PURPOSE This study aimed to compare body composition, physical fitness, maximum muscle strength, and blood lactate concentration according to the level of aerobic capacity in Keirin cyclists. METHODS Forty-four Keirin cyclists participated in this study and were divided into three groups: the top 20% VO2max group (TG, n=9), the middle 20% VO2max group (MG, n=9), and the low 20% VO2max group (LG, n=9). The study measured body composition, physical fitness, maximum muscle strength, and blood lactate concentration in Keirin cyclists. Differences between groups were determined using one-way ANOVA analysis. RESULTS Body weight, percentage of body fat, and body mass index were significantly higher in the LG than in the TG and MG. The vertical jump and maximum muscle strength were significantly higher in the TG and MG than in the LG. Additionally, blood lactate concentrations immediately after exhaustive exercise and during the 5-minute recovery periods were higher in the LG than in the TG and MG. Moreover, the time to exhaustion, HRmax and maximum power were the highest in the TG. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest new information that levels of aerobic capacity in male Keirin cyclists might be a crucial predictor of cycling performance and recovery ability.
Purpose The aim of this study was to provide athletes and coaches on informations and benefits of a taper through evidence-based scientific studies and literatures in order to optimize an athlete’s top performance for the major competition. Methods Studies and literatures search was conducted using the databases RISS, KISS, SPORTDiscuss. Key words searched: taper AND(competition, OR performance, OR training, OR training). This study were eventually cited by 22 articles for results of this in total 100 articles. Results The training load is remarkably reduced during a taper. With a reduced training load, training intensity should be maintained during the taper. The training load reductions during the taper should be programmed with reducing training volume at 41% to 60% of pretaper training. The reduction of training frequency during a taper means that affect moderately trained athletes and highly trained subjects differently, reducing 30% to 50% of pretaper training and maintaining training frequencies, respectively. Detraining the duration of a taper is not easy. Most athletes is beneficial from a 2-week shorter or longer tapers, depending on their individual profiles of fitness loss, fatigue dissipation, and anxiety. The manipulations of this training program variables usually affect for most athletes and maximal performance gains. Conclusion Training intensity should be maintained during the taper, training volume reductions should be programmed at 41% to 60% of pretaper training. The reduction of training frequency could be reduced 30% to 50% of pretaper training, and most athletes is beneficial from a 2-week shorter or longer tapers. Future researches should be conducted the practical & effectual differences in individual and teamed-based sports after a taper procedure.
Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify the negative effects of long-term exercise (training and competition) suspension of male elite athletes due to compulsory military service on athletic performance, and to provide a basis for enhancing the importance of providing support systems and social conditions for maintaining athletic performance. Methods In this study, 17,418 male athletes aged 18 to 21 who were registered as athletes for the Korean Sports & Olympic Committee from 2003 to 2005 were enrolled. The athlete registration data includes information about the athlete's gender, age, sport and affiliation. According to the continuity of registration and belonging information, the compulsory military service type was classified into a manipulator. According to the form of Compulsory military service performed by male elite athletes, the return rate was confirmed and the career (year) was calculated. Results As a result of the survey, 12.49% of the athletes who served as general soldiers returned to the athletes after compulsory military service, showing a relatively low return rate compared to 78.91% of the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, 76.55% of the National Police Agency's sports team, and 71.43% of the social service. Also, Athletes who served as general soldiers had a career of 2.46 years (± 1.94), while the Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps was 10.21 years (± 3.58), the National Police Agency's sports team was 9.45 years (± 3.26), and the social service was 5.86 years (± 4.06), The exemption was 11.08 years (± 2.27), and the compulsory military service exception was 9.79 years (± 5.55). Conclusions Male elite athletes' decrease in athletic performance after compulsory military service is a natural result, as confirmed through the results of this study, and it is necessary to seek a support system between compulsory military service to maintain athletic performance.
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 purpose of this study was to explore and confirm Kumi-kata related factors of muscle strength by performance level in Korea elite female judoists. In order to achieve this purpose, 14 elite female judoists participated to this study. The subjects were divided to two groups (World Class Group and Non-World Class Group) according to their world ranking level(by ranked 30th). The analysis factors were repeated grip strength, Kumi-kata specific pulling strength and isokinetic strength of trunk joint. The results were as follows: Firstly, World Class Group had significantly higher repeated grip strength as compared to non-world class group (p<.001). Secondly, World Class Group had significantly higher specific Kumi-kata pulling strength as compare to non-world class group (p<.05). Finally, The differences between the two groups for isokinetic strength of trunk joint were non-significant. The results of this study indicates that a strong relationship exist between Kumi-kata related specific muscle strength and performance level in korea elite female judoists.
