International study & promotion of osteoporosis prevention with Finnish bone exercise monitor in Sendai city, Japan

Abstract

Under the project launched by Finland and City of Sendai, Japan, we started an international study of osteoporosis prevention with high-impact exercise scaled with accelerometer-based physical activity monitor, Bone Exercise Monitor (BEM). Following to the previous study in Finland, a randomized controlled study was done in Japan for 91 premenopausal women. Based on the joint study an exercise protocol with BEM will be developed. The purpose is to promote prevention of osteoporosis with exercise and thus improve QOL of older adults. I. BACKGROUND GEING is known as a big challenge for the society of most long-living nation Japan. However, it should be discussed and given solutions over the national boarders. When an advanced technology is developed, it is recommended to be shared by multinational collaboration. With this consequence, Sendai City of Japan and Republic of Finland launched a project named Sendai-Finland Wellbeing Center (S-FWBC) (Fig.1). In the project we emphasize the dignity, autonomy and activity of senior citizens (1), (2), (3). The ultimate goal of the project is to improve quality of life (QOL) of senior citizens supported by collaboration of academia, government, and industry. Fig. 1. A view of Finnish Wellbeing Center in Sendai, Japan. Research and Development Unit (left) and Care Unit (right)