MIMURA, T., TANAKA, S., ISHIHARA, K., WADAZUMI, T,, MlYAMOTO, T., FUJIWARA, H. and FUJIMOTO, S., Relationship Among Musc[e Oxygenation, Blood Lactate Concentration, and Substrate Utilization Ouring Prolonged Exercise Below Anaerobic Threshold. Adv. Exerc. Sports Physiol., VoL9, No.4 pp.111117, 2003. The purpose ofthis study was to examine the relationships among muscle oxygenat]on level measured by a near-infrared spectroseopy (NIRS), blood lactate concentration (La) and substrate utilization during a prolonged 60-min steady-state exercise below the anaerobic threshold (M). fen healthy adult subjects (3 males and 7 females) completed an orientation tria], a maximal exercise test, and a submaximal exercise for 60 min. The oxygenated hemoglobin and myoglobin saturation (muscle oxygenation level) measured by NIRS was recorded continuously throughout the tests. The probc was located on the vastus lateralis musele. At 30 min after exercise, the calibration ofNIRS was perforrned by the cuff occlusion at 260 mmHg for 10 min. The relative change in muscle oxygenation level was estimated by regarding muscle oxygenation level in the resting condition as O% and that obtained during thigh occlusion as -1OO%. Oxygen consumption (VO!), carbon diexide production (VC02), minute ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR) and La were measured at rest and during exercise. Muscle oxygenation level decrcased immediately after the onset of exercise and gradually increased frorn rm24.2± IO,8% at 5 min te L3.3 ± 11.8% at 60 min. From 1O to 60 min, muscle oxygenation level mcreased by 11.6± 3.9% with a significant increase in total hemoglobin. Musele oxygenation ievel indicated the barance between oxygen delivery and oxygen utilization. Therefore, the gradual increase in muscle oxygenation leyel during the prolonged eycle exercise may be affected by more increase in 02 deAddress forcorrespondence/ Tatsuya MIMURA, Doctoral Program of Human Ltfe Sc{ence, Osaka City University, 1-4-3, Asahimachi, AbenoKu, Osaka eity, Osaka, 545-g585, Japan Phone & EAX' +81-6-664S-3790 E-mail/m1392l92@med.osaka-cu.acjp Iivery to exercising muscies than 02 utilization. From 10 to 60 min, La and RER significantly decreased while the muscle oxygenation level increased. Therefore, Change in muscle oxygenation level between 1O and 60 min was correlated with both ALa (r="O.66, P

In Japan, people over 65 years old exist approximately 23 %. Therefore, maintaining physical fitness is important for healthy aging in older adults. The performance tests have the merit of providing objective, quantifiable information on physical fitness in older adults. PURPOSE: To assess the validity of equation to estimate the physical fitness age (FFA) in community-dwelling older Japanese women. METHODS: Subjects were 267 Japanese female volunteers aged 61 to 88 years (73.4 +/- 5.2 years), living independently in community. Subjects participated in 6 physical performance tests (grip strength (X1), sit-ups (X2), sit and reach (X3), one leg balance with eyes open (X4), 10 m hurdle walking (X5) and 6 minute walking (X6)), named 'new physical fitness test' proposed by Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. The physical fitness score was calculated by the method of guidelines. The single regression analysis, multiple regression analysis and principal component analysis ware used to obtain the equation estimating the physical fitness age. RESULTS: The decision coefficients of 0.18, 0.39 and 0.54 were obtained by the single regression analysis, multiple regression analysis and principal component analysis, respectively. The results showed that the following equation of FFA obtain by the principal component analysis would be a most accurate method: FFA=0.304 X1+0.176 X2+0.118 X3+0.025 X4-1.087 X5 +0.018 X6+1.366 CA-42.35 (CA: chronological age). CONCLUSION: The proposed test equation could be a useful instrument for providing a comprehensive measure of physical fitness.

