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This study examined the association between frailty development and physical activity including the number of steps, the time of light-intensity physical activity (LPA) with3.0 metabolic equivalents (METs), and the time of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) with ≥3.0 METs in community-dwelling older Japanese adults.Study subjects were 401 older adults at the baseline examination (April 2000-May 2002) who participated at least once in the follow-up examination of the longitudinal study of aging. Their 1787 cumulative data points (mean number of repeat visits, 3.5) were used for analysis.The number of steps, time of LPA, and time of MVPA were recorded at baseline using a uniaxial accelerometer. Frailty was defined according to 5 frailty criteria: shrinking, exhaustion, low physical activity, low grip strength, and slow gait speed.The fully adjusted odds ratio for frailty among subjects walking5000 steps was 1.85 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-3.11]. The fully adjusted odds ratio for frailty among subjects with MVPA for7.5 minutes was 1.80 (95% CI, 1.05-3.09). No significant association was observed between frailty and LPA.The risk for developing frailty was substantially lower in older people walking ≥5000 steps/d or exercising for at least 7.5 minutes/d at an intensity3.0 METs. These data could be applicable to the community interventions that aim to prevent frailty.

The brain controls human behavior, and the gray matter is the main resource of neuronal cells. We examined the longitudinal relationship between six basic lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, sleep, alcohol consumption, smoking, and social activity including employment) and total gray matter volume in community-dwelling adults in Japan. This two-year follow-up study with data derived from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences, Longitudinal Study of Aging, Aichi, Japan, included adults aged 40-87 years (n = 1665, men: 51%). Lifestyle habits were assessed at baseline (2008-2010) using self-reported questionnaires and three-day dietary records. Total gray matter volume at baseline and after two years was estimated using T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging and FreeSurfer software. The association between each lifestyle factor, the total number of healthy lifestyle habits, and gray matter volume change was determined via a multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for baseline age, total gray matter volume, and other confounders. The mean ± standard deviation decrease in total gray matter volume during the two-year follow-up period was 0.94 ± 1.86% in men and 0.61 ± 2.27% in women. In the multiple regression analysis, volume loss in total gray matter positively correlated with male smoking, while it was negatively correlated with male social activity and employment, female dietary diversity, and the total number of healthy lifestyle habits (standardized beta coefficient; -0.061 in men [p = 0.07], -0.113 in women [p 0.05]). Therefore, engaging in social activities, non-smoking, a diverse diet, or adopting one healthy lifestyle habit may help prevent gray matter volume loss.

Objectives To examine the longitudinal associations between the big five personality and changes in global cognitive function among community-dwelling elderly people involved in the National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging. Methods The participants were 594 individuals (age range 60–81 years) and followed for 10 years and tested six times. Personality was assessed by the Japanese version of NEO five factor inventory at baseline. Cognitive function was assessed by the Japanese version of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) at all visits. For participants with a baseline MMSE score ≥ 28, logistic generalized estimating equation models estimated the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for MMSE score ≤ 27 at each follow-up visit, according to a 1-SD increase of the baseline personality score. Post hoc analyses were performed for mild cognitive deficits, baseline MMSE score ≥ 24 and ≤ 27, to estimate the OR and CI for MMSE score ≤ 23. Results The adjusted OR for MMSE score ≤ 27 was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.69–0.88), with a 1-SD increase in Openness to Experience score. In post hoc analyses, the adjusted OR for MMSE score ≤ 23 was 0.50 (95% CI, 0.35–0.72) with a 1-SD increase in Conscientiousness score. Relationships between other personality traits and the decline in MMSE score were not significant. Conclusions Higher Openness to Experience was associated with a reduction in risk for cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. Higher Conscientiousness might also predict lower risk for severe cognitive decline, especially for individuals with mild cognitive deficits.

