• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2012

Oxygen is the final acceptor of electron transport from fat and carbohydrate oxidation, which is the rate-limiting factor for cellular ATP production. Under altitude hypoxia condition, energy reliance on anaerobic glycolysis increases to compensate for the shortfall caused by reduced fatty acid oxidation [1]. Therefore, training at altitude is expected to strongly influence the human metabolic system, and has the potential to be designed as a non-pharmacological or recreational intervention regimen for correcting diabetes or related metabolic problems. However, most people cannot accommodate high altitude exposure above 4500 M due to acute mountain sickness (AMS) and insulin resistance corresponding to a increased levels of the stress hormones cortisol and catecholamine [2]. Thus, less stringent conditions were evaluated to determine whether glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity could be improved by moderate altitude exposure (below 4000 M). In 2003, we and another group in Austria reported that short-term moderate altitude exposure plus endurance-related physical activity significantly improves glucose tolerance (not fasting glucose) in humans [3,4], which is associated with the improvement in the whole-body insulin sensitivity [5]. With daily hiking at an altitude of approximately 4000 M, glucose tolerance can still be improved but fasting glucose was slightly elevated. Individuals vary widely in their response to altitude challenge. In particular, the improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by prolonged altitude hiking activity is not apparent in those individuals with low baseline DHEA-S concentration [6]. In addition, hematopoietic adaptation against altitude hypoxia can also be impaired in individuals with low DHEA-S. In short-lived mammals like rodents, the DHEA-S level is barely detectable since their adrenal cortex does not appear to produce this steroid [7]. In this model, exercise training recovery under prolonged hypoxia exposure (14-15% oxygen, 8 h per day for 6 weeks) can still improve insulin sensitivity, secondary to an effective suppression of adiposity [8]. Genetically obese rats exhibit hyperinsulinemia (sign of insulin resistance) with up-regulated baseline levels of AMP-activated protein kinase and AS160 phosphorylation in skeletal muscle compared to lean rats. After prolonged hypoxia training, this abnormality can be reversed concomitant with an approximately 50% increase in GLUT4 protein expression. Additionally, prolonged moderate hypoxia training results in decreased diffusion distance of muscle fiber (reduced cross-sectional area) without affecting muscle weight. In humans, moderate hypoxia increases postprandial blood distribution towards skeletal muscle during a training recovery. This physiological response plays a role in the redistribution of fuel storage among important energy storage sites and may explain its potent effect on changing body composition. Conclusion: Prolonged moderate altitude hypoxia (rangingfrom 1700 to 2400 M), but not acute high attitude hypoxia (above 4000 M), can effectively improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance for humans and antagonizes the obese phenotype in animals with a genetic defect. In humans, the magnitude of the improvementvaries widely and correlates with baseline plasma DHEA-S levels. Compared to training at sea-level, training at altitude effectively decreases fat mass in parallel with increased muscle mass. This change may be associated with increased perfusion of insulin and fuel towards skeletal muscle that favors muscle competing postprandial fuel in circulation against adipose tissues.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.210-222
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the effects of taekwondo exercise program on the physical function, fitness and quality of life in women with osteoarthritis. Methods: With nonequivalent control group quasi-experimental design, 17 outpatients with osteoarthritis were recruited from June to August, 2010. The subjects were divided into 14 in experimental group and 13 in control group. The taekwondo exercise program was consisted of public taekwondo gymnastics with stretching movement and carried out every 60 minutes, 2 times a week for 12 weeks. Physical fitness of sit up, sit and reach, and agility, KWOMAC, and quality of life were measured. Data were analyzed by t-test and Mann-Whitney test using SPSS program. Results: After the intervention, the physical fitness for muscle endurance (Z=-4.40, p<.001), flexibility (Z=-2.75, p=.006), and agility (Z=-1.95, p=.050) were significantly improved in the experimental group. The mean scores of KWOMAC in the experimental group were significantly decreased (Z=-2.94, p=.003) and the mean difference of quality of life in the experimental group was also significantly increased than that of the control group (Z=-3.50, p<.001). Conclusion: The taekwondo exercise program may have affirmative effects on physical fitness, physical function, and quality of life in women with osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.117-131
• /
• 2015

