The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical performance and develop the criteria of 4243 middle and high school students across 5 provinces (Busan, Gwangju, Daejeon, Gyeongi and Jeonbuk) in Korea that took part in the talent development project. The data was collected between 2011 and 2014. The criteria was divided by gender and age across different grades, and the mean, standard deviation and 5 evaluation levels were calculated and analyzed.
The importance of a health problem is emphasized in youth. Unfortunately, healthy activity physical education is not well utilized and is not popularly being researched. In order to improve these problems, this study attempted to explore the validity and applicability of SPARK program by designing and practicing the SPARK based P.E. classes. This study employed a mixed method research method based on a qualitative research strategy. Physical activity and physical fitness level were measured by accelerometers and FITNESSGAM. Additionally, empirical data were collected and analyzed by both Photovoice technique and recording. Findings of this study were divided into designing and practicing perspectives. First of all, the PE classes based on SPARK program was designed by 2009 national physical education curriculum and studies associated with the SPARK program. Further, I attempted to specify teaching strategy for enhancing physical activity level, power of execution and motivation. Second, PE class which has higher physical activity level, more participation and achievement, and successful fulfillment were emerged as consequences. Based on the study results, I discussed the validity and applicability of Physical Fitness based SPARK program and proposed suggestions for future studies.
PURPOSE This study assessed elite Taekwondo athletes’ physical fitness and developed reference standards for both their basic and specialized physical fitness. METHODS Data for analysis were collected from 870 athletes: from national teams, 123 elite Taekwondo athletes from the Performance Analysis and Assessment System (PAAS) administrator website (1999–2020); from regional sports centers, 731 collegiate and general division elite Taekwondo athletes (2015–2019); and from Y University, 16 elite Taekwondo athletes. Through measurement items’ selection and categorization, 20 physical fitness items were selected for the reference standards’ development, including 9 for basic fitness and 11 for specialized fitness. Taekwondo weight classes were divided into two: light + middle (fin, fly, bantam, feather) and middle + heavy (light, welter, middle, heavy). RESULTS Descriptive statistics for basic and specialized physical fitness items were categorized by gender and athletes’ fitness level. The reference standards’ development was aligned with existing standards, integrating the Cajori physical fitness 5-levels. It also introduced minimum physical fitness reference standards and target achievement reference standards for evaluating elite Taekwondo athletes’ physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS The reference standards proposed here can serve as objective indicators in selection of national representative athletes and also provide foundational data to establish fitness goals and evaluate future elite athletes’ physical fitness.
PURPOSE This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effectiveness of exercise programs in improving physical fitness among middle-aged adults in Korea. METHODS A literature search was conducted using KCI-registered databases on DBpia, RISS, and KISS up to September 21, 2023. The review followed the PICOSD framework (population: middle-aged adults; intervention: exercise program; comparison: did not participate in exercise program; outcome: physical fitness; study design: randomized controlled trials). Two researchers independently evaluated bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2). The data was synthesized using the CMA 3.0 program, applying a random effects model to estimate the overall effect size using Hedges’g. RESULTS Out of 914 screened documents, 15 studies were selected, comprising 405 participants. The overall effect size for improving physical fitness was significant (g=0.994, 95% CI: 0.712–1.276). Sub-analysis indicated significant improvements in various components, including muscle strength (g=1.295, 95% CI: 0.909-1.682), muscular endurance (g=0.972, 95% CI: 0.637-1.308), cardiorespiratory endurance (g=1.092, 95% CI: 0.453–1.731), flexibility (g=0.883, 95% CI: 0.555–1.210), muscle power (g=1.421, 95% CI: 0.656– 2.186), and agility (g=1.854, 95% CI: 0.347–3.361) compared to the control group. An additional analysis focusing solely on women revealed a slight increase in effect size, although the order of effect sizes remained consistent across fitness components. CONCLUSIONS This meta-analysis confirms the effectiveness of exercise programs in enhancing physical fitness in middle-aged adults. The systematic review also highlights key considerations for designing exercise programs for this demographic. Future studies should aim to minimize bias and enhance the quality of reporting to ensure more robust results.
