• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2024

Objectives: Professional firefighters face various health hazards and are required to maintain both physical and mental fitness to effectively mitigate crises and respond to emergencies. Moreover, the long working hours and shift work of this profession impact sleep quality. This study investigated the quality of sleep and its associated factors among firefighters in Bangkok, Thailand. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of firefighters affiliated with the Bangkok Fire and Rescue Department, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thailand between January 2023 and March 2023. A cluster random sampling technique was utilized to distribute 600 questionnaires to firefighters in 15 fire stations. The questionnaire addressed demographic, work-related, and environmental factors. Sleep quality was assessed using the Thai version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics. Bivariate and multiple logistic regressions were performed. Results: The response rate was 78.7% (n=472), and 44.1% of the firefighters reported poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5). Sleep quality was statistically associated with conflicting family relationships (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1 to 2.9), additional part-time jobs (daytime, OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 4.4; or nighttime, OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 16.7), noisy sleeping areas (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.8), and the availability of adequate bedding (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.8 to 4.9). Conclusions: Poor sleep quality among firefighters was associated with various personal, work-related, and environmental factors. Organizations should promote policies that improve sleep quality through good sleep hygiene practices and facilities.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.405-410
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• 1987

Study population was described at the previously published paper(23). Body Mass Index of 10751, 5th grade students from nation-wide were calculated . From this distribution lowest 10% and highest 10% were selected as group 1 and group 5, respectively. In this paper, between group 1 and group 5 anthropometric data, demographic data and other health related factors were compared. 1) Using Japanese criteria for obesity, the prevalence for obesity at 5 th grade was 5.8% at nation wide and 7.8% at urban area. 2) The proportion of students who skipped breakfasts everyday was 5.8% of whole student surveyed and 8.4% for group 5. The proportion of students who took medicine for health was 29.4% for group and 22.5% for group 5. 3) The students who are at group 5 had larger height and weight velocity than other groups. Group 5 had large increase of BMI by increasing grade, but group 1 had almost no change. 4) In physical fitness examination, group 3 who mean BMI was in the highest class than other groups 5 was in low class.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2019

This study was to compare arterial stiffness and hemodynamic responses between male smokers and non-smokers. This study also investigates the influences of smoking before exercise on arterial stiffness and hemodynamic responses. 24 male subjects of age 20-29 without history of cardiorespiratory disease were divided into smokers and non-smokers. Smokers had more than 5 years of smoking experience. In order to evaluate the effects of pre-exercise smoking, smokers were tested twice, once with a cigarette before the exercise and the other once without one. Data was collected from bio-impedance analysis, SphygmoCor XCEL, graded exercise test, and fitness test. Main results of this study are as follows: First, there are differences between smokers and non-smokers in cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic response functions, as shown by maximal oxygen consumption, exercise duration, and heart rate. Second, the although the arterial stiffness between smokers and non-smokers showed statistically significant differences in the speed of the pulse wave velocity and augmentation index, smoker had a faster rate. It shows that smoking behavior has a negative impact on the cardiovascular system. Third, pre-exercise smoking behavior does have an impact on cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic response functions, as shown by exercise duration and heart rate. Lastly, arterial stiffness between smokers and non-smokers showed statistically not significant in the speed of the pulse wave velocity and augmentation index. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Brachial systolic pressure, a component of pulse wave analysis, on the other hand, was significantly dependent on pre-exercise smoking behavior. Subjects who participated in this study are college students in early 20s. Given their relatively short history of smoking, it is possible that their smoking habits are not severe enough to develop into cardiorespiratory or cardiovascular diseases. But Smokers showed lower levels of cardiopulmonary functions, as maximal oxygen consumption and exercise duration than nonsmokers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 1998

