Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the number of the running events held or canceled after the Tohoku region Pacific coast earthquake, and to determine how many people lost the opportunity to participate in running events.<BR>Methods : The large internet running information site "RUNNET" was utilized. First of all, our survey was conducted by using a "detail search" on RUNNET to investigate the number of events scheduled to be held from January through May in 2010 and also in 2011. Then each event scheduled was investigated with regard to whether it was held or cancelled after March 11^th, 2011. Subsequently, our survey checked the number of applicants for each event, according to their official homepage or RUNNET event report page.<BR>Results : The results showed that there were 38 events held in the 1^st week of March in 2011, but there was a dramatic decrease in the number of events to 7 in the week following the earthquake. Overall, 118 events were cancelled in the 3 months after the earthquake. The findings of our investigation showed that a total of over 270,000 runners lost opportunities. <BR>Discussion : The investigation confirmed that cancelled events were not only limited to the Tohoku region, but also occurred in areas not affected. It possibly suggests that there were concerns for victims and affected areas. The canceling of many events may have caused behavioral changes for people who tried to start or maintain their healthy lives through participation in running events.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the healthy eating literacy (HEL) scale among Japanese adults.<br>Methods: The cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted via the Internet in December 2010. The participants were 6045 Japanese male and female adults(20- 59 years) who were registered with a social research company. Construct validity was estimated from confirmatory factor analysis and criterion-related validity. Criterion-related validity was determined by examining the relationship between HEL and the stages of change. The reliability was evaluated by assessing the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) and a 14-days test-retest(n=100).<br>Results: Totally, 1252 respondents completed the survey (response rate: 20.7%). The good goodness-of-fit indices were obtained using the confirmatory factor analysis (GFI=0.988, AGFI=0.957, CFI=0.990, RMSEA=0.080). Analysis of Covariance revealed that HEL was positively associated with the stages of change (F=19.7, p<0.001). Both the internal consistency (α=0.87) and the test-retest reliability (r=0.742, p<0.001) were good.<br>Conclusions: This study indicated the reliability and validity of the proposed scale to evaluate HEL among Japanese adults.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between change in the perceived motivational climate created by coaches and change in goal orientations over time among Japanese high-school ice hockey players. One hundred and forty-six players completed surveys twice over the course of the athletic season. The results showed that a change in task-involving climate was positively associated with change in task orientation over the course of the season. Changes in both task-involving climate and ego-involving climate were positively associated with change in ego orientation over time. These results demonstrated that the task-involving climate created by coaches may influence not only players task goal orientations but also their ego orientation in Japanese youth sports settings. On the other hand, an ego-involving climate created by coaches may influence players' ego goal orientations.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the sociodemographic and health-related characteristics of those who are unaware of the Japanese Food Guide Spinning Top (Food Guide).<br/>Methods A longitudinal study was conducted using an Internet-based questionnaire with 1,012 Japanese adults (40.2±10.0 years, mean±SD) recruited from registrants of a Japanese social research company. Conducted between November 2007 (T1) and December 2008 (T2), the survey included items on awareness level ("I know the contents." "I have heard of this Guide." or "I have not heard of this Guide.") of the Food Guide as the dependent variable, and demographics factors (e.g., age, education status, marital status, household income, and employment status) and health-related characteristics (obesity, abdominal obesity, and insufficient physical activity) as the independent variables. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relation between awareness level and each variable. The relation between change of awareness level (T1–T2) and each variable was analyzed using a chi-square test. All the analyses were stratified by gender.<br/>Results In the multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for all variables, men with a household income of 5,000,000–10,000,000 yen (OR=1.78; 95% CI=1.10–2.88) were positively associated with awareness level ("I have heard of this Guide."). In contrast, unmarried women were negatively associated with awareness level in T1 ("I know the contents"; OR=0.35; 95% CI=0.17–0.70. "I have heard of this Guide"; OR=0.50; 95% CI=0.27–0.92). In men, the awareness level of the Food Guide increased from T1 to T2, change of awareness level (T1; "I have not heard of this Guide") and education status being related (P=0.023). In women, the awareness levels overall did not improve from T1 to T2, but change of awareness level (T1; "I have heard of this Guide") was associated with household income (P<0.001). In both men and women, change of awareness level was not associated with health-related characteristics.<br/>Conclusion The results of this study suggest that awareness of the Food Guide has increased among those with health risk factors, such as obesity and low levels of physical activity. The promotion strategy of the Food Guide might need to target males with low-level education, unmarried women, and women with a high household income.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived motivational climate and goal orientations among Japanese high school ice hockey players. One hundred eighty-five male ice hockey players completed questionnaires in their athletic season (mid-October) . Among the research items, the dependent variable was perceived motivational climate. The independent variables included goal orientations (task orientation and ego orientation) . Multiple regression analysis was utilized for examining the predictor of contemplation. Exploratory factor analysis suggested that the perceived motivational climate contained two higher-order scales (Task-Involving and Ego-Involving) , each with two subscales (Task : Cooperative and Important Role, Effort/Improvement; Ego: Unequal Recognition, Punishment for Mistakes) . Results of confirmatory factor analysis to test the factor structure of the motivational climate supported the validity of the oblique four-factor model and oblique hierarchical model. Multiple regression analysis revealed that Task-Involving climate alone positively predicted task orientation, while ego-involving climate didn&rsquo; t emerge as significant. In addition, the analysis indicated that the Task-Involving climate and the Ego-Involving climate were significant predictors of ego orientation. These results indicate that a perceived motivational climate may influence goal orientations. Therefore, it would be important for youth sport coaches to understand their athletes&rsquo; perceptions of the motivational climate

