Comparison of body composition and muscle mass by age in amateur soccer players.

[Purpose] This study aimed to elucidate the changes in body composition components associated with aging in amateur male soccer players. Specifically, we investigated the alterations in the phase angle and regional muscle mass distribution. [Participants and Methods] The study included a cohort of 163 male participants categorized into three age groups: U15 (12-15 years), U18 (16-18 years), and O19 (≥19 years). Precise body composition assessments were performed, employing the InBodyS10 body composition scale. [Results] The findings revealed substantial age-related disparities in various body composition parameters. Data revealed a consistent trend of increasing basic body composition metrics with age. Notably, the body fat percentage progressively increased with age. Muscle mass and phase angle exhibited age-related increases with nuanced variations in different anatomical regions. [Conclusion] In the general Japanese population, muscle mass tends to decrease with age after 18 years. However, in this study on amateur soccer players, we observed a plateau in the height and lower limb phase angle around the age of 18 years, whereas muscle mass exhibited an increasing trend.

Grip strength as a predictor for home discharge in convalescent rehabilitation patients.

[Purpose] We examined the impact of the assessment items for sarcopenia on discharge destination in convalescent rehabilitation patients. [Participants and Methods] In this study, 174 patients (males; 77, mean age; 72.4 years, females; 97, mean age; 80.1 years) who were admitted and discharged from the convalescent rehabilitation wards of the International University of Health and Welfare, Shioya Hospital, were included. The participants' height, weight, grip strength, and lower calf circumference were measured. Additionally, the number of motor functional independence measure (mFIM) at discharge, length of stay in the wards, and average number of rehabilitation sessions per day were calculated as the convalescent rehabilitation wards index. [Results] Age, weight, grip strength, lower calf circumference, mFIM at discharge, length of stay in the wards, and average number of rehabilitation sessions per day had significant differences between the return-to-home and non-home groups. Binomial logistic regression analysis revealed significant differences in grip strength and mFIM at discharge. [Conclusion] This study adjusted the sarcopenia criteria for sex and age and showed that grip strength significantly affected the outcome destination. Grip strength was shown to be a predictor of home discharge in convalescent rehabilitation patients.

Trunk Muscle Thickness During Supine and Crawling Exercises.

The purpose of this study was to measure and validate trunk muscle thickness while performing the Heel Off (HO-ex) and Bird Dog exercises (BD-ex), which are hip extension exercises in the supine position. Thirty-one healthy young males who provided informed consent were included in the study. The thicknesses of the right trunk muscles (lumbar multifidus (LM), erector spinae (ES), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) were measured using an ultrasound machine. Measurements were taken under four random conditions: supine, HO-ex, crawling on all fours, and BD-ex. One-way analysis of variance and Friedman tests were performed to determine the differences between the conditions for each muscle thickness. LM was significantly thicker in the HO-ex. ES was significantly thicker in HO-ex than in supine, and in BD-ex than in supine, HO-ex, or crawling on all fours. EO was significantly thicker in the supine position than in HO-ex, crawling on all fours. IO was significantly thicker in the HO-ex than in the supine position. TrA was significantly thicker in HO-ex, crawling on all fours, and BD-ex than in the supine position, with no significant difference between HO-ex, crawling on all fours, and BD-ex. The results of this study suggest that HO-ex is more advantageous than BD-ex in stimulating contraction of the multifidus and IO muscles, and that HO-ex can stimulate contraction of the TrA to the same degree as BD-ex.

Relationship between Eye Frailty and Physical, Social, and Psychological/Cognitive Weaknesses among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan.

