Masahiro Ishizaka

Ipsilateral patterns of the rotational range of motion of the hip in healthy Japanese adults

[Purpose] This study aimed to categorize the internal and external rotation range of motion (ROM) of ipsilateral hip joints into specific patterns based on the differences between them, and clarify the distribution of these patterns. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 222 healthy Japanese medical students (162 males, 60 females) with a mean age of 21.2 ± 4.0 years were enrolled. The ROM of internal and external rotation at the hip were randomly measured with the subjects in the prone position. Thereafter, the difference between internal and external rotations was assessed. Hip ROM patterns were classified into 3 types based on the differences in the rotation ROM on each side. A total of 9 overall patterns were then determined based on the combination of patterns on both sides. [Results] Although all the subjects were healthy, an asymmetrical ROM between internal and external rotation in ipsilateral hip joints could be detected via pattern classification. Moreover, the distribution of each hip ROM pattern was clarified. [Conclusion] Pattern classification based on differences in internal and external rotation ROM could serve as a useful evaluation method for clinical manipulative therapy.

Effect of increased functional residual capacity on the active range of thoracic axial rotation in healthy young men

[Purpose] To understand the effect of increased functional residual capacity (FRC) on the active range of thoracic axial rotation (AROTAR) in healthy young men. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-nine right-handed healthy male volunteers (age=20.1 ± 1.6 years) participated in this study. A standard plastic goniometer was used to measure the AROTAR in the supine position with both glenohumeral joints fully flexed. AROTAR was recorded at the resting expiration level (REL) and for 4 different FRC levels: 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 2,000 ml air inhaled at REL. FRC volumes and laterality were analyzed using a two-way repeated measure of ANOVA and post-hoc analysis. Relationships between the relative value (AROTAR for each increased FRC level / REL AROTAR × 100) and AROTAR for each increased FRC level were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. [Results] A significant main effect was found for only FRC factor. AROTAR had a positive moderate correlation with relative value. The correlation coefficient was higher than 0.5 for in 1,500 and 2,000 ml. [Conclusion] An increase in FRC might decrease AROTAR and if the REL AROTAR is high, the decrease in AROTAR due to increased FRC is lesser. It is suggested that maintaining the thoracic mobility could minimize a COPD patient’s AROTAR limitation and maintain physical ability.

Relationship between the change in one-leg standing time due to visual information interception and hip joint internal rotation pattern

[Purpose] To clarify the relationship between the laterality of one-leg standing time (OLST) due to blocking of visual information and the laterality of hip internal rotation (IR) range of motion (ROM). [Subjects and Methods] The study included 101 young healthy male and female students. Hip IR ROM was classified into three patterns using left and right differences. Regarding OLST, differences between the left and right measured values with eyes open and closed were classified into three patterns. The matching rate between hip IR ROM laterality pattern and OLST laterality pattern was examined with eyes open and closed. The matching rate of the OLST laterality pattern with hip IR ROM laterality pattern in an imbalanced group was examined. [Results] A significant difference was observed between eyes open and closed conditions in the matching rates of OLST and Hip IR ROM laterality patterns in the imbalanced group. In the imbalanced group, the pattern on the side where the Hip IR is greater changes to coincide with the pattern on the side where the OLST is longer, under the eyes closed condition. [Conclusion] OLST on the side of greater Hip IR ROM tends to be longer due to visual information interception.

A Longitudinal Study on Physical Therapy Students’ Interest in Specialized Fields

[Purpose] To clarify longitudinal changes in physical therapy students’ interest in specialized fields. [Subjects and Methods] A questionnaire survey was conducted, involving 98 students who were in their fourth year at the Department of Physical Therapy in FY2016. The questionnaire was conducted at 4 points: during the first half of the second year, first and second halves of the third year, and second half of the fourth year, to ask the students to choose 1 specialized field and 1 specialized domain which interested them the most from 7 and 23 options, respectively. [Results] The students’ interest in <Basic physical therapy sciences>, <Neurology>, and <Cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic disease> as specialized fields longitudinally increased. As for specialized domains, <Sports physical therapy> was the most interesting domain (49; 55%) during the first half of the second year. However, during the second half of the fourth year, it followed <Neuromuscular disorders> and <Orthopaedic disorders>, in this order. [Conclusion] The students’ interest in specialized domains tended to shift from <Sports physical therapy> to <Neuromuscular disorders> and <Cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic disease> during first half of the third year and the fourth year, respectively.