Purpose : To understand the factors associated with the initiation and maintenance of strength training among older people, a qualitative approach would be useful. The purpose of the present study was to explore the initiation processes involved in strength training, and the facilitators and barriers to maintain strength training among people aged 60-74 years.<BR>Methods : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 members of a sports club. The interview consisted of questions related to initiation processes, facilitators, and barriers of strength training. Transcripts of the interviews were reviewed and categorizations were conducted.<BR>Results : The initiation processes consisted of "coping with physical inactivity or health problems," "encouragement from others," "increase in leisure time," "feeling good program," "interests in physical activity," and "enjoyment of other sports," The common categories between facilitators and barriers were "physical factors," "psychological factors," "social factors," and "environmental factors." In addition, "daily life factors" and "other factors" were categorized as facilitators, and "uncontrollable factors" were categorized as barriers.<BR>Discussion : These results indicate that 1) the initiation of strength training would be associated with interests in health problems and physical activity, increase of leisure time, encouragement from others, or presence of a good program, and that 2) the maintenance of strength training would be associated with environmental factors and daily life factors as well as physical and psychosocial factors.

It is important to clarify the impact of competition among J-League clubs on the distance decay parameters of season ticket purchase rate for J-clubs marketing.<BR>    The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the distance decay parameters of J-league season ticket purchase rate and the other competing clubs when two clubs are located close together, using the distance decay model.<BR>    All of the respondents were J-League season ticket holders of four clubs: theYokohama F·Marinos, Shonan Bellmare, Gamba Osaka and Cerezo Osaka. Postal code were collected in 2008 January. Season ticket purchase rate and the distance between each stadium and center of cities were calculated using geographic information system. Through the distance decay model, we estimated the distance decay parameters.<BR>    The results of the present study suggested that the season ticket purchase rates of the higher performance clubs are widely distributed (distance decay slope is gentle) , while the season ticket purchase rates of the lower performance clubs are precipitously distributed (distance decay slope is steep) . In conclusion, it is possible that the distance decay parameters of J-League season ticket purchase rates are affected by the existence of other competing when two clubs are located close together.

The aim of the present report was to analyze the primary factors for implementation of a "strength conditioning exercise class" and to introduce a process for promotion of health and preventive care.<BR>    Kita-ku, Tokyo, planned a "strength conditioning exercise class" in order to promote the health status of elderly residents and to reduce their health care costs. The characteristic factors for the program were the following ; 1) classroom naming, 2) participation procedures, conditions and costs, 3) leader, 4) program contents, 5) assembly hall secured.<BR>    The numbers of the annual participants increased from 4,828 in 2002 to 52,623 in 2009 according to the increase of the venues and the budget. In addition to the suitable naming, the free participation fee, the free reservations, and other factors reduced the participation barriers for the elderly residents.<BR>    The present case provides information on business planning for local governments in promoting the health status of elderly residents.

The aim of the present report was to analyze the primary factors for implementation of a "strength conditioning exercise class" and to introduce a process for promotion of health and preventive care.<BR>    Kita-ku, Tokyo, planned a "strength conditioning exercise class" in order to promote the health status of elderly residents and to reduce their health care costs. The characteristic factors for the program were the following ; 1) classroom naming, 2) participation procedures, conditions and costs, 3) leader, 4) program contents, 5) assembly hall secured.<BR>    The numbers of the annual participants increased from 4,828 in 2002 to 52,623 in 2009 according to the increase of the venues and the budget. In addition to the suitable naming, the free participation fee, the free reservations, and other factors reduced the participation barriers for the elderly residents.<BR>    The present case provides information on business planning for local governments in promoting the health status of elderly residents.

The purpose of this study was to develop a Social Support Scale for Sports and to clarify the differences in evaluations of social support according to differences in the frequency of participation in sports.<BR>    The survey was carried out by a questionnaire mailed to 5,000 people aged 18 and over, randomly selected from the Basic Resident Register in "city A" .<BR>    Using factor analysis, 2 factors were extracted : "instrumental support" and "emotional support." The results showed that both factors' social support scores showed higher values as the participation in sports became more frequent. <BR>    The results suggest that the Social Support Scale for Sports has validity for sports.

