The use of uniaxial accelerometry for the assessment of physical-activity-related energy expenditure: a validation study against whole-body indirect calorimetry

Assessing the total energy expenditure (TEE) and the levels of physical activity in free-living conditions with non-invasive techniques remains a challenge. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the accuracy of a new uniaxial accelerometer for assessing TEE and physical-activity-related energy expenditure (PAEE) over a 24 h period in a respiratory chamber, and to establish activity levels based on the accelerometry ranges corresponding to the operationally defined metabolic equivalent (MET) categories. In study 1, measurement of the 24 h energy expenditure of seventy-nine Japanese subjects (40 (SD 12) years old) was performed in a large respiratory chamber. During the measurements, the subjects wore a uniaxial accelerometer (Lifecorder; Suzuken Co. Ltd, Nagoya, Japan) on their belt. Two moderate walking exercises of 30 min each were performed on a horizontal treadmill. In study 2, ten male subjects walked at six different speeds and ran at three different speeds on a treadmill for 4 min, with the same accelerometer. O2 consumption was measured during the last minute of each stage and was expressed in MET. The measured TEE was 8447 (SD 1337) kJ/d. The accelerometer significantly underestimated TEE and PAEE (91·9 (SD 5·4) and 92·7 (SD 17·8) % chamber value respectively); however, there was a significant correlation between the two values (r 0·928 and 0·564 respectively; P<0·001). There was a strong correlation between the activity levels and the measured MET while walking (r2 0·93; P<0·001). Although TEE and PAEE were systematically underestimated during the 24 h period, the accelerometer assessed energy expenditure well during both the exercise period and the non-structured activities. Individual calibration factors may help to improve the accuracy of TEE estimation, but the average calibration factor for the group is probably sufficient for epidemiological research. This method is also important for assessing the diurnal profile of physical activit

Development of disaster prevention education video and teaching materials on the theme of local natural disasters: Joint research between Higashi-Hiroshima City and Hiroshima University triggered by the heavy rains in western Japan in July 2018

In this paper, we introduce the production of a disaster prevention education video based on the natural disasters of Higashi-Hiroshima City, and the proposal of lessons using the video through joint research between Higashi-Hiroshima City and Hiroshima University. Introducing the efforts of this project would be help develop disaster prevention education materials in other areas. The project was adopted in early June 2019 and continued for 9 months. The materials are intended for the upper grades of elementary school. The contents are as follows: disaster prevention education video, lesson plan using video, worksheets for lesson, debris flow distribution map, and disaster photos caused by the 2018 heavy rain in each elementary school district, and City hazard map. The video was created by collecting interviews with local residents, movies and photographs of flood monuments, debris flow, public assistance, and local-organized assistance. From the questionnaire results for the video to junior high school students, the video’s content was highly evaluated. It is suggested that it is necessary to raise awareness of disaster prevention by giving lessons based on local natural disasters such as the materials.本論文の内容の一部は，2020年度地理科学学会秋季学術大会で口頭発表しました

Accuracy of step count of five pedometers under free-living conditions

本研究の目的は、5種類の歩数計の精度を自由な生活環境下で検証することである。7名の被験者(年齢20.4+/-0.5才)は、2種類の歩数計を5日間装着した。一つは基準となる歩数計で、もう一つの歩数計は腰部装着型3種類(EC-200; Yamasa tokei, Welsupport; Nipro Co., HJA-350IT; Omron Co.)、腕時計型(HK-800; Yamasa tokei)、ポケットイン型(HJ-710; Omron Co.)のいずれかをランダムに、それぞれ1日間装着した。1日の歩数は6,123+/-2,027歩、1,974〜10,815歩であった。基準となる歩数計と比較した際、HJA-350ITとHJ-710に有意差が認められた。ポケットイン型の歩数計はポケットの中で動くため、我々はHJ-710の精度は低いと予測していた。しかし、HJA-350ITの歩数が有意に低値を示したことは説明できない。最後に、日常身体活動の調査に歩数計を利用する際には、精度の高い歩数計を使用する必要があると思われた。The purpose of this study was to investigate accuracy of step count of the 5 pedometers under free-living conditions. Seven young subjects wore two pedometers for 5 days, excluding bath and sleep time. One of the two pedometers, the Lifecorder (LC, Suzuken Co.) was worn on the right side of the waist for 5 days as a criterion. Each subject wore one of the five pedometers randomly for one day each. The 3 waist-type pedometers (EC-200; Yamasa tokei, Welsupport; Nipro Co., HJA-350IT; Omron Co.) were worn on the left side of the waist. A wrist-type pedometer (HK-800; Yamasa tokei) was worn on the right wrist. A pocket-in-type pedometer (HJ-710; Omron Co.) was kept in the left pocket of the subject\u27s trousers. The daily steps of the LC were 6,123+/-2,027 counts (range: 1,974-15,815). Comparing with LC, a significant difference in the daily steps were found using the HJ-710 (p<0.001) and the HJA-350IT (p<0.05). We predicted that the accuracy of HJ-710 was low because the pocket-in pedometer moved in the pocket. However, it is unclear why the daily steps measured by HJA-350IT were significantly low. We concluded that a high accurate pedometer must be used to measure daily physical activity

