Characteristics of throwing arm movement for an elongated implement: a comparison of the javelin and baseball throwing.

Background: In javelin, although many previous studies have examined throwing movements that can increase initial velocity, the characteristics of throwing arm movement an elongated implement have not been clarified. The purpose of the present study was to examine the characteristics of the throwing movement of an elongated implement by comparing throwing movement between a javelin and baseball.

Methods: Twelve male javelin throwers were asked to perform a javelin throw (JT) and a baseball long toss (LT) twice.

Can Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Enhance the Effect of Sprint Interval Training?

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with voluntary exercise between repeated Wingate tests on sprint exercise performance and blood lactate accumulation during sprint interval training. Fifteen healthy young males volunteered. After 1-min baseline, participants underwent the Wingate test twice.

Effects of High-Intensity Inspiratory Muscle Warm-Up on High-Intensity Exercise Performance and Muscle Oxygenation.

Purpose: An inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) improves inspiratory muscle function, but the effects of high-intensity exercise are inconsistent. We aimed to determine the effects of high-intensity IMW on high-intensity exercise performance and muscle oxygenation.

Methods: Ten healthy men (maximal oxygen uptake [V˙O2max] 52.

Association between physical fitness tests and neuromuscular properties.

Purpose: While various fitness tests have been developed to assess physical performances, it is unclear how these tests are affected by differences, such as, in morphological and neural factors. This study was aimed to investigate associations between individual differences in physical fitness tests and neuromuscular properties.

Methods: One hundred and thirty-three young adults participated in various general physical fitness tests and neuromuscular measurements.

[Questionnaire survey of municipalities on policies to promote physical activity among residents: An examination by administrative sector and population size].

Objectives　National policies to promote physical activity and exercise have been formulated by several ministries and agencies in Japan. This study aimed to examine the formulation and implementation of such policies in municipalities by administrative sector and population size.Methods　After stratifying all municipalities in Japan at the population level, we randomly selected 272 municipalities.

Differences in acute neuromuscular response after single session of resistance exercise between young and older adults.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in the acute response after resistance exercise between young and older adults.

Methods: Seventeen young and 18 older adults performed a single session of resistance exercise, consisting of 3 sets of 10 isometric knee extensions. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), motor unit (MU) activity of the vastus lateralis, and electrically elicited torque of the knee extensor were measured before and after the resistance exercise.

Prediction of 1-year change in knee extension strength by neuromuscular properties in older adults.

Improving muscle strength and preventing muscle weakness are important for older adults. The change in strength can be effectively explained by skeletal muscle mass and neural factors. Neural factors are important for older adults because the variation of neural components is greater in older than in young adults, and any decline in strength cannot solely be explained by a decrease in skeletal muscle mass.

Being underweight, academic performance and cognitive control in undergraduate women.

The prevalence of underweight among young women is a serious international health issue. However, the evidence on how being underweight negatively affects brain health and cognition is still unclear. This study investigated the association between underweight status, academic performance, and neurocognitive control in young Japanese women using a cross-sectional design.

Kinematic Contribution to Javelin Velocity at Different Run-Up Velocities in Male Athletes.

In javelin training, many athletes improve their throwing technique by throwing from a slower run-up velocity than in competitions. However, whether the acquisition of javelin velocity in throwing from a slower run-up velocity is the same as in full run-up throwing is unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the differences in the contribution of each movement to the javelin velocity caused by changes in the run-up velocity within an individual.

Plantar intrinsic foot muscle activity and its relationship with postural sway during tiptoe standing in ballet dancers and non-dancers.

Background: Minimizing postural sway during tiptoe standing is essential for ballet dancers. Investigation of the activity of the plantar intrinsic foot muscles (PIFMs) may provide insight into postural sway in dancers. Herein, we compared PIFM activity during tiptoe standing between dancers and non-dancers and examined its relationship with postural sway.

Balancing academics and athletics: School-level athletes' results are positively associated with their academic performance.

Background: Using data from a nationwide high-school sample, the present study aimed to examine whether school-level athletes' sporting results are positively or negatively associated with their academic performance.

Methods: Athletic performance was assessed using the results of spring and summer regional qualifying interschool tennis tournaments in Japan among both male and female tournaments across all prefectures in Japan. Academic performance was assessed using the standardized rank scores for academic performance at the school level, with higher scores denoting superior academic levels; this is the most common measure of academic performance in Japanese high schools.

