ISSN : 1598-2920
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.
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of physical activity level with insomnia severity (Normal, Subthreshold, Moderate and Severe) in adolescents and to use it as a basis for insomnia prevention. METHODS This study was conducted on a cohort of 50 adolescents under the age of 20 (19 males, 31 females) recruited from Hospital N in Incheon, Korea. Participants were categorized into groups according to the severity of insomnia in both males and females using the Korean version of the Insomnia Severity Index-Korean (ISI-K). The Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was also used to calculate participants’ weekly moderate and vigorous physical activity. RESULTS The participants’ characteristics did not differ by insomnia severity in males, but there were significant differences in weight (p=.008), BMI (p=.019), SBP (p=.004), and DBP (p=.019) in females by insomnia severity. In male adolescents, there was no significant difference in the amount of physical activity by insomnia severity, but there was a trend toward decreased amount of physical activity with increasing severity. Among female adolescents, there were significant differences in the amount of physical activity by insomnia severity: moderate (p<.05), high (p<.05), and moderate-high (p<.05). In the unadjusted model, adolescents who did not meet the recommended amount of physical activity (150 minutes per week) were more likely to have insomnia (OR=4.67, 95% CI=1.34–16.24) than those who met the recommended amount of physical activity. The model after adjusting for covariates (gender and body mass index) also showed an association between the recommended amount of physical activity and insomnia (OR=3.94, 95% CI=1.17–13.28). Negatice correlations was found between insomnia index and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (r=–.357, p=.013). CONCLUSIONS Adolescents are approximately 4.67 times more likely to suffer from insomnia if they do not meet physical activity recommendations, and there was a negative correlation between the insomnia index and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, suggesting that physical activity should be increased to reduce the insomnia index.
PURPOSE This study first investigated how different types of sport team logos (emblem vs. mascot) influence consumer behavior through warmth and competence and then examined the moderating effects of consumer characteristics (gender) and contextual cues (perceived competence) on these relationships. METHODS A nationwide sample of adults age 20 was selected using quota random sampling based on gender. A 2 (logo type: emblem vs. mascot) × 2 (gender) × 2 (contextual cue: high competence vs. low competence) experimental design was employed, with participants randomly assigned to each group. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with Mplus 8 was employed to assess the measurement model’s reliability and validity, and hypothesis testing was conducted through structural equation modeling (SEM), measurement invariance tests, and multigroup SEM analysis. RESULTS Findings indicate that anthropomorphized mascot logos, compared to emblem logos, generate more positive attitudes and psychological responses (warmth and competence) to the team. Gender’s moderating effect on the relationship between logo type and consumer perceptions (warmth and competence) was not significant, but contextual cues’ moderating effect was partially significant. CONCLUSIONS This study highlights of perceived warmth and competence’s crucial role in shaping consumer attitudes toward sports teams through logo design. These findings offer meaningful insights for sports teams and marketers to optimize branding strategies and enhance fan engagement.
PURPOSE This study compares the effects of video group and metaverse group counseling for student athletes to analyze differences in immersion, sychological skills learning effects, and each approach’s participation experiences. METHODS Twenty-four high school archery students were divided into three groups: a metaverse experimental, a video comparison, and a control group. For the experimental and comparative groups, 10 non-face-to-face psychological skills training sessions were conducted. With the control group, results were compared and analyzed by measuring psychological skills and social presence pre- and post-training. Additionally, analysis of the qualitative effects of psychological skills training was performed. RESULTS The psychological skill test’s quantitative analysis of the video comparison group showed a more significant effect in anxiety control factors than the metaverse experimental and the control groups. Moreover, in the social presence test, both the metaverse and the video groups showed significant differences in social presence and satisfaction; furthermore, Scheff post-verification results showed that the two environments’ satisfaction was significantly higher than that of the control group. Qualitative analysis confirmed that the metaverse and video groups experienced psychological, technical, and relational changes in common. CONCLUSIONS Although the metaverse group using avatars was likely to increase immersion, both the video and the metaverse groups were effective in psychological skills training, suggesting that the training effect may vary depending on the non- face-to-face environment’s stability and participation method. Future studies should examine effects of applying the metaverse platform to sports psychological skills training and various psychological support activities by solving the metaverse environment’s technical limitations.
