Differences in sarcopenia indices in elderly Japanese women and their relationships with obesity classified according to waist circumference, BMI, and body fat percentage.

Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is defined as a decrease in lean body mass and an increase in body fat mass (BFM) due to aging. Detecting SO in elderly women is important from the perspective of extending healthy life expectancy. While various indices of SO are currently used, there is no global consensus regarding diagnostic criteria for SO.

Anatomical evaluations of the adipose tissue surrounding the flexor hallucis longus tendon.

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of adipose tissue surrounding the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon through gross dissection and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Grossly, we observed the FHL tendon and surrounding tissues in nine cadavers. Using MRI, we quantitatively evaluated each tissue from the horizontal plane in 40 healthy ankles.

A classification of the plantar intrinsic foot muscles based on the physiological cross-sectional area and muscle fiber length in healthy young adult males.

Background: Plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFMs) are composed of 10 muscles and play an essential role in achieving functional diversity in the foot. Previous studies have identified that the morphological profiles of PIFMs vary between individuals. The morphological profiles of a muscle theoretically reflect its output potentials: the physiological cross-sectional area (PCSA) of a muscle is proportional to its maximum force generation, and the muscle fiber length (FL) is its shortening velocity.

Vortex structure and fluid force changed by altering whole-body kinematic parameters during underwater undulatory swimming.

Swimmers generate vortices around their bodies during underwater undulatory swimming (UUS). Alteration of UUS movement would induce changes in vortex structure and fluid force. This study investigated whether a skilled swimmer's movement generated an effective vortex and fluid force for increasing the UUS velocity.

Quantification of Extramyocellular Lipids and Intramuscular Fat from Muscle Echo Intensity in Lower Limb Muscles: A Comparison of Four Ultrasound Devices against Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

This study aimed to compare different ultrasound devices with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify muscle lipid content from echo intensity (EI). Four different ultrasound devices were used to measure muscle EI and subcutaneous fat thickness in four lower-limb muscles. Intramuscular fat (IMF), intramyocellular (IMCL) and extramyocellular lipids (EMCL) were measured using MRS.

Interaction Between Sarcopenic Obesity and Nonlocomotive Physical Activity on the Risk of Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling Older Adult Japanese Women.

This study aimed to investigate the interaction between sarcopenic obesity and locomotive and nonlocomotive physical activity (PA) on the risk of depressive symptoms in community-dwelling older Japanese women. Participants were 143 community-dwelling older women aged 64-94 years. PA was measured using a three-axis accelerometer.

Contributions of flexor hallucis longus and brevis muscles to isometric toe flexor force production.

Purpose: Morphological differences between the two primary great toe flexors - flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) - likely drive differences in how these muscles contribute to functional toe flexor torque production. The aim of the study was to investigate FHL and FHB activation in two isometric toe flexion tasks - one called a "toe-pushing" task with the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints dorsiflexed and the interphalangeal (IP) joints in neutral and another called a "toe-gripping" task with the MTP joints in neutral and flexed IP joints.

Methods: Twenty participants' FHL and FHB muscles were instrumented with intramuscular electromyography electrodes.

The Large and Strong Vortex Around the Trunk and Behind the Swimmer is Associated with Great Performance in Underwater Undulatory Swimming.

Swimmers can produce horizontal body velocity by generating and shedding vortices around their body during underwater undulatory swimming (UUS). It has been hypothesized that the horizontal shedding velocity, area and circulation of the vortex around the swimmer's body are associated with UUS performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the shedding velocity, area and circulation of vortices around swimmers' bodies are correlated with the horizontal body velocity during UUS.

Associations of muscle volume of individual human plantar intrinsic foot muscles with morphological profiles of the foot.

Human plantar intrinsic foot muscles consist of 10 muscles that originate and insert within the sole of the foot. It is known that the anatomical cross-sectional area (ACSA) and muscle thickness of two plantar intrinsic foot muscles, the flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) and abductor hallucis (ABH), associate with morphological parameters of the foot, such as total and truncated foot length and navicular height. However, it is unclear how the size for each of the plantar intrinsic foot muscles associates with various morphological profiles of the foot.

Point Prevalence of the Biomechanical Dimension of Dysfunctional Breathing Patterns Among Competitive Athletes.

Shimozawa, Y, Kurihara, T, Kusagawa, Y, Hori, M, Numasawa, S, Sugiyama, T, Tanaka, T, Suga, T, Terada, RS, Isaka, T, and Terada, M. Point prevalence of the biomechanical dimension of dysfunctional breathing patterns among competitive athletes. J Strength Cond Res 37(2): 270-276, 2023-There is growing evidence of associations between altered biomechanical breathing patterns and numerous musculoskeletal and psychological conditions.

Contributions of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Foot Muscles during Functional Standing Postures.

Purpose: Maintaining balance during static standing postures requires the coordination of many neuromuscular mechanisms. The role of the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles in this paradigm has yet to be clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to explore foot muscle activation during static phases on common weight-bearing tasks of varying loads and balance demands.

Associations between the size of individual plantar intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles and toe flexor strength.

Background: The size of the plantar intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles has been shown to be associated with toe flexor strength (TFS). Previous studies adopted the size of limited plantar intrinsic foot muscles or a compartment containing several muscles as an independent variable for TFS. Among the plantar intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles, therefore, it is unclear which muscle(s) primarily contributes to TFS production.

Effects of age and sex on association between toe muscular strength and vertical jump performance in adolescent populations.

