ISSN : 1598-2920
PURPOSE The purpose of this review was to summarize the current knowledge on the trends in athletes’ health problems (and their preventive strategies) caused by low energy availability (LEA) and relative energy deficiency in sports (RED-S). METHODS In this narrative review, we summarized previous studies by searching the literature in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases. RESULTS Energy availability (EA) refers to the amount of energy from caloric intake used for exercise, and a LEA is considered as a surrogate marker of RED-S. In several previous studies, chronic low energy availability in female athletes has been reported to cause health problems such as endocrine dysfunctions, immunosuppression, and psychological disorders, and to also affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPC) axis and bone health. Moreover, it has been suggested that an increase in injury risk and a decrease in exercise performance may occur. CONCLUSIONS Since it can be difficult to recover from the health deteriorations caused by RED-S, early detection (of related signs and symptoms) and prevention are very important. Therefore, athletes, coaches, and parents need to develop educational programs that ease the recognition of the problems caused by various symptoms related to RED-S and promote educational interventions.
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the effects of trunk stabilization exercise (TSE) with abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM) that lasted for 8 weeks on postural stability and functional movement in college athletes. METHODS Twenty college athletes participated in the program (AEM=9, Control=11) and were subjected to 8-week TSE. The AEM group performed exercise by applying AEM techniques during TSE, and control group performed TSE without breathing-related instructions. Both groups measured postural stability with lower-quarter Y-balance test (LQYBT) and functional movement with functional movement screen (FMS) before and after applying TSE to verify the interaction before and after this study with the two groups. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was performed to evaluate the differences between groups and time for an absolute value of LQYBT and FMS, followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison tests for post-hoc analysis. RESULTS As a result of the left and right LQYBT, there was a significant difference between the time x group (p=.041, p=.033), and post-hoc analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between the AEM and control groups (p=.000, p=,000). Furthermore, the FMS total score indicated that there was a significant difference between the time × group (p=.039), and the post-hoc analysis showed the AEM group had significant results (p=.001), while there were no significant results in the control group (p=.255). CONCLUSIONS Application of AEM during TSE seems to be effective with regard to postural stability and functional movement in college athletes.
PURPOSE High blood pressure and obesity pose significant health problems for older individuals. Previous studies showed that regular exercise improves physical fitness factors and decreases blood pressure and obesity. Therefore, this study investigated differences in blood pressure and obesity according to the physical fitness level of Korean older individuals using the National Fitness 100 data and used them to recognize the importance of maintaining physical fitness through regular physical activity or exercise for older individuals. METHODS From 2013 to 2019, a total of 218,848 subjects (men=74,271, women=144,577) aged ≥65 years who participated in the National Fitness 100 had their muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, balance, coordination, and flexibility measured, and they were ascribed a fitness level. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), percentage of bodyfat, and waist circumference were measured to compare the difference in fitness level. RESULTS There was a significant difference in the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in older men, and the diastolic blood pressure of older women by the fitness level (p<.001). In both older men and women, there was a significant difference in BMI, percentage of bodyfat, and waist circumference according to the fitness level (p<.001). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, men and women showed different aspects in blood pressure, but Korean older individuals with having a high level of fitness managed their weight and body fat well. The decrease in obesity and improvement of physical fitness through regular physical activity and exercise could be a positive effect on maintaining health and extending healthy life years.
PURPOSE Blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive individuals is reduced by the accumulation of post-exercise hypotension (PEH) induced by a long period of training. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intensity of two different aerobic exercises with identical energy expenditure on post-exercise blood pressure and cardiovascular function in prehypertensive men. METHODS Eleven prehypertensive men in their 30s participated in two trials repeatedly. In the first trial, the exercise was moderate in intensity and continuous (MICE) with 70% of VO2max, and the exercise in the second trial was high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) with 50% and 90% of VO2max. Each exercise was performed for 30 min, and the variables related to BP and cardiovascular function were measured at certain times for 1 hr during the recovery phase. RESULTS Our main findings are as follows: (1) Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower at 30 and 45 min of recovery time than the baseline in the HIIE trial, and systolic blood pressure was significantly lower in the HIIE trial than the MICE trial at 10, 15, and 30 min of recovery time. (2) The rate pressure product was significantly higher in the HIIE trial than the MICE trial at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min of recovery time. (3) The heart rate was significantly higher in the HIIE trial than the MICE trial at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min of recovery time. (4) Stroke volume was significantly lower in the HIIE trial than the MICE trial at 30 min of recovery time. (5) Cardiac output was significantly higher in the HIIE trial than the MICE trial at 15 min of recovery phase. (6) Total vascular conductance was significantly higher in the HIIE trial than the MICE trial at 15 and 30 min of recovery phase. (7) Total peripheral resistance was significantly lower in the HIIE trial than the MICE trial at 15 and 30 min of recovery phase. CONCLUSIONS The HIIE shows a higher cardiovascular stress than MICE; however, HIIE contributes to the augmentation of PEH and improvement of cardiovascular function. Therefore, HIIE rather than MICE should be suggested in BP control and enhancement of cardiovascular function in prehypertensive males.
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.
PURPOSE The United Nations (UN) has proposed 17 Sustainable Development Goals and has been extending its efforts to achieve them. Sport can be linked closely to the third goal, which is related to health and well-being. Therefore, this study aimed to explore and to analyze individual's changed sport activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on ways to achieve health and well-being related goals through sport. METHODS A qualitative research method was employed, and in-depth interview methods were used for data collection. For data analysis, categorization and itemization were used along with content analysis. RESULTS Looking at the derived results, in the context of an infectious disease such COVID-19, sport activity patterns have changed due to reasons such as stadiums or facilities, interpersonal reasons, fear, inconvenience, staying healthy, increase in leisure time, and individual preferences. CONCLUSIONS Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the indicators of health and well-being related SDGs are exhibiting a downward trend. At this point, it is necessary to find a way to achieve the goal through sport that can participate voluntarily for the purpose of pursuing pleasure.
