These findings indicated that lower limb muscle mass was the first to begin to decrease and also showed the greatest decrease. For health promotion, it was seen as important to maintain muscle mass from at least middle age, with particular emphasis on the lower limbs.

The TMT reflects complex walking performance, so it can be a useful synthetic indicator for health programs promoting independence in elderly Japanese.

No abstract

Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the activity of oblique muscles during the sitting.[Subjects] The subjects of this study were 7 healthy males, mean age of 30.9 years. [Methods] An electromyography telemetry system (MQ-8, KISSEI COMTEC) was used for the measurements, and fifteen electrodes were arranged over the left oblique muscle. We measured electromyograms of the oblique muscles during lateral weight transfer in the sitting position. [Results] No significant changes were shown by the relative values of the integrated electromyograms as the lateral distance of weight transfer increased. The values of the oblique muscles on the opposite side showed increasing values at all electrodes, and two electrodes over the internal oblique muscle showed significantly higher values. [Conclusion] The results suggest that elevation of the pelvis by the internal oblique muscle on the opposite side is important during lateral weight transfer in the sitting position.

Evaluation of motion strategy during FRT is not generally included in physical assessment aiming at rehabilitation and promotion of good health. We believe that measuring only reach distance during FRT is insufficient for evaluating gait; therefore, examining motion strategy during FRT is also necessary. [Subjects] The subjects were 83 healthy university students (46 men and 37 women; range, 19-21 years), and 128 elderly persons (42 men and 86 women; range, 70-87 years). [Methods] We investigated and compared the motion strategy during FRT in both the young and elderly subjects and examined the influence of aging on motion strategy. [Results] Elderly persons used patterns of movement with ankle plantar flexion more often than the young persons. [Conclusion] The ankle plantar flexion pattern was dominant among the elderly subjects because the center of gravity in FRT was located within the base of support. We would like to use FRT as an index for fall prevention. To do that, we would need to devise a method to measure the ability to control the body in the situation in which center of gravity starts deviating from the base of support.