These findings may contribute to earlier identification of high-risk fallers and intervention for fall prevention.
Background Osteoporosis and related fractures, a worldwide public health issue of growing concern, is characterized by compromised bone strength and an increased risk of fracture. Here we show an association between self-reported walking speed and bone mass among community-dwelling postmenopausal Japanese women aged 50 years and older. Design; cross-sectional study Setting and Participants; The survey population included 1008 postmenopausal women 50–92 years of age residing in rural communities. Methods Self-reported walking speed was ascertained by asking the participants: “Is your walking speed faster than others of the same age and sex?” to which participants responded “yes (faster)” or “no (moderate/slower).” Calcaneal stiffness index was measured. Results Women with a faster self-reported walking speed were younger and had a lower BMI, higher stiffness index, and higher grip strength than women with a slower walking speed. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for age, BMI, grip strength, comorbidity, current smoking, and alcohol drinking status showed a significant association between faster self-reported walking speed and higher calcaneal stiffness index (p < 0.001). Conclusions Our findings suggest that questionnaires of walking speed may be useful for predicting bone mass and that a fast self-reported walking may benefit bone health in postmenopausal women.
The purpose of this study was to conduct different interventions for frail community-dwelling elderly persons and investigate the time course changes in their physical function.[Subjects] The subjects were 51 frail community-dwelling elderly over 65 years of age, classified from category 1 of needing support to category 1 of needing care. [Method] The subjects were divided into a balance exercise group (24 persons) and a muscle strength exercise group (27 persons), according to site, and exercises were performed for 1 hour once a week for 3 months. Oneleg standing with eyes open, the sit-to-stand (STS) time, timed up-and-go (TUG), and lower limb muscle strength were used to assess physical function, and their time course changes were analyzed in each group. [Results] In the balance exercise group, lower limb muscle strength had significantly increased after 1 month, and subsequently all the physical function assessments significantly improved. In the muscle strength exercise group, lower limb muscle strength increased significantly after 2 months, and subsequently the results of the STS and TUG times significantly improved.[Conclusion] In each of the exercise groups, physical function improved after increase in lower limb muscle strength. Furthermore, different responses were shown to the balance and muscle strengthening exercises.
[Purpose] To examine whether resistance training for elderly community-dwellers performed with an interocclusal splint resulted in greater lower extremity muscle strength and better balance than resistance training performed without an interocclusal splint. [Subjects and Methods] Eighty-eight elderly persons using Japanese community day centers were randomly divided into two groups: an intervention group (n=45), which performed resistance training with an interocclusal splint; and a control group (n=43), which performed resistance training without an interocclusal splint. The resistance training program comprised a 40-min session performed twice a week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were the chair stand test (CST), timed up and go test (TUG), and one-leg standing test (OLST). Assessments were conducted before the intervention and every 2 weeks after the start of the intervention. [Results] There was a significant group × time interaction for the OLST, with the intervention group showing significant improvement from 8 to 12 weeks compared to the control group. For the CST and TUG, no significant differences were found between the two groups throughout the 12 weeks. [Conclusion] Resistance training with an interocclusal splint improved the balance ability of elderly community-dwellers more effectively than resistance training without an interocclusal splint.
Background The Sustaining Health by Integrating Next-generation Ecosystems (SHINE) Study was developed as a data platform that incorporates personal health records (PHRs) into health-related data at the municipal level in Japan. This platform allows analyses of the associations between PHRs and future health statuses, and supports the production of evidence for developing preventive care interventions. Herein, we introduce the SHINE Study’s profile and describe its use in preliminary analyses. Methods The SHINE Study involves the collection of participants’ health measurements and their addition to various health-related data from the Longevity Improvement & Fair Evidence (LIFE) Study. With cooperation from municipal governments, measurements can be acquired from persons enrolled in government-led long-term care prevention classes and health checkups who consent to participate in the SHINE Study. For preliminary analyses, we collected salivary test measurements, lifelog measurements, and gait measurements; these were linked with the LIFE Study’s database. We analyzed the correlations between these measurements and the previous year’s health care expenditures. Results We successfully linked PHR data of 33 participants for salivary test measurements, 44 participants for lifelog measurements, and 32 participants for gait measurements. Only mean torso speed in the gait measurements was significantly correlated with health care expenditures (r = -0.387, P = 0.029). Conclusion The SHINE Study was developed as a data platform to collect and link PHRs with the LIFE Study’s database. The analyses undertaken with this platform are expected to contribute to the development of preventive care tools and promote health in Japan.
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