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In the pursuit of a healthy China, festival folk activities, as a crucial component of national fitness, significantly contribute to the enhancement of people’s physical and mental health. This paper takes Ankang dragon boat racing activities as the entry point, analyzes the cultural connotation and digital innovation path of the Guanzhong region’s Dragon Boat Festival folk activities, and explores the modern information technology-enabled cultural innovation of Ankang dragon boat racing. We examine how Ankang Dragon Boat Racing’s innovation mode improves physical and mental health. Ankang Dragon Boat Racing activity has statistically demonstrated the ability to reduce negative emotions in participants and foster mental well-being. The scores for panic and anger decreased by 19.68 and 19.72 points, respectively. Measurements of physical fitness and health, including the 30-second elbow flexion test, the 30-second sitting and standing test, the 4-minute in-situ leg raising test, seated forward bending, arm circumference, shoulder supination, shoulder abduction, and so on, also showed significant improvements. The study demonstrated that the dragon boat exercise significantly enhanced physical function, resulting in an 87.01% and 28.36% improvement in the subjects’ mean values of the 30-second sitting and standing test and seated forward bending before and after the exercise, respectively. This improvement was beneficial for individuals from various paddling levels, age groups, and living environments. This study has provided useful research on the inheritance and innovation of festival folklore activities, as well as the health effects of dragon boat racing activities in the Guanzhong region.

Cancer treatment is associated with cardiovascular toxicity, skeletal muscle dysfunction and interruptions in mitochondrial respiration. Microvascular oxygenation responses, measured via near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), at peak exercise intensity has previously been associated with aerobic capacity. Specifically, the greater magnitude of microvascular deoxygenation observed at peak exercise intensity has been associated with higher aerobic capacity. Therefore, a pilot study investigated if diagnosis side (uninvolved side, treatment side) and/or exercise side (paddle side, non‐paddle side) affected microvascular oxygenation responses at peak intensity during paddle exercise. Thirty‐three breast cancer survivors (age = 57 ± 9 years, height = 1.64 ± 0.05 m, weight = 76.5 ± 15.6 kg, 7 ± 7 years since treatment) who also competed as dragon boat racers performed a unilateral (paddle), discontinuous graded exercise test (2‐min exercise, 1‐min rest) on a rowing ergometer to volitional fatigue. Tissue oxygenation saturation (StO2DIFF) and total haemoglobin concentration (total[heme]DIFF) responses at peak exercise intensity were measured bilaterally from the posterior deltoids using NIRS. Two‐way analysis of variance determined if diagnosis side and/or exercise side effected StO2DIFF or total[heme]DIFF. Diagnosis side elicited a moderate effect (effect size = 0.66) on StO2DIFF, as the treatment side deoxygenated less (−6.0 ± 14.7 ∆BSL) compared to the uninvolved side (−16.9 ± 16.9 ∆BSL) at peak exercise intensity. No other significant main effects or interactions were observed for StO2DIFF or total[heme]DIFF. The pilot findings suggest that the ability of the exercising muscle to use oxygen for the purpose of mitochondrial oxidative respiration may be impaired on the treatment side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical activity is associated with psychosocial and physical health benefits for breast cancer survivors. Little is known, however, about survivors' decision-making processes when considering joining group physical activity programs designed for survivors. Guided by interpretive description methodology (Thorne, 2008), N = 15 breast cancer survivors who were considering or had made the decision to join a dragon boating team were interviewed about their decisions to participate. Four patterns of decision making were identified: searching for a way to care for physical and social needs, taking advantage of opportunities created by breast cancer, dove in with little contemplation, and hesitant to connect with other survivors. Results have implications for understanding decisions to participate in physical activity groups in this population and overcoming challenges to participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resistance exercise is deemed safe for women recovering from conventional breast cancer therapies but few clinicians are aware