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This study investigated the effect of hip joint muscles' activity on dynamic knee-joint valgus angle during one-leg drop-jump landing motion in male and female subjects. Twenty-four healthy university students (11 males and 13 females) participated in the study. Surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity during a one-leg landing motion. A gender difference was observed: males showed greater activity in the gluteus medius muscle compared to the adductor magnus muscle, whereas females showed greater activity in the rectus femoris muscle. A correlation between lower limb muscle activity and knee-joint valgus angle was found in male subjects but not in female subjects, suggesting that factors other than muscle activity are necessary for controlling knee joint valgus in females. Therefore, factors other than muscle activity should be investigated in the future to prevent female anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether there are differences in the timed up and go (TUG) test results and physical functions due to the differences in slip recognition when performing TUG on wood flooring. The study consisted of 30 community-dwelling elderly subjects, aging over 65 years old. The differences in the perception of floor slippage before and after TUG were as follows: (1) slippery-slipped group (S-S group), (2) slippery-not slipped group (S-N group), and (3) not slippery-not slipped group (N-N group). The modified falls efficacy scale, grip strength, knee extension strength, one-leg standing time, functional reach test, Trail Making Test (TMT), two-step test were used in this study. The results showed no statistically significant difference in TUG test. However, statistically significant difference was observed in TMT between the S-S and N-N groups (p = 0.019, r = 0.51, respectively) and between the S-S and S-N groups (p = 0.003, r = 0.65, respectively). It was found that there was no statistically significant difference in TUG results due to the recognition differences of slippage. However, it was suggested that the subject who reported a history of slippage had a high attention function and could pay attention to the floor environment.

The short-foot exercise (SFE) has been used as a training method for the intrinsic muscles of the foot. The effectiveness of SFE is mostly reported in short-term interventions, with only a few reports of its sustained effects. The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of SFE training for 31 high school runners. All subjects were measured 3 times for 8 months, and underwent ankle stabilization training during the study period. During the first 3 months of the study period, one randomly selected group of subjects underwent SFE, and another group did not, the non-SFE group. Measurement items were pain, navicular drop (ND), modified star excursion balance test (mSEBT), ankle dorsiflexion angle and toe gripping force. A one-way analysis of variance with post-hoc Tukey’s test was performed to evaluate differences between groups with multiple comparison analysis for each measurement. The number of physical problems in the SFE group was lower at the time of the second measurement (M2) but increased at the third measurement (M3). In the SFE group, the ND value was significantly decreased at the time of the M2 but was significantly increased at the M3. Toe gripping force showed a significantly larger value in the SFE group at the M3. It was suggested that the SFE was effective for ND and decreasing some pains. There are no studies referring to the sustainability of the effects of the SFE, so these results can be a reference for future investigation of this exercise.

[Purpose] From the viewpoint of prevention of knee osteoarthritis, the aim of this study was to verify how muscle strength and joint laxity are related to knee osteoarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects consisted of 90 community-dwelling elderly people aged more than 60 years (22 males, 68 females). Femorotibial angle alignment, knee joint laxity, knee extensors and flexor muscle strengths were measured in all subjects. In addition, the subjects were divided into four groups based on the presence of laxity and knee joint deformation, and the muscle strength values were compared. [Results] There was no significant difference in knee extensor muscle strength among the four groups. However, there was significant weakness of the knee flexor muscle in the group with deformation and laxity was compared with the group without deformation and laxity. [Conclusion] Decreased knee flexor muscle strengths may be involved in knee joint deformation. The importance of muscle strength balance was also considered.

