Annals of Applied Sport Science

 
 
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The editor-in-chief has retracted this article because it overlaps with an online article in the press by the same authors as the one in the "Sport Sciences for Health" journal. Najmeh Sedighimehr did not respond to correspondence from the publisher about this retraction. The publisher was unable to confirm the contact details of Fatemeh Jabarifard, Mohammadamin Mohammadzadeh, or Katayoon Rezaei.

 
 
  

Background. Band exercise can also reduce back pain by reducing unnecessary movement of the thoracic and cervical vertebrae adjacent to the lumbar spine. Looking at previous studies, activation of the deep lumbar muscles of the lumbar spine and restoration of mobility of the adjacent skeleton have a positive effect on pain relief.
Objectives. This study was to investigate the effects of self-fascial relaxation, stretching, and spinal mobility exercises using foam rollers and elastic bands on elderly women's back pain, pain disability index, and spinal joint mobility.
Methods. This study was performed on elderly women (65-75years) who had no surgical experience within one year, had more than one clinical result due to back pain, and maintained pain for more than 6 months. The subjects who participated in the study were divided into groups, group exercising with foam rollers and elastic bands, group B exercising without foam rollers and elastic bands, and a control. To see the effects of pain-related exercise, we assessed the subjects with the visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), spinal flexion, and the range of spinal left and right joint rotation movement.
Results. the decrease in VAS (F = 9.976, p = .001,η² = .487) and ODI(F = 4.978, p = .017,η² = .322) was observed in all groups participating in the experiment, and the value of experimental group A using foam roller and elastic band decreased the most. As can be seen from the results of Experimental Group A, where the bending and stiffness of the spine were statistically significantly increased.
Conclusion. According to the significant result of A, the use of elastic bands and foam rollers is considered to be effective in improving chronic back pain and mobility of the spine.

Background. There is a weakness that the win-loss ranking model in the MLB now is calculated based on the result of a win-loss game, so we assume that a ranking system considering the opponent’s team performance is necessary.
Objectives. This study aims to suggest the PageRank algorithm to complement the problem with ranking calculated with winning ratio in calculating team ranking of US MLB.
Methods. PageRank figure is calculated by using the result of 4,861 matches in the 2017 season (2,430 matches) and 2018 season (2,431 matches) in the MLB.
Results. There is a difference between ranking calculated in PageRank and ranking calculated with winning ratio both in the 2017 season and 2018 season, and there is a difference in performance per each district due to comparing performance per each league and district. In addition, as a result of calculating the predictive validity of PageRank and winning ratio ranking, it turns out that the ranking calculated with the PageRank algorithm has relatively high predictive validity.
Conclusion. This study confirmed the possibility of predictive in the US MLB by applying the PageRank algorithm.

Background. It is because athletes’ physique, physical strength and experience are vital in sports.
Objectives. This study was conducted to confirm the relative age effect in Taekwondo, which is an important factor in sports.
Methods. Data on the date of birth of 12,054 Taekwondo athletes registered in the Korean Sports Association and data on the date of birth of 11,034,421 public data by the National Statistical Office of Korea were collected, and the birth months were compared. Also, data on the birth dates and the national competition awards of 428 elementary student Taekwondo athletes were collected to confirm the relative age effect.
Results. The results are as follows. First, there was a statistically significant difference in comparing the birth month between the general public and Taekwondo athletes. Second, as a result of comparing the birth month of the current elite Taekwondo athletes according to the elementary school player registration, there was a statistically significant difference, and it was found that students with relatively early birth months had a high frequency of player registration. Third, as a result of comparing the birth month of elementary school Taekwondo athletes according to the national competition awards, there was no statistical difference.
Conclusion. The athletes with the early birth month had relatively high winning results in the national competitions.

Background. This study aimed to measure the alignment level, bone density, and body composition of the human body using DEXA and formetric 4D before and after applying the taping treatment and corrective exercise program for 8 weeks and to analyze the difference.
Methods. This study was conducted in three different groups: those who applied exercise and taping (TCEG), those who only applied exercise (CEG), and the control group, who applied neither (CG). The correct exercise program for this study was constructed by referring to corrective exercise for dysfunction of the lumbopelvic-hip complex. After conducting overhead squat motion evaluation for the study participants, two upper and lower body programs were created and applied alternately, considering the compensation action.
Results. As for the post-mortem results of TECG, the change in the torso slope and the average value were the highest, and the left and right results were significant in the torso imbalance. As a result of measuring pelvic tilt and torsion, the most corrected value in TECG was confirmed.
Conclusion. We think it is necessary to correct the body shape through corrective exercise. Although various studies on corrective exercise have been conducted, they do not provide a clear standard, and body imbalance is related to several factors, so it is necessary to conduct research at a more systemic level. Various factors must be considered, such as attempts to correct the alignment of the spine and pelvis and the differences in body composition. A complex and diverse follow-up study of corrective exercise programs and body imbalance will be needed in the future.

