BACKGROUND: Gravity traction is a widely used conservative procedure, and several studies using various techniques have reported changes in blood pressure (BP) or heart rate (HR) or stress variables in the head-down tilting position, with varying results. The purpose of this study was to investigate BP, HR and serum lactic acid (LA) responses to inverted gravity traction at six angles. METHODS: Thirty volunteers (males 15, females 15) were assigned randomly to either of two experimental groups. After the resting BP, HR and LA concentration were measured in the sitting position, they were measured repeatedly at standing, supine, and inverted at -30, -60 and -90 degrees every 2.5 minute. RESULTS: Compared to the systolic BP (SBP) at sitting, SBP decreased at standing and at inverted -30degrees and increased at -60degrees and -90degrees in the males group, whereas SBP decreased at supine to inverted -60degrees and increased at -90degrees in the females group. Compared to the diastolic BP (DBP) at sitting, DBP diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased at standing to -60degrees in both groups and increased at inverted -90degrees. Compared to HR at sitting, HR decreased at supine to -90degrees in both groups. The results of the post hoc test comparisons showed that the SBP, DBP, and HR differed significantly at all six positions. However, compared to serum LA at sitting, LA at all positions were not significantly different in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: As seen in previous research, our results showed increases in BP and HR at inverted -90degrees. However, BP and HR at the other inverted positions including supine showed decreases. LA did not change significantly at any of the positions. Finally, our study showed that angles above -30degrees or -60degrees can benefits the cardiovascular system in young people.
Blood Pressure ; Cardiovascular System ; Female ; Gravitation ; Head-Down Tilt ; Heart ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Lactic Acid ; Male ; Posture ; Traction

BACKGROUND: The level of physical adaptation through active lifestyle can result in changes in appetite; and caused by physical activity and exercise, physical adaptation may change carbohydrate and fat metabolism during exercise. This study investigated the differences in carbohydrate and fat metabolism after moderate treadmill running and the difference in appetite response before and after exercise in active, regularly exercising individuals and those inactive. METHODS: We analyzed the effects of moderate physical activity (70% of oxygen uptake reserve, 30 minutes on the treadmill) on free fatty acids, glucose, growth hormone, insulin and an appetite visual analogue scale (VAS). Our subjects included 28 healthy males who were divided into two groups, the activity group (n=14) and the inactivity group (n=14) according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The serum samples and VAS were collected at pre, post and 30 min post-exercise. RESULTS: The results of the serum analysis showed no significant effects on free fatty acids, glucose, growth hormone and insulin between the groups, but showed significant changes in free fatty acids and growth hormone between points of measurement. Significant increases in VAS were seen with moderate exercise in both groups, with the inactivity group expressing greater hunger than the activity group. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that inactive persons were hungrier than active persons after moderate exercise. This information might be useful to staff and participants of weight loss programs.
Appetite ; Energy Metabolism ; Exercise ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; Glucose ; Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hunger ; Insulin ; Life Style ; Male ; Motor Activity ; Oxygen ; Running ; Weight Reduction Programs ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationships between cardiorespiratory fitness and body mass index (BMI), metabolic syndrome risk factors, homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in male high school students in Korea. Furthermore, the effects of the cardiorespiratory fitness levels on these four factors were examined. METHODS: The level of cardiorespiratory fitness, BMI, percent body fat, waist circumference (WC), systolic blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), HOMA-IR, and hsCRP of 227 male high school students were measured. Analyses of multiple correlation and simple regression were applied. RESULTS: The results showed that the level of cardiorespiratory fitness correlated negatively with BMI, percent body fat, WC, TG, and HDL-C, in addition to HOMA-IR and hsCRP, and strongly influenced BMI, percent body fat, WC, TG, HDL-C, HOMA-IR, and hsCRP. Comparative analysis of our subjects showed that higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels had positive effects on BMI, metabolic syndrome risk factors, HOMA-IR, and hsCRP. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that there are close correlations between cardiorespiratory fitness and BMI, metabolic syndrome risk factors, HOMA-IR, and hsCRP. It also showed that, compared to lower levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, higher levels had beneficial effects on BMI, metabolic syndrome risk factors, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Korea ; Male ; Physical Fitness ; Risk Factors ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a group intervention program on elderly people with chronic disease(s) living in the community. METHODS: This study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest study. Participants were 101 elderly persons with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. The experimental group participated in an intervention program as a group while the control group participated individually, both for 16 weeks. The program involved health education, stretching exercises with thera-band and massage. The experimental group attended this program including group discussions while the control group attended the same program but without group discussions. Data were collected before and after the intervention, which went from September 1 to December 26, 2010. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's rho and repeated measure analysis of covariance. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the groups for depression (F=49.756, P<0.001) and quality of life (F=7.289, P=0.008) after the intervention program. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that intervention programs with a group approach are more effective than an individual approach for community-dwelling elderly with chronic disease. Therefore, a group approach should be considered when planning programs for elders in the community.
Aged ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Exercise ; Health Education ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Massage ; Quality of Life

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to internet addiction in college students in Korea. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of college students in Seoul, and data was collected through self-report questionnaires. Data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, Fisher's exact test, Kruskal-Wallis rank test, and ordinary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the ordinary logistic regression analysis, the factors related to a higher risk of internet addiction were lower frequency of exercise (P=0.017), lower level of self-control (P<0.001), higher level of stress (P<0.001), living with parents (P=0.011), using the internet for extended periods of time (P<0.001), and using the internet in their own rooms (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exercise, self-control, stress, living with parents, and duration and place of internet use are associated with internet addiction in college students. This information can be used to design methods for preventing internet addiction. More specific studies on internet addiction in college students are needed.
