ロコモ予防における運動・スポーツの意義

Impact of exercise and sports on bone and joint. The significance of exercises and sports in the locomotive syndrome prevention.

　世界でもっとも高齢化の進行が速い日本において，運動器の障害による移動機能の低下を示すロコモティブシンドロームが高齢期の要介護状態の大きな危険因子になっている。運動とスポーツ習慣は運動機能の維持と向上につながり，運動は多くの運動器疾患の予防に役立つ。また，運動介入で運動機能が改善し，ロコモ予防につながる可能性が示唆されている。今後，運動がロコモ予防を改善して健康寿命の延伸につながることが期待される。

In Japan, the world's fastest aging country, the locomotive syndrome that shows a decrease in the mobility due to dysfunctions of the locomotor organs is a major risk factor of long-term care need in the old age. Exercises and sports habits are well reviewed to lead to the improvement and maintenance of motor function, and exercises are also useful in the prevention of a number of musculoskeletal diseases. In addition, several trials with the exercise intervention indicated improvement in motor function, suggesting exercises could prevent the locomotive syndrome. In future, prevalence of exercise habits may lead to decrease the prevalence of locomotive syndrome, resulting in elongation of the healthy life span.