that dragon boat racing, as a form of resistive exercise, is available to the breast cancer community. The objectives of this study were to 1) increase clinician awareness of dragon boat racing (DBR) in breast cancer survivors as a community-based physical activity, and 2) evaluate quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors with or without lymphedema who participate in DBR. This prospective, observational study surveyed 1,069 international breast cancer dragon boat racers from eight countries to compare function, activity, and participation in women with and without selfreported lymphedema using the Lymph-ICF questionnaire. Seventy-one percent of women (n=758) completed the questionnaires. Results revealed significantly higher Lymph-ICF scores in the lymphedema participants, signifying reduced QOL, when compared to the nonlymphedema participants (p<0.05), except for "go on vacation" for which no statistical difference was reported (p=0.20). International breast cancer survivors with lymphedema participating in DBR at an international competition had reduced function, limited activity, and restricted participation compared to participants without lymphedema. Clinicians should consider utilizing DBR as a community-based activity to support exercise and physical activity after a breast cancer diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract It is a technical difficulty for the cognitive system to quickly analyze the characteristic data in massive data. A new method of cognitive fusion is proposed. In the embedded ARM server system, the software development and design of cognitive computing system are designed, the database of cognitive computing system is constructed, the hierarchical structure design algorithm of process constraint is used for cognitive information fusion, and the fuzzy scheduling and depth calculation are used to cluster the information, and it is carried out in the embedded ARM server environment. The integrated development and design of the system takes the reform of dragon boat teaching technology as an example. The test results show that using this system to reform the Dragon Boat teaching technology improves the artificial intelligence of dragon boat teaching, the error rate of teaching resources transmission is low, and the overall reliability and balance of the system is good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the acute effects of high-intensity exercise on blood hepcidin levels and other iron metabolic and hematological parameters in highly trained athletes of dragon boating as a sport performed in a sitting position. Methods: We conducted an exercise intervention study with a pre- and posttest blood measurement to determine the effects of high-intensity training on hematological and iron metabolic parameters in both male (n = 19) and female (n = 12) elite athletes of the German national dragon boating team. The study took place during the final training camp before the European championships. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 3 h after 3 consecutive high-intensity training bouts at the same day, each one lasting 1 h in duration. Results: After exercise, leukocytes, CPK, CKMB, and hepcidin levels increased significantly both in men and women. In contrast, iron concentrations decreased significantly. No gender-related differences were found. Compared with baseline, the postexercise concentrations of serum iron decreased significantly both in men [99.3 ± 46.3 to 61.2 ± 20.9 µg/dL (p < 0.001)] and in women [116.3 ± 34 to 67.1 ± 21.8 µg/dL (p < 0.001)] without a gender difference (p = 0.28). Hepcidin levels increased significantly both in men [9.1 ± 6.5 to 12.2 ± 5.8 ng/mL (p < 0.001)] and in women [8.0 ± 4.6 to 11.7 ± 5.7 ng/mL (p < 0.001)] without a significant gender difference in hepcidin changes (p = 0.34). Conclusions: In conclusion, three consecutive high-intensity training bouts lead to elevated hepcidin levels and decreased iron levels in elite athletes of dragon boating. The increase in hepcidin levels may contribute to the risk of anemia in these athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Training camps are utilised in the selection process of Dragon Boat crews. Due to low funding in this sport, paddlers work full time and train around work hours, which may lead to rapid shifts in training load when attending camps. The objective was to detail the training loads of two elite dragon boat paddlers prior to and during a national training camp. An online system was used to collect training details and internal training loads. Data was extracted for the week leading into a camp, and the week of a camp, giving two, seven-day blocks. Weekly