Epidemiological Association of Current Smoking Status with Hypertension and Obesity among Adults Including the Elderly in Korea: Multivariate Analysis of a Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Excluding Grades 2-3 Hypertension Cases.

Smoking is a major global health issue that contributes to various chronic diseases, while hypertension and obesity are considered significant health concerns due to their associated complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigated the associations between current smoking status, hypertension, and obesity among the Korean population, excluding individuals with high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg) and those taking antihypertensive medications. Data from the 2015 Korea National Fitness Assessment, encompassing 3457 individuals, were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects of current smoking and other variables on hypertension and obesity. The results showed that, among the population that excludes specific hypertension criteria, current smoking status was not significantly associated with hypertension or obesity. However, sex and body mass index were significantly associated with hypertension, and age, sex, and blood pressure were significantly associated with obesity. Future research should utilize larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs to confirm these findings and include a broader range of hypertensive participants to better control for potential confounding variables.

Effects of Emotional Labor and Job Stress Perceived by Insurance and Asset Managers on Their Job Satisfaction.

Background: Occupational stress is often high among the employees of insurance companies. We aimed to examine the effects of emotional labor and job stress on job satisfaction among insurance and asset managers and the moderating effect of regular exercise participation in these relationships. Methods: This study was conducted in October 2022. A total of 261 insurance and asset managers working at Samsung Life Insurance Company, Seoul, Republic of Korea, were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis, correlation analysis, structural equation model analysis, measurement equivalence tests, multi-group structural equation model analysis, and parametric comparison analysis. Results: Both emotional labor and job stress had a negative effect on the job satisfaction of insurance and asset managers (P< 0.05). Regular exercise participation moderated the relationship between emotional labor and job satisfaction (P< 0.05) but not the relationship between job stress and job satisfaction. Conclusion: The results of this study might help encourage devising of strategies that increase exercise participation among insurance and asset managers in order to reduce their emotional labor and job stress while simultaneously increasing their job satisfaction.

Association between Perceived Psychological Stress and Exercise Behaviors: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Survey of National Physical Fitness.

BACKGROUND: Perceived psychological stress and exercise are bidirectionally related, and the effects of exercise on stress relief are well documented. However, research on the influence of stress on exercise remains scarce. This study examined the association between perceived psychological stress and exercise participation among Korean adults and older adults as well as the relationship between exercise frequency and perceived stress. METHODS: Data on 3440 participants (2813 adults aged 19-64 and 627 older adults aged 65 or more) were collected from the Survey of National Physical Fitness conducted by the Korea Institute of Sport Science and the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2015. We compared the participants' health-related behaviors, including exercise, regular breakfast consumption, and smoking, according to their perceived psychological stress levels. RESULTS: Those who perceived a higher level of psychological stress reported lower levels of exercise participation, regular breakfast consumption, and smoking, with the exception of older male participants. The study also found that a higher frequency of exercise participation corresponded with a lower perceived level of psychological stress (ß = -0.080, p < 0.001) and that engaging in physical activity even once a week yields a substantial reduction in stress levels. CONCLUSIONS: In a large sample of Koreans, high levels of perceived psychological stress were significantly associated with less physical activity and infrequent weekly exercise. This study found a dose-response relationship between exercise frequency and reduced stress and suggested that psychological stress should be considered crucial in promoting physical activity.

Validation of Basic Psychological Needs Scale in Terms of Autonomy and Competence.

Background: Basic psychological needs affect intrinsic motivation. However, the relationship between selfcare behaviors and the basic psychological needs of patients undergoing renal dialysis has not been proven. We investigated the validity and reliability of the Basic Psychological Needs scale for patients undergoing renal dialysis. Methods: At hospitals in Busan Metropolitan City, 120 patients with chronic renal failure receiving dialysis treatment were examined. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and AMOS 21.0 and criteria for positively affecting selfcare behaviors in these patients identified. The Basic Psychological Needs scale consists of two subfactors: autonomy and competence. Results: The reliability of the 12 items of the scale based on Cronbach's α was 0.90; first factor autonomy was 0.90; second factor competence was 0.72; and there was homogeneity between the items. Conclusion: Construct-, convergent-, discriminant-, criterion-related validity and internal consistency were verified. The scale was confirmed as a tool for measuring the basic psychological needs of patients undergoing renal dialysis.

Physical Activity Patterns According to the Type of Physical Education Classes by Sex and Obesity among Korean Adolescents.

