Purpose This is the first study to examine whether age impacts the response of single muscle fibers to high/low frequency and high/low volume electrical pulse stimulation. We performed in vitro experiments to evaluate the effect of low-frequency high-volume electrical pulse stimulation (EPS) on mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, and satellite cell activation in singles fibers of young and aged muscles. Methods Isolated single fibers from gastocnemius in 12-wk (n=21) and 72-wk (n=21) old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: 1) control (Con) received no EPS, 2) low-frequency low-volume EPS (LL), 3) low-frequency high-volume EPS (LH), and 4) high-frequency low-volume EPS (HL) were made to contract using independent EPS protocols. Satellite cell activation and anabolic pathway (mTOR and MAPK signaling) were measured before and after EPS. Results The number of quiescent (Pax7+/Ki67-) and active (Pax7+/Ki67+) satellite cells, myonuclear content and the phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 and ERK were higher in young when compared with old. However, regardless of age, LH and HL EPS significantly increased the number of activate satellite cells (142%, both) and phosphorylation of mTOR (129% and 133%, respectively), p70S6K (133% and 136%, respectively) and 4E-BP1 (140% and 129%, respectively) compared with Con. The protein expression of ERK phosphorylation only increased by LH EPS in both the young and old groups (123% and 125%, respectively). Conclusion Low-frequency high-volume EPS stimulated satellite cell activation and the mTOR signaling pathway in older similar to young muscle.
Purpose This study tells about my life about the past time when I studied for the teacher certification examination, using autoethnography. Methods It primarily used personal memories and diaries. The collected data was analyzed by applying longitudinal coding method through technical categories. Results The finding of this study is described in a chronological order as follows. The first part is about my unstable ego formed in my puberty period just like riding a roller coaster. It mainly features the process of choosing a career path when I was in school and the important starting point that made me today. The second part describes about my life after entering the department of physical education. I joined the military only to flee from a fruitless college life where I was wearing an unbefitting mask to hide myself from the world that is completely beyond my control. In the military, I was lucky to realize how to apply my major to set up my career path by coincidence. The third part is about the process of finding a genuine meaning of being a physical education teacher through a transitional period experienced after returning to school and form a stable self. Lastly, passing teacher certification examination with undaunted struggles boosted my self-esteem and self-efficacy and solidified my self-identity in the end. In addition, it is possible to get a glimpse of the attitudes that teachers need to have for a teaching career in the last part. Conclusions What I want to say throughout my descriptive story is that preparing for the teacher certification examination itself is a great challenge as well as a courageous decision for the candidates, but it is an attainable goal if they try with all their heart.
Purpose This study is to examine the historical facts about the integration of the Korean Sports Association, the Korean Olympic Committee, and the Korean School Sports Association in 1968. Methods Primary and secondary data were used to understand the integration process of the three organizations. Result First, immediately after liberation, the Korean Sports Association was reorganized and a number of new sports organizations were founded. Second, in the 1960s, the military regime exerted the government's control, making all social groups essential to register in accordance with the Act on Social Group Registration. Third, the Korea Olympic Committee and the Korean School Sports Association frequently caused friction as they operated overlapping projects with the existing Korean Sports Association. Fourth, in February 1968, the government consolidated three groups that were considered social issues based on the experience of dissolving the Korean Special Sports Association. Fifth, the integration of the three organizations is significant in that it prevented redundant projects and wasted budget, and resolved the discord in the sports world. Conclusion The first integration of the Korean Sports Association in 1968 was a historical event that absorbed the Korean Olympic Committee and the Korean School Sports Association. The integration of the three organizations is viewed as a solution for the systematic operation of the sports administration, but on the one hand, it has become the top-ranking organization in the Korean sports community since this time by well blocking the checks of the Korean Olympic Committee and Korean School Sports Association. It can be understood as maintaining absolute power.
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.
