BACKGROUND: Heart rate (HR) during physical activity is strongly affected by the level of physical fitness. Therefore, to assess the effects of fitness, we developed predictive equations to estimate the metabolic equivalent (MET) of daily activities, which includes low intensity activities, by % HR reserve (%HRR), resting HR, and multiple physical characteristics. METHODS: Forty volunteers between the ages of 21 and 55 performed 20 types of daily activities while recording HR and sampling expired gas to evaluate METs values. Multiple regression analysis was performed to develop prediction models of METs with seven potential predictors, such as %HRR, resting HR, and sex. The contributing parameters were selected based on the brute force method. Additionally, leave-one-out method was performed to validate the prediction models. RESULTS: %HRR, resting HR, sex, and height were selected as the independent variables. %HRR showed the highest contribution in the model, while the other variables exhibited small variances. METs were estimated within a 17.3% difference for each activity, with large differences in document arrangement while sitting (+17%), ascending stairs (-8%), and descending stairs (+8%). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that %HRR is a strong predictor for estimating the METs of daily activities. Resting HR and other variables were mild contributors. (201 words).

This study examined the relationship between a healthy Japanese dietary pattern and micronutrient intake adequacy based on the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese 2015 (DRIs-J 2015) in men and women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1418 men and 795 women aged 40-87 years, who participated in the Waseda Alumni's Sports, Exercise, Daily Activity, Sedentariness, and Health Study. Dietary patterns were derived from principal component analysis of the consumption of 52 food and beverage items, which were assessed by a validated brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire. Micronutrient intakes were quantified using the dietary reference intakes score (DRIs-score) for 21 micronutrients (based on DRIs-J 2015). The healthy dietary pattern score was significantly and positively correlated with the intakes of all 21 micronutrients used for constructing the DRIs-score in men and in women (each, p < 0.001). In both sexes, the healthy dietary pattern scores were strongly and positively associated with DRIs-scores (in men: ρ = 0.806, p < 0.001; in women: ρ = 0.868, p < 0.001), and the DRIs-scores reached a plateau around the highest tertile of the healthy dietary pattern score. These results indicate that a healthy Japanese dietary pattern is associated with adequate micronutrient intakes based on the DRIs-J 2015 in both men and women.

Background: An algorithm for the classification of ambulatory and non-ambulatory activities using the ratio of unfiltered to filtered synthetic acceleration measured with a triaxial accelerometer and predictive models for physical activity intensity (METs) in adults and in elementary school children has been developed. The purpose of the present study was to derive predictive equations for METs with a similar algorithm in young children. Methods: Thirty-seven healthy Japanese children (four- to six-years old) participated in this study. The five non-ambulatory activities including low-intensity activities, and five ambulatory activities were selected. The raw accelerations using a triaxial accelerometer and energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry using the Douglas bag method during each activity were collected. Results: For non-ambulatory activities, especially light-intensity non-ambulatory activities, linear regression equations with a predetermined intercept (0.9) or quadratic equations were a better fit than the linear regression. The equations were different from those for adults and elementary school children. On the other hand, the ratios of unfiltered to filtered synthetic acceleration in non-ambulatory activities were different from those in ambulatory activities, as in adults and elementary school children. Conclusions: Our calibration model for young children could accurately predict intensity of physical activity including low-intensity non-ambulatory activities.

<p></p><p>The primary aim of this study was to examine moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels in preschool children during indoor and outdoor free playing time and during preschool physical education (PE) classes. The secondary aim was to determine which types of PE lessons are the best for increasing the percentage of MVPA. Physical activity during free playing time and in lessons was objectively evaluated with a triaxial accelerometer in preschool boys and girls (n = 281). Minutes of physical activity were categorized into physical activity ratios (PAR). MVPA was defined as PAR ≥3.0. Time tables and PE lesson types were recorded using logs kept by class teachers. The percentage of MVPA in outdoor free playing time (38.9±16.3%) was significantly higher than that of indoor free playing time (12.6±10.1%, p<0.001). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the percentage in MVPA in outdoor free playing time and the percentage in PE lessons (n=94: 38.0±19.4%vs. 34.9±15.8%, ns). After adjustment for gender, age, body height and weight and preschool, there were not significantly different the percentage of MVPA among contents of PE lessons. In conclusion, children engaged in almost 30~40% MVPA during outdoor free playing time or PE. The children also engaged MVPA during indoor free playing time.</p>

