For the purpose of determining appropriate exercise prescription for middle and elderly men without exercise habit, when they begin daily exercise intending to improve their aerobic work capacity, the effects of 10 minute walking on a horizontal treadmill at the speeds of 80m/min, 100m/min and 120m/min on the respiro-circulatory functions and blood ingredients and so on were compared. Four healthy men aged 44-72 served as the subjects. They showed no particular abnormality in medical check and various tests at rest.
Treadmill walking, of course, augmented oxygen intake, pulmonary ventilation and tidal volume according to the walking speed, and the augmentation was especially marked in case of 120m/min. The heart rate continued to increase during walking in case of 120m/min. The index (heart rate×pulse pressure) adopted as a relative indication of cardiac output presented no marked difference between 80m/min and 100m/min, but the value in case of 120m/min was about twice as much as those in cases of 80m/min and 100m/min. Moreover, the oxygen removal was appreciably lower in case of 120m/min than those in cases of 80m/min and 100m/min. Changes in blood contents of several substances were also marked in case of 120m/min, and the increase of lactate was especially striking. Urine tests revealed general tendencies of decrease in urine volume, decline of pH, and slight increase in excretion VMA, 17OHCS and 17KS.
The above-mentioned findings seem to suggest that 10 minute walking at the speed of 100m/min is to be most preferable in case of exercise prescription for healthy middle and elderly aged men in order to improve their aerobic work capacity, because walking at that speed causes sufficient and appropriate augmentation of metabolism and activities of respiro-circulatory functions.
Additional remarks: the present study was carried out on the basis of the experiences of 20 minute jogging corresponding to 2/3 VO₂ max made by middle aged men 5 days a week for 5-6 years.

For the purpose of relieving stress caused by post operative change in diet due to gastric cancer, a cancer salon which included a cooking class collaborating with doctors, oncology certified nurse specialist, NST registered dietitian, cancer support center nurse, and cook was held. The cancer salon was intended for post gastrectomy patients and their families. There were total of 20 participants（12 patients, 8 families, 8 males and 12 females）, and among them were six couples. We conducted a questionnaire survey of cancer salon to participants whose average age was 64±13.4 years old. All participants responded“good”or“fair”in all items. Among respondents, 61％（n＝11）said it was fun, 88％.（n＝15）said“cooking in the cooking class would be helpful in the future”. Not only learning how to cook, the salon provided an opportunity for participants to interact with each other and exchange information. In addition it helped participants to realize that there are others having the same disease who want to exchange opinions and the disease is not a problem of an individual rather it exists more universally.

As well known, the adreno-sympathetic hormone - catecholamine - plays an important role in maintaining the stability of “milieu interieur”. Accordingly, a marked change may occur in catecholamine secretion in case of prolonged strenuous exercise such as marathon race where is required remarkable augmentation of cardiovascular functions. The authors had an opportunity of examining the physiological functions of all the participants in the First Tokyo International Women Marathon Race held on November 18, 1979, and collected urine samples from them before and after the race to evaluate the physiological load of the race in each woman participant by changes in urinary excretions of catecholamine metabolite (VMA) and some other substances.
As for the subjects of examinations, 19 foreign runners were 31.1 years of age on the average (ranging from 20 to 48 years) and their average Rohrer's Index was 119.0, while 33 Japanese runners were 27.8 years of age on the average (ranging from 18 to 42 years) and their average Rohrer's Index was 125.8. The urine samples at rest were collected at 8 a.m. on the day before the race after more than 10 hours fasting, and the samples after running were collected in 30 minutes after finishing the race. Just after the collections, the authors made determinations of the urine volume and pH and qualitative tests for sugar, protein, occult blood, Keton bodies and bilirubin. Then the determinations of VMA were made by Pisano's method. The resulte obtained were compared among six groups classified by the performance, viz., the order of the arrival. The classification was made as follows : 1) 1-5, 2) 6-10, 3) 11-15, 4) 16-20, 5) 21-25 and 6) 26-46. The comparison was also made between the foreigners and the Japanese.
Results:
Although there could be no significant correlation between the performance and the age or physique, the Rohrer's Index was smallest in Group 1) and largest in Group 6) .
The qualitative urine tests disclosed no marked change due to the running but protein less than 300 mg/dl was detected in the urine after running in 31 out of 40 runners. This fact seems to suggest that their physiological loads were considerably heavy. The urine volume on the average showed a decrease from 41.5 ml/hr at rest to 16.3 ml/hr after running, viz., 60.7 % decrement. The decrement was 53.2 % in the foreigners while it was 65.3 % in the Japanese. The urine volume was rather larger in Groups 5) and 6) than in the others. The urine pH on the average showed a decrease from 6.4 at rest to 5.6 after running, viz., 12.5 % decrement, and the decrement was 6.9 % in the foreigners while it was 14.9 % in the Japanese. Regarding the relation between the performance and the urine pH, there could be noted a tendency, the upper the ranking of the group, the smaller the change in pH.
The urinary excretion of VMA on the average of all the runners showed a striking increase from 155.8 mg/hr at rest to 383.1 mg/hr after the running. The increase due to running was 121.4 % in the foreigners while it was 144.1 % in the Japanese. Regarding the relation between the performance and the VMA excretion, Group 1) showed no increase in the excretion on the average, while the other groups generally showed 100 % - 200 % increase in the excretion.
On the basis of the above-mentioned findings, it was presumed that the physiological load of the marathon race was heavier in the Japanese runners than in the foreign runners, and in the lower ranking groups than in the upper ranking groups of the performance. In other words, the foreigners who showed excellent performance seemed to be highly adapted to the prolonged strenuous exercise by training and to have a regulatory mechanism of metabolism so efficient as to cope with heavy physiological load by small increase in catecholamine secretion.

