Epidemiological research for the development of new preventive methods for disease prevention using physical fitness data

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K11591
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59030:Physical education, and physical and health education-related
• Research Institution: Surugadai University (2021-2023); National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (2019-2020)
• Principal Investigator: Gando Yuko 駿河台大学, スポーツ科学部, 准教授 (60613932)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 体力 / 疾病予防 / 柔軟性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between flexibility and risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Based on the measured values of standing forward bending by sex and age, the subjects were grouped into "lowest," "lower," "higher," and "highest" flexibility groups. The higher the flexibility, the lower the risk of developing hypertension, and the highest group had a 17% lower risk of developing hypertension when compared to the lowest group. A literature review was conducted to investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and risk of developing hypertension through stretching, an exercise that contributes to increased flexibility, but issues remain regarding the measurement and definition of flexibility. Further studies are needed to determine whether increased flexibility improves arterial stiffness and hypertension.

Free Research Field

スポーツ科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

全身持久力・筋力・柔軟性は体力の主要な構成要素である。全身持久力や筋力は、健康関連体力として重要視され、これまでに多くの先行研究によって疾病発症との関連が報告されている。一方で、柔軟性については、全身持久力や筋力といった体力ほど重要視されてこなかった。高齢化や疾病構造の変化が加速する日本においては、大きなエネルギー消費を必要としない体力も、日常生活を営むために必要な生活体力として、今後より推奨すべき体力であると考えられる。