Background: A triaxial accelerometer with an algorithm that could discriminate locomotive and non-locomotive activities in adults has been developed. However, in the elderly, this accelerometer has not yet been validated. The aim were to examine the validity of this accelerometer in the healthy elderly, and to compare the results with those derived in a healthy younger sample. Methods: Twenty-nine healthy elderly subjects aged 60-80 years (Elderly), and 42 adults aged 20-59 years (Younger) participated. All subjects performed 11 activities, including locomotive and non-locomotive activities with a Douglas bag while wearing the accelerometer (Active style Pro HJA-750C). Physical activity intensities were expressed as metabolic equivalents (METs). The relationship between the METs measured using the Douglas bag and METs predicted using the accelerometer was evaluated. Results: A significant correlation between actual and predicted METs was observed in both Elderly (r=0.85, p<0.001) and Younger (r=0.88, p<0.001). Predicted METs significantly underestimated compared with actual METs in both groups (p<0.001). The mean of the errors was -0.6±0.6 METs in Elderly and -0.1±0.5 METs in Younger. The degree of underestimation increased with increasing METs in Elderly (p<0.001). A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that predicted METs, age, and weight were related to actual METs in both groups. Conclusion: The degree of correlation between predicted and actual METs was comparable in elderly and younger participants, but the prediction errors were greater in elderly participants, particular at higher-intensity activities, which suggests that different predicting equations may be needed for the elderly.

Background: Meals, particularly carbohydrate intake, determine diurnal blood glucose (BG) excursions. However, the effect of meals with variable carbohydrate content on diurnal BG excursions remains poorly understood, despite routine consumption of meals that vary daily. Objective: The aim of this study was to verify our hypothesis that glycemic response is elevated when a meal with a higher carbohydrate content follows a meal with a lower carbohydrate content. Design: This was a secondary analysis of a study whose primary endpoint was energy metabolism (e.g., energy expenditure and substrate oxidation). This crossover study was designed to test BG responses to 3 types of meals with different macronutrient contents [regular meals (R), meals with a high-carbohydrate breakfast (CB), and meals with a high-fat breakfast (FB)] using a continuous glucose monitoring system. The R test included 3 meals/d with the same macronutrient composition; the CB test, a high-carbohydrate meal at breakfast, a high-fat meal at lunch, and a high-carbohydrate meal at dinner; and the FB test, a high-fat meal at breakfast, a high-carbohydrate meal at lunch, and a high-carbohydrate meal at dinner. Each test had similar daily macronutrient compositions, except CB and FB had larger variations in carbohydrate content than R. Fourteen healthy young men were tested in random order and underwent whole-body indirect calorimetry. Results: Daily peak BG concentrations were higher for the CB (mean ± SD: 143.9 ± 25.3 mg/dL) and FB (140.2 ± 24.8 mg/dL) conditions than for the R condition (127.5 ± 15.7 mg/dL). Postprandial BG peaks after a high-carbohydrate meal were ∼20 mg/dL higher when a previous meal was relatively high-fat than when not high-fat (P < 0.05 for all). A multiple regression analysis indicated that the postprandial glycemic response was negatively associated with the preprandial respiratory quotient. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that switching from high-fat to high-carbohydrate meals contributes to larger postprandial BG excursions, along with alterations in prioritization of carbohydrate utilization. This study was registered at the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000028895.

BACKGROUND: Herein, an algorithm that can be used in wearable health monitoring devices to estimate metabolic equivalents (METs) based on physical activity intensity data, particularly for certain activities in daily life that make MET estimation difficult. RESULTS: Energy expenditure data were obtained from 42 volunteers using indirect calorimetry, triaxial accelerations and heart rates. The proposed algorithm used the percentage of heart rate reserve (%HRR) and the acceleration signal from the wearable device to divide the data into a middle-intensity group and a high-intensity group (HIG). The two groups were defined in terms of estimated METs. Evaluation results revealed that the classification accuracy for both groups was higher than 91%. To further facilitate MET estimation, five multiple-regression models using different features were evaluated via leave-one-out cross-validation. Using this approach, all models showed significant improvements in mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of METs in the HIG, which included stair ascent, and the maximum reduction in MAPE for HIG was 24% compared to the previous model (HJA-750), which demonstrated a 70.7% improvement ratio. The most suitable model for our purpose that utilized heart rate and filtered synthetic acceleration was selected and its estimation error trend was confirmed. CONCLUSION: For HIG, the MAPE recalculated by the most suitable model was 10.5%. The improvement ratio was 71.6% as compared to the previous model (HJA-750C). This result was almost identical to that obtained from leave-one-out cross-validation. This proposed algorithm revealed an improvement in estimation accuracy for activities in daily life; in particular, the results included estimated values associated with stair ascent, which has been a difficult activity to evaluate so far.

