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[Purpose] The purpose was to determine the correlation between the skeletal muscle mass index and parameters of respiratory function and muscle strength in young healthy adults as predictors of sarcopenia in association with aging and respiratory diseases. [Participants and Methods] Participants were 41 males and 37 females with a mean age of 19.5 ± 1.5â years. The following were measured: body composition (skeletal muscle mass index), respiratory function (vital capacity, inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity, one-second forced expiratory volume, peak expiratory flow rate), and respiratory muscle strength (maximum inspiratory pressure, maximum expiratory pressure). Correlations between the skeletal muscle mass index and parameters of respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength were assessed using Pearson's coefficient. [Results] The total skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with all items. The male skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with respiratory function excluding inspiratory reserve volume, expiratory reserve volume, maximum inspiratory pressure, and maximum expiratory pressure. The female skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with all respiratory functions including inspiratory reserve volume and expiratory reserve volume, but was not associated with respiratory muscle strength. [Conclusion] The skeletal muscle mass index showed a positive correlation with respiratory function and respiratory muscle strength. Gender-based features were correlated with respiratory muscle strength in males and lung capacity in females.
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[Purpose] This study examines the relationship between the results of computer-based testing (CBT) and level of satisfaction with learning, school life, graduation research, and national examination results among freshman and sophomore undergraduate physical therapy students. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this survey were 56 male and 42 female physical therapy students who graduated from the International University of Health and Welfare, Ohtawara, in March 2017. The students were ranked according to four 25th-percentile groups based on the results of CBT, which was conducted at the end of freshman and sophomore years. A visual analog scale was used to assess satisfaction levels at the end of sophomore, junior, and senior years. The results of the national examination were scored independently. [Results] Compared with the freshman-year CBT results, we found a significant difference in learning satisfaction during the senior year and in the national examination. In addition, compared with the sophomore-year CBT results, there was a significant difference in learning satisfaction for sophomore, junior, and senior years, as well as in the national examination. [Conclusion] We found a link between the CBT results from freshman and sophomore years and those from the national examination. The results suggest that CBT has an educational effect.
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[Purpose] The purposes of this study were to assess and explore the gender-based differences in gross motor skill development of 5-year-old Japanese children. [Subjects and Methods] This cross-sectional study recruited 60 healthy 5-year-old (third-year kindergarten, i.e., nencho) children (34 boys, 26 girls) from one local private kindergarten school in Otawara city, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Gross motor skills, including six locomotor and six object control skills, were assessed using the test of gross motor development, second edition (TGMD-2). All subjects performed two trials of each gross motor skill, and the performances were video-recorded and scored. Assessment procedures were performed according to the standardized guidelines of the TGMD-2. [Results] The majority of subjects had an average level of overall gross motor skills. Girls had significantly better locomotor skills. Boys had significantly better object control skills. [Conclusion] The gross motor skill development of 5-year-old Japanese children involves gender-based differences in locomotor and object control skills. This study provided valuable information that can be used to establish normative references for the gross motor skills of 5-year-old Japanese children.
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[Purpose] This study aimed to categorize the internal and external rotation range of motion (ROM) of ipsilateral hip joints into specific patterns based on the differences between them, and clarify the distribution of these patterns. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 222 healthy Japanese medical students (162 males, 60 females) with a mean age of 21.2 ± 4.0â years were enrolled. The ROM of internal and external rotation at the hip were randomly measured with the subjects in the prone position. Thereafter, the difference between internal and external rotations was assessed. Hip ROM patterns were classified into 3 types based on the differences in the rotation ROM on each side. A total of 9 overall patterns were then determined based on the combination of patterns on both sides. [Results] Although all the subjects were healthy, an asymmetrical ROM between internal and external rotation in ipsilateral hip joints could be detected via pattern classification. Moreover, the distribution of each hip ROM pattern was clarified. [Conclusion] Pattern classification based on differences in internal and external rotation ROM could serve as a useful evaluation method for clinical manipulative therapy.