Purpose : To understand the factors associated with the initiation and maintenance of strength training among older people, a qualitative approach would be useful. The purpose of the present study was to explore the initiation processes involved in strength training, and the facilitators and barriers to maintain strength training among people aged 60-74 years.<BR>Methods : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 members of a sports club. The interview consisted of questions related to initiation processes, facilitators, and barriers of strength training. Transcripts of the interviews were reviewed and categorizations were conducted.<BR>Results : The initiation processes consisted of "coping with physical inactivity or health problems," "encouragement from others," "increase in leisure time," "feeling good program," "interests in physical activity," and "enjoyment of other sports," The common categories between facilitators and barriers were "physical factors," "psychological factors," "social factors," and "environmental factors." In addition, "daily life factors" and "other factors" were categorized as facilitators, and "uncontrollable factors" were categorized as barriers.<BR>Discussion : These results indicate that 1) the initiation of strength training would be associated with interests in health problems and physical activity, increase of leisure time, encouragement from others, or presence of a good program, and that 2) the maintenance of strength training would be associated with environmental factors and daily life factors as well as physical and psychosocial factors.

The purpose of the present article was to describe the process of developing and implementing a pelvis exercise program for mothers in the Child-Rearing Service Center operated by the local government of Abiko City, Japan. After assessment of a trial event, the present program, which was aimed to satisfy the mother' s needs, was developed and carried out three times. As a result, the number of the users of the center showed the highest value among each month (T-score 76-94) . The program would have possibilities not only for developing pelvis alignment, but also for enhancing communication among the mothers in the center.

The authors examined the relationship between strength-training behavior and perceived environment in older Japanese adults. An Internet-based survey was conducted of 293 adults age 68.2 +/- 2.8 yr. The dependent variable was regular strength-training behavior. The IPAQ environment module, access to facilities for strength training, and home equipment for strength training were environmental factors. Logistic-regression analysis was employed. After demographic variables (gender, age, educational background, household income, body-mass index, self-rated health status, smoking habit, and residential area) were adjusted for, home equipment for strength training (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.50-3.06), access to facilities for strength training (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.32-4.85), and observing active people (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.06-4.58) were positively correlated with regular strength-training behavior. In conclusion, environmental factors associated with strength-training behavior were access to facilities for strength training, having home equipment for strength training, and observing active people.

The authors examined the relationship between strength-training behavior and perceived environment in older Japanese adults. An Internet-based survey was conducted of 293 adults age 68.2 +/- 2.8 yr. The dependent variable was regular strength-training behavior. The IPAQ environment module, access to facilities for strength training, and home equipment for strength training were environmental factors. Logistic-regression analysis was employed. After demographic variables (gender, age, educational background, household income, body-mass index, self-rated health status, smoking habit, and residential area) were adjusted for, home equipment for strength training (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.50-3.06), access to facilities for strength training (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.32-4.85), and observing active people (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.06-4.58) were positively correlated with regular strength-training behavior. In conclusion, environmental factors associated with strength-training behavior were access to facilities for strength training, having home equipment for strength training, and observing active people.

Although it is crucial to examine the environmental correlates of physical activity (PA) for developing more effective interventions for overweight populations, limited studies have investigated differences in the environmental correlates on body mass index (BMI). The purpose of the present study was to examine the perceived environmental correlates of PA among normal-weight and overweight Japanese men. Data were analyzed for 1,420 men (aged 44.4 +/- 8.3 years), who responded to an internet-based cross-sectional survey of answering the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and its Environment Module. Binary logistic regression analyses were utilized to examine the environmental factors associated with meeting the PA recommendation (150 minutes/week) between the normal-weight and overweight men. After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, common and different environmental correlates of PA were observed among normal-weight and overweight men. Furthermore, significant interactions regarding PA were observed between BMI status and two environmental correlates: access to public transportation (P = 0.03) and crime safety during the day (P = 0.01). The results indicated that BMI status is a potential moderator between perceived environmental factors and PA and suggested that different environmental intervention approaches should be developed for overweight populations.

The purpose of this review article is to describe the background and trends of physical activity and environment studies in the health promotion area. Because environmental factors are expected to have a long-term and substantial impact on large population, the importance of environment as a determinant of physical activity is highlighted. Previous studies have developed questionnaires for evaluating perceived environment, examined objectively assessed environmental factors, and identified environmental attributes specific to certain behavior. More recently, longitudinal studies, intervention studies, studies examining moderators, and studies investigating the effects on various outcomes have been conducted. The importance of developing effective strategies for changing the neighborhood environment itself is pointed out.

In this article, the authors introduce an interesting and fresh marketing approach for the running market. Adidas, one of the world' s top sports brands, conducted consumer research on 1,000 runners from all over Japan and released a previously unknown fact that 80% of Japanese general runners were sharing the same inner problems such as, "I had lost my aim or purpose in running" , "I was uncertain of appropriate running techniques" and "I was not realizing any benefit from running." Adidas set this large group as their primary target consumers. Then, they used the name "Meiso Runners" and promoted this concept in the mass media as a highly influential communication technique.<BR>    They executed the marketing communication activities with using "Strategic PR" for their service and products. They created the concept of "Meiso Runners" , and consequently they made a strong impact on the running market through the big media coverage and achieved a great success in their business; increasing their sales to 120% of the previous year.<BR>    It is believed that by creating the concept of "Meiso Runners" and by clearly defining the concerns of this group of runners, Adidas was able to catapult running into discussions across a broad spectrum of society, and acquire awareness about which of their products and services provided ideal solutions to meet the runners' needs.