In the progress of elderly society, it is important to live an independent life. However, in recent years the number of people who need care increases rapidly in Japan. Therefore, it is necessary to reveal physical fitness level which can live an independent life. However, researches that indicate the boundary between community-dwelling and frail elderly were not conducted enough. PURPOSE:The purpose of this study was to derive discriminant coefficient from physical fitness test results in community-dwelling and frail elderly. METHODS: The subjects were 110 older adult (78.5+/-5.7yrs). The subjects were divided into two groups: 47 community-dwelling older adults (75.3+/-4.5yrs) who could move freely without any walking devices and 63 frail elderly (80.9+/-5.3yrs) who need support or care. All subjects participated in a 8-item test battery of physical performance; functional reach (FR), grip strength (G), tandem (Ta), one leg balance with eyes open (LB-O), 30-sec chair stand test (30-C), timed up&go (U&G), 10m maximal walking time (10m-W) and maximal step (MS). It was stepwise discriminant analysis that analysis method used to calculate discriminant coefficient. RESULTS: As the results of stepwise discriminant analysis, three-item test (30-C, 10m-W, G) were extracted. Discriminant coefficient was as follows: z=0.124× (30-C)-0.215× (10m-W) +0.065× (G)-1.752. The discriminant had a discrimination rate of 91.5%. Each value, distinguish community-dwelling from frail elderly, were 30-C (16 times), 10m-W (7.1 sec) and G (20 kg). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed physical fitness level which would live an independent life, suggested that would become the goal of rehabilitation for frail elderly.

In Japan, people over 65 years old exist approximately 22 %. Therefore, maintaining functional fitness is important for healthy aging in older adults. The performance tests have the merit of providing objective, quantifiable information on functional fitness in older adults. PURPOSE: To establish a physical performance test battery assessing the functional fitness in community-dwelling older Japanese women. METHODS: Subjects were 589 female volunteers aged 60 to 95 years (74.1 +/- 7.9 years), living independently in community. 16 performance tests related to the activities parallel to daily living were, walking around two cones and sitting on a chair, 10 m maximal walking time, timed up and go, moving beans with chopsticks, bar-gripping reaction time, moving pegs with hands, grip strength, repetition of the bicipital flexion / extension, maximal stand up time, repetition of the 30-sec chair stand, one leg balance with eyes open /closed, sit and reach, functional reach, maximal step length, and connected walking time. RESULTS: Principal component analysis of the 16 performance tests yielded 5 components accounting for 69.6% of the total variance. 12 variables were heavily loaded on the 1st principal component, so that 40.9% of the total variance was accounted for by this component. Finally, the following 4 variables were selected for the assessment of a functional fitness: timed up and go (X1), moving pegs with hands (X2), 30-sec chair stand (X3), and maximal step length (X4). The principal component analysis was again applied to these four variables to obtain the following equation of functional fitness age (FFA) based on the first principal component coefficient of each variable: FFA=1.079 X1-0.369 X2-.387 X3-0.147 X4+0.300 CA+80.14 (CA: chronological age). CONCLUSION: The proposed test battery could be a useful instrument for providing a comprehensive measure of functional fitness.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of physical activity in water from the perspective of blood pressure responses in middle-aged and elderly women for whom water exercise is recommended. METHODS: Subjects comprised 22 middle-aged and elderly women who regularly go swimming or participate in water exercise in a sports club. A flowmill was used as the exercise stress device and water depth was adjusted to the height of the xiphoid process for each subject. Water temperature was controlled to 30 °C. After resting by sitting on a chair for 5 min, each subject performed 4 sessions of walking in water. Each session lasted 4 min at different levels of difficulty (20, 30, 40 and 50 m/min), with a 1 -min rest between each session. Oxygen uptake, ventilation and heart rate were monitored during walking and blood lactate concentration, blood pressure, and Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Feeling Scores (FS) were measured immediately after exertion. RESULTS: Although no subject was receiving treatment for blood pressure-related problems, increased systolic or diastolic pressures were observed in 18 subjects (81.8%). Blood pressure and double product were generally higher in Group HH than other groups who are high systolic and diastolic pressures, but RPE and FS scores were similar among all groups. Subjects whose blood pressure was so high that they could be categorized in the high blood pressure group may thus remain asymptomatic without any warning sign of risk caused by exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals at risk of hypertension should therefore pay close attention to exercise load even when they feel well.