This study investigated the relationship between eye frailty and physical, social, and psychological/cognitive weaknesses among older adults in Japan. The participants were 192 community-dwelling older adult women. We measured handgrip strength, walking speed, and skeletal muscle mass; additionally, their physical, social, and psychological/cognitive frailties were surveyed using questionnaires. Eye frailty self-checks were used to assess eye frailty. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to verify the validity of the eye frailty self-checks. Eye frailty prevalence and related factors were investigated by conducting a binomial logistic regression analysis, with eye frailty as the dependent variable. The factor analysis results showed that a model could be constructed with the two factors of visual acuity or contrast and visual field. The model's goodness of fit was acceptable, supporting the validity of the self-checking construct. The Kihon checklist was the only variable with a significant relationship to eye frailty. Regarding the relationship between eye frailty and subordinate items of the Kihon checklist, social withdrawal [odds ratio (OR) 2.437, 95% confidence interval 1.145-5.188], cognitive function (OR 2.047, 95%CI 1.051-3.984), and depressed mood (OR 1.820, 95%CI 1.163-2.848) were significant. Eye frailty can be considered a factor reflecting the existence of social and psychological/cognitive frailties.

Characteristics of Japanese Older Adults Whose Trunk Muscle Mass Decreased during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic significantly affected the physical and mental functions in older adults, resulting in "corona-frailty". This 2-year prospective study characterized changes in quantitative measures and corona-frailty among a cohort of community-dwelling older women. Changes were evaluated using face-to-face interactions with 39 Japanese women (mean age: 76.1 ± 5.9) in 2019 (pre-pandemic baseline) and 2021 (follow-up during the pandemic). Quantitative measurements of handgrip strength, walking speed, calf circumference, body composition, and background factors were evaluated. Body weight and trunk muscle mass significantly decreased at follow-up. Multiple regression analysis, using change in trunk muscle mass as the dependent variable and background factors as independent variables, identified that decrease in trunk muscle mass was associated with "being robust at baseline" and answering "Yes" to the question of "Do you go out less frequently compared with last year"? The 2-year trunk muscle mass change for each baseline frailty stage showed a significant decrease only in the robust group (-8.0%). The decrease in trunk muscle mass might be related to pandemic-induced lifestyle restraint, suggesting that robust older adults who are healthy and active should take measures that focus on trunk muscles to avoid "corona-frailty".

Intraclass correlation coefficient of trunk muscle thicknesses in different positions measured using ultrasonography.

[Purpose] This study aimed to clarify the required number of measurements to calculate trunk muscle thickness at each position. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 30 elderly males aged >65 years. The right lumbar multifidus (L2), lumbar multifidus (L5), erector spinae, transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscle thicknesses were measured on longitudinal images obtained using ultrasonography in the lying, sitting, and standing positions. Two measurement values for each muscle thickness was used to calculate the intraclass correlation coefficient (1.1-1.5). [Results] The intraclass correlation coefficients of the abdominal muscle thickness measurements with "great reliabilities" were as follows: 1.3-1.5 for the external oblique muscle and 1.2-1.5 for the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles in the lying position; 1.3-1.5 for the external oblique and transversus abdominis muscles and 1.2-1.5 for the internal oblique muscle in the sitting position; the intraclass correlation coefficient in the standing position was 1.5 for the external oblique muscle 1.1-1.5 for the internal oblique muscle and 1.3-1.5 for the transversus abdominis muscle. In all the positions, the intraclass correlation coefficient of the measurements of the back-muscle thicknesses ranged from 1.1 to 1.5 for the right lumbar multifidus (L2), lumbar multifidus (L5), and erector spinae. [Conclusion] Depending on the posture, the abdominal muscles require multiple measurements, whereas the back muscles only require a single measurement.

Age-related changes in the tactile pressure sensitivity threshold in the sole of the foot in diabetic patients.

[Purpose] Patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) are known to experience sensory disturbances in their feet secondary to diabetic neuropathy (DN). The sole of the foot tactile pressure sensitivity threshold in patients with DM was evaluated in addition to examining age-related effects based on the sites studied. Whether the tactile pressure sensitivity threshold in the sole of the foot in elderly patients with DM was associated with the duration of DM or aging was evaluated. [Participants and Methods] Our study included 204 patients with DM (136males and 68 females). Patients were divided into the following age groups: 20-39 (20 patients), 40-49 (26 patients), 50-59 (34 patients), 60-69 (60 patients), 70-79 (45 patients), and 80-89 years (19 patients). Using Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing, the tactile pressure sensitivity threshold at the sole of the foot was evaluated in the bilateral halluces, first metatarsal head, fifth toe metatarsal head, and the heels, and age-related effects were examined. [Results] At all the sites that were examined, we observed an age-related increase in the tactile pressure sensitivity threshold value, and this finding demonstrated a positive partial correlation with the duration of DM. [Conclusion] Aging influences DN-induced degeneration of peripheral nerves.

