Purpose
 This study aimed to clarify the effects of footbath (FB) on motor functions (MFs).
Subjects
 The study population comprised 26 healthy volunteers (12 males and 14 females; age, 21-30years, Standard Deviation,25.5±2.8).
Method
 (1) Study design: The footbath group (FBG; 6 males, 8 females) received FB at 42°C for 20 min after 5-min rest. The control group (CG; 6 males, 6 females) was instructed to sit on the chair for 20 min after 5-min rest. (2) Evaluation of MFs: MF was evaluated using the following parameters: long sitting reach (LSR), grips (GP), quadriceps power, stick reaction, and functional reach (FR). MF was evaluated before the rest period (pre-MF) and after load application (post-MF). The results obtained from pre-MF and post-MF assessments were compared. (3) Measurement of tympanic membrane temperature (TM temp) : TM temp was measured every 1 min duimg load application and after the rest period.
Result
 TM temp: Significant increase in the TM temp in the FBG was observed at 18 min in the males and at 20 min in females.
 MF before and after FB: (1) Analysis of all 26 cases: There was no significant difference betweenthe pre-MF and post-MF parameters in both the FBG and CG. (2) Analysis of the findings in males only: The post-FR value in the FBG increased significantly as compared to the pre-FR value, although there was no significant difference between the pre-MF and post-MF results in the CG. (3)Analysis of the findings in females only: In the FBG, post-LSR value increased and the post-GP value decreased significantly as compared to the corresponding values, although there was no significant difference between the pre-MF and post-MF in the CG.
Conclusion
 Our results suggest that FB improves MF in healthy volunteers. Gender ditiference should be considered while establishing effective FB treatment programs in Balneology.

  The purpose of this study was to clarify effects of foot bath at 42°C for 10 min on cerebral circulation and mental function in elderly persons. The subjects of this study were 12 elderly persons (average 83.1 years old). Tissue hemoglobin concentration and blood flow at the cerebral frontal cortex were measured using near-infrared spectroscopy and blood pressure and heart rate using an autonomic spygmomanometer during for each 10 minutes before foot bath, during foot bath, and after foot bath. We measured subject's arithmetic speed and mistaken numbers as mental function. During foot bath the blood flow and after foot bath oxyhemoglobin at frontal cortex were significantly increased. Heart rate was significant increased after foot bath. But deoxyhemoglobin and blood pressure did not changed during foot bath. In addition to arithmetic speed and mistaken numbers were same before and after foot bath. These findings suggest that cerebral circulation is changed by foot bath, but mental functions is not before and after foot bath.

  The purpose of this study was to clarify effects of the water fall bath on muscle blood flow, muscle hardness at the shoulder and body temperature after muscle contraction in human.   The subjects of this study were eight young males (average 20.4years old). Blood flow and hardness in middle fiber of trapezius were measured using the monitor of spectroscopy and a handy battery-run device, skin blood flow rate using the laser doppler flowmetry, and tympanic temperature using the thermistor during control period 10 minutes, for five minutes during four conditions (40°C water fall bath, massage using the knocking machine, 40°C hot pack and rest) after muscle contraction and moreover 30 minutes. Subjects wore a swimming trunk while these experiments. The ambient temperature and relative humidity were set to 27°C, 42% in control room.   During the water fall bath, the muscle blood flow was tend to increased compared with after muscle contraction. The skin blood flow was increased and the muscle hardness was decreased significantly. During the massage, the skin blood flow was increased and the muscle hardness was decreased significantly. During the hot pack, the muscle hardness was decreased significantly. The tympanic temperature was no changed in three conditions except from the rest.   These findings suggest that water fall bath is lessened the muscle hardness causing increase of the muscle and the skin blood flows. Therefore, the water fall bath can use one of the method to relief muscle fatigue.