As the static balancing ability of the body is physiologically so complicated, that it is not easy to appraise it objectively and quantitatively. The aim of this study is to asses the motion of the gravity center of the body, using the body-balance analyzer (MGC-O1A, TOSHIBA), and to evaluate the validity of its use in the physical testing system.
The trace of the motion of the gravity center of 30 second duration, while the subject standing quietly on the sense-table with his eyes closed and his toes 60 degree opened, was drawn on the chart sheet and its length (L) was calculated electronically.
Preliminarily, 14 healthy men and women, whose ages ranged from 21 to 48 years old, were subjected to the test six times every day for ten consecutive days. The L values of 60 time measurements of each subject showed a slightly eccentric distribution with the coefficient variation of 20% on the average, but the coefficient variations of logarithmic value of L were small and they were between 2.4 and 6.0%. There was no significant difference between the L in the morning and that in the afternoon. Well-trained subjects seemed to show the smaller L values than the not-trained, but the latter some-times had little values, which might perhaps tell the existance of some predispositional ability for body balancing. Half of the subjects showed a“training effect”; L became smaller as the experimental day went on.
The L values of 2212 male and female subjects, age of those ranging from 19 to 83 years old, who performed the general physical testing, were then analyzed. The distribution of L was that of a “logarithmic normal”and it's geometric mean value was 210.8cm per 30 seconds, where the range of ± 1 S.D. was 149.0-298.3. It seemed that L increased with aging, only with a very low correlation coefficient (r : 0.14) . And there was no significant difference in L values between male and female. Although the multivariate analyses, in which L was set as the object variable, was performed, the correlation between L and the other physical abilities (muscular strength, power, agility, flexibility. and VO₂max) was very low (r : lower than 0.12) .

PURPOSE: The pedicled, descending-branch muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi (MSLD) flap has been widely used for breast reconstruction following total mastectomy. However, the superiority of the MSLD flap compared to the conventional latissimus dorsi (CLD) flap in preventing seroma formation has not been demonstrated. This study compares the morbidities related to seroma formation following pedicled MSLD flap and CLD flap breast reconstruction. METHODS: A total of 15 women who underwent partial mastectomy and immediate partial breast reconstruction with MSLD flaps were compared with 15 women under identical conditions with CLD flap breast reconstruction. The medical records were reviewed for both complications and demographic data. The authors compared morbidity, including donor-site seroma, total volume of drain discharge, indwelling period of drainage, and length of hospital stay following both MSLD flap and CLD flap breast reconstruction. RESULTS: The demographic data of the 2 groups were not significantly different. Donor-site seroma occurred in 2 MSLD patients (13.3%) and in 6 CLD patients (40.0%). The total volume of the drain discharge and the indwelling period of drainage at donor site were significantly lower in the MSLD group. The length of hospital stay was significantly shorter (by approximately a day and a half) for the MSLD group. CONCLUSION: The MSLD flap, with its low complication rate and associated minimal functional and aesthetic deficits at the donor site, may be a useful option for small breast reconstruction if earlier discharge from hospital is demanded.
Breast* ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Mammaplasty* ; Mastectomy, Segmental ; Mastectomy, Simple ; Medical Records ; Seroma* ; Superficial Back Muscles* ; Tissue Donors