Data
The quantity of exercise that Koreans do on a daily basis is towards the bottom of global rankings. Who gets less exercise amongst the two represented groups, students and workers? And why are they not exercising?
The reasons why they don't like physical activities
Introduction
My Own Data
I'm interested in health in general, and I came across an article regarding "Korean inactivity." It allowed me to do research on "Korean exercise." Six Koreans in their twenties were included in my investigation. I assessed the momentum of three students and three workers, observing that "On a daily basis, they are always moving with their mobile phones." Their daily step data were gathered daily from mid-June to mid-October, and their exercise volume was calculated using their “daily steps". Additionally, exercise data is gathered via the "Health" app on their phones.
Data from ‘data.go.kr’
I began researching why they don't exercise by expanding from my first research to using data supplied by the Korean government. Supplemented data shows the In-depth research and satisfies my interest. My inquiry continued because I wanted to identify the underlying cause of their incapacity to "exercise," rather than just finishing with an examination of Korean students and employees' exercise.
Data Visualisation
To begin, a 'line graph' was formed using data gathered from six individuals. However, the data from June 18 to October 13 accumulated up to six persons (a total of 708), and the graph grew convoluted, necessitating its simplification. As a consequence, the graph was simplified by breaking it into two categories: students and employees, and the average value for each of the two groups was calculated to make the data analysis findings more accessible to readers. Rather than the number of daily steps taken, it was determined which group had the most active behavior. Rather of focusing on the process of comparing and calculating numbers, I examined how readers may more readily compare and interpret data by comparing the height of the graph (visual method).
Findings
After evaluating the data obtained over a four-month period using a line graph, it was determined that the average amount of exercise performed by students (3704.2) was 986 lower than the average amount of exercise performed by office employees (4690.2) (Workers > Students).
The results analyzed through the donut graph are as follows.
Why Korean students and workers do not exercise.
I don't have enough time to work out.
Students 46.5%
Workers 53.3%
I don't have anyone to work out with.
Students 61.0%
Workers 39.0%
There's no place to work out.
Students 62.9%
Workers 37.1%
I don't like to work out.
Students 54.0%
Workers 46.0%
I didn't have enough money to work out.
Students 83.6%
Workers 16.4%
Others
Students 50.0%
Workers 50.0%
Insights
I utilized two distinct sorts of data. The first is data gathered over 118 days from six people's steps, while the second is a numerical representation of why students and office employees "do not exercise." And these two sets of data are graphically represented using a variety of graph types, of which I selected a line graph and a donut graph.
A line graph refers to a graph in which the quantity is expressed as a point and the points are drawn by a line segment. It is very useful when recording something constantly changing over time. It has the advantage of being able to roughly predict the intermediate value that has not been investigated.
Donut graph enables the audience to see a data comparison at a glance to make an immediate analysis or to understand information quickly. Through the overall data analysis process, I learnt the value of choosing and using relevant graphs, as well as the need of adopting a considerate approach while seeing this data from the reader's perspective. I attempted to simplify the graph, recalling the lecturer's statement, "Anyone without prior knowledge should be able to understand when they see your graphs."
Conclusion
Koreans in their twenties, students, and office employees were chosen as study subjects to compare their inadequate exercise. The analysis of their data revealed that, regardless of their career or background, Koreans' exercise was indeed insufficient so, I began to worry about their health and liveliness. Numerous studies have shown that exercise may benefit not only our physical health but also our mental health.
- Relieving depression and activating brain function
- It helps you sleep well and relieves insomnia
- Weight control and diabetes prevention
- Maintaining muscle mass
- Maintaining my joints
- Maintaining circulation
- Prevention of osteoporosis
And the statistics from "data.go.kr" demonstrated that their hectic lifestyles had a significant influence on both students and office employees, which I could empathize with the most (presuming that they are the ones who want to exercise).
I don't have enough time to work out.
Students 46.5%
Workers 53.3%
And when I consider how to exercise in a hectic life, the terms "home training" or "digital fitness" occurred to me. This workout strategy is one that many individuals are using as a result of the current development of the COVID-19 disease, and it is feasible regardless of time or location. The graph below shows the real growth in home training.
- Since the lockdown took place at the end of March, the number of app installations has been 58% higher than this year's overall average. In May, the use of health and fitness apps increased, and the number of daily sessions increased by 25% compared to the average. Since then, the number of daily sessions has gradually decreased, but in July, it was 16% higher than the average, showing high usage of related apps.
- In Germany, the number of installations surged at the end of March, up 86% from this year's overall average. The number of sessions tripled between January and April, and in May, it was 38% higher than this year's overall average. Although it decreased slightly in May, the number of app sessions increased by 67% on average every month from January to July, showing a steady rise.
- The UK recorded 93% higher installations than this year's overall average in April. The number of sessions also steadily increased from the end of March to the end of May, reaching a peak of 80% higher than this year's overall average on May 25. The number of sessions began to decline, but the number of installations doubled in July this year from last year.
- Brazil saw a significant increase in the number of installations from late April to mid-May, up 73% from this year's average. The number of sessions recorded immediately after installation increased to 96% higher than this year's overall average in May.
References
- Ha Chae Rim. “The World’s Worst Lack of Youth Exercise in Korea..."Last Place" out of 146 Countries.” Yonhap News Agency.., 22 Nov. 2019, https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20191122059700009.
- HiDoc. 7 Amazing Effects of Walking. . 16 July 2015, https://www.korea.kr/news/healthView.do?newsId=148797766.
- Jeff Csatari. “What Can Happen To Your Body If You Don’t Exercise.” Eat This, Not That,. 7 Sept. 2020, https://www.eatthis.com/side-effects-not-exercising/.
- Kim Ka Young. “A Surprising Change That Occurs Every Day When You Walk.”HiDoc. 5 Feb. 2021, https://www.hidoc.co.kr/healthstory/news/C0000580131.
- “Lack of Physical Activity.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, . https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/factsheets/physical-activity.htm.https://www.eatthis.com/side-effects-not-exercising/.
- Lim Byung Seon. “Digital Fitness and Home Training Trends Rise around the World amid the Spread of COVID-19.” Digital Trend News, 3 Sept. 2020, http://www.ilovepc.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=36169.
- “Lowest Levels of Physical Activity Threatens the Future of Korea.” The Dong-A-Ilbo,. 29 Nov. 2019, https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20191129/1914271/1/Lowest-levels-of-physical-activity-threatens-the-future-of-Korea.
- “Physical Activity.” World Health Organization,. 26 Nov. 2020, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity.
- Vaishali Dar. “Gym from Home: How Workout-at-Home Has Become a Pandemic Fitness Trend.” Financial Express,. 13 July 2021, https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/gym-from-home-how-workout-at-home-has-become-a-pandemic-fitness-trend/2283340/.