Waseda University · Medicine
Professor Ryoko Kawakami's research lab specializes in geriatric health and sarcopenia, focusing on the development and validation of simple, non-invasive tools for assessing muscle mass and physical function in aging populations. The lab investigates anthropometric measures such as calf circumference and fat-free mass index (FFMI) as reliable surrogate markers for diagnosing low muscle mass, particularly in community-dwelling adults. Their work also explores the long-term health benefits of physical activity, including its protective effects against type 2 diabetes and hearing loss, using large-scale cohort data. The lab emphasizes practical, population-based approaches to improve early detection and prevention of age-related physical decline.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Calf circumference was positively correlated with appendicular skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle index, and could be used as a surrogate marker of muscle mass for diagnosing sarcopenia. The suggested cut-off values of calf circumference for predicting low muscle mass are <34 cm in men and <33 cm in women.
Calf circumference is positively correlated with BIA- and DXA-measured muscle mass regardless of obesity and age and is a simple and accurate surrogate marker of muscle mass for diagnosing sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 943-950.
The FFMI showed a strong positive correlation with BIA- and DXA-measured ASMIs, regardless of age and obesity. The FFMI could be a useful simple surrogate marker of the ASMI for low muscle mass screening in sarcopenia in community settings. The suggested FFMI cutoff values for predicting low muscle mass are <18 kg/m<sup>2</sup> in men and <15 kg/m<sup>2</sup> in women.
The equation developed in this study can predict ASM more accurately as compared to equations where calf circumference is used as the sole variable and previously reported equations; it holds potential as a reliable and an effective substitute for estimating ASM.
High CRF is associated with a lower risk of the incidence of type 2 diabetes over an extended period of >20 years among men.
Previous cohort study reported that high physical activity was associated with a low risk of self-reported hearing loss in women. However, no studies have examined the association between physical activity and the development of hearing loss as measured using an objective assessment of hearing loss in men and women. Here, we used cohort data to examine the association between leisure-time physical activity and incidence of objectively assessed hearing loss in men and women. Participants included
Few studies have examined the association between coffee consumption and muscle mass; their results are conflicting. Therefore, we examined the association between coffee consumption and low muscle mass prevalence. We also performed an exploratory investigation of the potential effect modification by demographic, health status-related and physical activity-related covariates. This cross-sectional study included 2085 adults aged 40-87 years. The frequency of coffee consumption was assessed using
The reference CRF value appears to be reasonably valid for prevention of type 2 diabetes, especially among Japanese men younger than 40 years. Development of type 2 diabetes can be prevented by maintaining a CRF level above the reference value.
<b>Objective:</b> To determine the effects of watching a professional baseball game on the affect and subjective happiness of elders without a specific team to support. <b>Method:</b> Elderly Japanese (<i>n</i> = 16) were instructed to watch baseball games at a ballpark. They answered a questionnaire several weeks before (baseline) and, on the day of the game, before and after watching the game. Participants' affect and happiness were assessed using the General Affect Scale and Subjective Happin
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