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 This study aimed to examine the effect of acute tart cherry juice intake on recovery after intermittent exercise in female field hockey athletes. METHODS Sixteen university female field hockey athletes were studied for a total of 3 days. The cohort was divided into 2 groups, placebo group (n=8, PLA) and the tart cherry juice group (n=8, TCJ), Each supplement was consumed 5 times over 48 hours. On the first day of the study, venous blood was collected before the test, and physical fitness variables (20m sprint, 5-0-5 agility, and Countermovement jump) were performed twice before and after the Yo-Yo Intermediate recovery test 1 to determine the degree of muscle damage and recovery of physical fitness factors. After all tests on Day 1, supplements (PLA, TCJ) were taken. After 24 hours, venous blood collection was performed, and after 48 hours, venous blood collection and physical element variables were measured to verify the effectiveness of tart cherry juice. RESULTS In the TCJ group, a significant effect was found over time in the 5-0-5 ability among the fitness variable items (p<.001) In Countermovement jump (CMJ), there was a significant effect over group and time (p<.001). Second, significant effects over group and time were shown in Interlukin-6 (IL-6) among variable items related to muscle damage and inflammation through venous blood collection (p<.05) and LDH (p<.001), and CK (p<.01) showed a tendency to decrease with time. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that acute tart cherry juice intake after intermittent exercise tends to reduce muscle damage and inflammation-related variables in female field hockey players, which could help them recover quickly, especially after hectic game schedules.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to find out the physical characteristics of Wushu athletes by comparing the differences on the results of physical fitness between the male athletes of the Wushu national team Taolu and the Sanda group. Methods Measurement of basic and professional fitness based on muscle function, targeting 37 men Wushu national team players (24 taolu, 13 Sanda) in the selection and evaluation contests twice in 2018 and 2019. Body composition, isometric muscle strength, flexibility and equilibrium, anaerobic power, and isokinetic muscle strength. The fitness factors were divided into two groups, Taolu and Sanda. Results First, body fat rate of the Sanda athlete group was significantly lower than that of the taolu athlete group (p<.01). Second, in the isometric muscle strength category(back muscle strength, grip strength), the Sanda athlete group had higher muscle strength than Taolu athlete group, but there was a statistically significant difference only in the left grip strength (p<.01). Third, in terms of flexibility and equilibrium, the taolu players were significantly higher in all items(p<.001). Fourth, in the anaerobic power, the taolu athlete group had higher both the peak power and the mean power, and there were a significant differences(peak power: p<.01, mean power: p<.001). Fifth, isokinetic muscle strength was significantly higher in the right knee flexion of the taolu athlete group (p<.01), and lumbar extensor muscle was significantly higher in the Sanda athlete group (p<.05). Sixth, in the isokinetic strength ratio, the knee flexion ratio of the Sanda athlete group were significantly higher on the left and right knee flexion and extensor ratios (p<.05). In addition, in the lumbar flexor and extensor ratios, the group of Sanda athlete group were significantly higher on the lumbar extensor(p<.05). Seventh, there was no significant difference between two groups in isokinetic muscle power. Conclusions The results of this study can be used as basic data to improve the efficiency of technical and physical training through the analysis of the characteristics of Taolu and Sanda. The effectiveness of this training will help to improve the performance.
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.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of happiness improvement program on psychological variables which were happiness feeling, self-esteem, interpersonal relationship, internal-external locus of control, stress, coping, perceived performance and physiological variables such as cortisol and serotonin of collegiate badminton players. The participants consisted of 10 collegiate badminton players. Happiness improvement program for collegiate badminton players was developed by previous literatures, in-depth-interview, psychological test data, and consultation of happiness improvement experts. The happiness improvement program consisted of 12 intervention program: orientation, rapport development and the understanding happiness, self-esteem enhancement techniques, interpersonal relationship strategies, stress and coping management, peak performance methods, and action plan of happiness improvement program. Each program was applied to participants in about 90-120 minute a session(2-3 times session a week). The instruments of this study were made up of three broad categories: (a) psychological data, b) physiological data, and (c) qualitative data. Firstly, happiness improvement program significantly increased happiness feeling, self-esteem, internal-external locus of control, interpersonal relationship capability, coping skills of collegiate badminton players. Secondly, happiness improvement program significantly decreased stress of collegiate badminton players. Thirdly, participants positively perceived the effects of happiness improvement program on psycho-physiological variables. The limitations of this study and future implications were discussed.
