This article analyzes and compares the methodologies used in physical activity participation surveys from England, Australia, and South Korea. Specifically, it examines the “2021–22 Active Lives Adult Survey” from England, the “2021–22 AusPlay (15+)” from Australia, and the “2022 National Sports Participation Survey” from South Korea, highlighting both similarities and differences in their approaches. The analysis led to two key insights. First, there is a need to expand the scope of respondents in South Korea’s National Sports Participation Survey. Currently, the survey targets only 0.02% of the population aged ≥10 years, whereas the surveys in England and Australia gather data from a wider age range and more diverse regions. Therefore, South Korea should adopt online, postal, and mobile survey methods to widen the respondent pool and enhance the representativeness and reliability of the data collected. Second, South Korea needs to update its physical activity participation standards. The current benchmarks fall below international recommendations. Establishing new criteria that specify activity duration, intensity, and type is essential for effectively improving public health policies. The results of this study emphasize the importance of accurately assessing and enhancing physical activity participation in South Korea. These findings are expected to contribute to the development of effective sports policy standards in line with the World Health Organization’s global action plan.
PURPOSE This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of clubbell and stepbox training on physical fitness, badminton skills, and fatigue in male badminton, grade A (top grade) club members aged 20–30s, with over 5 years’ experience. METHODS Participants in a training group (TR: n=15) engaged in 12 weeks of clubbell and stepbox circuit training involving maximum 8–12 reps of clubbell exercises and stepbox exercises at over 77% of HRmax for 50–55 min/sessions three times a week. Participants in a control group (CON: n=15) maintained their normal lifestyle pattern during the same intervention period. Dependent variables were measured and compared using repeated measures two-way ANOVA. RESULTS The main results were as follows: 1) The groups showed no significant differences in body composition. 2) Regarding physical fitness, VO2max, relative peak power, relative average power, grip strength, push ups, repeated jump squats, SSPT (seated single-arm shot-put test), 10 m sprint, and hexagon agility increased significantly in the TR, while push ups decreased significantly in the CON. 3) As for badminton skills, forehand clear accuracy, badminton agility, badminton endurance, and smash speed increased significantly in the TR. Forehand clear accuracy decreased significantly in the CON, but badminton agility and smash speed increased significantly. 4) The groups showed no significant differences in fatigue. CONCLUSIONS In male badminton club members aged 20–30s, 12 weeks of clubbell and stepbox circuit training effectively improved physical fitness and badminton skills. However, lack of any improvement in body composition and fatigue warranted further research in these areas.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to provide information for improving the performance and skills of 500 m speed skaters by analyzing the kinematic and kinetic changes in their slide board movements over time. METHODS The subjects were 10 male short-distance skaters in their 20s to 30s who were registered as professional athletes with the Korea Sports Council. The changes in joint angle, joint moment, and joint power over time in the subjects’ slide board motion were measured and analyzed. RESULTS It was found that during phase 2 of the skater’s slide board movement, there was an increase in plantar flexion and a decrease in flexion of the lower extremity joint and extension of the knee and hip joint, with decrease in positive power of the knee joint. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study are expected to provide practical information to skating coaches and athletes by quantifying the biomechanical factors observed over time during slide board movements. In addition, this study is expected to contribute to the field of speed skating by presenting scientific training methods and proposing new analysis techniques to improve performance in the future.
PURPOSE This study assessed Taekwondo’s impact on functional fitness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older women from South Korean multicultural families. METHODS Through purposive sampling, 16 participants were divided into an experimental group that underwent a 12-week Taekwondo training program and a control group without this intervention. RESULTS Pre- and post-intervention assessments showed that the Taekwondo group experienced significant improvements in both functional fitness and HRQoL. These findings suggest that Taekwondo could be an effective physical activity for enhancing the well-being of older women in multicultural families, advocating for inclusion of culturally sensitive physical activities in health promotion programs targeting this demographic. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting physical activity’s benefits for elderly populations, particularly in multicultural family dynamics.
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 This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise on body composition, resting metabolic rate, and blood lipid profile in normal-weight obese women. METHODS The participants in the study were normal-weight obese women in their 20’s, divided into moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise (VIAE) groups. Aerobic exercise was performed three times a week for 8 weeks. To verify the exercise effect, pre- and post- body composition, resting metabolic rate, and blood lipid profile were analyzed. RESULTS Weight and body fat decreased in both groups, and lean body mass and resting metabolic rate increased in the VIAE group. Blood TC, TG, and LDL-C decreased in both groups and HDL-C increased in the VIAE group. CONCLUSIONS In normal-weight obese women, vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise is more effective than moderate intensity aerobic exercise for improving body composition, resting metabolic rate and blood lipid profile.