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of introduction of Compulsory Competitive tendering (CCT) on "existing" and "new" customers' satisfaction in a public sports center. A questionnaire (consisting of 19 items) and interview was conducted in "A" sports center, which introduced CCT in April 2006. The survey before CCT was conducted in February 2006 and after CCT in every February of 2007, 2008, and 2009. In total, 1,941 respondents answered the questionnaire. The interviews were conducted by facility managers in June 2007 and May 2008. <BR>Results of ANOVA and two-way ANOVA were following ; <BR>—  For "existing" customers, the mean scores of 9 items were significantly higher after CCT than before, but "Number of people in the pool" , "Number of people in the activity spaces" , and "Overall satisfaction" showed opposite results. <BR>—  For "new" customers, there were significant differences in 3 items. For example, the mean scores of items about staff in 2007 and 2008 were lower than in 2006. <BR>—  From two-way ANOVA, there ware interaction between <existing/new> and <year> in four items. This suggests that the effect of the CCT on customers' satisfaction of "existing" customers and "new" customers was not the same.

The purpose of this study was 1) to examine whether parents have the intention to recommend resistance training (RT) as the circuit training (CT) program for their children, and 2) to identify the perception of resistance training associated with the intention. <BR>    The participants were 694 parents of children attending public elementary school in Tokyo. Questionnaire survey was conducted. Research items were 1) perception of Children′s RT, 2) perception of Children′s training (9 items) , 3) intention to recommend Children′s CT program. Logistic regression analysis was utilized to identify the perceptions related to intention to recommend. <BR>    As results, the answers of 403 participants were valid. Regarding the perception of Children′s RT, 45.1% of participants' answers were negative, and 9.7% were positive. In contrast, regarding the intention to recommend Children′s CT program, 9.6% were negative, and 43.2% were positive. Among the perceptions, enjoyment of RT (OR=4.32 ; %CI=2.38-7.85) , RT for busy children (OR=3.16 ; %CI=1.79-5.59) , RT for health promotion (OR=3.02; %CI=1.02-8.94) , RT of continuance to adult (OR=2.07 ; %CI=1.13-3.79) , and RT for prevention of injury and disability (OR=2.02 ; %CI=1.02-4.03) were significantly associated with the intention. No significant associations were observed with perception of Children′s RT (OR=2.73 ; %CI=0.95-7.85) and safety of RT (OR=1.52 ; %CI=0.73-3.19) . <BR>    These results indicate that there would be a possibility to provide the RT through the CT program even if the perception of parents toward child RT is negative, that enjoyment of RT might be more important than safety of RT for promoting the direct intention.

For frail elderly, long-term support is important for maintaining an independent and active life. From April of 2008, the local government of Ichikawa-City held a new exercise program called the "Iki-Iki Kenkou Kyoshitsu (Classroom for Healthy Living) , C class ", which consisted mainly of sitting exercises. The number of participants has been favorably increasing. As the results, the program was held at five sites (seven classes) in May of 2010. Moreover, most of the participants reported favorable changes in both physical and psychological aspects. The satisfaction with the program contributed to the increase of the participants.

Aim: Oxidised low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered a risk marker for cardiovascular disease. However, it remains unclear whether oxidised LDL concentrations differ with the physical activity status in older adults. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the amount of physical activity and oxidised LDL in older adults.
Methods: Twenty-seven older adults (aged 69.9 +/- 4.3 years, mean +/- SD.; 16 female and 11 male) were analysed in the cross-sectional design. Prior to blood collection, participants were asked to wear an uniaxial accelerometer for 4 consecutive weeks to determine the physical activity status. After a 48-h period of physical activity avoidance and a 10-h overnight fast, fasting venous blood samples were obtained from each participant.
Results: Fasting plasma oxidised LDL concentrations and plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 concentrations were negatively correlated with the amount of physical activity (r = -0.409, p = 0.034; r = -0.385, p = 0.047, respectively).
Conclusions: This study demonstrates that regular physical activity may play a protective role in the oxidation of LDL in older adults.

Purpose : The purpose of the present study was to explore the perception of strength training among older adults who engaged in strength training.<BR>Methods : Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 participants aged 60-74 years who engaged in strength training in a sports facility. The questions of the interview included those regarding the mode of exercises they perceived as strength training, and perception about typical people engaged in strength training. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The three interviewers reviewed the transcripts and categorized the perceptions.<BR>Results : Nine categories of current perceptions of strength training were identified: structured exercises (n=15) , exercises for particular people (n=9) , exercises which those with positive outlook participated in (n=7) , easy exercises (n=6) , lifestyle activities (n=5) , exercises in which healthy people participated (n=5) exercises done in particular place (n=3) , vigorous-intensity exercises (n=2) , and unconcerned exercise (n=2) . Thirteen of participants mentioned the previous perceptions to strength training: unconcerned exercise (n=9) , exercises for particular people (n=7) , structured exercises (n=4) , vigorous-intensity exercises (n=3) , exercises done in particular place (n=1) , and others (n=4) .<BR>Discussions : These results indicate that some older adults who engaged in strength training perceived strength training as an easy and lifestyle-based exercise, and that the perceptions might have been changed in the process of behavioral change for strength training.