Background: In soccer performance, coordination training is important and there is a high chance of injury due to improper concentration during a performance, but there is little research on the relationship with injury. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dual-task training on young soccer players' attention distribution ability, physical function and performance, and occurrence of injury. Methods: The subjects were 70 soccer players as intervention group and 52 players were as control group (age of all subjects was 15.9 ± 0.8 years, the height was 168.8 ± 5.3 cm, and the body weight was 59.5 ± 6.2 kg). Agility t-test and an original dual-task agility t-test were measured as indicator of attention distribution ability. The history of subjects’ injuries was interviewed, and a single-leg triple hop for the distance test and a single-leg standing test with closed eyes were measured as physical function. The dual-task training concluded 5 items and the intervention was performed in approximately 20 minutes one time and six times over 3 weeks at a frequency of twice weekly. The number of people with injuries in each group and each measurement value was compared in each group. Results: The control group comprised 10 subjects with injuries before intervention and 7 after intervention, whereas the intervention group comprised 12 subjects with injuries before intervention and 3 after intervention. No significant differences were observed in any of the parameters after the intervention in either of the two groups. Conclusion: Whether this difference was caused by the intervention remains unclear; however, it is possible that the training program in this study was effective for short-term injury prevention. The contents of evaluation and training menu should be reexamined in the future.

〔目的〕姿勢に着目した運動介入の効果を検討する。〔対象〕二つの介護予防特定高齢者施策事業の参加者（短期事業90名，長期事業25名）。〔方法〕介入前まで実施されていた運動に加えて，姿勢の観点から効果的と思われる運動を処方し，介入前後の測定結果を比較検討した。評価項目は体重，体脂肪率，握力，30秒椅子立ち上がりテスト，開眼片脚立位保持時間，Timed “Up and Go” Test，10 m最大歩行時間，何らかの疼痛を有していた人の割合とした。〔結果〕短期事業において片脚立位時間の有意な増加，何らかの疼痛を有している人の割合の有意な減少を認めた。長期事業群においても有意差は認められなかったものの，同様の傾向が得られた。〔結語〕姿勢に対するアプローチを加えることによって，疼痛軽減の効果が得られる可能性が示唆された。

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to validate the characteristic of an exercise program consisting of simple exercise methods under the instruction of physiotherapists for general elderly people living in a community (general elderly group) and a frail elderly group. [Subjects] The general elderly group consisted of 44 persons (74.2 ± 4.38 years old: 6 men, 38 women) and the frail elderly group, 30 persons (80.6 ± 6.12 years old: 10 men, 20 women). [Methods] The measurement items were weight, body fat percentage, grip strength, knee extensor strength, sitting trunk flexion, one leg standing, functional reach test, timed "up and go" test, 10-m walking time, TMIG Index of Competence, MOS Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey, and the Life-Space Assessment. In each group, group and individual exercises were provided by physiotherapists. All the exercises were easy to perform. [Results] Knee extensor strength of the frail elderly group improved to almost the same level of the general elderly group. There were significant improvements in balance, gait ability, social and psychological attitudes in both groups. [Conclusion] We think that muscle strengthening exercises without exercise tools as resistance under the instruction of physiotherapists would be effective for improving the muscle strength of frail elderly persons.

［目的］要介護高齢者に対する運動介入において，集団運動の実施がその後の個別運動に与える影響について検討する。［対象］通所リハビリテーションを利用している，要支援または軽度要介護高齢者計41名。［方法］集団運動と個別運動を指導した群と，個別運動のみを指導した群に分けて比較検討した。評価内容は身長・体重・体脂肪，握力，膝伸展筋力，長坐位体前屈，開眼片足立ち時間，FRT，TUG，10 m歩行時間，老研式活動指標，SF-36，LSAであった。［結果］集団運動と個別運動を実施した群に，下肢筋力，精神面の有意な改善を認めた。［結語］ 集団運動による活気の向上や運動習慣の形成が，その後の個別運動に好影響を及ぼす事が示唆された。

The purpose of this study was to test the efficacy of a health promotion program consisting of simple exercises among healthy elderly people in a community. The participants were healthy and elderly people, who were picked out from the users of a sports recreation facility. We carried out physical fitness measurements and instructed on exercises to participants. The evaluations were grip strength, knee extensor strength, sitting trunk flexion, falling-stick reaction time, one leg stance, Functional Reach Test, Timed "Up and Go" Test (TUG), 10-m walking time, 6 minutes distance (6MD), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence, Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), and Profile of Mood States (POMS). All the exercises we instructed were those which can be easily performed at home. As resistance exercise, rubber tube and subject's body weight were used. In the intervention group, the improvements of leg strength, TUG, 6MD, physical function item of SF-36 and vigor item of POMS were significant. Exercise instruction with simple exercise programs in this study improved not only physical abilities but also the social and psychological attitudes of the participants.

