[Concept of musculoskeletal ambulation disability symptom complex (MADS)]

The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) released a new preventive concept against musculoskeletal disorders ; MADS (Musculoskeletal Ambulation Disability Symptom Complex) in 2006. MADS indicate the condition with unstable balance or difficulty on walking, followed by the high risk of falling or giving up of outgoing. Another new concept, Locomotive Syndrome (Locomo) was also issued by JOA in 2007, as a more wide ranged concept than MADS. Both are new concepts for a prevention against an increase of aged and disabled people in Japan at near future.