[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of surface electromyograms of the muscles of the knee during muscle training using water resistance. [Methods] Using surface electromyography (EMG), the left quadriceps and hamstring muscles of 11 healthy male participants were examined during knee extension and flexion exercises underwater. The results were compared with the quadricep and hamstring muscle co-contraction ratio determined during the following dry land exercise isokinetic training and ankle weight, squat and leg press exercises. [Results] The underwater electromyographic patterns showed a decrease in the concentric activity of the agonists with co-contraction of the antagonists in the middle of movement. [Conclusions] The results suggest that there is an early increase in antagonist activity and agonist co-contraction during water resistance training.

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[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the reliability of measurement using the Brief Scale for Evaluation of Psychiatric Problems in Orthopedic Patients (BS-POP). [Materials] There are patient and doctor versions of the BS-POP; the subjects were 10 patients with chronic back pain for the former version, and 42 with lumbar disc herniation for the latter. [Methods] The intraclass and interclass reliabilities of both versions were examined. Each question item was analyzed based on the kappa and rank correlation coefficients and level of concordance. [Results] The ICC (1,1) of the patient version was 0.98, and that of the doctor version was 0.90. The ICC (2,1) of the doctor version was 0.87. A moderate or better correlation was indicated by the kappa or rank correlation coefficient or 81% or higher concordance rate was shown for all question items except 2 in the doctor version. [Conclusion] The degree of overall reliability of measurement using the BS-POP was high, while the degree of interclass reliability was found to be low in some items of the doctor version.

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[Purpose] This study examined relationship between waist circumference and physical fitness factor in young men. [Subjects] The subjects were 20 healthy young men. [Methods] The measurement items were height, body weight and waist circumference, which were obtained in a physical examination. We used the new physical fitness examination (six items) for evaluation of physical fitness. The relationship between waist circumference and each physical fitness factor (grip strength, sit up, sit and reach, side step, 20-m shuttle run, long jump) was analyzed with Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. [Results] Significant correlation was observed between waist circumference and maximum oxygen uptake. [Conclusion] Correlation was observed between waist circumference and maximum oxygen uptake in young men. This suggested that cardiorespiratory fitness is related to abdominal obesity in young men.

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[Purpose] We created a pseudohemiplegic posture in healthy subjects and examined front reach distance and the influence on standing position after sit-to-stand movement. [Subjects] The subjects were 28 healthy men and women. [Methods] Two kinds of condition were used for the sitting position, a normal condition and a cerebral stroke condition, and the period of time standing on one leg with eyes closed was weighed against the front reach distance. [Results] The results showed significantly high levels for both front reach distance and period of time standing on one leg with eyes closed under the normal sitting condition (p<0.01). [Conclusion] Simulation of a hemiplegic posture suggested that sitting balance and standing balance after movement were decreased more than in a normal condition. In other words, the results imply that it is important to correct posture during sitting position training in physical therapy and that it may be possible to achieve better movement by inducing a functional position when performing a standing and transfer activity.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to show the influence of calcaneal eversion on the trunk angle, pelvic alignment, lower extremity angle, and center of gravity (COG) while quietly standing in three dimensions. [Methods] Twelve young healthy subjects participated in the study. Subjects were requested to remain in a quiet standing position in four different modes: feet flat on the floor and on wedges angled at 5°, 10°and 15° designed to induce calcaneal eversion. Sequencing was randomly captured by a three-dimensional motion analysis system and force platforms. [Results] A significant increase was found in calcaneal eversion, calcaneal anteversion and ankle dorsiflexion. This result was based on the kinematic link. COG was shifted forward, which corresponds with the increase in the slope’s angle. [Conclusions] Hip and pelvis function played an increasingly important role as the angle of wedges increased.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of the trunk posture on the chest wall motion from the volume change of the chest wall compartment. [Subjects] The subjects were 12 healthy males. [Methods] We measured chest wall motion during breathing in two sitting positions (straight sitting and kyphotic sitting). We calculated the volume change from the amount of the displacement of reflective markers on the chest wall using a 3D motion analyzer and compared the motion in the two postures. [Results] The volume changes at the sternal notch-xiphoid process compartments during deep breathing in straight sitting were significantly larger than those during rest breathing. The volume changes at the xiphoid process-navel compartments during deep breathing in kyphotic sitting were significantly larger than those at rest breathing in straight sitting. [Conclusion] Kyphosis decreased the volume change in chest wall motion above the xiphisternum during respiration. This result suggested the possibility that kyphosis was involved in factors related to the decrease in the ventilatory volume.

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[Purpose] The objective of the present study was to elucidate the relationships between speed (in the vertical direction) and oxygen uptake (VO₂) and motor efficiency (NE) for different patterns of staircase climbing (using alternate feet, or step through, vs. placing both feed on each step, or step to ). [Subjects] The subjects were 30 healthy adults. [Methods] Subjects were instructed to climb a staircase (30° inclination) for 3 min using both step through and step to patterns at speeds (in the vertical direction) of 3.5, 7.0, and 10.5 m/min. VO₂ and heart rate (HR) during climbing were measured and NE was calculated. Through two-way ANOVA (dependent variables: VO₂, METs, HR, NE), we tested the difference among speed patterns and between different patterns of staircase climbing. [Results] For both climbing patterns, VO₂, HR and NE increased proportionally with speed. Compared with the step to climbing pattern, VO₂ at a climbing speed of 3.5 m/min was higher for the step through pattern. However, VO₂ at a climbing speed of 10.5 m/min was higher for the step to pattern. [Conclusion] Differences in NE for the step through and step to patterns play a role in the relationship between speed and VO₂.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the current situation regarding physical therapists’ (PTs) contribution, and awareness of that contribution, to house reform in order to make a fundamental study of PTs’ role and expertise in house reform. [Subjects and Method] The subjects were 3,795 PTs selected at random from all over the country. A questionnaire was sent and returned by post during the 2 months from August 2010. A simple comparative analysis of the collected data was made. [Results] The percentage of PTs with house reform experience was 76.1%, but the percentage of those not involved in any house reform in fiscal year 2009 was the highest at 22.9%. Furthermore, while PTs felt that there was no difference between their role and that of occupational therapists (OTs) in house reform, more than 90% thought that PTs should cooperate with OTs in contributing to house reform. [Conclusion] The results suggest that while PTs considered their role in house reform is no different from that of OTs, there was also acceptance of the expertise of OTs. Accordingly, in order to examine the role of PTs in house reform, we will also need to survey the role of OTs.