Understanding the current status of the physical fitness and dietary intake of students is very important for improving their quality of life. This study examines the relationships between physical fitness and dietary intake, and body mass index (BMI) in students. The subjects were 398 female university students, who were divided into three groups according to BMI (Lean, ＜18.5; Normal, 18.5≦BMI＜25; and obese, ≧25 kg/㎡). The results showed that the lean group had weaker grip strength than the obese group, and, for both instantaneous force and endurance, the obese group showed poorer performance than other groups. With regard to dietary intake, the highest protein intake (％E) was found in the obese group, who also consumed more animal protein and fat than the other groups. The conclusion of this paper is that appropriate interventions to modify physical activity and dietary behavior are needed in wellness education programs at universities in order to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of female university students.体格の違いによる体力と栄養素及び食品の摂取量の現状を把握することは，女子大学生のQOLを改善するために大変重要である．そこで，398名の女子大学生の体格をBMIにより分類し，それぞれの体力と栄養素及び食品の摂取量を比較した．体力において，低体重群は筋力が，肥満群では瞬発力及び持久力が低いことがわかった．栄養素摂取量において，たんぱく質エネルギー比率が肥満者で高かった．特に，動物性たんぱく質の摂取割合が影響していた．また，脂質エネルギー比率においては，3群間で有意な差がみられないものの，動物性脂質の摂取割合が肥満者で高かった．これからの女子大学生のQOLを改善するためには，全体的な運動不足の解消と食事指導に加え，体格に見合った体力増進・維持や食事内容の改善を目標としたウェルネス教育が必要である．

© 2016 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. Background/Objectives: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a potential therapeutic target against obesity and diabetes through thermogenesis and substrate disposal with cold exposure. The role of BAT in energy metabolism under thermoneutral conditions, however, remains controversial. We assessed the contribution of BAT to energy expenditure (EE), particularly diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT), and substrate utilization in human adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, BAT activity was evaluated in 21 men using 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxy- D -glucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (18 F-FDG-PET/CT) after cold exposure (19 °C). The subjects were divided into BAT-positive (n=13) and BAT-negative (n=8) groups according to the 18 F-FDG-PET/CT findings. Twenty-four hour EE, DIT and respiratory quotient were measured using a whole-room indirect calorimeter at 27 °C. Results: Body composition, blood metabolites and 24-h EE did not differ between groups. DIT (%), calculated as DIT divided by total energy intake, however, was significantly higher in the BAT-positive group (BAT-positive: 9.7±2.5%, BAT-negative: 6.5±4.0%, P=0.03). The 24-h respiratory quotient was significantly lower (P=0.03) in the BAT-positive group (0.861±0.027) than in the BAT-negative group (0.889±0.024). Conclusion: DIT and fat utilization were higher in BAT-positive subjects compared to BAT-negative subjects, suggesting that BAT has a physiologic role in energy metabolism.

We developed a novel method for computing diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) in a respiratory chamber and evaluated the validity and reproducibility of the method. We hypothesized that DIT may be calculated as the difference between postprandial energy expenditure (EE) and estimated EE (sum of basal metabolic rate and physical activity (PA)-related EE). The estimated EE was derived from the regression equation between EE from respiration and PA intensity in the fasting state. It may be possible to evaluate the time course of DIT using this novel technique. In a validity study, we examined whether DIT became zero (theoretical value) for 6 h of fasting in 11 subjects. The mean value of DIT calculated by the novel and traditional methods was 22.4 ± 13.4 and 3.4 ± 31.8 kcal/6 h, respectively. In the reproducibility study, 15 adult subjects lived in the respiratory chamber for over 24 h on two occasions. The DIT over 15 h of postprandial wake time was calculated. There were no significant differences in the mean values of DIT between the two test days. The within-subject day-to-day coefficient of variation for calculated DIT with the novel and traditional methods was approximately 35% and 25%, respectively. The novel method did not have superior reproducibility compared with that of the traditional method. However when comparing the smaller variation in the fasting state than the theoretical value (zero), the novel method may be better for evaluating interindividual differences in DIT than the traditional method and also has the ability to evaluate the time-course.

As described in this paper, a physical activity classification algorithm is proposed for energy expenditure estimation. The proposed algorithm can improve the classification accuracy using both the triaxial acceleration and heart rate. The optimal classification also contributes to improvement of the accuracy of the energy expenditures estimation. The proposed algorithm employs three indices: the heart rate reserve (%HRreserve), the filtered triaxial acceleration, and the ratio of filtered and unfiltered acceleration. The percentage HRreserve is calculated using the heart rate at rest condition and the maximum heart rate, which is calculated using Karvonen Formula. Using these three indices, a decision tree is constructed to classify physical activities into five classes: sedentary, household, moderate (excluding locomotive), locomotive, and vigorous. Evaluation results show that the average classification accuracy for 21 activities is 91%.