A number of investigators have been concerned with the anthropometric as well as physical characteristics of sumo wrestlers during the past several decades. However, none have attempted to determine body density and percent body fat by the most accurate technique of hydrostatic or underwater weighings. Thus, a precise quantification of body density and percent body fat for the wrestlers has not yet been obtained. Ogawa et al. (1972) have predicted the body composition of sumo wrestlers from a formula which added the triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses. As the regression equation used in this instance was based on samples of normal young men, it may not have great predictive accuracy when used on the exceptional population of very stout athletes.
The purposes of this study were : (1) to assess the validity of percent body fat estimation by skinfold thickness measurement when compared to the hydrostatic weighing criterion method ; (2) to determine the interrelationships between anthropometric variables for use in the clear assessment of the physical characteristics of ‘Shindeshi’ sumo wrestlers ; and (3) to thereby develop a formula that would reliably predict percent body fat using skinfold thicknesses and/or anthropometric measurements in this exceptional population. The interrelationships between anthropometric and body composition variables were investigated using 35 Shindeshi sumo wrestlers, aged 15-20 years (X=16.5±1.5) .
The results of the present study can be summarized as follows.
1. The Shindeshi in the present study possessed physiques more developed than those tested in the past, as evidenced by Rohrer's and Ponderal Indices which were approximately 180 and 26.2, respectively. The development of body weight was particularly notable (i.e., over 100kg) .
2. Percent body fat for the Shindeshi was remarkably higher than that of a normal population of the same age, with approximately seventy percent of the Shindeshi possessing more than 20% body fat and less than 1.05000 body density.
3. Body density and height correlated negatively and insignificantly with almost all the variables. In contrast, correlations of body weight, circumferences, and all other variables were, in most cases, high and positive, with body weight correlating least with height. The skinfold measurement correlating best with % body fat was that taken at the thigh site (r=0.898) . The circumference measurements correlating best with % body fat were obtained at the thigh (r=0.888 and 0.831) and the abdomen (r=0 885) parts.
4. Of the six formulae for estimating % body fat, Sloan's correlated best with % body fat as determined by densitometry, and best approximated the mean value of 24.5%. However, all of the equations underestimated the measured % body fat of the Shindeshi.
5. When an exceptional population is being investigated, estimation of % body fat should be done with a population specific equation to ensure predictive accuracy. The following multiple regression equation (r=0.963) should, therefore, be utilized for estimation of % body fat in sumo wrestlers.
Y=0.2488x₁+0.6172x₂-14.3962 where x₁ and x₂ are abdomen circumference and skinfold thickness at thigh, respectively.

We investigated the muscle energetics using ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (³¹P NMR) spectroscopy, muscle cross-sectional area by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), isokinetic strength, maximal anaerobic power and 40-sec maximal cycling test (40 seconds power) in All Japan soccer players (JPN: n=6), Olympic and Youth representatives (OL: n=6), and Japan Soccer League players (JSL: n=5) . There was no significant difference in muscle energy metabolism measured by ³¹P NMR between the JPN and the OL or JSL players at rest, during exercise, or in the recovery period. The total muscle cross-sectional area was significantly larger in the JPN players than in the OL players at the upper (70%) and the middle (50%) parts of the thigh (p<0.05) and than in the JSL players in the upper (p<0.01), middle (p< 0.05), and lower (30%) parts (p<0.01) . The isokinetic strength in left leg extension at 180 deg/sec was significantly greater in the JPN players than in the OL players (p<0.05) . Muscle strength was also greater in extension of both legs at 450 deg/sec (left p<0.05, right p<0.01) in the JPN players than in the JSL players. The maximum anaerobic power was significantly greater in the JPN players than in the OL players (p<0.05) and the JSL players (p<0.05), and the anaerobic power per kilogram of body weight was significantly higher in the JPN players than in the JSL players (p<0.01) . There was no significant difference in the 40 seconds power among the three groups. These results suggest that the JPN players have greater muscle power than the OL or JSL players because of the differences in the muscle mass.

