The Relationship between Locomotive Syndrome Risk, Gait Pattern, and Standing Posture in Young Japanese Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Prevalence and coexistence of locomotive syndrome with reduced mobility and metabolic syndrome: a cross-sectional study of 35,059 Japanese adults

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), marked by visceral obesity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia, elevates cardiovascular risk. Locomotive syndrome (LS), characterized by age-related mobility decline, often precedes frailty and sarcopenia. We investigated the prevalence and association between MetS and LS among Japanese middle-aged and older adults. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using clinical records of 35,059 Japanese adults who underwent health check-ups between April 2021 and March 2022. MetS was diagnosed using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, and LS was assessed using the LS risk test, which includes the stand-up test, two-step test, and the 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. Among the participants, 2640 (7.5%) were diagnosed with MetS, and 5265 (15.0%) were classified as LS-positive. The prevalence of LS was significantly higher in individuals with MetS. The association between MetS and LS remained significant after adjusting for age and sex. We found that LS prevalence was higher in women than in men, though the primary association between MetS and LS remained consistent across both sexes. This large-scale real-world analysis emphasizes the need for integrating LS screening into routine check-ups to detect and manage MetS, aiding in the prevention of functional decline in aging populations.

Effectiveness of Metaverse Space-Based Exercise Video Distribution in Young Adults: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

In response to the serious lack of physical activity among young adults, recent attempts have been made to encourage young people to exercise through exercise video distribution. However, merely distributing videos does not lead to improved physical activity levels. Metaverse space, which enables web-based interaction through avatars, allows users to watch exercise videos in the same space as other avatars.

OBJECTIVE

This study explored whether exercise video distribution using metaverse space is effective in improving physical activity levels, along with mental health and locomotive function, among young people.

METHODS

In this parallel-group randomized controlled trial participants were recruited using printed poster displays. A total of 48 young adults aged between 18 and 30 years were assigned to 3 groups of 16 each: the metaverse, YouTube, and control group. To encourage exercise, the metaverse group was given an exercise video each week with a load of around 4-8 metabolic equivalents of tasks (METs) for 8 videos delivered in the metaverse space. The YouTube group was sent a URL on YouTube every week to view exercise videos with the same content as the metaverse group. The control group was given no special instructions. The intervention period was 8 weeks. Pre- and postintervention physical activity, well-being, locomotive syndrome risk tests, and social capital were measured. Although this study was not blinded to the participants, the measurers did not know to which group the participants belonged. Mixed model repeated-measures analyses and a post hoc Wilcoxon signed rank sum test were performed to detect the effects of the intervention in all groups.

RESULTS

The results of the mixed model repeated-measures analyses showed a significant interaction between groups and before and after the intervention for total physical activity (metaverse group: pre 737.1, SD 609.5 METs/week, post 1575.4, SD 1071.8 METs/week; YouTube group: pre 661.7, SD 710.7 METs/week, post 911.9, SD 1103.3 METs/week; and control group: pre 930.6, SD 665.1 METs/week, post 844.7, SD 701.8 METs/week; P=.04) but none for the indicators of well-being (P=.40), locomotive function scale (P=.17), and social capital (P=.23). A post hoc test showed a significant increase in physical activity in the metaverse group before and after the intervention (P=.006).

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first to show that delivering exercise videos through metaverse space can increase physical activity in young adults by providing a gathering space for individuals similarly motivated for exercise practice. This way, the sense of isolation during exercise is reduced compared with merely distributing videos on YouTube. The use of metaverse space in health promotion is likely to spread, and this study provides a useful reference for its exploration.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06019156; https://ichgcp.net/clinical-trials-registry/NCT06019156.

Relationship between Locomotive Syndrome and Musculoskeletal Pain and Generalized Joint Laxity in Young Chinese Adults

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of locomotive syndrome (LS) and to examine the relationship of LS with musculoskeletal symptoms (pain, generalized joint laxity (GJL)) in young Chinese adults. Our study population (n = 157; mean age of 19.8 ± 1.2 years) comprises college student residents at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. Three screening methods were used to evaluate LS: 25-question Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale (GLFS-25), a two-step test, and a stand-up test. Musculoskeletal pain was assessed by self-report and visual analog scale (VAS), and joint body laxity was evaluated using the GJL test. The prevalence of LS was 21.7% of all participants. Musculoskeletal pain affected 77.8% of the college students with LS and was strongly associated with LS. A total of 55.0% of college students with LS had four or more site joints that were positive for GJL, and higher scores of GJL were associated with a higher prevalence rate of LS. Young Chinese college students have a relatively high prevalence of LS, and musculoskeletal pain and GJL were significantly related to LS. The present results suggest that we need early screening of musculoskeletal symptoms and LS health education in young adults to prevent the mobility limitations of LS in the future.

