In order to find the characteristics of physique and physical fitness of the field hockey players, the data were collected from the Japanese Men's Team members in anthropometric measurements and physical fitness test during the last six years since 1978.
From the data collected for this study the following observation were made :
1. The Japanese National Men's Field Hockey players had superior measurements in agility, especially, Side-Step-Test and cardiorespiratory function but inferior measurements in muscular strength and flexibility than players in other activities¹⁷⁾ ; their physique were smaller than others.
2. When compared with Tokyo Olympic Field Hockey players of twenty years ago, some increments in measurements were recognized in weight, circumferences, muscular strength and cardiorespiratory function; but not too much differences were observed in various longitudinal measurements, jumping reaction time, simple reaction time and flexibility.
3. When individual measurements of three years span were compared longitudinally, circumferences like chest girth and upper arm girth, Vertical jump and Side-Step-Test were increased but cardiorespiratory function declined with the age. The rest of the items did not change much during the span of three years.

In order to find the characteristics of physique and physical fitness of the field hockey players, data were collected from the Japanese Women's Team members in anthropometric measurements and physical fitness test over an eight-year period starting 1978.
From the data collected for this study the following observations were made :
1. From the data obtained during the last eight years, the tendency to increase or to improve was observed in the mean values of their physique and functional test items.
2. The Japanese National Women's hockey players were superior in agility, especially, side-step-test but inferior in muscular strength, flexibility and cardio-respiratory functions to national players in other activities ; their physique were smaller than others.
3. When compared with hockey players of foreign countries, it was observed that Japanese Women's hockey players were smaller in physique and inferior in muscular strength and cardio-respiratory functions.
4. When individual measurements of three years span were compared longitudinary, upper arm girth, muscular strength of upper limb and trunk had increased and jumping reaction time had improved, but not too many differences were observed in flexibility and cardio-respiratory function during the three years.

At present, lifestyle-related diseases are one of the most critical health issues worldwide. It has been reported that lipopolysaccharide derived from a Gram-negative bacteria (IP-PA1) symbiotic with wheat exhibited several advantageous biological effects, such as the reduction of plasma glucose levels in NOD mice and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels in WHHL rabbits. In this study, the beneficial effects on plasma glucose and lipids of a tea (SI tea) consisting of IP-PA1 and Salacia (which contains an inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase) were investigated in the KK-Ay/TaJcl type 2 diabetic model mice and in human subjects with premetabolic syndrome in a double-blind, randomized study. SI tea significantly decreased plasma glucose levels in KK-Ay/TaJcl mice. A clinical trial of SI tea was performed with 41 subjects between the ages of 40 and 69, who belonged either to a high plasma glucose group (HG: FPG 100-125 mg/dl) or to a hyperlipidemia group (HL: TG > or = 150 mg/dl, or LDL > or = 120 mg/dl, or HDL < 40 mg/dl). These subjects ingested either Salacia without IP-PA1 (the control) or SI tea. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, and 60 days after initiating SI tea treatment, and were measured for FPG, HbA1c, TG, LDL, and HDL. These results showed that SI tea reduced FPG and HbA1c more rapidly than the control in the HL group, and also significantly improved LDL and HDL levels in the HG group. Thus, SI tea may be helpful in preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Animals ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Lipoproteins ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred NOD ; Plasma ; Rabbits ; Salacia ; Tea ; Triticum