This study aimed to investigate the acute effect of static stretching (SS) on peripheral vascular tonus and to clarify the effect of SS on systemic circulation. Twenty healthy young male volunteers performed a 1-min SS motion of the right triceps surae muscle, repeated five times. The peripheral vascular tonus (|d/a| ratio) was obtained using second derivatives of the photoplethysmogram readings before, during, and after SS. Heart rate and blood pressure (BP) were also measured. The |d/a| ratio and BP were transiently, but significantly, elevated during SS and returned to baseline immediately after SS. Furthermore, we observed a significant correlation between the amount of change in the |d/a| ratio and the ankle range of motion during SS (r = 0.793 to 0.832, P = 0.01). These responses may be caused by mechanical stress during SS.

This study aimed to investigate the acute change of static stretching (SS) on autonomic nerve activity and to clarify the effect of SS on systemic circulation. Twenty healthy young, male volunteers performed a 1-min SS motion of the right triceps surae muscle, repeated five times. The autonomic nerve activity balance was obtained using second derivatives of the photoplethysmogram readings before (pre), during, and after (post) SS. Heart rate and blood pressure (BP) were also measured. The autonomic nerve activity significantly changed to parasympathetic dominance by SS as compared with pre. In addition, for SS, the autonomic nerve activity slowly changed to sympathetic dominance after completion of all sets of stretching, but these value did not return to pre during the 5 minutes after the completion of all sets of stretching, with parasympathetic dominance continuing by 4 minutes after SS. The BP and HR transiently increased during SS and decreased after SS. In addition, HR significantly decreased after completion of all sets of SS.The possibility that the response during SS may differ from the response during active static stretching is shown.

Aim: To test the hypothesis that autonomic neural activity in pregnant women during exercise varies according to gestational age. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 20 healthy women in their second (n = 13) or third (n = 7) trimester of pregnancy. Incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed with an electromagnetic cycle ergometer. Heart rate variability was analyzed by frequency analysis software. Results: The low-frequency to high-frequency (LF/HF) ratio, an indicator of the sympathetic nervous system, was significantly higher in third trimester than in second trimester subjects (P < 0.05) at 1, 2, and 3 min of incremental exercise testing. In contrast, the HF/total power ratio, an indicator of rapidly acting parasympathetic activity, was significantly higher in second trimester than in third trimester subjects (P < 0.05) at 2 and 3 min. In addition, a negative correlation was found between gestational age and the 'accumulation half-time' of the LH/HF ratio, the time point at which the sum of the LF/HF ratio reached 50% of that accumulated in the total 6 min of exercise testing (r = À0.49, P = 0.028). Conclusions:The autonomic response to exercise in pregnant women differs between the second and third trimesters. These differences should be considered when prescribing exercise to pregnant women.

Objective: To develop simulation teaching materials within basic nursing education to aid nurses in addressing sudden changes in patients' conditions and to verify such teachings' effects.Methods: A seminar was conducted with 83 fourth-year students from the nursing department of University A. Pre-and post-assignments, a simulation seminar checklist, and an attention, relevance, confidence and satisfaction (ARCS) evaluation sheet were analyzed based on the Kirkpatrick's Four-Level Training Evaluation Model.Results: Level 1 responses included high interest in (76.6%) and sense of fulfillment with (82.8%) the seminar, with positive supporting comments such as "it left a stronger impression than lectures" and "it was fun." Regarding Level 2 learning, the mean scores of the pre-and postseminar tasks, as well as for the simulation seminar checklist, were high. These findings indicate that the action goal was achieved. Confidence in responding to sudden changes in conditions was 54.7%. Conclusion:Although the learning effect of the teaching material was found, the results suggest that there is a need for modifying and improving the teaching material in order to further raise nursing students' confidence in and satisfaction with addressing sudden changes in patients' conditions.