• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.345-351
• /
• 2024

Background: A decrease in physical fitness with age can impact work ability. Exploring the role of physical fitness is important for identifying interventions to enhance work ability among aging workers. We sought to determine the association between physical fitness and physically demanding work ability in aging workers. Methods: We recruited workers aged 45-65 years from eight departments of a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Work ability was assessed using the work ability index (WAI), and physical fitness components were evaluated through various tests. Associations between work ability and physical fitness were examined using a multivariable regression analysis. Results: The response rate was 46.4% (n = 216). The mean WAI score was 41.6. Participants with an overweight or obese body mass index (BMI) had 1.8 (95% CI -3.1, -0.4) points lower WAI scores than did those within a healthy BMI range. A handgrip strength test revealed that participants in the good/very good group had 2.5 (95% CI: 0.6, 4.3) higher WAI scores than did those in the very poor/poor group. For a single-leg stance test, participants in the above-average group had 2.1 (95% CI: 0.7, 3.5) points greater WAI scores than did those in the below-average group. No significant associations were found between work ability and 3-min step, chair stand, or sit-and-reach test scores. Conclusion: The overall work ability of the participants was good. Body composition, muscle strength, and balance were associated with work ability. Promoting physical fitness is a viable strategy for enhancing work ability among aging workers.

• Korean Security Journal
• /
• no.62
• /
• pp.87-111
• /
• 2020

Special security guards working at nuclear power plants, one of the country's major facilities, serve as human protection to safeguard from threats to nuclear facilities and nuclear materials. The purpose of this study was to develop a physical fitness program for fitness management that is essential for the completion of missions of special guards. This program was designed to prepare the physical fitness test proposed by Jeong et al. (2019). Researchers conducted literature analysis, research meetings, expert meetings and pretests, and developed a 90-minute physical fitness program for 6 weeks, 3 times a week. In order to verify the effectiveness of the developed physical fitness program, the experiment was conducted on 29 subjects(control group: 15, exercise group:14). Specifically, a six-week physical fitness program was conducted for exercise groups, and the fitness test for a special security guard was conducted for all subjects before and after the experiment. As a result, it was found that the physical fitness program was effective in improving the performance of 20m shuttle run, leg tuck, 20m sprint & carry, and medicine ball back throw. Until recently, problems of neglecting fitness management of security guards have been pointed out. It is expected that the physical fitness program proposed by this study will be a practical alternative for security guards' fitness management.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.244-251
• /
• 2004

Purposes: This study was to examine the effects of postpartum exercise on pressure of the pelvic muscle contraction, body composition and physical fitness of postpartum mothers. Method: A nonequivalent pre-test, post-test control group study was conducted. Fifty-two postpartum mothers(experimental group, 26; control group, 26) admitted to a postpartum ward in a Busan mother-baby clinic were recruited. Data was analyzed using mean, $x^2$-test, and t-test by SPSS 10.0. Result: Body fat mass(t=-3.196. p= .002), body fat rate (t=-3.831, p= .000), and fat distribution(t=-3.026, p= .004) of body composition increased significantly in the experimental group after the postpartum exercise as compared with the control group. After an 8 week exercise program, the pressure of the pelvic muscle contraction in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(t=3.329, p=.002). In the change of physical fitness, grip strength of the hand, back muscle strength, and trunk flexion forward were not significantly changed, but trunk backward extension in the experimental group significantly increased(t=1.950, p=.050). Conclusion: Postpartum exercise affects pelvic muscle contraction, body composition, and physical fitness of the postpartum mother.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.27 no.3 s.47
• /
• pp.531-545
• /
• 1994

In a TV component manufacturing factory, 102 male workers aged $20{\sim}39$ years old were participated in testing for physical fitness. At the same time, worker's periodic health examination was done. Test battery for physical fitness include grip strength, trunk flexion, standing long jump, side step, single leg balance with eye close, push ups and Harvard step test. As a result of testing for physical fitness, synthetically, there is no difference between manufacturing workers and officers. By bioelectrical impedance test, it means a declining tendency to all 7 factors in the obese workers, and so, it is important for obese workers not only to promote physical fitness but also to promote health. Excluding grip strength and single leg balance with eye close, 5 fitness factors are negatively associated with degree of diastolic Blood pressure, but it is statistically not significant. And levels of sGOT & sGPT have no association with physical fitness factors.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of recreation combined exercise program on body composition, physical fitness and depression in elderly women in rural district over a three-month follow-up period. Methods: Recreation combined exercise program (RCEP) was composed of resistance exercise, walking and recreation activity twice a week. The subjects were 52 divided in to experimental group (n=28) and control group (n=24). Arm curl, chair stand, 2 min step test, back scratch, chair sit and reach were measured as pre- or post-test data. Also, Depression was expressed using geriatric depression scale as pre- or post-test data. $X^2$ test, paired t-test and t-test were performed using SAS program. Results: Arm curl (p=.023), 2 minute step test (p<.001), back scratch (p=.004) and chair sit and reach (p=.024) showed the significant difference in the comparison between groups. Depression showed the significant difference in the comparison between groups (p=.008). Conclusion: These findings indicated the RCEP has positive influence upon increasing the physical fitness and improving the depression level. In conclusion, the regular RCEP will contribute to the improving physical and psychologic aspect in elderly women over the long period.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.52-65
• /
• 2020