Objectives This study aimed to clarify the effects of dietary diversity on a decline in higher-level functional capacity among middle-aged and elderly subjects in Japan. Methods Data were derived from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences - Longitudinal Study of Aging. Subjects comprised 1317 men and women aged 40 to 79 at baseline (1997–2000) who participated in a follow-up postal survey (2013). Higher-level functional capacity was measured using the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology index of competence (total score and 3 subscales). Dietary intake was assessed using a 3-d dietary record, and dietary diversity was determined using the Quantitative Index for Dietary Diversity (QUANTIDD). The odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for a decline in higher-level functional capacity in the follow-up study according to quartiles of QUANTIDD at baseline were estimated, controlling for age, sex, higher-level functional capacity scores at baseline, body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activity, depressive score, household income, education, smoking, and disease history. Results A total of 214 (16%), 145 (11%), 70 (5%), and 136 (10%) subjects showed a decline in total score for higher-level functional capacity (≥2), instrumental self-maintenance (≥1), intellectual activity (≥2), and social role (≥2), respectively. Multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for the score for intellectual activity decline according to the lowest through highest quartiles of QUANTIDD were 1.00 (reference), 0.47 (0.23–0.95), 0.44 (0.22–0.90), and 0.41 (0.20–0.83), respectively (P for trend = 0.06). Conclusions Daily intake of various foods may protect against a decline in intellectual activity among middle-aged and elderly community dwellers in Japan.

Objective This study assessed whether physical function can indicate a risk of decline in higher-level functional capacity. Methods Data were derived from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences—Longitudinal Study of Aging. Subjects comprised 466 men and 495 women aged 40–79 years at baseline (1997–2000), whose total score for the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence (TMIG-IC) at baseline was ≥11 and who participated in the follow-up survey. Baseline physical function examination included grip strength, comfortable gait speed, and sway area with eyes open. A decline in higher-level functional capacity was defined as a ≥2-point decrease in the TMIG-IC score after 14 years. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for decline in the TMIG-IC score for 14 years according to a 1-standard deviation (SD) increase in physical function measurements at baseline were estimated. Results Subjects with decreased TMIG-IC scores included 78 (16.7%) men and 80 (16.2%) women. In women, the multivariate-adjusted OR (95% CI) for a TMIG-IC score decrease with a 1-SD increase in comfortable gait speed was 0.68 (0.50–0.92; p = 0.013), and that with a 1-SD increase in sway area with eyes open was 1.49 (1.17–1.90; p = 0.001). Grip strength was not associated with TMIG-IC score decline. None of the physical performance measures affected TMIG-IC score declines in men. Conclusion These results suggest that gait speed decreases and sway area increases might predict a risk of decline in higher-level functional capacity among middle-aged and elderly women.

Objectives The relationship between physical frailty and regional gray matter volume in the brain was investigated among community-dwelling older Japanese people. Methods Participants (N = 835; age range 65–89 years) were community-dwelling older adults in Obu City and Higashiura Town in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. Physical frailty was determined by the modified criteria of the Cardiovascular Health Study, which included weight loss, slowness, weakness, exhaustion, and low physical activity. Regional gray matter volumes were evaluated from 3-dimensional T1-weighted magnetic resonance images by statistical parametric mapping. The relationship between physical frailty and regional gray matter volume was analyzed with an analysis of covariance design using statistical parametric mapping adjusting for age, sex, and education level. Results The voxel-based analyses showed that physical frailty per se was not significantly associated with any brain region. However, weakness was associated with reduced gray matter volumes in the hippocampus, amygdala, and fusiform gyrus, and slowness was associated with reduced gray matter volumes in the hippocampus, amygdala, fusiform gyrus, medial prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortex, inferior frontal gyrus, primary somatosensory cortex, insula, superior temporal sulcus, and cerebellum. Other components of physical frailty were not associated with the gray matter volumes in any regions. Conclusions and implications The weakness and slowness components of physical frailty were linked to reduced gray matter volume in brain regions associated with not only physical mobility but also cognitive functions and social processes. This study addressed the underlying mechanisms in the progression of physical, cognitive, and social frailty, from the perspective of brain structures that are associated with frailty.

