[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sitting posture and trapezius and levator scapulae muscle hardness in different spine and upper limb alignments. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were 25 healthy adult males. The measurement positions were condition 1 (upright and arms hanging loose), condition 2 (upright and hands clasped behind the back), condition 3 (kyphosis and arms hanging loose), and condition 4 (kyphosis, and hands clasped behind the back) in the sitting posture. A tissue hardness tester was used to measure the hardness of the trapezius and levator scapulae muscles. [Results] The results show that there were no significant differences in trapezius muscle hardness among the conditions, but scapular muscle hardness was significantly lower in conditions 2, 3, and 4 compared to condition 1. [Conclusion] The results suggest that the levator scapulae muscle is easily affected by changes in the spinal column and upper limb alignment, whereas the trapezius muscle is less affected by changes in alignment.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of different exercise limb positions on lower limb muscle activity, cardiac load and hemodynamics. [Participants and Methods] Seven healthy male adults performed seated ergometer exercise (Sit Ex) and supine ergometer exercise (Sup Ex) at moderate exercise intensity, and the hemodynamics during 10 minutes of steady-state exercise were measured and compared between the exercises. [Results] Leg blood flow velocity was significantly higher in the Sup Ex group. The double product was significantly lower in the Sup Ex group. There were no significant differences in lower limb muscle activity or subjective exercise intensity. [Conclusion] The results of this study suggest that supine ergometer exercise is a safe exercise therapy.

[Purpose] To prevent subacromial impingement, the acromiohumeral interval (AHI) during passive shoulder elevation was compared between elbow flexion and extension. [Participants and Methods] The study included 15 healthy adults (30 shoulders). The participants were placed in a 60° lateral decubitus position, and passive elevation in the scapular plane was performed in both the elbow flexion and extension positions. AHI was measured using ultrasonic diagnostic equipment at shoulder elevation angles of 30°, 60°, and 90° in both elbow flexion and extension. [Results] AHI values in the elbow extension position were higher than in the elbow flexion position at 30°, 60°, and 90°. [Conclusion] Performing passive shoulder elevation exercises with the elbow in extension may be effective at preventing subacromial impingement.

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare the effect of test-drives of personal mobility devices on public roads on perceptions of their usability between professionals and elderly individuals. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 38 professionals, physical therapists and care managers, and a control group of 46 community-dwelling older adults. A self-administered questionnaire on the usability of personal mobility devices, which assessed effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction, was developed and administered before and after a test-drive. Responses were scored on a 5-point Likert scale, and pre- and post-test comparisons were conducted. [Results] The test-drive significantly improved the usability of these devices, particularly in terms of efficiency and satisfaction. [Conclusion] The findings indicate that test-drives of personal mobility devices on public roads can significantly enhance usability perceptions of professionals who support the mobility of community-dwelling older adults. This insight suggests the potential for increased adoption of personal mobility devices and improved support for the outdoor activities of older adults.

[Purpose] To clarify the effect of an environment requiring sensorimotor control on the rhythmic movements of the trunk during walking by Parkinson’s disease patients using a triaxial accelerometer. [Participants and Methods] The subjects were healthy young people, healthy elderly people, and Parkinson’s disease patients. Trunk rhythmicity (mediolateral, vertical, anteroposterior) was calculated by performing a walking task under two conditions: with and without spatial gaps. [Results] In the group of patients with Parkinson’s disease, a significant decrease in vertical trunk rhythmicity was observed in walking with spatial gaps compared to walking without spatial gaps. [Conclusion] In patients with Parkinson’s disease, it was shown that trunk rhythmicity in the vertical direction tended to decrease in gait tasks that required sensorimotor control.

[Purpose] To clarify differences in instructions and feedback used by physical therapists and students during gait training. [Participants and Methods] Ten physical therapists and 8 university students conducted gait training with a simulated patient, and completed self-evaluations before and after viewing video recordings of their sessions. We analyzed the frequency of instruction- and feedback-related indices from the videos. [Results] Physical therapists gave instructions and feedback more frequently than students. Students’ self-evaluation scores after viewing the videos were significantly lower than those of physical therapists. [Conclusion] Physical therapists tended to use instructions with an internal focus and provide feedback more frequently compared to students.

[Purpose] The influence of trunk or pelvic rotation movement on knee varus and valgus was examined using three and two-dimensional analyses of the knee valgus angle and their relationship was investigated. [Participants and Methods] Differences between the foot-width and the postural conditions after left rotation of the trunk or pelvis by nine healthy adult female subjects were analyzed in three and two dimensions using the knee valgus angle as an index, and the correlation between the results was investigated. [Results] In three-dimensional analysis the right knee was in a varus position and in two-dimensional analysis it was in a valgus position. The right knee abducted in a 20° left pelvic rotation movement. The three and two-dimensional knee valgus angles showed a significant negative correlation only for the right knee in the posture after 10° left pelvic rotation with a foot width of 20%. [Conclusion] Left pelvic rotation affected right knee eversion, and the knee valgus angles of the three and two-dimensional analyses were different.

[Purpose] High-tibial osteotomy (HTO) is a widely accepted treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Many clinical reports have discussed medial open-wedge HTO (OWHTO) and hybrid closed-wedge HTO (HCWHTO); however, few studies have investigated ankle function after surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the muscle strength of the ankle following OWHTO and HCWHTO and to clarify the characteristics of postoperative muscle recovery. [Participants and Methods] A total of 18 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent OWHTO (n=10) or HCWHTO (n=8) were included in the study. Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strengths of the ankle joint were evaluated preoperatively, and at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. [Results] Dorsiflexion strength did not change after OWHTO, whereas plantar flexion strength significantly increased at 6 months postoperatively. Following HCWHTO, both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion strength decreased at 3 months, without significant differences; however, both significantly increased at 6 months postoperatively. No significant difference in muscle strength was observed between the OWHTO and HCWHTO groups at any time point. [Conclusion] The muscle strength of the ankle showed a steady increase after OWHTO and a V-shaped recovery after HCWHTO. The muscle strength recovery process differed between the two groups; however, no significant differences were observed.

[Purpose] To examine the consistency of whole-body muscle mass and trunk muscle mass measured by home and professional body composition analyzers. [Participants and Methods] The total body muscle mass and trunk muscle mass of 38 young adults were measured using home and professional body composition analyzers. Agreement between the two devices’ measurements was investigated using the intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis. [Results] The intraclass correlation coefficients of total body muscle mass and trunk muscle mass were 0.995 and 0.963, respectively, indicating very high agreement, and there were no fixed or proportional errors. [Conclusion] As no fixed or proportional errors were found for either total body muscle mass or trunk muscle mass, and a high degree of agreement was observed, we consider it possible to use a home body composition analyzer as a substitute for a professional body composition analyzer.