training loads for each paddler leading into the camp and during camp were 1680 units and 1600 units, respectively, and 5670 and 5050 units, respectively. This equated to more than a three-fold increase in training load from week-to-week. One paddler sustained an injury on the last day of this camp which negatively affected them for the rest of the season. Training load shifts can be managed by both the athlete and coach to minimise injury and illness risk. It is recommended that athletes utilise best practice guidelines, which recommend a 10% increase in load per week when preparing for intensive training blocks. Camp coaches and planners must consider the impact of shifts in load on the athletes and reduce the duration or number of sessions across a camp when an athlete has not completed sufficient training. This two-fold proactive approach to reducing rapid shifts in training load around national camps may reduce the risk of injury and illness while still maintaining the overall quality of the training camp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dragon boat racing requires high physical activity levels during competition and training. The female athletic triad refers to a number of negative health consequences (e.g., amenorrhoea, low bone mineral density, and low energy availability) that may result from high physical activity in female athletes in parallel with inadequate dietary intake. This study aimed to estimate energy expenditure and dietary adequacy in female competitive dragon boat athletes. Following ethical approval, energy expenditure was assessed by use of SensewearTM armbands (which measure movement as well as galvanic heat loss) on nine dragon boat athletes preparing for the Southeast Asian Games 2013. The mean estimated energy expenditure for the athletes was 2226 ± 711 kJ/day. Mean total energy, recorded using three-day food diaries (6715 ± 2518 kJ/day) and energy availability (99 ± 56 kJ/kg/day), were low. Estimated micronutrient intake (calcium 699.3 ± 328.7 mg/day and iron 10.6 ± 4.7 mg/day) did not meet recommended daily allowances of 800 mg/day and 19 mg/day, respectively. The low intake of energy, calcium, and iron noted within this study could have negative effects on performance and short- and long-term health in female dragon boat athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is like receiving a death sentence. While some surrender to their fate with diminished meaning of life, others manage to accept the challenges of their condition and move on with greater appreciation of life. This qualitative study examined the experiences of breast cancer survivors whose engagement with dragon boat enhanced their quality of life despite the traumatic discovery, treatment and long-term effects resulting from the illness. A focus group discussion (FGD) was conducted with three Filipina survivors of breast cancer who were actively engaged in dragon boat paddling. The in-depth discussion among the participants provided rich data on their survival of breast cancer and how dragon boat provided them physical and psychosocial benefits. Thematic analysis of the transcription data from the FGD yielded the following themes: (1) family as source of strength, (2) acceptance of breast cancer, (3) mutually supporting relationships, (4) increased personal strengths, (5) greater appreciation of life and (5) I Am a Complete Woman. Results were discussed within the framework of the Post-Traumatic Growth model (Schaefer and Moos, 1998). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Dragon Boat training is often suggested to control upper limb edema in breast cancer (BC) survivors, but little information is available regarding the cardiac impact of such activity. The present study evaluates this aspect during a 4-year follow-up of BC survivors.Material and methods. From 2006 to 2010, 55 women diagnosed with BC in 2005, treated with adjuvant therapy without evidence of metastases, were enrolled for competitive Dragon Boat training. They underwent ergometric tests yearly, and 2D echocardiography to evaluate hemodynamic, morphological and functional cardiac parameters.Results. The data were compared with those from a group of 36 healthy women (HW). Both groups maintained normal systolic function throughout the period, with Cardiac Mass index, Body Mass Index and Ejection Fraction values being higher in HW. At the onset of the study, the diastolic function of BC survivors was normal though compatible with initial diastolic dysfunction when compared to the diastolic function of HW. After 4 years of competitive activity, the diastolic parameters improved in both groups and particularly in BC survivors (A peak: