Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder in middle-aged men, yet age-specific risk factors within this population remain unclear. This study compared the prevalence and associated factors of high-risk OSA between men aged <50 years and ≥50 years using national survey data.Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed 11,761 middle-aged men (aged≥40 years) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2021–2023). Weighted multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors in each age group, adjusting for sociodemographic, health-related, and lifestyle variables.Results: High-risk OSA prevalence was 37.2% in men <50 years and 43.6% in men ≥50 years (P<0.001). In men aged <50 years, abdominal obesity showed the strongest association with high-risk OSA (odds ratio [OR]=6.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]=4.75–7.65), followed by current smoking (OR=5.07, 95% CI=3.79–6.79), past smoking (OR=3.21, 95% CI=2.44–4.22), high-risk drinking (OR=2.04, 95% CI=1.51–2.76), high stress level (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.02–3.48), moderate stress level (OR=1.55, 95% CI=1.02–2.34), and poor subjective health (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.07–2.09). In men aged ≥50 years, past smoking was the strongest factor (OR=5.69, 95% CI=4.98–6.49), followed by current smoking (OR=3.88, 95% CI=3.28–4.59), abdominal obesity (OR=2.94, 95% CI=2.61–3.31), poor subjective health (OR=2.09, 95% CI=1.77–2.46), high stress level (OR=1.85, 95% CI=1.30–2.63), high-risk drinking (OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.32–2.00), and married status (OR=1.30, 95% CI=1.14–1.48).Conclusions: Risk factors for high-risk OSA differed between younger and older middle-aged men. Younger men require interventions focused on abdominal obesity management, smoking cessation, and alcohol reduction, while older men need comprehensive approaches addressing smoking, metabolic health, and social support. Age-specific screening and prevention strategies are warranted to reduce the burden of OSA in middle-aged men populations.
Background: Health literacy is increasingly recognized as a key determinant of health behavior and preventive practice. This study aimed to evaluate the association between health literacy and major health behaviors in Korean adults using nationally representative data.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the 2023–2024 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 11,555 adults with complete health literacy responses were included. Health literacy was assessed using a 10-item questionnaire and categorized into quartiles (Q1: lowest; Q4: highest). Current smoking, high-risk drinking, insufficient physical activity, and non-participation in health screening were evaluated. Multivariable complex-sample logistic regression analyses were performed after adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates.Results: Lower health literacy was associated with higher prevalence of current smoking, insufficient physical activity, and non-participation in health screening. In the fully adjusted model, participants in the lowest literacy group had significantly higher odds of current smoking (odds ratio [OR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.44–2.32), insufficient physical activity (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.26–1.74), and not receiving health screening (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.16–1.65) compared with the highest group. High-risk drinking was not independently associated with health literacy.Conclusions: Health literacy was independently associated with key health behaviors and preventive practice in Korean adults. Strategies to improve population health should consider not only access to information but also individuals’ capacity to understand and use health information.
Background: This study examined the associations of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses’ knowledge of life-sustaining treatment (LST), role perception regarding LST, and nursing stress related to LST with their performance of end-of-life nursing care.Methods: A total of 179 ICU nurses from tertiary general hospitals participated in this descriptive correlational study. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U-test, Kruskal–Wallis test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis, employing IBM SPSS version 28.0.Results: The performance of end-of-life nursing care was significantly higher among nurses with 5 to <7 years (β=0.17, P=0.032) and ≥7 years (β=0.20, P=0.011) of total clinical experience, as well as those who had performed end-of-life nursing care 20 times or more (β=0.17, P=0.014). Higher role perception regarding LST (β=0.27, P<0.001) and lower nursing stress related to LST (β=–0.41, P<0.001) were also associated with better performance. These variables explained 31.3% of the variance in end-of-life nursing care performance.Conclusions: These findings suggest that tailored educational and support programs based on clinical experience and care exposure may be helpful for supporting end-of-life nursing care performance among ICU nurses. In particular, role perception regarding LST and nursing stress related to LST may be important considerations when designing strategies to support the quality of end-of-life nursing care. Such strategies may also contribute to patient dignity and family-centered supportive care in ICU end-of-life situations.
