In the last few years, epidemiological studies have shown correlations between the low endurance capacity of the erector spinae muscle and low back pain (LBP). In this study, the function of the erector spinae muscle and localized muscle fatigue in LBP were investigated in both LBP patients and control subjects without LBP, using surface multi-channel electromyograms (EMG). Four positions (L1, L2, L4, L5) were chosen as representative locations for the different functions of the erector spinae muscle. Median frequency (fm) parameters of an EMG power density spectrum were monitored to quantify localized muscle fatigue. This research indicated a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in fm parameters between the LBP patients and the control subjects. The integrated electromyogram (iEMG) signals of LBP patients were considerably higher than for the control subjects during endurance isometric contraction. Our research suggested that human fatiguing erector spinae muscle, in submaximal voluntary contractions tests, induced a different firing order of motor unit spikes between two groups.

We investigate collective excitations of Bose-Einstein condensates at absolute zero in a double-well trap. We solve the Bogoliubov equations with a double-well trap, and show that the crossover from the dipole mode to the Josephson plasma mode occurs in the lowest energy excitation. It is found that the anomalous tunneling property of low energy excitations is crucial to the crossover.

These findings suggest that the improved mortality and state of independence in the female portion of the intervention group occurred as a result of increased physical exercise levels in daily life. However, validation of our results must await research that employs a randomized control trial to avoid various biases and confounding factors between the intervention and the control groups.

We measured functional fitness in older subjects and performed a follow-up survey for 6 years to clarify whether the level of functional fitness at a given point contributes to prediction of the subsequent occurrence of impairment of functions necessary for independent living. The longitudinal data were obtained for 391 persons aged 60 years or over, who were independently living in the community. Four items of functional fitness, i.e. the ability to perform standing/sitting movements, ability to perform traveling movements, ability to perform housekeeping movements, and ability to perform personal grooming activities, were assessed. The relationship between functional fitness and the risk of the occurrence of impairment of independence in daily living was evaluated using a binomial logistic regression model. In males, all the 4 items of functional fitness were significantly related to the risk of impairment of activities of daily living (ADL). In females, however, none of the items was significantly related to the risk of ADL impairment. In conclusion, functional fitness appears to be valid as a predictive parameter of future occurrence of ADL impairment in relatively healthy and independent elderly males. However, its validity in elderly females needs further evaluation. J Epidemiol2003;13:142-148.Key words: cohort studies, functional fitness, ADL impairment, community-dwelling aged persons.In Japan, where the population is rapidly aging, not only increasing the life span by preventing diseases but also prolonging active life expectancy with satisfactory quality of life (QOL) have become important issues. In such social circumstances, study of the relationship between the state of physical functions necessary for independent living and the future outcome, such as the incidence of impairment of activities of daily living (ADL) or mortality, in the general elderly population may provide useful information for planning and implementing health promoting services for prolonging the active life span of older people.In Japan, there have been a number of studies examining the relationship between physical functions necessary for ADL and various factors in daily living in groups that included elderly people with impaired physical functions or disabilities.1-4 However, few studies have objectively assessed physical functions necessary for ADL and examined their relationships with other factors or the outcome in independently living elderly people. We defined physical abilities necessary for the elderly to live an independent life as "functional fitness" and have developed a method for their objective measurement.5-10 We have carried out cross-sectional studies of elderly people and clarified the relationships among functional fitness with the state of medical health, state of daily living, and health behavior.11 However, whether the level of functional fitness allows prediction of the outcome, such as future impairment of ADL or death, has not been sufficiently evaluated. Evaluation of the relationship between functiona...

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