PURPOSE : The purpose of the present study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between interests in leisure activity and motivational readiness for exercise behavior among those who did not intend to do exercise in the age group of 40-59 years.<BR>METHODS : The study was a longitudinal study, using an internet-based questionnaire. Data were collected at baseline (T1) and 8 weeks (T2) . The respondents were 536 adults in the pre-contemplation (PC) stage regarding stages of change for exercise behavior (aged 40-59) at T1, recruited from the registrants of a Japanese social research company. Among research items, the dependent variable was stages of change for exercise behavior at T2. Independent variables included interests in 29 leisure activities. Logistic regression analysis was conducted, adjusting for interests in other leisure activities, gender, age, and household income level.<BR>RESULTS : At T2, 26.7% (n=143) moved from PC to other stages. Interest in watching sports (OR=1.79 ; 95%CI : 1.12-2.86) and interest in shopping (OR=1.89 ; 95%CI : 1.15-3.09) were positively associated with the transition from PC to other stages. In contrast, negative relationship was observed between interest in amusement parks or theme parks (OR=0.32 ; 95%CI : 0.15-0.66) and the transition from PC to other stages.<BR>CONCLUSION : These results indicate that interests in watching sports and in shopping are positively associated with motivational readiness for exercise behavior among those in PC, though interests in some types of leisure activities (amusement parks and theme parks) are negatively associated.

Health Checkups and Health Guidance (HCHG) have been provided to insured individuals between the ages of 40 to 74 by health insurance providers from 2008. However, attendance percentage has not reached the target value yet. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with those who do not attend Health Checkups and the relation between non-attendance behavior and awareness of HCHG and metabolic syndrome, sociodemographics, regular exercise, and body composition in office workers or the self-employed. The 424 respondents were above the age of 40 (male : n=331, female : n=93, 49.1±5.6 years) and were obtained from the registrants of a Japanese social research company. The web-based questionnaire survey was conducted in February 2009. The study design was a cross-sectional survey using an internet questionnaire. χ² analysis was utilized. As a result of this study, non- attendance behavior was shown to be significantly correlated with the office workers whose house- income is under 5,000,000 yen (χ² [4] =20.30, p<0.001) . For the self-employed, significant relations were found for men who do not attend Health Checkups (χ² [2] =3.83, p<0.05) and people who don' t aware HCHG (χ² [2] =4.29, p<0.05) . This study shows that many self-employed men do not attend Health Checkups. Also, it suggests that this problem may have some relation with the awareness HCHG and attendance behavior. This further suggests that we need to consider promotion strategies for attendance behavior according to such factors as respondent' s gender and occupation.

The purpose of this study was to explore patterns of lifestyle walking behavior among Japanese adults aged 30-49 and to identify their sociodemographic characteristics.<br>A sample of 5,009 was collected from registrants of a social research company. The study was a cross-sectional survey using the Internet. Measured variables were walking behavior in five domains (commuting, working, shopping, exercising and other movement) and sociodemographic characteristics. Hierarchical cluster analysis was utilized to identify walking patterns.<br>Four walking behavior clusters were identified: cluster 1 (N=1,089) walking while commuting, working and shopping; cluster 2 (N=381) walking while commuting; cluster 3 (N=1,257) walking for exercise; cluster 4 (N=1,161) walking while shopping. Cluster 1 had the highest proportion of walkers who met physical activity recommendations. Also it had a high proportion of women who were unmarried, employed, without children, or finished university or graduate school. Cluster 2 showed a high proportion of men who were married, with children, with high household income, or finished university or graduate school, and women who were married, employed, without children, with high household income, or finished university or graduate school. Cluster 3 had a high proportion of women aged 40-49. Cluster 4 showed a low proportion of men with high household income and a high proportion of women who were married, unemployed, or with children.<br>This study indicated that walking behavior patterns in both genders was different depending on marital status, number of children, educational level and household income. In addition, the employment status of women had apparent effects on these patterns.

Since April 2008, health insurance providers have carried out health checkups and health guidance (HCHG) to insured individuals between the ages of 40 and 74. The purpose of this study was to find effective message channels to lead people to aware what HCHG is. The 525 respondents were obtained from the registrants of a Japanese social research company and were above 40 years of age (male : n=265, female : n=260, 48.4±5.5 years) . This longitudinal survey was carried out by using an internet-based questionnaire. We did the survey in November 2007 (T1) and December 2008 (T2) . The rates of awareness of HCHG were 47.8% at T1 and 77.3% at T2. The awareness level was significantly increased (p<.001) . Major factors regarding the degree of awareness about HCHG were female (OR=3.74, 95%CI=1.44-9.66) and participation in health check up (OR=1.91, 95%CI=1.05-3.48) , and health information from papers in hospital and pharmacy (OR=2.37, 95%CI=1.14-4.90) . The number of reference message channels in the awareness group was significantly higher than that in the no awareness group (t (272) =4.82, p<.001).