関東圏在住幼児の体力・運動能力と就学前の保育・教育施設内および施設外における運動・スポーツ(SC)の実施状況や日常の身体活動量について検討した。就学前の保育・教育施設に通っている年中または年長クラスの191例を対象とした。運動指導(PE)受講は149例、非受講は42例であった。PE受講群は、非受講群と比較して、とび越しくぐりと25m走が劣り、PARが4以上の所要時間も短かった。SC参加群は非参加群に比較して、握力、25m走およびZ得点の積算値が有意に優れていた。PARが4以上の所要時間が長いと体力・運動能力が優れていた。PARが2以上〜3未満の所要時間が短いと握力が優れ、さらに握力は、PE受講群は、非受講群に比較して有意に優れていた。25m走は、PE受講群は、非受講群に比較して有意に劣ったが、SC参加群は非参加群と比較して、有意に優れていた。

PURPOSE: We examined whether continuous and intermittent physical activity (PA) differentially influence fat utilization. METHODS: This was a randomized crossover study. Nine healthy young male participants performed two 39-h (two nights, three days) PA sessions (continuous and intermittent exercise) in a respiratory chamber to measure energy expenditure (EE) and substrate oxidation. Participants used a stationary cycling ergometer continuously for 40 min and then 45 min in the continuous PA trial and for 5 min every 30 min 17 times in the intermittent PA trial. They consumed high-carbohydrate meals corresponding to predicted daily total EE for 3 d before entering the respiratory chamber and four high-fat meals corresponding to predicted total EE in the chamber. RESULTS: Twenty-three-hour RER adjusted for sleeping RER on the preceding day was significantly lower in the intermittent PA trial than that in the continuous PA trial (P = 0.021). Twenty-three-hour RER adjusted for sleeping RER on the preceding day was correlated with accumulated consecutive minutes of METs ≤ 1.5 (3 min or more, r = 0.477; 5 min or more, r = 0.510; 10 min or more, r = 0.605). CONCLUSIONS: The intermittent PA trial induced greater fat utilization than the continuous PA trial. The present study, therefore, suggests that intermittent PA has a beneficial effect on 24-h fat oxidation after consumption of a high-fat meal, which may help prevent weight gain over time.

Energy requirements can be estimated from resting energy expenditure (REE). However, little is known about factors influencing REE in Japanese female athletes. This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between REE and body composition in Japanese female athletes with a wide range of body sizes. Ninety-three athletes (age 20.3±1.2 y, height 162.8±6.4 cm, body weight (BW) 57.0±9.2 kg, fat-free mass (FFM) 45.4±6.2 kg) were classified into three groups according to BW: small-size (S) (n=34), medium-size (M) (n=34), and large-size (L) (n=25). Systemic and regional body compositions (skeletal muscle (SM), fat mass (FM), bone mass (BM), and residual mass (RM)) were estimated by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Measured resting energy expenditure (REEm) was evaluated by indirect calorimetry. Marked differences were found in REEm (S: 1,111±150, M: 1,242±133, L: 1,478±138 kcal/d), and systemic and regional body compositions among the three groups. REEm was strongly correlated with FFM, and absolute values of RM and SM increased significantly according to body size. There was good agreement between REEm and estimated REE (REEe) from the specific metabolic rates of four major organ tissue level compartments. These data indicate that REE for female athletes can be attributed to changes in organ tissue mass, and not changes in organ tissue metabolic rate. That is, change in REE can be explained mainly by the change in FFM, and REE can be assessed by FFM in female athletes regardless of body size.

The number of lean young women has been increasing. Fear of being fat may induce unnecessary attempts to reduce body weight, which can cause several types of illness. Many investigations have demonstrated dysfunction of the hypothalamus and metabolic differences in patients with anorexia nervosa. However, it is unclear whether there are any differences in physical characteristics between women with lower body weight and no illness compared to those of normal body weight. In this study, we investigated the differences in body composition, biochemical parameters, and resting energy expenditure (REE) between young women with low and normal body mass index (BMI). Twenty lean women (BMI<18.5 kg/m(2)) and 20 normal women (18.5≤BMI<25 kg/m(2)) were recruited for this study. Body composition, biochemical parameters, and REE (REEm: measurement of REE) were measured, and the REE (REEe: estimation of REE) was estimated by using a prediction model. Marked differences were found in body composition. All of the values of blood analysis were in the normal ranges in both groups. REEm (kcal/d and kcal/kg BW/d) was significantly lower in lean than in normal women, but there were no significant differences in the REEm to fat free mass (FFM) ratio between the two groups. In addition, there was good agreement between REEm and REEe obtained from the specific metabolic rates of four tissue organs. These data indicate that the lean women without any illness have normal values of biochemical parameters and energy metabolism compared to women with normal BMI.

