Physical exercise enhances prefrontal cortex activity and improves working memory performance in healthy older adults, but it is not clear whether this remains the case in post-stroke patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the acute effect of physical exercise on prefrontal cortex activity in post-stroke patients using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). We studied 11 post-stroke patients. The patients performed Sternberg-type working memory tasks before and after moderate intensity aerobic exercise (40 % of maximal oxygen uptake) with a cycling ergometer for 15 min. We measured the NIRS response at the prefrontal cortex during the working memory task. We evaluated behavioral performance (response time and accuracy) of the working memory task. It was found that physical exercise improved behavioral performance of the working memory task compared with the control condition (p < 0.01). In addition, NIRS analysis indicated that physical exercise enhanced prefrontal cortex activation, particularly in the right prefrontal cortex (p < 0.05), during the working memory task compared with the control condition. These findings suggest that the moderate-intensity aerobic exercise enhances prefrontal cortex activity and improves working memory performance in post-stroke patients.

[Purpose] To study the brain function during a dual task (cycling exercise and cognitive training) via functional near-infrared spectroscopy in young males. [Participants and Methods] Twenty Japanese young male participants were divided into intervention and control groups by simple randomization (n=10 per group). In the intervention group, participants were given a cognitive program training and cycling exercise (dual task). The control group was given the cognitive program training (single task) only. The cognitive program training consisted of a warm up, followed by 2 minutes of rock-paper-scissors, 2 minutes of numeric memory, 2 minutes of color matching, 2 minutes of calculations, and a cool down. Brain function tests were performed individually throughout the programs by functional near-infrared spectroscopy. [Results] The oxyhemoglobin levels significantly increased in the frontal lobe of the intervention and control groups after program completion compared to before. And the oxyhemoglobin levels of the intervention group also significantly increased more than control group in the prefrontal cortex and motor area. [Conclusion] This program used by Cognibike was also effective for improving hemoglobin oxygen levels at the frontal lobe in young males.

[Purpose] The Robotics Knee Orthosis (RKO) is a knee–ankle–foot orthosis with active robot assisting technology. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of exercise with the RKO (RKO-exercise) in stroke patients with hemiplegia. [Subjects and Methods] Participants were nine stroke patients with hemiplegia, residing in a convalescent rehabilitation ward. The duration of the RKO-exercise program was 10 days. Participants were evaluated three times prior to intervention, once after intervention, and one month post intervention. Each session consisted of standard-of-care physical therapy for 60 minutes and RKO-exercise for 20 minutes. Dependent variables were 10-meter gait speed, cadence, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, stride length, the absolute value of left-right symmetry of the step length, and one-leg support period while walking. Data were analyzed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. [Results] Stride length, left-right symmetry of the step length, and one-leg support period while walking changed following the RKO exercise program. 10-meter walking speed, cadence, percentage of one-leg support period (affected side), and BBS changed significantly at one month post treatment time points. [Conclusion] It is expected that RKO-exercise helps recovery process after the stroke. RKO-exercise effectively treats impaired mobility in patient status-post stroke.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the muscular strength of the lower extremity and the trunk acceleration during a backward stepping reaction performed by the elderly. [Subjects] The study population comprised 11 elderly subjects (average age, 75.5 ± 6.9 years). [Methods] Using a separation-type force plate and a small tri-axial accelerometer, we measured the vertical reaction force and the acceleration at the seventh cervical (C7) and the second sacral (S2) vertebrae in backward stepping reaction. Furthermore, we measured the muscular strength of the lower extremity using a hand-held dynamometer, and examined the relationship between the acceleration value of C7 and S2 and the muscular strength. [Results] Correlation analysis revealed that the acceleration values of C7 and S2 showed significant positive correlations with the muscular strengths of the hamstrings, tibialis anterior, and triceps surae. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the muscles controlling the dorsi/plantar flexion of the ankle and pelvic stability contribute to acceleration of the trunk in the backward stepping reaction.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of repetitive pitching by adolescent baseball pitchers on joint range of motion (ROM) and muscle flexibility. [Participants and Methods] Body function of 29 pitchers who belonged to junior high school baseball teams was measured before and after a repetitive 75-throw sequence. Measurement items included joint ROM, muscle flexibility, angle of thoracic kyphosis, latissimus dorsi muscle strength, and posterior shoulder tightness. The speed of the pitched balls was measured as an indicator of performance. [Results] Throw-side shoulder joint internal rotation ROM, non-throw-direction trunk rotation ROM, and non-throw-side gastrocnemius muscle flexibility decreased significantly after the throwing sequence, throwside hip joint inner rotation ROM increased significantly, while pitched-ball speed showed no significant change. [Conclusion] Adolescent baseball players are more likely affected than adults baseball players by rupture of the kinetic chain. Our finding of changes in physical function in the absence of changes in performance suggests rupture of the kinetic chain of normal throwing in these subjects.

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As a recent trend, robots are increasingly drawing attention as rehabilitation devices. The ankle-assist device CoCoroe (AAD), which looks like a short leg brace with a motor attached to its joint part, is one of such robots. As there have been few reports on this AAD, we examined the activities of muscles supporting the body during gait, involving healthy individuals and using surface EMG, to collect basic data. [Participants and Methods] We performed measurement in 7 healthy males to measure their left and right spinal erectors, left and right gluteus maximus, left and right gluteus medius, and left rectus abdominis during barefoot gait and gait using the AAD (AAD gait). We compared the values obtained during each phase of the gait cycle between the 2 conditions. [Results] The activity of the left gluteus maximus markedly increased during the foot flat phase (ankle rocker period) of AAD gait. [Conclusion] The torque in midstance during AAD gait may have promoted the activity of the gluteus maximus. The results suggest that AAD gait promote the activities of muscles supporting the body.

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