The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the weight loss through 3 weeks of ketogenic diet on performance-related physical fitness and inflammatory cytokines in Taekwondo athletes. The subjects selected for this research were 20 Taekwondo athletes of the high schools who participated in a summer camp training program. The subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups, 10 subjects to each group: the ketogenic diet (KD) group and the non-ketogenic diet (NKD) group. Body composition, performance-related physical fitness factors (2,000 m sprint, Wingate test, grip force, back muscle strength, sit-up, 100 m sprint, standing broad jump, single leg standing) and cytokines (Iinterleukin-6, Interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α) were analyzed before and after 3weeks of ketogenic diet. No difference between the KD and NKD groups in weight, %body fat, BMI and fat free mass. However, the KD group, compared to the NKD group, finished 2,000 m sprint in less time after weight loss, and also felt less fatigue as measured by the Wingate test and showed less increase in tumor necrosis factor-α. This result suggests that KD diet can be helpful for weight category athletes, such as Taekwondo athletes, by improving aerobic capacity and fatigue resistance capacity, and also by exerting positive effect on inflammatory response.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the ketogenic diet through 3 weeks on oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity markers in Taekwondo athletes. The participants selected for this research were 18 high school taekwondo contestants aged 15–18 who had at least 5 yr of career as contestant. The subjects were randomly assigned to the ketogenic diet (KD) group and the Non ketogenic diet (NDK) group. Body composition and oxidative stress and antioxidative capacity markers (LDH, MDA, ROS, HDL, and SOD) were analysed before and after 3 weeks of ketogenic diet. No significant difference was found between the groups in body composition, ROS and SOD level. The KD group showed an elevated HDL level and NKD group showed an elevated LDH and MDA level after ketogenic diet by 3 weeks. This result suggests that weight loss by 3 weeks of calorie restriction and exercise can cause oxidative stress, and that ketogenic diet can be effective for preventing it. It could also be inferred that ketogenic diet can be effective for increasing blood antioxidative capacity.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether a six-week elastic band exercise program using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) can increase isotonic strength of abductor muscles in the lower extremity. Twenty-eight healthy students from S university were divided into an experimental group and control group. Each group was participated in pre and post-measurement in isotonic strength using an isotonic analyzer, En-treeM. Experimental group performed elastic band exercise using PNF pattern for a six-weeks, in contrast, control group did not take any exercise. In the results of this study, isotonic strength measurements of abductor muscles in lower extremity in experimental group were significantly different after exercise, but control group did not show any significant changes. Therefore, we hope that resistive exercise would be very valuable for healthy people as well as the old people with weakened muscle strength.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 16 weeks of spinning and bicycling exercises on body composition, physical fitness and blood variables in female adolescents. Subjects participated in this study were 24 female middle school students (12 spinning cycles, 12 general bicycles) attending to Seoul Yeoksam middle school. Each group was trained for 16 weeks, 3 times a week, and 1 hr per day after school. Body composition, physical fitness (1,200 running, sit-ups, back strength, sit and reach, side-steps) and blood variables (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde) were examined before and after 16 weeks of training. As the results, body weight did not show any significant difference; however, body mass index, and % body fat were significantly difference in spinning group. The enhancement in physical fitness factors were recognized in both groups, which was greater in spinning group in sit-ups, back strength, and side steps. Blood parameters were significantly difference between groups, but between group and time interactions were significantly difference in glucose and reactive oxygen species. In conclusion, this study suggests that 16 weeks of bicycle exercises were positive changes in body composition, physical fitness and blood constituents, indicating that spinning cycle is more beneficial as compared to ordinary bicycle.

Although many studies have focused on stretching techniques for athletes, no comprehensive studies have investigated the use of the instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) technique in young basketball players. The active properties of muscle and subjective reporting of functional ability were used to identify the effects of IASTM on the calf muscle. Active range of motion (AROM), functional fitness, and isokinetic lower strength in the knees and ankles were measured in 40 healthy young basketball players. They were divided into the IASTM group (n= 20) and a control group (CG, n= 20). Twenty asymptomatic young basketball players were treated with IASTM six times per week for 8 weeks. The remaining 20 participants did not receive a treatment intervention between tests and served as the control. Ankle AROM (two knee positions of 0∘ and 45∘ flexion), functional fitness at the knee and ankle (side-step and vertical jump), and isokinetic peak torque were determined during ankle dorsiflexion (DF) and plantar flexion (PF) and knee extension (EX) and flexion (FX). The data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in IASTM and control AROM 0∘ knee flexion (right: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p< 0.001; left: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.011), AROM 45∘ knee flexion (right: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.009; left: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.001), functional fitness (side step; p= 0.001, sit and reach; p= 0.025, vertical jump; p= 0.001), ankle isokinetic strength 30∘/sec (right: DF; p= 0.001 and PF; p= 0.001; left: DF; p< 0.001 and PF; p= 0.002), ankle isokinetic strength 120∘/sec (right: DF; p= 0.049 and PF; p= 0.001; left: DF; p= 0.023 and PF; p< 0.001), knee isokinetic strength 60∘/sec (right: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.001 and hamstring and quadriceps ratio [H/Q]; p= 0.001, left: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.001 and H/Q; p= 0.001), and knee isokinetic strength 180∘/sec (right: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.001 and H/Q; p= 0.001; left: EX; p= 0.001, FX; p= 0.010 and H/Q; p= 0.001). These results suggest that IASTM improves functional fitness and lower body muscle strength in young basketball players.

Acute high-intensity physical exercise is known to improve cognitive performance of children, including those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In this work, we investigated the acute effect of an aerobic stretching and moderate-intensity, health and happiness improving movement (HHIM) exercise on the cortical activity of children with and without ADHD using electroencephalography (EEG). Children aged 12 to 14 yr with combined-type ADHD and age-matched healthy controls participated in the study, performing two individual movements (n=79, 35 controls) and a single exercise bout (n=45, 18 controls). electroencephalographic signals were recorded before and immediately after each movement, and before and after acute exercise under resting conditions, to obtain absolute and relative power estimates for the theta (3.5–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), sensory motor rhythm (12–16 Hz), and beta (16–25 Hz) bands. After acute HHIM exercise, all children showed significant changes in their relative EEG, mainly in the theta and alpha bands. Individual movements were found to influence relative theta, alpha and beta, and theta-to-beta ratios. He presents aerobic stretching HHIM exercise has demonstrated acute effect on the cortical activity of children.

It is important to treat obesity and the related noncommunicable diseases. The main objective of this study is the effect of different training types on inflammatory and immune markers in obesity. Seventeen obese men with body mass index (BMI)≥26 kg/m2 were randomly divided into two groups: aerobic training group (AT; n=9) and combined aerobic and resistance training group (CT; n=8). Body composition (weight, BMI, %body fat), factors of physical performance (one-repetition maximum [1RM], maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max]), inflammatory markers (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]), immune markers (leukocyte, natural killer cell) were analyzed before and after 8-week training. Body composition (weight, BMI, and %body fat) was significantly reduced after training in both the AT and CT groups (P<0.05). As a result of training, VO2max of all training groups was increased and 1RM of CT group was partially improved. In particular, the inflammatory marker, TNF-α was significantly reduced (P<0.05) and the change was correlated with %body fat in the posttraining CT group. In this study, we found that combined training for 8 weeks improved physical fitness, body composition, and inflammation. It is suggested that restoring obesity through combined training of aerobic and resistance exercise is related to changes in serum TNF-α levels.