To evaluate whether regularly performed rowing exercise affects the trunk muscles size and function, and to examine the effect of rowing exercise on thigh muscle size and function in elderly rowers, we compared the cross-sectional area (CSA) and strength of these muscles in elderly male rowers and in age-matched untrained men. Participants were 16 elderly rowing-trained men (ROW age, 67.8 +/- 2.3 years) and 18 elderly untrained men (CON 66.2 +/- 3.0 years). CSA was measured by MRI in the trunk and thigh muscles. Isometric trunk flexion force and leg extension power were measured. ROW had a 20% larger total trunk muscle CSA than CON (P < 0.01); rectus abdominis was 27% larger, psoas major 64% larger, and erector spinae 14% larger in ROW than in CON (P < 0.05-0.001). Isometric trunk flexion force was related to the CSA of the rectus abdominis (r = 0.777, P < 0.001) and psoas major (r = 0.694, P < 0.001), and was 42% larger in ROW than in CON (P < 0.001). However, force adjusted for the CSA of the muscles did not differ significantly between CON and ROW. In ROW, the CSA was 13% larger in the total thigh muscles (P < 0.01), and leg extension power was 43% higher than in CON (P < 0.001). These results suggest that rowing exercise is a favorable training modality for the trunk muscles, especially psoas major and that it improves thigh muscle size and function in elderly men.

Arterial stiffening, hypertension and left ventricular (LV) remodelling are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with cardiovascular function and reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness, arterial stiffness, blood pressure (BP) and LV remodelling in women. On the basis of peak oxygen uptake, a total of 159 premenopausal (young) and postmenopausal (older) women were categorized into either low (unfit) or high (fit) cardiorespiratory fitness groups. The arterial stiffness and LV remodelling were measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and carotid augmentation index (AI) and LV relative wall thickness (RWT). Two-way analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction between age and cardiorespiratory fitness in baPWV, carotid AI, BP and RWT. In the older group, arterial stiffness (baPWV
1401±231 vs 1250±125 cm s-1, P&lt
0.01, AI
32.9±9.9 vs 24.8±10.1%, P&lt
0.01), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (130±22 vs 117±15 mm Hg, P&lt
0.01) and RWT (0.47±0.08 vs 0.42±0.04, P&lt
0.05) in fit women were lower than in unfit women. In older women, RWT was significantly related to baPWV (r=0.46, P&lt
0.01), carotid AI (r=0.29, P&lt
0.05), SBP (r=0.57, P&lt
0.01) \\[Vdot]2peak (r=0.32, P&lt
0.05). In young women, they were not significant correlations, except for a weak correlation between RWT and SBP (r0.21, P0.05). These results suggest that higher cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with lower arterial stiffness, BP and RWT in older women. © 2010 Macmillan Publishers Limited All rights reserved.

Abdominal adiposity and low cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with insulin resistance in people with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes. However, little is known about which factor precedes insulin resistance in people with impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, and which is the stronger predictor of insulin resistance in non-diabetic people. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between insulin resistance and cardiorespiratory fitness, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat in non-diabetic people. Subjects included 87 men and 77 women aged 30-72 y (mean+/-SD, 51.3+/-12.3 y). Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by measuring the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in a progressive continuous test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. The visceral and subcutaneous fat areas were measured by magnetic resonance imaging. The homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-R) was calculated from the fasting concentrations of glucose and insulin. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis revealed that visceral and subcutaneous fat were significant correlates of HOMA-R, explaining 24% and 6% of the variance, respectively, whereas sex, age, and VO2max were not significant independent determinants. Abdominal fat deposition rather than cardiorespiratory fitness is a significant predictor of insulin resistance in non-diabetic people; visceral fat is the most important factor.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare body composition and risk factors of lifestyle-related diseases between young and older male rowers and sedentary controls. Healthy males aged 19-73 years participated in the study, and were divided into four groups: 26 young rowers, 24 senior rowers, 23 young sedentary controls, and 22 senior sedentary controls. Total and regional lean soft tissue, fat mass, and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The HDL-cholesterol of senior rowers (67.4 +/- 13.4 mg . dl(-1)) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of senior sedentary controls (59.2 +/- 11.9 mg . dl(-1)), while HDL-cholesterol was similar in senior rowers and young rowers (66.1 +/- 10.8 mg . dl(-1)). Arm, leg, and trunk lean soft tissue mass were significantly higher in senior rowers (5.6 +/- 0.6 kg, 18.2 +/- 1.8 kg, and 27.3 +/- 3.2 kg respectively) than in senior sedentary controls (5.1 +/- 0.4 kg, 16.3 +/- 1.4 kg, and 24.6 +/- 1.7 kg respectively; P < 0.05). Bone mineral density was also significantly higher in senior rowers than in senior sedentary controls (ribs, lumbar spine, and pelvic segments; P < 0.05). We conclude that age-related increases in the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia, are attenuated in male rowers. These results suggest that regular rowing exercise may have a positive influence in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases in older Japanese people.

