Min-Seong Ha

[Purpose] This study aimed to identify the body composition profiles of older adults with hypertension and examine their associations with physical fitness and cardiometabolic characteristics.[Methods] This cross-sectional study included 491 community-dwelling older adults with hypertension. Latent profile analysis was conducted using eight body composition indicators. Associations between age, physical fitness components, and profile membership were examined using multinomial logistic regression with a three-step approach. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose levels were compared across profiles using one-way analysis of variance.[Results] Four profiles were identified: low muscle mass, balanced, high adiposity, and high muscle/low fat ratio. Handgrip strength, balance, and flexibility were significantly associated with profile membership, whereas age and aerobic endurance were not. The high adiposity profile had significantly higher systolic blood pressure than the low muscle and high muscle/low fat profiles, and higher diastolic blood pressure than the low muscle profile. The high muscle/low fat profile was associated with significantly lower fasting plasma glucose levels than the low muscle and high adiposity profiles.[Conclusion] Distinct body composition profiles in older adults with hypertension were associated with differences in physical fitness and cardiometabolic characteristics. These findings support the value of a person-centered approach that integrates body composition and physical fitness.

[Purpose] We compared the heart rate (HR) measurement accuracy of commercially available PPG-based wearable devices against an ECG-based reference device across different exercise intensities.[Methods] Forty healthy young adults were recruited, and data from 37 participants were analyzed. HR was simultaneously measured using Polar H10 as the ECG-based reference and four PPG-based devices: Polar Verity Sense, Polar Pacer Pro, Apple Watch SE, and Galaxy Watch 6. Participants completed low-, moderate-, and high-intensity treadmill exercise. Accuracy was assessed using mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland-Altman analysis.[Results] MAE and MAPE generally decreased as intensity increased. Significant differences in MAE were observed among the devices across intensities (p = 0.002). The Polar Verity Sense and Apple Watch SE showed significantly lower MAE than the Polar Pacer Pro and Galaxy Watch 6. During low-intensity exercise, the Apple Watch SE showed lower MAE than the Polar Pacer Pro and Galaxy Watch 6, whereas during high-intensity exercise, the Polar Verity Sense showed lower MAE than the Galaxy Watch 6. CCC values increased with exercise intensity and were consistently higher for the Polar Verity Sense and Apple Watch SE. Bland-Altman analysis showed narrower limits of agreement for the Apple Watch SE and Polar Verity Sense.[Conclusion] HR measurement accuracy differed substantially among the PPG-based wearable devices. The Apple Watch SE and Polar Verity Sense showed the highest agreement with the ECG-based reference, suggesting that wearable HR data should be interpreted based on device-specific validation.

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Background: Rowing is a whole-body sport characterized by high-intensity efforts that require simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic energy provision. Although endurance physiology is well documented, the acute systemic responses to competitive rowing remain insufficiently understood. The present study examined endocrine stress responses, leukocyte redistribution, and muscle damage dynamics following a 2,000-m rowing time trial in elite male athletes. Methods: Twenty national-level rowers (age: 20.4 ± 1.2 years; height: 180.0 ± 4.3 cm; body mass: 80.6 ± 8.7 kg) completed a standardized 2,000-m ergometer test. Venous blood samples were collected at baseline (PRE), immediately post-exercise (POST), and 30 min after exercise cessation (REC30). Serum cortisol was quantified by radioimmunoassay, plasma catecholamines by high-performance liquid chromatography, leukocyte subpopulations by flow cytometry, and muscle damage markers (creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]) by enzymatic analysis. Normality was evaluated, and repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests were applied with Bonferroni-adjusted post-hoc comparisons. Results: Mean performance time was 6:49.6 ± 14.7 min, corresponding to a mean power output of 328.4 ± 34.1 W. Cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine increased markedly at POST (p < 0.001) and remained elevated at REC30. Total white blood cells, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils peaked at POST and declined toward baseline by REC30. Lymphocytes rose at POST but decreased below baseline at REC30 (p < 0.001), and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio exhibited a biphasic pattern. CK and LDH increased acutely at POST and partially regressed at REC30, remaining above baseline. Discussion: These findings indicate that maximal rowing performance elicits pronounced endocrine activation, transient immune redistribution, and acute muscle damage. Tailored recovery strategies may be necessary to counteract immune suppression and support sustained performance in elite rowers.