This study examined whether a walking program encouraged using the e-mail function of participants' cellular phones promotes behavior changes. Study participants were persons who wanted to join a walking program for their health. The experimental group had 1,111 members (male: n=554, female: n=557, 30-49 yrs) and the control group had 1,190 members (male: n=598, female: n=592, 30-49 yrs). The participants in the experimental group were encouraged to execute a walk behavior with e-mails using their cellular phones twice a week for one month . The contents of the e-mails depended on the level of walking as determined before the study for each participant. The main points studied were the time (in minutes) of walking per week and the extent of changes in the walking behavior. The analysis of results after receiving encouraging e-mail messages for one month showed more time spent walking for the experimental group in comparison with the time of the control group [Mean inter-group difference in change: 70.1 min/week, (p<0.05)]. The extent of changes in walking behavior (expressed as a percentage) was higher in the experimental group (38.5%) than in the control group (22.3%) (χ²=61.19, p<0.05). These results indicates that the walking program, encouraged by e-mail messages received on a cellular phone, promotes walking behavior in people.

From April, 2008, health check ups and health guidance (HCHG) have been provided to insured individuals between the ages of 40 and 74 by health insurance providers. The purpose of this study was to determine the awareness level of HCHG and identify its relationship to exercise behavior. The 816 respondents were above the age of 40 (male : n=402, female : n=414, 50.4±7.9 years) and obtained from the registrants of a Japanese social research company. The study design was a cross-sectional survey using an internet questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was utilized. Awareness of the HCHG was 48.3% and that of Metabolic Syndrome was 97.2% of the sample. The Higher level awareness of HCHG was significantly correlated with exercise behavior (OR=1.57, 95%CI=1.15-2.14) . There was, however, no significant relationship between awareness of MS and exercise behavior (OR=1.59, 95%CI=0.67-3.76) . A promotion strategy for enhancing awareness of HCHG will be needed.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the geographic distribution of public sports center users with regard to the distance decay model, and to verify the difference of the parameters of the use frequency level. The findings of the analyses are summarized as follows ; <BR>    A logarithmic relationship was observed between the distance from sports center and number of users (R²=.572) . This suggests that the distribution of public sports center users is affected by the distance.<BR>    And the distance decay parameter of low frequency users is much smaller than that of high and middle frequency users. This suggests that there is a possibility that users who live a short distance from the sports center would be higher frequency users than those who live a long distance from the sports center.

The purpose of this study was to estimate the distance decay parameters of J-League season ticket purchase rate, and to clarify the relationship between the distance decay parameters and population densities/competition of catchment areas. The total number of the sample was 53,727 which came from the season ticket holders of 20 J-League clubs in 2007. The distance and the population were calculated by using Geographic Information System. The findings of the analyses are summarized as follows;<BR>    A gradually weakening relationship between J-League season ticket purchase rate and distance from stadium was observed. Also it was shown that the distance factor has an effect on the J-League season ticket purchase rate. The distance decay rate of densely populated area is low (distance decay slope is gentle) , while the distance decay rate of thinly populated area is high (distance decay slope is steep) . The catchment areas of J-league season ticket compete with other clubs′ catchment areas in the densely populated regions. That is to say the spatial demand, which is the distance decay rate of J-League season tickets, is affected by the difference of city size and the existence of other competing clubs.

Objective This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of walking behavior and investigate demographic correlates of recommended physical activity levels with five domains (exercise, commuting, working, shopping, and other movement) of walking behavior among Japanese adults aged 30-49.<BR>Methods The sample was 5,009 Japanese adults collected from the registrants of a Japanese social research company. The study design was a cross-sectional study using an Internet questionnaire. The dependent variable was meeting physical activity recommendation levels (more than 150 min/1week) . Independent variables were demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, educational level, household income level, hour per day with TV watching, and hour per day with internet usage) . Logistic regression analysis was utilized.<BR>Results Of all participants, 45.5% of men and 44.8% of women met physical activity recommendations. Regardless of meeting recommended physical activity levels, they walked for exercise less than 20%. The characteristics of those who met the recommendation levels were higher education, long Internet use and having a small number of children for men, and higher education, higher income and having a small number of children for women. As compared with those who did not meet physical activity recommendations, in lifestyle time men walked for shopping and other movement and women walked for shopping.<BR>Conclusion Commuting and shopping for men and shopping for women were identified as a key factor for increasing walking behavior. It would be necessary for women to develop an intervention program which considers demographic factors such as marital status, employment status and household children.

