健康寿命とロコモ

The average lifespan of Japanese is about 83 years and the average health longevity is 75 years. These are the highest in the word. Japan has rapidly been becoming an aged society. In 2010 the elderly people（age 65 or older）were account for 23% of the country’s total population. This number will increase steadily, and is expected to reach 40% by 2050. Many elderly require nursing care services and its main causes are suffering from locomotive organ disorders. Recognizing these circumstances, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association（JOA）proposed the concept of locomotive syndrome“, locomo”in short, in 2007. This syndrome refers to those elderly who have become to need nursing care services because of problems of the locomotive organs, or have risk conditions which may require them to have such services in the future. The JOA also prepared a self-check list, so called“loco check”, for this syndrome to become aware of degeneration of the locomotive organs and to recognize risks of locomo for individuals. The JOA recommends“standing on one leg with eyes open”and“half squats”as beneficial locomotive exercises. It is very important to educate and spread this concept more global. We hope that this concept“locomo”contributes to the health and welfare of the nation.

四国医学雑誌 : http://www.tokushima-u.ac.jp/med/research/shikoku_acta_medica.html