Objectives Arterial sclerosis contributes to inadequate blood supply to multiple organs, suggesting that general atherosclerosis may play an important role in the inner ear. Since noise is a major etiology for hearing loss, the aim of this study was to evaluate both the respective and the combined effects of arterial sclerosis and occupational noise exposure on hearing after accounting for age in middle-aged and elderly men. Methods The evaluation was conducted using 773 subjects from a population-based sample of 1189 men, aged 40–83 years. The impact of carotid atherosclerosis (CA) or retinal arteriolosclerosis (RA) on hearing was assessed according to history of occupational noise exposure (Noise) obtained in a questionnaire. Differences in the mean pure-tone thresholds at each frequency, between the CA (+) and CA (−) groups or between the RA (+) and RA (−) groups, based on noise exposure were compared using the general linear model (GLM) Procedure in SAS, with adjustments for age. Then, the main effect of CA or RA, and the interactive effect of noise and either CA or RA on pure-tone threshold at seven frequencies were analyzed using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), after adjusting for age. Results In the Noise (+) group, a statistically significant deterioration in hearing was found in the CA (+) group compared with the CA (−) group at 500 and 1000 Hz. The results in RA were significant at even lower frequencies than in CA. In the results from ANCOVA, the significant main effect of CA was shown in the pure-tone threshold at 8000 Hz, but not in the analysis of RA. A significant interactive effect of either CA or RA and Noise was observed in hearing at the range from 125 to 1000 Hz. Conclusions The present study suggests that the impact of arterial sclerosis on hearing is limited but significantly hazardous in middle-aged and elderly men, and that arterial sclerosis exacerbates the deleterious effects of noise on hearing. Early recognition of arterial sclerosis might be contributory to the hearing prognosis after middle age, especially for noise-exposed men.

Objective The fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) is involved in the transport and metabolism of fatty acids. The FABP2 gene has been proposed as a candidate gene for diabetes and obesity. This study evaluates the hearing impairment risk in the Ala54Thr polymorphism of FABP2 in middle-aged and elderly Japanese. Methods Our sample population comprised 1428 community-dwelling Japanese aged 40–86 years (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 63.1 ± 9.8) who participated in the Study of Aging between 2004 and 2006. An average hearing threshold level greater than 25 dB in the better ear for frequencies 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz was defined as hearing impairment. Data were analyzed by means of a multiple logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. Results The per-allele odds ratio for hearing impairment risk was 1.262 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.012–1.574) in model 1, adjusting for age, sex, history of ear disease, and history of occupational noise exposure; and 1.259 (CI: 1.009–1.571) in model 2, which adjusted for diabetes, body mass index and the histories of heart disease and hypertension, as well as the moderators in model 1. A significant adverse effect of the Thr54 variant on hearing was observed and the effect was independent of both diabetes and obesity in the present analyses. Conclusions This study demonstrated that the Ala54Thr polymorphism of FABP2 was associated with a risk of hearing impairment in middle-aged and elderly people. The results might support caloric restriction theory indirectly, but additional researches are desired.

Background: There has been much interest in the role of free radicals and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Cellular antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) play a central role in the control of reactive oxygen species. Objective: We examined whether GPX1 polymorphism (Pro198Leu) is associated with MetS as well as with each component of MetS. Design: The study was a cross-sectional analysis of randomly selected, community-dwelling Japanese persons aged 40-70 y (1128 M, 1105 F). Results: The genotype frequencies for the GPX1 Prol98Leu polymorphism in this cohort were 0.846, 0.151, and 0.003 for CC, CT, and TT, respectively. The CT/TT genotypes had significantly higher waist-hip ratios, triacylglycerol concentrations, homeostasis model assessment for β-cell function, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures in men (P = 0.045, 0.012, 0.011, 0.004, and 0.003, respectively) than did the CC genotype; the CC/TT genotypes also had higher insulin in both sexes (P = 0.019 for men, P = 0.010 for women) and higher body fat mass (P = 0.027) and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (P = 0.008) in women. The CT/TT genotypes showed significant association with higher prevalence of MetS as defined by 2 commonly used criteria in men [odds ratio (OR): 2.02; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.15 by the International Diabetes Federation criteria; OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.18 by the modified National Cholesterol Education Program criteria) but not in women. The CT/TT genotypes showed a higher prevalence of central obesity (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.31,2.85) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.15) in men but not in women; there were no differences in other components of MetS between the CC and CT/TT genotypes in either sex. Conclusion: GPX1 Prol98Leu variants are associated with the prevalence of MetS in Japanese men but not in women.