Background: This study was conducted to identify factors associated with clinical adaptation among newly graduated nurses, with particular focus on reality shock and resilience.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 191 newly graduated nurses working at general hospitals in the Incheon area. Data were collected through an online survey. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analyses.Results: The mean clinical adaptation score was 5.77±1.80 on a 0–10 Visual Analogue Scale. Clinical adaptation was positively correlated with job satisfaction and resilience and negatively correlated with reality shock. Job satisfaction (β=0.17, P=0.017), adaptability (β=0.24, P=0.008), and lack of confidence (β=–0.43, P<0.001) were significantly associated with clinical adaptation, accounting for 45.9% of the variance (adjusted R2=0.459).Conclusions: Interventions aimed at enhancing resilience, strengthening confidence in clinical practice, and promoting positive work experiences may facilitate successful clinical adaptation among newly graduated nurses. These findings provide evidence for the development of targeted support strategies to promote a successful transition to professional nursing practice.
Wearable technologies are increasingly used to support personalised health management and promote health-related behaviours. These devices generate continuous, real-time data that are often interpreted as individualised health information. However, the key issue is not only data accuracy, but whether wearable-derived metrics are valid at the individual level or truly reflect personalisation. While wearable data may appear precise, their interpretation is limited by measurement variability, lack of contextualisation, and reliance on population-based models. This paper introduces the concept of the illusion of personalisation to describe the discrepancy between the apparent specificity of wearable-derived data and their limited individual-level interpretability. Data alone do not create meaning, and additional data do not necessarily improve clarity. In health promotion and preventive medicine, uncritical interpretation of wearable data may overestimate their clinical relevance. A cautious approach is therefore warranted, recognising wearable data as indicators of general trends rather than definitive representations of individual health.
Background: Anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation increasingly emphasizes the integration of cognitive and motor recovery. Traditional strength or balance tests fail to capture attentional control and movement coordination under cognitive load. Cognitive–motor dual-task paradigms address this gap, yet existing studies are fragmented by heterogeneous designs and limited psychometric validation. This review proposes a structured four-component framework—comprising cognitive task, sensor modality, outcome metric, and protocol standardization—to unify assessment approaches and enhance clinical applicability.Methods: A systematic narrative synthesis was performed across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (2010–2025). Thirty-seven studies employing cognitive–motor dual-task paradigms in anterior cruciate ligament or anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction contexts were analyzed. Evidence was categorized into behavioral, kinematic, and physiological domains, focusing on psychometric properties including validity, reliability, responsiveness, and feasibility for clinical translation.Results: Dual-task conditions consistently revealed prolonged reaction time, higher error rates, and asymmetrical movement patterns undetected by single-task tests. Wearable technologies, including inertial measurement units and smart insoles, achieved near-laboratory validity and rapid setup. Behavioral measures demonstrated strong reliability, whereas physiological modalities such as electroencephalography, functional near-infrared spectroscopy, heart rate variability, and electrodermal activity provided mechanistic insights with variable reproducibility.Conclusions: This review advances dual-task assessment from exploratory research to a psychometrically grounded clinical framework. By integrating behavioral, kinematic, and physiological measures, it defines a wearable-based strategy that connects laboratory precision with field feasibility. Future priorities include multicenter validation, creation of normative datasets and clinical thresholds, and establishment of open-data infrastructures to ensure reproducibility. Standardized, psychometrically rigorous dual-task assessment may become a core tool for individualized rehabilitation and safe return to sport.