PORPOSE: This study aimed to compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors and its components in different levels of aerobic fitness established by &ldquo;Exercise and Physical Activity Reference for Health Promotion 2006 (EPAR2006)&rdquo; in Japanese middle-aged and elderly people.<br>METHOD: Men (n=102) and women (n=133), aged 30-69yrs, participated in this study. The prevalence of MS risk factors was evaluated as the number of MS risk factors, according to the diagnostic criterion for Japanese-specific MS. Aerobic fitness was quantified as maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max). Subjects were classified into the three groups by aerobic fitness level based on &ldquo;Reference values&rdquo; and &ldquo;Reference range&rdquo; established in EPAR2006; 1) High fitness group (H); VO₂max (mL/kg/min) is higher than &ldquo;Reference values&rdquo;, 2) Medium fitness group (M); VO₂max is below &ldquo;Reference values&rdquo; but within &ldquo;Reference range&rdquo;, 3) Low fitness group (L); VO₂max is lower than &ldquo;Reference range&rdquo;.<br>RESULTS: In men, M and L groups showed significantly higher frequency of risk factors for MS than H group (H: 1.09&plusmn;0.98, M: 1.81&plusmn;1.07, L: 2.27&plusmn;0.70, P＜0.01). In women, L group showed significantly higher frequency of risk factors for MS than H and M groups (H: 0.57&plusmn;0.80, M: 0.81&plusmn;1.01, L: 1.53&plusmn;1.07, P＜0.01).<br>CONCLUSION: These results suggest that higher MS risk appears when the VO₂max is lower than &ldquo;Reference values&rdquo; in men, and below &ldquo;Reference range&rdquo; in women, and that particularly, men with low aerobic fitness have higher MS risk.

Objective: To investigate the relationships between regional skeletal muscle mass (SM mass) and bone mineral indices and to examine whether bone mineral content (BMC) normalized to SM mass shows a similar decrease with age in young through old age. Subjects/Methods: One hundred and thirty-eight young and postmenopausal women aged 20-76 years participated in this study and were divided into three groups: 61 young women, 49 middle-aged postmenopausal women and 28 older postmenopausal women. Muscle thickness (MTH) was determined by ultrasound, and regional SM mass (arm, trunk and leg) was estimated based on nine sites of MTH. Whole-body and regional lean soft tissue mass (LSTM), bone mineral density (BMD) and BMC (whole body, arms, legs and lumbar spine) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: Ultrasound spectroscopy indicated that SM mass is significantly correlated with site-matched regional bone mineral indices and these relationships correspond to LSTM. The BMC and BMD in older women were significantly lower than those in middle-aged women. When BMC was normalized to site-matched regional SM mass, BMC normalized to SM mass in arm and trunk region were significantly different with age
however, whole-body and leg BMC normalized to SM mass showed no significant difference between middle-aged and older postmenopausal women. Conclusions: The age-related differences in BMC were found to be independent of the ageing of SM mass in the arm and trunk region. However, differences in BMC measures of the leg and whole body were found to correspond to age-related decline of SM mass in postmenopausal women.

Objective:To evaluate the possibility that measurement of the magnitude and distribution of fundamental somatic heat-producing units using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) can be used to estimate resting energy expenditure (REE) in both young and elderly women with different aerobic fitness levels. Subjects and methods: Peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak) and REEm were directly measured in 116 young (age: 22.3 ± 2.1 years) and 72 elderly (63.3 ± 6.4 years) women. The subjects were divided into four groups according to categories of age and VO2 peak
young: high fitness (YH, n=58)
low fitness (YL, n=58)
elderly: high fitness (EH, n=37) and low fitness (EL, n=35). Using DXA, systemic and regional body compositions were measured, and REEe was estimated from the sum of tissue organ weights multiplied by corresponding metabolic rate. Results: Although there were remarkable differences in systemic and regional body compositions, no significant differences were observed between REEm and REEe in the four groups. REEe significantly correlated with REEm in elderly as well as young women
the slopes and intercepts of the two regression lines were statistically not different between the elderly and young groups (elderly: y=0.60x+472, r=0.667
young: y=0.78x+250, r=0.798
P&lt
0.001, respectively). A Bland-Altman analysis did not indicate bias in calculation of REE for all the subjects. Conclusion: These results suggest that REE can be estimated from tissue organ components in women regardless of age and aerobic fitness.

