RESUMEN
Insufficient physical function is strongly associated with decreased activity of daily living and health-related quality of life in middle-aged and older women. YOSAKOI Soran is one of the traditional Japanese dances to have naruko (wooden hand clappers) in their hands as they dance and incorporate the phrase from the Soran Bushi in their song. YOSAKOI Soran festivals can be seen being held in various places across the country, proving its growing popularity with residents as a celebration regardless of age or occupation. The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional associations between YOSAKOI Soran and the physical functions of middle-aged and older women. A total of 30 middle-aged and older women practicing YOSAKOI Soran (YOSAKOI group) and 163 middle-aged and older women who had not practiced YOSAKOI Soran (control group) participated in this cross-sectional study. Handgrip strength, 30-second chair stand performance, and flexibility were used to measure physical functions. Handgrip strength was not significantly differed between the YOSAKOI group and the control group (P = 0.79). 30-second chair stand performance and flexibility were significantly higher in the YOSAKOI group than in the control group (both P < 0.05). These results remained significant after adjusting for age and body mass index (both P < 0.05). The present results suggest that practicing YOSAKOI Soran may increase lower extremity function and flexibility in middle-aged and older women.
RESUMEN
The decrease in physical activity in elementary school children is an important problem in Japan. Previous studies have shown that physical activity during the summer vacation is lower than during the school days, and a program for increase in physical activity during the summer vacation are required. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of physical education homework and exercise events during summer vacation in elementary school children. A total of 67 children in grade 4 were assigned to the two groups for each school: the control school (n = 39) or the intervention school (i.e., did physical education homework and participated in exercise events; n = 28). Physical education homework was constituted of four exercise programs per day. Additionally, exercise events were carried out four times during the summer vacation. Physical activity before and during the summer vacation were measured by accelerometer (Lifecorder EX). The decline in physical activity of the intervention school was less than the control school, and significant interactions were indicated by two-way repeated ANOVA (Step count: F (1, 65) = 6.704; Light-intensity physical activity, LPA: F (1, 65) = 4.365; Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity, MVPA: F (1, 65) = 6.088, all P < 0.05, respectively). After adjusted for sex, percentage of overweight, participation of sport activity, and each physical activity, significant trends of interactions about the step count, LPA, and MVPA were shown (Step count: F (1, 61) = 3.982, P = 0.050; LPA: F (1, 61) = 3.243, P = 0.077; MVPA: F (1, 61) = 2.916, P = 0.093). These results suggest that combined use of physical education homework and exercise events are effective to attenuate the decrease in physical activity during summer vacation in elementary school children.