PURPOSE This study aims to analyze the competitive advantages of Japanese and South Korean national football teams using the value, rarity, imitability, and organization (VRIO) model. Based on the results, it proposes strategies for the development of South Korean football. METHODS The research methodology is a combination of literature review, case study, and semi-structured interviews with football experts. RESULTS The Japanese football system meets all criteria of the VRIO model through its systematic youth development system, data-driven strategies, and organizational linkage between clubs and the national team, which has led to consistent performance in international tournaments. In contrast, while South Korean football possesses excellent individual player resources, it fails to fully meet the criteria of the VRIO due to a regional imbalance in the youth system, insufficient use of data, and lack of cooperation between clubs and the national team. CONCLUSIONS The interview data indicate that strengthening the youth system, adopting a data-driven approach, and improving the collaborative structure between clubs and the national team are necessary components of the development of South Korean football. This study provides specific directions for the long-term and sustainable development of South Korean football by analyzing the strategic competitiveness of national football teams in other countries using the VRIO model.
PURPOSE This study examined the biomechanical differences in running shoes with two midsole materials, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyether block amide (PEBA), and carbon fiber plate insertion. METHODS Ten recreational runners participated in the study and performed running trials on a 12m runway at a controlled speed of 3.89 m/s ± 5%. Biomechanical data were obtained for time-continuous variables of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint (angle, moment, and power), as well as for discrete variables (push-off time, peak vertical impact force, peak anterior propulsion force, and timing of joint power transition). Data were analyzed using statistical parametric mapping for continuous data and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for discrete variables (α = .05). RESULTS Compared with no-plate conditions, the EVA sole with plate significantly reduced push-off time, MTP joint range of motion, positive joint power, and peak anterior propulsion force, with an earlier timing of joint power transition (p < .05). In contrast, the PEBA sole with plate decreased MTP joint range of motion but increased plantar flexion moment, negative joint power, and push-off time (p < .05). Furthermore, under plate-inserted conditions, PEBA significantly increased plantar flexion moment, negative joint power, and push-off time, as well as exhibited a delayed timing of joint power transition compared with EVA (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS The interaction between midsole material and plate insertion causes complex variations in MTP joint energy management. Specifically, EVA shoes with a plate may facilitate rapid roll-off and promote swift turnover, thereby enhancing acceleration. In contrast, PEBA shoes with a plate may promote prolonged energy absorption, which could potentially reduce joint fatigue during long-distance running.
PURPOSE This study investigated the perceptions and experiences of collegiate student-athletes with mental health concerns who are receiving sport psychology services. METHODS A total of 196 college student-athletes (98 male, 98 female) were recruited for the quantitative phase, while 14 athletes from 7 sports participated in the qualitative phase. This integrated approach sought to provide a comprehensive perspective on the research subject. The quantitative participants answered scales for depression (CES-D), anxiety (GAD-7), social support (NCAA RSSS), and mental help-seeking attitude (MHSAS), and the qualitative participants underwent in-depth interviews using a semistructured questionnaire based on a socioecological model. Quantitative data were examined using confirmatory factor analysis, reliability measures, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance via SPSS 28.0 and AMOS 28.0, and qualitative data were inspected through content analysis and expert meetings. RESULTS First, higher levels of depression, anxiety, and perceived social support were reported by female athletes as opposed to male athletes. Second, athletes in individual sports reported higher levels of social support than those in team sports. Third, athletes who planned to undergo future psychological counseling reported higher anxiety, social support, and helping attitudes than those with no plans to do so. Fourth, athletes who slept for more than seven hours reported lower levels of depression and anxiety and higher levels of perceived social support than those who slept for six hours or less. Fifth, freshman athletes reported higher depression levels than sophomore athletes. Sixth, student-athletes with no scholarships had higher anxiety levels than those with partial scholarships, who then reported higher perceived social support than those with full scholarships. Seventh, a lack of accessibility was the primary barrier to psychological service access for student-athletes. Eighth, engagement in interpersonal relationships was identified as a major stressor among student-athletes. CONCLUSIONS Differences in collegiate student-athletes’ mental health status as well as perceptions of and experiences in sport psychology services depend on various factors. These findings may serve as foundational data for improving sport psychology support services for collegiate student-athletes.
PURPOSE This study examines organizational autonomy through a public sports governance lens and diverse theoretical perspectives by discussing the longstanding conflicts between the Korea Sports Council and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) in the context of the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee’s (KSOC) reorientation under President Ryu Seung-min in 2025. METHODS This research adopted Verhoest et al.’s (2004) analytical framework of organizational autonomy to perform a comprehensive literature review that includes scholarly articles, government reports, public institution disclosure documents, and media sources. Expert meetings were also conducted using the naturalistic inquiry method to gather opinions. RESULTS First, this study redefined sport governance as a collaborative partnership between the government and public sport organizations rather than being based merely on traditional government-centric control. Second, public sport organizations’ organizational autonomy has five dimensions: managerial, structural, legal, interventional, and financial autonomy. Third, the KSOC shows high structural and legal autonomy, moderate managerial and interventional autonomy, and low financial autonomy. Fourth, the KSOC’s unique organizational attributes and history allow it to maintain a relatively higher autonomy compared with other public organizations. CONCLUSIONS Amid ongoing debate over its autonomy and independence, the KSOC must balance autonomy with accountability and foster stronger collaborative relations with the MCST to reassert its foundational mission as a public sport organization and help develop stronger and more effective public sport governance.
