N-challenge is an enjoyable agility test for children that incorporates straight running, hurdle running, slalom running, and left and right turns, necessitating multiple physical fitness components. In Japan, children’s physical fitness is assessed using the New Physical Fitness Test (NPFT), comprising eight fitness test items. However, the association between agility, as assessed by the N-challenge, and physical fitness, as evaluated by the NPFT, remains unexplored. This study seeks to investigate the relationship between physical fitness as measured by the NPFT and performance in the N-challenge among elementary school children. The study involved 460 students from grades 3 to 6, including 230 boys and 230 girls. N-challenge running times were measured using a photoelectric tube system originally developed and interfaced with a personal computer. The NPFT was administered following established guidelines. Correlation analysis, controlling for age and sex, examined the relationship between N-challenge outcomes and the eight NPFT items. The results revealed weak to moderate significant correlations (|rsp| = 0.182-0.648, all p<0.01) between N-challenge running time and seven of the fitness test items and total NPFT scores, except for the sit-and-reach test. Furthermore, a moderate correlation (rsp = -0.546) was observed between the side-step test and N-challenge performance. Notably, the highest correlation coefficient (rsp = 0.648) was found between N-challenge and the 50-m sprint test. The results suggest that agility performance assessed by N-challenge test, which consists of multiple motor components, was associated not only with side-step test performance but also with multiple physical fitness components, especially sprinting ability, in elementary school children.

Objective: The purposes of this trial were to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the hybrid of intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy (HBT) for locally advanced cervical cancer patients in the phase I/II prospective clinical trial. Methods: Patients with FIGO stage IB2-IVA uterine cervical cancer pretreatment width of which was ≥5 cm measured by magnetic resonance imaging were eligible for this clinical trial. The protocol therapy included 30–30.6 Gy in 15–17 fractions of whole pelvic radiotherapy concurrent with weekly CDDP, followed by 24 Gy in 4 fractions of HBT and pelvic radiotherapy with a central shield up to 50–50.4 Gy in 25–28 fractions. The primary endpoint of phase II part was 2-year pelvic progression-free survival (PPFS) rate higher than historical control of 64%. Results: Between October 2015 and October 2019, 73 patients were enrolled in the initial registration and 52 patients proceeded to the secondary registration. With the median follow-up period of 37.3 months (range, 13.9–52.9 months), the 2- PPFS was 80.7% (90% confidence interval [CI]=69.7%–88%). Because the lower range of 90% CI of 2-year PPFS was 69.7%, which was higher than the historical control ICBT data of 64%, therefore, the primary endpoint of this study was met. Conclusion The effectiveness of HBT were demonstrated by a prospective clinical study. Because the dose goal determined in the protocol was lower than 85 Gy, there is room in improvement for local control. A higher dose might have been needed for tumors with poor responses.