Purpose: In this study a pilates exercise program using self-efficacy sources was provided for women 65 years of age or older and the effects on physical fitness, body composition, depression, self-efficacy, and health-related quality of life were tested. Methods: A quasi-experimental study employing a nonequivalent control group, pre-post design was conducted. The subjects consisted of 30 older women in the experiment group and 30 in the comparison group. The intervention was conducted twice a week for a period of 12 weeks. During this period, the pilates exercise program using self-efficacy sources (health education, phone coaching, mentoring, checking homework, recreation) were provided in the experiment group and pilates exercise program were offered in the comparison group. Chi-square test, independent t-test, ANCOVA were used for data analysis. Results: Following completion of the program, upper muscle strength (F=4.131, p=.047), low muscle strength (F=5.558, p=.022), upper flexibility (F=5.252, p=.026), static balance (F=5.957, p=.018), dynamic body balance & agility(F=18.971, p<.001), endurance(F=10.058, p=.002), muscle mass (F=5.748, p=.020), depression (F=4.493, p=.038), Self-efficacy (F=33.853, p<.001), and Health-related quality of life(F=5.586, p=.022) were significantly better in the experimental group. Conclusion: Findings from this study indicate that the pilates exercise program using self-efficacy sources are effective in enhancing physical fitness, body composition, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life and in decreasing depression for female elders and could therefore be regarded as positive program for promotion of physical and mental health for older women.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of Tai Chi training program on physical fitness, stress response and ego-resiliency in nursing students. Methods: 28 nursing students of D metropolitan city participated in non-equivalent control group pre- and post-test group test in quasi experimental design with written consent. Fourteen participants in the control group who did usual activities and 14 experimental participants who promised to participate 24 Tai Chi training sessions for 12 weeks. Both groups completed pre- and post-test measurement for physical fitness, a questionnaire regarding their stress response and ego-resiliency. Each 60-minute Tai Chi session was consisted of 5-minute warm up, 10-minute meditation, 40-minute Tai Chi, and 5-minute finishing exercise. Results: After 12 weeks, participants in the Tai Chi group reported significantly higher score in muscle endurance (t=3.77, p=.001), leg muscular strength (t=2.14, p=.042), and balance (t=2.12, p=.044) compared to the control group. The Tai Chi group recorded significantly lower score than the control group on stress response (t=2.75, p=.011). Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of Tai Chi for a reduction in stress response and promotion in physical fitness in nursing students. Applying Tai Chi training to nursing program will help nursing students to have better academic performance.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.53 no.9
• /
• pp.602-609
• /
• 2015

The aim of this document is to evaluate the effect of bite balance on physical fitness and motor capacity to determine the importance of the occlusal stability as a possible action mechanism of occlusal appliance including mouthguards on physical performances. We all remember that day when the prominent athlete was in the news wearing a mouthguard to improve human athletic performance. I once had investigated the determinants of athletic performance in all sorts of sports. Most of the studies had overinterpretation of results and lack of evidence to support the information. However, I discovered great expectations for new possibility in this field and settled for a more academic approach to this intriguing subject. The followings are some examples of the subject 1. Archers who wore occlusal appliances to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion by 2~3mm increased their ability to focus and to maintain good sense of balance. Their accuracy rate has been improved. The appliance was made of acrylic resin (a type of plastic). 2. Canoe players who wore occlusal appliances to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion by 5mm surpassed longtime competitor and won the race with 10 seconds gap. 3. A cycle rider who wore an occlusal appliance to treat his malocclusion surpassed his old record from 10.8 seconds to 10.3 seconds. His muscle reflexes (anaerobic exercise) and endurance (aerobic exercise) has been enhanced. 4. Occlusal appliances had a good effect on athletic performance in most sports such as swimming, diving, and weightlifting. As for the clenching on dentition, people clench their teeth when they push their physical and mental limits during sports activities. Clenching can be induced by physical exertion when maximum muscle strength is retained and this is similarly found in different types of exercises. In addition, restraint of respiratory function is observed. Therefore, creating a occlusal balance with occlusal appliance or mouthguard promoted a favorable influence when an athlete clenches.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combined exercise program using a ballet bar and elastic bands on the body composition, physical strength, and postural correction of middle-aged women. Methods : The subjects were 28 middle-aged women with no ballet experience. They were divided into an experimental group (n=14; exercise group) and a control group (n=14; non-exercise group) through random sampling. The experimental group underwent an exercise program using a ballet bar and elastic bands for 50 minutes twice a week for 12 weeks, whereas the control group performed no exercise. The subjects in both group had their body composition, physical fitness, and postural angles measured before and after the intervention. A paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-test values within each group, and a two-way repeated measures ANOVA was employed to compare pre- and post-test changes between the two groups. Results : Regarding body composition, statistically significant differences in BMI (p<.05), body fat percentage (p<.001), and muscle mass (p<.001) were observed between the two groups before and after the intervention. For physical fitness, the experimental group showed statistically significant increases in quick reflexes (p<.001), muscle endurance (p<.001), and muscle strength (p<.001). For postural correction, the experimental group exhibited statistically significant decreases in all variables: the head (p<.001), shoulder (p<.001), cervical tilt (p<.001), right-left pelvic tilt (p<.001), and anterior-posterior pelvic tilt (p<.001). Conclusion : A combined exercise program using a ballet bar and elastic bands had positive effects on the body composition, physical fitness, and postural correction of middle-aged women.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2006

This study examined whether there is a transfer effect to other joint angles and the angular specificity of muscle fatigue after 6 weeks of isometric training of the vastus medialis. Twenty subjects were randomly assigned to 30° and 90° knee flexion groups and were trained at 80% maximal voluntary isometric contraction(MVIC) three times a week for 6 weeks. The pre-and post-training values of the 80% holding time(endurance time) of MVIC, the Fatigue Index(FI), and the MVIC at 30°, 60°, and 90° were compared. After isometric training for 6 weeks, in the 30° knee flexion group, FI decreased significantly(p<0.05) only at 30°, which was the training angle; there was no change at other angles. By contrast, in the 90° knee flexion group, FI decreased significantly(p<0.05) at both the trained angle and at the other angles, indicating a transfer effect of training. MVIC did not increase significantly(p<0.05) at any trained angle in either the 30° or 90° knee flexion groups after 6 weeks of isometric training, neither did the 80% holding time of MVIC differ significantly compared with pre-training in either group. These findings suggest that training at 90° of knee flexion is more effective than training at 30° of knee flexion for obtaining a training transfer effect on muscle fatigue in the vastus medialis.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.200-205
• /
• 2018

