Abstract.[Purpose] The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of isometric muscle strength measurements of the lower limbs and hips made with a hand-held dynamometer and belt by comparing them with measurements obtained by an isokinetic dynamometer.[Subjects] The subjects were 24 healthy adults (12 men, 12 women) with a mean age of 20.4 years.[Method] Measurements were made with both instruments on the flexors, extensors, abductors, adductors, external rotators and internal rotators of the hip and flexors and extensors of the knee.[Results] Measurements obtained with the hand-held dynamometer and belt were significantly lower than those obtained with the isokinetic dynamometer. Pearson's correlation coefficients for the measurements made with the two instruments ranged from 0.52 to 0.88 for all muscle groups except the hip abductors which was 0.34. In the hip abductors, the coefficient was 0.65 when forces of 450 N and higher were excluded.[Conclusion] Isometric muscle strength measurements of the lower limbs and hips obtained with a hand-held dynamometer and belt are considered to be valid except for measurement of hip abduction of subjects with high muscle strength.

Abstract.[Purpose] An investigation of the blood flow velocity in the femoral vein was carried out, in order to verify the effectiveness of elastic stockings, and intermittent pneumatic compression, [Subjects] Subjects were 16 healthy males with no past history of vascular lesions.[Methods] A comparative investigation was carried out of the blood flow velocity of the femoral vein, which was measured at rest under three different conditions -at rest, wearing elastic stockings, and with an intermittent pneumatic compression device.[Results] The blood flow velocities in the femoral vein were 30.7 ± 5.2 cm/sec, 29.1 ± 6.6 cm/sec, and 50.4 ± 19.3 cm/sec for at rest, wearing elastic stockings and with the application of intermittent pneumatic compression respectively. No significant differences were observed among any of the conditions. [Conclusion] There were no differences observed in blood-flow velocity between wearing the elastic stockings and the application of intermittent pneumatic compression.This study clarified the effect of passive methods on blood flow velocity in the femoral vein.

[Purpose] To clarify vertebral compression fracture (VCF) patients' dietary status, and to investigate the association of their energy intake and walking ability, an outcome measure of rehabilitation.[Subjects] Thirtyone VCF patients who could walk independently prior to VCF. [Methods] Their energy intake ratio (energy intake/ energy consumption) was assessed over 7 days of hospital admission. Patients with an energy intake ratio ≥1.0 were assigned to the sufficient (SUF) group, and those with a ratio <1.0 were assigned to the deficient (DEF) group; and the functional ambulation category (FAC), an index of walking ability, was compared between the two groups.[Results] Seventy-four percent of the patients were found to have dietary deficiency. The FAC of the SUF group was significantly higher than that of the DEF group both at the start of walking training and at hospital discharge, and an association between the energy intake ratio and FAC was found.[Conclusion] The results suggest that many VCF patients have dietary intake deficiency, and that this affects their walking ability.

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The influence on respiratory function of the pressure exerted by a pillow placed behind the back for position change was examined. [Subjects] The subjects were 22 normal healthy males with no history of respiratory or cardiovascular disease. [Method] The tidal volume (TV) and expiratory reserve volume (ERV) were calculated from the respiratory function under two conditions: with the pillow placed at the back in side-lying (P1), and with the pillow placed between the scapular arch and the pelvic girdle in side-lying (P2). At the same time, the distance moved by the diaphragm (DD) was measured by an ultrasound diagnostic imaging device. [Results] In P1, a significantly lower value for TV, a significantly higher value for ERV, and a significantly shorter value of DD were shown. [Conclusion] Ventilation was decreased in P1, and the results suggest that the decrease in diaphragm movement resulted from increased residual air in the lungs putting them in an expanded state.