Fundamental movement skills in preschoolers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a serial cross-sectional study.

Background: Physical inactivity during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may have hindered the development of fundamental movement skills in preschoolers. This serial cross-sectional study compared fundamental movement skills by age group before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2020), among Japanese preschoolers aged 3-5 years.

Methods: Of the 22 preschools within Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, 21 (95.

Association between a hilly neighborhood environment and falls among rural older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Falls in older adults are a major public health issue, and it is unclear whether the neighborhood environment is associated with falls among this group. This cross-sectional study investigated whether hilly neighborhood environmental factors were associated with fall status (falls or fear of falling) in rural Japanese older adults. Data obtained from 965 participants aged 65 years and older living in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, Japan, in 2017 were analyzed.

Relationship Between Neighborhood Food Environment and Diet Variety in Japanese Rural Community-dwelling Elderly: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Food access is an important aspect of health promotion for the elderly. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between distance to the nearest food store and diet variety in rural community-dwelling elderly Japanese.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1,103 elderly participants surveyed by mail in rural areas of Japan.

Is being a regular player with fewer teammates associated with musculoskeletal pain in youth team sports? A cross-sectional study.

Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is a commonly reported symptom in youth sports players. Some sports-related risk factors have been reported, but previous studies on extrinsic risk factors did not focus on management of team members (e.g.

Association of low back and knee pain with falls in Japanese community-dwelling older adults: A 3-year prospective cohort study.

Aim: To examine whether the chronicity and intensity of low back pain (LBP) or knee pain (KP) was associated with the occurrence of falls among a community-dwelling older population.

Methods: This was a community-based 3-year prospective cohort study. In 2009, baseline questionnaires were mailed to 3080 randomly selected residents aged 60-79 years; 2534 residents (82.

Effectiveness of Pilates exercise: A quality evaluation and summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The objective of this review were to summarize evidence for the effectiveness of Pilates exercise (PE) and to assess the quality of systematic review (SRs) based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Study Design: A systematic review of SRs based on RCTs.

Methods: Studies were eligible if they were RCTs.

Association between knee pain and gait speed decline in rural Japanese community-dwelling older adults: 1-year prospective cohort study.

Aim: The present study examined whether knee pain was associated with decline in maximum gait speed (MGS) in a rural mountainous region.

Methods: This was a population-based 1-year prospective cohort study. A total of 658 men and women aged 60 years and older participated in the baseline survey in 2006, and 400 individuals participated in the follow-up survey in 2007.

Effectiveness of horticultural therapy: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: To summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of horticultural therapy (HT).

Methods: Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included one treatment group in which HT was applied.

Effectiveness of music therapy: a summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials of music interventions.

Objective: The objective of this review was to summarize evidence for the effectiveness of music therapy (MT) and to assess the quality of systematic reviews (SRs) based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Study Design: An SR of SRs based on RCTs.

Methods: Studies were eligible if they were RCTs.

Effectiveness of animal-assisted therapy: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

The objectives of this review were to summarize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of animal-assisted therapy (AAT). Studies were eligible if they were RCTs. Studies included one treatment group in which AAT was applied.

Association between musculoskeletal pain and trips or falls in rural Japanese community-dwelling older adults: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: The present study examined whether low back pain (LBP) and knee pain (KP) are associated with trips and falls in rural Japanese community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling older adults was carried out in Unnan City, Shimane Prefecture, in Japan. A total of 499 men and women aged 60 years and older living in the community were recruited from 2008 to 2010.

[Fall risk and fracture. Exercise for fall prevention in the elderly].

On the basis of evidence obtained in previous studies, this paper outlines effective music therapy programs for group instructions and the basic contents of exercise and training that the elderly are able to do at home by themselves in their daily lives to reduce the risk of falls. The contents of effective exercise and training are to take a series of steps as quickly as possible, back and forth and to the right and left, in a standing position in combination with vertical movement in large amplitude for center of gravity. Furthermore, simple movements such as obeying an order of "right face", as well as dynamic movements that mostly involve higher brain functions such as instant thinking and judgment, are more effective.

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on curative and health enhancement effects of forest therapy.

Objective: To summarize the evidence for curative and health enhancement effects through forest therapy and to assess the quality of studies based on a review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Study Design: A systematic review based on RCTs.

Methods: Studies were eligible if they were RCTs.

Differences in association of walking for recreation and for transport with maximum walking speed in an elderly Japanese community population.

Background: Physical activity contributes to maintaining functional ability later in life. Specific relationships between walking for particular purposes (eg, recreation or transport) and functional ability are not clear. It is useful for planning health promotion strategies to clarify whether walking time for recreation, or walking time for transport has the stronger relationship with maximum walking speed (MWS), a determinant of functional ability later in life in the elderly.

A systematic review of nonrandomized controlled trials on the curative effects of aquatic exercise.

