PURPOSE This study investigates the impact of injury experience on ankle dorsiflexion, quadriceps extensibility, and dynamic stability in elite adolescent and adult volleyball players. METHODS A total of 485 players (adolescents=337, adults=115) reported lower extremities injuries, with measurements taken for ankle dorsiflexion and quadriceps extensibility using the weight- bearing lunge test and Ely’s test, respectively. The Y-balance test was used for dynamic stability. Measurements were conducted on the injured leg of players with knee and/or ankle injuries and the dominant leg of healthy players. Four groups were classified based on injury experience, and comparisons were made between both legs. Additionally, the variables of adolescent players were compared to those of adults. RESULTS Adolescent players with knee injuries exhibited a larger difference in ankle dorsiflexion between both legs, while adult players with ankle injuries demonstrated an asymmetry of ankle dorsiflexion. Regardless of age, players with knee or ankle injuries displayed lower dynamic stability compared to healthy players. Notably, adults with knee injuries showed a larger difference in dynamic stability between both legs. CONCLUSIONS To prevent and rehabilitate volleyball-related injuries, comprehensive injury risk factors, including age, should be managed in the injury prevention strategies.
PURPOSE This study presents a policy proposal to integrate the National Sports Festival and sport-specific competitions into a broader national balanced development plan, particularly targeting regions facing potential obsolescence. METHODS Applying both balanced growth theory and unbalanced growth theory, we analyzed the issue through a comprehensive review of the literature, encompassing both domestic and international cases. RESULTS Our findings lead to several key conclusions and policy recommendations. Firstly, we recommend the relocation of the National Sports Festival hosting rights to regions at risk of becoming obsolete. Secondly, we propose the designation of specific venues for each sport event. Thirdly, we emphasize the development of sports events that uniquely characterize specific regions. Fourthly, we suggest engaging local residents of host cities to form a robust sports event support staff. Fifthly, we advocate for the enhancement of local accommodation facilities. Lastly, we envision the transformation of the National Sports Festival into a “Korea Open” event. CONCLUSIONS This study holds significance in its contribution to national balanced development through the strategic utilization of sports events, such as national sports festivals.
PURPOSE The purpose of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the trends in athletes’ health problems (and their preventive strategies) caused by low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S). METHODS In this narrative review, we summarized previous studies by searching the literature in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases. RESULTS Energy availability (EA) refers to the amount of energy from caloric intake used for exercise, and a LEA is considered as a surrogate marker of RED-S. In several previous studies, chronic low energy availability in female athletes has been reported to cause health problems such as endocrine dysfunctions, immunosuppression, and psychological disorders, and to also affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPC) axis and bone health. Moreover, it has been suggested that an increase in injury risk and a decrease in exercise performance may occur. CONCLUSIONS Since it can be difficult to recover from the health deteriorations caused by RED-S, early detection (of related signs and symptoms) and prevention are very important. Therefore, athletes, coaches, and parents need to develop educational programs that ease the recognition of the problems caused by various symptoms related to RED-S and promote educational interventions.
Purpose Highly popular these days, eSport is inviting increasing scholarly attention and research. Scholarly work on eSport, however, remains focused on whether eSport is a “real” sport, that is, its sporting qualities and status, excluding ethical issues. This paper analyzes ethical issues about cognitive enhancement drugs often associated with eSport in order to suggest guidelines for resolving these issues. Methods First, environmental features of eSport are examined to find out types of cheating in eSport, as well as the ways eSport athletes are exposed to drugs. Next, ethical issues of cognitive enhancement drug use and why they are important are discussed, drawing upon multiple scholars. Last, this paper argues that the ban on drug use conventionally implemented in sport is not appropriate to eSport due to the characteristics of eSport. The paper concludes with possible future approaches to this issue. Results The ban lists administered by ESIC and WADA would not work for the need of eSport athletes and even run a risk of stunting the growth of eSport industries. It is thus important to think up an appropriate drug-related policy for eSport. Preemptive education for eSport athletes is also required to promote the ethical consciousness and judgment regarding drug use. Conclusions Insofar as eSport’s huge popularity leads to the increased status of eSport athletes, thereby exerting much influence on young people, ethical questions about eSport, drug use in particular, need to be urgently discussed for the sake of eSport’s wholesome development.
Purpose Prostate problems, such as prostate cancer, and benign prostate hyperplasia have been recognized as problems largely related to androgens and genetic factors. They affect a large fraction of the elderly population, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Therefore, the purpose of this review paper was to investigate a therapeutic strategies for prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia. Methods In order to determine the therapeutic exercise strategies for prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia, previous literature was reviewed with MEDLINE, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Results Prostate cancer and its associated treatments can cause significant and lasting morbidities, such as cardiovascular and sexual dysfunctions. Various interventions have attempted to prevent or mitigate these dysfunctions. This review summarizes the available evidence concerning the effects of exercise training on male sexual health in the cancer prevalent population. Smoking cessation, regular exercise, and maintaining healthy weight are important public health targets for intervention. Importantly, several lifestyle modifications may lower the risk of developing more aggressive cancer or offer survival benefits to prostate cancer patients. Conclusions In this review article, physical exercise training can increase apoptosis markers in the prostate, suggesting exercise training as a potential novel therapeutic strategies for treating prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia. Future studies in more advanced and varied prostate cancer populations are required to ascertain the duration, intensity and frequency of exercise that optimizes the effects of exercise training on prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia.
