• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.66-74
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• 2007

The aim of the present study was to investigate age-related differences in stepping behavior in response to sensory perturbations of postural balance. The participants for this study were 2 healthy elderly adults (mean age=76.0) and 2 younger adults (mean age=25.5). Subjects were asked to step over a 10 cm high obstacle at self-paced speed with the right limb to land on the primary target (normal step length) that is 10 cm in diameter. However, if, during movement, the light was illuminated, then the subject had to step on the secondary target (long step length). It was planned that the onset of the light would be prior to peak Fx of swing limb, between swing peak Fx and swing toe-off, and after swing toe-off. In the younger adults these secondary visual cues were provided at mean times of 240 ms (standard deviation (SD)=11), 402 ms (SD=13), and 476 ms (SD=88) following the movement onset. Corresponding mean times for the healthy elderly were 150 ms (SD=67), 352 ms (SD=39), and 562 ms (SD=115). Results showed great changes in both group and visual cue condition in Fx ground reaction forces and temporal events following the swing toe-off. Swing limb acceleration force (Fx) and stance peak Fx1 was much greater in the young adults compared to the older adults. Both young and older adults increased stance peak Fx2 in the visual cue condition compared to normal stepping. There was no difference in stance peak Fx2 between the visual cue conditions in both groups. Similarly, the time to stance peak Fx2 was much longer for the visual cue condition than for the normal stepping. It was not different between the visual cue conditions in the young adults, but in the elderly mid and late cue was much greater than early cue. In addition, time to stance peak Fx2 and swing and stance time were much longer in the older adults compared to the young adults for the visual cue conditions. These results suggest that unlike young adults, elderly adults did not flexibly modify their responses to unexpected changes in step length while stepping over obstacles.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.820-830
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• 1997

Sleep is an essential component for health and the quality of life of individuals, and is affected by multiple factors. Thereby, sleep impairment is known to be frequent even in healthy subjects. The purpose of the study is to compare sleep patterns and related factors between healthy young and old adults and to identify aging effects upon sleep in a cross-sectional way. The survey questionnaire was developed by translation and modification of two well-known sleep questionnaires which were originally developed by Monroe(1967) and Ellis, et al. (1982). Discussion with experts and pilot study were completed to finalize the contents of the questionnaire that was used in this study. Results are as follows : 1. Sleep complaints were lower in older adults. 2. The most frequent variables that explain sleep satisfaction were feeling rested in the morning in the older adults and feeling rested and failing asleep within five minutes in the young adults. 3. Regarding sleep-disturbing factors, physical factors were more frequently reported in the older adults and environmental factors are reported more frequently in the young adults, and there was no difference related to the emotional factors between the two groups. 4. Young adults were practiced strategies for better sleep more often than the older adults, and they were mainly in-home activities just before sleep. 5. Sleep patterns which change with aging were as follows : going to bed and waking up earlier : not staying in the bed long after waking up ; getting harder to fall asleep ; frequent arousal after sleep onset ; getting harder to go back to sleep after arousal during night sleep. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that sleep and related factors of the young and the older adults are different. Also, sleep patterns change with aging and those changes seem to be negative for sleep in the elderly. Repeated studies are needed to establish more concrete information regarding sleep patterns. In addition, further research is needed to develop more reliable, valid, and feasible sleep measure tools, and to develop and evaluate nursing interventions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.354-365
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Understanding the mechanism of chewing and swallowing food is important when creating a proper diet for older adults. This study investigated whether texture-modified model foods can reduce the difference in chewing and swallowing parameters between healthy community-living young and older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In total, 35 older and 20 young adults (mean age: 75 and 25 years, respectively), matched for sex and number of teeth, were recruited and their unstimulated salivation and tongue pressure were measured. Simultaneous assessment of chewing and swallowing characteristics was conducted using surface electromyography and a videofluoroscopic swallowing study while the participants ingested 8 g of model food with one to four levels of hardness. RESULTS: The average tongue pressure and salivation among older adults were 61% and 49.7%, respectively, of the corresponding values observed in young adults. The older adult group used significantly (P < 0.05) increased muscle force with more chewing cycles (P < 0.05) than the young adult group, which was maintained even when consuming foods with the lowest hardness, although without chewing. However, the age effect on oral processing time existed only for the hardest foods. Swallowing difficulties among older adults were demonstrated by the significant increase in vallecula aggregation time. The total food intake duration was significantly (P < 0.05) longer in older adults than in young adults, regardless of food hardness. CONCLUSIONS: There were measurable differences in the process of chewing and swallowing food between young and older adults, which can be improved with food hardness control. Adjusting food hardness may help food intake in healthy older adults.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.82-90
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to compare muscle strength and gait ability of hemodialysis patients with those of healthy adults. Methods: Data were collected through a questionnaire, by testing of muscle strength and gait ability of 40 hemodialysis patients and 40 healthy adults. $X^2$-test, t-test, and ANCOVA were used in performance of data analysis. Results: First, variables including of occupation ( $X^2$=22.40,p<.001), body weight (t=-3.72, p<.001), and BMI ( $X^2$=14.65, p<.001) differed significantly between patients in the hemodialysis group and subjects in the healthy adult group. Second, using ANCOVA analysis with correction for related variables, such as occupation, body weight, and BMI as covariates, numbers for lift/reach (F=8.15, p<.001) and sit-to-stand (F=5.47, p=.001), and both maximum safe speed (F=9.17, p<.001) and normal comfortable speed (F=8.89, p<.001) were significantly lower for patients in the hemodialysis, compared with subjects in the healthy adult group. Conclusion: According to the results, muscle strength and gait ability of patients in the hemodialysis group were lower than those of subjects inthe healthy adult group. These findings suggest the importance and necessity for an interventional exercise and rehabilitation program for hemodialysis patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.293-303
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine the association between household types and healthy dietary practices among Korean adults. A cross-sectional analysis was performed using nationwide data on 23,488 participants from the 2017-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Based on self-reported data, the participant household types were classified into single- and multi-person households. The adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for healthy dietary practices according to household types were calculated by applying multivariable logistic regression analysis after adjusting for confounders. Of total, 11.21% and 88.79% were single- and multi-person households, respectively. Compared with individuals living in multi-person households, those in single-person households had lower odds of adhering to healthy dietary practices (AOR: 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79-0.98) and consuming adequate saturated fatty acids (<7% of energy) (AOR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69-0.88). In addition, men and individuals aged ≥65 years living in single-person households exhibited lower odds of consuming adequate saturated fatty acids and ≥500 g of fruit and vegetables per day than those in multi-person households. Single-person households often find it a challenge to practice a healthy diet. Hence, nutritional policies and educational support that help individuals living alone consume healthier diets are warranted.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.1 s.23
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• pp.89-98
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• 1988

