• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2004

Backgrounds: It was thought that sport was related with mentality. Compared to psychology, psychiatry has so far paid rather little attention to athletes. In this overview, I attempted to introduce the ideas of various observers of sports with the view of clinical psychiatry and summarized basic principle role of psychiatrist. Results and Discussions : To understand the athletic frame of mind, it is helpful to observe athletes in their psychologic development and when we do so we can quickly see trends that are not apparent by observing mature athletes alone. Psychobiology of sport would discuss some of the endogenous neurochemicals(hormone, neurotransmitter) that may be part and parcel of the athlete's psychiatric status. The psychological problems that frequently interfere with training and competition may be divided into five categories 1) choke, 2) slump, 3) injury, 4) interpersonal problem, 5) training dilemma. Psychiatric problem also arise in athletes like general people. various method for psychiatric patients like psychotherapy, group therapy, family systems perspective, and pharmacotherapy could been applied to sports psychiatry. Conclusions Although the contribution of sports psychiatry to sport is clinical one, psychiatrist's interest in role and conflict of athlete would enhance the molding of humanistic athletes who enjoy their life and sports.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2010

Objectives : The $2^{nd}$ to $4^{th}$ digit length ratio(2D : 4D) is a sexually dimorphic trait regardless of ethnicity and shows sex differences. According to previous research, men usually have a relatively shorter $2^{nd}$ digit than $4^{th}$ digit. There is tendency that men with lower 2D : 4D are perceived as being more masculine and tend to perform better in some physical sports. Furthermore, 2D : 4D is negatively associated with trait aggression. In this study, we examine gender difference of 2D : 4D and compare 2D:4D of female Korean national team members to 2D : 4D of control subjects. Besides that, we also compare 2D : 4D of female Korean national team members according to their sports entries. Methods : The sample of this study is 396 people, 67 female Korean national team member, 216 control women and 113 control men. We measured $2^{nd}$ to $4^{th}$ digit length of their right hand. In addition, we collected demographic information of female Korean national team members using a self-report questionnaire. Results : The mean 2D : 4D of female Korean national team members is 0.96(SD=0.04), smaller than control women's 2D : 4D(0.97, SD=0.03) and significantly higher than control men's 2D : 4D(0.95, SD=0.03). We also found differences between control men and women. Non-martial arts related sports athletes have significant difference with control men in 2D : 4D. However, martial arts related sports athletes' 2D : 4D is not significantly different from other groups, including control men. Conclusion : These results are consistent with the findings of previous research that there is a significant difference between men and women in their 2D : 4D. Furthermore, 2D : 4D of martial arts related sports athletes have not shown any difference from the 2D : 4D of control men that 2D : 4D of non-martial arts related athletes have shown. This fact is important in consideration of masculine characteristics. For further research, it is necessary to examine 2D : 4D difference according to sport ability and gender differences.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this meta-analysis study was to examine the relationship between cognitive anxiety and performance in closed loop skill sports. Methods : A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including Korean Information Service System, DBpia, Research Information Sharing Service, and National Assembly Library from 1980 to 2015. Search terms included 'Golf', 'Shooting', 'Archery', 'Anxiety', and 'Performance'. Standardized mean difference and 95% CI(confidence intervals) were calculated, and the heterogeneity of the studies was estimated using Q statistic. Results : Ten studies have satisfied the inclusion criteria. The main findings indicate that cognitive anxiety was significantly reverse correlated with performance in closed loop skill sports(r=-.198). The mean effect size for men(r=-.31) was significantly greater than that for women(r=-.05). Conclusions : Our results suggest that cognitive anxiety in closed loop skill sports is correlated with performance of athletes. Future study related to psychological aspects on athletes in sports is required in order to understand the specific evidence of relationship between anxiety and performance.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2019

Objectives: To investigate the research trends of qigong interventions to make influence on performance enhancement. Methods: Korean databases were searched for papers related to studies of qigong interventions to assist subjects perform better. Results: Twelve articles published in Korean Journals from 2000 to 2017 were reviewed. Among the retrieved papers, eight were applied with breathing exercises, including Dan-jeon breathing training, one applied with brain breathing meditation with DoIn exercise, one applied with qigong meditation, one applied with qi-training, and one applied with brain breathing training. RoBANS was used for assessment. The quality of selected articles was generally low. 10 of the 12 articles on qigong reported that experimental group showed statistically significant increase of performance enhancement both directly and indirectly. Conclusions: Reviewing 12 articles, this study established that qigong interventions might be beneficial for enhancing performance especially in sports. However, more scientifically designed study on qigong therapy are needed to prove the efficacy and effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2007