This study aimed to compare physical activity patterns according to the type of physical education by sex and body mass index categories among Korean adolescents. We analyzed physical activity using an accelerator in a physical education class among Korean middle school students (1305 boys and 1328 girls). An independent t-test and regression analysis were conducted to compare differences between the obesity groups by sex. As game play time increased, light activity increased in boys in the normal group. Among the girls, sedentary time decreased in the normal, at-risk for obesity, and obese groups. Moderate activity increased in the underweight, normal, at-risk for obesity, and obese groups. Vigorous activity increased in the normal group. As free activity time increased, sedentary time also increased in the normal, at-risk for obesity, and obese groups. Vigorous activity decreased in the normal group. Among the girls, sedentary time increased in the underweight group. Light activity decreased in the underweight and normal groups. A strategy to increase physical activity during physical education class is to increase game play time for girls and decrease free activity time for boys.

Effects of a Post-Traumatic Growth Program on Young Korean Breast Cancer Survivors.

Background: This study aimed to enhance post-traumatic growth in young breast cancer patients by providing them with self-disclosure and social support resources, to reduce intrusive rumination and increase deliberate rumination. This study was conducted at a university-based cancer center in Seoul, South Korea. The study included a four-week group-based psychoeducational program, which supported the post-traumatic personal growth of breast cancer patients. The primary outcome was increased post-traumatic growth, and the secondary outcomes were rumination, distress, and traumatic perception. Methods: The study included 38 young breast cancer patients, with a mean age of 42.21 years and mean time since diagnosis of 13.84 months. Results: Results of the study revealed statistically significant improvements in total post-traumatic growth and all subdomains, after the intervention (p < 0.001) and one month later (p < 0.001), as compared to the baseline. A significant improvement was also observed in deliberate rumination after the intervention (p = 0.038). Furthermore, the patients had a statistically significant decrease in anxiety, after the intervention (p = 0.035) and one month later (p = 0.005), as compared to the baseline. Conclusions: Overall, the program encourages activities that promote post-traumatic growth, enabling young breast cancer patients to return to their normal lives. Specifically, the growth allows patients to return to work and maintain a healthy body and mind. The results of this study indicate that this program can be used as an effective psychological intervention for young breast cancer patients.

The Relationship between Betting Propensity as Perceived by Golfers and Exercise Addiction: Verification of Moderating Effects According to Background Variables.

Background: We aimed to verify the effect of betting propensity as perceived by golf participants on exercise addiction, as well as the moderating effects of gender, average number of strokes, weekly exercise frequency, and monthly rounding frequency on these relationships. Methods: The study included 377 individuals who utilized golf driving ranges and courses in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province (Korea) selected using the non-probability sampling method. The data collected thereafter were subjected to confirmatory factor analysis, reliability analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, correlation analysis, stepwise regression analysis, and moderating effect analysis using Jamovi version 2.2.2 (University of Newcastle, Sydney, Australia). When the moderating effect was statistically significant, simple linear regression analysis was used to verify the results. Results: Betting propensity had a positive effect on all sub-factors related to exercise addiction (withdrawal symptoms, conflict, attachment, tolerance, and obsessive-compulsive disorder) (P<0.05). Only the average number of stroke exerted a significant moderating effect on these relationships (P<0.05). Specifically, greater perceived betting propensity was associated with a greater propensity for exercise addiction, and this phenomenon was more pronounced among those with a low average number of strokes. Conclusion: The current results suggest that greater perceived betting propensity is associated with an increased risk of exercise addiction among golf participants, especially those who are relatively more skilled. These results highlight the need to emphasize participating for the enjoyment of golf and psychological satisfaction without promoting practices that can lead to exercise addiction, such as betting golf.

