The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire to conveniently assess the diurnal preferences of physical activity (PA) in Japanese university students. A total of 219 subjects completed our novel Morningness-eveningness Exercise Preference Questionnaire (MEEPQ). The MEEPQ consisted of 30 items (15 items for the morning and the same 15 items for the evening) rated on a 5-point Likert scale concerning their preference for participating in PA in the morning and evening. The morning score (MS) and evening score (ES) were determined by summing each of the respective 15 items. The internal consistency and construct validity were assessed, and a factor analysis was conducted. To examine the external validity of the MEEPQ, participants wore an accelerometer for seven consecutive days to measure their PA levels objectively. Finally, the test-retest reliability was evaluated at a one-month interval. The MEEPQ showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.896) and construct validity (morning KMO = 0.913, evening KMO = 0.875). A factor analysis showed a three-factor structure involving Physical Wellness (MEEPQ-W), Psychological Well-Being (MEEPQ-P) and Exercise Barrier (MEEPQ-B). The percent of variance was largest for MEEPQ-W in the morning (45.2%) and MEEPQ-P in the evening (40.8%). Test-retest showed that MEEPQ scores had fair repeatability. Significant and positive associations between scores and objectively measured PA levels were found in the MS and 6–9 AM PA and in the ES and 6–9 PM and 9 PM– 0 AM PA (all p<0.05). In summary, the novel MEEPQ showed relatively good agreement and thus can be used for Japanese university student samples. In the MEEPQ, three factors (the physical wellness, psychological well-being and exercise barrier) contributed to a morning or evening PA preference. The summed scores were significantly associated with the objectively measured PA levels in both the morning and evening. Therefore the MEEPQ appears to be a suitable tool for assessing diurnal PA preferences.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the eŠect of experience or inexperience with weight-training under appropriate supervision on the knowledge of squatting exercises among university students. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among university students who exercise regularly (30 or more min per day, 2 or more days per week, and maintaining this for more than 1 year) to clarify the relationships between their experience of weight-training under appropriate supervision, knowledge of squatting exercises, and the frequency with which they perform squatting exercises (n＝309). More than half of the students who exercised regularly had never experienced weight-training under appropriate supervision. Approximately 50z of the participants performed squats periodically, even if they did not have any experience with weight-training under appropriate supervision. The participants who lacked experience with weight-training under supervision had made signiˆcantly fewer attempts to consciously train their gluteal and knee ‰exor muscles during squatting exercises than those who had experienced weight-training under supervision. In fact, approximately 50z of the former did not consciously train their gluteal muscles during squatting exercises at all. These results suggest that although the students performed squatting exercises periodically, those who had never experienced weight-training under supervision may not have properly understood the squatting method. Therefore, to enhance the beneˆts of training, people should be shown the correct method to perform training exercises and given appropriate supervision.

This study investigated the relationship between normal weight obesity (NW-O) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in 120 female university students who participated in sporting activities during junior and senior high school. The current physical activity level (PAL) was estimated by a factorial method using 24-h physical activity recall. The body mass index (BMI) of the participants ranged from 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2; their body fat (BF) was classified as NW-O if above the 75th percentile (28.9% BF), normal weight and lean (NW-L) if below the 25th percentile value (21.0%BF), and all others were normal weight (NW). PAL was significantly lower in NW-O than in NW-L. SMI was significantly lower in NW-O than in NW and NW-L, and 60% of NW-O had Low-SMI (<6.3 kg/m2). Although lower limb muscle mass was significantly lower in NW-O than in NW and NW-L, no significant differences were found in the upper limbs. These results suggest that the current PAL is associated with NW-O, and NW-O is associated with a lower SMI, even in young females with past exercise habits. Therefore, the prevention of NW-O in young females is important for the prevention of not only lifestyle-related diseases, but also future sarcopenia.

This study investigated the association between nutritional intake and indices of muscle mass or strength in 104 female Japanese university students who participated in sports activities during their junior and senior high school periods and had a high current physical activity level (PAL). Body composition was measured by the bioelectrical impedance method, and appendicular muscle mass (AMM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) were evaluated as muscle mass. PAL was estimated using a factorial method and nutritional intake status was investigated using a food frequency questionnaire based on food groups (FFQg). Grip strength was measured as an index of muscle strength. According to the criteria for diagnosis of sarcopenia, four of the participants had low muscle mass and one also had low grip strength. Although there were no significant differences in body size or grip strength between participants with a high versus low SMI, participants with a low SMI had a significantly higher percentage of body fat (27.7 ± 4.7% vs. 23.3 ± 4.1%), and significantly lower AMM (16.0 ± 1.4 kg vs. 20.6 ± 1.5 kg), total energy intake (1770.4 ± 386.5 kcal/d vs. 2017.1 ± 389.9 kcal/d), and protein intake (57.3 ± 15.0 g/d vs. 67.0 ± 14.2 g/d), as well as a tendency to have a significantly lower carbohydrate intake (239.6 ± 49.3 g/d vs. 268.1 ± 54.4 g/d), than those with a high SMI. These results indicate that even some female university students with a high PAL have a lower muscle mass and might have a low dietary intake, mainly protein and carbohydrate. The results of multiple regression analysis of AMM, SMI, or grip strength with PAL and nutrient intake revealed that PAL and total energy intake or protein intake were significantly and positively associated with muscle mass and strength. These results suggest that a high PAL as well as total energy intake and protein intake among the macronutrients contribute to high muscle mass and muscle strength in young women.

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