This survey was conducted to investigate the relation of children's obesity index to their mothers' food habit during the October in 1995. The survey covered a total of 492 mothers whose children were in the fifth grade of elementary schools in Cheju City area. The results are summarized as follows: 1.The surveyed children's average WLI(Weight-Length Index) is 107.08. WLI shows that 16.1% of them are overweight, 16.1% obese and 49.8% ideally weighted. The mothers' average BMI(Body Mass Index) is 22.4. 21.8% of them are underweight and 69.4% normal. The children's obesity index is significantly correlated to their fathers', but not significant to their mothers'. 2.As to the food habit I (balance of nutrients intake), 58.4% of the mothers have 'excellent' or 'good' food habit and the mean score is 14.95 out of maximum possible score 24.0. Concerning to the food habit II (intake of sugar, fat and salt etc.), 87.4% of mothers have 'good' or 'fair' food habit and the mean score of is 13.34 out of maximum (possible score) 20.0. The mothers' food habit I and II, as a whole, have no significant effect on the children's obesity index, but in some items the significant relations are founded. The children's chesty index is significantly related to the intake of eggs (P<0.05) and pan-broiled or fried foods (P<0.05). The amount of mothers' food intake is significantly relevant to their obesity index (P<0.001), but not significantly to their children's. The food habit of mothers who have taken midnight snack almost every day are significantly related to their children's chesty index (P<0.05). The findings of the study emphasize the importance of the nutrition education to ensure health and better physical fitness for children and their mothers.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.752-771
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of sodium reduction education program of a public health center on the blood pressure, blood biochemical profile and sodium intake of hypertensive adults. The program continued for 16 weeks with an 8-week nutrition education and an 8-week follow-up to forty two subjects, 6 males and 36 females aged 46 to 80 years. Subjects received nutrition education including lectures, activities, cooking classes and nutrition counseling. Physical fitness, management of stress, and nutrition counseling were provided during the follow-up. The program was evaluated three times, before and after the nutrition education, and after the follow-up. Systolic blood pressure (p < 0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) were decreased after completion of the program. Body weight (p < 0.005), percent body fat (p < 0.005) and body mass index (p < 0.001) were decreased, too. There were no significant differences in blood glucose, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, while elevated levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) appeared after the program completion. Decreased intakes of vitamin A (p < 0.05), ${\beta}$-carotene (p < 0.001) and sodium (p < 0.001) were observed. Consumption frequency of noodles, soups, stews, kimchi, fishes/shellfish, seasoned vegetables, and salted seafoods/pickles (p < 0.05~p < 0.001) were decreased, while that of all food groups were not changed during the follow-up. Total score of nutrition knowledge related to sodium intake and hypertension (p < 0.001), and that of dietary behavior associated with high sodium intakes were changed positively (p < 0.001) only during the nutrition education. This sodium reduction education program, including the follow-up study showed positive effects on the blood pressure, sodium intake, nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior of hypertensive adults.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.159-168
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• 2020

Purpose : To provide data on exercise prescription for obesity management and prevention of cardiovascular disease in girl's high school and to prepare basic data for more effective exercise program for lifestyle improvement and prevention of lifestyle-related diseases. This study examines the effects on brain nerve growth factor and inflammatory factors, and the relationship between obesity factor and brain neuron cell production factor and inflammatory factor changes by complex exercise. Methods : The subjects of the study were obese students with a body fat percentage of 30 % or higher after obtaining body fat percentage of high school girls in C-city. Among them, 20 students who wanted to participate in the program of this study and did not participate in special exercise and diet therapy within the last 6 months were radio-sampled into groups of exercise group and control group, but attendance rate was low and The final exercise group (9) and control group (9) were measured, except for one student who did not respond. Results : Analysis of the range of variation in body composition, BMI, lean body mass, and the interaction between the groups showed significant differences (p<.05). TC, TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C as variables of blood lipids, TC and TG were not significantly different and TG was significantly different (p<.05) in interactions. HDL-C showed a significant difference (p<.01) in interactions, an increase in exercise group, and a significant decrease in control group (p<.05). There was a significant difference (p<.05) in BDNF interaction, an increase in the exercise group and a decrease in the control group, but no significant difference. NGF tended to increase in both exercise and control groups. IL-6 had a significant difference in timing (p<.05) and significantly decreased (p<.01) in the exercise group, and TNF-α interacted with timing (p<.05), and a significant increase in the control group. Conclusion : This study confirmed 12-week compound exercise program was effective in increasing the expression of basal fitness or CNS factor, but not enough to actually improve brain function. Fat mass and obesity are also affecting vascular inflammatory factors.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1403-1409
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare Obesity Age (OA) and chronological age, to calculate Obesity Age (OA), which gauges the state of obesity, and to analyze presented factors of obesity using expectant factors on middle-aged obese women. The subjects were one hundred twenty seven middle-aged obese women ($49.6\pm7.3$ yr, BMI $29.41\pm2.9$, fat $36.8\pm4.6%$) who participated in different weight loss programs three times. The body composition, physical fitness, blood pressure and blood were measured before the weight loss programs. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects before enrollment in the study. The regression equation is as follows: (1) OAS (Obesity Age Score)=$0.106*X_1+0.035*X_2+0.048*X_3+0.041*X_4+0.003*X_5-0.037*X_6-10.667$ ($X_1$: BMI, $X_2$: weight, $X_3$: %fat, $X_4$: WC, $X_5$: TG, $X_6$: $VO_{2max}$), (2) OA (Obesity Age)=7.3*OAS+49.6*(-1), (3) Z (correction factor)=(CA-49.6)(1-0.03), (4) OAc (corrected Obesity Age)=1.03*CA-7.3*OAS+1.47. The comparison of corrected Obesity Age (OAc) and chronological age did not have any differences, and the average of the OAc was close to chronological age. The correlation coefficient between the OAc and chronological age was r=0.724 (p<0.05). The equation can be utilized for middle-aged obese women, because it could evaluate the obesity-related factors by including BMI, body weight, %fat, waist circumference, triglycerides and $VO_{2max}$.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.345-349
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• 2010