PURPOSE This study aimed to analyze the moderating effect of physical fitness on the relationship between abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in older women. METHODS A total of 190 participants were categorized based on waisthip ratio (WHR) into high (50%) and low (50%) groups, as well as based on Z-score of fitness into high (25%; high fit), moderate (50%; moderate fit), and low (25%; low fit) groups. Logistic regression was used to assess the relative risk of MetS based on abdominal obesity and fitness levels, and moderation analysis using the Process macro was conducted to explore the moderating effect of fitness on the relationship between abdominal obesity and MetS risk factors. RESULTS After adjusting forcovariates, logistic regression showed that high WHR (odds ratio (OR)=2.721, p=0.004) led to a significantly higher risk of MetS compared with low WHR; the high fit group (OR=0.360, p=0.044) had a significantly lower risk of MetS compared wih the low fit group. Moderation analysis revealed that the impact of abdominal obesity on MetS risk factors varied depending on the level of fitness (β=-0.495, p=0.037), and the results remained significant after covariate adjustment (β=-0.458, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that the risk of MetS from abdominal obesity can be mitigated by higher levels of physical fitness. These findings highlight the need for participation in regular physical activity to maintain a high level of fitness, along with proper nutritional intake, to prevent MetS in older women.
PURPOSE This study aimed to develop physique and basic physical fitness evaluation criteria for middle school soccer players, providing a foundation for training and player development to be used by coaches in the field. METHODS The study involved 440 middle school soccer players (Grade 1=178, Grade 2=132, and Grade 3=130). Measurements were conducted on seven physique and ten basic physical fitness factors. Measurement results were organized using Windows Excel 2021 and descriptive statistics were performed using Windows SPSS 26.0. Based on the descriptive statistics of the measurement results, the Cajori 5-Grade evaluation method was applied to establish evaluation criteria for each grade and fitness component. RESULTS The study results provide evaluation criteria for middle school soccer players based on the measured data, considering grade, physique, and basic physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS The criteria established in this study are expected to be widely utilized by coaches in the field to set training goals for areas such as player selection, development, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.
Purpose The study was designed to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of circuit training and L-tryptophan supplementation on physical fitness and metabolic syndrome. Methods Forty-one menopausal women were randomly assigned to one of three groups. i.e., combined circuit training and L-tryptophan supplementation group (CT+T: n=14), L-tryptophan supplementation group (T: n=14), and control group (CON: n=13). The subjects in CT+T exercised three sessions per week and took 3g of L-tryptophan per day for 12 weeks. The subjects in T took 3g of L-tryptophan per day for 12 weeks. The subjects in CON were asked to maintain their life pattern for the same period of intervention. Physical fitness and metabolic syndrome-related variables were measured at pre- and post-test. The data were compared by utilizing a repeated two-way ANOVA. Results Main results of the study were as follows: 1) Standing long jump, one leg standing with eyes closed, sit-and-reach, sit-up, and maximal oxygen uptake increased significantly in CT+T. 2) Body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, fat mass, and percent body fat decreased significantly in CT+T. 3) Total cholesterol decreased significantly in CT+T. 4) Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin, and HOMA-IR decreased significantly in CT+T. FPG and HOMA-IR decreased significantly in T. 5) Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and rate pressure product decreased significantly in CT+T. DBP and MAP decreased significantly in T. 6) Number of metabolic syndrome risk factors decreased significantly in CT+T and T. Conclusion It was concluded that the circuit training and L-tryptophan supplementation would have positive effects on physical fitness and metabolic syndrome, and that L-Tryptophan supplementation would have positive effects on metabolic syndrome by improving insulin resistance and hypertension in menopausal women.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in physique and physical fitness factors affecting exercise performance according to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) FokI gene polymorphism in athletic gifted children. Methods FokI VDR polymorphisms were genotyped in 82 boys (9.1±0.9 years) and 55 girls (9.3±0.9 years). Basic physical fitness (basketball throw, half-squat jump, standing long jump, 15m pacer, 50m run, handgrip strength, side-step, trunk forward flexion, sit-up) and physique were measured and analyzed using one-way ANOVA with bonferroni’s correction. Results No association was found between the VDR FokI genotypes and all the physical fitness variables as well as physique variables in boys and girl. However, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium results for VDR polymorphism distribution showed significant differences (χ2= 6.516, df=2, p=.038). Conclusion Although there was no significant difference in the fitness variables according to the VDR Fok1 genotype, it was difficult to exclude the potential for predicting fitness in that the H-W equilibrium test showed a significant difference. Therefore, in order to confirm the true potential of the VDR Fok1 gene to predict physical fitness, it is considered that additional studies on general children should be conducted.
