PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the effects of an 8-week gluteus medius strengthening exercise on back pain, balance, and strength in female office workers with low back pain. METHODS The participants of this study were female office workers aged 30 to 48 years old who reported low back pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 3 to 7. Twenty-six participants were randomly assigned to the exercise (n=13) and control (n=13) groups. The study applied a gluteus medius strengthening program to the exercise group for 8 weeks, three times a week, and 60 minutes per session. The participants in the control group were asked to maintain their normal life patterns during the period of intervention. Data collected from the test were analyzed through repeated two-way ANOVA, paired t-test, and independent t-test. RESULTS First, there has been a significant decrease in the pain level, as evidenced by VAS and Korean oswestry disability index (KODI) scores. Second, there was a statistically significant improvement in both static and dynamic balance capabilities. Last, back strength also significantly improved. CONCLUSIONS Application of the gluteus medius strengthening exercise appears to be effective for low back pain, static and dynamic balance capabilities, and back strength.
PURPOSE This study examined whether K-league fans’ responses to game outcomes align with reference-dependent preference and loss aversion principles. METHODS We collected user comments from the 2023 K-league game highlights videos on YouTube. We identified each user’s supporting team and excluded neutral fans’ comments. Sentiment analysis using KoBERT was applied, and estimated sentiment scores served as dependent variables. We performed panel regression to test whether unexpected wins and losses generate positive and negative comments. RESULTS First, an unexpected win generates more positive comments, and an unexpected loss generates more negative comments; a reference-dependent preference exists. Second, the difference between the coefficient on upset win and the absolute value of the coefficient on upset loss is not statistically different; loss aversion does not exist. CONCLUSIONS The findings derive a deeper understanding of sports viewership and explain the difference between domestic and overseas sports fans. Also, the findings provide insights into the domestic professional sports business.
PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the difficult realities, unresolved problems, and policy proposals of disability sports in Korea through the disability sports movies <Mal-aton> and <Glove>. METHODS We conducted a textual analysis from the perspective of critical theory. RESULTS The problems of Korean disabled sports revealed in the films <Mal-aton> and <Glove> could be cattegorized into three major issues: 'incorrect prejudice and indifference' of non-disabled people that disabled people will not be able to enjoy sports; 'sports facilities' where non-disabled people are prioritized and disabled people are marginalized, and the 'absence of sports facilities' specialized for disabled people; and the 'lack of leaders' who correctly understand the characteristics of the disabled. These have been pointed out as causes that keep them away from the natural right to enjoy sports. CONCLUSIONS The films <Mal-aton> (2005) and <Glove> (2011) were made based on true stories, and despite the fact that more than 10 years have passed since they were made, it remains a sad reality that the problems of Korean disabled sports shown in the films remain unresolved. Improvement measures in various aspects are required to promote sports for the disabled from the perspective of lifelong and adapted sports, such as media education and publicity that can eliminate misunderstanding and prejudice against people with disabilities, building sports facilities tailored to the disabled, and improving the treatment of sports instructors for the disabled.
PURPOSE This study aims to investigate the effects of a 12-week equipment-based Pilates training on physical fitness, cardiovascular function, and vascular endothelial function in obese middle-aged women. METHODS Twenty-four women, aged 30-40 years with a body mass index ≥ 25 and percent body fat ≥ 30% were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the Pilates training group (TR; n=12); and control group (CON; n=12). The TR participants underwent three 50-minute equipmentbased Pilates training sessions per week for 12 weeks. Participants in the CON maintained their normal life patterns for the same intervention period. Variables regarding physical fitness, cardiovascular function, and vascular endothelial function were measured and compared pre-test and post-test u a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. RESULTS The main results of the study were as follows: 1) Regarding physique and body composition, participants’ body weight, body mass index, fat mass, percent body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio decreased significantly in the TR. 2) Regarding physical fitness, muscle strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory endurance increased significantly in the TR. 3) Regarding cardiovascular response, SV increased significantly in the TR. 4) Regarding vascular endothelial function, blood vessel diameter at rest and during vasodilation as well as blood flow volume during vasodilation decreased significantly in the CON, resulting in a significant interaction between group and test in FMD percentage. CONCLUSIONS It was concluded that the 12-week equipment-based Pilates program improved the physical fitness and vascular endothelial function in obese middle-aged women.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect size of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) in the sports field using a meta-analysis. METHODS After identifying related studies by using RISS, 22 articles were selected and used to analyze the relationship between UTAUT sub-factors (performance expectancy [PE], effort expectancy [EE], social influence [SI], and facilitating conditions [FC]) and intention to use via the comprehensive meta-analysis program. RESULTS The results are as follows: First, the effect size between PE and intention to use was 0.521. Second, the effect size between FC and intention to use was 0.514. Third, the effect size between EE and intention to use was 0.500. Finally, the effect size between SI and intention to use was 0.475. CONCLUSIONS Diverse strategies can be derived to increase consumers' intention to use in the sports field using the UTAUT model.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to identify a sport-specific assessment for elite race walking athletes by comparing physiological responses to different types of walking graded exercise test (GTX) protocols. METHODS Six elite race walking athletes completed two types of walking protocols in a randomized crossover design with 1 week of interval between trials. Exercise time, oxygen uptake (VO2), ventilation (VE), and heart rate (HR) were measured in each trial; the lactate level was measured during the recovery period. RESULTS VO2, VE, and HR differed significantly between the trials (p<.01~.05). Exercise time (p<.01) and VO2 (p<.05) differed significantly between the walking protocols; however, VE and HR did not differ significantly. During the recovery period, lactate levels differed significantly between the trials (p<.01), but not the walking protocol. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that modified walking GXT protocols were appropriate to assess elite race walking athletes.
