Muscle training is effective for improving motor function, although withdrawal within 3-6 months has been reported in many cases. Thus, we aimed to establish locomotion training recommended by the Japanese Orthopaedic Association and our own locomotive syndrome prevention training (herein after collectively referred to as “locomotive training”) as a daily routine. Subjects were 30 participants of a training course held in 2014. Nine sessions (including 1 follow-up session) were organized to repetitively teach the importance of locomotive training; participants were instructed to record daily training activities during the course. Duration of oneleg standing balance with eyes open was measured each session so that participants were aware of the effects of the training. At the time of the last session of the course and at the follow-up session, 90% and 83% of participants completed home training twice or three times a week, respectively. Participants reported physical changes such as amelioration of knee pain and ability to put on a Wellington boot while standing on one leg. Also, physical fitness tests performed before and after the course showed significant improvement on the Timed Up and Go test, 30-s chair stand test, and one-leg standing with eyes open after the training course. Furthermore, the locomotive syndrome test resulted in a decrease in the number of participants who were judged to have a possibility to suffer from locomotive syndrome. Taken together, introducing a cycle comprising the three components of motivation-building through lectures, increasing awareness by recording performance, and awareness of the training effect by measuring duration of one-leg standing balance contributed to training continuity and consequent improvement in motor function.

Currently in Japan, undernutrition is increasing among those aged 65 years or older and needs to be addressed. Energy intake also falls short of estimated energy requirements (physical activity level II) among individuals 20 years or older, except for women in their 70s. In order for these energy and nutrient intake requirements to be met, we believe it is necessary to advocate more moderate and appropriate consumption of Shikohin (pleasurable, non-essential food and beverages such as alcohol and coffee). Therefore, we have initiated dietary guidance group sessions focusing on appropriate amounts of Shikohin consumption in our long-term support health promotion programs, which are organized with the goal of care prevention. In our group sessions, we offer guidance to participants with excessive Shikohin consumption to moderate their consumption, and we offer guidance to those with appropriate levels of Shikohin consumption on nutritional intake and balancing meals. Results for those with excessive Shikohin consumption have shown declining amounts of Shikohin consumption and improvements in nutrition and balanced meal intake. Among participants with previously appropriate levels of Shikohin consumption we found moderately increased use of Shikohin products. Overall, our results suggest that interventions are appropriate and helpful for persons with excessive Shikohin consumption. Guidance is also necessary on adjusting, optimizing, or maintaining appropriate Shikohin consumption for all participants of such programs regardless of their Shikohin consumption levels.