Exercise and resveratrol supplementation exhibit anti-obesity functions in the long term but have not been fully investigated yet in terms of their early potential effectiveness. Mice fed with high-fat diet were categorized into control (Cont), exercise (Ex), resveratrol supplementation (Res), and exercise combined with resveratrol supplementation (Ex + Res) groups. In the four-week period of weight loss, exercise combined with resveratrol supplementation exerted no additional effects on body weight loss but significantly improved whole-body glucose and lipid homeostasis. The combined treatment significantly decreased intrahepatic lipid content but did not affect intramyocellular lipid content. Moreover, the treatment significantly increased the contents of mtDNA and cytochrome c, the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha and its downstream transcription factors, and the activities of ATPase and citrate synthase. However, exercise, resveratrol, and their combination did not promote myofiber specification toward slow-twitch type. The effects of exercise combined with resveratrol supplementation on weight loss could be partly due to enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis and not to fiber-type shift in skeletal muscle tissues.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1038-1044
• /
• 2002

The study was designed to observe the effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on tumor incidence, eicosanoid formation and antioxidant enzyme activities in colonic mucosa and the fecal excretion of deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-treated rats. One hundred twenty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups, BT (beef tallow diet) group and FO (fish oil diet) group, and each group was again subdivided into 2 groups depending on CLA supplementation, i.e.4 groups of BT, BTC, FO, FOC. All rats were fed experimental diet for 30 weeks, which contained 12% (wt/wt) total dietary fat including 1% (wt/wt) CLA, and were intramuscularly injected with DMH for 6 weeks to give total dose of 180 mg/kg body. CLA-supplemented to BT and FO diet reduced tumor incidence, eicosanoid (PGE$_2$ and TXA$_2$) level in colonic mucosa. N-3 fatty acids (mainly DHA) of fish oil diet (FO, FOC group) also reduced tumor incidence and significantly reduced eicosanoid (PGE$_2$ and TXA$_2$) level in colonic mucosa. CLA supplementation and n-3 fatty acid significantly increased colonic mucosal level of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities but reduced secondary bile acids (deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid) excretion in the feces. In conclusion, CLA supplementation and n-3 fatty acid could reduce tumor incidence by reducing eicosanoids and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities in colon and decreasing the excretion of deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid in the feces. The data might suggest that CLA supplementation and n-3 DHA rich fish oil may modulate colon carcinogenesis.termediate level of endurance exercise training for 6 weeks did not influence concentrations of most of free amino acid in soleus muscle of rats collected at an overnight fasted and rested state. In contrast, isolucine and leucine concentrations in extensor digitorum longus muscle of exercise-trained rats were significantly lower than those for control animals. These results indicate that aerobic energy metabolism had not been efficiently conducted, and thereby the utilization of BCAA for energy substrate was enhanced in fast twitch oxidative glycolytic fibers of extensor digitorum longus muscle of rats followed exercise-training protocol for 6 weeks.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.298-313
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of natural compounds in improving athletic ability has attracted attention in both sports and research. Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) leaves are used to make traditional herbal medicines in Asia. The active components of G. pentaphyllum, dammarane saponins, or gypenosides, possess a range of biological activities. On the other hand, the anti-fatigue effects from G. pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and its effective compound, gypenoside L (GL), remain to be determined. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study examined the effects of GPE on fatigue and exercise performance in ICR mice. GPE was administered orally to mice for 6 weeks, with or without treadmill training. The biochemical analysis in serum, glycogen content, mRNA, and protein expressions of the liver and muscle were analyzed. RESULTS: The ExGPE (exercise with 300 mg/kg body weight/day of GPE) mice decreased the fat mass percentage significantly compared to the ExC mice, while the ExGPE showed the greatest lean mass percentage compared to the ExC group. The administration of GPE improved the exercise endurance and capacity in treadmill-trained mice, increased glucose and triglycerides, and decreased the serum creatine kinase and lactate levels after intensive exercise. The muscle glycogen levels were higher in the ExGPE group than the ExC group. GPE increased the level of mitochondrial biogenesis by enhancing the phosphorylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) protein and the mRNA expression of nuclear respiratory factor 1, mitochondrial DNA, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ, superoxide dismutase 2, and by decreasing the lactate dehydrogenase B level in the soleus muscle (SOL). GPE also improved PGC-1α activation in the SOL significantly through AMPK/p38 phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that GPE supplementation enhances exercise performance and has anti-fatigue activity. In addition, the underlying molecular mechanism was elucidated. Therefore, GPE is a promising candidate for developing functional foods and enhancing the exercise capacity and anti-fatigue activity.