Behavior, Addictive ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Internet ; Logistic Models ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: A low level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is well known as an important cardiovascular risk factor which is closely associated with physical activity levels. However, there is a very few studies conducted on relationship between physical activity and HDL-C status among Korean adults. METHODS: We selected total 22,294 people aged 19 to 69 years old who had not taken lipid lowering agents from the 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data. The population was classified into three groups using the criteria for HDL-C of Adult Treatment Panel III. The relationship between the physical activity and HDL-C was investigated and the amount of physical activity levels of the three HDL-C groups were obtained with analysis of covariance with adjustments for various factors influencing the physical activity levels. RESULTS: After adjusted for various factors influencing HDL-C, physical activity is significantly associated with HDL-C. As physical activity is increased, HDL-C is much higher (P<0.001).The physical activity levels were significantly different among the three HDL-C groups. The amount of physical activity in low HDL-C group was significantly low compared to high HDL-C group (1653.08+/-65.31 MET-min/wk vs. 1916.70+/-102.86 MET-min/wk, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed that the amount of physical activity level in low HDL-C group was significantly lower compared with that of high HDL-C group in Korean adults.
Adult ; Aged ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Humans ; Korea ; Lipoproteins ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Serum uric acid has been suggested as a predictor for development of the metabolic syndrome, but retrospective cohort studies in Korean population is scarce. Therefore, we investigated the association between serum uric acid levels and the incidence of the metabolic syndrome in Korean people. METHODS: The study population consisted of 9,746 Korean male employees, 30 to 59 years of age, without cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome, who underwent health checkups from 2002 to 2006. We analyzed incidence of metabolic syndrome according to serum uric acid levels and odds ratio of metabolic syndrome using logistic regression. RESULTS: As a quartile of serum uric acid increased, 4 year follow-up incidence of the metabolic syndrome increased. After adjustment sex, age, alcohol drinking status, and smoking status, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance and high sensitive C-reactive protein, odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for incidence of metabolic syndrome comparing the lowest uric acid quartile to the upper quartiles were 1.0 (reference), 1.15 (0.96-1.39), 1.52 (1.29-1.80), 2.00 (1.68-2.37), respectively. After futher adjustment of metabolic components, this association remained significant. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that increasing levels of serum uric acid predicted an increased incidence of metabolic syndrome. Physicians should be observant regarding future development of metabolic syndrome among patients with increasing concentration of serum uric acid.
Alcohol Drinking ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: It is well known that patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show symptoms of depression and anxiety more often than patients with other chronic illnesses or the general population. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of depression and anxiety on quality of life in patients with COPD. METHODS: Quality of life was assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire and depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorder Patient Health Questionnaire (PRIME-MD PHQ) in 129 patients with COPD visiting an outpatient clinic. We examined the correlations between the SF-36 scores and clinico-demographic features by Pearson's correlation analysis and the influence of depression and anxiety symptoms on the SF-36 scores by multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 129 patients, 48.8% were diagnosed as having major depressive syndrome, 18.6% other depressive syndromes, 23.3% panic syndrome, and 30.3% other anxiety syndrome by the PRIME-MD PHQ. The physical component summary was affected the most by depressive symptoms followed by dyspnea (P<0.05). The mental component summary was only affected by depressive symptoms (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in COPD patients is markedly increased, and depressive symptoms decrease the quality of life in these patients. Thus, there is a need for physicians to assess for and recognize such symptoms and promptly administer appropriate interventions.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Anxiety ; Chronic Disease ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Dyspnea ; Humans ; Mental Disorders ; Panic ; Prevalence ; Primary Health Care ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Both atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia may progress to gastric dysplasia. This study aimed to analyze the factors influencing progression of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia to dysplasia. METHODS: People diagnosed with atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia for the first time received a follow-up endoscopy and were investigated for the cumulative incidence rate of gastric dysplasia by age, gender, smoking habit, alcohol intake, rice consumption and family history of stomach cancer. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence rate increased with age, consuming > or =3 bowls of rice per day and family history of stomach cancer. Multivariate analysis showed that the cumulative incidence rate of gastric dysplasia increased in subjects >61 years (RR=2.54, P=0.014), in those consuming > or =3 bowls of rice per day (RR=1.46, P=0.021) and in those with a family history of stomach cancer (RR=1.31, P=0.037). CONCLUSIONS: More active management, such as intensive endoscopic follow-up examinations, lifestyle change and education regarding gastric dysplasia, are required in those older than 61 years, having a higher intake of grain or with a family history of stomach cancer.
Edible Grain ; Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Metaplasia ; Multivariate Analysis ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify the attitudes of adolescent girls towards menstruation, peri-menstrual symptoms, and coping. METHODS: A convenience sample of 521 adolescent girls was obtained from two middle schools and two high schools in M city. Data were collected through questionnaires about menstrual attitudes, menstrual symptoms, and coping. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. RESULTS: Subjects showed both negative and positive attitudes toward menstruation. There were significant correlation between attitudes toward menstruation and peri-menstrual symptoms. Subjects having a positive attitude toward menstruation needed a nursing mediator to provide relief for menstrual symptoms during the peri-menstrual period. Attitudes toward menstruation explained 11.0% variance of menstrual symptoms, and factor 4, in particular, (event whose onset can be predicted and anticipated) correlated strongest with menstrual symptoms and explained 21.5% variance of menstrual symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that evidence-based strategies for positive attitudes toward menstruation, menstrual symptom, and coping should be included in a comprehensive approach to a nursing intervention to help adolescent girls.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adolescent ; Female ; Humans ; Menstruation ; Surveys and Questionnaires