KEN-ICHI NEMOTO, MS; HIROKAZU GEN-NO, PHD; SHIZUE MASUKI, PHD; KAZUNOBU OKAZAKI, PHD; AND HIROSHI NOSE, MD, PHD OBJECTIVE: To examine whether high-intensity interval walking training increased thigh muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity and reduced blood pressure more than moderateintensity continuous walking training. From May 18, 2004, to October 15, 2004 (5-month study period), 60 men and 186 women with a mean ± SD age of 63±6 years were randomly divided into 3 groups: no walking training, moderate-intensity continuous walking training, and high-intensity interval walking training. Participants in the moderate-intensity continuous walking training group were instructed to walk at approximately 50% of their peak aerobic capacity for walking, using a pedometer to verify that they took 8000 steps or more per day for 4 or more days per week. Those in the high-intensity interval walking training group, who were monitored by accelerometry, were instructed to repeat 5 or more sets of 3-minute low-intensity walking at 40% of peak aerobic capacity for walking followed by a 3-minute high-intensity walking above 70% of peak aerobic capacity for walking per day for 4 or more days per week. Isometric knee extension and flexion forces, peak aerobic capacity for cycling, and peak aerobic capacity for walking were all measured both before and after training. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: RESULTS:The targets were met by 9 of 25 men and 37 of 59 women in the no walking training group, by 8 of 16 men and 43 of 59 women in the moderate-intensity continuous walking training group, and by 11 of 19 men and 31 of 68 women in the highintensity interval walking training group. In the high-intensity interval walking training group, isometric knee extension increased by 13%, isometric knee flexion by 17%, peak aerobic capacity for cycling by 8%, and peak aerobic capacity for walking by 9% (all, P<.001), all of which were significantly greater than the increases observed in the moderate-intensity continuous walking training group (all, P<.01). Moreover, the reduction in resting systolic blood pressure was higher for the high-intensity interval walking training group (P=.01).CONCLUSION: High-intensity interval walking may protect against age-associated increases in blood pressure and decreases in thigh muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity.

KEN-ICHI NEMOTO, MS; HIROKAZU GEN-NO, PHD; SHIZUE MASUKI, PHD; KAZUNOBU OKAZAKI, PHD; AND HIROSHI NOSE, MD, PHD OBJECTIVE: To examine whether high-intensity interval walking training increased thigh muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity and reduced blood pressure more than moderateintensity continuous walking training. From May 18, 2004, to October 15, 2004 (5-month study period), 60 men and 186 women with a mean ± SD age of 63±6 years were randomly divided into 3 groups: no walking training, moderate-intensity continuous walking training, and high-intensity interval walking training. Participants in the moderate-intensity continuous walking training group were instructed to walk at approximately 50% of their peak aerobic capacity for walking, using a pedometer to verify that they took 8000 steps or more per day for 4 or more days per week. Those in the high-intensity interval walking training group, who were monitored by accelerometry, were instructed to repeat 5 or more sets of 3-minute low-intensity walking at 40% of peak aerobic capacity for walking followed by a 3-minute high-intensity walking above 70% of peak aerobic capacity for walking per day for 4 or more days per week. Isometric knee extension and flexion forces, peak aerobic capacity for cycling, and peak aerobic capacity for walking were all measured both before and after training. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: RESULTS:The targets were met by 9 of 25 men and 37 of 59 women in the no walking training group, by 8 of 16 men and 43 of 59 women in the moderate-intensity continuous walking training group, and by 11 of 19 men and 31 of 68 women in the highintensity interval walking training group. In the high-intensity interval walking training group, isometric knee extension increased by 13%, isometric knee flexion by 17%, peak aerobic capacity for cycling by 8%, and peak aerobic capacity for walking by 9% (all, P<.001), all of which were significantly greater than the increases observed in the moderate-intensity continuous walking training group (all, P<.01). Moreover, the reduction in resting systolic blood pressure was higher for the high-intensity interval walking training group (P=.01).CONCLUSION: High-intensity interval walking may protect against age-associated increases in blood pressure and decreases in thigh muscle strength and peak aerobic capacity.

VO(2peak) at baseline and changes in response to training were closely linked with indices of LSDs.

No abstract

VO2 during walking on various inclines can be precisely estimated by using the device equipped with a triaxial accelerometer and a barometer.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of a triaxial accelerometer for the clinical assessment of standing and gait impairment in ataxic patients quantitatively. Fifty-one patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) or multiple system atrophy with predominant cerebellar ataxia (MSA-C) and 56 healthy control subjects were enrolled. The subjects, with a triaxial accelerometer on their back, were indicated to stand for 30 s in four different conditions (eyes opened or closed, and feet apart or together) and then to walk 10 m for a total of 12 times on a flat floor at their usual walking speed. In standing analysis, the degree of body sway was assessed. In gait analysis, gait velocity, cadence, step length, step regularity (auto-correlation coefficient: AC), step repeatability (cross-correlation coefficient) and the degree of body sway (The ratio of root mean square in each direction to the root mean square vector magnitude: RMSR) were evaluated.ResultsThe degree of body sway in each standing condition and all parameters in gait showed a significant difference between the patients and control subjects. The AC and RMSR values, as well as the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia score, showed a strong correlation with disease duration.ConclusionsVarious parameters obtained by a triaxial accelerometer can be sensitive and objective markers for the assessment and follow-up of standing and gait impairment in ataxic patients.

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There is no exercise training regimen broadly available in the field to increase physical fitness and prevent lifestyle-related diseases in middle-aged and older people. We have developed interval walking training (IWT) repeating five or more sets of 3 min fast walking at ≥70% peak aerobic capacity for walking (wV O 2 peak ) per day with intervening 3 min slow walking at 40% wV O 2 peak , for ≥4 days week −1 , for ≥5 months. Moreover, to determine wV O 2 peak in individuals and also to measure their energy expenditure even while incline walking, we have developed a portable calorimeter. Further, to instruct subjects on IWT even if they live remotely from the trainers, we have developed e-Health Promotion System. This transfers individual energy expenditure during IWT stored on the meter to a central server through the internet; it sends back the achievement to individuals along with advice generated automatically by the sever according to a database on ≥4000 subjects. Where we found that 5 months of IWT increased physical fitness and improved the indices of lifestyle-related diseases by 10-20% on average. Since our system is run at low cost with fewer staff for more subjects, it enables us to develop exercise prescriptions appropriate for individuals.