Background: Self-rated health (SRH) is crucial for predicting morbidity and mortality across age groups, including adolescents and adults. Body image dissatisfaction, measured by difference between current and ideal weight, surpasses body mass index (BMI) in predicting health outcomes. We evaluated the correlation between body image perception and SRH among middle and high school students in Korea.Methods: This study comprised of 51,850 students aged 12–18 years who participated in the 2022 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Subjective health status was categorized into ‘good’ or ‘poor’ groups. Body image was classified into ‘underweight,’ ‘normal,’ or ‘overweight.’ BMI was determined using age-specific percentiles: underweight (<5th percentiles), overweight (85th–95th percentiles), and obese (>95th percentiles). Data analysis was performed by multivariable logistic analysis and adjusted for depressive mood, stress, and socioeconomic status.Results: The total participants (N=50,455) included 59.4% with normal weight according to BMI, only 36.4% perceived themselves as normal. Students who perceived themselves as having a normal weight had higher rates of good SRH compared to others. Excluding females with BMI ≥25 kg/m2, both sex showed higher odds ratios [ORs] for poor SRH when perceiving themselves overweight (male: OR=2.57, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=2.367–2.782; female: OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.270–1.452) or underweight (male: OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.507–1.791; female: OR=1.36, 95% CI=1.256–1.472).Conclusions: More than half of the students responded negatively to their body image, associated with poor subjective health status. Therefore, promoting accurate body weight perceptions will play a positive role in overall health of adolescents.
Background: Visually impaired individuals have a higher prevalence of chronic diseases compared with the general Korean population. However, little is known about the associations between alcohol drinking and chronic diseases in this population. This study aimed to examine these associations among severe vision disorders among adult men.Methods: A total of 237 men severely visually impaired adults aged 50 years or older were surveyed. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Korean version. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify associations between alcohol drinking behaviors and chronic diseases, adjusting for age, body mass index, education level, economic activity, physical activity, regular diet habits and smoking.Results: Hypertension was the most common condition (22.8%), followed by liver disease (16.6%) and diabetes mellitus (16.2%). Other reported conditions included osteoarthritis (9.0%), pneumonia (8.4%), kidney disease (8.2%), heart disease (5.7%), cerebrovascular disease (5.7%), cancer (4.5%), and gout (3.1%). Only 11.8% of participants reported no chronic conditions, while 22.4% had one and 28.3% had two. Multimorbidity (≥3 conditions) was observed in 37.6% of participants, with 7.2% reporting five or more conditions. Past drinkers/non-drinkers showed a significantly lower odds of heart disease (P=0.006) and pneumonia (P=0.011). In contrast, arthritis showed a significantly higher risk among current drinkers (P=0.039). Hazardous drinkers (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test–Korean version score≥8) showed a higher prevalence of cancer (P=0.023) and liver disease (P=0.024) compared with non-hazardous drinkers. Hazardous drinking was associated with 9.00-fold increased risk of diabetes (95% confidence interval=1.68–48.14, P<0.05).Conclusions: Hazardous drinking showed 9.00-fold increased risk of diabetes among adults with severe visual impairment. Tailored health promotion programs are needed to address alcohol drinking behaviors and prevent chronic diseases in this population.
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo, predominantly affecting middle-aged women. While canalith repositioning maneuvers are generally effective, recurrence is frequent and can significantly impact quality of life. An increasing number of studies have reported an association between vitamin D deficiency and BPPV, especially in recurrent cases. Furthermore, recent meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials suggest that vitamin D supplementation can significantly reduce recurrence rates in patients with BPPV. Despite growing awareness, vitamin D deficiency remains prevalent in Korea. Given the high burden of BPPV and the safety and accessibility of vitamin D supplementation, vitamin D screening and supplementation can be a clinically reasonable and potentially beneficial strategy—particularly for middle-aged women, who are most commonly affected by BPPV, and for BPPV patients with recurrent episodes.
Background: This study examined the factors influencing non-academic sedentary behavior among Korean adolescents, focusing on weekday–weekend differences.Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using data from the 2023 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N=52,880). Sedentary behavior was measured separately on weekdays and weekends. Independent variables included sex, age, and body mass index (BMI; physical characteristics); stress, anxiety, and smartphone overdependence (psychological characteristics); and living with family (social characteristics). Data were analyzed using complex sample general linear models.Results: Average sedentary time was 206.35 minutes on weekdays and 321.96 minutes on weekends. Sex, age, BMI, anxiety, and smartphone overdependence significantly predicted sedentary behavior on both weekdays and weekends (P<0.05). Stress was significant only on weekends (P=0.012); living with family showed no significant association.Conclusions: Psychological and behavioral factors substantially influence adolescents’ sedentary behavior. In particular, smartphone overdependence and anxiety should be considered, and interventions need to address emotional and contextual factors, including weekday–weekend differences.
