PURPOSE This study aimed to verify the criterion validity of the two-minute step test in older Korean adults, develop an equation for predicting VO2max, and verify cross-validation. METHODS A submaximal exercise test and the two-minute walk test were performed on 150 older adults (74 males and 74 females) aged 65 years or older. Correlation analysis was performed to confirm criterion validity. An equation for estimating VO2max was developed through multiple regression analysis, and cross-validation was confirmed by performing a correlation analysis between measured and predicted values of VO2max. RESULTS The correlation coefficient between VO2max and the two-minute step test was 0.457 (p<.001). The adjusted R2 of the developed VO2max prediction equation was 0.430 (p<.001), and the explanatory variables finally selected were sex, age, number of steps in the two-minute step test, and percentage of body fat. The correlation coefficient between the measured VO2max (19.08±4.36) and the predicted VO2max (19.73±3.36) was 0.654 (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the criterion validity of the two-minute step test in older Korean adults, and the cross-validation of the developed VO2max prediction formula was verified. The explanatory variables of the prediction equation will be easy to apply in the field, and more meaningful results will be derived if the validity of the prediction equation developed for a larger number of participants is verified.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an eye movement exercise intervention on cognitive function and prefrontal cortex connectivity in the elderly with mild cognitive impairment. METHODS Ten older adults with mild cognitive impairment participated in eye movement exercise consisting of saccadic eye movement, pursuit eye movement, vestibular-ocular eye movement, and vergence eye movement for 4 weeks. Cognitive function (MoCA-K), reaction time during stroop task, and prefrontal cortex connectivity were measured using the functional near-infrared spectrometric analyzer (fNIRS) before and after the intervention. RESULTS First, cognitive function of the elderly with mild cognitive impairment showed significant improvement after the eye movement exercise (p < .05). Second, reaction time decreased significantly from 1.16 to 0.91 ms after eye movement exercise. Third, the strength of prefrontal cortex connectivity (left OFC - right FPC, right OFC - right FPC) increased after the intervention in the older adults with mild cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that eye movement exercise is an effective intervention for improving cognitive function through improvement of brain functional connection in the elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify the scoring patterns of male and female Korean judo athletes by weight class, based on major international competitions from 2016 to 2021. METHODS We analyzed 1,508 scoring techniques, consisting of penalty, Waza-ari, and Ippon connected techniques, from male and female Korean athletes who participated in the Grand Prix, Grand Slam, Masters, World Championships, and Olympics. Chi-squared tests were conducted to examine differences in rounds, time, results, techniques, and continent by weight class. RESULTS In terms of differences in rounds, statistically significant differences were found in the men's lightweight and women's heavyweight categories. Statistically significant differences were found in the following: regarding differences in match time, in the men's heavyweight category; regarding match results, in the men's heavyweight category; and regarding differences in technique type, in the men's middleweight and heavyweight categories and in the women's lightweight and heavyweight categories. Finally, in terms of opponent continents, significant differences were found in both men's and women's lightweight categories. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study confirmed the differences in wins and losses of male and female Korean athletes according to their weight classes. Based on this, it is necessary to analyze and systematize the technology types of the world's top athletes, including Korean athletes, to improve their judo performance.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to develop a period-based psychological support model for athletes and to establish a system after deducing a psychological support model foreach time period. METHODS In this study, 5 psychological support practitioners were selected as research participants to explore requirements and 4 athletes were selected for the field application of the psychological support model. The requirements for developing the psychological support model were collected through in-depth interviews by the psychological support practitioners. Literature reviews and interviews were conducted to develop the psychological support model. RESULTS The period-based psychological support model consists of orientation, problem exploration, problem clarification, intervention, effect evaluation, and termination. The period of psychological support for athletes was divided into the following: A single-session psychological support, brief psychological support, and seasonal psychological support. The system of period-based psychological support model for athletes is a flow chart that applies the period-based psychological support model from the initiation till the termination of psychological support. CONCLUSIONS The phase of the psychological support model is expected to contribute to the enhancement of the effectiveness of psychological support by establishing a psychological support system for athletes.
PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the problems posed by the new “Health Exercise Managers” qualification system implemented in 2015 and suggest a reformation plan for the qualification definition, written test, and practical–oral test. METHODS Eleven experts working in the academia and the exercise prescription field were selected as research participants using purposive sampling method (professors=5, director of sport science division in national research and development institute=1, head of national/private organization that issue Health Exercise Managers certificates=2, and health exercise managers working at university hospitals =3). The results were collected, examined and classified following numerous discussions among the authors. RESULTS First, the qualification definition should be based on “course completion” in the short term and “department certification” in the long term. Second, the written test can be reformed by identifying the core courses related to health exercise management and merging similar or overlapped courses. Also, the grades should be calculated for each question based on the knowledge gained in related courses. Third, the practical–oral test questions should be publicly available in advance to help candidates better prepare and learn practical skills, rather than set the standards for elimination. CONCLUSIONS An overall reformation of the qualification definition, written test, and practical–oral test will solve the problems posed on the quality of the “health exercise managers” qualification system.