Effects of 7-day quercetin intervention on motor unit activity and muscle contractile properties before and after resistance exercise in young adults randomized controlled trials.

We investigated whether the alteration of the motor unit recruitment threshold (MURT) caused by quercetin ingestion intervention for 7 days modifies motor unit activation patterns before and after a single session of resistance exercise. Twenty young male and female adults were divided into two groups: ingestion of placebo (PLA) or quercetin glycosides at 200 mg/day (QUE). High-density surface electromyography during submaximal contractions was measured to assess the motor unit firing rate (MUFR) and MURT of the vastus lateralis muscle before (PRE) and after (POST) resistance exercise (DAY1).

Individuals with chronic ankle instability show altered regional activation of the peroneus longus muscle during ankle eversion.

Individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI) present muscular weakness and potential changes in the activation of the peroneus longus muscle, which likely explains the high recurrence of ankle sprains in this population. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the role of the peroneus longus activity in CAI, possibly due to the limited spatial resolution of the surface electromyography (sEMG) methods (i.e.

Traumatic brain injuries caused by knockout in Japanese amateur boxers: A questionnaire-based survey.

The aim of the present study is to conduct a trauma and disability survey in amateur boxers and show the actual conditions of injuries based on the current situations. We have obtained 663 valid responses from male and female boxers. In the questionnaire survey who was carried out on a Web questionnaire form.

Impact of subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation on cardiac autonomic nervous system in young individuals.

Background: Although subtetanic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been proposed as an exercise training and/or rehabilitation tool, the impact of NMES on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is unclear. Thus, we hypothesized that NMES would alter ANS, i.e.

Hydrogel-Sheathed hiPSC-Derived Heart Microtissue Enables Anchor-Free Contractile Force Measurement.

In vitro reconstruction of highly mature engineered heart tissues (EHTs) is attempted for the selection of cardiotoxic drugs suitable for individual patients before administration. Mechanical contractile force generated in the EHTs is known to be a critical indicator for evaluating the EHT response. However, measuring contractile force requires anchoring the EHT in a tailored force-sensing cell culture chamber, causing technical difficulties in the stable evaluation of contractile force in long-term culture.

Development of a Psychological Scale for Measuring Disruptive Clinician Behavior.

Objectives: Disruptive clinician behavior worsens communication, information transfer, and teamwork, all of which negatively affect patient safety. Improving safety in medical care requires an accurate assessment of the damage caused by disruptive clinician behavior. Psychometric scales complement case reports, but existing scales have significant limitations.

Effects of choir singing on physiological stress in Japanese older adults: its relationship with cognitive functioning and subjective well-being.

Background: Leisure activities are believed to contribute to healthy ageing. We compared the effects of choir singing and playing on cortisol levels in Japanese older adults. We also examined its relevance to the older adults' emotional affect and cognitive performance.

The dose-response relationship of quercetin on the motor unit firing patterns and contractile properties of muscle in men and women.

Quercetin is one type of ergogenic aid and its effects on the neuromuscular system have recently attracted interest, but its dose-effect is not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of different doses of quercetin ingestion on motor unit firing patterns and muscle contractile properties in humans. Thirteen young males and females conducted neuromuscular performance tests before (PRE) and 60 min after (POST) ingestions of 500 or 200 mg of quercetin glycosides (Qg500/Qg200, respectively) or placebo (PLA) on three different days.

Modeling Long-Term Facilitation of Respiration During Interval Exercise in Humans.

Long-term facilitation (LTF) of respiration has been mainly initiated by intermittent hypoxia and resultant chemoreceptor stimulation in humans. Comparable levels of chemoreceptor stimulation can occur in combined exercise and carbon dioxide (CO) inhalation and lead to LTF. This possibility was supported by data collected during combined interval exercise and 3% inhaled CO in seven normal subjects.

Effects of Low-Intensity Torque-Matched Isometric Training at Long and Short Muscle Lengths of the Hamstrings on Muscle Strength and Hypertrophy: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Nakao, S, Ikezoe, T, Taniguchi, M, Motomura, Y, Hirono, T, Nojiri, S, Hayashi, R, Tanaka, H, and Ichihashi, N. Effects of low-intensity torque-matched isometric training at long and short muscle lengths of the hamstrings on muscle strength and hypertrophy: A randomized controlled study. J Strength Cond Res 37(10): 1978-1984, 2023-This study investigated the effects of low-intensity torque-matched isometric training on muscle hypertrophy and strengthening at long (LL) and short muscle lengths (SL).