PURPOSE: Maternal nutrition plays a crucial role in fetal growth and lifelong health outcomes. Folate is an essential methyl donor in the epigenetic programming of offspring. This review and meta-analysis was conducted to compile the evidence reported thus far to identify associations between maternal folate status and childhood obesity.
METHODS: A keyword/reference search was performed in EBSCOhost and Web of Science databases. A CMA program was used for a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effect of maternal folate status on childhood obesity in offspring and to examine the influence of moderating variables on the overall effect.
RESULTS: Better maternal folate intake was associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity: the overall effect size (ES; Hedges' g) was 0.168 (95% CI=0.075 to 0.260, p<.001; small effects; cf., Cohen's criteria). Moderator analysis revealed that the ≥Q statistic for the age group was statistically significant (Qb=4.730, df=1. p=.030; heterogeneity of ES). In offspring < 7 years and >7 years, the ES was 0.277 (95% CI=0.151, 0.404) and 0.089 (95% CI=-0.025, 0.202), respectively. The study design was a statistically significant variable (Qb=4.310, df=1. p=.038; heterogeneity of ES). In cohort studies, ES was 0.251 (95% CI=0.135, 0.367), whereas in randomized controlled trial group, ES was 0.062 (95% CI=-0.073, 0.197).
CONCLUSIONS: Maternal folate intake significantly affects childhood obesity, and the effect of maternal folate status is stronger in children younger than 7 years.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess alterations in serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels after performing a lactate tolerance exercise test (LTET) in elite male swimmers.
METHODS: Fourteen male adolescent swimmers participated in this study. All subjects performed LTET (8×100-meter swimming) with a 1-minute recovery interval between eight trainings. Plasma CK and LDH (markers of muscle damage) levels were measured 30 minute before and 24 hours after the test. A paired t-test was used for statistical analysis of data.
RESULTS: Plasma CK and LDH levels increased immediately after LTET as compared to the values 30 minutes prior to exercise (188.91±34.04 vs. 148.83±29.63 mg/dL, p=.029; 318.17±53.89 vs. 272.08±52.93 mg/dL, p=.010, respectively). Both CK and LDH levels displayed a decreasing trend 24 hours post-LTET; however, there was no significant difference immediately after the test.
CONCLUSIONS: Plasma CK and LDH levels increased following LTET, which is representative of muscle damage.

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study examined the combined effects of nutritional health risk and physical activity on depressive symptoms in a representative sample of older adults aged 65 years and older (4,116 men and 5,154 women) from the 2020 Korea Longitudinal Study of Aging.
METHODS: Nutritional health risk was categorized as good, moderate, and high according to the Nutrition Screening Initiative. Physical activity was assessed using a questionnaire. Depression was assessed using the Short Form of Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS).
RESULTS: There were significant age differences (p<.001), education level (p<.001), marital status (p<.001), and SDGS (p<.001) according to nutritional health risk or physical activity status. In particular, a general linear model (GLM) showed a significant interaction (R2=.239, F(2,9849)=5.582, p<.004) between nutritional health risk and physical activity on SGDS-based depressive symptoms. The antidepressant effect of regular physical activity was observed in individuals with good or moderate nutritional health risks. However, such beneficial effects of physical activity were not observed in individuals with high nutritional health risks.
CONCLUSIONS: The current findings of this study suggest that both good nutrition and physical activity for mental health should be emphasized in older adults, with a greater focus on nutrition for those with a high nutritional health risk.

PURPOSE: Respiratory function can be adversely affected after a cerebrovascular accident. This study aimed to determine whether inspiratory muscle training (IMT) changes the respiration and balance abilities of patients with stroke.
METHODS: Twelve patients with stroke were randomly assigned to the study (n=6) and control (n=6) groups. The study and control groups received IMT and general physical therapy, respectively for 6 weeks, five times a week for 30 min/day. Inspiratory and expiratory functions and balance were measured pre- and post-evaluation.
RESULTS: After IMT intervention, the weight distribution ratio (WDR) for balance ability measurement was significantly decreased (p<.05), and the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum inspiratory flow rate (MIFR), maximum inspiratory capacity (MIC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and limits of stability (LOS) were significantly increased in the study group (p<.05). A comparison of the study and control groups revealed statistically significant differences in MIP (p<0.01), MIFR (p<.01), MIC (p<.05), PEF (p<.05), FEV1 (p<.05), WDR (p<.01), and LOS (p<.05).
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that IMT is a useful and effective exercise intervention for patients with stroke.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the immunological effects of β-alanine intake for 4 weeks on immune function changes after long-distance exercise and the possibility of β-alanine intake as an effective exercise supplement to improve exercise performance and maintain immune function.
METHODS: Eighteen male college students were randomly assigned to two groups, one with two capsules of 250 mg β-alanine and the other with placebo without a nutritional effect. The participants took one capsule each in the morning and evening after the meals. This study was conducted in a double-blinded manner. To analyze the inflammatory cytokines expressed during exercise, a 10 km long-running exercise was performed, and blood was collected from the forearm vein a total of 4 times (at rest, immediately after exercise, 30 minutes, and 60 minutes in recovery).