Background. This study aimed to provide patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an intervention based on whole-body vibration training (WBVT), examine pulmonary function and electroencephalograms (EEGs) to improve the physical capacity of these patients, and suggest an efficient approach to managing these patients in practice.
Methods. A clinical sample of 22 patients with severe COPD was randomly assigned to either Experimental Group I (n=12), which performed squat exercises in combination with WBVT, or Experimental Group II (n=10), which served squat exercises alone. The intervention programs were administered over four weeks, with ten repetitions per set, three sets per session, one session per day, and three days per week.
Results. In Experimental Group I, within-group changes pre-and post-intervention were significant for the alpha waves in Fp1, Fp2, F3, and F4, whereas no within-group changes in pulmonary function, EEG, or 6-minute walk test (6MWT) performance were observed in Experimental Group II. Significant between-group differences were observed in the alpha waves in Fp1, Fp2, and F4 (P<0.05).
Conclusion. Exercise combined with WBVT was a safe and effective strategy to counteract the loss of musculoskeletal function in patients with COPD. Additional research is needed to develop protocols for the combination of WBVT and pulmonary function intervention programs.

Background. Modern office workers are exposed to cardiovascular and metabolic disorders and musculoskeletal disorders due to a long-term sedentary working environment, so it is important to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. As a preventive method for musculoskeletal pain in office workers, flexibility exercise, core exercise, and compound exercise programs can reduce body composition, functional movement, and pain, and effectively improve reduced physical ability and lack of physical activity.
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week exercise for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders in office workers on body composition, FMS, and SF-MPQ pain scores.
Methods. The subjects of the study divided 30 office workers into flexibility exercise groups (n=10), core exercise group (n=10), and compound exercise group (n=10) and proceeded for 12 weeks. The flexibility exercise group consisted of self-myofascial release using a foam roller, static stretching, and dynamic stretching. The core exercise group was a core exercise program to improve the stability and movement of the torso and strengthen the torso, improving balance. It consisted of an accompanying core stabilization exercise.
Results. The results of this study are as follows; 1) Body weight, body fat mass, body mass index, and body fat percentage were reduced in core exercise and compound exercise. 2) The amount of skeletal muscle increased in core exercise. 3) FMS scores increased in flexibility exercise, core exercise, and compound exercise, but the score increased in the order of compound exercise>core exercise>flexibility exercise.
Conclusion. Summarizing the body composition results of the office workers who participated in this study, there were significant differences in body weight, body fat mass, body mass index, and body fat percentage according to the degree of exercise in the core exercise group and the combined exercise group. FMS, SF-MPQ score, and VAS results showed improvement in all three groups, and among them, the combined exercise group had the best score. The complex application of flexibility exercises that promote muscle contraction and relaxation and core exercises consisting of major muscle groups is thought to help reduce body fat and pain in office workers.

Background. Different factors are essential for taekwondo athletes to win competitions. The physiological, technical, tactical, and strength demands of Taekwondo have been investigated, and several studies have been conducted to train them effectively.
Objectives. The purpose of this study is to categorize the methods for practical taekwondo training according to physiological, technical, strength, and tactical aspects so that taekwondo players can train effectively using the characteristics required during taekwondo training.
Methods. The studies between 2000 and 2024 were selected, and 283 papers were collected and referred to in this study. Keywords were "Taekwondo performance," "Taekwondo athletes," and "Taekwondo training."
Results. Taekwondo requires the aerobic system as an essential component. It should be used for practical training to be more effective in training those who require cardiorespiratory endurance training. The flexibility of the hip and knee joints is also an essential factor in winning a game. To perform taekwondo kicks for a more extended period and in a quicker motion, muscular endurance is essential, and training muscular endurance of hamstrings and quadriceps falls under an effective method.
Conclusion. It is vital to perform aerobic training with intermittent training and minimize rest periods for practical training. Static stretches and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretches are effective for hip and knee flexibility, and visual training with red and blue lights is recommended for tactical components. It is essential to work on the muscular endurance of the hamstrings and quadriceps to extend the duration of the kick.

Background. To relieve headache and shoulder pain, intentional stimulation of the central nerve passages, such as the sternocleidomastoid muscle, upper trapezius muscle, and suboccipital triangle, has a significant effect. The cause of the pain may be muscle pain or abnormal posture, and the correct area must be targeted.
Objectives. This study aims to determine the pain reduction effect by relaxing the muscles that serve as passageways for the greater auricular nerve, greater occipital nerve, lesser occipital nerve, and vertebral artery in patients suffering from headaches and shoulder pain.
Methods. Intentional stimulation of the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and suboccipital triangle was performed on 30 women in their 50s to 70s suffering from headaches and shoulder pain twice a week for 30 minutes for 12 weeks. Pain intensity before and after implementation was collected through a questionnaire.
Results. After applying conditioning, the pain of all participants was reduced by more than 50% (p<0.001), and the pain level of headache and shoulder pain was measured numerically. As a result of before and after comparison, p<0.001 in all variables. A significance value was shown.
Conclusion. In this study, intentional stimulation of muscles, which are passageways of major nerves, effectively reduced pain. It can also be concluded that pain may be caused by compression or abnormality of the major nerves that pass through the muscle to which voluntary stimulation is applied. Therefore, non-ideal muscle conditions can pressure major nerves, so relaxing the muscles to relieve this can effectively reduce pain.