Effects of Participation of Physical Therapists at Specific Health Guidance for Lifestyle-related Disease

• Published in: Health Evaluation and Promotion Vol. 35; no. 5; pp. 411 - 415
• Main Authors: SHIRAI, Masaki, SAITO, Kazuhiko, TORII, Naomi, KABURAGI, Yasuhiro
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Society of Health Evaluation and Promotion 2008
• Subjects: Habit of Physical Activity; Management by Objectives; Physical Fitness; Physical Therapist; Specific Health Guidance
• ISSN: 1347-0086; 1884-4103
• DOI: 10.7143/jhep.35.411

Health check-up and specific health guidance started in April 2008. Our hospital is administered by Toshiba Health Insurance Union and we plan to hold it to dependants of Toshiba employees. To spread the supports to prevent from lifestyle-related disease for the dependants country-wide, we hole one day seminar for lifestyle modification to trial. The aims were correction of the wrong knowledge about loss in weight and modification of own lifestyle such as the habits of eating and physical activity, based on their behavior changes, physical fitness and background. At first, nurses measured blood test, blood pressure, body height and weight, body composition and circumference at waist and hip. Balance ability was examined by using a stabilometer. Physical therapists measured flexibility of major joints, isometric strength of quadriceps and muscular endurance by chair-stand test. Then a doctor, nutritionist and physical therapist lectured about the management of lifestyle-related disease respectively. After lectures, the participants determined their specific behavior objectives during the group work using the method of management by objective. The participants of this seminar were 17 women aged 44-64 years. Negative correlation was observed between waist circumference and quadriceps strength higher in regular physical activity group (p < 0.01) . It suggests that the lifestyle to increase visceral abdominal fat decreases physical fitness level, and has the possibility of causing the orthopedic diseases such as knee pain, leading to decrease in activity of possibility of daily living. It is important to make a habit of physical activity and to promote fitness level for modification of lifestyle. In the group work, all participants answered that their objects were attainable. The group work was very effective to put their motivation. The participation of physical therapists for preventing from lifestyle-related disease is considered to be effective.