我々は競泳自由形フォームと肩障害の関連性について，男子競泳選手12名を対象に，陸上空間で模倣されたフォームを3次元動作解析装置を用いて分析した。結果，自由形ストロークのhand entryとmid recoveryにおいて，呼吸と同側の肩に障害をもつ群と呼吸と反対側に障害をもつ群のフォームに違いがみられ，呼吸側と肩障害との関連性が示された。今後水中におけるフォームを分析することで，より具体的に本研究の結果を解釈することが可能になると考えられる。

As the heat transfer in the thermosyphon depends on natural convection flow inside, it is important to investigate the flow characteristics. Upward and downward flows meet each other in the intermediate section of thermosyphon and then a complicated flow takes place. Under certain condition, mutual interaction between both flows results in multi-branched flow. Present study focuses on such flow regime. Flow field in a series of vertical planes was measured by means of PIV technique. Experiments were conducted by using thermosyphon models; 100 mm length, 30 or 46 mm diameters. Three kinds of silicon oil were used as the working fluid and temperature difference between cooled and heated surfaces was changed up to 12 K. Though similar flow patterns were observed, the number of branches increased when increasing the modified Rayleigh number Ra* and at maximum 5 pairs of branches appeared for Ra* of 106.

Background We examined what muscles were related to the Elbow Push Test (EPT). The results of the EPT may have reflected the strength of the serratus anterior muscle. Validation of the timing of the contraction of these muscles may be important diagnostic factors for individuals with shoulder disorders. Methods For 21 healthy individuals, the muscular force required to perform the EPT, as well as the strength of the trunk rotators, serratus anterior muscle, and external and internal rotators were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. We evaluated the relationship between the results of the EPT and the strength of each muscle. Results The results of the EPT may have reflected the strength of the serratus anterior muscle. Conclusions Validation of the timing of the contraction of these muscles may be important diagnostic factors for individuals with shoulder disorders.

We examined what muscles were related to the Elbow Extension Test (EET). For 21 healthy individuals, the muscular force required to perform the EET, as well as the strength of the trunk rotators, elbow extensors, and external and internal rotators were measured using a hand-held dynamometer. We evaluated the relationship between the results of the EET and the strength of each muscle. The results of the EET may have reflected the strength of the elbow extensors. Validation of the timing of the contraction of these muscles may be important diagnostic factors for individuals with some disorders in shoulder or elbow joint.

Background In Japan, few community-based approaches have been adopted in health-care professional education, and the appropriate content for such approaches has not been clarified. In establishing community-based education for health-care professionals, clarification of its learning effects is required. A community-based educational program was started in 2009 in the health sciences course at Gunma University, and one of the main elements in this program is conducting classes outside school. The purpose of this study was to investigate using text-analysis methods how the off-campus program affects students. Methods In all, 116 self-assessment worksheets submitted by students after participating in the off-campus classes were decomposed into words. The extracted words were carefully selected from the perspective of contained meaning or content. With the selected terms, the relations to each word were analyzed by means of cluster analysis. Results Cluster analysis was used to select and divide 32 extracted words into four clusters: cluster 1—“actually/direct,” “learn/watch/hear,” “how,” “experience/participation,” “local residents,” “atmosphere in community-based clinical care settings,” “favorable,” “communication/conversation,” and “study”; cluster 2—“work of staff member” and “role”; cluster 3—“interaction/communication,” “understanding,” “feel,” “significant/important/necessity,” and “think”; and cluster 4—“community,” “confusing,” “enjoyable,” “proactive,” “knowledge,” “academic knowledge,” and “class.” Conclusions The students who participated in the program achieved different types of learning through the off-campus classes. They also had a positive impression of the community-based experience and interaction with the local residents, which is considered a favorable outcome. Off-campus programs could be a useful educational approach for students in health sciences.