Purpose: To examine the effects of a smartphone application-based exercise program on self-efficacy expectations (SEE) and outcome expectations regarding exercise (OEE), physical fitness, activity level, physiological indices, and health-related quality of life in a sample of hemodialysis patients. Methods: A quasi-experimental control group pre-test post-test design was used. Subjects were recruited from two university hospitals in G city. The subjects were assigned randomly by coin toss: 33 participants to the experimental group and 30 to the control group. A literature review and the self-efficacy theory were used to develop the smartphone program. Experts designed and verified the program to be userfriendly and in consideration of user interaction. Data were collected through a self-report pre-test post-test questionnaire and online medical records. Results: In the experimental group, the levels of physical fitness and physical activity were significantly improved post-test, but the scores on health-related quality of life and the physical indices did not improve. In the experimental group, the SEE and OEE post-test scores were also significantly higher than the pre-test scores, but the control group's scores did not change. Conclusion: The smartphone application-based exercise program based on self-efficacy theory significantly improved the level of physical fitness and activity, SEE, and OEE for hemodialysis patients. The use of this application-based exercise program for hemodialysis patients might be an effective nursing intervention tool for improving SEE, OEE, level of physical fitness, and physical activity.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.613-625
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of the tailored group exercise program on perceived health status, physical strength, depression and cognitive function in seniors. Methods: The subjects were 42 seniors of the experimental group and 28 seniors of the control group. The exercise program tailored by physical fitness was carried out for 16 weeks. The dependent variables were measured by Perceived Health Status Scale, The Senior Fitness Test, MMSE-K, and GDS-K. The collected data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, Chi-square test and t-test, and ANCOVA using the SAS program. Results: In terms of physical strength and depression there was significant difference among groups. Perceived health status and cognitive function were not significant different among groups. Conclusion: In this study, the tailored exercise program was effective and safe for the elderly, and resulted in improving physical and psychological health status in the elderly. This demonstrated that the tailored group exercises program on the basis of the subject's fitness, played an essential role in maintaining and improving the health.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.83-100
• /
• 1999

Modern technology has lessened the physical demand of every activities. Thus, physical inactivity has led to a rise in ‘Hypokinetic diseases’. The prefix, hypo, means lack of and kinetic refers to movement. Individuals who do not exercise regularly are at greater risk of developing hypokinetic diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, musculoskeletal disease. Systematic exercise program defenses development of hypokinetic diseases. Exercise program bases on basic physical fitness test. The physical fitness evaluation is used to degree of Wellness of the individuals. It includes the evaluation of Health-Related Physical Fitness -musclular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, body composition - and skill or sports related fitness -agility, balance, coordination, reaction time, speed. In present study, the authors investigated health-related physical fitness test result and questionnaire for 133 male and 71 female from Jannuary 16 to March 15, 1997. The purpose of this study is to observe relationship health related physical fitness and self-perceived health status. The results are as follows. 1. There were statistically significant differences in BMI, grip strength, back strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility between male and female subjects. Flexibility is higher in female than male subject, but Others are higher in male than female subjects. 2. There were statistically significant differences in grip strength, muscular endurance between 30s, 40s, and 50s group In both gender subjects, and In cardiorespiratoryendurance between the groups especially in Female subjects. 3. For male subjects, flexibilitywas measured lower in group who classified low level in self-perceived health status than group of others. Also, for female, subjects, Muscular endurance ＆ flexibility were measured. 4. It was shown that grip strength, back strength, and muscular endurance were significantly lower in group who have chronic diseases than normal group for Male subjects. But, For female subjects, all the component were statistically insignificant results between normal and disease group. 5. Both male and female subjects, there were Positive correlation among grip strength, back strength, muscular endurance, cardiorespiratory endurance, and flexibility but, negative correlation for age. Therefore, health-related physical fitness is very important component for Heath Promotion ＆ Wellness. Physical Fitness test is valuable test in health evaluation, health management and health promotion, so available for hospital, sports center, community health center, industrial field, school etc.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.38-47
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Tai Chi exercise on physical fitness and quality of life (QOL) in elderly women. Methods: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. The subjects were elderly women over 60 years old who enrolled senior citizen centers and elderly welfare center. Thirty-three people were conveniently assigned to an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=18). The data were collected from September 2009 to May 2010. The experimental group was trained Tai Chi exercise for 8 weeks (one hour Tai Chi classes twice a week and once a week by themselves at home). Data were analyzed by Fisher's exact test, ${\chi}^2$-test and independent t-test. Results: The experimental group experienced significant improvements in flexibility. The experimental group experienced significant improvements in physical component summary (p=.017) and mental component summary (p=.027) of QOL. Conclusion: Tai Chi exercise can be used as a nursing intervention for improvement of physical fitness and QOL in elderly women.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.684-692
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of an exercise program on physical fitness, obesity indices, and blood lipids in cases of non-obese and obese women. Method: Data was collected from May, 2006 to November, 2006 in a public health center. All Subjects(37 women) participated in an exercise program that consisted of Latin dance, muscular strength training, and dumbbell exercises. Thirty-seven women were divided into two groups(16 non-obese women and 21 obese women) by %body fat. After 8 weeks, the effects of treatment were compared between pre-test and post-test in each group. Results: Physical fitness(abdominal muscle strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, agility, balance) was significantly different between the pre-test and post-test in the non-obese and obese group. Obesity indices(body weight, BMI) was significantly different in obese women after the 8-week exercise program. There was no decrease of blood lipids in either group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that an exercise program could be an effective nursing intervention to increase physical fitness in non-obese and obese women and to decrease obesity indices(body weight, BMI) in obese women.