BACKGROUND: Since it is essential to maintain a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness to prevent life-style related disease, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan in 2006 proposed to determine the maximal oxygen uptake (Vo2max: mL.kg-1.min-1) reference values to prevent life-style related diseases (LSRD). Since muscle mass is one of the determinant factors of Vo2max, it could be used as the reference parameter for preventing LSRD. The aim of this study was to determine and quantify the muscle mass required to maintain the Vo2max reference values in Japanese women. METHODS: A total of 403 Japanese women aged 20-69 years were randomly allocated to either a validation or a cross-validation group. In the validation group, a multiple regression equation, which used a set of age and the percentage of muscle mass (%MM, percentage of appendicular lean soft tissue mass to body weight), as independent variables, was derived to estimate the Vo2max. After the equation was cross-validated, data from the two groups were pooled together to establish the final equation. The required %MM for each subject was recalculated by substituting the Vo2max reference values and her age in the final equation. RESULTS: The mean value of required %MM was identified as (28.5 +/- 0.35%). Thus, the present study proposed the required muscle mass (28.5% per body weight) in Japanese women to maintain the Vo2max reference values determined by the Japanese Ministry of Health Labour and Welfare. CONCLUSION: The estimated required %MM (28.5% per body weight) can be used as one of the reference parameters of fitness level in Japanese women.

若年女性スポーツ選手(運動群)と運動習慣のない若年女性(非運動群)の基礎代謝量(BMR)と身体組成の測定を行い、それぞれのグループのBMRを明らかにして、国立スポーツ科学センター(JISS)方式による簡便なBMRの推定式が若年女性スポーツ選手および運動習慣のない若年女性のBMR推定にとって妥当かどうか検討した。運動群は非運動群よりも除脂肪量(LBM)が有意に高かった。実測したBMRは運動群が非運動群よりも有意に高かったが、LBM当たりでみると、BMRは両群間に有意差は認めなかった。JISSが提示している推定式により求めた運動群と非運動群のそれぞれの推定BMRは、実測BMRとよく一致した。

It has been demonstrated in a previous study that resting energy expenditure (REE) is associated with adiponectin levels in the blood. However, body composition was not taken into consideration in that study. The purpose of the present study was to again investigate the relationship between blood adipocytokines and REE, adjusted by body composition, in both young and elderly women. REE and blood adipocytokines were measured in 115 young (age: 22.3+/-2.1 y, BMI: 21.3+/-1.9 kg/m(2)) and 71 elderly (63.4+/-6.5 y, 22.9+/- 2.3 kg/m(2)) women. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure percent body fat. Fat mass and fat free mass (FFM) were calculated. REE (kcal/d and kcal/kg BW/d) was lower in elderly women than in young women, but no significant difference was observed in REE, expressed as kcal/kg FFM/d, between the two groups. Although elderly women had a higher percent body fat and higher serum leptin concentrations than young women, plasma adiponectin concentrations did not differ between young and elderly women. In elderly women, REE (kcal/d) was significantly and inversely correlated with plasma adiponectin concentration (r=-0.386, p<0.001), but REE expressed per kilogram of BW or FFM was not significantly correlated. Furthermore, no significant correlation was observed between REE (kcal/d) and concentrations of plasma adiponectin or serum leptin, after adjusting for potential confounders such as body composition and hormones, in either age group. These results suggest that adipocytokines do not influence REE in adult women.

Athletes have been instructed to refrain from taking carbonated beverages in the sports world, but the mechanism has not been clear. The purpose of this study was to clarify how physiological and biochemical evaluation are affected by taking a 10% CHO carbonated beverage after cycle ergometer (60 min, 60% V̇O 2max). Seven subjects consumed a carbonated or noncarbonated (10% carbohydrate) beverage after exercise. No differences were observed in concentration of glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, K and Na in serum from carbonated beverage compared with noncarbonated beverage intakes after exercise. These results indicate that carbonated beverage did not affect the changes of physiological and biochemical parameter after prolonged exercise, and it could be more refreshing and stimulate taste rather than noncarbonated beverage, but seemed to be hard to drink immediately after exercise because it made subjects feel as if having drunk more than they did.

