Aim. The aim of this investigation was to compare the physical characteristics and somatotypes of 4 Japanese male golfer groups with 2 non-golfer control groups.
Methods. Sixty-three male golfers, professional golfers (PR, n=11), collegiate golfers (CO, n=24), general amateur golfers (AM, n=13), collegiate recreational golfers (RE, n=15), non-golfing college student (CG, n=45) and a senior population of non-golfers as a control group (SC, n=20), for a total n=128. They were somatotyped, according to the Heath-Carter anthropometric method.
Results. The results show that the categories of the mean somatotypes of PR (3.8-5.8-1.6), CO (4.7-5.6-2.2), AM (3.3-4.4-2.6) and RE (3.7-4.8-2.7) were endomorphic mesomorph, SC (4.7-3.9-2.1) was mesomorphic endomorph, and CG (3.8-4.3-3.3) was central, respectively. The anthropometric variables that best discriminated between skilled and unskilled golfers were body weight, calf skinfold, calf girth, and femur width, with 82% correctly classified PR and 83% correctly classified for CO. Secondly, combination of sum of 4 skinfolds, biceps girth and humerus width, with 72% correctly classified PR and 75% correctly classified for CO.
Conclusion. Within the Japanese golfer groups, there are differences between golfers and non-golfers with respect to somatotype, body size and composition. Results suggested that PR showed significantly larger limb girth than other groups. Somatotypes in male golfers tend to increased mesomorphy, related to skill level.

1. The present study was performed in order to determine the reliablility of the portable calorimeter. 2. Resting energy expenditure (REE) was measured by two different apparatuses: one was the typical gas analyser, the other was the portable calorimeter. 3. Although there are differences among individuals, unless the subject has been exposed to severe physical activity prior to the measurement, a suitable resting time prior to the measurement of resting metabolic rate is 10 min. 4. For the measurement of resting metabolic rate, fluctuations in respiratory quotient (RQ) are extremely small
there is greater fluctuation due to variations in respiration. Therefore, for the screening of energy consumption, the use of a fixed value for RQ is sufficient when measuring only oxygen uptake. 5. Respiratory fluctuations vary from person to person and it is not possible to make stable measurements in 1 or 2 min. Therefore, a suitable measurement time for resting metabolic rate is from 3 to approximately 6 min. 6. The results indicate that this portable calorimeter is a useful apparatus for measuring REE in the field.

We have investigated the etiology of lower-back muscle fatigue using simultaneous recordings of electromyography (EMG), mechanomyography (MMG), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in an attempt to shed some light on the electrophysiological, mechanical, and metabolic characteristics, respectively. Eight male subjects performed isometric back extensions at an angle of 15 degrees with reference to the horizontal plane for a period of 60 s. Surface EMG, MMG and NIRS signals were recorded simultaneously from the center of the erector spinae at the level of L3. NIRS was measured to determine the level of muscle blood volume (V) and oxygenation (Oxy-Hb). The root mean square amplitude value (RMS) of the EMG signal was significantly increased at the initial phase of contraction and then fell significantly, while mean power frequency (MPF) of the EMG signal decreased significantly and progressively as a. function of time. There were also significant initial increases in RMS-MMG that were followed by progressive decreases at the end of fatiguing contractions. MPF-MMG remained unchanged. Muscle BV and Oxy-Hb decreased dramatically at the onset of the contraction and then remained almost constant throughout the rest of the contraction. These results, obtained by simultaneous recordings of EMG, MMG, and NIRS, demonstrate that the restriction of blood flow due to high intramuscular mechanical pressure is one of the most important factors in muscle fatigue in the lower-back muscles. In addition, the simultaneous recording system described here can be used to obtain more reliable information regarding the mechanism(s) of lower-back muscle fatigue.

Stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) induce spontaneous osteoporosis. To elucidate the specific characteristics of bone metabolism, the SHRSP was compared with age matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. We investigated the effects of prolonged swimming exercise training on bone mineral density (BMD) and metabolism in the SHRSP. Seven-week-old male SHRSP and WKY were divided into three groups
the sedentary control WKY group (n=6, WKY), the sedentary control SHRSP group (n=6, SP) and the swimming exercise training SHRSP group (n=6, SWIM) (in pool with 60 min./day, 5 days/week for 12 weeks). The femoral BMD, bone mineral content (BMC), strength, Ca and P contents (%) of SHRSP were approximately 17, 27, 25, 20 and 9%, respectively, lower than that of WKY (p&lt
0.001). Serum alkaline phosphatase (AlP) had not changed between both of SP and WKY, but tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TrAcP) of SP approximately 3-fold higher than that of WKY (p&lt
0.05). Both serum calcium (Ca) and intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) were similar between SP and WKY. However, serum phosphate (P) of SP was approximately 18% lower than that of WKY (N.S.). These results suggested that SHRSP induces osteopenia by the bone turnover of the promoted osteoclast activity with disturbed phosphate homeostasis. On the other hand, the femoral BMD and strength were approximately 7% and 20%, respectively, decreased in the SWIM (p&lt
0.001), and femoral bone Ca and P contents (%) were also approximately 11% and 14%, respectively, lower than that of SP (p&lt
0.001). There were no significant difference between SWIM and SP on serum Ca, but serum P of SWIM was significantly lower than that of SP (p&lt
0.05). These results suggested that the prolonged swimming exercise training in the SHRSP induces more cruelly hypophosphatemia, and leading to osteopenia eventually. We conclude that SHRSP induces osteopenia with disturbance of phosphate homeostasis, and the prolonged swimming exercise in the SHRSP might deteriorate hypophosphatemia and osteopenia.

Background: Ingesting a combination of caffeine and ephedrine (C+E) has been shown to raise metabolic heat production and body temperature This side effect of C+E ingestion may be positive during;a cold stress scenario, however, during hear stress it could prove to be detrimental. Thus, the purpose or this study was to clarify the effect of C+E ingestion on body temperature regulation during moderate exercise in a hot dry environment. Methods: Ten, healthy, non heat acclimated, males exercised at 50% Vo(2) peak in a 40 degrees C and 30% RH environment until rectal temperature reached 39.3 degrees C; heart rate (HR) remained at 95% of peak value or greater for 3 min, dizziness or nausea precluded further exercise, or 3 h had elapsed. They did this four times at weekly intervals: familiarization (Fam), control (Cont), placebo, and C+E(5 mg kg(-1) caffeine + 1 mg kg(-1) ephedrine) trials. The Fam and Cent treatments were done first and sequentially while the placebo and C+E treatments were balanced and double-blind. Tolerance times, mean skin temperature (Tsk), rectal temperature (Tre), Vo(2),Vco(2),V-E sweat rate (SR), HR, and sensation of thermal comfort were measured. Results: Tolerance times (mean +/- SD in minutes) were similar for the placebo (120.0 +/- 28.4) and C+E (121.3 +/- 33.9) trials and both times were significantly longer than Cont(106.6 +/- 24.0) trial. C+E did not affect Tsk, initial Tre, Delta Tie, SR or the sensation of thermal comfort. Vo(2) and V-E were significantly increased by C+E. HR was elevated by C+E compared with the other trials, but only during the initial 20 min of exercise. Conclusion: Although the metabolic rate was slightly increased with C+E treatment, it was sufficiently offset by increased heat loss mechanisms so that internal body temperature was not increased during moderate exercise in a hot, dry environment.

The local exposure of cold has been used to decrease spasticity and facilitate neuromuscular function. This study analyzed the change in the excitation of the motor neuron pool, which was indicated by the amplitude of the H reflex measured in lower limb muscles when the skin temperature was lowered in different cooling area. The subjects were seven healthy males. A series of H and M wave were recorded via surface electromyogram electrodes before cooling and during cooling of the soleus muscle. The skin temperature was lowered in average from 33.1℃ to 22℃ subsequently. In all cases, the amplitude of the H wave increased in response to cooling. It was concluded that different exposure areas did not affect H reflex during localized muscular cooling.

In the last few years, epidemiological studies have shown correlations between the low endurance capacity of the erector spinae muscle and low back pain (LBP). In this study, the function of the erector spinae muscle and localized muscle fatigue in LBP were investigated in both LBP patients and control subjects without LBP, using surface multi-channel electromyograms (EMG). Four positions (L1, L2, L4, L5) were chosen as representative locations for the different functions of the erector spinae muscle. Median frequency (f(m)) parameters of an EMG power density spectrum were monitored to quantify localized muscle fatigue. This research indicated a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) in f(m) parameters between the LBP patients and the control subjects. The integrated electromyogram (iEMG) signals of LBP patients were considerably higher than for the control subjects during endurance isometric contraction. Our research suggested that human fatiguing erector spinae muscle, in submaximal voluntary contractions tests, induced a different firing order of motor unit spikes between two groups.