Published papers

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological characteristics of a group of middle-aged and older Japanese climbers who ascended Gasherbrum II, an 8035-m peak in the Karakoram Range of the Himalayas. METHODS: Body composition, cardiac structure, and respiratory gas exchange during exercise were estimated in eight climbers with differing levels of experience (seven men and one woman, aged 54 to 63 years) 6 months before their expedition. RESULTS: Using supplementary O2, the four experienced climbers ascended beyond Camp 4 (7400 m) without showing any health problems and were able to attempt the summit. In contrast, the others, who had minimal experience at extreme altitude, suffered from altitude sickness on the way to Camp 4. Body mass index values were relatively high, but their low percentage of body fat (14.9%-21.4%) was indicative of the climbers' substantial lean body weight. Cardiac structures were generally normal, although three experienced male climbers had borderline hypertension and eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle. Peak VO2 ranged from 30.9 to 45.6 ml/kg/min, and no significant relationship between fitness level and the success or failure of the ascent was evident. CONCLUSIONS: Even sexagenarians are capable of safely climbing 8000-m peaks with supplementary O2. An exceptionally high fitness level, as is seen in elite older athletes, does not appear to be required. What is essential, however, is moderate fitness, good health, and extensive experience.

運動負荷試験を用いて,運動負荷時の血圧変化や心拍変化に対する1年間にわたる運動・食事療法の効果について検討した.対象は29例の男性であり,介入前より肥満やインスリン抵抗性および耐糖機能障害を有していた.介入後は体重・内臓脂肪の有意な減少と体脂肪率の減少傾向を認め,しかも除脂肪体重の維持と運動耐容時間の延長というフィットネスレベルの向上を示す結果を得た.血圧・心拍数の変化に対しては,日常生活における身体活動レベルに近い,軽い運動強度において,とくに血圧上昇反応を減少させる効果を認めた.対象はBMI・体脂肪率が高値であり,安静時血圧は高値を示さないものの,運動負荷試験前半を含む著明な血圧上昇反応が認められる傾向にあり,この介入により高血圧症の発症や進行に対し予防効果があることが示唆された.また,安静時よりも早期に運動時の末梢血管抵抗の低下が起こる可能性が示唆された

This study examined the relationship between flow experience and sense of coherence in 279 tai chi practitioners aged 67.9 +/- 7.9 years, with a 1-year follow-up questionnaire. Our results suggest that tai chi improves sense of coherence in older adults, beginners, and long-term practitioners.

成人肥満者(18〜39歳)についてmetabolicなリスクを評価し,年齢やBMI,性差の影響,ピーク酸素摂取量の関与,さらに食事プラス運動療法による生活習慣改善による減量が及ぼす改善効果を検討した.肥満者550例を対象とした.若年成人肥満者では,高インスリン血症を特徴的に認め,耐糖能異常よりも早期に脂質代謝異常,高血圧症が発現した.BMIが5増加,または年齢が10歳上昇すると,metabolic syndromeスコアはそれぞれ0.6および0.4増加した.metabolic syndromeの頻度は,BMI 25〜29.9では年齢とともに増加したが,BMI≧30では20代後半から高く,男性70%台,女性50%台であった.Peak V02/kgは,体重とは独立してmetabolic syndromeスコアの減少と関連していた.生活習慣修正による減量の程度に応じて,各種代謝指標が改善した.10%程度の軽度の減量でもMSの頻度は52から21%へと大きく減少した