While there have been not a few reports on the seroepidemiological characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Korea, most of them, however, have had several limitations; operational definition of HBV infection, validity of detection methods of HBV serologic markers, size of the study population, and confirmation of the vaccination history against HBV, etc. In order to avoid such limitations, authors randomly selected 1,495 healthy adults among the 217,511 insured (target population) of Korean Medical Insurance Corporation, living in seoul, and tested HBV serologic markers by RIA method and conducted direct interview to them. Although HBV serologic markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc) of all the subjects were tested, 392(26.2%) of interview failure cases and 361 vaccinee were excluded from the actual population. Finally, the serologic markers tested of 742 nonvaccinee (study population) only were analysed for the seroepidemiologic observation of the natural infection of HBV. The seroepidemiological characteristics of HBV infection in Korea were as follows ; 1. Point prevalence of HBs antigenemia was 11.7(9.1{\sim}14.3)% in male, which was slightly higher than that of female, 9.5($3.7{\sim}15.3$)%. This level was one of the highest among those of Asian-Pacific countries. Decreasing tendency of HBsAg prevalence alter the age of 50 was observed, which seems to be due to selective attrition of HBV chronic carriers among the healthy adults and/or to the limited-lasting duration of the HBs antigenemia, in part. 2. Point prevalence of anti-HBc(78.8% in male,50.9% in female) was higher than that of anti-HBs(65.2% in male,46.6% in female), respectively. And both of them were higher in male than in female. Increasing tendency of the prevalence of both antibodies was observed by age, which seems to be largely due to recurrent infection in adults and to some cumulative effect, in part, of their relatively longer-lasting duration. 3. The level of HBV infection defined by positive for at least one of the 3 serologic markers of HBV by RIA method was 84.7($81.8{\sim}87.6$)% in male and 61.2($51.9{\sim}70.5$)% in female, which was also one of the highest among those of Asian-Pacific countries. The proportion of susceptible population to HBV infection among healthy adults was 15.3% in male and 38.8% in female. 4. The relative frequency of current or past infection and chronic carrier among HBV infected person was estimated. The currently or past infected was estimated 75.7% in male and 71.8% in female, and chronic carrier state, 13.8% in male and 14.1% in female. The analysis of the geometric mean of the antibody titer in anti-HBs positive sera indicated also to be compatible with the above findings, suggesting that active, even though inapparent, infection of HBV occur so frequently among healthy adults in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2020