The purpose of this study was to critically interpret a certain sports-related idea, "Integrated Korean Team," which was an issue at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The idea emerges as a specific political agenda under the conditions of domestic politics and the special environment of Korean national affairs and discourse. To this end, we investigated media texts on the relationship between sports, political dynamics and views on related discourse that were produced in 1990-1991 and 2018. The main findings are as follows: First, sports functions as a political socialization tool for political power as it forms public opinion. Second, sports exchanges work as a kind of international politics. Specifically, political power controls sports as certain political situations arise and political elites' needs change. Third, mega sports events have tended to become politicized in recent years as they become more effective. Fourth, North Korea’s sports under political power cannot be easily dealt with by the private sector, and it has limitations because it is not politically independent. The analysis showed that the negotiation process and realization of the Integrated North and South Korean Team seemed to be a turning point in politics and sports. Here are the conclusions drawn from discussing the two unifying events in 1991 and the situation in 2018. First, both South and North Korea pulled the Integrated Korean Team card when political needs arose. Second, when the two Koreas did not need to reconcile due to changes in the political situation between the two Koreas, they did not want to make efforts to integrate Korean Team. Third, the position of the political elite was directly represented by the position of the South-North Korean team. Fourth, the supporting public opinions of the Integrated Korean Team are gradually diminishing as the power gap between the two Koreas widens and sports players' human rights issues emerge.
The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth exploration of Korean national badminton players’ psychological momentum strategies. Data were collected using an open-ended questionnaire and group interviews of 66 badminton players, including 40 members of the 2018 Korean national badminton team and 22 college and semi-pro badminton players who each had badminton careers of 10 or more years and were registered in the Badminton Korea Association. The data were analyzed using inductive content analysis and the deductive process based on the inductively categorized results. The results are as follows. First, regarding strategies for maintaining positive momentum, 188 raw data were collected and classified into three category (keeping pace, dominating the play, and psychological facilitation) and 10 sub-category (including speedy resumption of the game, attacking weak points, and fighting shout). The results suggest that badminton players maintain positive momentum by using strategies to control the speed and tempo of the game at their preferred pace, implement special techniques, exploit their opponent’s weaknesses, and cheer or talk amongst themselves to motivate each other and communicate with their partners and coaches. Second, regarding strategies for overcoming negative momentum, 293 raw data points were collected and classified into three category (time outs, psychological reminders, and changes in plays) and 11 sub-category (including delaying the game, seeking social support, and play change). The data demonstrate that badminton players overcome negative momentum using strategies to intentionally delay the game and exchange equipment, focus on performance cues, and interact with their coaches and partners to change plays and prevent errors. It is hoped that these study findings will inform efforts to provide psychological support that is effective in increasing the odds of winning for the national badminton players in the Asian Games and the Olympic.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 16 weeks’ combined exercise training on insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, leukocyte telomere length, body composition, and daily living fitness in elderly women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods Twenty-eight participants were randomly assigned into one of two groups, i.e., exercise training group (EX: n=14) and control group (CON: n=14). Subjects in EX participated in 3 sessions of 60 min-combined exercise for 16 weeks, whereas subjects in CON were asked to maintain their normal life pattern during the same period. The variables regarding insulin resistance, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress, leukocyte telomere length, body composition, and daily living fitness were measured and compared between two groups as well as between pre-post test utilizing a repeated two-way ANOVA. Results Main results were as follows: 1) Fasting plasma insulin and HOMA-IR tended to decrease in EX, whereas increased significantly in CON. 2) IL-6, TNF-α, hs-CRP decreased in EX, but the changes were not statistically significant. 3) MDA increased significantly and GPx decreased significantly in both EX and CON. 4) Leukocyte telomere length increased significantly in EX. 5) Fat-free mass increased in EX, whereas fat mass and percent body fat decreased significantly in EX. 6) Arm curl, chair stand, sit & reach, tandem test, 10m walking speed, and up & go improved significantly in EX. Conclusion It was concluded that the combined exercise for 16 weeks had a positive effect on improving insulin resistance, increasing leukocyte telomere length, as well as enhancing body composition and daily living fitness in elderly women with type 2 diabetes.