Effect of Exercise Combined with Natural Stimulation on Korean College Students' Concentration and Positive Psychological Capital: A Pilot Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-term exercise, within the natural environment or by applying similar visual stimulation, on concentration and positive psychological capital among Korean college students. Participants were 175 male college students­selected by non-probabilistic sampling­from the Korean National Police University in Asan-si, Republic of Korea, in March 2021. Participants were divided into three condition groups: the natural environmental exposure with outdoor exercise (n = 57), visual stimulation with indoor exercise (n = 58), and indoor exercise (control group; n = 60). The variables measured were concentration and positive psychological capital. Pre- and post-exercise data differences were analyzed using two-way (3 × 2) analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation analysis, and statistical significance was set at 0.05. The results revealed a significant main effect on concentration, with lower scores post-intervention indicating positive changes in all three groups. In addition, the scores for positive psychological capital sub-factors (self-efficacy, optimism, and hope), in the groups with the natural environmental exposure with outdoor exercise and visual stimulation with indoor exercise conditions, reflected higher positive change than the indoor exercise group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the Bonferroni post hoc test on this interaction effect revealed that the participant scores for the natural environmental exposure with outdoor exercise and visual stimulation with indoor exercise groups were positive after the exercise (p < 0.05). However, there was no interaction effect for the ego-resilience subscale (p > 0.05). Therefore, participating in short-term exercise while being exposed to a natural environment with healing characteristics or providing visual stimulation of a similar natural environment was found to positively impact the Korean college students' concentration and positive psychological capital's self-efficacy, optimism, and hope. Moreover, this particular intervention only affects subjective measures of well-being while not particularly influencing objective measures, such as cognitive functioning. We recommend implementing similar visual stimulation with indoor exercise for the current generation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Self and Relative Effects of Competitive State Anxiety on Perceived Performance in Middle and High School Taekwondo Athletes: An Actor and Partner Interdependence Model Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to provide an empirical theoretical basis for the psychological phenomena that occur among competing athletes. To this end, we utilized the actor and partner interdependence model (APIM) to analyze the self- and relative effects of competitive state anxiety on perceived performance in middle and high school Taekwondo athletes. METHODS: Data were analyzed for 372 middle and high school athletes (red group=186, blue group=186) who participated in the first round of the 2020 Korea Taekwondo Association National Taekwondo Competition. Analysis based on the APIM was applied to the collected data, and a path analysis was conducted to verify the self- and relative effects of competitive state anxiety on perceived performance. RESULTS: Cognitive (red: P<0.01, blue: P<0.001) and physical state anxiety (red: P<0.01, blue: P<0.01) exerted a significant negative self-effect on perceived performance in both groups. In contrast, state confidence (red: P<0.001, blue: P<0.001) exerted a significant positive self-effect on perceived performance. Furthermore, cognitive (red: P<0.001, blue: P<0.01) and physical state anxiety (red: P<0.001, blue: P<0.001) exerted a significant positive relative effect on the opponent's perceived performance in both groups, while state confidence (red: P<0.01, blue: P<0.001) exerted a significant negative relative effect on the opponent's perceived performance. CONCLUSION: Sports psychologists should focus on developing a psychological training program that provides practical psychological support as well as self-regulatory and relative strategies for improving athletic performance in competitive scenarios.

Effect of Mindfulness Yoga on Depression Severity, Self-Esteem, and Quality of Life in Middle-Aged Men.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to conduct a mindfulness yoga program to treat the psychological problems of middle-aged men by examining the effects of a mindfulness yoga program on depression, self-esteem, and quality of life in this population. METHODS: The participants included 50 middle-aged men (aged 40-60 yr) living in Seongnam-si, Korea. Twenty-five men were randomly assigned to the experimental group and 25 were assigned to the control group. The mindfulness yoga program was conducted twice a week for 12 weeks, and each session lasted approximately 75 min. Before the first session, a pre-test was conducted, after which the program began. Questionnaires were completed after the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks of the program, and the control group underwent psychological tests at the same time points. A two-way (2 × 4) repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted, and when the interaction effect was significant, a post-hoc test (Bonferroni) was performed. RESULTS: In the intervention group, depression severity significantly decreased (P<0.001) and self-esteem significantly increased (P<0.01). Furthermore, the intervention group also showed a significant increase in psychological (P<0.001), social (P<0.001), and overall quality of life (P<0.001) among the sub-dimensions of quality of life. CONCLUSION: Middle-aged men should be made aware of the usefulness of mindfulness yoga and encouraged to participate in such programs. Mindfulness yoga may be considered as an alternative treatment strategy that promotes the natural healing and management of psychological issues faced by middle-aged men.

The Association between Vigorous Physical Activity and Stress in Adolescents with Asthma.

Asthma is a very common condition that affects 5-10% of the global population, and its prevalence is increasing. Vigorous physical activity (PA) is effective in improving cardiorespiratory fitness and managing stress. This study aimed to investigate the association between vigorous PA and stress among Korean adolescents with asthma using large-scale survey data. The questionnaire data of 57,303 adolescents were analyzed using raw data from the 2019 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey. We performed logistic regression analysis to calculate the stress odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for asthma and non-asthma groups using models 1 and 2. We also performed logistic regression analysis to calculate the stress OR for the asthma group with vigorous PA and non-vigorous PA using models 1, 2, and 3. Model 1 was adjusted for age, sex, obesity, smoking, and alcohol status; model 2 was further adjusted for household income, academic achievement, and comorbidities. Model 3 was further adjusted for moderate activity and resistance exercise. The OR of stress was 20% higher in the asthma group than in the non-asthma group (p < 0.05). In the fully adjusted models, the OR for the non-asthma group with vigorous PA versus non-vigorous PA was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84-0.94). However, the OR for the asthma group with vigorous PA versus non-vigorous PA was 0.70 (95% CI: 0.57-0.86), indicating that adolescents who engage in vigorous PA had lower stress in the asthma group (p < 0.05). This study demonstrated that adolescents with asthma had higher stress levels than those without asthma; however, vigorous PA was associated with lower stress. These effects were more pronounced in adolescents with asthma.