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[Purpose] We made a comprehensive study of factors (lower limb strength, physical characteristics, trunk function and balance function) related to changes in trunk movement patterns at the time of rolling over in sleep. [Subjects] The subjects were 47 healthy young persons: 35 males and 12 females. [Method] We evaluated the subjects’ physical characteristics and trunk and balance functions. All subjects performed a sleeping roll to the right, and the patterns of their trunk movements (trunk pattern) were categorized. Subjects lower limb strength in pushing against the floor (LLF strength) was also measured. Discriminant analysis was then performed with trunk pattern as the dependent variable and the other measured items as the independent variables. [Results] We could categorize the trunk pattern with factors such as LLF strength and thoracolumbar flexion (TCF) angle. [Conclusion] When conducting analyses of rolling over in sleep, consideration needs to be given to LLF strength and TCF angle as they are factors altering trunk pattern.

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[Purpose] Various effects of pressure in physiotherapy have been reported. However, there is no research indicating moderate pressure intensity and time. The purpose of this study was to provide a fundamental article concerning moderate pressure intensity and time to inhibit spinal motoneuron excitability for application to spastic patients. [Subjects] The subjects were 16 college students (healthy adults). [Methods] The H-reflex and blood flow were measured using evoked EMG and ultrasonic diagnostic equipment while 10, 30, 50 and 100 mmHg of pressure was placed on the soleus. [Results] The results showed that 50 mmHg of pressure for 5 minutes had the most effect in inhibiting spinal motoneuron excitability without inhibiting blood flow. [Conclusion] We clarified that when 50 mmHg of pressure is placed on a target muscle belly for 5 minutes, spinal motoneuron excitability can be inhibited.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of an expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) program on the voluntary cough intensity of elderly individuals. [Subjects] The subjects of the study were 21 elderly residents in a nursing care center who did not have any respiratory disease. Ten of them (aged 80.6 ± 8.6 years old) were assigned to the EMST group, and the other 11 subjects (aged 76.7 ± 9.3 years old) were assigned to the control group. [Methods] Each subject in the EMST group underwent 5 weeks of training using a Threshold® PEP, an expiratory muscle training device, and in which the pressure was adjusted to 50% of the maximum expiratory pressure. Training was performed twice daily, and each session consisted of 2 sets of 15 breaths. As endpoints, the maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and peak cough flow (PCF) were measured. [Results] After 5 weeks, no significant changes were observed in the control group, while in terms of the MEP, PEF and PCF, significant increases were observed in the EMST group. [Conclusion] The study results suggest that the EMST program is effective for increasing voluntary cough intensity, which is greatly required for expiratory muscle strength, of elderly residents in a nursing facility.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine whether vastus lateralis muscle (VL) fascicle length and pennation angle alter during and after sustained submaximal isometric knee extention. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve female subjects performed maximal voluntary knee extensions (MVC) on a Biodex. This task consisted of a sustained submaximal isometric fatiguing contraction (75% MVC) until failure to hold the defined moment. Ultrasound (US) was used to visualize the muscle belly of the VL. [Results] The fascicle length of the VL decreased from 92.9 mm at the beginning to 81.3 mm at the end of fatigue, and the pennation angle increased from12.1°to14.5°. The root mean square (RMS) of the EMG signal of the VL increased signicantly with fatigue. [Conclusion] The results demonstrated that the architectural change of muscles detected using US could potentially provide complementary information for EMG for the muscle fatigue assessment.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the most appropriate location of an accelerometer used for gait analysis. [Subjects] Fifteen healthy male volunteers participated in this study. [Methods] The trunk acceleration and ground reaction force (GRF) during normal walking were measured using accelerometers attached at the level of the tenth thoracic vertebrae (Th10), third lumbar vertebrae (L3) and second sacral vertebrae (S2). Cross-correlation coefficient (CC) were used to determine how reasonable GRF values estimated using accelerometers on the trunk were. The CCs of GRFs in the vertical (VT), anterior-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (MR) directions were compared between the 3 locations. [Results] The CCs in the VT and AP directions at L3 were significantly higher than those at the other 2 locations. However, the CC in the ML direction was low in all locations. [Conclusion] The pattern of trunk acceleration at the level of L3 was similar to that of GRF.

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[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of malleolar torsion measurement. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven healthy students (19.4 ± 1.1 years) were assessed by three assessors with different amounts of clinical experience. The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability were measured with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis. [Results] High reliability was found on the second day, and systematic bias was not seen. [Conclusion] The intra-rater and inter-rater reliability under these measurement conditions indicated that measurements of malleolar torsion differed depending on experience and skill.

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