decreased knee flexion angle with single leg landing may be related to the increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.

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[Purpose] In this study we investigated the buttocks pressure characteristics of hemiplegic patients sitting in a wheelchair and the influence on it of a wheelchair cushion. [Subjects] The subjects were 9 hemiplegic patients, 4 of whom were performing walking training (walking group), and 5 of whom were not (nursing group). We additionally examined 4 patients without paralysis who had difficulty with walking due to enervation of the lower limbs (enervated group). [Methods] The subjects sat in a wheelchair with and without the cushion for 10 minutes, and we measured the buttocks pressure with body pressure distribution measuring apparatus. In the analysis we used the t-test for values of buttock pressure corrected for body weight to determine correspondence. [Results] Without the cushion, in the comparison of the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides, the buttocks pressure on the non-paralyzed side was significantly higher in the walking group. However, this difference was not seen in the nursing and enervated groups. With the cushion, no significant differences were found between the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides of the walking and nursing groups. Also, there was no difference between the left and right sides of the enervated group. [Conclusion] We have shown that for hemiplegic patients, the characteristics of buttocks pressure depend on the degree of disability. It was also revealed that the disequilibrium in buttocks pressure could be eliminated by using a cushion.

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[Purpose] The objective of this study was to find out whether or not there were any relationships between part-time work experience in a medical setting and academic performance and study time. [Subjects] The subjects were 41 daytime students and 40 night-school students attending physical therapy courses at our college. [Methods] We performed a comparison of the results of a questionnaire survey on study time with the end-of-term exam results. [Results] The results suggest that there was a beneficial influence of part-time work experience in a medical setting on the academic performance of daytime students, and for night-school students of study time in the week before exams. [Conclusion] For future student guidance, we consider there is a need to act in response to the special characteristics shown by students of both the day and night courses.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect which static stretching exerts on jumping ability from two aspects: physiology and function. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy students. [Methods] Before and after static stretching, latency of the stretch reflex as a physiological parameter, isokinetic muscle strength (60 deg/sec and 240 deg/sec) as a functional parameter, and vertical jump and forward jump as jumping ability were measured. [Results] In a compaison of each measured value before and after static stretching, after stretching, latency to stretch reflex appearance, muscle strength at 60 deg/sec, height of vertical jump and width of forward jump were decreased significantly. [Conclusion] Jumping ability fell after performing static stretching. As an explanation we suggest that muscle strength decreased accompanying the muscle tension fall, which was based on the inhibition mechanism of the central nervous system, since the CNS regulates muscle tension based on the receptivity fall of a muscle spindle and the contribution of the Golgi tendon organ, in addition to muscle contraction by extension of the time to stretch reflex appearance due to arising the delay of timing.

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