[Purpose] The respiratory function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury is influenced by inspiratory intercostal muscle function. However, inspiratory intercostal muscle activity has not been conclusively evaluated. We evaluated the inspiratory intercostal muscle activity in patients with cervical spinal cord injury by using inspiratory intercostal electromyography, respiratory inductance plethysmography, and ultrasonography. [Participants and Methods] Three patients with cervical spinal cord injury were assessed. The change in mean amplitude (rest vs. maximum inspiration) was calculated by using intercostal muscle electromyography. Changes in intercostal muscle thickness (resting expiration and maximum inspiration) were also evaluated on ultrasonography. The waveform was converted to spirometry ventilation with respiratory inductance plethysmography, and the waveform at the xiphoid was considered to determine the rib cage volume. Each index was compared with the inspiratory capacities in each case. [Results] Intercostal muscle electromyography failed to measure the notable myoelectric potential in all the patients. The rib cage volume was higher at higher inspiratory capacities. The changes in muscle thickness were not significantly different between the patients. [Conclusion] The rib cage volume (measured with inductance plethysmography) was greater in the patients with cervical spinal cord injury when inspiratory intercostal muscle activity was high. Respiratory inductance plethysmography can capture inspiratory intercostal muscle function in patients with cervical spinal cord injury.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of classifying the patterns of physical activity and exercise after surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis in Japanese patients and describe the characteristics of the patient groups. [Participants and Methods] We evaluated Japanese patients diagnosed as having lumbar spinal stenosis and underwent surgery. The frequencies of the 15 types of physical activity and exercise recommended in Kenko Nippon 21 (Japanese policy for health promotion) were investigated by mail. The study included 102 respondents (median age, 69 years [range, 34-88 years]; 55 males and 47 females). A hierarchical cluster analysis was used for grouping according to the physical activity and exercise patterns. The Holm method and residual analysis were used for comparisons of the frequencies of the physical activity and exercise patterns and basic demographics among the groups. [Results] Three clusters, namely clusters A (younger), B (frail older), and C (active older), were identified from the dendrogram.  https://www.selleckchem.com/  The participants in cluster A frequently performed paid work. In cluster B, the frequencies of all the physical activity and exercise patterns were low. The older people in cluster C regularly performed stretching/light-intensity exercises, walking, muscle-strengthening exercises, and house and garden maintenance tasks. [Conclusion] We found that the physical activity and exercise after lumbar surgery in Japanese patients could be divided into three patterns.[Purpose] This study assessed the exercise capacity of healthy adults while performing the inline lunge exercise by using Functional Movement Screen (FMS). Compared the difference in muscle activity of the quadriceps according to the exercise capacity. [Participants and Methods] Thirty two healthy participants (12 males, 20 females) participated in this study. The surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the electrical activities for the vastus medialis (VM), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) of quadriceps. [Results] Both groups had significant difference when sitting up and getting up during the inline lunge. In scores 3 group, vastus medialis showed higher muscle activity than vastus lateralis. On contrary, in scores 2 group, vastus lateralis had higher muscle activity than vastus medialis. [Conclusion] Therefore, this study suggests that inline lunge can help to strengthen the quadriceps effectively by showing the difference of quadriceps activity according to exercise capacity.[Purpose] To determine the potential factors for difference in metabolic profiles between metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity, we investigated the difference in abdominal fat volume, metabolic characteristics, and physical activity levels between metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity identified with cardiovascular disease risk factors in Japanese males. [Participants and Methods] Of 305 volunteers recruited, 130 obese males (age 46.9 ± 8.9 years; body mass index 29.6 ± 3.5 kg/m2) met the criteria for the study. They were divided into two groups; metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity according to cardiovascular disease risk factors including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Abdominal fat volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Cardiovascular disease risk factors and metabolic characteristics were evaluated by blood pressure and blood parameters. Physical activity levels were measured using an accelerometer. [Results] Despite the fact that metabolically healthy obesity had a more favorable metabolic profile than the metabolically unhealthy obesity, no significant differences in visceral and subcutaneous fat volumes were found between the two groups. Moreover, the metabolically healthy obesity had a significantly greater physical activity expenditure and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity level than the metabolically unhealthy obesity. [Conclusion] A more favorable metabolic profile in metabolically healthy obesity may be associated with physical activity level rather than abdominal fat volumes in Japanese males.[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the difference in intrapleural pressure between the supine and lateral decubitus positions during manual chest wall compression. [Participants and Methods] Eight healthy males participated in this study. The same physiotherapist performed chest wall compression on participants lying supine, and on their right and left sides. We noted changes in intrapleural pressure and lung volume in each participant during quiet breathing and chest wall compression. [Results] During chest wall compression, intrapleural pressure at the end-expiratory lung volume and the end-inspiratory lung volume were lower in the right and left decubitus positions than in the supine position. We observed the following low inflection points in the pressure-volume loops during chest wall compression all participants in the supine position, no participants in the right decubitus position, and two participants in the left decubitus position. [Conclusion] Chest wall compression in the bilateral decubitus positions may not cause excessive intrapleural pressure on the airway and alveoli as compared to chest wall compression in the supine position.