This study aimed to explore elite taekwondo competitors’ imagery strategies . The study participants were 10 elite taekwondo athletes, who worked for S business team. Data were collected through open-ended questionnaires and in-depth interviews. The data were collected based on Gould et al. (1992)’s proposed qualitative research method. The inductive content analysis of the imagery was conducted following the imagery type of Paivio (1985) and Suinn (1996). The law data and case of imagery were separated by three specialists. The results were as follows. First, elite taekwondo competitors generally used the types of imagery proposed by Paivio (1985) and Suinn (1996). In particular, imagery of anxiety regulation appeared with the highest frequency among factors and ordered imagery of motivation, imagery of skills, imagery of mental skills, and imagery of competition. Second, elite taekwondo competitors mainly used imagery of skills before two weeks for competition. They mainly used imagery of anxiety regulation the day before a competition. They used imagery of anxiety regulation and imagery of motivation on the day of a competition. They used imagery of motivation after the competition. In sum, elite taekwondo competitors used individual strategies in terms of imagery in order to ensure effective training and peak performance in competition. The strategy of imagery was applied differently based on the juncture of the competition.
PURPOSE This research explores the underlying mechanism that determines how people perceive their goal progress and its relation with their motivation and self-efficacy. METHODS Three hundred and sixty Koreans who participated in an online survey were given salient individual exercise goals (11 workouts), and they reported their self-efficacy, goal progress perception, and motivation. We conducted dummy variable multiple regression analysis (2 [absolute progress-low (27%) vs. high (73%)] X 2 [categorization vs. no-categorization]) and multiple moderated mediation analysis based on Process Model 7 and 21 (Hayes, 2017). RESULTS The findings showed significant interaction between categorization and absolute progress on progress perception. In low progress condition, the categorization group perceived more progress than no categorization group and contrary effect in high progress condition. For motivation, in low progress condition, categorization group was more motivated than no categorization group, and inverse effect in high progress condition. Moreover, there was no direct effect, but only low self-efficacy group played the moderating role between perceived progress and motivation in conditional indirect effect. Lastly, the result indicated significant multiple moderated mediation effect. CONCLUSIONS This research theoretically contributes to the domains of categorization and motivation. Sport marketers can utilize categorization as a strategy by breaking down yearly memberships into monthly categories based on consumers perceptions. Future research can include subsequent motivation after a superordinate goal is completed.
PURPOSE This study aimed to provide evidence for improving the working environment by exploring the phenomenon of presenteeism experienced by coaches. METHODS Ten coaches experiencing presenteeism were selected as participants of the study using the snowball sampling method, and in-depth interviews were conducted. The in-depth interviews were conducted for about 50 to 60 min using semi-structured questions organized through pre-expert meetings, and inductive content analysis was conducted. RESULTS First, the health problems that developed while coaching were categorized into two detailed areas (physical and psychological symptoms). Second, the causes of presenteeism were categorized into four general areas (policy and institutional problems, poor job environment, athlete problems, and human relations). Third, performance loss due to presenteeism was categorized into two general areas (coach-athlete relationship damage and poor training performance). Finally, coping with presenteeism was categorized into three detailed areas (private time spending, joining acquaintances, and changing training methods). CONCLUSIONS The result of this study confirmed that coaches are currently experiencing the phenomenon of presenteeism for various reasons, and the symptoms and coping method for this differ with each individual. However, the phenomenon of presenteeism experienced by coaches requires further future research since it is not easily observed and the coping method is not efficient.
PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the functional movement in rope climbing. METHODS The rope climbing experiment included 16 healthy young male participants, and the methods of hand, cross-leg, and foot-hooking climbing were employed. The muscle activity and joint range of motion were measured and analyzed using EMG (Electromyography) and IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) sensors. One-way analysis of variance was conducted (α<.05). RESULTS The activity of the forearm and biceps muscle was lower in cross-leg and foot-hooking climbing compared to hand climbing (p<.01), and the rectus femoris muscle activity in cross-leg climbing was smaller than that in hand climbing (p<.05). Furthermore, the adductor muscle activity in cross-leg climbing was higher than that of other types (p<.01). The range of motion for the elbow and shoulder flexion was smaller in hand climbing than in other types (p<.05); furthermore, the range of motion in the pelvis, thigh, and knee joint was the smallest in cross-leg climbing (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS Because the pulling muscles such as the forearm, biceps, pectoralis major, and latissimus dorsi play an important role in the entire climbing motion, it is necessary to train the upper-body pulling-muscle group along with strengthening the core and lower body muscles.
PURPOSE This study comprehensively compared the perception and interaction of player–coach in the development of mental toughness in soccer. METHODS Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews from 12 participants (6 athletes and 6 coaches), analyzed using the grounded theory by Strauss and Corbin, and they were compared to the group of athletes and coaches, respectively. RESULTS The following results were obtained: (1) Both athletes and coaches recognized that the experience of coping with the pressure present in competition was a central phenomenon in the development of mental toughness. (2) Regarding the situation and condition that lead to coping with pressure, the athletes emphasized the individual's goal orientation in the context of competitive situations and environmental conditions, while the coaches emphasized the athletic attitude toward competition and development in childhood. (3) The athlete–coach interaction was identified as an intervening condition affecting the experience of coping with pressure. (4) As the action–reaction strategy for the development of mental toughness, the optimistic thinking was emphasized for athlete and achievement-oriented thinking for coach; thus, it differed in the characteristics of mental toughness. CONCLUSIONS This study presented the results of an integrated comparison of mental toughness, which can vary depending on the contextual specificity (soccer) and the subject of perception (athlete– coach), especially indicating the importance of the player–coach interaction, which can contribute to the strategy to be used in mental toughness development.