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) in 46 fit older people (age: 66&plusmn;3yrs., height: 163.3&plusmn;9.5cm, body weight (BW): 59.0&plusmn;10.4kg; mean&plusmn;SD) was evaluated in relation to the body composition (body fat mass (FM): 15.3&plusmn; 4.0kg, lean body mass (LBM): 43.7&plusmn;9.5kg). BMR for all the subjects was 1, 328&plusmn;218kcal/day, 22.6&plusmn;1.9kcal/kgBW/day, and 30.9&plusmn;3.6kcal/kgLBM/day. BMR (kcal/day) was significantly correlated with BW (r=0.87, p<0.001) and LBM (r=0.85, p<0.001). The height, BW, BMI and LBM were significantly higher in the males than in the females (p<0.01, respectively). No difference was apparent in FM between the two sexes. BMR (kcal/day) was higher in the males than in the females (p<0.01), but the males had lower BMR in terms of kcal/kgBW/day and kcal/kgLBM/day than the females (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). No significant difference was apparent in the adjusted BMR (kcal/(kgLBM&plusmn;24.5)/day) between the males and females. A multiple-regression analysis showed the most powerful predictor to be LBM and the second most powerful to be FM of BMR in fit older people.

The basal metabolic rate (BMR) of 70 postmenopausal women (age: 60.6&plusmn;4.2 yrs., height: 154.9&plusmn;5.2cm, body weight (BW) : 52.7&plusmn;6.2kg; mean &plusmn;SD) was evaluated in relation to body composition (body fat mass (FM) : 17.3&plusmn;3.9kg, lean body mass (LBM) : 35.3&plusmn;3.6kg) . BMR was 1, 148&plusmn;126kcal/day, 21.9&plusmn;2.2kcal/kgBW/day, 32.7&plusmn;3.2kcal kgLBM/day in all subjects. BMR (kcal/day) significantly correlated with BW (r=.635, p<0.001) and LBM (r=.598, p<0.001) . When divided into two groups, (lower %fat group (LF; <35%fat) and higher %fat group (HF; &ge;35%fat) ), BW and FM were significantly higher in HF than in LF (BW: 56.6&plusmn;6.4 vs 51.0&plusmn;5.3 kg, FM: 21.7&plusmn;2.8 vs 15.5&plusmn;2.7 kg, p<0.001, respectively) . No difference was observed in LBM between the two groups (34.9&plusmn;3.9 vs 35.5&plusmn;3.5 kg) . BMR (kcal/kgBW/day) was lower in HF than in LF (21.0&plusmn;1.8 vs 22.3&plusmn;2.3, p<0.05), but HF group had higher BMR in terms of kcal/kgLBM/ day than LF (34.0&plusmn;3.1 vs 32.1&plusmn;3.1, p<0.05) . Multiple regression analysis was performed to predict BMR. A single predictor LBM and a pair of predictors LBM and FM explained 35.7% and 42.7% of the variance of BMR. This study suggested that a decrease in LBM is a major factor in affecting the reduction of BMR in postmenopausal women, whereas FM gained after menopause could be considered to have metabolic activity related to BMR.

<p>This study aimed to examine the relationship between qualitative evaluation of fundamental motor skills and the quantitative motor performances in preschool children (122 boys and girls:5.7±0.5 years) . Fundamental motor skills were assessed based on 5 tests:25 m run, standing long jump, jump over and crawl test, overarm throwing, and zigzag run. Movements were videotaped and evaluated on observational evaluation criteria of "whole-body movement sequence image" and "several movement components". Each motor performance was measured simultaneously. Children with superior skills in whole-body movement had significantly higher motor performances except for in the zigzag run using ANCOVA adjusted for sex, age, body height, and weight. Moreover, children with superior skills in several movement components had significantly higher motor performances except for arm swings in the 25 m run, the leap over in the jump over and crawl test, and all items in the zigzag run. These findings suggest that development of fundamental motor skills by qualitative evaluation may be related to the superior quantitative motor performances in preschool children.</p>

本研究は,心肺体力・筋力・身体活動及びその"運動基準2006"における基準値と,メタボリックシンドローム(Metabolic syndrome,MS)のリスク数との関係を検討した.本研究には,20〜69歳の日本人(男性139人,女性129人)が参加した.心肺体力(最大酸素摂取量),筋力(握力),1週間の身体活動(生活活動・運動)量を測定した.MSのリスク数(内臓脂肪蓄積,高血圧,血中脂質異常,高血糖)を評価した.年齢で調整したところ,心肺体力および筋力は男女ともにMSリスク数と負の相関関係を示したが,身体活動量は女性においてのみMSリスク数と負の相関関係を示した.また,男性では心肺体力が"健康づくりのための最大酸素摂取量"の「基準値」より低いとMSリスクが高く,女性ではその「範囲」を下回っているとMSリスクが高く,男性では筋力が各年代の平均値より低いとMSリスクが高いことが示唆された.(著者抄録)