Komono Town is a well-known spa and health resort in Mie Prefecture. Komono Town has been seeking ways to promote the activities of hot spring area and health resources in surrounding areas. As part of these efforts, Komono Town has developed town-walk programs to promote the health of local residents. In this study, focusing on effect of walking on relaxation, we compared levels of stress hormones and emotional scores obtained before and after walking.

  After giving their informed consent, adult participated in two walking programs, each for a distance of approximately 7 km. Salivary cortisol levels were measured before and after intervention. In addition, the Mood Check List-Short form. 2 (MCL-S.2) and a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to rate emotions before and after intervention.

  In both programs, walking tended to lower levels of salivary cortisol than resting. Low levels of cortisol, an adrenocortical hormone released during a state of predominantly sympathetic nervous activity, are thought to reflect mental relaxation; our result implies that the walking program enhanced relaxation in subjects. In addition, both MCL-S.2 and VAS rating showed that the subjects tended to feel better, more relaxed and less anxious after intervention.

  These findings suggest that the walking programs are beneficial human body thorough, for example, enhanced relaxation.

  In fall 2012, we renovated the grounds surrounding our hospital and constructed a “rehabilitation promenade,” along which patients could stroll and be in touch with the natural environment. The course is 500m long and includes pathways through a wood and along a pond. Using the promenade, patients can go for a stroll, exercise, or interact with other people. In our ambulatory rehabilitation center, the promenade has been incorporated in one of the center’s programs since last year. This time, we herein report a survey on the changes in the mental and physical function over a 6-month period from May 2013 and their satisfaction level with the use of the promenade by a questionnaire in December 2013.   22 subjects with a mean age of 77.5 ± 6.8 years were included in the survey on the mental and physical functions. Also, in satisfaction survey, valid responses were received from 58 individuals (mean age, 78.2 ± 8.2 years; 25 men and 33 women).   As a result, in terms of the 6-month changes in mental and physical functions were generally maintained.   In the questionnaire, more than 90% of users were satisfied with their use of the promenade, and the statistical analysis revealed that the highest level of satisfaction concerned going outside (p<0.01). For example, “I could feel the fresh air and the seasons” and “I could see a range of scenery.”   In addition, compare the results for each category according to sex, the women chose significantly more answers that were related to interacting with other people, whereas the men chose significantly more answers that were related to exercise.   From this survey, utilizing the surrounding environment may enable the development of more varied and satisfying forms of rehabilitation. We will continue with initiatives that utilize the promenade to help improve the QOL of those who use it.

  Background: This study aimed to clarify the effects of bathing on cardiovascular and psychological responses during winter and summer, focusing on three different time points (immediately after entering the bathtub, during bathing, and immediately after leaving the bathtub).   Methods: Ten young (29.6 ± 1.5 years) individuals were asked to bathe for 20 min with 40℃ hot water in summer and with 42℃ hot water in winter. The room temperature and humidity in winter were 20.1℃ and 56.7%, while those in summer were 27.0℃ and 58.3%, respectively. Tympanic temperature (Tty) was measured using a thermistor thermometer; systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP) and heart rate (HR) were measured using an auto-sphygmomanometer, and double product (DP) was calculated using the value of HR multiplied by SBP value. Subjective thermal and comfortable sensations were evaluated using a seven-point rating scale.   Results: Results showed a significant increases in SBP values in both seasons immediately after bathing. In winter, DP increased significantly after bathing. Meanwhile, no significant differences were observed in all parameters immediately after bathing between winter and summer. On the contraly, significant differences were observed in Tty, HR, and DP value between winter and summer during bathing. HR and DP values in winter were significantly lower than those in summer immediately after leaving the bathtub. A relationship between thermal sensation and comfortable sensation was observed in both seasons, but the strength of the relationship was more relevant in summer than in winter.   Conclusion: The effects of bathing in 42℃ hot water on the cardiovascular system in winter are greater than those in 40℃ hot water in summer. The high temperature of the bath water may not produce as much discomfort during winter than that during summer, therefore bathing time may be longer.

