ABSTRACT
Exercise intervention is effective in alleviating the severity of metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the results of previous studies on the effect of exercise on MetS have demonstrated considerable individual variability in response to a specific dose of exercise, which was attributed to the lack of a personalized approach to exercise prescription. It is essential to consider individual factors to enhance the effectiveness of exercise in addressing MetS. This scoping review assesses the effectiveness of individualized exercise on the risk factors associated with MetS. Various databases and articles were examined based on eligibility criteria and nine studies were chosen for this review. Personal and adjusted factors were predominantly analyzed to tailor exercise prescriptions to individual needs. This review proposes that personal factors can be classified into three categories: fixed factors, adaptation factors, and response factors, considering both clinical and exercise science perspectives. It also suggests that a two-way communication approach between specialists and individuals is more effective for prescribing exercise to address MetS compared to a one-way method. A one-way communication approach relies solely on an expert's decision, even whether or not he or she fully considers a client's lifestyle and preferences. If the individualized selection of exercise prescriptions is achieved through two-way communication between specialists and subjects, significant improvements can be expected in terms of both MetS severity and exercise adherence.
ABSTRACT
Obesity is a prevalent and complex disease. The prevalence of obesity in Korea increased from 29.7% in 2010 to 35.7% in 2018, with the prevalence of abdominal obesity being 23.8% in 2018. Obesity contributes to medical costs and socioeconomic burden due to associated comorbidities. The treatment and management of obesity is changing based on new clinical evidence. The 2020 Korean Society for the Study of Obesity Guideline for the Management of Obesity in Korea summarizes evidence-based recommendations and treatment guidelines.
ABSTRACT
South Koreans' life expectancy has dramatically increased over the last four decades. However, the life satisfaction index of older Korean adults has been in the bottom third globally. The large majority of older Koreans spend most of the day watching television at home. However, concrete evidence regarding the effects of leisure involvement on older adults' quality of later life is scant. Only a few existing studies have examined the link via cross-sectional survey data. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether meaningful leisure participation outside the home in older age plays an essential role in improving life satisfaction. To achieve the research aim, nationally representative panel data from the Korea Employment Information Service were used for the data analysis. The results indicated that social and productive leisure participation in religious activity, social gatherings, and volunteering was significantly related to quality of life in older adults. Moreover, frequent participation in travel and cultural activities outside the home were positively related to life satisfaction. These findings suggest that participation in meaningful leisure activities is a critical factor contributing to subjective well-being and good mental health in older Korean adults and should be encouraged.
Subject(s)
Leisure Activities , Personal Satisfaction , Quality of Life , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Republic of KoreaABSTRACT
Global average data suggest that the prevalence of obese and overweight males is much higher than that of females in some regions. The gender gap in obese and overweight individuals has deepened in many countries, and the gap is more prominent in overweight than in obesity. In particular, the prevalence of male obesity has continuously increased in the Republic of Korea over the past two decades, whereas the increase in female obesity has slowed and may even have plateaued. The cutoff point for obesity in Korea is a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2, which is equivalent to the international classification of being overweight. Researching obesity in males is not as prevalent as studying obesity in females. Previous studies have rarely considered obesity type (android vs. gynoid), hormones (testosterone, androgen, etc.), awareness of body shape, or special resources such as exercise interventions to improve male weight issues. Adaptations to exercise interventions show individual variability as well as differences between men and women. Therefore, integrated approaches to research should be adopted, including evaluation of socio-demographic and physiological characteristics, to ensure that such interventions are not simply a symptomatic treatment but are actually treating the root cause of the obesity.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Numerous researchers have worked to develop treatments for obesity; however, the prevalence of obesity continues to increase in many countries. Moreover, the effects of physical activity and exercise on obesity remain unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the relationship between exercise and obesity using mediator variables such as the mode of exercise. METHODS: Our review focuses on research tracking the effects of exercise on obesity conducted from 2007 to 2016 and available in any of three databases: Embase, PubMed, and EBSCO Academic Search Premier. The keywords used in the search were "exercise and obesity" and "exercise and obese." RESULTS: The average size of the effects that exercise interventions have on body mass index (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.533), waist circumference (SMD, 0.666), total cholesterol (SMD, 0.721), and triglyceride (TG; SMD, 0.603) were medium or larger. Exercise had greater effects on the outward appearance of obesity (body mass index, waist circumference) than on its practical factors (weight, % body fat). The effect of exercise on TG (SMD, 0.603) was larger than that on low-density lipoprotein (SMD, 0.406) and high-density lipoprotein (SMD, -0.222). Exercise duration (weeks of exercise) and intensity correlate better than exercise time (minutes per week) with a large and consistent improvement in adult obesity. CONCLUSION: We suggest that individuals with obesity should exercise consistently to achieve significant improvements in their health.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the stress and immune responses to a competition in elite male and female junior golfers. Six male (16.2 +/- 1.4 years) and 6 female junior golfers (16.4 +/- 1.1 years) completed salivary collections during competition vs. practice rounds on 2 different days. Salivary samples were collected on 4 occasions (rest, before, during, and after rounds). Salivary cortisol and IgA were measured for stress and immune responses, respectively. Our results were as follows: (a) Salivary cortisol level was higher in competition than practice in male golfers (p = 0.009) but it was similar in female golfers. In male golfers, salivary cortisol level was higher before a round than at rest (p = 0.029), but it was higher after rounds than at rest (p = 0.016) in female golfers. (b) Salivary IgA was elevated during competition than during practice rounds in male golfers (p = 0.019), but not in females (p = 0.152). Salivary IgA was not significantly different among salivary collection times although it tended to be elevated during and after rounds for both male and female golfers. In conclusion, salivary cortisol and IgA were elevated during golf competition compared with practice in male junior golfers, but they were not in female golfers. Furthermore, salivary cortisol was higher before a round than rest in men, but it was higher after a round than rest in women. Both male and female junior golfers, however, showed similar salivary IgA responses during golf. Our results suggest that sex might play a role on stress and immune responses during a game of golf in elite junior golfers.
