The effect of daily ambulatory activity on physical fitness has not yet been identified by quantitatively measuring the time spent on the intensity levels of ambulatory activity in elderly women over 75 with different functional capacity levels. The subjects consisted of 147 elderly women over 75 years old (82.8Ϯ4.3 years old) who were all capable of performing basic daily activities by themselves. Physical fitness was measured for 7 items (handgrip strength, knee extensor strength, postural stability, stepping, one-legged standing time with eyes open, 10 m walking, and the Timed Up and Go Test). The subjects wore a triaxial accelerometer for 2 consecutive weeks to measure their daily physical activities. The functional capacity level was assessed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence. The subjects were divided into two groups, a group with a score Ն10 points (high functional capacity group, nϭ59) and a score Ͻ10 points (low functional capacity group, nϭ88), and the relationship between physical fitness and physical activity was examined in both groups. In both the high and low functional capacity groups, 10 m walking, the Timed Up and Go Test, and one-legged standing time with eyes open significantly correlated with either the total steps/day or the ambulatory activity intensity. In the high functional capacity group, the knee extensor strength also significantly correlated with the total steps/day and moderate ambulatory activity. It is suggested that very elderly women with a reduced functional capacity should maintain their mobility by simply increasing their daily ambulatory activity.

BackgroundBrown adipose tissue (BAT) is sympathetically activated and induces thermogenesis during cold exposure, thereby influencing energy expenditure and body fat levels. The very low frequency (VLF) components of pulse rate variability could be a form of thermogenic sympathetic nervous activity, but no clear relationship has yet been reported between VLF activity and BAT density. We therefore aimed to evaluate the association between them.MethodsWe enrolled 20 adults in winter and 20 matched adults in summer. We assessed BAT densities based on total hemoglobin concentrations ([total-Hb]) measured with near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy. We calculated VLF activity from pulse rate variability measurements.ResultsBAT density ([total-Hb]; winter 70.5 ± 17.0 μM, summer 57.8 ± 18.3 μM) and VLF activity (winter 6.7 ± 0.8, summer 6.1 ± 0.9) were significantly higher in winter than in summer (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between VLF activity and BAT density in either season.ConclusionEach parameter exhibited seasonal variation, but we failed to observe any significant correlations.

Objective: In Japan, there were 1.17 million people with stroke in 2014; however, studies on community rehabilitation among stroke survivors are lacking. The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale is used in many languages to evaluate patients undergoing stroke rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the Japanese ABC scale (ABC-J) version among patients ! 6 months after stroke. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 88 post-stroke patients (mean age 66.5±9.5 years). The ABC-J was administered with the 10-meter walk test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG-T), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Geriatric Depression Scale-Short version-Japanese (GDS-S-J), and the Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I). After a 1-2-week interval, the ABC-J was completed again by 69 of the patients. Reliability was investigated for reproducibility (intra-class correlation coefficient [ICC], standard error of measurement [SEM], and minimal detectable change [MDC]) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α). Concurrent and convergent validities were assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. Results: The ABC-J showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95) and substantial test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.92, 95% confidence interval: 0.87-0.95), with SEM and MDC of 7.14 and 19.79, respectively. The total ABC-J score was significantly correlated with 10MWT (r = −0.51, p < 0.001), TUG-T (r = −0.55, p < 0.001), BBS (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), GDS-S-J (r = −0.27, p = 0.012), and FES-I (r = −0.77, p < 0.001). Conclusion: ABC-J is a valid and reliable measurement tool for investigating balance confidence among patients ! 6 months after stroke.

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Background: Epidemiological findings suggest that weight fluctuations are associated with unfavorable health outcomes compared with stable weight. However, the interrelationship between the weight cycling history and dieting status in a non-clinical male trial on the risk for bio-behavioral health is unclear.Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between weight cycling history as a result of intentional weight loss and bio-behavioral health in Japanese adult males.Method: A cross-sectional study was performed on a group of 146 Japanese working males (47.5H9.3 yr.). Each subject completed a series of self-reported questionnaires in which information about weight cycling history, current dieting practices, life-styles, and social background were assessed. Results of the physical check up were used to assess biological parameters. Self-reported weight cycling was defined as intentionally losing 10% of one's weight and regaining the lost weight.Results: Cyclers reported a significantly greater incidence of current dieting and recent weight gain compared with non-cyclers. Taking regular meals, eating breakfast everyday, and not eating snacks between meals every day were significantly less frequent among cyclers compared with non-cyclers after controlling for BMI. The adjusted odds ratio for AST abnormality was 5.46 (95%CI: 1.08−27.67), ALT abnormality was 3.31 (95%CI: 1.24−8.78), and 1-GTP was 3.38 (95%CI: 1.07−10.67) among cyclers, compared with noncyclers.Conclusion: These findings suggest that a history of weight cycling in men, regardless of current weight status, is associated with adverse bio-behavioral health. The risk for several liver enzyme abnormalities associated with weight cycling history was substantial, independent of relative body weight and lifestyle factors.