Background: Maternal mental health is a critical component of overall well-being, influencing both mothers and their children. In Ethiopia, maternal mental health disorders are prevalent but remain under-addressed due to limited healthcare infrastructure, social stigma, and a shortage of trained mental health professionals. Community-based interventions (CBIs) have shown promise in improving maternal mental health outcomes in low- and middle-income countries.Methods: This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of CBIs in improving maternal mental health outcomes in Ethiopia, identifying key intervention strategies and challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and CINAHL) for studies published between 2000 and 2023. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort studies, and qualitative research on CBIs targeting maternal mental health in Ethiopia. A total of 65 studies were screened, with 29 meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized narratively to highlight key themes.Results: CBIs included peer-support groups, health extension worker (HEW)-led home visits, integrated maternal health services, and community awareness programs. Peer-support groups reduced depressive symptoms by 40% to 50% by fostering emotional resilience and reducing social isolation. HEW-led interventions improved mental health literacy and increased help-seeking behaviors by 25%. Integrating mental health care into routine maternal services enhanced screening rates by 60%. However, key barriers included stigma, lack of HEW mental health training, and resource constraints.Conclusions: CBIs are effective in improving maternal mental health in Ethiopia. Scaling up successful programs requires enhanced HEW training, community engagement, and integration into existing healthcare frameworks. Addressing social stigma and sustainability challenges is crucial for long-term impact.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic exposed older adults' vulnerability, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive urban health strategies and resilient cities. Existing frameworks often lack specific tools for assessing pandemic policy effectiveness for aging populations.Methods: This study introduces the Pandemic Policy Assessment Scorecard, a tool with 16 subjects and 40 evaluative statements across five dimensions: governance & finance, healthcare capacity, social support, urban environment, and information/communication technology. Developed drawing on World Health Organization and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction frameworks, these subjects were selected through literature review, expert consultation, and pilot studies, capturing both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of policy performance.Results: The scorecard provides a systematic framework to assess pandemic-related policy effectiveness. Comparative analyses of pandemic responses in aging societies, such as Switzerland and Thailand, revealed variations in age-friendly policy initiatives, highlighting the necessity of targeted, evidence-based approaches to protect elderly populations during crises.Conclusions: The scorecard offers a integrated framework that complements existing resilience tools by explicitly addressing elder- specific vulnerabilities. It equips policymakers with data-driven insights to strengthen interventions, ultimately advancing the development of age-friendly, resilient urban environments prepared for future health emergencies.
Background: This study aimed to evaluate whether Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) can serve as a practical alternative to Dual- Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) for measuring body composition in clinical settings.Methods: BIA (InBody970, InBody770, InBody770C, and InBody270C) and DEXA were repeatedly used for measurements on the same day (n=100). Participants fasted for at least 4 hours and stood upright for 10 minutes before the measurements to stabilize body water composition.Results: All four BIA devices (InBody970, InBody770, InBody770C, and InBody270C) showed a high correlation with DEXA, with Pearson correlation coefficients (r) of ≥0.97 for both muscle mass and body fat mass. Among them, the InBody770C demonstrated a slightly higher correlation in body fat mass measurements (P<0.05). However, Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient ranged from 0.939 to 0.941, indicating only moderate agreement. In addition, Bland–Altman analysis revealed statistically significant mean biases and wide limits of agreement across all devices, suggesting that strong correlation does not necessarily imply measurement equivalence.Conclusions: Given the high correlation between BIA and DEXA, BIA may serve as a useful tool for tracking body composition. However, moderate agreement levels suggest that caution is warranted when interpreting BIA as a substitute for DEXA in clinical practice.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, with the potential to reverse decades of medical progress. AMR occurs when microorganisms evolve to resist the effects of antimicrobial drugs, rendering treatments ineffective. This phenomenon is driven by mechanisms such as genetic mutations, horizontal gene transfer, and the overuse of antimicrobials in both human medicine and agriculture. The economic impact of AMR is profound, with projections indicating a potential reduction in global gross domestic product by 2% to 3.5% by 2050, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to weaker healthcare infrastructure and higher rates of infectious diseases. Addressing AMR requires a multifaceted approach, including improved antimicrobial stewardship, enhanced surveillance, and the development of new treatments. Surveillance systems, particularly in LMICs, are often inadequate, highlighting the need for global collaboration and data-sharing networks like the Latin American Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Network (ReLAVRA). Additionally, the interconnected use of antimicrobials in humans, animals, and the environment necessitates a One Health approach to effectively combat AMR. Preventive measures such as vaccination, infection control practices, and rapid diagnostic tests are crucial in reducing the spread of resistant infections. Antimicrobial stewardship programs and precision medicine offer promising strategies to minimize unnecessary antimicrobial use and slow resistance development. However, the development of new antimicrobials remains a critical challenge, requiring innovative models of collaboration between academia, industry, and governments.