Good health-related quality of life is regarded as the goal of elderly residential care. Treatment for breast cancer produces side effects that diminish functional capacity and quality of life among survivors. Tai-Chi exercise offers the benefits of fitness and health. Tai-chi has been claimed to generate beneficial effects with respect to a wide range of diseases. The object of this research is to evaluate the effects of tai chi exercise on shoulder joint movement and cardiovascular function in elderly breast cancer patients. The subjects were 40 patients residing in B metropolitan city, who had undergone surgery for breast cancer within 2 months. They underwent post-operative radiotherapy and an anti-cancer chemical treatment. They practiced tai-chi exercise for 60 min a day, four times a week for 12 weeks under the direction of a special tai-chi instructor. Shoulder joint movement and heart rate, were measured before and after the experiment. The results were as follows; Shoulder joint movement, including flexion, extention, adduction and abduction, significantly increased (p<0.05) after treatment, and heart rates significantly decreased after treatment (p<0.05). From the results, Tai-Chi exercise was shown to be extremely effective in improving shoulder joint movement and heart rate in elderly breast cancer patients. Further study is needed in this area.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1556-1566
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Nurida-Ball exercise on isokinetic muscle function, spinal alignment, and dynamic balance capacity in middle-aged men. All middle-aged men(n=16) were divided into 2 groups: Ball exercise(BE, n=8) and control(CON, n=8) group. BE group performed the Nurida-Ball exercise(30 min/day, 3 days/week, 8 weeks) and isokinetic knee and trunk muscle function, spinal alignment, and dynamic balance capacity were measured. All of the measured variables calculated the mean and standard deviation and verified normality using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The independent t-test method and the Paired t-test method were then analyzed to identify differences between groups. This study found that isokinetic knee and trunk muscle function was significantly strengthened in the BE compared with CON group by increasing peak torque(PT) of right and left knee extension(60°/sec, p<0.01, respectively), average power(AP) of right and left knee extension(60°/sec, p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively), and PT of right knee flexion(180°/sec, p<0.05) and AP of right knee extension(180°/sec, p<0.05). In the change of isokinetic trunk muscle function, only PT of trunk extension(180°/sec) was increased in the BE compared with the CON group(p<0.05). In addition, Nurida-ball exercise can improve the spinal alignment by reducing the trunk inclination(p<0.05) in the BE compared with the CON group. Finally, dynamic balance capacity was also enhanced in the BE compared with the CON group by decreasing the score of overall balance index(OBI, p<0.01) and Antero-posterior balance index(p<0.05) in the Stage-6, and OBI(p<0.05) in the Stage-1. This result demonstrated that Nurida-ball exercise may improve spinal alignment, dynamic balance capacity, and isokinetic muscle function, which might be an effective way for the improvement of health-related fitness in middle-aged men.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.243-252
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• 2015

The present study, to examine the effect of the exercise for weight control, compares the difference of the heart rate and energy expenditure by sex during Twist exercise. Twenty eight adults (male 14, female 14) were carried out Twist exercise for 7 minutes and 14 minutes. During performing the exercise program, to perform HR and related variables were measured for 7 minutes and 14 minutes. Through a twist exercise treatment and the following results were obtained. 1. Females had slightly higher, without statistical significance, number of heart beat, minimum heart rate, maximum heart rate, and average heart rate than male had for both 7 minutes and 14 minutes of Twist exercise. 2. In the case of energy consumption, significant differences did not appear until 7 minutes to perform Twist exercise. On the other hand, the energy consumption for 14 minutes of performance was significantly higher in male than in female (p<.05). However, energy expenditure for the period per minute per unit weight (kcal/min/kg) showed no difference. 3. If more than 30 minutes duration were preformed the Twist exercise, males were expected to consume significantly higher than females (p<.05). To consume calories for the 10,000 step walk of, it would be required about 76 minutes for Twist exercise time without distinction of sex. Through the above findings, twist exercise is a form of aerobic exercise for obesity prevention and weight control, as well as it might be beneficial to practice and maintain the health and physical fitness with offering a variety of exercise opportunities in the public.