Differences in body composition and risk of lifestyle-related diseases between young and older male rowers and sedentary controls

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare body composition and risk factors of lifestyle-related diseases between young and older male rowers and sedentary controls. Healthy males aged 19–73 years participated in the study, and were divided into four groups: 26 young rowers, 24 senior rowers, 23 young sedentary controls, and 22 senior sedentary controls. Total and regional lean soft tissue, fat mass, and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The HDL-cholesterol of senior rowers (67.4 ± 13.4 mg · dl^?1) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of senior sedentary controls (59.2 ± 11.9 mg · dl^?1), while HDL-cholesterol was similar in senior rowers and young rowers (66.1 ± 10.8 mg · dl^?1). Arm, leg, and trunk lean soft tissue mass were significantly higher in senior rowers (5.6 ± 0.6 kg, 18.2 ± 1.8 kg, and 27.3 ± 3.2 kg respectively) than in senior sedentary controls (5.1 ± 0.4 kg, 16.3 ± 1.4 kg, and 24.6 ± 1.7 kg respectively; P < 0.05). Bone mineral density was also significantly higher in senior rowers than in senior sedentary controls (ribs, lumbar spine, and pelvic segments; P < 0.05). We conclude that age-related increases in the risk of lifestyle-related diseases, such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia, are attenuated in male rowers. These results suggest that regular rowing exercise may have a positive influence in the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases in older Japanese people.     

日本残疾人体育协会及其职能

日本是一个残疾人体育开展很好的国家。介绍了日本残疾人体育协会的发展过程、组织机构及其职能，以期对中国残疾人体育的发展有所启示。     

Associative identity politics: unmasking the multi‐layered formation of queer male selves in 1990s Japan

Abstract

This paper discusses one way to articulate queer male identity politics in 1990s Japan through Fran Martin’s conceptualization of the ‘mask’ (Martin 2003 Martin, Fran. 2003. Situating sexualities: queer presentation in Taiwanese fiction, film and public culture, Hong Kong: Hong Kong University Press.  [Google Scholar]). By comparatively examining two key Japanese ‘gay’ coming‐out narratives, the paper shows how a reading of queer subject formation in the decade through a metaphor of ‘masking’ can shed light on the complex scenarios functioning beneath the surface of identity politics. I argue that the notion of ‘masking’ is useful in reading the multiple axes incorporated into queer identity formation in Japan in the context of globalization. The paper further refutes any reductive claim that queer identity in Japan can be understood in terms of essentialist epistemological binaries, such as global/local, West/non‐West, and Japan/abroad.