Background: The objectives of this review were to integrate the evidence of curative effects through aquatic exercise and assess the quality of studies based on a review of nonrandomized controlled trials (nRCTs).

Methods: Study design was a systematic review of nonrandomized controlled trials. Trials were eligible if they were nonrandomized clinical trials.

Effectiveness of intervention for low back pain in female caregivers in nursing homes: a pilot trial based on multicenter randomization.

Objectives: Although the importance of stretching exercise for pain-relieving and patient education is well documented for chronic lumbago patients, it is uncertain how effective on-the-job training (OJT) is for female caregivers in nursing homes. In the present pilot trial based on multicenter randomization, we evaluated the intervention effect of a lecture and stretching exercise on caregivers in nursing homes.

Methods: Eighty-eight female caregivers (four nursing homes) volunteered to participate in this study, and they were separated into two groups randomly.

Nationwide one-decade survey of hip fractures in Japan.

Background: To elucidate the characteristics of hip fractures and the current status of their treatment in Japan, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) conducted a nationwide hip fracture survey from 1998 to the present. The aim of the current report was to present the changes in patient distribution by age and fracture type, cause of fracture, treatment selection, and duration of hospitalization for a study period of one decade.

Methods: A tally of all hip fractures that occurred in patients between 2001 and 2008 was conducted in JOA-authorized hospitals and in Japanese Clinical Orthopaedic Association (JCOA) hospitals.

Effectiveness of aquatic exercise and balneotherapy: a summary of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials of water immersion therapies.

Background: The objective of this review was to summarize findings on aquatic exercise and balneotherapy and to assess the quality of systematic reviews based on randomized controlled trials.

Methods: Studies were eligible if they were systematic reviews based on randomized clinical trials (with or without a meta-analysis) that included at least 1 treatment group that received aquatic exercise or balneotherapy. We searched the following databases: Cochrane Database Systematic Review, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, JDream II, and Ichushi-Web for articles published from the year 1990 to August 17, 2008.

Environmental correlates of physical activity in driving and non-driving rural Japanese women.

Objective: This study examined the relationship between physical activity and the environment among rural Japanese women, and whether that relationship varied with driving status.

Methods: 434 women aged 40-64 years in Unnan City, rural Japan, were surveyed in 2006 about physical activity and their neighborhood environments. The proximity and frequency of public transport were measured using geographic information systems software.

Effectiveness of comprehensive health education combining lifestyle education and hot spa bathing for male white-collar employees: a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up.

Background: Physical activity is known to prevent obesity and metabolic syndrome in middle-aged and elderly people; however, the effectiveness of a comprehensive health education program for male white-collar employees is uncertain.

Methods: Forty-three men volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned into 2 groups. The intervention group participated in a 2-hour program comprising comprehensive health education and hot spa bathing, offered once every 2 weeks, in addition to individualized programs once a week, for 24 weeks.

[Prevention of falls].

Falls among the elderly mainly result from aging, lack of exercise, and physical and/or mental disorders. They cause fractures and other injuries. It is necessary that likelihood of falling should be evaluated from the view point of both decreased physical function and fear of falling.

Effect of combined exercise training on bone, body balance, and gait ability: a randomized controlled study in community-dwelling elderly women.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a 48-week multicomponent exercise program could improve the risk factors for fall and hip fracture. Fifty elderly women 65-70 years of age participated. These participants were divided into an exercise group (25 subjects) that attended an exercise program and a control group (25 subjects) that did not.

Clinical factors as predictors of the risk of falls and subsequent bone fractures due to osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

In Japan, the "bedridden state" is one of the most serious problems the aged face, and it is becoming a social problem. The main causes of the bedridden state are cerebrovascular disorders and bone fractures following falls. The purpose of this study was to predict risk factors for falls and resultant bone fracture due to osteoporosis.

Comprehensive health education combining hot spa bathing and lifestyle education in middle-aged and elderly women: one-year follow-up on randomized controlled trial of three- and six-month interventions.

Background: This study attempted to clarify the duration of effects of 3- and 6-month comprehensive health education programs based on hot spa bathing, lifestyle education and physical exercise for women at 1-year follow-up.

Methods: We examined middle-aged and elderly women who were randomly divided into two groups and followed up them for one year. Spa programmers instructed subjects for one hour in lifestyle education and physical exercise and for one hour in a half bath (salt spring, temperature at 41.

[The basic idea and exercise program of "fall and fracture prevention school" for elderly people].

With the arrival of an aging society in Japan, accidents among elderly people involving falls and bone fractures are on the increase. Efforts to prevent such accidents are strongly required, so the concept of a "fall and fracture prevention school" is spreading. The aims of these classes are to make elderly people aware of the condition of their bodies and to improve deteriorating physical ability through exercise programs, since the latter is the cause of such falls.