[Purpose] This study evaluated the predictive power of Body Mass Index (BMI) for metabolic syndrome in older adults across pre-, during-, and post-COVID-19 periods, and examined the effects of metabolic syndrome factors on BMI by income level, aiming to inform elderly health management and crisis-related policies. [Methods] Data from 6,242 older adults (aged 65–80) were drawn from the 2019–2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Income was divided into quartiles, and time was segmented into pre-, during-, and post-pandemic periods. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the effects of metabolic syndrome factors (diabetes, abdominal obesity, low HDL, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia) on BMI by income and period. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis evaluated BMI’s predictive power for metabolic syndrome. Significance was set at .05. [Results] Abdominal obesity and low HDL consistently influenced BMI across all groups. In the lowest income group, hypertension increasingly affected BMI during and after the pandemic. BMI Area Under the Curve (AUC) values peaked during the pandemic in this group, while the highest income group showed stable predictive power. [Conclusion] The COVID-19 pandemic had a differential impact on the association between BMI and metabolic syndrome among older adults according to income level. In low-income older adults, the predictive power of BMI for metabolic syndrome increased during the mid-pandemic period, while it remained stable across all periods in high-income groups. Systematic health management programs and policy interventions targeting low-income older adults are required to reduce health disparities during public health crises.
PURPOSE This study aimed to develop and implement a customized mental plan program to facilitate an optimal psychological state and peak performance among para shooting athletes. It also sought to empirically verify this program’s psychological effects by focusing on improvements in concentration, confidence, and relaxation. METHODS A total of six para shooting athletes who had earned medals in the Paralympic Games underwent six program sessions that were designed and implemented based on attention-related psychological factors identified through open-ended surveys and in-depth interviews. RESULTS The athletes’ attention was facilitated by task-focused behavior, breathing control, performance routines, and physical condition management. Meanwhile, their concentration was hindered by task-irrelevant thoughts, negative physical states, and external distractions. These factors were further categorized according to competition phase: the day before, precompetition, and during competition. Based on the statistical analysis, significant improvements were observed in the athletes’ concentration, confidence, and relaxation. CONCLUSIONS The custom program was practically effective as an intervention for psychological skills tailored to experienced para shooting athletes’ individual needs. The findings offer valuable insights for developing strategies supporting the psychological states of athletes in disabled sports.
PURPOSE This study aims to verify the reliability of a newly developed augmented reality (AR)-based agility measurement method by comparing its outcomes with those of conventional agility tests. METHODS The participants were 12 middle and high school weightlifting athletes. To assess the reliability between the initial field test and the subsequent AR-based test, a dependent t-test and correlation analysis were conducted for three variables: side-step (count), color catch (count), and color catch (average reaction time). RESULTS First, significant correlations were observed between the field and AR-based measurements for side-step (count), color catch (count), and color catch (reaction time), confirming the reliability of the AR-based method. Second, no significant difference was found between side-step (count) and AR side-step (count) (t = 1.910), indicating consistency between the two methods. Third, a significant difference was found between color catch (count) and AR color catch (count) (t = 4.750), suggesting lower consistency in this variable. Fourth, no significant difference was observed between color catch (average reaction time) and AR color catch (average reaction time) (t = 2.100), and the significant correlation coefficient (.579) further supports their consistency. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that the newly developed AR-based agility measurement method yields reliable data and has practical applicability for sports performance assessment and training in field settings.
PURPOSE This study reviews the operational status of the four courses that comprise the 'International Referee Development Program' in 2022 and 2023, analyzes participant satisfaction and feedback, and derives policy implications for the program’s future direction from the perspective of its operators. METHODS To achieve the study objectives, a literature review was conducted, survey items were developed, and expert meetings were held. RESULTS The four sub-courses within the 'International Referee Development Program' were analyzed by comparing modifications made between 2022 and 2023, evaluating satisfaction survey results, and identifying operational improvements. From the operators’ perspective, the study emphasized the urgency of conducting a comprehensive review of the scope of sports included in the referee development program, establishing clear evaluation criteria for selecting and monitoring focus areas, enforcing sanctions for dropouts under the current format and maximizing outcomes through long-term support. CONCLUSIONS It is expected that by establishing more macro-level and practical key performance indicators (KPIs) under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Organization, the program’s continuity and direction will be maintained, even in the event of changes in responsible personnel.
PURPOSE With participants in recreational sports clubs, this study clarified positive psychological capital’s mediating effect on the relationship between exercise commitment and perceived stress. METHODS A survey conducted with individuals actively engaged in recreational sports a yielded data for statistical analysis from 296 respondents. Data processing involved frequency analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and testing for mediating effects using the SPSS 29.0 and AMOS 29.0 programs. RESULTS First, results showed that exercise commitment did not significantly impact perceived stress. Second, exercise commitment positively influenced positive psychological capital. Third, positive psychological capital negatively impacted perceived stress. Fourth, positive psychological capital mediated completely between exercise commitment and perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS This research encourages participation in physical activities, especially among those with low physical activity levels, because it positively affects both physical and mental well-being, ultimately enhancing social benefits and overall quality of life.
PURPOSE This study both validated the Characteristics of Resilience in Sports Teams Inventory (CREST) scale for use in Korean sports and analyzed the impact of team resilience on teamwork and performance. METHODS The study surveyed 462 elite football players by using the CREST scale to measure team resilience in Korean sports. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), reliability analysis, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). RESULTS First, results confirmed that the CREST scale’s two main factors—resilient characteristics and vulnerabilities under pressure—can be meaningfully applied in the Korean context. Second, resilient characteristics showed positive correlation with life skills, whereas vulnerabilities under pressure showed negative correlation. Third, resilient characteristics positively predicted life skills, whereas vulnerabilities under pressure negatively affected life skills. CONCLUSIONS The CREST scale was found reliable and valid in the Korean sports context, demonstrating that team resilience significantly impacts life skills. Thus, the study contributes to evaluation of resilience in Korean sports teams and provides strategicinsights to improve team performance.
