[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify quantitative relations with the degree of an endomysium collagen fiber network change and the extension at the time of the rat soleus muscle extension. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were Wistar rats. [Method] Rats were divided into four experimental groups. The first group did not have the soleus muscle extended. In the second group, the soleus muscle was extended 10 mm. In the third group, the soleus muscle was extended 20 mm. In the fourth group, the soleus muscle was extended to the maximum. We examined the correlation between the extension distance and endomysium collagen fiber arrangement. [Result] The morphological changes of collagen fibers in the muscle membrane and the stretching muscle distance was significantly correlated. [Conclusion] It appears that collagen fibril arrangement in the endomysium move longitudinally toward the axis of the muscle fibers during muscle stretching.

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[Purpose] To clarify the influence of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over hand motor areas on the neural activity of leg motor areas in the contralateral hemisphere. [Subjects and Methods] Sixteen healthy adults were studied. Low-frequency rTMS or sham stimulation were applied to the hand motor areas in the left hemisphere. Before and after the application, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) of the muscles of the left upper limb (first dorsal interosseous muscle) and lower limb (tibialis anterior muscle) were measured. [Results] Low-frequency rTMS significantly increased the MEPs of not only the left upper limb muscle, but also the left lower limb muscle; however, sham stimulation did not result in any significant change in MEPs of these muscles. A significant reduction was shown before and after the sham stimulus. [Conclusions] Low-frequency rTMS over the hand motor areas influences leg motor areas as well as hand motor areas in the contralateral hemisphere. There seems to be a neural connection between the hand motor areas and leg motor areas in the contralateral hemisphere.

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[Purpose] We investigated the influence of motor imagery of simple oppositional movement of the fingers on the excitability of spinalnerve function using the F-wave. [Subjects] Subjects were 10 healthy subjects with a mean age of 31.7 ± 11.2 years. [Method] We recorded the F-wave under 3 conditions: at rest; with motor imagery of oppositional finger movement of the right-hand side thumb and an index finger synchronized with a metronome beat; and at 0, 5, 10 and 15 minutes after imagery. [Result] F-wave persistence of the motor imagery was significantly higher than that at rest. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the excitability of spinalnerve function is increased by the imagery of simple oppositional finger movement.

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[Purpose] This study was conducted to clarify the immediate effects of Whole-body vibration (WBV) training on gait disturbance and balance of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). [Subjects] Subjects were 14 patients with PD in our hospital who were able to walk. [Method] We measured 10m walking time, the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and static standing balance before and after carrying out the 25Hz WBV training with three sets of exercise for 2 min, with 2-min rest between sets in the standing position. Evaluation of static standing balance was carried out through the path length of the center of the gravity (LNG) and the rectangular area surrounding the path (REC) which was recorded using a force plate. [Result] 10m walking time and TUG significantly improved after WBV training. LNG and REC also improved significantly. [Conclusion] These results indicate that WBV training might have immediate effects on gait disturbance and stand up and turn of patients with PD.

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[Purpose] We investigated the effect of a multi-layered approach to education on the practice of the physical therapy process. [Subjects] The subjects were 3rd and 4th year students attending Advanced Physical Therapy II lectures. [Method] In practice, the 4th year students assisted the 3rd year students. At the end of the course, a questionnaire survey was conducted regarding the efficacy of the lecture style. The questionnaire survey was conducted after explaining the results would be anonymous and participation would have no consequences for individuals. [Results] The survey response rate was 100%. The 3rd year students considered that identifying the problem points was the most difficult issue, and the majority responded that the presence of 4th year students in the practice was “very effective”. [Conclusion] We consider that the multi-layered style of eduction in physical therapy eduction is effective at raising students’ understanding as well as being an effective method for raising their motivation.

