Search

Background Occupational health, grounded in occupational medicine, aims to enhance the well-being and labor productivity of the working population. Within this realm, there has been growing concern over the increasing instances of labor loss due to diminished physical capacity and the rise in musculoskeletal disorders. Chronic pain is also associated with musculoskeletal disorders. Another pressing issue related to chronic musculoskeletal pain was needed assistance services are underutilized, is referred to as a “service gap”. Understanding trends based on age and affected regions of the body is indispensable for developing strategies to address chronic musculoskeletal pain in workers. This study aimed to elucidate age-specific trends in the prevalence and number of pain sites in chronic musculoskeletal pain as well as the patterns of treatment during chronic musculoskeletal pain, categorized by age and affected site. Methods This study was conducted in December 2022 in contract to Cross Marketing Inc. The survey began on December 12, 2022 and ended on December 15, 2022. An online survey was administered to 1,946 participants (973 women and 973 men), and responses were collected, ensuring a roughly equal distribution of samples among men and women across six age groups ranging from their 20 to 70 s. The survey inquired about the presence of chronic pain in each of the eight body parts and the adoption of five different treatments when experiencing pain. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, with the measurement data categorized by age group and body part. Results The results indicated a significantly higher prevalence of chronic pain at three or more sites among individuals in their 30 s: the prevalence of pain at each of the eight body sites varied with age. Approximately half of the participants did not engage in specific treatments during episodes of chronic pain. The presence or absence of treatment showed no significant differences according to affected site or age group. This study revealed age- and body part-related relationships with chronic musculoskeletal pain in middle-aged patients and highlighted healthcare service gaps in its management in Japan.

Background/Objectives: The active straight leg raise requires intricate coordination between the hip, knee, pelvis, and spine. Despite its complexity, limited research has explored the relationship between lower limb raising velocity and trunk muscle motor control during an active straight leg raise in healthy individuals. This study aimed to explore the potential effects of increased lower limb raising velocity on core muscle contractions during active straight leg raises. Methods: Six healthy adult men (mean age: 24.5 ± 2.5 years) participated in this study. Electromyography signals were recorded using surface electrodes placed on the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique/transverse abdominis muscles. The participants performed active straight leg raises at three different velocities: 3 s, 2 s, and as fast as possible (max). The electromyography data were analyzed from 250 ms before to 1000 ms after movement initiation, with muscle activity expressed as a percentage of the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Statistical analyses were conducted using non-parametric tests, including the Friedman test for overall differences, followed by pairwise Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons (p < 0.05). Results: During the 250 ms before movement initiation, the internal oblique/transverse abdominis, external oblique, and rectus abdominis muscles showed greater activity in the max condition compared to the 3 s and 2 s conditions (Friedman test, p < 0.05), but no significant differences were found in pairwise comparisons (Wilcoxon test, p > 0.05). Similarly, during the 500 ms after movement initiation, internal oblique/transverse abdominis activity was higher in the max condition, with no significant pairwise differences observed. Conclusions: Faster lower limb raising velocities during active straight leg raise may enhance core stability by activating anticipatory and sustained internal oblique/transverse abdominis, external oblique, and rectus abdominis activity on the raised limb side. Training to promote this activation could improve dynamic stability in rapid or asymmetric movements.

Background Focusing on the relationship between frail older people and gait speed is vital to minimize the need for long-term care or increased support. The relationship between gait speed, respiratory muscle strength, and dynamic balance, is not well understood in older people requiring long-term care or support. Therefore, this study aimed to provide new insights into the relationship between gait speed, respiratory muscle strength, and dynamic balance in community-dwelling older people who required long-term care or support and used a daycare center. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 49 community-dwelling older people (21 men, 28 women) aged ≥65 years who were certified as requiring long-term care or support under the Japanese system. The participants’ maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax), walking speed (maximal and normal walking speed), and maximal double-step length test (MDST) results were recorded. The measurement data were evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed correlations between PImax and the following: maximal walking speed (r = 0.606, p