Purpose Incidence and prevalence of Korean teenager cheerleading injuries were surveyed. Methods A total of 769 junior cheerleaders who participated in National Sport Cheerleading Competitions responded to a questionnaire, and 435 reported experiences of injuries. Results Risk factors for injury included older age (p<0.001), increased experience (p<0.001), and higher BMI (p<0.05). The most frequent injury occurred at wrist, ankle, knee, shoulder and waist. And the most responded types of injury were muscular pain and contusion. Cheerleading experience affected on injury prevalence. They were injured when they perform Elevator (<0.5 yrs), Cradle (0.5-1 yrs), Cradle and Basket toss (1-2 yrs), Cradle and Pyramid (2-3 yrs). These techniques involved in bodily movements of going up and cradle. About 56% of injury was treated at home or not treated at all, and 60% of injury was either self-treated or not intervened. And only 32% of cheerleaders practiced on a formal mattress. Conclusion Safety measures for these youth cheerleaders are necessary and guidelines for securing safety and preventing and treating injuries for these population are urgent.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between QTc interval and maximal oxygen consumption(V˙O2max) and body fat distribution in middle-aged men. Abnormal subjects (QTc interval, ≥440ms, n=10) and normal subjects(≤430ms, n=11) using QTc interval based on the Bazzet's equation were involved in the study. After overnight fasting, blood and blood pressure were measured. Abdominal fat area and regional fat compartment were measured by computed tomography(CT) and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA), respectively. For V˙O2max, the subjects underwent a maximal graded exercise test on a cycling ergometer. Abnormal group was significantly higher in SBP, basal insulin, HOMA-IR, and leg fat compared with normal. There was a significant relationship(r=.614, p=.03) between QTc interval and V˙O2max in all subjects. Also, partial correlation analysis showed a significant relationship(r=.480, p=.032) between the QTc interval and V˙O2max. Having a QTc interval outside normal range significantly worsened risk parameters for metabolic syndrome, in particular blood pressure and insulin resistance. Moreover, QTc interval was strongly correlated with cardiorespiratory fitness in middle-aged men. This study indicates that further study will be needed to assess the exercise training effects on QTc interval.
PURPOSE This study examined levels of safety knowledge and practice among recreational sports participants, focusing particularly on impacts of gender, age, injury experience, and exercise-level profile. In sports environments, understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted strategies to promote safe behaviors. METHODS Survey data from 7725 participants engaged in regular recreational sports activities were analyzed. Latent Profile Analysis was employed to categorize participants based on their injury experience and exercise levels, resulting in two profiles: Group 1 (moderate or severe injury experience with intermediate exercise levels) and Group 2 (mild injury experience with beginner exercise levels). Three-way ANOVA was then used to evaluate relationships between these profiles and safety knowledge and practice levels. RESULTS Results revealed significant differences across sex, age, and profile groups. Compared with women, men demonstrated higher levels of safety knowledge and practice, which were likely influenced by greater exposure to high-intensity sports and risk-taking tendencies. Adolescents exhibited the highest levels of safety knowledge and practice linked to structured safety education, but these levels declined in early adulthood and then increased again in middle age due to growing health awareness and preventive motivations. Furthermore, participants in Group 1 consistently showed higher levels of safety knowledge and practice than those in Group 2, highlighting injury experience’s role in shaping safety behaviors. CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the importance of developing gender-specific safety education programs, age-appropriate interventions, and training initiatives tailored to beginning participants. Future research should evaluate these strategies’ long-term impact on safety practices and injury prevention in diverse sports settings.
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 characterize the kinematic variables of stair climbing in adult women by analyzing the effects of varying heel heights on their climbing behavior. METHODS A total of 24 adult women (age: 22.08±1.28years; height: 160.43±4.30cm; weight: 54.10±6.39kg) participated in this study. All subjects wore the same type of high heels with heights of 1cm, 5cm, and 7cm while performing stair climbing on stairs measuring 18cm in height. Ten infrared cameras (200Hz) and ground reaction force sensors (1000Hz) were set up on the stairs, along with an 8-channel electromyography system (1000Hz) to analyze the maximum moments at each joint and the muscle activation during stair climbing. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27.0 (IBM., USA). All variables underwent the Shapiro–Wilk normality test, with repeated measure analysis of variance or the Friedman test applied based on the results. Post hoc tests were conducted using the LSD test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS Our study found four key findings. First, a significant decrease in maximum dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and adduction moments of the ankle joint was observed with increasing heel height. Second, the maximum extension, adduction, and external rotation moments of the knee joint significantly decreased as heel height increased, while the maximum abduction and internal rotation moments significantly increased. Third, the maximum flexion, extension, and abduction moments of the hip joint significantly increased with higher heel heights. Fourth, muscle activity of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius decreased with increasing heel height compared to walking; however, muscle activity in the tensor fasciae latae increased. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that as heel height increases, the risk of injury may rise due to limited ankle use and increased moments in the knee and hip joints, potentially leading to muscle strength imbalances in adult women, particularly through the overuse of specific muscles.