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[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to assess the relationships between the angular velocity of knee extension using a gyro-sensor and physical functions of the frail elderly, and to confirm the safety of this protocol. [Subjects] The participants of this study were 170 older people (age ± standard deviation 78.6 ± 5.6) who participated in an exercise program for frailty. [Method] Angular velocity and strength of knee extension and other functions such as walking ability were measured. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis were used to examine the relationships between maximal knee joint angular velocity and the functional performance measurements. [Result] The angular velocity of knee extension was significantly correlated with all the physical functions measured, except for grip strength, and was found to be more highly correlated with the physical functions measured than knee extension strength in multiple linear regression analysis. [Conclusion] The assessment of angular velocity of knee joint is a feasible and meaningful measurement of frailty.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the EMG patterns and the integrated EMG of forward walking and backward walking at four different walking speeds. [Subjects] Twelve healthy subjects with a mean age of 21.8 years participated in this study. [Method] The surface EMGs of eight muscles (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius of lateral head, tibialis anterior, and soleus) were measured at walking speeds of 20 m/min, 40 m/min, 60 m/min, and 80 m/min. [Result] There was no similarity of the EMG pattern of forward walking and backward walking in any muscle at any speed. The amount of muscle activity in backward walking was bigger than that of forward walking in many muscles. In addition, the integrated EMG increased with an increase in walking speed regardless of the style walking. [Conclusion] The EMG pattern of backward walking is different from forward walking. Regardless of the walking style, and increase in walking speed increases the integrated EMG.

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[Purpose] We investigated the recognition of transfer tools by staff working at healthcare centers for the elderly and their actual use, as well as the incidence of lumbago, and reviewed methods of prevention / reduction of lumbago for the staff. [Subjects] Two hundred staff working in three care health center for the elderly institutions. [Method] We distributed an anonymous questionnaire survey. [Result] Lumbago was reported by about 80% of the staff, but among the staff who had received lumbago prophylactic education its incidence was about 30%. [Conclusion] We think that the construction of an education system to disseminate knowledge about transfer tools would raise the rate of tool use and preventi and reducte the incidence of lumbago among the staff.

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[Purpose] A questionnaire on night pain after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair was carried out to review patients’ backgrounds and operative notes. [Subjects and Method] We surveyed 21 patients who had an operation and stayed at our hospital for more than 3 weeks. We divided them into 4 groups. Patients’ background and operative notes were reviewed in each group. [Result] There was a significant difference between each group in the degree of pain at 2 weeks after the operation. There were no other significant differences. [Conclusion] Factors affecting pain in the night were not clear, but there is a possibility that it is useful to sit up as position adjustment.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to show the effect of change in shoulder abduction angle, with or without load, on the thicknesses of the supraspinatus muscle. [Subjects] The subjects were 40 young adults with no history of shoulder joint impairment. [Method] The thickness of the supraspinatus muscle of dominant hand was measured using ultrasonography at shoulder abduction angles of 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 degree. The thickness of the supraspinatus muscle was also measured using the same procedure with a 3kg weight load at the same joint angles. [Result] The mean value of the thickness of the supraspinatus muscle increased in proportion to the increase of shoulder abduction angle regardless of load, and showed a peak value at 90 degrees of shoulder abduction angle. However, the mean value of the thickness of the supraspinatus muscle decreased at 120 degrees of shoulder abduction. The thickness of the supraspinatus muscle tended to increase between 0 and 30 degrees of shoulder abduction but decreased at 90 degrees of abduction when a load was applied. [Conclusion] The supraspinatus muscle was activated the most in positions of intermediate shoulder joint abduction without a load and activated most in the range of the initial abduction angle with a load.

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[Purpose] We examined the effect of a questionnaire survey and conditioning instruction on junior high school baseball player’s. [Subjects] Baseball players of 21 junior high schools in Tochigi prefecture. [Method] We conducted a questionnaire survey of an intervention group and a non-intervention group before and after delivering stretch instruction. We examined the effects of the questionnaire survey and the instruction using the chi-square test and the t-test. [Result] We observed a significant improvement in awareness of care in the intervention group in the results of the questionnaire survey. Also, 92% of the intervention group answered that instruction was helpful and they took more physical care of themselves. [Conclusion] We consider that the repeated questionnaire survey and conditioning instruction led to improvement in the junior high school baseball players’ awareness of care.

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[Purpose] We measured the walking parameters of elderly inpatients at their maximum and minimum walking speeds in order to clarify their relationships with lower limb strength and activities of daily living (ADL). [Subjects] The subjects were 13 elderly inpatients of A Hospital. [Method] Using an optical (a video?) gait analysis system, we measured the walking parameters of the subjects at their maximum and minimum walking speeds, and compared the strength of their relationships with lower limb strength (assessed by the Frail CS-10) and ADL ability (assessed by FIM-M) between the two conditions. [Results] At maximum walking speed, stride length and step length showed significant correlations with FIM-M, and at minimum walking speed, stride length, step length, stance time and swing time showed significant correlations with Frail CS-10. [Conclusion] The results suggest the possibility of using maximum walking speed as an index of ADL ability, and minimum walking speed as an index reflecting the lower limb strength.

