Background The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rapidly increasing with advanced age. Since aging affects sarcopenia and muscle strength, which could, in turns, affect MetS, it is critical to examine the association between MetS and muscle strength in this population. Handgrip strength (HGS) has been introduced as a simple assessment tool for muscular strength. Several studies investigating the association between HGS and the risk of MetS have yield conflicting results. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association of MetS and relative handgrip strength (RHGS) in elderly Koreans. Methods A total of 1,244 (male, 589; female, 655) elderly subjects (age ≥65 years), who participated in the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VII-1 (2016) were analyzed. Participant’s HGS, body mass index (BMI), MetS, and its five criteria were measured. Subjects were categorized into four groups based on their RHGS, which was defined as absolute HGS divided by BMI. Results The highest quartile RHGS group has a significantly lower prevalence of MetS in both men and women (F=35.16, P <0.001 vs. F=31.78, P <0.001, respectively). Moreover, the odds ratio of MetS was 0.52 times lower (0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31–0.85) in the third quartile RHGS than that of the lowest RHGS, and 0.28 times lower (0.28; 95% CI, 0.17–0.47) in the highest RHGS group in women than that of the lowest RHGS group. Conclusion Maintaining a high level of HGS may reduce the incidence rate of MetS in elderly Koreans.

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2010 is the year when the Korean baby boomer generation faces retirement. With the need for affective strategies to keep this population healthy, the government has placed much effort to increase the regular physical activity (PA) level of older adults. Yet the prevalence of active seniors is still relatively low. This paper reviews the recent government strategies and efforts to enhance the physical activity levels of older adults and the PA programs provided in the community settings by major organizations and institutions. In addition, the problems of the current approaches are shown, and based on a review, the author provides five suggestions for promoting the PA level of older adults as follows. First, specific physical activity goals and objectives for older adults should be included in the National Health Plan 2020. Second, the recommendations for PA for seniors, which include a proper intensity, duration and frequency of exercise, should be provided. Third, the role of organizations and institutions should be rearranged for the proper dissemination of government provided community-based exercise programs. Fourth, a standard quality-control system should be provided, and finally, an evidence-based exercise program, which should be specifically created for the older Korean population, should be developed. Physical activity offers opportunities for people to extend the years of their active independent life and reduce functional limitations. To maximize the effects of government efforts to promote PA for seniors, we feel the comments provided in this paper should be closely examined.

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The preliminary purpose of the study is to find out the instructional components of choral warm-up rehearsal for teachers in Korean elementary school. For the study, Focused Group Interview Method was used, and the participants were eleven Korean primary school teachers who have had school chorus conducting or instructing. This survey shows that the teachers in primary schools who have experienced instructing a school chorus do not feel satisfied with warmup techniques in their rehearsal. The reason why the teachers are not happy or confident about warm-up routine was various, but mostly they are supposed to teach all subjects, including school chorus. They have not enough time to prepare or practice for warm-up contents. They feel something to be equipped with proper skills of the warm-up in the rehearsal to help their students sing in more enjoyable ways in school chorus. Through the study, it suggests that the regional education office must provide a proper and practical training course to the teachers who are scheduled to lead a school chorus. Besides, it suggests that several elements to consider for establishing a warm-up model and its necessary skills, which can be applied and improve musical aptitude for students who participate in the school chorus.