Background: To evaluate the effectiveness of a pilot smartphone-based digital health education program in improving diabetes-related knowledge, motivation for lifestyle change, and lifestyle behaviors among adults with diabetes or prediabetes.Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study using data from 38 adults (aged, 20–70 years; body mass index, ≥23 kg/ m2) with diabetes or prediabetes who participated in an 8-week “Health Curation Service” pilot program in 2024. The intervention delivered personalized health information via a mobile messenger (KakaoTalk) twice weekly (16 sessions) focusing on blood sugar management, diet, and exercise. Participants completed an online survey at program end assessing perceived improvements in diabetes knowledge, motivation for behavior change, and program satisfaction. Lifestyle behaviors were evaluated before and after the program using the diet quality score (0–100) and self-reported physical activity (MET-min/wk). Pre- and post-intervention measures were compared with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (for 13 respondents, 34.2% response rate).Results: Participants reported high satisfaction with the program and perceived improvements in diabetes knowledge (mean score, 4.3/5) and motivation to change lifestyle behaviors (mean score, 4.0/5). The mean diet quality score showed no statistically significant change (79.8 pre-intervention vs. 79.4 post-intervention, P=0.67), although the number of participants classified as having “good” dietary habits (score≥80) increased from 6 to 9. Physical activity levels increased from 1,003.1 to 1,290.5 MET-minutes per week, but this change was not statistically significant (P=0.53).Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that a mobile health education program may be a feasible approach for delivering personalized health information to individuals with diabetes or prediabetes. However, no statistically significant changes were observed in diet quality or physical activity over the 8-week intervention. Further studies involving larger populations, extended follow-up periods, and more interactive components are needed to more rigorously evaluate the potential of mobile-based interventions for behavioral change in chronic disease management.
Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent psychological concern among cancer survivors, closely linked to diminished health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased psychological distress. However, its impact on health-related behaviors remains poorly understood. This study investigated associations between FCR, HRQoL, psychological distress, and health-related behaviors in a diverse cancer survivor population.Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 326 adult cancer survivors across diverse cancer types. FCR was assessed using four items addressing concern about recurrence, metastasis, second cancer, and follow-up and participants were classified as high FCR. HRQoL was evaluated using the EuroQol 5-Dimension Questionnaire (EQ-5D), EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30); psychological symptoms were measured by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Health-related behaviors included recent screening, vaccination, and physical activity. Linear regression was used for continuous outcomes and logistic regression for binary outcomes, controlling for demographic and clinical covariates.Results: Participants with high FCR demonstrated significantly poorer HRQoL across multiple domains, including Global Health Status/Quality of Life (β=–10.56, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: –14.82 to –6.29, P<0.001), physical functioning (β=–7.04, P<0.001), and emotional functioning (β=–12.86, P<0.001). They also reported greater fatigue (β=11.11, P<0.001), pain (β=9.85, P<0.001), and financial difficulty (β=17.32, P<0.001). High FCR was strongly associated with depressive (PHQ-9: β=3.10, P<0.001) and anxiety symptoms (GAD-7: β=2.70, P<0.001). In contrast, no significant associations were found between FCR and health-related behaviors.Conclusions: High FCR is strongly associated with impaired HRQoL and increased psychological distress but does not translate into increased engagement in preventive health behaviors. These findings underscore the need for integrated interventions addressing both emotional and behavioral aspects of survivorship care.