Toe muscular strength plays an important role in enhancing athletic performance because the forefoot is the only part of the body touching the ground. In general, muscular strength increases with age throughout adolescence, and sex-related difference in muscular strength becomes evident during childhood and adolescence. However, toe muscular strength is known to be levelled off after late adolescence in both sexes.

Associations between locomotive and non-locomotive physical activity and physical performance in older community-dwelling females with and without locomotive syndrome: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Locomotive syndrome (LS) is a condition of reduced mobility due to a disorder of the locomotive system. Increasing moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) has been recommended to prevent LS. However, to increase daily MVPA is difficult for older people with LS.

Change of Direction Speed Tests in Basketball Players: A Brief Review of Test Varieties and Recent Trends.

Change of direction speed (CODS) is essential for basketball performance, extensively assessed by various tests. This review aimed to summarize the CODS test varieties for basketball players on publications until 2019 and identify recent trends regarding what types of tests have gained attention in the 2010s. Electronic literature searches were conducted using three databases with relevant keywords.

Toe flexor strength is associated with mobility in older adults with pronated and supinated feet but not with neutral feet.

Background: Older adults are known to have more pronated foot posture and decreased toe flexor strength (TFS), as well as decreased mobility in daily life compared to young adults. Although foot posture is reported to be an influential factor for walking biomechanics in young adults, there is less information on this subject in older adults. Age-related reduction in TFS is shown to be associated with impairments of functional performance, but it is poorly understood whether foot posture influences the relationships between TFS and functional performances.

Decreased Muscle Strength of Knee Flexors is Associated with Impaired Muscle Insulin Sensitivity in Non-Diabetic Middle-Aged Japanese Male Subjects.

Introduction: Reduced muscle strength is a high risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, and this association is especially strong in non-obese male individuals. However, it remains unclear how reduced muscle strength affects susceptibility to diabetes. We have examined whether lower limb muscle strength is associated with insulin resistance in non-obese Japanese male subjects.

Lycopene-Family Carotenoids Confer Thermostability on Photocomplexes from a New Thermophilic Purple Bacterium.

is a newly described thermophilic purple bacterium containing bacteriochlorophyll . Using purified light-harvesting 1 reaction center (LH1-RC) core complexes from . , we compared the biochemical, spectroscopic, and thermal denaturation properties of these complexes with those of its mesophilic counterpart, .

Adverse effects of the coexistence of locomotive syndrome and sarcopenia on the walking ability and performance of activities of daily living in Japanese elderly females: a cross-sectional study.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to investigate whether the coexistence of locomotive syndrome and sarcopenia is associated with the risk of fall or performance of activities of daily living in elderly females. [Participants and Methods] We categorized 112 Japanese elderly female participants under three groups: control, locomotive syndrome, and locomotive syndrome and co-existing sarcopenia. We compared the groups based on the mean scores of anthropometric and physical function measurements, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology Index of Competence to evaluate activities of daily living.

Associations among Bone Mineral Density, Physical Activity and Nutritional Intake in Middle-Aged Women with High Levels of Arterial Stiffness: A Pilot Study.

There is little consensus regarding the impacts of physical activity and nutrient intake on bone mineral density (BMD) in subjects with high or low levels of arterial stiffness. This study was performed to investigate whether physical activity and nutrient intake are associated with BMD in middle-aged women with high levels of arterial stiffness. The study population consisted of middle-aged women aged 40-64 years ( = 22).

Relationship between Trunk Muscularity and Club Head Speed in Male Golfers.

This study examined how the volume of trunk muscles and its bilateral asymmetry are related to club head speed in golfers. Fourteen right-handed male golfers performed five driver shots, and the club head speed for each trial was calculated from a three-dimensional reflective marker position of the club head immediately before impact. The volume of each side of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, psoas major, quadratus lumborum, lateral abdominal wall muscle, and multifidus was determined using magnetic resonance imaging.

Effect of a task's postural demands on medial longitudinal arch deformation and activation of foot intrinsic and extrinsic musculatur.

Purpose: It is not well established how motion and muscle activation of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of the foot vary under different loading conditions. Intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles may play a role in postural control, which may be investigated by comparing loading tasks with differing postural demands. The objective of this study was to investigate the interaction of MLA flexibility and loading task on muscle activation.

Bilateral differences in the trunk muscle volume of skilled golfers.

Repetitive mechanical load applied to a body part may lead to hypertrophy of its muscles. If a movement requires asymmetric activation of bilateral muscles, this may result in differences in muscle size between the sides. This study aimed to investigate the degree of bilateral differences in the trunk muscle volume of golfers by comparing with non-golfers.

Validity of block start performance without arm forces or by kinematics-only methods.

The purpose of this study was to validate the calculation of reaction time (RT) and normalised power in block starts without considering arm ground reaction forces (GRFs) or using two kinematics-only methods. The RT and normalised power in the action phase were calculated using four different methods: using GRFs of arms and legs by force plates (whole F-based method), which can be regarded as the most valid method, using GRFs of legs captured by force plates (legs F-based method), using position of the centre of mass of the entire body captured by high-speed cameras (whole P-based method), and using only a partial subset of segment position (partial P-based method). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated that the RT of the legs F-based method was not similar to that of the whole F-based method: the mean difference was 7.

Relationship Between Toe Muscular Strength and the Ability to Change Direction in Athletes.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between toe muscular strength and the ability to change direction in athletes. Seventeen collegiate American-football players participated in the study (age 19.9 ± 0.