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is a marker used for the differential diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). FC is also used to determine the effects of treatment and recurrence prediction because of its non-decomposition by bacteria, relative week stability at room temperature, and its uniform distribution within feces. Healthy male and female adults between the age of 30 and 80 living in Jeju were selected for this study. The FC concentration in the healthy control group (N=45) was distributed widely as 0~545.9 ㎍/g and showed a significant difference with age in healthy adults. The FC concentration in adults over 70 years old (80.6 years on average) was 160.3 ㎍/g. The result is approximately 10 times higher than in adults below 50 years (44 years on average), with FC concentrations at 15.88 ㎍/g. Moreover, adults over 50 years, with an average age of 59.6, had FC concentrations of 35.46 ㎍/g, which were two times higher than the below 50-year-old group, confirming the significant correlation between age and FC concentration. As the FC test is a non-invasive and cost-effective objective marker in IBD tests, a suitable cut-off value is required for different ages. This study provides the baseline data for differential diagnoses.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.259-269
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate age-related bimanual coordination functions in older adults. Method: Thirteen studies that compared bimanual coordination functions in older adults with those in healthy young adults qualified for this meta-analysis. We additionally categorized 21 total comparisons from the 13 qualified studies into two types of task-related moderator variables: (1) kinematic versus kinetic movements and (2) symmetry versus asymmetry movements. Results: Random effects model meta-analysis found that older adults revealed significant bimanual coordination impairments as compared with young adults (Hedges's g = -0.771; p < .0001; I² = 74.437%). We additionally confirmed specific bimanual coordination deficits using two moderator variables: 1) kinematic (Hedges's g = -0.884; p < .0001; I² = 0.000%) and kinetic (Hedges's g = -0.666; p = .023; I² = 86.170%). 2) symmetry (Hedges's g = -0.712; p = .001; I² = 74.291%) and asymmetry (Hedges's g = -0.817; p < .0001; I² = 76.322%). The moderator variable analysis indicated older adults indicated bimanual coordination deficits in the upper extremities than healthy young adults while performing kinematic bimanual coordination tasks and asymmetry coordination tasks. Conclusion: These findings suggest that developing motor rehabilitation programs based on asymmetric bimanual movement task for enhancing interlimb coordination functions of older adults may be crucial for increasing their independence in everyday activities. Given that elderly revealed the deficits in lower extremities coordination when older adults perform gait, posture, and balance, future studies should estimate lower limb coordination functions in elderly people.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.24-33
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• 2019

Background: Spontaneous use of the upper extremities on the affected side of patients with stroke is a meaningful indicator of recovery and may vary by the age or dominant hand of patients. No prior study has reported changes in actual amount of use test (AAUT) and motor activity log (MAL)-28 according to age and handedness in healthy adults, and AAUT inter-rater reliability for assessment of healthy adults. Objects: This study aimed to (1) research the differences in AAUT and MAL-28 according to age and handedness in healthy adults, and (2) determine the inter-rater reliability of the AAUT. Methods: Seventy healthy adults participated in this study. The MAL-28 was assessed by dividing 61 subjects into young right-handed ($n_1=20$), young left-handed ($n_2=21$), and older right-handed ($n_3=20$) groups. The AAUT was assessed by dividing 63 subjects into young right-handed ($n_1=25$), young left-handed ($n_2=18$), and older right-handed ($n_3=20$) groups. Student's t-test and the Wilcoxon signedrank test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The Amount of Use (AOU) scale values for each group showed no significant differences between age groups and handedness groups in the MAL-28 (p>.05). The AAUT AOU scale value showed significant differences regarding dominant handedness in the AAUT (p<.05), but no significant differences according to age (p>.05). (2) Inter-rater reliability of the AAUT was excellent, except few items (item 9, 11, and 12). Conclusion: Although both the MAL-28 and the AAUT measured how much participants used their dominant arms in healthy subjects, the AAUT only showed significantly higher dominant arm use in left hander than the right hander. In addition, the inter-rater reliability of the AAUT was excellent. Current results can be utilized as a basic information when clinicians develop rehabilitation strategies, and AAUT was shown to be a reliable evaluation tool for measurement of upper extremity use in Korean adults, based on the reliability demonstrated by this study.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.68-76
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• 2017

Background: Abdominal bracing exercise (ABE) and abdominal hollowing exercise (AHE) improve the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function in various patients, yet the efficacy of ABE or AHE have not yet been evaluated. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function during both ABE and AHE in healthy adults. Methods: The study included 40 healthy adults, who were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group, each with 20 subjects. All subjects performed ABE (experimental group) and AHE (control group). The lumbar flexibility such as trunk flexion test (sitting and standing position) and schober test and pulmonary function such as the spirometer including forced vital capacity (FVC) and force expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) and chest circumference measurement (middle and lower chest) were measured, respectively. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function, respectively. Results: No significant effects of lumbar flexibility were observed on trunk flexion test from the sitting position (P=.478) and standing position (P=.096) in the ABE than in the AHE. However, the length of ABE was longer significantly than it of AHE (P=.024). No significant effects of lung function were observed on the FVC (P=.410) and $FEV_1$ (P=.072) in the ABE group than in the AHE group. And also, no significant effects of chest circumference measurement were observed on the inspiration (P=.468) and expiration (P=.563) in middle chest circumference and inspiration (P=.104) and expiration (P=.346) in lower chest circumference. Conclusion: This study indicated that the ABE is only more effective in lumbar flexibility by lumbar length difference than AHE in healthy adults.