Background: Performance-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMD) are highly prevalent among flutists, largely due to the instrument’s markedly asymmetrical posture and sustained upper-extremity loading. Prior research consistently shows localized pain in the neck, thoracic paraspinal, shoulders, wrists, and hands, underscoring the need for flute specific epidemiologic data to better characterize this elevated musculoskeletal risk. Objects: This study examined their associations with performance-related parameters and PRMD to inform evidence-based preventive and rehabilitative strategies in elite female flutists. Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 35 professional female flutists using a structured questionnaire that assessed performance characteristics, upper extremity function, and regional musculoskeletal symptoms. Group comparisons of pain intensity were examined by t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Results: Flutists showed the greatest pain intensity in both side of upper trapezius, whereas most other regions demonstrated minimal pain. Late starters exhibited significantly higher pain in major upper-body regions, including the upper trapezius, rhomboids. Longer professional career duration was associated with higher pain intensity in the left upper trapezius, left lateral elbow, and mid-lumbar region (all p < 0.05), but not in other body sites (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that elite female flutists exhibit a pronounced concentration of PRMD in shoulder regions especially, the upper trapezius of elite female flutists and stated that later initiation of flute training and longer professional career duration significantly increased pain intensity across multiple upper-body sites. These findings indicate that PRMD risk is primarily driven by the interaction between asymmetric postural demands and cumulative occupational load, emphasizing the importance of early posture focused training and targeted preventive strategies.

In this study, the quality of hydroponically grown leafy vegetables (batavia and butterhead) from smart farms was compared with that of soil-grown vegetables. The quality characteristics (weight, size, color, water content, pH, texture, bitter compounds, functional ingredients, antioxidant capacity, microorganisms, and sensory properties) of the two leafy vegetables were analyzed. Significant differences were observed in fresh weight, shear force, and functional ingredients between the two cultivation methods. With regard to weight measurement, hydroponically grown leafy vegetables were lighter compared to soil-grown vegetables (batavia: hydroponic 127.15–138.26 g, soil-grown 219.30 g; butterhead: hydroponic 107.48–127.66 g, soil-grown 237.23 g; p<0.05). In addition, hydroponically grown vegetables had significantly lower shear force values (batavia: 32–82%, butterhead: 49–70%) than soil-grown vegetables, except for one hydroponically grown batavia sample (p<0.05). Analysis of functional ingredients showed that both total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents were significantly higher in the soil-grown vegetables (p<0.05). However, no differences related to the growth system were observed in plant size, color, pH, bitter taste compounds, antioxidant capacity, and the presence of microorganisms between the two cultivation methods. This study provides a database of quality differences between hydroponically grown and soil-grown leafy vegetables, which is valuable for improving the quality of hydroponically grown products.

천적유지식물은 재배지에 천적을 지속적으로 유지할 수 있도록 하기 위하여 필요한 비작물성 식물이다. 미끌애꽃노린재는 총채벌레 등 원 예작물 해충의 주요 천적이지만, 재배지의 장기적인 유지를 위해서 효율적인 천적유지식물의 개발이 필요하다. 미끌애꽃노린재의 우수한 천적유 지식물을 선발하기 위하여 다양한 화밀식물 7종류(돌나물, 채송화 그리고 국화 5 품종)를 대상으로 미끌애꽃노린재의 산란율을 비교해 본 결과, 노란색 꽃을 가진 국화 품종에서 가장 높게 나타났다. 본 연구결과는 총채벌레 방제를 위한 미끌애꽃노린재의 효과를 증대하는데 기여할 것으로 판단된다.