Background: This study explores whether resilience mediates the effect of depression on suicidal ideation among older adults living alone. It aims to clarify the role of resilience as a psychological protective factor and provide foundational data for developing suicide prevention strategies tailored to this vulnerable population.Methods: Eighty-four older adults aged 70–80 years, living alone and receiving specialized senior care services in three Korean localities, participated in the study. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale, suicidal ideation with the Scale for Suicidal Ideation, and resilience using the resilience subscale of the Psychological Capital Questionnaire. SPSS 28.0 was used to conduct descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression analyses following the Baron and Kenny causal-steps approach, and the Sobel test to assess mediation effects.Results: Depression was positively correlated with suicidal ideation (r=0.287, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with resilience (r= –0.315, P<0.01). Suicidal ideation also showed a significant negative correlation with resilience (r=–0.359, P<0.01). Multiple regression analyses following the Baron and Kenny causal-steps approach confirmed that resilience partially mediated the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. The Sobel test supported this result (Z=2.042, P<0.05), indicating that resilience functions as a psychological buffer.Conclusions: This study confirms the importance of resilience in reducing suicidal ideation among older adults living alone. The findings highlight the need for effective, multidimensional intervention strategies that enhance resilience, not only through psychological approaches but also through broader policy and environmental support.
Background: This study aimed to compare and analyze the effects of two training modalities—resistance training and power training—on maximal strength (one-repetition maximum, 1RM) and repetition-based muscular endurance in university students.Methods: Fifty-seven university students (34 males and 23 females) participated in a 12-week training intervention. The program was divided into two phases: Phase 1 (first 6 weeks) involved resistance training with a controlled 3-second concentric-eccentric tempo, while Phase 2 (last 6 weeks) incorporated power training with 20-second maximal repetition sets. A total of 12 exercises were included, comprising eight 1RM-based and four repetition-based exercises. Measurements were conducted at three time points—T1 (pre), T2 (mid), and T3 (post)—and included assessments of body composition and exercise performance. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and paired t-tests.Results: Significant improvements (P<0.001) were observed across most 1RM-based exercises, particularly during the power training phase. Repetition-based exercises also showed positive trends, although performance declines were noted in the kettlebell exercise for some participants. In terms of body composition, skeletal muscle mass significantly increased across all participants, while male participants exhibited a slight decrease in body fat percentage.Conclusions: These findings suggest that power training is highly effective in improving maximal strength within a short period and that the effectiveness of exercise interventions may differ depending on contraction velocity and training modality. Based on a practical training design for general university students, this study offers foundational insights for developing efficient physical training programs.
Background: The concept of being metabolically obese but normal weight (MONW) has emerged as a significant public health concern. Individuals with MONW exhibit insulin resistance and are at elevated risk for chronic diseases, despite having a body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2. Given the high prevalence of MONW among older Asian adults and the role of abdominal visceral fat in metabolic abnormalities in individuals with MONW, identifying an accurate waist circumference (WC)-based body adiposity index for older Asian adults is essential. Thus, this study aimed to determine the most accurate WC-based body adiposity index for identifying MONW in older Korean adults that are not underweight or obese.Methods: This cross-sectional study included 7,846 participants (3,536 males and 4,310 females) aged ≥60 years with a BMI of 18.5–24.9 kg/m2 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. MONW was defined using metabolic syndrome criteria and sex-specific triglyceride–glucose Index cutoff points. Associations were analyzed using logistic regression, and discriminative ability was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. The analysis included BMI, WC and various WC-based adiposity indices, including the visceral adiposity index (VAI), body roundness index, waist-to-height ratio, conicity index, weight-adjusted waist index, and a body shape index.Results: While all WC-based indices were associated with MONW, only the VAI showed a stronger association (odds ratios [ORs], 26.542 in males and 21.495 in females) and superior discriminative ability (area under the curves [AUCs], 0.826 in males and 0.802 in females) in both sexes compared with WC (ORs, 4.538 and 4.060; AUCs, 0.679 and 0.676). Other indices showed weaker associations and lower areas under the curves than did the VAI and WC, regardless of sex.Conclusions: The VAI may serve as the most effective indicator for identifying MONW among older Korean adults that are not underweight or obese.
