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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 32856

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Dr. Song-Young Park

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School of Health and Kinesiology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
Interests: cardiovascular physiology; aging; exercise; endothelial function; hypertension
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Dr. Elizabeth Pekas

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Health & Kinesiology - Vascular Research Lab, University of Nebraska at Omaha | UN Omaha, 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, NE 68182, USA
Interests: cardiovascular physiology; chronic ischemia; exercise; endothelial function; mitochondrial dysfunction
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases have been known as the number 1 cause of death globally. Although research has focused on mechanisms underlying the progression of cardiovascular diseases, more work that focuses on beneficial therapies which can treat these cardiovascular diseases and related symptoms is warranted. Exercise training is a commonly proposed modality to slow disease progression and reduce pain. In addition to exercise, environmental stressors such as temperature have been suggested as viable nonpharmacological treatment options for those who may not be able to perform exercise. Heat and cold therapies have been shown to be beneficial for controlling pain and for eliciting cardiovascular responses that may induce similar adaptations to exercise alone in cardiovascular disease populations. However, the mechanisms underlying these adaptations have not been well-documented. The purpose of this Special Issue is to examine the health effects of environmental stressors (i.e., temperature therapy) on cardiovascular disease risks and symptoms. The further insight into these potential mechanisms will not only benefit researchers for developing therapies, but also clinicians who may incorporate these therapies into their medical practices, thereby potentially reducing cardiovascular disease risk and associated symptoms worldwide.

Dr. Song-Young Park
Dr. Elizabeth Pekas
Guest Editors

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Keywords

environmental physiology
heat therapy
cold therapy
cryotherapy
thermotherapy
vascular disease

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Research

14 pages, 369 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring and Developing a Scale Using Item Response Theory for Sport Psychological Skills in Speed Skaters

by Jung-Hoon Nam, Bong-Arm Choi and Eun-Hyung Cho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 8035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19138035 - 30 Jun 2022

Viewed by 1538

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a sports psychological skills scale for speed skaters and examine the validity of the scale. In order to accomplish the purpose of this study, skaters from around the world were set as a population, and then data from 456 athletes were collected using convenience sampling from the athletes participating in the 2020–2022 World Championships and the Beijing Winter Olympics. For analysis, V coefficient, Parallel Analysis, Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling, Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling, Maximum Likelihood CFA, and analysis of Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis were carried out by using WINSTEPS 3.65 and MPLUS 7.04 programs. The level of statistical significance was all set at α = 0.05 and Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling, Bayesian Structural Equation Modeling, Maximum Likelihood CFA, and Multi-Group Confirmatory Factor Analysis fit used TLI, RMSEA, the concept of reliability. The findings of the study were as follows: First, the factorial structure of SPSS was extracted as five factors with 17 items. Second, the analysis of MCFA on the transformative leadership scale, according to gender differences, was carried out, and cross validity was fulfilled. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

10 pages, 658 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gait Speed and Sleep Duration Is Associated with Increased Risk of MCI in Older Community-Dwelling Adults

by Eunju Yoon, Seongryu Bae and Hyuntae Park

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7625; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137625 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2351

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the linear and nonlinear associations between sleep duration and gait speed and the risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in community-dwelling older adults. Participants were 233 older adults who met the study inclusion criteria. The MCI diagnosis was based on medical evaluations through a clinical interview conducted by a dementia specialist. Self-reported sleep duration was evaluated using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The usual gait speed was calculated from the time taken to walk along a 4 m walkway. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of developing MCI in relation to sleep duration and gait speed. Generalized additive models were used to examine the dose–response relationships between sleep duration, gait speed, and the risk of developing MCI. Slower gait speed (OR: 1.84, 95%; CI: 1.00–3.13) and poor sleep duration (OR: 1.76, 95%; CI: 1.00–3.35) were associated with the risk of developing MCI, compared with their optimal status. In addition, the combination of poor sleep and slower gait was associated with a higher risk of developing MCI than optimal sleep duration and gait speed (OR: 3.13, 95%; CI: 1.93–5.14). Furthermore, gait speed and sleep duration were non-linearly associated with the risk of developing MCI. These results highlight the complex interplay and synergism between sleep duration and gait abilities on the risk of developing MCI in older adults. In addition, our results suggest that slower gait speed (<1.0 m/s) and short (<330 min) and long (>480 min) sleep duration may be linked to MCI risks through underlying pathways. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