  Background: Aging affects thermoregulation and can potentially cause cardiovascular changes during bathing in the elderly, possibly leading to accidents and, in worst cases, drowning. However, adequate data on this subject are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of aging on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes during bathing in the older versus younger adults the relationship between body temperature and thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes.   　Methods: Ten young (mean age: 20.4 years) and 10 elderly (mean age: 69.7 years) participants were asked to bathe for 15 min using water at 41°C. Tympanic temperature (Tty), skin blood flow (SkBF), sweating rate (SR), blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and double product (DP) were measured. In addition, we measured subjective psychological changes during bathing. Results: The results showed significant changes in SkBF, SR, and HR in the young participants rather than in the elderly participants. However, in the elderly participants, significant change was noted in systolic blood pressure (SBP).   　Conclusion: These results demonstrate changes in thermal adaptation and SBP owing to structural and functional progression due to aging.

  Background: Aging affects thermoregulation and can potentially cause cardiovascular changes during bathing in the elderly, possibly leading to accidents and, in worst cases, drowning. However, adequate data on this subject are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of aging on thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes during bathing in the older versus younger adults the relationship between body temperature and thermoregulatory and cardiovascular changes.   Methods: Ten young (mean age: 20.4 years) and 10 elderly (mean age: 69.7 years) participants were asked to bathe for 15 min using water at 41°C. Tympanic temperature (Tty), skin blood flow (SkBF), sweating rate (SR), blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and double product (DP) were measured. In addition, we measured subjective psychological changes during bathing. Results: The results showed significant changes in SkBF, SR, and HR in the young participants rather than in the elderly participants. However, in the elderly participants, significant change was noted in systolic blood pressure (SBP).   Conclusion: These results demonstrate changes in thermal adaptation and SBP owing to structural and functional progression due to aging.

  The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of ingesting chloridquellen and bicarbonate spring waters on electrogastrography and heart rate variability in humans. The subjects were ten young adults (average age 21.9 years old). Three and six cycles per minute (cpm) frequency of electrogastrography (EGG) were measured, as well as the high-frequency (HF: 0.15-0.40Hz) components, and the ratio of low-frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15Hz) components to HF components in heart rate variability (HRV) during 90 minutes. The taste of the water and pain or abnormalities in the stomach were also assessed by having the subjects answer a questionnaire. The subjects ingested the spa water or purified water and were asked to respond to the questionnaire after thirty minutes, and they also ingested no water on a different day and were questioned. The EGG-6 cpm frequency, presumably reflecting intestinal activity, did not change under any conditions. The EGG-3 cpm frequency, presumably reflecting stomach activity, significantly increased with bicarbonate spring waters immediately after ingestion and decreased after 30 min. Additionally, the 3 cpm frequency significantly increased with ingestion of purified water over the course of 30 min. The HF components in HRV, presumably reflecting cardiac parasympathetic activity, did not change under any conditions. The ratio of LF to HF components in HRV, presumably reflecting cardiac sympathetic activity, significantly increased with ingestion of purified water immediately and after 15 min, and bicarbonate spring waters after 30 min. There was a difference between ingestion of chloridquellen and purified water in the answers concerning the taste of the water in the questionnaire. These findings suggest that the constituent parts of chloridquellen water and other factors activate stomach and autonomic nervous activities in humans.

Introduction: Prevention of the onset of cardio/cerebrovascular diseases, which represent circulatory system diseases, is now emphasized. It requires ensuring good arterial distensibility, which has been demonstrated to be reduced by life environments such as the lack of exercise or overnutrition but improved by aerobic exercise. Even if implementation of such exercises is possible, it increases the risks of the frail elderly with declined cardiopulmonary function and those with other diseases. This study aimed to focus on plantar flexion and dorsiflexion exercises of the ankles as a type of effective, low-load exercise that can induce dynamic stimulation associated with increased blood flow, using muscle pumping of the triceps surae and footbath, which could potentially increase overall blood flow via hyperthermic action. We then investigate the benefits of the combined effects of these two exercises on arterial distensibility. Methods: We selected 25 physically and mentally healthy adult men and women (17 men and eight women; mean ± SD age, 25.7 ± 3.3 years) as study subjects.   All the 25 subjects performed each of three exercises, namely footbath, ankle exercise, and ankle exercise in footbath, in a sitting position for 15 minutes. Ankle-brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate were measured using form PWV/ABI before and after the exercise for the evaluation of arterial distensibility. Results: No significant differences were observed in the PWVs, ABIs, systolic/diastolic blood pressures, and heart rates before and after exercise in the footbath and exercise groups. However, for the footbath exercise group, a significant reduction in PWV was observed from before to after exercise. Discussion: In this study, we focused our attention on the ankle exercise in footbath as a low-load exercise that could improve arterial distensibility. The results indicated a significant reduction in PWV, an index used to show the level of arterial distensibility, only for the footbath exercise group, which performed the combination of ankle exercise and footbath. We can infer that the improvement of arterial distensibility is attributed to the synergistic effect of the muscle pump and hyperthermic actions, which result in further increases and facilitation of cardiac output. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the ankle exercise in footbath was beneficial for the improvement of arterial distensibility.