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[Purpose] We investigated whether or not the two-dimensional (2D) image analysis of the lung area measured by dMRI is useful for the analysis of lung volume. [Subjects] The subjects were 7 healthy men and women without cardiopulmonary dysfunction. [Method] 2D and three-dimensional (3D) image analysis were performed at rest and using the breathing-assist technique (BAT), while checking lung volume. The lung area and volume corresponding to the tidal volume and lung capacity were compared at rest and using BAT. [Result] A high correlation was found between 2D and 3D image analysis. [Conclusion] The 2D image analysis is effective as an analysis method of lung volume.

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[Purpose] We investigated the accuracy of a new type of goniometer with automated axis alignment. [Subjects] The subjects were 15 students attending a rehabilitation course. [Method] Using wall bars to set the shoulders at angles of 75, 100 and 110° of flexion, we compared and contrasted the measurements of joint range of motion by a conventional goniometer and the new type of goniometer. Also, using intraclass correlation coefficients, we used the obtained measurements to calculate the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities, and determined the root mean square error using the set flexion angles as true values. [Results] Measurements with the new type of goniometer, similar to the conventional goniometer, showed high values of intra- and inter-rater reliabilities. Furthermore, no significant difference in the root mean square error of the two measurement methods was found. [Conclusion] Measurements of range of motion made with the new type of goniometer have the same level of accuracy as those made with a conventional goniometer.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to verify the effect of a plastic ankle foot orthosis on the balance and waking ability of community-dwelling individuals with chronic stroke. [Subjects] Thirty-nine stroke subjects participated in this study. They were receiving hospital day-care and usually wore a shoehorn brace (SHB) on usual day. [Method] The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the number of steps and time of the Timed “Up and Go” Test (TUG), and the walking speed, stride length, and walking rate of the Maximum Walking Speed (MWS) were measured with and without the SHB. [Result] When wearing the SHB, the BBS score increased significantly, except for seating position maintenance, the number of steps and time of TUG decreased significantly, and the walking speed, stride length, and walking rate of MWS increased significantly. [Conclusion] SHB improves the balance and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke.

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[Purpose] We investigated the influence of differences in the duration of hindlimb suspension (HS) on myofiber hypertrophy. [Subjects] Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were used. [Method] Rats were randomly assigned to groups for 7 days of HS (H7), or HS and 1 day of reloading (W1), 3 days of reloading (W3), or 7 days of reloading (W7). The results were compared with the control, and 14 days of HS and reloading groups (C, H14, R1, R3, R7) of our previous study using the same conditions. [Result] Myonuclear numbers were significantly decreased in the H14 group compared with the C group. Myofiber necrosis was significantly increased in the H14 group compared with the C group. Myofiber cross-sectional area was significantly increased in both the W1 (9%) and R1 groups (5%) compared with the H7 and H14 groups, respectively. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the earlier myofiber was reloaded, the greater the myofiber hypertrophy.

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[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate whether exploratory factor analysis could classify the patterns of joint motions during a task of lateral dynamic sitting balance. [Subjects] Forty-eight healthy adults (29 males and 19 females) were recruited for this study. [Method] We measured the center of pressure (COP) and joint motions during maximal lateral weight shift in sitting. The joint motions were classified with exploratory factor analysis. Furthermore, we used multiple regression analysis to examine which factors were significantly related to the amount of COP displacement. [Results] We found that the joint motions were classified into 4 types of pattern by the exploratory factor analysis (accumulated contribution ratio=42.5%). The main factors extracted by multiple regression were factors that were related to postural reaction. [Conclusion] Exploratory factor analysis could classify joint motions and could objectively evaluate movement patterns during a task of lateral dynamic sitting balance.

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[Purpose] This study investigated the effects of transient aerobic exercise of various intensities on cerebral blood flow and attention. [Subjects] Thirty healthy men aged 20-30 years old. [Method] Participants were randomly assigned to groups that exercised on an ergometer bicycle at intensities of 20%, 40%, and 60% of maximal oxygen uptake, and a control group that did not exercise. Using near-infrared spectroscopy, cerebral blood flow was measured during exercise and participants performed the paced auditory serial addition task (PASAT) and psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) before and after exercise. [Result] Cerebral blood flow in the bilateral frontal lobe area was significantly increased in the 60% group compared with the control and 20% groups. The 40% group and 60% group answered significantly more PASAT questions correctly after the exercise. [Conclusion] These results suggest that transient aerobic exercise at 60% of maximal oxygen uptake enhances the cognitive function of healthy young adults by increasing cerebral blood flow in the frontal lobe area.