The relationship between the severity of perimenstrual symptoms and a regular exercise habit in Japanese young women: a cross-sectional online survey

Background

Experiencing perimenstrual symptoms is a major health concern for young women. Women in the reproductive age experience menstruation about once a month, and many experience perimenstrual symptoms. Drug therapies such as painkillers (commonly used) and hormonal medications help to achieve symptomatic relief from perimenstrual symptoms. However, many women are concerned about tolerance and compliance of the drugs used to treat perimenstrual symptoms and lack awareness on how to cope with perimenstrual symptoms. If the association between exercise habits and the severity of symptoms is emphasized in young women, methods for coping with perimenstrual symptoms can be established, not relying only on pharmaceuticals. The objective of this study was to determine the differences in the severity of perimenstrual symptoms in young Japanese women with and without a regular exercise habit.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using an online survey was sent among 500 Japanese women aged 18–25 years. The severity of perimenstrual symptoms was assessed using the Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). The differences in MDQ scores between those with and without exercise habits (exercise for more than 30 min for 2 days a week) were compared using the chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test. The logistic regression analysis detected subscales of the premenstrual and menstrual symptoms affected by an exercise habit.

Results

282 (56.4%) young Japanese women were answered this survey. Respondents were divided into the exercise group (n = 157) and the non-exercise group (n = 125). The exercise group had significantly low premenstrual and menstrual MDQ scores. The results of the logistic regression analysis stated that the subscale related to negative emotion before menstruation was associated with an exercise habit. In the analysis performed during menstruation, a statistically significant association was detected between an exercise habit and a behavioral change such as avoiding interaction with others.

Conclusions

This study suggested that exercise habits may reduce the severity of perimenstrual symptoms and could help to develop a non-pharmacological coping strategy. In addition, this study provides useful information for young women who want to prevent perimenstrual symptoms but do not have an exercise habit. Further, it may encourage young women to start exercising.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12905-022-01720-2.

Site-Specific Muscle Loss in the Abdomen and Anterior Thigh in Elderly Males with Locomotive Syndrome

Although locomotive syndrome (LS) is a condition of reduced mobility, little information is available regarding the loss of site-specific skeletal muscle mass. The aim of the present study is to examine site-specific muscle loss in elderly males with LS. A total of 100 men ranging in age from 65 to 74 years were divided into two groups (LS and non-LS) using LS risk tests including the stand-up test, two-step test, and the 25-question geriatric locomotive function scale Muscle thickness (MTH) at eight sites-anterior and posterior thigh (AT and PT, respectively), anterior and posterior lower leg (AL and PL, respectively), rectus abdominis (RA), anterior and posterior upper arm (AU and PU, respectively), and anterior forearm (AF)-was evaluated using B-mode ultrasound. Furthermore, the 30-s chair stand test (CS-30), 10-m walking time, zig-zag walking time, and sit-up test were assessed as physical functions. There were no significant differences in age and body mass index between the LS and non-LS groups. The percentage of skeletal muscle was lower in the LS group than in the non-LS group. Although there were no differences in the MTH of AU, PU, AF, PT, Al and PL, site-specific muscle loss was observed at RA and AT in the LS group. CS-30, 10-m walking time, zig-zag walking time, and sit-up test in the LS group were all worse than those in the non-LS group. The MTHs of RA and AT were both correlated to those physical functions. In conclusion, the LS group had site-specific muscle loss and worse physical functions. This study suggests that site-specific changes may be associated with age-related physical functions. These results may suggest what the essential characteristics of LS are.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Relationship of Timed Up & Go Test with Physical Characteristics and Physical Activity in Healthy Japanese: The Toon Health Study

This study evaluated the Timed Up & Go test (TUG) among healthy Japanese individuals without walking problems to clarify the relationship of TUG performance with physical characteristics and physical activity according to sex and age groups. In total, 797 men and women (30–84 years old) in Toon City, Ehime Prefecture, were assessed from 2016 to 2017. The survey data for physical characteristics, TUG performance, and physical activity measures were used. After adjusting for age according to TUG time and categorization into sex and age groups (30–64 and 65–84 years), the relationship of TUG performance with physical characteristics and physical activities was confirmed using multiple regression analysis. In men, TUG performance was associated with work and household chores in the 30–64-year age group, whereas it was only associated with skeletal muscle mass among those older than 65 years. In women, TUG performance was associated with height and amount of exercise, regardless of age. In conclusion, TUG performance may be maintained by increasing the amount of physical activity for men through work and housework, and increasing the amount of exercise for women, which may prevent the need for long-term care in the future.