from 68.5 ± 15.1 cm/s to 50 ± 14.1 cm/s,p< 0.05; Ea: from 9.3 ± 2 cm/s to 11.89 ± 1.7 cm/s,p< 0.001).Conclusions. BC survivors experienced a significant improvement in diastolic function after 4 years of Dragon Boat training. Dragon Boat training impacts favorably on the myocardial performance in patients previously treated with chemotherapy. These results support the positive role of sport activity in myocardial function of BC survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: Despite the popularity of dragon boat racing there is little information on typical injuries and health conditions prevalent in crews. Methods: Posture, anthropometry, joint range of motion, muscular strength and endurance, and pre-training anxiety were assessed in a female dragon boat crew. Paddling-associated and historical musculoskeletal injuries, health conditions and training session details were recorded prior to physical assessment. Musculoskeletal pain and stiffness were rated using a 0-10 Likert scale. Anxiety was assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: Twenty two female paddlers volunteered to participate, 27.3 % of who were breast cancer survivors. Cardiovascular conditions and controlled hypertension were reported by 22.7% of participants; osteoarthritis and bursitis/tendinitis by 40.9%. The most common injuries were those to the lumbar spine (40.9%), shoulder (45.5%), knee (45.4%) and wrist (31.8%). The most commonly occurring sites of paddlingrelated pain were the hip (67%), the shoulder (60%), the neck (50%), and the knee (20 %) with 55.6% of bursitis/tendinitis paddling-related. The shoulder was the most restricted joint (right shoulder, -3.5 ± 6 cm; left shoulder, -2.6 ± 7 cm); the psoas was the weakest muscle group (0 -- 5 manual muscle test grade, right, 3.5 ± 0.8; left, 3.6 ± 0.6). Twenty five percent of paddlers reported high measures of State and Trait anxiety. The number of health conditions and injuries were positively correlated (r = 0.689) with Trait (p = 0.002) but not State anxiety (p = 0.06). Discussion: Dragon boat paddlers report a high prevalence of historical and sport-related injuries which may affect training or competition. Shoulder and hip pain may be due to poor paddling biomechanics. Muscle imbalances or weakness may contribute to injuries and also affect paddling technique. Conclusion: Poor paddling technique and higher levels of Trait anxiety may contribute to increased risk of musculoskeletal injury, re-injury and performance-related stress. There is a need for individual musculoskeletal screening and interventions to improve strength, flexibility, paddling technique, and to reduce stress appraisals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The countermovement jump protocol is a common test for measuring leg power. In the recent decade, open source technology has been introduced to measure performance. The purpose of this study was to establish the relative and absolute reliability of the hands-on-waist countermovement jump protocol (CMJ) using the Chronojump-Boscosystem. 11 male (age, 31.0 ± 5.97 years; height, 174.3 ± 5.17 cm; body mass, 77.5 ± 8.3 kg; percentage body fat (%BF), 12.4 ± 2.42) and 9 female (age: 27.1 ± 3.17 years; height, 162.9 ± 3.25; body mass: 67.1 ± 6.15; %BF, 28.6 ± 4.56) national dragonboat athletes from the Philippines participated in the study. They performed two CMJ trials for two sessions separated by 7 days. Intraclass correlation coefficient with 95% confidence interval displayed as ICC (95% CI), standard error of measurement (SEM), minimal detectable change at 95% confidence interval (MDC95%) and smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were utilized in the study. Data revealed that males demonstrated ICC (95% CI) = 0.86 (0.54 - 0.96), SEM = 1.72, MDC95% = 4.77, and SWC = 0.92. On the other hand, females showed ICC (95% CI) = 0.93 (0.74 - 0.99), SEM = 0.69, MDC95% = 1.91, SWC = 0.52. In conclusion, CMJ performance on the Chronojump-Boscoystem displayed moderate relative reliability for males and high relative reliability for females. Absolute reliabilities of the CMJ performance were marginal for both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research investigating both the physiological and physical characteristics of elite dragon boat paddlers. The authors simulated 200-m (meter) and 500-m (meter) dragon boat racing in an attempt to identify characteristics that predict race performance and quantify the metabolic energy contributions. The results of tests measuring maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD), excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC), and flexed arm girth in paddlers are discussed.