It is a wish of all to get old healthfully. However, in recent years the number of people who need care increases rapidly in Japan. To make them healthy, it is necessary to use a comprehensive approach, which is composed of various different fields, such as strength training, exercise psychology, and nutrition. However, an intervention study that examines the effect of a comprehensive approach was not conducted enough. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of care degree improvement program of overall pattern. METHODS: Subjects were 43 old women(80.7±6.8 years) who need support or care. The subjects were divided into two groups: 27 intervention group(80.0 ± 7.4 years) and 16 control group(81.9 ± 5.7 years). The intervention group participated in three months health promotion program(one session/week, two hours/session) that contents were resistance training(but machines were not used), a group work, and nourishment guidance. The effects of the program were measured with (i)SF36, (ii)stroop examination(Hakota, Watanabe, 2003), (iii)a 7-item test battery of physical performance; grip strength, tandem, tandem gait, 30-sec chair stand test, timed up&go, 10m maximal walking time and maximal step, and (iv)a 5-item blood test; triglyceride(TG), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC), hemoglobin A1c(HbA1C), albumin and total cholesterol(T-CHO). RESULTS: These dates showed significant improvements in the intervention group: physical functioning and general health perception in SF36; letter processing capacity and selective attention capacity in stroop examination; grip strength, 30-sec chair stand test, timed up&go, 10m maximal walking time and maximal step in a 7-item test battery of physical performance; TG and MCHC in a 5-item blood test. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that this program of overall pattern(three months, one session/week, two hours/session) improved psychology, recognition function, physical strength, blood conditions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine agreement among six activity monitors worn concurrently during a 440-m walk and over 24 hours of free-living physical activity. Five pedometers (Yamax SW-200, Accusplit Eagle 120 (AE120), Accusplit Eagle 120-XL (AEXL), Walk4Life Pro 3 (WFL), Omron HJ-700IT), and one accelerometer (Actigraph) were compared. METHODS: Fifty participants (28 males, 22 females; mean age = 22.8 ± 5.3 yrs) wore six activity monitors during a 440-m walk, while steps were counted. The same monitors were then worn for 24 hours of free-living physical activity. Activity monitors were randomly selected from 15 monitors of each model. For the walking bout, steps from the activity monitors were compared with the criterion of counted steps, using regression analysis. For the 24-hour condition, because of previous validity evidence for the Yamax pedometer, other brands were compared to the Yamax. Bland-Altman analyses were conducted to compare the difference between Yamax and other brands plotted against the mean of the two brands being compared. RESULTS: Average counted steps for the walking bout (597 ± 40 steps) did not differ (p > .05) from steps from any monitor. Correlations between counted steps and steps from the activity monitors were: Yamax .84, AE120 .98, AEXL .61, WFL .56, Omron .44, and Actigraph .60. For the 24-hour condition, systematic bias (p < .01) existed between the Omron and the Actigraph monitors compared to the Yamax, but no proportional bias (p > .05) was evident. The table presents mean steps per day for all monitors, correlations (r) between steps from Yamax v. other monitors, and Bland-Altman (B-A) correlations.TableCONCLUSION: The Yamax and AE120 pedometers estimated mean counted steps accurately and had high correlations with counted steps during the walking bout. The moderate correlations between counted steps and steps from the AEXL, WFL, Omron, and Actigraph monitors were lower than expected. Over 24 hours the Omron systematically recorded fewer steps and the Actigraph systematically recorded more steps than the Yamax pedometer.

The prevention of injury associated with falls in older people is a public health target in many countries around the world. The most effective fall prevention strategy is multifactorial interventions targeting identified risk factors, exercises for muscle strengthening combined with balance training. Although it is known that exercise in water or exercise on dry land is effective in fall prevention, the study that investigate each effect of exercise in water and exercise on dry land is not done too much. PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine each effect of exercise in water and exercise on dry land in older adults. METHODS: Subjects were 113 community-dwelling older adults (40 men and 73 women, age=65.9+/−3.3yrs), who could move freely without any walking devices. The subjects were divided into three groups: exercise in water group (WG, n=35), exercise on dry land group (LG, n=44) and control group (CG, n=34). The exercise group (WG, LG) participated in an eight-week progressive training program including exercises for stretch, locomotion/agility, balance, and peripheral strength (one session/week, two hours/session). During the training, subjects were encouraged to exercise at intensity equal to an RPE of 12–13. Outcome variables included functional reach, one leg balance with eyes open, 30-sec chair stand test, timed up & go, 10m maximal walking time, and maximal step. RESULTS: In the WG, significant improvements were observed for 30-sec chair stand test, timed up & go, and maximal step than CG (p<0.05). In the LG, significant improvements were observed for 30-sec chair stand test, timed up & go, 10m maximal walking time and maximal step than CG (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:These results suggested that both water exercise and resistance training on ground (RPE of 12–13, eight-week, one session/week, two hours/session) improve lower-body power, walk velocity, and flexibility.