The effect of diabetes mellitus on the Two-Step value for gait ability.

OBJECTIVE: Impaired glucose tolerance is a factor that can affect locomotive syndrome. This study aimed to elucidate the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the value of the Two-Step Test as an index of gait ability in locomotive syndrome. The present study focused on DM patients who did not have diabetic polyneuropathy (DP) and discussed the effect of DM on the Two-Step value. METHODS: This cross-sectional study compared the Two-Step values between DM patients without DP (32 male, 28 female; mean age 62.2 years) and regional residents without DM (25 male, 18 female; mean age 61.8 years). RESULTS: Body mass index was significantly higher in the DM patients than in the regional residents. The Two-Step value was lower in DM patients than in individuals without DM among females but not among males. Therefore, the Two-Step value was lower in female DM patients than in female regional residents of the same age. CONCLUSION: This study presents a new observation: The gait ability in female DM patients can be impaired, even before the development of DP.

Crosslinking liposomes/cells using cholesteryl group-modified tilapia gelatin.

Cholesteryl group-modified tilapia gelatins (Chol-T-Gltns) with various Chol contents from 3 to 69 mol % per amino group of Gltn were prepared for the assembly of liposomes and cells. Liposomes were physically crosslinked by anchoring Chol groups of Chol-T-Gltns into lipid membranes. The resulting liposome gels were enzymatically degraded by addition of collagenase. Liposome gels prepared using Chol-T-Gltn with high Chol content (69Chol-T-Gltn) showed slower enzymatic degradation when compared with gels prepared using Chol-T-Gltn with low Chol content (3Chol-T-Gltn). The hepatocyte cell line HepG2 showed good assembly properties and no cytotoxic effects after addition of 69Chol-T-Gltns. In addition, the number of HepG2 cells increased with concentration of 69Chol-T-Gltns. Therefore, Chol-T-Gltn, particularly, 69Chol-T-Gltn, can be used as an assembling material for liposomes and various cell types. The resulting organization can be applied to various biomedical fields, such as drug delivery systems, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Enhanced tissue penetration-induced high bonding strength of a novel tissue adhesive composed of cholesteryl group-modified gelatin and disuccinimidyl tartarate.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cholesteryl group content on the bonding strength of a novel tissue adhesive composed of cholesteryl group-modified geletin (CholGltn) and disuccinimidyl tartarate (DST). The bonding strength of this tissue adhesive with fresh arterial media reached a maximum at a CholGltn content of 70% in the CholGltn/gelatin (Gltn) mixture, which then decreased with increasing CholGltn content with a fixed succinimidyl group:amino group ratio of 1:1. The maximum bonding strength obtained was 6-fold higher compared with that of the original Gltn. Furthermore, maximum peeling strength was also obtained at a CholGltn content of 70% in the CholGltn/Gltn mixture and at a similar succinimidyl group:amino group ratio. The highest peeling strength was 8-fold higher compared with Gltn and 6-fold higher compared with commercial aldehyde-based adhesive. After exposure of FITC-labeled Gltn or CholGltn to aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs), which are abundant in arterial media, CholGltn integrated effectively with the surface of SMCs. This indicated that FITC-labeled CholGltn anchors into the cell membrane of SMCs. From these results, it was demonstrated that tissue adhesive composed of a CholGltn/Gltn mixture and DST showed improved penetration into arterial media compared with adhesive composed of Gltn and DST. This behavior supports the suggestion that the hydrophobic cholesteryl group in Gltn contributes to the enhanced bonding/peeling strength. This novel tissue adhesive may become a useful material in the clinical field for the treatment of aortic dissection.