Introduction: Executive dysfunction, particularly inhibitory control, is an early core symptom of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and is often associated with altered prefrontal cortical activity. Repeated engagement in cognitive tasks may offer a means of assessing and potentially enhancing neural adaptability in these regions. Objective: This study examined how repeated Stroop task performance modulates executive function and prefrontal cortical activation in older adults with MCI, compared to cognitively healthy controls (HC), using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Methods: A total of 37 older adults (17: MCI, 20: HC) completed three consecutive sessions of a computerized color–word Stroop task. Behavioral performance (reaction time) and hemodynamic responses (oxyhemoglobin, HbO) were recorded across predefined prefrontal regions of interest, including the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC), dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and frontopolar cortex. Results: The results demonstrated a significant improvement in response time and reduced HbO activation in the VLPFC across sessions in the HC group, suggesting enhanced cognitive efficiency and selective inhibition. By contrast, the MCI group demonstrated delayed and limited adaptation, with meaningful changes occurring only in the final session. Conclusion: Healthy aging is associated with rapid neurofunctional adaptation to cognitive challenges, whereas individuals with MCI exhibit impaired plasticity in executive control circuits. fNIRS sensitively detects early executive deficits, supporting its potential for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of physical activity levels on response time and prefrontal activation during repetitive performance of the Stroop task in older adults. Methods: We examined how physical activity influences selective inhibition and neurophysiological responses in the prefrontal cortex. Community-dwelling adults aged 65–85 years were classified into physically active (PA, n = 18) and physically inactive (PI, n = 19) groups using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). On a single experimental day, participants completed the Stroop task in three consecutive blocks within one session. Participants completed the Stroop task three times. Reaction time and oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO) levels in the prefrontal cortex were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and analyzed by the Brodmann area. Results: A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed significant time, group, and interaction effects on reaction time ( p < 0.05). The PA group showed a significant decrease in reaction time across repetitions ( p < 0.001), whereas no such change was observed in the PI group. In terms of brain activation, HbO levels increased significantly over time in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex ( p < 0.05), although no significant group differences were observed. Conclusion: Regular physical activity may enhance cognitive adaptability and selective inhibition in older adults. Behavioral improvements were more evident than neural differences between the groups, highlighting the potential of everyday physical activity to support cognitive resilience in aging. This study provides neurophysiological evidence supporting the integration of physical activity into cognitive intervention strategies for older populations.

Background: Obesity leads to increased oxidative stress, disruption of the antioxidant system, and decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). This, in turn, contributes to impaired endothelial function. The resulting increase in arterial stiffness (AS) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Regular physical activity improves the antioxidant system and vascular function. Circuit training combines aerobic exercise and resistance training, encapsulating the benefits of both types of exercise, and helps improve vascular function. We aimed to investigate the effects of circuit training on total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), NO, and atherosclerosis in adult men with obesity.Methods: A total of 25 obese men were randomly assigned to control (n = 12) or exercise groups (n = 13). The exercise group participated in circuit training three times per week for 12 weeks at an intensity corresponding to 60–80% of heart rate reserve (HRR). Anthropometrics, TOS, TAS, oxidative stress index (OSI), NO, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) were measured before and after the 12-week intervention.Results: Body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), TAS (p < 0.001), OSI (p < 0.05), NO (p < 0.05), and baPWV (L, R) (p < 0.05) values improved significantly in the exercise group following the 12-week intervention, while TOS values did not demonstrate a significant change. Furthermore, no change was observed in the control group.Conclusion: Our findings reveal that circuit training leads to improvements in BMI, TAS, OSI, NO, and baPWV in men with obesity, suggesting that it may contribute to an improvement in the antioxidant system and the prevention of CVD in obese men.

Background: With the global aging population, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases has emerged as a critical public health issue. Obesity, in particular, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as hypertension and arterial stiffness (AS). Regular physical activity (PA) may help mitigate these risks. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PA levels on body composition, blood pressure (BP), and AS in Korean obese older women.Methods: A total of 313 obese older women were enrolled and classified into an inactive group (ING, n = 160) and an active group (AG, n = 153) based on their levels of PA. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, BP measured with an automated sphygmomanometer, and AS was evaluated by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Differences between the groups were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, and correlation analyses were conducted to examine relationships among key variables.Results: The active group exhibited significantly lower body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and cfPWV (all p < 0.001) compared to the inactive group, while skeletal muscle mass was significantly higher (p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant positive correlations were observed between body fat percentage and SBP, as well as between SBP and AS.Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that regular PA is associated with improved body composition and reductions in both BP and AS in obese older women. The results underscore the importance of promoting PA as a preventive strategy against CVD in the aging population. Further research is warranted to explore the effects of various intensities and types of PA on vascular health and metabolic function.

In Taekwondo, core stability and physical fitness are vital for performance, with spinal deep muscles playing a key role. This study explored the relationship between spinal deep muscle strength and physical fitness in 104 adolescent Taekwondo athletes, using a cross-sectional design in a laboratory setting. Participants were classified into groups based on spinal muscle strength at various angles, measured with a Centaur 3D machine. Outcome measures included body composition (height, weight, BMI) and physical fitness (grip strength, back muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and leg strength). Latent profile analysis identified five profiles: G2 and G4 showed higher body weight and skeletal muscle mass, with G2 also having the highest grip, back, and leg strength. No significant relationship was found between spinal muscle strength and balance. The findings suggest spinal muscle strength and physical fitness do not always correlate, highlighting the need for further research to optimize training.