Because both genetic and environmental factors influence bone mass, it is important to examine the effect of gene-environment interactions on bone mineral density (BMD) for the prevention of osteoporosis at an individual level. Estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) plays an important role in increasing BMD via mechanical strain and muscle mass is a reflection of the forces the muscle applies to the bone. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the interaction between lean tissue mass (LTM) and the ER alpha polymorphisms T--C (PvuII) [dbSNP: rs2234693] and A--G (XbaI) [dbSNP: rs9340799] on BMD in middle-aged and elderly individuals. Subjects were 2209 community-dwelling Japanese men and women, ages 40 to 79 years. ER alpha polymorphisms in the first intron, T--C and A--G were identified and lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD and LTM were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Both T--C and A--G polymorphisms were divided into two genotype groups (TT vs. TC/CC; AA vs. AG/GG). In postmenopausal women, the effect of LTM on femoral neck BMD was significantly larger for those with the TC/CC genotype than for those with the TT genotype for the T--C polymorphism, and larger for those with the AG/GG genotype than for those with the AA genotype for the A--G polymorphism. This gene-LTM interaction was observed at the femoral neck, but not at the lumbar spine. For men and premenopausal women, no gene-LTM interaction was found. In conclusion, there was an interaction between LTM and the ER alpha T--C and A--G polymorphisms with respect to their effect on femoral neck BMD in postmenopausal women and those with the TC/CC and AG/GG genotypes had larger effects of LTM than those with TT and AA genotypes.

To examine real age-related changes in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, we studied longitudinal changes in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in a single cohort of individuals. The participants included 112,960 Japanese (70,996 men, 14-94 years and 41,946 women, 17-85 years), who had received annual examinations between 1989 and 2004. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the Japan Metabolic Syndrome Criteria Study Group and the US National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines. Overweight was defined as BMI>or=25 kg/m(2). Longitudinal changes indicated a birth cohort effect in the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome with a lower or higher prevalence in the younger birth cohort than in the older for females or males, respectively. The estimation of the age-specific prevalence of metabolic syndrome demonstrated that in males, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased up to 50 decades of life for the Japanese and 60 decades of life for the NCEP criteria. In females, the prevalence increased with age up to 80 years old for both criteria. The estimated secular trends suggested that the prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome decreased in females and increased in males during study periods.

To observe the effect of smoking habit on age-related serum lipid levels, we examined a large cohort of Japanese cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The participants included 103,648 Japanese men and women 17-94 years of age, who had received annual health examinations from 1989 to 2003. In cross-sectional analysis, total and LDL cholesterol levels of smokers were lower than those of nonsmokers up to an elderly age in men and up to middle age in women. Smoking was associated with decreased HDL cholesterol levels up to the 65-74 years age group in men and 55-64 years in women. The triglyceride levels were higher in smokers in both genders than those of nonsmokers below 55-64 years. In the longitudinal analysis, although smoking was associated with lower total and LDL cholesterol up to 60 years of age in women, beyond the sixties an inverted association was observed. The associations of smoking with lower LDL cholesterol levels in men and lower HDL cholesterol in both genders were fairly consistent at any given age. The increase of triglyceride levels in female smokers remained rather constant between 25 and 75 years, whereas the increase in triglyceride levels in male smokers was greater with older ages up to middle age. These results suggest that the effect of smoking on the serum lipid levels is dependent on age and gender.

We examined whether a −34T → C polymorphism of the gene for cytochrome P450, family 17, subfamily A, polypeptide 1 ( CYP17A1 ), a −493G → T polymorphism of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein gene ( MTP ), and a CGG repeat polymorphism of the very low density lipoprotein receptor gene ( VLDLR ) were associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in community-dwelling Japanese women and men. The −34T → C polymorphism of CYP17A1 was associated with BMD in postmenopausal women, with the CC genotype being related to increased BMD. The −493G → T polymorphism of MTP was associated with BMD in premenopausal women, with the TT genotype being related to increased BMD. The CGG repeat polymorphism of VLDLR was associated with BMD in men, with two (CGG) n ≥ 8 alleles being related to increased BMD. These results suggest that CYP17A1 and MTP are susceptibility loci for increased BMD in postmenopausal and premenopausal Japanese women, respectively, and that VLDLR constitutes such a locus in Japanese men.