Purpose The purpose of the study was to determine difference of body composition, bone mineral density and health-related fitness by physical activity level in young women. Methods A total of 90 women aged 19-29 years participated in this study. The subjects were divided into three groups (low, middle, and high level) according to the physical activity level estimated by bone-specific physical activity questionnaire(BPAQ). Body height and weight were measured. Body composition parameters including four sites of bone mineral density(BMD) were estimated by DXA (Hologic, QDR-4500, USA). Health-related fitness tests was assessed using sit & reach, grip strength, sit-ups, and VO2max. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS version 9.4. All data were presented in terms of means and standard deviations. One-way ANOVA was applied to determine difference of dependent variables by physical activity level. Duncan's multiple range test was used as a post-hoc test. The statistical significance level was set at p < .05. Results There were significant differences on body weight(F = 4.867, p = .01), body mass index(F = 5.053, p = .008) and fat-free mass(F = 8.364, p = .0001) among the three groups. Significant differences were found on whole body BMD(F = 16.730, p = .0001), lumbar BMD(F = 11.480, p = .0001), femur BMD(F = 42.182, p = .0001) and forearm BMD(F = 5.560, p = .005) among the three groups. There were also significant differences on sit and reach(F = 11.433, p = .0001), sit-ups(F = 17.972, p = .0001), VO2max(F = 3.106, p = .05) and duration of GXT(F = 7.479, p = .001). Conclusions There were differences on body composition, bone mineral density and health-related physical fitness by physical activity levels. Nevertheless, the questionnaire used in this study was not able to judge participation in various exercise types including aerobic exercise or resistance exercise. Therefore, in the future study, longitudinal study considering various types of physical activity and dietary intake will be needed.
Purpose This study was conducted to analyze the differences of physical characteristics focused on the physique, strength, and power for cycling national athletes (Sprint cyclists and Road race cyclists). Methods We measured various factors (e.g., height, weight, body fat ratio, thigh circumference, waist circumference, anaerobic power, isokinetic muscular strength, muscle power, squat jump by 1RM intensity, and so on) for a total 11 male cycling national athletes (5 Sprint cyclists and 6 Road race cyclists). Results First, the body composition showed the significant differences only in weight (p=0.31) and BMI (p=.001) for Sprint cyclists. Second, the values of the anaerobic power for the Sprint cyclists were significantly higher than those for the Road race cyclists only at peak power (p=0.28), whereas there was no significant difference in average power, isokinetic muscular strength, and muscle power between the two groups. Third, the isokinetic trunk flexion muscle (p = .016) for the Sprint cyclists were significantly higher than those for the Road race cyclists. Fourth, the significant difference in Time to Peak Torque was not found between two groups. Fifth, the values for the Sprint cyclists showed the significant difference in all 5 intensity groups (0%, 30%, 50%, 60%, and 80%) (p=.001) of the squat jump. Also, there was a statistically significant difference only in 0% velocity between the two groups, except for exercise intensity. Conclusions From the various measures between two groups, the Sprint cyclists relatively showed the high weight, BMI (muscle mass), and maximum power. Additionally, the isokinetic trunk flexion muscle and the squat jump were higher in the Sprint cyclists than the Road race cyclists. These data may be used as basic data to improve the physical fitness factors related to the athletic performance of the athletes by reflecting them in the effective training plan and evaluation of the athletes.