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11 pages, 518 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Association of Menstruation and Leisure-Time Physical Activity among Korean Female University Students: A Preliminary Study

by Bo-Ram Kim, Sunghwun Kang and Woo-Suk Jeong

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(12), 7492; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19127492 - 18 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2597

Abstract

An active lifestyle elicits many health benefits. This study’s aim is to understand the actual of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) of female university students in Korea who are experiencing stress due to, e.g., study and employment. LTPA is the degree of exercise participation in leisure time; it is cardiovascular and strength-based behavior occurring within recreation, exercise or sport and provides a positive effect on life satisfaction and psychological well-being. LTPA has been recommended as a method of reducing menstrual symptom severity. However, a lack of evidence exists to support a clear relationship between LTPA and menstruation in female university students. Health consciousness (HC) refers to the degree of interest in one’s health, and Korean female university students pay considerable attention to their body shape, diet habits, and LTPA. This study investigated female university students (K University in Gangwon-do, D University in Busan, and U University in Ulsan) in three metropolitan cities in Korea. Specifically, after seeking cooperation from the person in charge of each university, the purpose of this study was explained. In addition, after promising to provide coffee coupons to students who wish to respond to the survey, cooperation was sought in recruiting research subjects through the person in charge of each university. In addition, a total of 36 surveys that did not have contents filled in fully or gave inconsistent answers were excluded among all survey participants. Chi-square test, t-test and univariate one-way ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient analysis were performed for between groups (HC, LTPA, intention to participate in LTPA). The LTPA results in relation to the menstruation patterns of Korean female college students are shown. First, there were no significant differences between menstruation (regular vs. irregular) and general LTPA during non-menstrual time periods (χ² = 5.828, p < 0.212). However, female university students with regular menstruation patterns had higher LTPA after menstruation compared to female university students with irregular menstruation. Second, there were significant differences in the relationships among HC (p = 0.000), amount of LTPA (p = 0.002), and intention to perform LTPA (p = 0.002), according to the menstruation patterns (regular vs. irregular) of Korean female university students. In other words, those with regular menstruation patterns showed higher HC, amount of LTPA and intention to participate in LTPA than those with irregular menstruations. Third, there were significant differences in the relationship among HC (p = 0.000), amount of LTPA (p = 0.000), and intention to participate in LTPA (p = 0.000) according to LTPA of Korean female university students. Causation cannot be inferred from correlational studies. Therefore, female university students ultimately have different HC and participation in LTPA depending on menstruation regularity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

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14 pages, 355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sport Psychological Skill Factors and Scale Development for Taekwondo Athletes

by Jung-Hoon Nam, Eung-Joon Kim and Eun-Hyung Cho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(6), 3433; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063433 - 14 Mar 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3186

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the sport psychological skills of Taekwondo athletes and to develop a scale measuring such skills. We collected preliminary data using an open-ended online survey targeting Taekwondo athletes from nine countries (South Korea, China, Malaysia, United States, Spain, France, Brazil, United Kingdom, and Taiwan) who participated in international competitions between 2019 and 2020. We extracted participants’ sport psychological skills from 75 survey responses, guided by expert meetings and a thorough literature review. We verified our Taekwondo psychological skill scale’s construct validity using 840 survey responses. We utilized V coefficients, parallel analysis, an exploratory structural equation model, maximum likelihood, confirmatory factor analysis, and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis for data analysis. We identified six core sport psychological skills: “goal setting,” “confidence,” “imagery,” “self-talk,” “fighting spirit,” and “concentration.” Our final measure, which demonstrated evidence of reliability and validity, comprises 18 items spanning 6 factors, with each item rated on a 3-point Likert scale. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

11 pages, 1252 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Study on the Preliminary Validity Analysis of Korean Firefighter Job-Related Physical Fitness Test

by Eun-Hyung Cho, Jung-Hoon Nam, Seung-A. Shin and Jong-Back Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(5), 2587; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052587 - 23 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6120