People over 65 years old exist approximately 20 % in Japan. Maintaining balance is important to prevent falling with advancing age. And several trials for preventing falls had been performed in health promotion fields. However, the effectiveness of a computer-assisted balance training in elderly population is not well known. PURPOSE To assess the effects of 12 weeks of a computer-assisted balance training on reducing falling risks in community dwelling elderly people. METHODS Subjects were fifteen male and five female volunteers (66.3 +/− 4.2 years), living independently in community. Pilot trial had been performed using the personal computer, combined with exercise, for 120 minute, once a week, for twelve weeks. A Computer session was designed to improve reaction time, and subjects operate hand or foot switches as soon as possible, following computer's instructions. The exercise included single leg standing, strength, locomotion/agility, and motor processing, and the exercise intensity was set to increase subject's motivation and individualize exercise difficulty. Outcome variables included functional reach, tandem, one leg balance with eyes open, 30-sec chair stand test, timed up & go, 10 m maximal walking time, maximal step, connected walking, grip strength, reaction time, falls efficacy scale, daily steps, exercise energy expenditure, and activities of daily living. RESULTS After the 12 weeks of a training, subjects showed significant improvement on 30-sec chair stand test, timed up & go and maximal step (p <0.01–0.001). Subjects could also improve their reaction time on the training device as well as in the functional fitness. Subjective evaluation by the elderly was also positive. CONCLUSIONS It was thought that personal computer in intervention program was effective as a training device, and in addition, the technology might have a wider applicability to the health promotion field. These findings suggest that 12 weeks of a computer-assisted balance training adopted in this study may improve balance, lower limb muscle function, locomotion/agility and reaction time, thereby attenuating falling risks in elderly individuals.

1247 Maintaining balance is important to prevent falling with advancing age. However, the effect of balance pad exercise in frail elderly population is not well known. PURPOSE: To determine the effect of a 10 weeks of balance pad exercise on reducing falling risks in geriatric health services facility residents. METHODS: This study was an exercise intervention trial with participants assigned either to an exercise group or to a control group. Participants were four male and twenty female volunteers aged 76–95 years, living dependently in long-term care facility. Four male and twelve female performed balance pad exercise for 45 minute, 3 days a week, for 10 weeks. The exercise included single leg standing, walking on a balance pad, strength, locomotion/agility, and motor processing. Outcome variables included functional reach, one leg balance with eyes open, semi-tandem, timed up & go, stepping, 10 m walking time, Tinetti balance scale, falls efficacy scale, geriatric depression scale, daily steps, exercise energy expenditure, total daily energy expenditure and body balance obtained by stabilometer. RESULTS: The percentage of attendance in an exercise group was 94.2 ± 6.8%. No subjects became ill or had any injury related to the exercise program. At the beginning of the study, both exercise and control groups performed similarly in all tests. After the 10-wk training program, the exercise group showed significantly greater functional reach, semi-tandem, timed up & go, stepping and Tinetti balance subscale (p<0.05–0.001). In contrast, there were no significant improvements in any of the test measures in the control group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that 10 weeks of a balance pad exercise adopted in this study may improve balance, lower limb muscle function and locomotion/agility, thereby attenuating falling risks in frail elderly individuals.