Individual variations in steps per day for meeting physical activity guidelines in young adult women

Cross-sectional studies have found a correlation between the duration or volume of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and steps per day (STEP), but there is little information on why this relationship varies among individuals. No previous research has established whether STEP can be used to estimate the duration of PA at or above lactate threshold (≥LT), such as for maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness. This study explored the association among STEP, MVPA indices and ≥LT under free-living conditions. Seventy young adult women measured their PA for 7 days using a validated accelerometer. The mean LT measured by an exercise test was 5.8±1.0 METs. STEP, MVPA, METs×h and ≥LT were 9324±2677 steps/d, 231.9±101.5 min/w, 16.6±7.4 METs×h/w and 24.0±22.2 min/w, respectively. Significant correlations were found between STEP and MVPA duration and between STEP and METs×h/w (r = 0.81 and r = 0.81); however, approximately 1600 steps/d of the standard error of estimates in the regression equations were found. Multiple stepwise regression analysis revealed that the percentage of total time spent at light-intensity PA (LPA) and MVPA were significant determinants of the percent deviation of STEP from the linear relationships between STEP and MVPA indices. No significant relationship was observed between ≥LT and STEP. The association between STEP and MVPA fluctuated depending on individual daily LPA and MVPA. Thus, consideration of both STEP and the PA at specific intensities are necessary to ensure the PA guidelines are met and the health benefits gained. STEP alone would be not a sufficient indicator for assessing the ≥LT.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Geomorphic features of surface ruptures associated with the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake in and around the downtown of Kumamoto City, and implications on triggered slip along active faults

The ~30-km-long surface ruptures associated with the M w 7.0 (M j 7.3) earthquake at 01:25 JST on April 16 in Kumamoto Prefecture appeared along the previously mapped ~100-km-long active fault called the Futagawa-Hinagu fault zone (FHFZ). The surface ruptures appeared to have extended further west out of the main FHFZ into the Kumamoto Plain. Although InSAR analysis by Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) indicated coseismic surface deformation in and around the downtown of Kumamoto City, the surface ruptures have not been clearly mapped in the central part of the Kumamoto Plain, and whether there are other active faults other than the Futagawa fault in the Kumamoto Plain remained unclear. We produced topographical stereo images (anaglyph) from 5-m-mesh digital elevation model of GSI, which was generated from light detection and ranging data. We interpreted them and identified that several SW-sloping river terraces formed after the deposition of the pyroclastic flow deposits related to the latest large eruption of the Aso caldera (86.8–87.3 ka) are cut and deformed by several NW-trending flexure scarps down to the southwest. These 5.4-km-long scarps that cut across downtown Kumamoto were identified for the first time, and we name them as the Suizenji fault zone. Surface deformation such as continuous cracks, tilts, and monoclinal folding associated with the main shock of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake was observed in the field along the fault zone. The amount of vertical deformation (~0.1 m) along this fault associated with the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake was quite small compared to the empirically calculated coseismic slip (0.5 m) based on the fault length. We thus suggest that the slip on this fault zone was triggered by the Kumamoto earthquake, but the fault zone has potential to generate an earthquake with larger slip that poses a high seismic risk in downtown Kumamoto area

Relationships between fat deposition in the liver and skeletal muscle and insulin sensitivity in Japanese individuals: a pilot study

Eiichi Yoshimura1,2, Hideaki Kumahara3, Takuro Tobina4, Sakiko Matono1, Akira Kiyonaga4, Miyuki Kimura5, Hiroshi Tsukikawa6, Shinya Kono6, Takashi Etou5, Shin Irie5, Keizo Anzai7, Hiroaki Tanaka41Graduate School of Sports and Health Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan; 2Faculty of Medicine, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan; 3Faculty of Nutrition Sciences, Nakamura Gakuen University, Fukuoka, Japan; 4Faculty of Sports and Health Science, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka, Japan; 5Kyushu Clinical Pharmacology Research Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan; 6PS Clinic, Fukuoka, Japan; 7Saga University Hospital, Saga, JapanPurpose: To evaluate the relationships between insulin sensitivity (IS), body fat accumulation, and aerobic capacity in middle- to older-aged Japanese participants with visceral adiposity.Participants and methods: Aerobic capacity was measured during an incremental ramp exercise test. Computed tomography was used to measure visceral (VFA) and subcutaneous (SFA) fat area, the fat in liver-to-spleen ratio (L/S), and low-density skeletal muscle area (LDMA). IS was assessed using euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps.Results: A total of 11 males and 9 females, age 58 &amp;plusmn; 9 years (mean &amp;plusmn; standard deviation), body mass index 29 &amp;plusmn; 4.1 kg/m2, and VFA 190 &amp;plusmn; 53 cm2 participated in this study. In unadjusted models, VFA, LDMA, and L/S were significantly correlated with IS, which remained in adjusted models for LDMA and L/S, but not for VFA. In multiple stepwise regression analysis including sex, age, body fat, VFA, SFA, alcohol consumption, and aerobic capacity (oxygen uptake at the lactate threshold), L/S, and LDMA accounted for 70% of the total variance in IS. Percentage body fat and SFA, but not VFA, were significantly correlated with high molecular-weight adiponectin levels (r = 0.58, P &amp;lt; 0.01 and r = 0.54, P &amp;lt; 0.05, respectively). IS and L/S were significantly and negatively correlated with tumor necrosis factor-&amp;alpha; (r = -0.67 and -0.63, respectively; both P &amp;lt; 0.01) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (r = -0.58, P &amp;lt; 0.01 and -0.52, P &amp;lt; 0.05, respectively), whereas LDMA was not.Conclusion: These findings indicate that ectopic fat deposition in the liver and skeletal muscle may be associated with peripheral IS independently of body fat accumulation and aerobic capacity in middle- to older-aged Japanese individuals with visceral adiposity. Because of the small sample size, additional larger studies are needed to provide further insight into these preliminary findings.Keywords: aerobic capacity, fat in liver, lipid-rich skeletal muscle, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, peripheral insulin sensitivit