PURPOSE This study examined levels of safety knowledge and practice among recreational sports participants, focusing particularly on impacts of gender, age, injury experience, and exercise-level profile. In sports environments, understanding these factors is essential for developing targeted strategies to promote safe behaviors. METHODS Survey data from 7725 participants engaged in regular recreational sports activities were analyzed. Latent Profile Analysis was employed to categorize participants based on their injury experience and exercise levels, resulting in two profiles: Group 1 (moderate or severe injury experience with intermediate exercise levels) and Group 2 (mild injury experience with beginner exercise levels). Three-way ANOVA was then used to evaluate relationships between these profiles and safety knowledge and practice levels. RESULTS Results revealed significant differences across sex, age, and profile groups. Compared with women, men demonstrated higher levels of safety knowledge and practice, which were likely influenced by greater exposure to high-intensity sports and risk-taking tendencies. Adolescents exhibited the highest levels of safety knowledge and practice linked to structured safety education, but these levels declined in early adulthood and then increased again in middle age due to growing health awareness and preventive motivations. Furthermore, participants in Group 1 consistently showed higher levels of safety knowledge and practice than those in Group 2, highlighting injury experience’s role in shaping safety behaviors. CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the importance of developing gender-specific safety education programs, age-appropriate interventions, and training initiatives tailored to beginning participants. Future research should evaluate these strategies’ long-term impact on safety practices and injury prevention in diverse sports settings.
PURPOSE This study investigated the effects of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE), performed postprandially, on blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lactate levels in men aged 40–50 with prediabetes and prehypertension. METHODS Twelve men with prediabetes and prehypertension were selected. After consuming a liquid meal, the participants participated in three trials: MICE, HIIE, and a non-exercise condition, with a one-week washout period between each trial. The trials were conducted in a counter-balanced manner to ensure equal energy expenditure across conditions. The intensity of the MICE trial was set at 70% of the heart rate reserve (HRR), whereas the HIIE trial alternated between 50% and 90% of HRR for 30 minutes. Blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lactate levels were measured at various time points during each trial, and a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used for analysis. RESULTS 1) In the MICE trial, significant reductions were observed in blood glucose (at 15 and 30 minutes during exercise), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (at 50 minutes post-exercise), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (at 20, 40, 50, and 60 minutes post-exercise). 2) In the HIIE trial, significant reductions in blood glucose (at 15 and 30 minutes during exercise), SBP (at 40 minutes post-exercise), and DBP (at 40 minutes post-exercise) were observed. Blood lactate levels significantly increased. 3) When comparing the two exercise trials, blood glucose in the HIIE trials showed a recovery trend post-exercise, and blood lactate levels increased to a greater extent. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that both MICE and HIIE effectively lower blood glucose during exercise, but HIIE causes a more rapid post-exercise increase in blood glucose compared to MICE. In addition, MICE results in a smaller rise in blood lactate. Therefore, MICE is recommended for improving prediabetes and prehypertension. Future research should compare these effects in healthy individuals and examine long-term adaptations to repeated exercise.
PURPOSE This study identified a company sports club’s dual characteristics— both for leisure activity and as an extension of work—to provide comprehensive interpretation and understanding of such clubs. METHODS A qualitative case study design was employed, incorporating in-depth interviews, nonparticipant observation, and supplementary data collection from 25 office workers who had participated in an in-house sports club for at least one year. RESULTS Participants reported a wide spectrum of motivations, from voluntary motives such as stress relief and health improvement to more obligatory or organizationally driven motives, including pressure from supervisors or colleagues and expectations related to performance evaluations. The club offered both team sports—which fostered teamwork and a sense of belonging—and individual sports—which offered personal development opportunities. However, some participants experienced blurring of work–leisure boundaries and reemergence of hierarchical organizational culture, leading to conflict and fatigue. CONCLUSIONS Overall, Although company sports clubs have become a welfare program that provides employees with opportunities for leisure and self-development and promote inter-departmental communication and collaboration, they also carry the latent risk of imposing additional burdens and pressures on employees. These findings underscore the need for refined operational strategies and institutional improvements to mitigate negative outcomes and maximize such programs’ original intent.