Background: Although engaging in the recommended amount of physical activity provides disease-prevention benefits, few studies have examined the proportion and correlates of meeting the Japanese physical activity recommendation. This study investigated the prevalence and demographic correlates of attaining the recommended value on the Exercise and Physical Activity Reference for Health Promotion 2006. Methods: Data were analyzed for 5177 Japanese adults who took an Internet-based cross-sectional survey. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and 6 possible demographic correlates were obtained. Respondents were divided into 3 groups recommended, insufficient, and inactive according to their estimated weekly physical activity level. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used. Results: Overall, 26.6% of respondents were physically active according to the recommendation criterion. Gender, employment status, age, marital status, and educational level were statistically significant. In men, being employed and in women, being 30 to 39 years of age were negatively associated with the attainment of the recommendation. Being male, being a married woman, and having a college education or higher for women were positively correlated with the attainment of the recommendation. Conclusions: Different associations of demographic correlates with the physical activity recommendation for men and women were found, suggesting that gender-specific strategies for targeting the population or specific interventions might be more effective in promoting physical activity among Japanese adults.

The present study identified what kinds of activities Japanese adults perceived as activities for muscular fitness improvement and examined the relationship between age and the perception about such activities. The sample was 1,636 Japanese adults (40.2±12.2years) collected from the registrants of a Japanese social research company. The study design was cross-sectional study using an internet questionnaire. The respondents selected all activities which they perceived as activities for muscular fitness improvement from 14 activities: push-ups, sit-ups, cleaning room, swimming, playing with child, going up and down stairs and slope, yoga, machines exercise, dumbbells exercise, stretching exercise, squat, jogging, rubber bands and tubes exercise, and walking. A chi-square test was utilized for examining the association between the perception and age groups. More than half of respondents treated sit-ups (82.1%), push-ups (72.3%), dumbbells exercise (66.4%), machines exercise (62.1%), squat (58.2%), rubber bands and tubes exercise (55.7%), and swimming (55.6%) as activities for muscular fitness improvement. On the other hand, 30-49% of them also perceived going up and down stairs and slope (46.7%), walking (32.5%), stretching exercise (31.7%), and jogging (30.4%) asactivities for muscular fitness improvement. Compared with younger people, older people were more likely to perceive walking and going up and down stairs and slopes as activities for muscular fitness improvement (p<0.05). It was concluded that the perception of activities for muscular fitness improvement in Japanese adults would be different from the activities for muscular fitness improvement recommended by current guidelines of the American College of Sports Medicine and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

Aim: The present study examined the association of pain coping strategy with pain and activity restriction among middle-aged and elderly women with the knee pain.<br> Methods: The participants were 134 female community residents (62.1±8.2 years) with knee pain. The pain and activity restriction were assessed with the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM). The pain coping strategy was evaluated using the Japanese short version of the Coping Strategy Questionnaire (CSQ). A theoretical model was developed to explain the relationships among age, pain, activity restriction, and pain coping strategy. This model was then tested using structural equation modeling (SEM).<br> Results: The overall fit index was adequate for the final model (GFI=.980, AGFI=.946, CFI=.995, RMSEA=.022). SEM indicated that increasing age had a significant association with increasing pain, and indirect influence on progressive activity restriction. Also, aggravating pain was significantly associated with adopting more "praying or hoping", "catastrophizing", and "increasing pain behavior" as pain coping strategy, and indirectly affected progress in activity restriction.<br> Conclusions: The results indicate that reducing the use of maladaptive coping strategy would be important to promote the ability of pain self-management among middle-aged and elderly women with knee pain. The present study suggests that it would be necessary to incorporate the cognitive-behavioral approaches in order to modify the use of maladaptive coping strategy in existing therapeutic exercise intervention for knee pain.<br>

The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence of strength training among Japanese adults, and to identify the characteristics of individuals who engage in strength training regularly. The current data was collected from 3000 randomly selected Japanese adults in the SSF National Sports-Life Survey 2006 (Sasakawa Sports Foundation, 2006). The response rate was 62.2%. As a result, the prevalence of regular strength training (more than 2 times per week) was 3.9%. In particular, the rates of regular strength training were low in older individuals (60-69 years were 2.5%, over 70 years were 0.6%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, gender, smoking habit, and self-rated physical fitness were significantly correlated with regular strength training. These findings indicate that the majority of Japanese do not participate strength training, especially among the elderly, women, smokers, and those with a lower degree of physical fitness.