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[Purpose] To clarify the effect on muscles activities during knee extension of selective vibration stimulus of the vastus lateralis. [Subjects] The subjects were 10 healthy males (average age, 26.8 ± 9.2) who had no history of orthopedic or neurological disorders of the lower limbs. [Method] A continuous vibration stimulus was applied to the vastus lateralis, and we measured and compared the relative integrated electromyograms (%iEMG) of the activities of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris, as well as the knee extension strength before and after the stimulus. [Results] The %iEMG value of the vastus lateralis during knee extension was low after the stimulus, and the ratio of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis %iEMG values was high. [Conclusion] Selective stimulus of the vastus lateralis during knee extension suppressed the activity of the vastus lateralis, relatively promoting the activity of the vastus medialis.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between muscle hardening and the muscle pain accompanying strenuous exercise. [Subjects] Nine healthy male university students participated in this study. [Methods] The subjects were loaded using an arm ergometer. Subcutaneous fat thickness, muscle thickness, upper arm circumference, muscle stiffness, muscle pain, and MVC of subjects were measured over three days. [Results] Muscle stiffness and muscle swelling increased rapidly, immediately after exercise, and showed a tendency to recover after a few days. On the other hand, muscle pain was significantly increased within one or two days after exercise. [Conclusion] The increases in muscle stiffness, muscle thickness, and upper arm circumference suggest a decrease in circulatory function resulting in accumulation of tissue fluid in muscle compartments. We suggest that the poor performance for a few days after strenuous exercise is caused by muscle pain related to sensory nerves.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the amplitude and velocity on the weight shift task. [Subjects] Six healthy young adults participated. [Method] The visually-guided weight shift task was performed on one force platform. Motor directions were the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions, load amplitudes were 50 N and 1/3 of subject’s weight, and motor frequencies were 0.1-1.0 Hz. The spatial and temporal errors were analyzed to assess the motor performance. [Results] There was no significant difference between motor directions. The spatial errors for the light weight were larger than those for the heavy weight. The temporal errors were not affected by load amplitudes and increased with increases in motor frequency. [Conclusion] During the weight shift task, spatial and temporal controls were affected by the load amplitude and the motor frequency, respectively. Balance exercise with this task should be reconsidered in clinical settings.

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[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to reveal the characteristics of trunk movement while using a horse riding simulator, and to consider the effect on motor function. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 healthy men and women. [Method] The change in the angle of the upper trunk and pelvis were measured with a three-dimensional analyzer. [Result] The upper trunk and pelvis movements tended to move in the direction opposite to the horse riding simulator movement. The upper trunk always showed anterior inclination while using the horse riding simulator. In addition, the upper trunk showed large left-right inclination. [Conclusion] We believe that the movements produced by the horse riding simulator are related to improving motor function and equilibrium.

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[Purpose] The objective of this research was to investigate dynamic balance during performance of a dual task from quantitative and qualitative viewpoints. [Subjects] The subjects were 32 healthy adults, 26 early stage (young) elderly persons, and 24 late stage (old) elderly persons. [Method] With a dynamic balance task as the single task, and the single task with a memory recall task as the dual task, we compared the quantitative indices of circumferential area (CA) and rectangular area (RA) of sway path with the qualitative index of the rectangular and circumferential areas (CR) ratio. [Results] In the comparison of CA and RA between the two conditions, we found only a significant decline in CA of the old elderly. Also, we only found a difference between the conditions in the old elderly group. [Conclusion] The results of the present study suggest that postural control while performing a dual task not only declines quantitatively, but also qualitatively with aging.

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[Purpose] To investigate whether postures of the head and trunk in the frontal plane affect the subjective visual vertical (SVV). [Subjects] Nineteen healthy adults were enrolled. [Methods] We measured SVV under five sitting conditions: upright, inclining the head, inclining the trunk, inclining the trunk with the head upright, inclining both the head and trunk. Subjects were instructed to stop a moving line on a PC monitor when they thought that the line was vertical. The values of SVV, and the differences in degree between the true vertical and subjective vertical, were compared among the five conditions. [Results] The absolute values of SVV in the upright and inclining the trunk with the head upright conditions were significantly smaller than those in the three other conditions. The values of SVV in the inclining the trunk condition was significantly smaller than those in the inclining the head or in inclining the head and trunk conditions. [Conclusions] The effects of posture on SVV measurement must be considered.

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