The Effect of Sleep Duration and Relief of Fatigue after Sleep on the Risk of Injury at School among Korean Adolescents

PURPOSE: To explore the association between sleep and the risk of accidental injury at school among Korean adolescents. METHODS: From the database of the Ninth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS), the researcher selected 63,307 adolescents who responded to a survey on sleep hours. We conducted logistic regression with sleep duration and fatigue after sleep as independent variables, the risk of injury at school as a dependent variable, and gender, grade, school type, economic status, parents' education level, number of participations in physical education, and current smoking and drinking as control variables. RESULTS: Using 9 hours of sleep as the reference, the adjusted injury risk (odds ratio) was 1.74 for those sleeping less than 5 hours a day, 1.61 for 5 hours, 1.45 for 6 hours, 1.31 for 7 hours, 1.13 for 8 hours, and 1.40 for 10 hours or longer. The difference between each pair of groups was statistically significant. In this study, injury risk increased as sleep duration decreased and fatigue after sleep increased. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that a short nightly duration of sleep and fatigue after sleep can be considered potential risk factorsfor unintentional injuries at school among Korean adolescents.

Effects of a Physical Activity Program using Exergame with Elderly Women

PURPOSE: This study was done to investigate the motivational, physical and affective benefits of exergaming in community dwelling older adult women. METHODS: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pre-test and post-test design. Sixty-one older adult women over the age of 65 were recruited from 6 community senior centers to participate in the 8 week exercise intervention or control group. Six centers were divided into one of three groups: exergame, qigong exercise, or control. The exergame and the qigong exercise group received 16 sessions, scheduled twice a week, with each session lasting 50 minutes. Test measures were completed before and after the 8 week intervention period for all participants. Measures included: Grip strength, chair stand, 6 m walking, balance, geriatric depression scale, vitality and intrinsic motivation. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in the exergame and qigong exercise group for grip strength, chair stand, 6m walking, balance, vitality and intrinsic motivation at the end the 8-week program compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The exergame could be an effective alternative for older adult women to group exercise classes.

Predictors of Stage of Change for Smoking Cessation among Adolescents based on the Transtheoretical Model / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictor associated transitions with each stage of smoking cessation based on the Transtheoretical Model, and to provide basic data for smoking cessation programs for adolescents. METHODS: The participants were 297 current and former smokers, obtained from stratified random sampling of 2nd graders from 127 high schools in B cities. The data were collected between April 6th and 16th 2002, using a structured self-report questionnaire, and analyzed using a multiple logistic regression, with the SPSS program for Windows (Version 10.0). RESULTS: The predictors of transition from precontemplation to contemplation were consciousness raising (OR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.07-1.40), coping pros (OR=.84, 95% CI: .70-1.00) and attitude of parents to smoking (OR=2.97, 95% CI: 94-9.24). The predictors of transition from contemplation to preparation were helping relationships (OR=.83, 95% CI: 72-.96), self-liberation (OR=1.15, 95% CI: 99-1.33) and nicotine dependence (OR=.76, 95% CI: 56-1.03). The only predictor of transition from preparation to action was the social pros (OR=.66, 95% CI: .57-.82). The predictors of transition from action to maintenance were self-reevaluation (OR=.81, 95% CI: .71-.92) and negative affective situation (OR=.85, 95% CI: .72-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Adequate examination on the factors for predicting the transitional stages of change for smoking cessation in Koreans are presented in this study. The results of this study will become the pillar of smoking cessation planning and application programs.