This study was intended to develop a Bedside Mobility Scale (BMS) and evaluate its reliability and validity for community-dwelling physically handicapped people. This preliminary study used a consensus exercise with five physical therapists to verify the BMS items that are essential to mobility assessment in a bed and indoors. The BMS was developed with 10 items with established face/content validity. The ten BMS items are rolling, changing to a preferred position on a bed, lying to sitting (plus sitting to lying), holding a sitting position, picking up something, sitting to standing, holding a standing position, transfers, locomotion inside (walking or handling a wheelchair independently). For each item, the BMS score is 0-4. Consequently, the maximum BMS score is 40. A physical therapist (A) evaluated its test-retest reliability by assessing 13 patients (5 males, 8 females; mean age 80.0 ± 10.5 years). Inter-rater reliability was examined by assessing 10 patients (3 males, 7 females; mean age 84.8 ± 7.7 years) by independent raters (physical therapist B and nurse C). Results indicate that BMS has high inter-rater (ICC = 0.97; p < 0.01) and test-retest (ICC = 0.97; p < 0.01) reliability. The second phase of this study was conducted at three home-visit nursing stations. Participants in the study were 163 physically handicapped patients who practiced home-based rehabilitation with a physical therapist or occupational therapist. For each patient, one assessor (a physical therapist or occupational therapist in charge) administered the BMS .at a patient's residence. Patients were assessed through direct observation of their performance at their bedside and indoors. The total BMS score was related significantly to the Barthel Index (r = 0.88, p < 0.01), the certified care levels (Government-Certified Disability Index) (r = - 0.70, p < 0.01) and the criterion of independence degree of daily living in the handicapped elderly (bed-ridden degree) (r = -0.85, p < 0.01). Moreover, the BMS score showed a significant difference between groups classified by the certified care levels and ADL of disabled elderly persons. These findings indicate that, when using the BMS to assess physically handicapped people, similar results are obtainable by different raters. These results support the use of the BMS, which is demonstrably reliable and valid. The BMS might enable classification of mobility and examination of physical therapy outcomes. Especially, findings in this study indicate that the BMS might be a valuable outcome in severely handicapped patients.

The stages of change (Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance) are a key concept of the transtheoretical model. The present study, designed as a cross-sectional study using an Internet questionnaire, was intended to identify characteristics of stages of change for strength training behavior and to examine the relationship between them and self-efficacy for strength training behavior. Measured variables included stages of change for strength training behavior, moderate-vigorous physical activity, type of strength training, self-efficacy for strength training behavior, and socio-demographic variables. Subjects (5,177 Japanese adults; 40.1±12.0 years; recruited from registrants of a social research company) were in the following stages: 39.5% in Precontemplation; 25.1% in Contemplation; 21.0% in Preparation; 5.6% in Action; and 8.8% in Maintenance. The most common types of strength training activities were done at home (74.3%), used the subject's own body weight (60.4%), and were done in the subject's own way (85.1%). ANCOVA results showed a significant association between stages of change and moderate-vigorous physical activity. Subjects who were women, older, unemployed, with lower education levels, or with lower income significantly tended to be classified into the two earlier stages with the χ² and Kruskal-Wallis tests. In multiple logistic regression analysis, self-efficacy predicted stages of change. Approaches to promote strength training such as enhancement of self-efficacy targeting those who were in earlier stages (e.g. older women) would be needed.

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the Exercise and Physical Activity Guide (thereafter EPAG), formulated by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), and those who have a walking habit. The survey in the study employed the same method as the one adopted by MHLW for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which aimed at evaluating the recognition level of the national health promotion policy. It was conducted on the Internet for 5 days in November 2007. The 1, 726 subjects chosen were above the age of 20 (40.3±12.3 age). Each questionnaire item was compared, and the results showed that there were significant differences in the recognition level of EPAG among the subjects; 40% of the people in the group that knew the contents of EPAG had the habit of walking more than 10, 000 steps a day.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of perceived satisfaction with care-prevention exercise programs on the continuation of such programs. Thirty-two subjects out of 81 residents at an apartment home for seniors volunteered for this study as subjects. The subjects participated in either of two group exercise programs (GEP's) or the fragility screening battery test (FST) held in the residence. In the GEP's, the continuing participants showed significantly higher scores of satisfaction than the not-continuing participants (F=8.15, p<0.05), while there was no significant difference in satisfaction of FST between continuing and not-continuing participants. These results suggest that perceived satisfaction is important for continuation with care-prevention exercise programs.

Objective : The present study examined the effects of the self-management print media intervention on improving quality of life. Methods : The study was designed as an intervention study. We conducted questionnaire research on women (JKOM, Japanese style CSQ) over 40 years old who had knee pain. After program relevance determination, self-management print media intervention and an exercise intervention were implemented. The participants were 63 women (self-management print media intervention), and 80 women (exercise intervention). We examined valiances of pain intensity and activity limitation and pain coping strategies on each intervention using Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Results : Pain intensity and activity limitation improved in both interventions. On the other hand, pain coping strategies differed. In the self-management print media intervention, the scores of diverting attention, praying or hoping, increasing activity level and increasing pain behavior significantly decreased. For the exercise intervention, a significant decrease was seen in coping, self-statements, catastrophizing, increasing activity level, and increasing pain behavior. Conclusion : The results indicated that the self-management print media intervention had greater effect than the exercise intervention for women with knee pain. As one health assistance measure, this self-management print media intervention should become widely used.

This study examines the relationship between exercise and Health-related Quality of Life (HR-QOL). The HR-QOL was evaluated through a questionnaire survey, the SF-36, which is used world wide as a measure of HR-QOL. Normative data were gained from a lay away plan survey using a questionnaire containing the SF-36 and a stage of change for exercise (SCE). The questionnaire was sent to 1000 randomly selected subjects aged 20 or above with a response rate of 48.3% (n=483) at the baseline and 33.65% (n=257) at the 2-year follow-up stage. Findings suggest the SCE transition was associated with General Health and Vitality, while subjects who displayed a physically active lifestyle showed an increased tendency in Physical Functioning and Mental Health.