Running economy is an important factor in determining a performance of a long distance running. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the running economy and the submaximal hopping economy. Twelve long-distance runners performed a submaximal repeated hopping exercise on a force platform at a frequency of 2.2Hz and the maximum five-repeated rebound jumping (5RJ). Jumping height, contact time, maximum ground reaction force and oxygen intake were recorded during submaximal repeated hopping exercise. In addition, they performed the submaximal running for a distance of 3200m on an outdoor 400m track. Oxygen intake was recorded during the submaximal running. Then running economy (RE = V/VO₂) was calculated by using oxygen intake (VO₂) and running speeds (V). Hopping economy (HE = h/VO₂) was calculated by using oxygen intake (VO₂) and average jumping height (h). As a result of this study, we confirmed that a submaximal repeated hopping exercise performed for a ten-minute period was an aerobic exercise and a steady-state exercise. There was a significant positive correlation between RE and HE (r = 0.805, p＜0.01). These results suggest that hopping economy is an important factor in running economy. On the other hand, we did not find a significant correlation between HE and 5RJ. Furthermore, between RE and RJ index of the submaximal hopping exercise, a significant positive correlation was found (r = 0.735, p＜0.01). Therefore, RE seems to be connected with the Stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) function of the legs. We conclude that the SSC ability of a long distance runner can be evaluated appropriately by using the submaximal repeated hopping exercise of this study.

The effect of spa-drink (Misasa hot spring) on exocrine pancreatic function was studied in controls and drink therapy group. To examine exocrine pancreatic function, two different methods were used for determination of pancreatic chymotrypsin activity. One was a colorimetric method for the determination of fecal chymotrypsin activity and the other was PFD fest. Following conclusions were obtained.
1) With spa-drink therapy, fecal chymotrypsin activity was raised in 2 weeks in 40% of patients, while it remained unchanged in the next 2 weeks.
2) With spa-drink therapy, PFD value was raised in 2 weeks in 50% of patients, while it returned to the pre-treatment value in the next 2 weeks.
3) Spa-drink therapy for 2 weeks was effective for improving exocrine pancreatic function.

Short-term effects of spa-drink therapy on gastric mucosal blood flow were evaluated using endoscopic organ reflex spectrophotometry together with an Olympus XQ-10 forward-viewing gastrofiberscope.
Thirty-eight subjects were divided into three groups by random sampling: 12 subjects to a group for injecting hot spring water (38 to 40°C, 150ml), 12 subjects to a group for injecting warm tap water (38 to 40°C, 150ml), and 14 subjects to a groups for injecting warm air (150ml). Hot spring water, tap water, or air was injected into the stomach through the fiberscopic injection channel. Gastric mucosal blood flow was measured immediately before and 10 minutes after the injection on the three points of gastric mucosa: lesser curvature of the angle, and that of the antrum, and the pylorus.
The following results were obtained:
1) Hot spring water was more effective in increasing gastric mucosal blood flow than air. The difference was statistically significant on all of the three points.
2) Hot spring water was more effective in increasing gastric mucosal blood flow than tap water. The difference, however, was significant only on the mucosa of the gastric antrum.
In conclusion, spa-drink therapy was useful for treating chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer in which impairment of gastric mucosal blood flow plays an important pathogenetic role. Studies on the long-term effects of spa-drink therapy on the gastric mucosal blood flow are now under way.