PURPOSE This study aimed (1) to analyze the behavioral intention and use behavior among the consumers of online home training contents via YouTube by employing the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT); (2) to test the moderating effects of risk perception toward the coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, and 3) to test differential impacts of generational difference across millennial and baby boom generations. METHODS A total of 400 questionnaires were distributed, and 383 samples were used for the final analysis after excluding 17 incomplete responses. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 and AMOS 22.0. RESULTS It was found that (1) the performance expectancy, the effort expectancy, and the social influence had positive effects on behavioral intention; (2)the facilitating condition had negative effects on the use behavior; (3) the behavioral intention had positive impact on the use behavior. Moreover, the risk perception toward the COVID-19 infection did not have moderating impacts on the UTAUT model, whereas generational differences did. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that the marketing strategy that improves exercise performance, convenience, and social influencing factors may be key to home training customers' behavioral intention and use behavior. Furthermore, home training material makers should recognize that the features and infrastructure required for the two generations are distinct and develop a separate marketing strategy for each.
PURPOSE In this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with track-and-field athletes and leaders who participated in the Tokyo Olympics. The study aimed to present practical measures for the development of Korean track and field, which people at the forefront of Korean track and field thought. METHODS In-depth interviews were conducted using semi-structured questions for a total of five track-and-field national athletes and four track and field coaches. RESULTS A total of 39 subcategories and 104 concepts were derived with regard to four research questions: the process up to the Tokyo Olympics, the actual condition of Korean track and field, a comparison with track-and-field power nation, and practical measures for becoming track-and-field power nation. CONCLUSIONS Practical measures are needed to improve and develop the competitiveness of Korean track and field, which is expected to improve its competitiveness and help develop Korean track and field in the future.
PURPOSE This study analyzed the KSPO women’s sports leadership program and foreign cases to suggest policy proposals. METHODS A literature review was conducted involving official webpage of the programs, related technical reports, media resources, and academic articles collected from international and domestic research databases. RESULTS The major results are as follows: (1) The curriculum of current program should be examined and reconstructed to achieve the intended purpose. (2) Since selfawareness is a key factor in demonstrating effective leadership, implementing selfawareness training program should be considered. (3) Mentoring is regarded to be an effective tool in promoting women leadership; therefore, establishing sustainable women mentoring program is required. CONCLUSIONS Despite several limitations, this paper is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, to review and analyze the KSPO women’s sports leadership program comparing foreign cases for the purpose of seeking improvement. As women’s leadership in the field of sport would become even more important in the future, this program should be redesigned to be able to train and nurture leaders so that they can progress to the higher level of decision making in sport organizations.
PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the effective and pragmatic idea regarding the development of physical education teacher education (PETE) programs in China. These programs share both similarities and differences in China and Korea, and they are also discussed here. METHODS Six universities reflecting the regional specificities of Korea and China were selected following consultation with experts. Data collected through in-depth interviews, non-participatory observation, literature, and local documents were analyzed and interpreted by using the comparative analysis research method. RESULTS First, when comparing the curriculum, which was divided into liberal arts, major, and teaching subjects in both countries, the ratio of liberal arts and teaching subjects was similar in Korea following major subjects. As for China, major subjects came in first, followed by liberal arts and teaching subjects. Second, the relative pros and cons of preliminary sports teacher education in Korea and China were aimed at nurturing competent sports experts with both expertise and personality. They were generally similar in terms of content dimensions; however, they were found to be different in several areas. Particularly in the case of China regarding the teaching subject, practical subjects that were of pragmatic help to the school field were found to be relatively insufficient. Third, the implications for improving China's preliminary PETE were to emphasize the importance of personality in educational goals at the goal level, and as for the content level, it was necessary to replaced them with classes that could be of pragmatic use in the existing teaching method. Furthermore, at the methodological level, professional training of physical education teachers should be proposed, training them to cultivate character. Finally, more positive changes can be pursued if efforts at the environmental level are well-matched and improved. CONCLUSIONS To improve China's preliminary PETE program, it is necessary to enhance the environment and institutions using various teaching methods to cultivate expertise, such as practical aspects of university-field linkage and preliminary teacher personality education.
PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the ranking culture of Korean female professional golfers under the assumption that side-effects such as performance degradation and sports desocialization result from the culture. METHODS To collect data, semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with eight former KLPGA Tour players, and the data were analyzed through the inductive analysis method suggested by Hatch (2002). RESULTS Our findings were the following: (1) There has been an oppressive culture regarding the salutation attitude among Korean female professional golfers. (2) The ranking culture of Korean female professional golf players formed a background of voluntarily noticing seniors from junior players. (3) As part of subduing juniors who go against the hierarchy culture, the phenomenon of group bullying by senior players was found. (4) There are players who influx the KLPGA tour after their tour career in foreign countries becomes uncomfortable with the ranking culture of Korean female professional golfers, or in worse cases, they leave the tour because of maladaptation. (5) Rather than protesting or raising issues, parents of players, especially those of junior players who have suffered damage against the ranking culture tend to accept the practices and endure disadvantages. CONCLUSIONS Follow-up studies on ways to improve them and additional studies on ranking culture and side-effects that may occur between athletes in other sports are required to restore the ethics of Korean sports and ultimately normalize them.