Introduction : A positive thinking has been known to affect the enhancement of performance. One of temperament characters, harm avoidance is thought to be associated with anxiety related behaviors. Golfer showed highest anxiety and lowest score of harm avoidance, compared to any other sports. We hypothesized that positive feedback and reinforcement in golfer would decrease the anxiety and improve the performance. Methods : Fifty one golfers with the age from 15 to 19 were classified into two groups; 25 golfers who used Zinsser's Changing Negative thoughts to Positive thoughts and Beswick's positive self talk when exercise and competition (P-FB) and 26 golfers who had not (controls). Harm avoidance, Spielberg's Trait and State Anxiety, and Golf scores has been assessed at baseline and 6 months later. Results : There was no significant difference in baseline harm avoidance, anxiety, and golf scores between P-FB and controls. The total golf scores in both groups have improved after 6 month later. However, P-FB group showed greater improvement of total scores and putting scores, compared to controls. The state anxiety in PFB group has been decreased, while there was no change in controls. The change in the state anxiety was correlated with harm avoidance and the change in total golf scores. Discussions : The positive thinking has enhanced performance and state anxiety. The improvement of performance and anxiety in golfers was associated with high harm avoidance. The current study showed that the regulation of anxiety with positive thinking was helpful to the performance enhancement in subject with high harm avoidance.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.134-141
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• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was investigating the differences in temperament, personality, and cognitive function among athletes and non-athletes, as well as differences within athlete groups participating in different-paced sports like baseball and basketball. Methods : A total of 57 professional basketball players, 51 professional baseball players, and 44 non-athletes subjected to temperament and characteristics inventory assessments and computerized neurocognitive function test. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to analyze the average differences in demographic characteristics, temperament, personality traits, and cognitive functions among the three groups, followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. Comparisons between starters and non-starters within the athlete groups were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results : In the analysis of temperament, the basketball and baseball player groups exhibited higher reward dependence and persistence compared to the control group. Additionally, in the assessment of personality traits, both basketball and baseball player groups scored higher in self-directedness and cooperativeness compared to the control group, whereas self-transcendence scores were lower. In cognitive ability assessments, baseball and basketball players outperformed the control group in emotional perception tests. Both baseball and basketball players showed lower card movement counts compared to the control group. Conclusions : This study compared the differences in temperament, personality, and cognitive abilities between professional basketball and baseball players and non-athletes. These results provide valuable insights into the temperament, personality, and cognitive abilities of professional athletes, contributing important information for athlete development and coaching goals in the future.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.8-17
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• 2006

Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy, is a new therapy differentiated from biofeedback in that brain waves are monitored to study brain itself as well as its functions. Needless to say, it has originated from biofeedback, however it has established itself as an independent and specialized therapy in the field of neurotherapy. In order to have a better understanding of neurofeedback we are going to have a look into its historical and theoretical background first and then we will explain how it can be used clinically. Neurofeedback was clinically introduced for epilepsy for the first time and its effect was proved. Since then it has been used successfully for a number of psychiatric disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD), anxiety, anxiety and mood disorder, sleep disorder, substance dependency, etc. Furthermore, it has been used for non-psychiatric or psychosomatic symptoms, such as headache, chronic pains, chronic fatigue symptoms, etc. Recently, it has been also used for non-medical areas, such as improvement of peak performance for sports and art activities, enhancement of cognitive function, etc, making the neurofeedback a very promising field for its potential and effectiveness.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.133-146
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the psychological characteristics of Korean esports athletes. We investigated the psychological characteristics of 40 professional esports players and 72 amateur esports players, a total of 112 esports players. Specifically, we investigated the differences in emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships, and sleep between professional players and trainee players. Professional esports athletes showed higher responsiveness to social conflict and more interpersonal non-acceptance compared to the trainees. Results also indicated high levels of insomnia severity. Based on the results, the need for psychological intervention and sleep intervention for athletes were discussed.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.129-137
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• 2001

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of 38-hour sleep deprivation on fine motor performance. The Motor Performance Series (MPS) in the Vienna Test System (computerized neurocognitive function tests) was used in this study. Methods: Twenty four subjects participated in this study. Subjects had no past history of psychiatric disorders and physical illness. Subjects had normal sleep-waking cycle without current sleep disturbances and were all right-handed (Annett's Hand Preference Questionnaire: above +9 points). To minimize the learning effects, familiarization with the Vienna Test System was performed one day before the study. Subjects were to get up at 6:00 in the morning after getting enough sleep according to his or her usual sleep-wake cycle. After awakening, subjects remained awake for 38 hours under continuous surveillance. During two consecutive study days, the subjects tested MPS at 7 AM and 7 PM each day, which means the MPS was done four times in total. During the experiment, anything that could affect the subjects' sleep such as coffee, tea, alcohol, a nap, tiring sports, and all medications were prohibited. Results: In MPS, the fine motor functions of both hands decreased after 38 hours of sleep deprivation. The decrement in motor performance was prominent in the dominant right hand. In the right hand, the total number of tapping was reduced (p<.005), and the number of misses (p<.05) and the length of misses (p<.05) of line tracking, the total length of inserting a short pin (p<.01), the total length of inserting a long pin (p<.05), and the number of misses in aiming (p<.05) increased. Such performance decrement was distinct in the morning sessions. Conclusions: These results suggest that fine motor performance decrement during sleep deprivation is predominant in the right hand, which exerts maximal motor function. The finding of decrement in motor function in tapping during sleep deprivation also suggested that the time required for exhaustion of muscles is shortened during sleep deprivation. More deterioration of motor performance was shown in the morning, which could be explained as circadian rhythm effects.