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This study aimed to assess the effect of a combined exercise program on lower-extremity alignment and knee pain in patients with genu varum. Forty-seven middle-aged women with knee pain and genu varum were randomly divided into the exercise (EG, n = 24) and control (CG, n = 23) groups. The exercise group underwent a combined exercise program lasting 60 min in one session, three times a week for 12 weeks. Knee-to-knee length (KTKL), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA), hip inclination angle (HIA), and medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) were assessed to evaluate lower-extremity alignment. To evaluate knee pain, the short form-McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ) were used. There was a significant difference between the groups, and a decrease of 16% in KTKL (from 6.48 ± 1.26 cm to 5.47 ± 1.21 cm) was shown in EG. Other variables, including HKAA, HIA, and MPTA on the right side, showed significant differences between pre- and post-intervention in EG (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). SF-MPQ score improved with 45% from 18.75 ± 1.64 to 10.33 ± 2.47 after exercise intervention in EG. These results suggest that the combined exercise program, including strength and neuromuscular exercises, is an effective intervention for improving lower-extremity alignment and knee pain in middle-aged women with genu varum.

Thoracic hyperkyphosis is associated with postural abnormality, physical function, and quality of life. This study aimed to examine the effects of a combined exercise program on the spinal curvature and balance ability in adolescents with kyphosis. Fifty-one adolescents (mean age 21.95 ± 3.90 year, 23 male and 28 female) diagnosed with kyphosis were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (n = 25) and a control group (n = 26). All participants in the study group underwent a combined exercise program for 60 min, three times per week, for 12 weeks. Cobb’s angle and forward head angle showed significant differences between the two groups (p < 0.001). The anterior and posterior weight distributions of static and dynamic plantar foot pressures showed a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.001), and significant differences were observed only in the study group (p < 0.001). However, the left and right static plantar foot pressures did not differ significantly. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that a combined exercise program is an effective intervention for the improvement of alignment in the spinal curve and balance in adolescents with postural kyphosis.

People diagnosed with developmental disabilities are less likely to participate in physical activities even if they are provided opportunities. This study aimed to examine the effects of dual-task exercise-based augmented reality (AR) on muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance ability, and flexibility among people with developmental disabilities. Twenty-seven patients with developmental disabilities were included in the study. The intervention was based on an AR-based rehabilitation program and lasted for 8 weeks. The results showed a statistically significant improvement in muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance ability, and flexibility after the intervention (p < 0.05). The AR-based dual-task program increased interest and motivation in the high-cognitive-stage groups, while less interest and motivation were observed in the low-cognitive-stage groups. Our results suggest that an AR-based dual-task program can be an effective method to improve physical ability in patients with high cognitive levels.

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and executive dysfunction are widely acknowledged as core features and hallmarks in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of augmented reality (AR) using motivational games with cognitive-motor exercises on RRBs, executive function (EF), attention, and reaction time in patients with ASD. Twenty-four patients (range from 6 to 18 years) diagnosed with ASD were recruited from local social welfare centers and randomly allocated to the AR game-based cognitive-motor training group (study group) or the conventional cognitive training group (control group). Both groups completed 30 min training sessions, twice a week for four weeks. Outcome measures were conducted before and after the intervention. As a result, improvements were observed in all the subscales of the RRBs in the study group except for self-injurious and ritualistic behavior. Significant improvements were observed in EF and reaction time in the study group, which was significantly higher compared to the control group. With the present findings, we can suggest that cognitive-motor training using AR game-based content generates positive effects on improving executive function reaction time and accuracy of responses and has a limited effect on RRBs in patients with ASD. This can be proposed as a complementary intervention associated with individualized daily management.

We analyzed the relationship between egg consumption, body composition, and serum cholesterol levels. We obtained data on egg consumption by using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) (13,132 adults) and the 24-h dietary recall (24HR) (13,366 adults) from the fourth and fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2011). In men, consuming 2-3 eggs/week was associated with higher fat mass (FM), percentage body fat (PBF), and fat-to-muscle ratio (FtoM), compared to consuming <1 egg/week. In women, consuming 1-6 eggs/week was associated with higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, consuming 2-6 eggs/week was associated with higher total cholesterol, and consuming 4-6 eggs/week was associated with higher FM and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, compared to consuming <1 egg/week. There was no relationship between egg consumption and the prevalence of dyslipidemia, and there was no relationship between egg consumption, body composition, and serum cholesterol levels according to the 24HR. However, there was some association with other cardiovascular diseases and consumption of certain amounts of eggs. Egg consumption investigated by FFQ was associated with body composition and serum cholesterol levels. However, the egg consumption investigated by the 24HR resulted in no health benefit or harm with respect to body composition and cholesterol.

We analyzed the differences in fat-free mass (FFM) according to serum vitamin D level (VitD) and daily calcium intake (Ca) in 14,444 adults aged over 19 years. We used data from the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2011). FFM was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. VitD was classified as insufficient or sufficient (cutoff: 20 ng/mL). Ca was classified as unsatisfactory or satisfactory (recommended daily intake: 700 mg). In men, the FFM of group 2 (VitD ≥ 20 ng/mL; Ca < 700 mg), group 3 (VitD < 20 ng/mL; Ca ≥ 700 mg) and group 4 (VitD ≥ 20 ng/mL; Ca ≥ 700 mg) was 0.50 kg (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.084-0.92), 0.78 kg (95% CI, 0.26-1.29) and 1.58 kg (95% CI, 0.95-2.21) higher than that of group 1 (VitD < 20 ng/mL; Ca < 700 mg), respectively. In women, a 1 ng/mL increase in VitD was associated with a 0.023 kg increase in FFM (95% CI, 0.003-0.043) and a 1 g increase in Ca was associated with a 0.62 kg increase in FFM (95% CI, 0.067-1.16). High VitD and Ca were associated with a high FFM.

Limited studies exist on the effects of exercise therapy on obese and normal-weight patients. Herein, we investigated the effect of a 12-week rehabilitation exercise program on cardiovascular risk factors, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and change in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of lumbar muscles in patients with obesity and normal-weight low back pain (LBP). LBP patients were allocated to the overweight LBP group (OLG; n = 15) and normal-weight LBP group (NLG; n = 15). They performed a rehabilitation exercise program three times per week for 12 weeks. Cardiovascular risk factors, ODI score, and lumbar muscle CSA were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Body composition, body weight ( p < 0.001), and body mass index ( p < 0.001) significantly improved after the exercise intervention in OLG. Body fat percentage significantly decreased in both groups, but OLG ( p < 0.001) showed slightly greater improvement than NLG ( p = 0.034). Total cholesterol ( p = 0.013) and low-density lipoprotein ( p = 0.002) significantly improved in OLG. ODI score improved significantly in both groups ( p = 0.000). Lumbar muscle CSA showed a significant difference in the context of the time result ( p = 0.008). OLG showed a significant improvement post-intervention ( p = 0.003). The rehabilitation exercise program was more beneficial on cardiovascular risk factors and change in lumbar muscle CSA in OLG, suggesting an intensive exercise intervention needed for overweight patients with LBP.