0441 Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a noninvasive method of measuring muscle oxygenation. Several studies have examined relationship between the kinetics of local muscle oxygenation and systemic oxygen intake during incremental and constant work-rate exercise. However, none has reported about muscle oxygenation during prolonged exercise. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between the kinetics of local muscle oxygenation and systemic oxygen intake during prolonged exercise below anaerobic threshold. METHODS: Ten healthy males completed an orientation trial, a maximal exercise test, and a 30-min submaximal exercise bout. During the exercise test, expiratory gas analysis was performed using an expiratory gas analyzer, and the kinetics of vastus lateralis muscle were determined by NIRS. RESULTS: Oxygenated hemoglobin, deoxygenated hemoglobin, and total hemoglobin decreased immediately after the onset of exercise and gradually increased from 5 to 30 min with an increase in VO2. The increase in deoxygenated hemoglobin may indicate that oxygen transported by arterial blood during exercise test is taken up by the vastus lateralis muscle for contraction, and oxygenated hemoglobin changes into deoxygenated hemoglobin. On the other hand, the increase in both oxygenated hemoglobin and total hemoglobin, an index of muscle blood volume, may represent a redistribution of blood to the exercising muscles. There was a positive correlation between oxygenated hemoglobin and VO2 (r = 0.38, p < 0.01), between deoxygenated hemoglobin and VO2 (r = 0.46, p < 0.01), and between total hemoglobin and VO2 (r = 0.52, p < 0.01) after the 5th min of prolonged exercise. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the increase in VO2 during prolonged exercise is attributed to the increase in both O2 dissociation (deoxygenated hemoglobin) and blood flow (total hemoglobin, total hemoglobin) in the capillary bed of the muscles to meet aerobic energy demand.

本研究では,老人保健施設入所者の女性24名(平均年齢:81.3±8.1歳)を対象に,文部科学省の設定した新体力テスト,生活体力および平衡機能の測定を実施し,要介護高齢者のADLとQOLおよび身体機能との関連性について検討した。その結果,高齢者のADLには,歩行能力,下肢の身体機能に加え,筋力および筋持久力が関与していた。また,歩行能力,下肢および上肢の身体機能,柔軟性に平衡機能が強く関与していた。さらに,ADLに加え,抑うつ度が高齢者のQOLに直接関与していた。したがって,要介護高齢者のQOLは,平衡機能および筋機能を維持することによるADLの保持に加え,抑うつ度などの精神的なファクターを反映する可能性が考えられた。これらの知見は,今後高齢者に適した運動プログラムを作成していくための有効な情報として位置づけられるものと考える。

The purpose of this study was to confirm both the reproducibility of indices (NIRS slope, NT2 %NIRS fall) and the specificity obtained by analyzing the muscle oxygenation curve measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during ramp exercise. Ten healthy men participated in this study. The NIRS probe was placed on the vastus lateralis muscle. An increase in oxygenation was observed from rest to warm-up at 0 watts (Delta NIRS). Oxygenation began to decrease lineally as the workload increased (NIRS slope). In the latter phase of exercise, the oxygenation curve flattened out despite an increasing workload, and as a result, an inflection point was formed (NT2). The minimum value of oxygenation during ramp exercise was indicated as "%NIRS fall."Protocol 1. After a warm-up period of 3 min at 0 watts, a ramp exercise (20 watt/min) test was performed until volitional fatigue. The test was performed for each subject twice (test-1, test-2) with a 1-week interval. Protocol 2. A test was performed with three consecutive ramp exercises (10 watt/min . 20 watt/min . 30 watt/min) up to 120 watt each with sufficient rest between the exercises.NT2 was observed in 7 of 10 subjects. Test-1 and test-2 mean values of Delta NIRS, NIPS slope, watts at NT2 (NT2) and %NIRS fall were not significantly different, and the correlations between test-1 and test-2 were highly significant (r = 0.94, P < 0.0001 : Delta NIRS, r = 0.99, P < 0.0001 : NIRS slope, r = 0.91, P < 0.002 : NT2 and r = 0.78, P < 0.005: %NIRS fall). The regression lines obtained for correlations of results of test-1 and test-2 were y = -5.89 + 1.38X (Delta NIRS), y = 0.02 + 1.03X (NIRS slope), y = 31.52 + 0.83X (NT2), and y = 19.91 + 0.61X (%NIRS fall). No significant differences in both intercept and coefficient between the regression line and identity line were found in the NIPS slope and NT2. The rate of decrease in the oxygenation curve became steeper with an increase in workload from 10 watts/min to 20 watts/min and to 30 watts/min. However, the mean values of the NIRS slope, modified by watts, were 0.29+/-0.06%/watt, 0.29+/-0.07%/watt and 0.29+/-0.07%/watt, respectively. There were no significant differences of the NIRS slopes among these exercises. The results indicate constancy of the rate of decrease in oxygenation per workload.In conclusion, these findings demonstrate the reproducibility of the NIRS slope and the appearance of NT2 during ramp exercise, and the specific way in which the decrease in muscle oxygenation reflects workload. They suggest that analysis of the muscle oxygenation curve can be used to estimate muscular metabolism and indices of training effects.