Purpose The study examined the effects of a 12-week high intensity circuit training (HICT) on abdominal fat, physical fitness, blood lipids, and insulin resistance in middle-aged obese women. Methods Thirty obese women, aged 32-48 yrs, were recruited and randomly assigned to either HICT group (TR; n = 15) or control group (CON; n = 15). Subjects in the TR group participated in HICT of which resistance exercise and aerobic exercise were performed with a duration of 40 min/session and 3 sessions/wk for 12 weeks, whereas subjects in the CON group were asked to maintain their normal life patterns. Dependent variables included abdominal fat area, body composition, physical fitness, blood lipids profiles, and insulin resistance index. Analysis of variance with repeated measures with Bonferroni corrections was used to compare the outcomes between two groups. Results Main findings of the present study were as follows: 1) compared to the CON group, the TR group had significant reductions in overall (i.e., body mass index and percent body fat) and abdominal obesity (i.e., waist circumference, total abdominal fat area, visceral fat area, subcutaneous fat area, and visceral fat area-subcutaneous fat area ratio), 2) compared to the CON group, the TR group had significant improvements in health-related physical fitness (i.e., muscular strength, muscular endurance, muscle power, flexibility, balance, and cardiorespiratory endurance), and 3) compared to the CON group, the TR group had significant improvements in fasting lipids, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance. Conclusions The current findings of the study suggested that HICT would be an effective exercise intervention to improve metabolic complications associated with obesity and poor physical fitness in obese middle-aged women.
[Purpose] The study was designed to examine the effects of a 10-week sports climbing training on body composition and surrogate indices of major lifestyle disease in obese elderly women. [Methods] Twenty elderly women, whose percent body fat was over 35%, were randomly assigned into one of two groups, i.e., sports climbing training group (TR: n=10) and control group (CON: n=10). The subjects in TR completed sports climbing training program with 5.8 and 5.9 of difficulty, at 11-13 of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), 60 min/session, three sessions/wk for 10 weeks. Independent variables regarding body composition and major lifestyle disease, i.e., hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis, were measured and compared between two groups as well as between two tests simultaneously using a repeated two-way ANOVA. [Results] Regarding physique and body composition, there were significant interactions between group and test in body weight, body mass index, fat mass, and percent body fat. These variables decreased significantly in TR. 2) Regarding indices of hypertension, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure decreased significantly in TR. Regarding indices of dyslipidemia, triglyceride decreased significantly in TR. Regarding indices of atherosclerosis, TG/HDL-C ratio decreased significantly in TR. [Conclusions] It was concluded that the 10-week sports climbing training would be beneficial for reduction of body fat despite its’ influence on fat-free mass was limited, and would also contribute on improving surrogate indices of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis in obese elderly women. Future research investigating the effects of various period, intensity, duration, and frequency of sports climbing training would be warranted.
Purpose This study was conducted to investigate the appropriateness of the concept of condition for athletes and to conceptualize condition in a way suitable for field and then to produce a tool to test condition that reflects usability. Methods 30 college athletes and national athletes with more than 5 years of experience were selected. In the conceptual review stage, the appropriateness of the concept of condition was verified. In the conditional element collection stage, the condition concept reflecting usability was extracted. In the development stage of the conditional questionnaire, a condition questionnaire was developed in consultation with the data provider to reflect usability. Results Previous studies on the condition of athletes were complicated and the necessity for consideration of usability was raised. As a result of conceptualization with consideration of the application to the sport scene, condition in a scene is summarized into both physical and psychological states. As a result of the appropriateness evaluation of the tool that produced the condition inspection tool reflecting the condition element based on universality and peculiarity of conditionality, the athletes evaluated that the condition inspection tool properly reflects condition, is easy to apply and can be used for condition control. Conclusion The development and application of psychological testing instruments reflecting usability will accelerate the application of sports psychology in the appropriate direction. The reflection of usability will contribute not only to the reliability and validity of the psychological testing tools used in the field of sports psychology, but also to the improvement of the possibility of intervention by leaders and athletes, the convenience of development procedures, and the utility of response results.
