The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of National Fitness Award program group exercise classes on daily fitness and balance-confidence among the elderly participants(n=496, 80.2% women). This study investigated body composition, daily fitness, and balance-confidence, and quality of life among the subjects who participated in the combined exercise program of improving physical fitness class for 8-week in the 10 national physical fitness certification centers by the demonstration project for the elderly of 2013 Korean National Fitness 100 project. Body composition and physical fitness for daily living were defined by Korean National Fitness 100 project for elderly, also the balance-confidence and health-related questionnaires were added. The following results were obtained by comparing the pre-test and post-test. In body composition body weight (p<.05), body mass index (p<.05), fat mass (p<.01), and percent body fat (p<.05) were significantly decreased, but muscle mass was not. Except for walking-around-two-cones-in-a-figure 8, all other daily fitness items such as relative grip strength (p<.001), chair sit to stand, two minutes place to walk, and sit-and-reach significantly increased (p<.01), and timed up and go were significantly decreased (p<.01). In balance confidence rating ABC tests (p<.001) were shown significantly increased. Although, quality of life measured by EQ-5D was not significantly improved, self-health status measured by EQ-VAS (p<.001) showed significant increase. Therefore, the group exercises of National Fitness Award program improved body composition, daily fitness and balance confidence in Korean elderly participants.
Frailty in older adults is related to an increased risk for poor health outcomes including falls, disability, hospitalization and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the thresholds of a functional fitness associated with frailty for community-dwelling woman aged 65 or older. In this study, the National Fitness Award(NFA) items for elderly were utilized as the physical function and fitness testing for korean elderly women. The total of 444 community-dwelling woman completed the testings. Frailty status was classified by the Japan LTCI system ‘Kihon Checklist’ in the study. The prevalence of the frailty was 19.1% in the study. The frail elderly were older and showed higher obesity index such as weight, body mass index (BMI), percent body fat and waist circumference than the normal elderly. After adjusting for age and BMI which was related to frailty, fitness testing items were compared depending on frailty. As the result, the frail elderly showed significantly lower fitness levels in grip strength, 30-second chair stand test, timed up and go, figure-of-8 walk around two cones, and 2-minute step test than the normal elderly. When the fitness cut-off values were analyzed using the ROC curve, also, grip strength: 34.13%, 30-second chair stand test: 14 reps, timed up and go: 7.09 seconds, figure-of-8 walk around two cones: 30.88 seconds, and 2-minute step test: 93 reps. In addition, based on the cut-off values of each fitness item, the group with a low fitness level showed a 1.86 to 3.09 higher odds ratio of frailty than the group with a high fitness level, even after age and BMI were adjusted. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the fitness cut-off values in this study are fitness levels for preventing frailty of Korean elderly women and there will be a need for a large-scale study including subdivided fitness cut-off values for each age group and targets elderly men as well.
PURPOSE High blood pressure and obesity pose significant health problems for older individuals. Previous studies showed that regular exercise improves physical fitness factors and decreases blood pressure and obesity. Therefore, this study investigated differences in blood pressure and obesity according to the physical fitness level of Korean older individuals using the National Fitness 100 data and used them to recognize the importance of maintaining physical fitness through regular physical activity or exercise for older individuals. METHODS From 2013 to 2019, a total of 218,848 subjects (men=74,271, women=144,577) aged ≥65 years who participated in the National Fitness 100 had their muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, balance, coordination, and flexibility measured, and they were ascribed a fitness level. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), percentage of bodyfat, and waist circumference were measured to compare the difference in fitness level. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in older men, and the diastolic blood pressure of older women by the fitness level (p<.001). In both older men and women, there was a significant difference in BMI, percentage of bodyfat, and waist circumference according to the fitness level (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, men and women showed different aspects in blood pressure, but Korean older individuals with having a high level of fitness managed their weight and body fat well. The decrease in obesity and improvement of physical fitness through regular physical activity and exercise could be a positive effect on maintaining health and extending healthy life years.
Purpose Evaluating the aging of senior and providing optimal sevices are important things for successful aging. This study identified functional fitness related with heath of aged 65 years or older and developed an age scale (longevity fitness age) for assessing their aging. Methods Participants were 458 older people (166 male, 292 female). They were divided into healthy group and disease group. Healthy group was used for the development of the longevity age equation and disease group was for investigating the validity of the equation. Participants completed 13 function fitness variables. The first principal component obtained from a principal component analysis was used to compute the equation. All variables except for grip strength and carrying beans were correlated with chronological aged. Grip strength and variables related lower functional fitness had differences between healthy group and disease group. Finally, 4 variables were selected for the equation. Results It was the following: longevity fitness age=0.942*X1+2, 185*X2+0.673*X3+0.051*X4+0.588*chronological age+58.401, where X1=standing up from a supine position, sec (s), X2=maximum walking (s), X3=standing up and sitting down a chair (s), X4=one leg balance with eyes open (s). The longevity fitness age of healthy group do not have a difference compared to their chronological age but disease group had a difference significantly. Age difference (chronological age-longevity fitness age) of sedentary group in disease group was significantly bigger than its active group. Longevity fitness age could assess an aging of senior. Conclusion We suggest that it can use as the tool for early detecting senior who need the health care service.