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to revise and modify the firefighter job-related performance tests from overseas to implement into the circumstances in Korea, examine its validity by analyzing the level of association between the test employed in the ongoing firefighter selection process, and propose a Korean firefighter job-related physical fitness test. Therefore, a modified version of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the United States firefighter selection process was conducted on 28 male firefighter officer candidates. Recorded results from VO₂max, heart rate, blood lactate, anaerobic power test, and the ongoing Korean firefighter physical fitness test were analyzed to assess the validity of the modified test. IBM SPSS Statistics Ver. 27.0 was employed for the data correlation analysis in different fitness factors and the total circuit physical test time. The results revealed the proposed modified firefighter job-related physical fitness test showed significant correlation with VO₂max (r = −0.450, p < 0.05), METS (r = −0.735, p < 0.01) recovery lactate over 15 min (r = −0.460, p < 0.05), peak power (r = −0.484, p < 0.05), average power (r = −0.647, p < 0.01), and in the ongoing firefighter physical fitness test, grip strength (r = −0.709, p < 0.01), lower back strength (r = −0.681, p < 0.01), standing long jump (r = −0.618, p < 0.01), sit-ups (r = −0.397, p < 0.05), and shuttle run (r = −0.523, p < 0.01). Fitness factors including VO₂max, recovery lactate, anaerobic power, muscular strength, and so forth known to play a crucial role in firefighting operations were also shown to be important in the modified firefighter job-related physical fitness test. However, we suggest that studies with a larger sample size are needed in order to generalize our findings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

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11 pages, 313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relations of Conspicuous Consumption Tendency, Self-Expression Satisfaction, and SNS Use Satisfaction of Gen Z through SNS Activities

by Seung-A. Shin, Jong-Oh Jang, Jong-Kul Kim and Eun-Hyung Cho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 11979; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182211979 - 15 Nov 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4696

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relations of conspicuous consumption tendency, self-expression satisfaction, and SNS use satisfaction of Gen Z through SNS activities. For a week from 17–23 March 2021, an online survey was conducted targeting the enrolled students of university in Chungcheongnam-do. Out of a total of 398 questionnaires, a total of 394 questionnaires (98.9%) were used for the final analysis after excluding four questionnaires with low reliability. This study was analyzed using SPSS by IBM 23.0(New York, NY, USA) and AMOS 21.0 (New York, NY, USA). In the results of this study, first, the factors such as imported goods/famous brands, high-priced articles, and status symbol except for pursuit of trend of conspicuous consumption tendency had significant effects on the self-expression satisfaction. Second, the factors such as imported goods/famous brands, high-priced articles, and status symbol except for pursuit of trend of conspicuous consumption tendency of Gen Z through SNS activities had significant effects on the SNS use satisfaction. Third, the self-expression satisfaction of Gen Z through SNS had significant effects on the SNS use satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

12 pages, 1090 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining the Role of Life Skills in Mediating the Relationship between the Basic Psychological Needs and Subjective Well-Being of Taekwondo Student-Athletes

by Jun-Su Bae, Eun-Hyung Cho and Tae-Hee Lim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111538 - 2 Nov 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2779

Abstract

Various theories in the field of positive youth development (PYD) through sport argue that student athletes’ satisfaction with basic psychological needs, life skills development, and well-being are closely related to each other. This study identified the structural relationship among three basic psychological needs, life skills, and subjective well-being. Korean Taekwondo student athletes (N = 302, M_age = 17.67, range = 17–19) completed a survey evaluating basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), life skills (teamwork, goal setting, social skills, time management, and leadership), and subjective well-being (life satisfaction, positive/negative affect). Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, correlation, and the Structural Equation Model (SEM). The model’s goodness of fit was

ϰ^{2}

/df = 2.78, TLI = 0.90, CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.077 (95% CI = 0.70, 0.80), and SRMR = 0.085. The three basic psychological needs were positively related to life skills and subjective well-being. In addition, life skills had a mediation effect between the three basic psychological needs and subjective well-being. The interpretation of the results indicated that life skills development and well-being depend on basic psychological needs. Thus, coaches should encourage a PYD climate to satisfy their athletes’ psychological needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

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13 pages, 321 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Moderating Effect of Community-Level Deprivation on the Association between Individual Characteristics and Smoking Behavior among Chinese Adults: A Cross-Level Study

by Nan Chen and Chang-Gyeong Kim

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(11), 5785; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18115785 - 27 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2342

Abstract

China joined the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2006; however, the overall Chinese smoking rate is still high. The aim of this study is to provide new evidence for the direct effects of community-level deprivation, and the effects of interactions between community-level deprivation and individual characteristics, on smoking intensity, by using cross-sectional data from the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). The results show that there is a strong association between community-level deprivation and individual smoking intensity, and that community deprivation moderates the relationship between individual perceived stress and smoking intensity. The findings imply that adequate interventions should be conducted in the context of deprived neighborhoods, and should consider differences between levels of individual perceived stress and between sexes, especially focusing on highly stressed women who live in deprived communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