The Effects of High School Basketball Player's Sports Participation Motivation on Achievement Goal Orientation and Achievement Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Although the motivation to set goals and taking steps to achieve them is essential for athletes wishing to progress to a professional level, motives for participating in sports vary depending on personal and physical characteristics. We aimed to investigate the effect of motivation to participate in sports on achievement goal orientation and achievement behavior in high-school basketball players. METHODS: The study included 256 female high-school basketball players from Busan, Korea, and was conducted between September and October 2020. The questionnaires obtained data regarding motivation to participate in sports, achievement goal orientation, and achievement behavior. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Motivation to participate in sports exhibited a significant positive correlation with achievement goal orientation (P<0.05). Specifically, motivation related to the development of technical skills and achieving a sense of fulfillment, amusement, and health exerted a positive effect on task-goal orientation. Greater motivation related to technical skill development, attaining a sense of accomplishment, and improving health was associated with greater self-goal orientation. Additionally, achievement goal orientation exerted a significant positive effect on achievement behavior (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Given the relative unpopularity of basketball in Korea, it is crucial for players to develop high achievement goal orientation and engage in real efforts to translate such motivation into action. This goal- and achievement-oriented attitude should precede motivation for participating in basketball.

Comparison of Patterns of Skill Actions between Analog and Electronic Protectors in Taekwondo: A Log-Linear Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to compare the patterns of skill actions executed during Taekwondo competitions when wearing and not wearing an electronic protector. To achieve this purpose, 110 matches from two university-level Taekwondo championships were taped and analyzed. The performance skills were composed of 18 detailed skills and grouped into five categories by considering kicks to the target area (chest or head/face). The data were organized in the form of a contingency table that demonstrated the relationship between grouping factors (skills, protectors, win-lose, and weight division). A log-linear analysis was carried out to investigate the effect of the grouping factors (IVs) on the skills (DV) using SPSS Statistics. The results obtained in the present study can be summarized as follows. First, the overall proportion of "points" called by the judge for the general protector (32.3%) was approximately 3.4 times that for the electronic protector (9.5%). Second, for the electronic protector, the proportions of kicks to the chest area were in the following order: Roundhouse kick (R-Kick) (44.7%), Pushing kick (P-kick) (19.3%), Turn kick (T-kick) (8.7%), and Double roundhouse kick (DR-kick) (7.6%). For the general protector, the order differed slightly, with T-kick and P-kick switched around with different proportions. Third, the proportion of kicks to the head/face was higher for the electronic protector (19.8%) than for the general protector (10.4%), and this difference was even more distinct when the light (-68kg) (33.5% (electronic) vs. 6.5% (general)) and heavy (+85kg) (1.4% (electronic) vs. 13.3% (general)) weight divisions were compared. Finally, the match status (win/lose) had no significant effect on the pattern of playing actions for both the protectors. The result from this study suggests that skill frequency of linear simple movement for activating electrical protector's sensor is increased, while the one of rotational complex movement is decreased gradually. Additionally, headgear without sensors, such as for a hit movement to the face/head part, represent characteristics of increased attack skills to the facial area; these scores are provided through subjective judgement, and consequently changes in performance skills can occur.

Treatment patterns and their outcomes of acute aortic intramural hematoma in real world: multicenter registry for aortic intramural hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Intramural hematoma of the aorta (IMH), a variant of classic aortic dissection, shows very dynamic process in the early phase. The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with acute aortic IMH from real world registry data. METHODS: We analyzed 165 consecutive patients with acute IMH from five medical centers in Korea. All patients were divided into two groups; type A (n = 61, 37.0%) and type B (n = 104, 63.0%) according to the Stanford classification. Clinical outcomes and morphological evolution by CT were analyzed for 2 years. RESULTS: Most of the patients (77.0% of type A and 99.0% of type B, P < 0.001) were treated medically during their initial hospitalization. There were no significant differences in in-hospital mortality (4.9% vs. 2.9%, P = 0.671) and 2-year mortality (13.1% vs. 11.5%, P = 0.765) between two groups. During the 2-year follow up period, progression to aortic dissection (18.0% vs. 6.7%, P = 0.037) and surgical treatment (29.5% vs. 2.9%, P < 0.001) were higher in type A. For the type A patients, there were no significant difference in in-hospital mortality (7.1% of surgery vs. 4.3% of medical, P = 0.428) and 2-year mortality (7.1% of surgery vs. 14.9% of medical, P = 0.450) in terms of initial treatment strategy. CONCLUSION: For real world practice in Korea, most of IMH patients were treated medically at presentation and showed favorable outcomes. Thus, even in type A acute IMH, early medical treatment with alternative surgical conversion for selected, complicated cases would be a favorable treatment option.