Search

Background: In recent years, objective quantitative evaluations have become particularly important. Both qualitative and quantitative evaluations are also available for edema. It is thought that the technical problem of quantitative evaluation can be solved by using a simple and reproducible method. Several studies have evaluated various methods for measuring edema. Limitations, such as weaknesses, measurement complexity, and errors, have been identified. Therefore, this study aimed to consider a simple and effective measurement method for the quantitative evaluation of edema. Methods: This study was a prospective, observational study. The subjects were 15 healthy adults (2 male and 13 female). Measurements were performed on the subjects’ right lower leg once in the morning and once in the afternoon, with a minimum interval of 4 hours. Results: The actual volume of the lower leg was correlated with all indices except the ultrasonic echo findings for subcutaneous tissue. The intra-subject and inter-subject reliabilities for the indices using digital images were very high. The lower leg volume was greater significantly in the afternoon from the morning. Conclusion: The leg circumference was measured by utilizing a tape, while the width and volume were measured by utilizing digital imaging suitable for quantitatively evaluating edema. Furthermore, swelling of the lower leg with time can occur in the absence of daily exercise.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise on physical functions (activities of daily living, physical fitness) and medical examination parameters as risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases in 65- to 75-year-old women living independently at home. The women were provided instruction on aerobic exercises and resistance training for 20 weeks. This was followed by a voluntary continuation of the exercises for 3 years (140 weeks). The subjects included 69 women who participated in an exercise instruction program in a fitness class. Thirty-eight of the women voluntarily continued with the exercise program [exercise (EX) group] and 31 women did not [sedentary (SED) group]. A control group of 44 women was also established. In the control group, most of the physical function parameters tended to deteriorate after 160 weeks. The medical examination parameters also tended to worsen, with many values above the normal limits. In the EX group, however, the physical function actually improved after 160 weeks. The improved control of hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia was also observed. In the SED group, physical function improved after 20 weeks of exercise instruction but began to deteriorate once exercise was stopped. These results suggest that exercise instruction and continued exercise programs, based on an appropriate exercise prescription, are effective in improving physical function and controlling the risk factors for lifestyle-related diseases in elderly women living at home.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. Figure 7 was incorrect. The correct Figure is given below: (Figure presented). © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht., Embargo Period 12 months

梅津(2007)は, 社会科教育で育成する能力に関して「社会科学力の構造と関心・意欲・態度との関係モデル」を提唱している。本研究ではこのモデルに基づいて, 社会科学力の一つである批判的思考力と社会科学力の関連要因である社会的事象に対する関心・意欲と社会的態度について次の2点を検討した。(1)批判的思考力, 社会的事象に対する関心・意欲および社会的態度の各得点が中学校の学年進行に伴って上昇傾向にあるか否か。(2)批判的思考力の育成が社会的事象に対する関心・意欲の促進や社会的態度の獲得に影響するか否か。中学生のデータに基づく分析の結果, いずれの得点においても有意な学年差はほとんど見出されなかった。しかし, 群間比較とモデル検討の結果, 批判的思考力が高い生徒ほど社会科の学習や周囲の人々に対して高い関心・意欲を示し, 身の回りや社会的な事柄について積極的に理解しようとする社会的態度をもつ傾向にあることが明らかになった。

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether high school students who desired the same educational status as their parents (consistent group) showed higher career awareness than those who desired the different educational statuses from their parents (inconsistent group). Participants were 316 tenth-graders, 290 eleventh-graders, and 278 twelfth-graders. They completed the Career Awareness Scale to measure four areas of career awareness; interpersonal relationship, information utilization, future planning, and decision-making. They also completed the Parental Support Scale and Desired Educational Status Questionnaire. The consistent group showed higher parental support score and lower decision-making score than the inconsistent group. Additionally, high school students who desired higher level of educational status showd higher information utilization and decision-making scores than those who desired lower level of educational status. These results were discussed in relation to parent-child relationship.