10 pages, 731 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Relationship between Changes in GRIT, Taekwondo Ability, and Academic Achievement of University Students Majoring in Science and Engineering and Participating in Taekwondo Class

by Ji-Hoon Lee, Jin-Hui Cho, Yi-Sub Kwak, Byoung-Goo Ko and Eun-Hyung Cho

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5361; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105361 - 18 May 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2730

Abstract

GRIT, which was conceptualized by the American psychologist Duckworth, was designed by grouping growth (G), resilience (R), intrinsic motivation (I), and tenacity (T), which means continuing to be patient and put in effort to achieve goals without being frustrated by adversity or failures experienced in the process of striving toward one’s goals. The purpose of this study was to determine GRIT changes caused by participation of students majoring in science and engineering in taekwondo class. Effects of taekwondo ability on GRIT and academic achievement were also examined to determine structural relationships among taekwondo ability, GRIT, and academic achievement. We selected a total of 305 students (204 participants and 101 non-participants) as research subjects and conducted a GRIT (preliminary) measurement. After one-year of taekwondo class, we collected and statistically processed the data of GRIT (post) measurement, taekwondo ability, and academic achievement of the participants. Reliability analysis, technical statistics, paired sample t-test, correlation analysis, and path analysis were performed. Changes in the GRIT values of the participants were found to be greater than those of non-participants. It was also found that taekwondo ability, GRIT, and academic achievement had significant correlations with each other. Finally, it was found that the higher the taekwondo ability, the higher the academic achievement and the higher the GRIT. Moreover, the higher the GRIT, the higher the academic achievement. Taekwondo training increased the GRIT values of participants. In addition, the taekwondo ability had positive effects on GRIT and academic achievement. GRIT also had a positive effect on academic achievement. Thus, there were structural relationships among taekwondo ability, GRIT, and academic achievement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

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13 pages, 341 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relative Contribution among Physical Fitness Factors Contributing to the Performance of Modern Pentathlon

by Byoung-Goo Ko, Eun-Hyung Cho, Jin-Seok Chae and Ji-Hoon Lee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(9), 4880; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094880 - 3 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3025

Abstract

This study reveals the relationship between physical fitness factors and performance in modern pentathlon and identifies the contribution of each physical factor to overall performance. The physical fitness assessment data and the competition records collected by the Korean national team pentathletes for the years 2005 to 2019 were tracked. The correlation between the competition records and fitness factors was confirmed by correlation analysis. In addition, the physical factors affecting performance were identified through multiple regression analysis, and the average difference between national and international competitions was verified by t-test. The first result was that fencing, swimming, and horseback riding rankings were more relevant to the overall pentathlon performance score than the combined rankings in national competitions. In the international competitions, performance in the combined running and shooting event was more relevant than fencing, swimming, and horseback riding. Second, the basic fitness factors of grip strength and sergeant jump and the specific fitness factors of leg strength—left and right average flexor were correlated with overall pentathlon performance national competitions. However, in international competitions, sergeant jump, 20 m shuttle run, reaction time, lung capacity, and back strength were correlated (presented in high to low order). In terms of the specific fitness factors, relative (%BW) and absolute (Nm) leg strength—left and right average flexor, lower body anaerobic fatigue rate, half squat, relative (W/kg) and absolute (Watts) maximal lower body anaerobic power were correlated accordingly with overall pentathlon performance. Third, we analyzed the differences between average performance in national and international competitions. Only the combined running and shooting event out of the five modern pentathlon events showed a difference. Grip strength and relative leg strength—average extensor AP (%BW) appeared to be different among the physical fitness factors. Fourth, we examined the level of contribution of each of the fitness factors on overall performance. The model’s goodness of fit was confirmed, and grip strength was found to have a significant contribution on overall performance. Furthermore, the level of contribution was higher in the following order: relative leg strength—left and right average flexor (%BW), bench press, half squat, relative leg strength—average extensor AP(%BW), GXT—time to exhaustion, relative lower body anaerobic average power (W/kg), and maximal lactic acid concentration. With the 2020 Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, combined running and shooting performance appeared to be a decisive factor in the final ranking in modern pentathlon according to the analysis of the basic and specific fitness factors of pentathletes. The basic fitness factors are critical in order of sergeant jump, grip strength, reaction time, lung capacity, side-step, back strength, 20m shuttle run, sit-and-reach, sit-ups, and single leg standing. With respect to the specific fitness factors, relative leg strength—left and right average flexor (%BW), bench press, half squat, relative leg strength—average extensor AP (%BW), GXT—time to exhaustion, relative lower body anaerobic average power (W/kg), and maximal lactic acid concentration showed their relevance accordingly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Physiology in Health and Disease)

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