Farmer's lung is a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which is manifested mainly as an occupational disease among dairy farmers exposed to organic dusts from moldy hay and compost in silos and lofts. In Europe and America, it has been known for many years. In Japan, it frequently occurs in Hokkaido, Iwate and Hokuriku districts during winter months from November to March. The culprit antigens are spores of actinomycetes thermophilus such as Micropolyspora faeni and Thermoactinomyces vulgaris. In recent years, various preventive measures have been taken. For instance, in order to prevent hay from heating by fermentation and the thermophile from thriving, farmers desiccate hay as much as possible and keep it in air-tight plastic containers. The result is a notable decrease in the prevalence rate of this ailment. Nonetheless, with graying the rural population, pulmonary fibrosis caused by chronic exposure to low levels of organic dust is posing a grave health problem in the dairy farming communities. As a prophylactic measure against chronic fibrotic lung disease, there is a need to implement a comprehensive heath control program consisting of continual sanitary checkups at workplace and counseling at an early stage in addition to periodic health examinations. Another health threat which has more recently loomed up in the dairy farming communities is environmental pollution.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the causal structure model of muscle, motor and living functions utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) . As subjects, 103 community-dwelling older men and women, aged 65.7±6.9years of age, participated in the study to measure muscle cross-sectional area, maximum voluntary contractions, muscle power, 4 physical performance tests, and 16 questionnaires regarding ability of activities of daily living. The causal structure model of muscle, motor and living functions was hypothesized to be a hierarchical causal structure. The causal structure model of muscle function was hypothesized to be a hierarchical causal structure consisting of 3 sub-domains of muscle mass, muscle strength, and muscle power. Data analysis procedures were as follows : a) testing of construct validity of muscle function variables using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in SEM ; b) testing of causal structure using SEM ; c) testing of factor invariance using multi-group analysis for gender. The highest goodness of fit indices was obtained in the causal structure model of muscle, motor and living functions (NFI= .928, CFI= .978, RMSEA =.061) . The causal coefficient of muscle function to motor function was .98 (p<.05), followed by.34 for motor function to living function. From the results of multi-group analysis, the measurement invariance model indicated the highest goodness of fit indices (TLI=.968, CFI .977) . It was concluded that the hierarchical causal relation was among muscle, motor and living functions, and in which muscle function was consisted of 3 sub-domains.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the reliability and validity of a physical fitness questionnaire (PFQ) with self-rating for elderly people applying structural equation modeling (SEM) . As subjects, 105 community-dwelling older men and women aged 67.1±6.1 years participated in the study to measure 13 PFQ items and 13 performance tests. The data analysis procedures were as follows : a) testing reliability of PFQ ; b) testing of construct validity of PFQ using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) ; c) testing of criterion-related validity of PFQ to the performance tests using SEM ; d) testing of correlations of the PFQ to walking ability using SEM. Cronbaeh's alpha coefficient for consistency reliability of the PFQ was .83. Four common factors of muscle strength-power, endurance, coordination, and flexibility were extracted in EFA. The high and enough goodness of fit indices were obtained in the confirmatory factor structure model, and in each sub-domain of criterion-related validity to performance tests and correlation to walking ability models. The criterion-related validity coefficient of muscle strength and power was .77, followed by .66 for endurance, .59 for coordination and .82 for flexibility. The correlation coefficient of muscle strength and power to walking ability was -.51, followed by -.58 for coordination, - .43 for endurance and - . 28 for flexibility. These results indicated that the PFQ consisting of 13 items and 4 sub-domains satisfied reliability and construct validity although criterion related validity to performance tests was insufficient. It was concluded that the PFQ is of useful for physical fitness checking of elderly people.

The purpose of this study was to confirm the causal effect model of strength on walking ability development as a result of exercise participation among elderly people in a community, utilizing the latent curve model (LCM) in structural equation modeling (SEM) . Twenty-six male and 57 female subjects, 83 in total, aged 67.8±5.7, 63.9±7.1 and 65.1±6.9 in a pooled sample participated in the exercise program which lasted for two years. Grip strength and sit-ups used in the Japan Fitness Test were measured for muscular strength, 10-m hurdle walk and 6-min walk for walking ability, and the fitness test score for physical ability. The data analysis procedures were as follows : a) analysis of test-retest reliability and construct validity of measurement items, b) analysis of causal structure model of aging, muscular strength and walking ability, c) analysis of variance for repeated measurement of walking performance by sex, age and year, d) analysis of LCM for walking performance development. The highest goodness-of-fit indices of SEM were obtained in the LCM of 10-m hurdle walk performance development (GFI=0.989, AGFI=0.920, CFI=0.998, RMSEA=0.038) . The path coefficient of sit-ups at pre-test effect on the intercept of 10-m hurdle walk performance development was significant (p<0.05) . The path coefficients of age to intercept and slope of 10-m hurdle walk development were also significant (p<0.05) . It was concluded that walking ability development through participation in exercise age and strength level was more effective for maintaining walking ability in older age.