PURPOSE This study aimed to present the measures necessary to perform well in tennis clubs by examining the adaptation process of the MZ generation participating in tennis clubs. METHODS A qualitative case study was performed and data was collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, and literature surveys. The data were analyzed by applying pattern matching among the analysis methods proposed by Yin (2014), and the reliability and validity of the study were demonstrated by consultations between colleagues, reviewing members, and comparing and analyzing previous studies. The study participants were seven MZ generation tennis club participants selected through snowball sampling (one of the non-probability samples). RESULTS Achieving a level of skill that allows for compatibility and the effort required for it, the acceptance of differences in club culture and between generations, having the etiquette necessary for Generation MZ, and falling for the charm of tennis itself were identified as factors for successful participation in tennis clubs. CONCLUSIONS This study is expected to help the MZ generation, who have recently been interested in tennis, continue their participation, as well as lay a small foundation for the expansion of the base of the sport by detailing the measures necessary to successfully participate in tennis clubs.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of the student-athlete and student peer mentoring program as a collegiate class. METHODS The peer mentoring program, conducted at A University in the first semester of the 2023 school year, was evaluated using practical action research (Zuber-Skeritt, 1996). RESULTS In the introduction stage, ‘relative and absolute evaluation’, ‘member ratio’, and ‘definition of professor role’ were categorized as challenge issues. In the progress stage, ‘de-formalized lecture method’, ‘student athlete’s coaching experience’, and ‘student’s experience of football culture’ were discovered as possibilities, while ‘vacancy and absence of mentor-mentee’, ‘limited group activities and limitations of team sports’, and ‘lack of objective evaluation’ required improvement. At the end stage, student-athletes experienced changes in values such as self-identity, football, and human relationships, as well as quantitative and qualitative changes in sports participation. CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed the potential of the peer mentoring program as a collegiate class as well as its practical significance for guaranteeing student-athletes' learning rights and for forming sports culture on collegiate campuses.
PURPOSE This study investigated the differences in plantar pressure distribution when using three breathing techniques during heel raises. METHODS The subjects were 29 professional dancers aged 20 to 30 years with more than 10 years of experience. Pressure distribution according to breathing method during heel raise was measured for 10 seconds while controlling the raise speed and gaze. The three breathing techniques were randomly ordered. Peak pressure, contact area and time, displacement, and absolute velocity of the center of pressure trajectory were measured using Emed®-le from Novel GMBH. Plantar pressure was analyzed by dividing it into a total of 12 areas (masks): five toes, five metatarsals, the midfoot, and the hindfoot. RESULTS Using the teeth occlusion breathing technique, the peak pressure on the first metatarsal was significantly reduced, the contact time of the second metatarsal was significantly longer, and the displacement of the center of pressure trajectory was significantly shorter. Additionally, during the phase of the forefoot retainer, the velocity of the center of pressure trajectory was significantly reduced. CONCLUSIONS The teeth occlusion technique reduces peak pressure, increases contact time and area, and decreases the displacement and velocity of the center of pressure trajectory, demonstrating an efficient method for maintaining balance in ballet movements. This technique can potentially enhance stability and prevent injuries in ballet dancers.
PURPOSE This study analyzed the difference in lower extremity joint angle and shock absorption patterns at the point of maximum ground reaction force during single-leg drop landing with or without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). METHODS Forty adult males were recruited for this study, with 19 in the ACLR group (age: 20.52±1.43years, height: 179.26±5.18cm, weight: 74.91±6.29kg) and 21 in the control group (age: 21.42±1.61years, height: 174.97±6.83cm, weight: 69.27±7.56kg). Participants performed single-leg landings on a 30cm tall box. An independent sample t-test was used to analyze the difference in kinetics variables at the point of maximum ground reaction force upon landing, with significance set at p=0.05. RESULTS The lower limb joint angle showed significant differences in hip flexion, hip abduction, knee flexion, and knee valgus (p<0.05) between groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the results of kinetics variables during single-leg landing (maximum ground reaction force, lower extremity stiffness, and shock absorption time). CONCLUSIONS The ACLR group showed a clear difference in kinematics compared to the control group, but no significant difference in kinetic results was found. The two groups compensated for the same impact with different movements, though movements in the ACLR group may increase the risk of ACL re-injury. Those with ACLR should strive to reduce the risk of re-injury by training to use correct movements.