PURPOSE This study investigates the effectiveness of biomechanics information on intermediate golfers driver swing learning. It analyzes changes in center of pressure (COP) patterns, GRF Direction Inclination, driver performance, and learners psychological responses to determine the learning effects. METHODS Subjects were 32 right-handed male golfers (handicap 15-23) who had no difficulty in performing the golf driver swing (Full swing). Four groups were selected, BF (Biomechanics Feedback group), BVC (Biomechanics Verbal Cue group), CB (Combination group), and CT (Control group), and assigned randomly. Driver swing learning showed results after 6 weeks,and a transfer test was conducted 1 week after the completion of the learning. RESULTS Analysis of COP patterns and GRF Direction Inclination indicated changes in the BF, BVC, and CB groups. Furthermore, analysis of driver distance (m), club head speed (km/h), and ball spin rate (rpm) revealed that during the 6-week acquisition phase, all three groups (excluding the control group) showed improvements in driver distance, club head speed, and ball spin rate. However, there were no statistically significant differences among the groups. In contrast, the transfer test showed statistically significant differences among the groups, with the CB group exhibiting the highest driver distance. Learners' psychological responses during the learning process were trust, understanding, and satisfaction. The understanding factor was relatively higher in the CB and BVC groups compared to the BF group. CONCLUSIONS In summary, biomechanics information (BI) was effective in improving driver performance, and changesappeared in the COP pattern and GRF Direction Inclination, indicating a change in movement. Therefore, BI can be fully utilized for athletes or high-level advanced players and for motor learning for intermediate-level students.However, BI can only improve learning effects by strengthening learners' “understanding” when visual feedback forms and verbal cues are provided together.
PURPOSE This study explores injury attributions accepted by serious football participants, specifically intermediate and advanced players. METHODS Utilizing Q methodology, 25 Q-samples and 33 P-samples were selected, and Q-classification was conducted. Principal component factor analysis through the PQ method (vers. 2.35) was employed for data analysis, and types were interpreted and named based on the Q-sample with a Z-score of ±1.0 or higher. RESULTS Results categorized injury attributions accepted by the participants into four types: 'Type I: Facility/ Human Resource Responsibility Type,” 'Type II: Luck/Other Responsibility Type,” 'Type III: Self Responsibility Type,” and 'Type IV: Insufficient Safety Education.” This study provided academic and policy discussions by reclassifying four types according to their internal and external location and controllability. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study emphasizes the relevance of all four types of injury attribution to policy considerations. Ensuring participants' right to participate in safe and enjoyable sports requires addressing facilities/human resources, education, and insurance as major policy components of sports safety.
PURPOSE This study presents policy implications drawn from a factual survey on the sports services industry in Korea, aiming to understand its current status and provide systematic support for high growth sectors. METHODS The research involved 600 companies across 18 sports service industry sectors, with growth potential assessed using standardized Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) scores based on indicators such as the number of businesses, employees, sales, business productivity, and labor productivity. RESULTS Results revealed that high-growth sectors were more prominent in the Incheon/Gyeonggi regions, while general sectors showed higher proportions in the Seoul area. Satisfaction with government support programs was above average in high-growth sectors, contrasting with lower satisfaction in general sectors, depending on the criteria. Both high-growth and general sectors faced difficulty securing liquid assets, expressing expectations for government financial support, such as expanded loans. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, a policy for achieving regional balance for sports service industries concentrated in the metropolitan area and differentiation in regional sports service industries is necessary. Through a paradigm shift in business support, the competitiveness of the sports services industry can be enhanced, and comprehensive policies for the domestic sports service industry must be formulated.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to analyze the biomechanical variables involved in ballet dancers’ ankle muscle imbalance when performing relevé movements. METHODS The subjects of this study (n=14, age: 22.29±1.73 years old, height: 161.4±5.06cm, weight: 51.88±7.51kg) were 14 ballet dancers with 9 years of experience. Based on the reciprocal muscle strength ratio, the dancers were divided into the following groups: Close to the normal value (RMIS) and far from the normal value (RMIB) using the maximum values of plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle joint using an isokinetic measurement equipment (60°/sec). RMIB). The biomechanical variables, namely the ankle joint movement and ground reaction force, were subsequently measured. SPSS 26.0 was used for data analysis and independent t-test was used for statistical verification. RESULTS The ground reaction force in the Z (vertical) direction based on the ankle joint muscle strength imbalance of ballet dancers was significantly lower in the RMIB group. In addition, although it was not a statistically significant difference, the plantar flexion movement was lower in the RMIB group, and there was a significant difference in the generation of ankle joint movement in the Z direction. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, in order for a ballet dancer to efficiently utilize the force generated from the supporting leg when performing a movement, ankle imbalance must be taken into consideration when training.