Purpose This study confirmed the historical significance of the First World War US Combat Strength Training Fitness System for contributing in the ROK military sports development. Methods This research method is literature analysis to be focused by the previous US Army Field Manuals. Results Concretely, The meaning of US Army fitness training was divided into four stages. First, this study confirmed the actual condition of the US Army fitness before First World War. Since 1916, US Army has developed a group physical training program applied the items suitable for the war and has systematically reflected the program in the recruitment training. Second, this study confirmed the process of operating military fitness program during the First World War. US Army physical fitness program provided an effective method to suit soldier fitness for war. Third, this study observed the fitness training changes of US Army after the First World War. At that time, US Army focused on maintaining health and basic physical strength for civilians and reserve forces, but US Army ran parallel with basal physical fitness and combat physical fitness after the Korean War. Fourth, this study compared military strength training between First World War and current US Army. Since First World War, the training of US Army has been developed around doctrine and manuals to be maintained the consistency of the system. In conclusion, US Army physical training system of First World War meant to be provided the basis of current military physical education and physical training. In other words, current fitness training is not dogmatic but has evolved, and it accommodated the basics of soldier physical training course from the past.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the physical fitness levels among artistic swimmers in artistic swimmer national team trials. It is aimed to strengthen the physical fitness evaluation criteria of the national team and construct a physical fitness evaluation item suitable for an artistic swimming event. Methods A total of twenty two female elite artistic swimmers participated in this national team selection trial. Measurement list was performed body composition (Height, Weight, Body fat(%), Skeletal muscle mass, Lean body mass, BMI, Shoulder width, Arm span), Basic physical fitness (Push-up, Sit-up, Chin-up, Endurance of trunk backward extension and Sargent jump), Flexibility (Trunk backward extension, Shoulder flexibility, Frog position and Underwater split R, L) and Swimming test (100 m freestyle, 400 m freestyle). Data were analyzed by Independent t-test using SPSS Statistics ver 25.0. Results Age and skeletal muscle mass were significant difference between the two groups (p<.05). Also, 400 m swimming test was significantly different (p<.001). However, there were no significant differences in basic physical fitness and flexibility. Conclusions These results suggest that selected athletes are excellent not only in acting but also in physical fitness. Based on these results, it is necessary to construct a physical fitness items for the preliminary artistic swimming and to classify the physical fitness evaluation criteria according to the characteristics of the artistic swimmers.
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 The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the track records and physical abilities in elite cyclists(keirin). Methods Twenty three elite cyclists were measured height, weight, lower body circumference(thigh, calf, and ankle), basal physical abilities(grip/back muscle strength, 25m sprint, Sargent jump test, Burpee test, shuttle run test), one-repetition maximum(1RM) strength(back squat, bench press, leg curl, power clean, dead-lift, leg press), aerobic capacity(V̇O2max, METs, HRmax), and track records(200m and 500m). Stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate which physical abilities related to track records. Results A statistically significant relationship was found between 200m track records and 2 variables which were the thigh circumference and 1RM leg press(p<.05). Also, the thigh circumference and 1RM leg press were significantly related to 500m track records(p<.05). Conclusions The results showed that the thigh circumference and maximal strength were associated with the track records in elite cyclists(keirin).
Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 weeks of fencing specific training on physical fitness in elite fencers. Methods Forty eight elite fencers participated in this program (Male= 24, Female= 24). Training program consists of dynamic stretching, step and agility training, and it was conducted with the general fencing practice during 3 weeks. Body composition and physical fitness (muscle strength/power, agility, anaerobic power and flexibility) were measured before and after training. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 23.0 (IBM Co., Armonk, NY, USA). Paired t-test (pre vs. post) was used for comparison between groups. Results Muscle mass and body fat(%) were significantly changed after training in male group. Agility was significantly improved in change-step jump and reaction time after training both in male and female group. In Anaerobic power, peak power (relative power, absolute power) was significantly increased after training in female group. Flexibility was also significantly improved after training in left ankle ROM of female group. Conclusion Application of fencing specific training program focused on fencing movement seems to be effective on agility in both groups, muscle mass and body fat(%) in male group, and anaerobic power and flexibility in female group.
The frailty, characterized by reduced physiological function is closely related to a fall, disability, institutionalization, hospitalization, and mortality in the elderly. A reduced physical fitness is a major phenotype of the frailty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among pre-frailty, physical activity (PA) and functional fitness in the community dwelling elderly women. The study participants were elderly women (n=338, 70.6±4.2years) aged over 65 who took part in the Korean Healthy Fitness Criteria study for the National Fitness Award Project in 2015. The pre-frailty was defined using the Cardiovascular Health Study frailty criteria. PA was assessed using the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ). The participants were classified as regular PA participants if they meet the World Health Organization (WHO) PA recommendation for the elderly. Functional fitness was assessed using the composite of the National Fitness Award fitness testing for the elderly. Quality of life was evaluated using EuroQoL visual analogue scale and WHO quality of life assessment. As the results, the pre-frail elderly women were significantly older and obese (body mass index, percent body fat, waist circumference) than the healthy elderly. The pre-frail elderly presented significant decreases in walking, moderate intensity, and total PA compared to the healthy elderly even after adjusted for age and percent body fat. However, no significant difference was found in vigorous-intensity activity between the pre-frail and healthy elderly. Also, the pre-frail elderly women showed the decrease in functional fitness and quality of life compared to the healthy elderly. Regular PA was associated with high levels of muscular endurance and coordination in healthy and pre-frail elderly. In pre-frail elderly, high levels of cardiorespiratory endurance was associated with PA. In conclusion, regular PA is inversely associated with fitness decline in healthy and pre-frail community-dwelling elderly women. Regular PA might attenuate fitness decline in pre-frail elderly women.
