Abstract. The present study examined the relation between walking velocity and motor ability, motor fitness scale and functional capacity. The subjects were 35 males and females aged from 65 to 89 years. The participants walked on 5 m walkway at their preferred and maximum velocity. Walking velocity, step length, step rate, and walk ratio were calculated. We obtained the following findings. 1) Walking speeds exhibited a significant correlation with the Motor Fitness Scale (MFS) and balance ability.2) The determinant of preferred walking velocity was MFS. The results suggest that preferred walking velocity could be used mesuring for physical fitness in community-dwelling elderly; preferred walking velocity was a better measure of physical fitness in the elderly than maximum walking velocity.

Abstract. [Purpose] This study investigated the relationships among lifestyles, functional capacity, and motor ability that influence self-reliance over a period of 2 years.[Subjects] The subjects were 53 elderly people (average age: 76.4 years) living on A Island,who were independent in ADL in the baseline survey conducted in 2005.[Methods] The survey was conducted by interviews and motor ability test. There were 22 items for lifestyles, 13 items for functional capacity and 3 items for physical performance in the survey. The present study was undertaken in order to identify predictors of lifestyles at follow-up carried out 2 years later.[Results] Grip strength, intellectual activity, and social role were lower than those in 2005. In the relationship between lifestyles and functional capacity, subjective view of health (SVH) showed a significant correlations social lifestyles and instrumental activities, social role, all lifestyles and subjective view of health. In considering these outcomes and the differences between decrease and maintenance of lifestyle groups at baseline, those which could influence psychological lifestyles, were examined.[Conclusion] These results suggest that efforts to maintain lifestyle, and functional capacity might be useful for maintaining active self-reliance in the elderly.

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The present study examined the relation between Aerobic Capacity and Motor Abilities, and their regional characteristics. A motor performance test was administered to 206 (56 persons in 2002, 66 in 2003 and 84 in 2004) dwellers in Kasari town, Amami island. The test consisted of measurement of grip strength, sitting trunk flexion, one-leg standing, walking at maximum speeds, aerobic capacity (Physical Work Capacity, Breath Holding Time After Exercise, Vital Capacity). The results indicated that all aerobic capacities do not deteriorate with aging. Significant correlations between motor performances were detected in breath holding time after exercise and sitting trunk flexion, vital capacity and walking at maximum speeds. Breath holding time after exercise and vital capacity were smaller than those of two rural communities, and the national averages.