PURPOSE This study investigated weight-class-related strength parameters during pulling performance in the ssireum. METHODS Elite ssireum athletes participated, 24 divided into four weight classes of six athletes each. They performed a pulling task while gripping a tube fixed to a three-axes load cell sensor, standing on force plate platforms. The test involved 30 repetitions at maximal force with the legs bent, the ssireum’s typical posture. Maximal force (Fmax), time to maximal force (TFmax), time difference between maximal forces (TDmax), and horizontal and vertical angles at maximal force (HAmax and VAmax, respectively) were analyzed from the load cell sensors. Ground reaction force (GRF) was collected, including peak force along the three axes, the resultant force, and the center of pressure (COP). One-way ANOVA tests were conducted to compare among weight classes (α=.05). RESULTS Fmax measured by load cell showed significant difference between classes (p<.05), indicating that the second weight group (Geumgang class) generated more pulling force than the heavier classes. In GRF results, lightweight classes demonstrated larger COP difference between the left and right plates. Specifically, the Geumgang class showed more movement in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction on the left plate. The peak GRF in the right plate of the AP (p<.001) and ML (p<.05) directions showed significant differences between lighter and heavier weight classes. CONCLUSIONS The Geumgang class generated greater pulling force, and the lighter classes demonstrated more leg contribution. Force generation did not solely depend on body mass; instead, lighter athletes often relied on the lower limbs to compensate for their limitations, a strategy commonly observed in competitions.
PURPOSE This study assessed elite Taekwondo athletes’ physical fitness and developed reference standards for both their basic and specialized physical fitness. METHODS Data for analysis were collected from 870 athletes: from national teams, 123 elite Taekwondo athletes from the Performance Analysis and Assessment System (PAAS) administrator website (1999–2020); from regional sports centers, 731 collegiate and general division elite Taekwondo athletes (2015–2019); and from Y University, 16 elite Taekwondo athletes. Through measurement items’ selection and categorization, 20 physical fitness items were selected for the reference standards’ development, including 9 for basic fitness and 11 for specialized fitness. Taekwondo weight classes were divided into two: light + middle (fin, fly, bantam, feather) and middle + heavy (light, welter, middle, heavy). RESULTS Descriptive statistics for basic and specialized physical fitness items were categorized by gender and athletes’ fitness level. The reference standards’ development was aligned with existing standards, integrating the Cajori physical fitness 5-levels. It also introduced minimum physical fitness reference standards and target achievement reference standards for evaluating elite Taekwondo athletes’ physical fitness. CONCLUSIONS The reference standards proposed here can serve as objective indicators in selection of national representative athletes and also provide foundational data to establish fitness goals and evaluate future elite athletes’ physical fitness.
PURPOSE This study presents policy implications for a Korean sports commission’s introduction and the strategies to realize it. METHODS As an important policy tool, a sports commission system attracts large-scale sports events, revitalizes local economies, and promotes the sports industry’s sustainable development. Such an introduction’s necessity and direction were explored through analysis of overseas cases and interviews with experts. First, the study examined the concept of a sports commission system, along with major overseas cases and derived policy implications to present a model suitable for Korea’s reality. RESULTS Introduction of a sports commission system requires reorganization of legal and administrative systems, strengthening the public-private cooperation model, convergence with the local tourism industry, and customized operation tailored to regional characteristics. In addition, future research directions include evaluating the system’s effectiveness after its introduction, operating customized commissions for each region, and developing sustainable models. CONCLUSIONS The results provide policy guidelines for successful introduction of the Korean sports commission system and can play an important role in establishing a foundation for development of the future sports industry and local economy. Furthermore, establishment of a comprehensive mid-to-long-term plan, including criteria for regional selection, organizational structure, and role distribution, should be prerequisite to introducing the system.
