To determine the influence of “thin”, “normal”, and “obesity” on the motor function and exercise capacity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, as well as whether “obesity” is actually “harmful” for such patients. A total of 103 COPD patients in a stable condition were classified into three groups: a “thin group” (BMI<18.5), an “normal group” (18.5≤BMI<25), and an “obesity group” (BMI≥25). Fourteen patients from each group matched for %FEV_1.0, sex, and age were evaluated. The measurement items were: respiratory function, respiratory muscle strength, lower and upper limb muscle strength, the 30-sec chair-stand test (CS-30), timed up and go test (TUG), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), incremental shuttle walking test (ISWT), Nagasaki university respiratory questionnaire (NRADL), and St. George’s respiratory questionnaire (SGRQ). As a result of comparing the three groups, the %MIP was significantly higher in the obesity compared to thin group (p=0.04). No differences were seen between the groups in the mMRC, %MEP, quadriceps femoris muscle strength (%), CS-30, TUG, 6MWT, ISWT, NRSDL, and SGRQ, but these values showed a tendency to be favorable in the obesity group. The BMI was significantly and positively correlated with the %MIP and NRADL. It was suggested that management of the respiratory muscle strength, exercise tolerance, and ADL when COPD patients are obese rather than thin can be possibly associated with a higher QOL.

This study aimed to determine whether the distance between the medial epicondyles of the femur is useful as a screening test for varus knee. The participants were 53 community-dwelling older adults. First, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to obtain the cutoff value for the distance between the medial epicondyles of the femur. The cutoff values and femorotibial angle (FTA) were used to compare body composition and physical function between the groups. The cutoff value for the distance between the medial epicondyles of the femur was 2.75 cm. The intergroup comparison based on the FTA revealed significant differences in lower-limb muscle mass, grip strength, and quadriceps muscle strength. The results of the cutoff value-based comparison showed significant differences in skeletal and lower-limb muscle mass, grip strength, and quadriceps muscle strength, all of which were consistent with each other. Measuring the distance between the medial epicondyles of the femur is a useful screening test for varus knees in community-dwelling older adults.