Guangdong suffered from the most serious precipitation of its corresponding time during the dragon-boat race of 2008 since 1951. The relationship between the strong dragon-boat precipitation in 2008 and atmospheric low-frequency oscillation was analyzed with the methods of wavelet analysis, correlation and Lanczos filter. Results showed that the daily rainfall exhibits a significant 7 to 12-day quasi-periodic oscillation (namely quasi-10-day oscillation) during the precipitation, the daily 500 hPa height over Guangdong exhibits a significant 8 to 13-day quasi-periodic oscillation, and the daily 850 hPa zonal wind averaged over the north of the South China Sea presents a significant quasi-12-day periodic oscillation. The Guangdong rainfall during the annually first rainy season is most closely correlated with monsoon over the north of South China Sea, and less closely with an upper-level trough at 500 hPa affecting Guangdong. Strong monsoon surges induced two heavy rainfall processes in 2008. The monsoon surges joined with a westward-propagating quasi-10-day oscillation that originated from the central Pacific and was enhanced in a strong convective region east of the Philippines and a northward-propagating monsoon that originated from the southern South China Sea was enhanced. With composite analysis of typical phases, the common evolution characteristics of atmospheric circulation of the two heavy rainfall processes were analyzed for different phases. These features can be used as reference for medium prediction of heavy rainfall processes in Guangdong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the effects of dragon boat racing on breast cancer patients after treatment. The function of the lymphatic system is explained along with secondary lymphedema. The benefits of exercises recommended by the National Lymphedema Network (NLN) include the perceived risks from such exercises. Findings from the dragon boat exercise program by Canadian sports medicine specialist Donald McKenzie and those from other studies emphasized improved upper-extremity range of motion without triggering lymphedema. INSET: STARTING A TEAM.

In this study, video and force analysis techniques were used to distinguish between dragon boat paddlers of different ability. Six elite paddlers (three males, three females) and six sub-elite paddlers (two males, four females) were compared during high-intensity paddling (80-90 strokes · min-1). Video filming was conducted for two-dimensional kinematic analysis and an instrumented paddle was used to collect force data. Paddling efficiency, paddle force characteristics, and paddler kinematic variables were measured. Elite paddlers achieved higher paddling efficiency than sub-elite paddlers (elite: 76 ± 4%; sub-elite: 67 ± 10%; P = 0.080). Elite paddlers also showed higher peak force (elite: 16.3 ± 4.8 N · kg-2/3; sub-elite: 11.4 ± 2.6 N · kg-2/3; P = 0.052), average force (elite: 7.9 ± 2.8 N · kg-2/3; sub-elite: 5.5 ± 1.4 N · kg-2/3; P = 0.084), and impulse (elite: 3.0 ± 0.9 (N · s) · kg-2/3; sub-elite: 1.9 ± 0.4 (N · s) · kg-2/3; P = 0.026) than sub-elite paddlers, but these three results should be viewed with caution due to the small sample size and the unequal number of males and females in the two groups. Superior technique and greater strength enable the elite paddlers to achieve higher paddling efficiency. Paddlers use different joint movement patterns to develop propulsion, which are reflected in variations in the force-time curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Survivorship is one of the least studied and thus least understood aspects of a breast cancer experience. Defined as a life-long, dynamic process, survivorship begins when people have completed medical treatment for breast cancer, yet live with the memories of their treatment and the possibility of a cancer reoccurrence. The numbers of women surviving breast cancer are growing, which means research on survivorship is imperative. In this article, I examine dragon boat racing (DBR) for breast cancer survivors. DBR has been adapted to a woman-centered, community-based leisure pursuit focused on life after medical treatment for breast cancer. Active interviews with 11 participants revealed that DBR contributes to women's social, emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental health. In turn, feeling healthy in these five dimensions enhanced the women's survivorship of breast cancer. The findings demonstrate the roles of leisure in the health and well-being of women who are breast cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following representations are about lived experiences with dragon boat racing (DBR) for breast cancer survivors. DBR is a leisure pursuit focused on life after medical treatment for breast cancer. Previous research focused on physiological benefits of DBR and overlooked the broader health implications of this leisure pursuit. Data were collected through active interviews with twelve participants. Using creative analytic practice, the collection of stories included in this text reveal DBR experiences from a survivor's standpoint. The stories disclose changes to a sense of self, personal identity, and health and well-being. The use of short stories contributes to the dialogue of creative analytic practice within leisure studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]