RESULTS: As a result of analyzing the level of inflammatory cytokine IL-6, compared to the placebo group, the β-alanine intake group decreased significantly to 60 minutes after recovery from long-distance aerobic exercise, and both groups showed a significant difference between both periods (p<.001). However, there was no significant difference between the groups based on the measurement period before and after intake. As a result of analyzing the level of TNF-β, the expression of TNF-β in the placebo group was significantly decreased from immediately after long-distance aerobic exercise to 60 minutes after recovery, but in the β-alanine group, TNF-β expression did not occur immediately after exercise, and there was no significant difference until the recovery period; thus, there was no statistically significant difference between the two periods. In addition, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the measurement period before and after intake.
CONCLUSIONS: Based on the above results, β-alanine intake for 4 weeks is thought to be effective in maintaining temporarily reduced immune function after long-distance exercise by reducing the level of inflammatory cytokines in the study participants.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of muscle vibration on performance accuracy and multi-muscle coordination pattern during voluntary isometric knee extension torque production.
METHODS: The subjects were tested under two conditions of external vibration frequencies (90 Hz vibration (VIB)&no-vibration (NVIB)) with three levels of torque magnitudes of 20% (MVT20), 40% (MVT40), and 60% of maximal voluntary torque (MVT60). The subjects were instructed to perform a submaximal isometric ramp task and matched the produced torque with the torque template shown in the screen as accurately as possible. External vibration was applied to the rectus femoris (RF).
RESULTS: The performance error (RMSENORM) was reduced in 60% of MVT (MVT60) in both ramp and SS phases, and the iEMGAGO was significantly reduced by vibration under the same torque conditions in the SS phase. In addition, the muscle-mode (M-mode) composition was found to be different in the VIB and NVIB in the SS phase. We found that the VIB condition showed co-contraction M-modes and mixed M-modes. However, there was no significant difference in the ramp phase under all conditions.
CONCLUSIONS: The neurophysiological changes due to muscle vibration may positively affect the task characteristics and steps that require accurate torque generation and provide information for the quantitative understanding of multi-muscle coordination of vibration.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to consider the validity of relative weight indices, which are used to compare people of different heights.
METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using the 2017-2021 “National Fitness Award” in South Korea. Males (n=77,705) aged 18-65 years and females (n=84,641) were included. Three indices [I1=kg/m, I2=kg/㎡, and I3=kg/㎥] and I4 [I4=kg/㎡], which simply reduce the standard error of I1, were analyzed. Pearson's correlation analysis was conducted to determine an index that was highly correlated with weight and was independent of height. Furthermore, an index that was highly correlated with the body fat percentage was considered. The linear relationship between height and the indices was confirmed using regression analysis. The n value of the index (kg/mn), which provides the same value for all height ranges, was derived by regression analysis between weight and height.
RESULTS: The correlation analysis between height and the indices described I2 (r=-.009, p<.05) as the most suitable for males. The I1 and I4 (r=-.049, p<.01) were appropriate for females. Weight showed a significant correlation with all indices. The association between body fat percentage and I3 showed a high correlation in both males (r=.722, p<.01) and females (r=.734, p<.01). Regression analyses represented I2 (B=-.005, p<.05) suitability for males. For females, I4 (B=.022, p<.01) was replaceable.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that I2 (kg/㎡) is appropriate for males. The I4 (kg/㎡) was applicable to females. The I3 (kg/㎥) showed the strongest correlation with body fat percentage in both males and females.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of circuit-type neuromuscular training (CTNT) on strength, power, and functional performance among the MZ generation.
METHODS: Twenty-eight participants were assigned to either the circuit-type neuromuscular training group (CTNTG, n=14) or the control group (CG, n=14). CTNT was performed for 50 minutes a day, 2-3 times a week, for 6 weeks. The CG only performed activities of daily living during the study period. Baseline and post measures included isometric muscular strength (knee flexion, knee extension, back flexion, back extension), vertical jump, 30 m sprint, T-agility, and Y-balance tests.
RESULTS: The results showed that the CTNT had a positive effect on the improvement of knee flexion (p=.015), knee extension (p=.047), back extension (p=.003), vertical jump (p=.025), T-agility (p=.046), posteromedial (p=.031), posterolateral (p=.022), and composite score (p=.032).
CONCLUSIONS: These findings can be a factor that the strength, power, and functional performance of MZ generation can be sufficiently improved through the CTNT program. This suggests that CTNT is the most appropriate exercise intervention method to improve the strength, power, and functional performance of the MZ generation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of dynamic warm-up (DW), including DW and self-myofascial release (SMFR), on soft tissue stiffness and exercise performance.
METHODS: Eight adult men participated in this study. The procedure was conducted twice every 2 weeks. Soft tissue stiffness measurements and exercise performance were performed as a pre-post-test. DW only and DW with SMFR were performed as an exercise intervention for the two groups, respectively.
RESULTS: In the group conducted solely by DW, the stiffness of the gastrocnemius and rectus femoris muscles increased (p<.05), and in the DW group including SMFR, the stiffness of the rectus femoris muscle (p<.01) and biceps femoris muscle increased (p<.05). The Achilles and patellar tendon showed no significant changes in either group. A significant increase was observed in both the DW group and the DW group containing SMFR in the 30 m sprint (p<.01). The vertical jump (VJ) showed no significant change in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, DW, including DW with SMFR, increased muscle stiffness, specifically through a 30-m sprint. In a follow-up study, it is considered necessary to investigate the effect of the VJ through the development of a DW program that changes the stiffness of tendons.