The current study was conducted to investigate the cognitive function in Japanese elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Participants included 69 diabetic and 27 nondiabetic subjects (60 to 85 years old). The cognitive functional tests conducted were the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Word Lists Recall (immediate, delayed), Digit Symbol Test (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised [WAIS-R]), and the Stroop Color Word Test. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was measured as the index of glycemic control, and information about recent hypoglycemic episodes was gathered by using questionnaires. Student's t test showed that DM subjects had significantly lower scores in the MMSE (P

Given that osteoprotegerin plays an important role in bone remodeling, the osteoprotegerin gene may be a candidate locus for susceptibility to osteoporosis. The relation of polymorphisms in the promoter of the osteoprotegerin gene to bone mineral density (BMD) was examined in a Japanese population-based prospective cohort study with randomly recruited subjects (1095 women and 1125 men for the 950T --> C polymorphism, 1094 women and 1127 men for the 245T --> G polymorphism). BMD at the radius was measured by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and that for the total body, lumbar spine, right femoral neck, right trochanter, and right Ward's triangle was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Genotypes were determined with a fluorescence-based allele-specific DNA primer assay system. Among 950T --> C genotypes, BMD for the proximal radius was lower in premenopausal women with the CC genotype than in those with the TT or TC genotype; the difference in BMD between the two groups was 3.9% (P=0.0075). Among 245T --> G genotypes, BMD for the radius, total body, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward's triangle was lower in postmenopausal women with the GG genotype than in those with the TT or TG genotype, the TT genotype, or the TG genotype; the differences in BMD between the GG genotype and the TT or TG genotype were 19.8% for the distal radius (P=0.0015), 13.1% for the proximal radius (P=0.0095), 11.2% for the total body (P=0.0013), 12.9% for the femoral neck (P=0.0067), 18.7% for the trochanter (P=0.0008), and 27.1% for Ward's triangle (P=0.0038). BMD was not associated with the 950T --> C or 245T --> G genotypes in men. The present results implicate the osteoprotegerin gene as a susceptibility locus for reduced BMD in Japanese women.

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency is believed to have adverse cardiovascular consequences that are broad and complex, although an association between dietary Mg intake and the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) has not been clearly identified. The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between dietary Mg intake and future risk of CHD. Reported findings are based on dietary Mg intake in 7,172 men in the Honolulu Heart Program. Intake of Mg was recorded at baseline examinations that took place from 1965 to 1968 when the men were aged 45 to 68 years. In 30 years of follow-up, 1,431 incident cases of CHD were identified. Within 15 years after dietary assessment, the age-adjusted incidence decreased significantly from 7.3 to 4.0 per 1,000 person-years in the lowest (50.3 to 186 mg/day) versus highest (340 to 1,183 mg/day) quintiles of Mg intake (p

Purpose: To evaluate the age-related change in contrast sensitivity seen in a middle-aged to elderly Japanese population. Methods: Contrast sensitivity and visual acuity were measured in subjects aged 40 to 79 years randomly recruited from a community in Aichi prefecture near Nagoya, Japan. Contrast sensitivity tests were performed using the Vistech contrast sensitivity test chart (VCTS 6500). The results were statistically analyzed relative to age. Results: A statistically significant decrease in contrast sensitivity was seen with advancing age at each spatial frequency (Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel: P

Purpose: To investigate the refractive status and factors associated with myopia by a population-based survey of Japanese adults. Methods: A total of 2168 subjects aged 40 to 79 years, randomly selected from a local community, were assessed in a cross-sectional study. The spherical equivalent of the refractive error was calculated and used in a multiple logistic regression analysis to evaluate the relationships between myopia and possible related factors. Results: The mean (± SD) of the spherical equivalent was −0.70 ± 1.40 diopters (D) in men, and −0.50 ± 1.44 D in women. Based on ± 0.5 D cutoff points, the prevalence of myopia, emmetropia, and hypermetropia were 45.7%, 40.8%, and 13.5% in men, and 38.3%, 43.1%, and 18.6% in women, respectively. A 10-year increase in age was associated with reduced risk of myopia [men: odds ratio (OR) = 0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44–0.62; women: OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54–0.78]. In men, myopia was significantly associated with higher education (high school: OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.3; college: OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3–3.1) and management occupations (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0–2.4). For women, high income (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.1–2.2), and clerical (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 1.0–2.4) and sales/service occupations (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1–2.6) were also associated with myopia. Conclusions: The prevalence of myopia in a Japanese population was similar to that in other Asian surveys but higher than in black or white populations. Our study confirmed a higher prevalence of myopia among younger vs. older populations, and a significant association with education levels and socioeconomic factors.