Appendicular muscle mass and exercise/sports participation history in young Japanese women

Background: It remains unclear how past exercise habits can affect the skeletal muscle mass in adulthood in Japanese populations. Aim: The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the association of appendicular muscle mass (AMM) and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) with the history of exercise and/or physical activity participation in Japanese women. Subjects and methods: One hundred and twenty females, aged between 18 and 28 years old, participated in the present investigation. Using a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner, the appendicular lean soft tissue, which is considered as a measure of AMM, was evaluated. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was also assessed. Furthermore, all subjects answered a physical activity questionnaire. Results: Exercise habits at 7 years of age or older positively affected the AMM and SMI. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that exercise history at 16–18 years of age as well as the current status of exercise and/or physical activity participation was a significant predictor of SMI and AMM. Conclusions: These results indicate that not only the past history of participation in physical and/or sports activities but also the current status of daily physical activity and sports activity play an important role in maintaining appropriate SMI and AMM in young women

Surface fault ruptures associated with the 14 April foreshock (Mj 6.5) of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence, southwest Japan

The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake sequence was a rare event worldwide in that the surface ruptures associated with the largest foreshock (Mj 6.5) of 21:26 (JST), 14 April ruptured again during the mainshock (Mj 7.3) of 01:25 (JST), 16 April. The 14 April Mj 6.5 earthquake produced 6-km-long surface ruptures along the central portion of the Futagawa–Hinagu fault zone (FHFZ). The mainshock produced 31-km-long surface ruptures along the central to northeastern part of the FHFZ. Field observations and eyewitness accounts documented that the offsets of the ruptures associated with the 14 April foreshock became larger after the 16 April mainshock, suggesting that the same portion of the fault ruptured to the surface twice in the Kumamoto earthquake sequence. The 6-km-long surface ruptures associated with the largest foreshock are located near a geometric bend of the FHFZ characterized by ~50° change in strike. The epicenter of the mainshock is also located near the bend. These observations imply that the Kumamoto earthquake sequence was initiated due to a stress concentration on the bend of the FHFZ, and the mainshock was initiated approximately at the same place about 28 h after the largest foreshock. This foreshock/mainshock sequence of the Kumamoto earthquake is not successive events on the adjacent different fault zones, because the 6-km-long surface ruptures of the largest foreshock are part of the 31-km-long surface ruptures of the mainshock

Lifestyle Intervention Involving Calorie Restriction with or without Aerobic Exercise Training Improves Liver Fat in Adults with Visceral Adiposity

Objective. To evaluate the effect of calorie restriction-induced weight loss with or without aerobic exercise on liver fat. Methods. Thirty-three adults with visceral adiposity were divided into calorie restriction (CR; n = 18) or CR and aerobic exercise (CR + Ex; n = 15) groups. Target energy intake was 25 kcal/kg of ideal body weight. The CR + Ex group had a targeted exercise time of 300 min/wk or more at lactate threshold intensity for 12 weeks. Results. Reductions in body weight (CR, -5.3 ± 0.8 kg; CR + Ex, -5.1 ± 0.7 kg), fat mass (CR, -4.9± 0.9 kg; CR + Ex, -4.4 ± 0.6 kg), and visceral fat (CR, -24 ± 5 cm2; CR + Ex, -37 ± 5 cm2) were not statistically different between groups. Liver fat decreased significantly in both groups, with no difference between groups. Change in maximal oxygen uptake was significantly greater in the CR + Ex group than in the CR group (CR, -0.7 ± 0.7 mL/kg/min; CR + Ex, 2.9 ± 1.0 mL/kg/min). Conclusion. Both CR and CR + Ex resulted in an improved reduction in liver fat; however, there was no additive effect of exercise training