  Foot and hand baths are used well in partial baths. It is thought that a warm temperature effect varies according to the size of warmed part in a partial bath, but it is not clear. The purpose of this study is to examine the thermal response on the size of warming area and position during foot and hand baths. The subjects were ten young individuals (all men, average age 23.2 ± 1.3 years), and these individuals partook in a 15-min foot and hand bath. Subjects submerged themselves up to the lower thigh and forearm in a bath at 42°C, in a seated position, rested in the position for five min, and then rested for an additional five min after bathing. There are five styles for baths (single thigh, both thighs, single forearm, both forearms, and no bath). Tympanic temperature was taken with a thermistor, skin blood flow with a laser Doppler flowmeter, and sweat rate with capsule method on the right side. We measured whether the subjects felt warm and comfortable. Tympanic temperature was significantly increased in both the foot and hand baths. Skin blood flow and sweat rate showed no change under any condition. Warm temperature and subjects’ feelings of comfort varied for all bathing conditions, in comparison with no bath. Warm temperature feeling was significant for both the foot and hand baths, in comparison with single baths. The change in these temperatures depended on the surface area warmth in the bath, and the response of the warming at different parts of body was suggested by various factors.

  A person regulates body temperature by outside and inside heat from change of environmental temperature. One of the inside heats includes drinking water. However, the effect of drinking water temperature on body temperature is not clear. The purpose of this study was to examine how water temperature influences the change in body temperature. The study participant were 13 men (average age, 21.3 ± 0.8 years), and they drank water at 3°C, room temperature, and 60°C; in addition, one more task was not to drink water. We measured tympanic temperature using a thermometer, skin blood flow using a laser Doppler flow meter, and sweating rate using the capsule ventilation method. The mean skin temperature was measured at seven body points with a thermistor and calculated. Tympanic temperature of drinking water at 3°C and 60°C was significantly in comparison with other conditions. As for skin blood flow between water temperature at 60°C and 3°C, sweating rate between water temperature at 60°Cand other conditions, and mean skin temperature between water temperature at 3°C and other conditions significant differences were recognized. It is thought that the response to early change to drinking water at different temperatures is by responses of thermo-receptors and subsequently by the thermal energy of the drinking water.

  【Introduction】One of the effects of the hot spring provides worm temperature. This effect raises temperature, and temperature control function operates and causes increase of the bloodstream. This time, these changes examined the thing by the size of the bathtub and the spring quality of the hot spring.   【Subjects and Methods】The subjects were 10 healthy adult men (mean age: 25.2 years). They bathed for 10 min in bathtubs at 42°C. The enforcement used plunge bath (approximately 1,700 L: simple alkaline hot spring) and home bathtub (approximately 300 L: hot water, 0.1% artificially chlorinated spring). Measurement item of the maximum arterial blood flow rate using the Ultrasonic Rheometer Smart Doppler 45, deep body temperature using the deep body temperature monitor core temperature CM-210, I compared each value 10 min during the bathing, and during a 10-min, 20-min, 30-min resting period after bathing, furthermore, I found the conjugation on each condition resting period after bathing.   【Result】The rise in deep body temperature and maximum arterial blood flow rate showed the result that a hot spring of the plunge bath was more meaningful than the value of the home bathtub after 10 min of bathing. The deep body temperature of the hot spring of the plunge bath significantly rose from bathing 3 min after. In deep body temperature with the resting period after bathing, in the hot spring of the plunge bath, a meaningful rise was maintained in hot water 13 min for population chloride spring 16 min of the home bathtub for 15 min.  【Discussion】In thinks that a population spring let you maintain a temperature rise that it disturbs a drop of the water temperature by abundant quantity of water in the plunge bath that hot spring plunge bath had a bigger deep body temperature rise, maximum arterial blood flow rate than home bathtub, and the deep body temperature rise in the home bathtub was continued.