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Background This study was designed to evaluate the possible association between an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) response to exercise and subclinical vascular impairment in normotensive individuals. Methods The study participants consisted of 92 untreated normotensive men (aged 42 ± 9 years) without a history of cardiovascular disease or stroke. A graded exercise test was conducted using a bicycle ergometer, and the mean arterial pressure (MAP) during submaximal exercise was evaluated. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) was measured as an index of arterial stiffness. The second peak of radial systolic BP (SBP2) was used as an estimate of central BP. The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) values were determined as the mean of two nonconsecutive spot urine specimens. Results Compared with individuals with a normal response (MAP z-score < +1.0, n = 60), those with an exaggerated BP response to exercise (MAP z-score ≥ +1.0, n = 32) exhibited significantly higher baPWV (1412 ± 158 vs. 1250 ± 140 cm/s), radial SBP2 (122 ± 11 vs. 106 ± 13 mmHg), and greater log-ACR (0.93 ± 0.30 vs. 0.59 ± 0.23 mg/gCre). Multiple regression analysis revealed that an exaggerated BP response to exercise was significantly associated with baPWV (β = 0.198, P= .043), radial SBP2 (β = 0.156, P = .049), and log-ACR (β = 0.276, P = .006) independent of potential confounding factors. Conclusions These results suggest that subclinical vascular impairment is associated with an exaggerated increase in BP during exercise even in the absence of clinical hypertension.

Objectives: In occupational therapy, occupations refer to everyday activities that people perform as individuals, in families, and with communities to live a meaningful life. Thus far, there has been no large-scale survey conducted using quantitative data to study deterioration of self-rated health from an occupational perspective. This large-scale study therefore aimed to clarify the associations between deterioration of self-rated health and occupational form, performance, and satisfaction using quantitative data. Study design: One-year prospective cohort study. Methods: Subjects included 438 community-dwelling individuals (175 males and 263 females; mean age, 66.3 ± 10.5 years) who participated in the study during 2017–2018. We administered to patients a questionnaire on self-rated health and occupational form (number, frequency, and duration), occupational performance, and occupational satisfaction. A multi-level Poisson regression analysis was performed, wherein deterioration of self-rated health was the dependent variable and occupational form, performance, and satisfaction were the independent variables. In Model 1, the independent variables were adjusted for each other; in Model 2, sex, living alone, and alcohol consumption were added to Model 1; and in Model 3, disease was added to Model 2. Results: The frequency of occupation monthly/yearly was associated with deterioration of self-rated health compared to that daily/weekly among those aged

Objectives: We aimed to examine the prevalence of orthostatic dysregulation among newly graduated female nurses after employment and its associations with autonomic nervous function, stress, and depressive symptoms. Methods: This follow-up study included 48 newly graduated female nurses (aged 22 ± 3 years) employed in acute care hospitals. The orthostatic dysregulation symptoms were evaluated using a screening checklist. A sit-to-stand test was conducted to assess the autonomic nervous function. Subjective stress and depressive symptoms were determined using a self-administered questionnaire. The data were collected at baseline on the first month and on the seventh month of employment. Statistical differences within groups were analyzed using paired t -test and McNemar’s test. The independent associations of orthostatic dysregulation status with stress and depressive symptoms were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The percentage of individuals who were diagnosed with orthostatic dysregulation increased from 25.0% at baseline to 35.4% at follow-up. Logistic regression analyses revealed that stress and depressive symptoms were closely associated with orthostatic dysregulation status at follow-up, despite a weak association reported at baseline. The participants were categorized according to their orthostatic dysregulation status: among individuals without orthostatic dysregulation at baseline but with orthostatic dysregulation at follow-up, the increase in autonomic nervous activity, as assessed by the coefficient of variation of the R-R intervals, in response to the postural changes was significantly attenuated at follow-up. Furthermore, this group exhibited a significant increase in stress and depressive symptoms. Conclusions: At 7 months after employment, newly graduated nurses showed a higher prevalence of orthostatic dysregulation in combination with autonomic nervous system modulation, which was accompanied by an increase in stress and depressive symptoms. These observations suggest that the orthostatic dysregulation is associated with poor mental and physical health among newly graduated nurses in the early phase of employment.

Background: The number of Japanese expatriates has increased, many of whom undertake lifestyle changes to improve their health. Purpose: We aim to clarify the health-promoting lifestyles of middle and older age Japanese expatriates. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study. Participants comprised 95 long-term Japanese expatriates residing in popular destinations: the Philippines and Thailand. Health behavior was evaluated using a Japanese version of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II and participants were compared with a group living in Japan. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the factors that correlate with the score of physical activity, a Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II subscale. Results: The expatriates had significantly higher scores of physical activity and nutrition than the group living in Japan. Factors positively related to physical activity were communicative literacy, information on health management before leaving Japan, no history of hypertension, and sufficient English proficiency. Conclusion: The Japanese expatriates we studied were physically active and were careful about nutrition. To further increase their physical activity, better access to health information and enhancement of communicative literacy and of English proficiency are desired.

The present study was to obtain basic data for applying the short stick exercises to frail elderly individuals. A total of 20 individuals aged ≥60 years (10 men, and 10 women) with independence in activities of daily living participated in a short stick exercise program. During the exercise program, the time required and the number of times the short stick was dropped were investigated. The exercise intensity was also evaluated based on expired gas and heart rate measurements. The mean exercise intensity of the short stick exercises was 1.9 ± 0.3 metabolic equivalents (METs), equivalent to talking while standing or walking indoors. Compared to the early elderly (those aged 60 to 74 years), the late elderly (those aged ≥75 years) had a significantly higher number of stick drops and significantly lower increase in heart rate from resting to the warming-up exercise. The short stick exercises had a low exercise intensity and can be applicable to exercise interventions of the frail elderly individuals. However, in the case of the late elderly, the high frequency of short stick drops and the change in heart rate during warming up must be considered.