To determine the recent secular trends in serum lipid levels and characterize their influence on the aging process, we examined a large cohort of Japanese cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The participants included 80331 Japanese men and women 20-79 years of age, who had received annual health examinations from 1989 to 1998. In cross-sectional analysis, an increase in total and LDL cholesterol as well as triglyceride levels was observed in the population during the period of 1989-1998. The longitudinal changes showed that total and LDL cholesterol increased with age in men between the birth cohorts of the 1920s and 1960s. In women, these cholesterol levels increased in the 1930s and younger cohorts. HDL cholesterol decreased in men of all birth cohorts. However, HDL cholesterol increased in women of the 1940s and younger cohorts. Triglyceride levels increased in men of the 1940s and younger cohorts but decreased in the 1930s and older. Triglyceride levels increased in women of the 1930s and younger. Longitudinal analysis also suggested a birth cohort effect except for the triglyceride level for women. These results suggest that Japanese serum lipid levels continue to increase and that there exist birth cohort effects regarding serum lipid levels in the Japanese population.

Objective To assess the influence of aging, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in a large Japanese population. Design Cross-sectional and longitudinal study. Participants The participants in this study were 69,643 Japanese men and women 20 to 79 years of age. They were office workers and their family members who had received annual health examinations from 1989 to 1997. The records of the participants who received health examinations were reviewed retrospectively. Each participant was examined according to a standard protocol, including tonometry with a noncontact tonometer, anthropometric measurements, and blood pressure measurements. The data from the subjects' most recent visit were analyzed cross-sectionally. The data from the 68,998 men and women of the total participants who were born between the 1920s and 1960s were used in longitudinal analysis. Testing Tonometric and anthropometric measurements. Main outcome measures Mean values of IOP, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and BMI were determined. The relationship among IOP, age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and BMI was studied using the multiple linear regression model with cross-sectional analysis. In longitudinal analysis, regression coefficients of IOP against age, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and BMI were calculated using the mixed effect model. Results The mean (±standard deviation) IOP values for men and women were 11.9 ± 2.5 and 11.5 ± 2.4 mmHg, respectively. In cross-sectional analysis, IOP decreased significantly with age ( P P Conclusion The authors found an inconsistency in the change in IOP against age between cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. It is suspected that birth cohort differences in ocular characteristics influence IOP in the Japanese population.

INTRODUCTION The mechanical loads are an important factor to evoke bone formation, absorption of restraint, and structural strength. But, the bone remodeling is closely associated with bone absorption when mechanical loads are removed. Vogel, et al and Krolner, et al 1,2 suggest that bone loss occurs in individuals exposed to a reduced gravitational environment, as occurs in prolonged space flight and bedrest. Several recent reviews suggest that physical activity is beneficial to bone mass. Most studies, however, have not cleared on the quantification of mechanical loads acting on the lower limb during exercise trials. Above all, little is known about the effectiveness of the Ground Reaction Force (GRF) acting on the lower limb during gait in the middleaged and elderly. The purpose of the present study is to examine how mechanical loads acting on the lower limbs during gait affect Bone Mineral Density (BMD). METHODS The subjects in the study were the participants in the National Institute for Longevity Science-Longitudinal Study of Aging (NILS-LSA). The subjects were 1885 males and females who had measured BMD and GRF on gait protocol, aged 40-82 years in the second phase examination of the NILS-LSA. GRF signals were collected using two force plates with a sampling frequency of 240Hz (Kister, type9286, Swizerland). Then, peak GRF data were created from vertical component of GRF for the foot flat to heel off phase during stance phase of gait with custom-made program (Fig1). In this study, peak GRF accepted as an index of mechanical loads acting on the skeletal.