Christian University Journal

Comparison of Squat and Forward Lunge Exercises on Leg Muscle Strength, Skinfold Thickness, and Anthropometric Measurements in Overweight Women Aged 20-30 Years

Thipsuda Banyam — 2025-09-02

This study investigated the effects of squat and forward lunge exercises on leg muscle strength, skinfold thickness, and anthropometric measurements in overweight women aged 20-30 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ranging from 23.0 to 24.99 kg/m². Forty participants were randomly assigned to either a squat group (n=20) or a forward lunge group (n=20) and completed an 8-week program consisting of three sets of 12 repetitions, performed three times per week. Leg muscle strength was assessed using the 60-second chair stand test, while skinfold thickness and anthropometric measurements were taken from various body sites.

The results showed that both groups demonstrated significant improvements in leg muscle strength, with mean 60-second chair stand test scores increasing from 30.00 ± 5.45 to 35.05 ± 6.01 repetitions in the squat group (p<0.05) and from 32.50 ± 7.03 to 33.44 ± 6.75 repetitions in the forward lunge group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in muscle strength improvements. For skinfold thickness, no significant changes were observed in measurements taken at the triceps, abdominal, suprailiac, or thigh sites for either group. Similarly, anthropometric measurements, including chest, waist, hip, and limb circumferences, showed no notable reductions or inter-group differences post-intervention.

These findings suggest that while both squat and forward lunge exercises effectively enhance leg muscle strength, they do not significantly influence body composition over
an 8-week period. In conclusion, squat and forward lunge exercises can serve as practical and efficient options for improving muscular strength in overweight women. However, further research with longer interventions or combined training regimens is needed to assess their potential impact on body composition and overall health.

The Effect of Chatbot Program Development on Knowledge of Safe Sex among Royal Thai Army Conscripts

Kanchana Busarathid — 2025-09-02

This research is a research and development. The objectives were to develop a chatbot program for safe sex knowledge, assess knowledge about safe sex, and satisfaction assessment with the related to chatbot program. The sample group is 30 conscripts. The research instruments consist of a chatbot program, a safe sex knowledge assessment form, which has a content validity index of 0.86, a Kuder-Richardson reliability of 0.90, and a satisfaction assessment form for the chatbot program, which has a content validity index of 0.88, and a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.95. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and knowledge comparison using Paired T Test.

The findings revealed that: 1) The development of the chatbot program as an automatic response system, the knowledge before and after using the chatbot on safe sex were significantly different at the 0.01, and the average score of the knowledge after using the program was 9.13, which was higher than before using 7.23. 2) Overall satisfaction with the chatbot model for safe sex is at a high level (M = 4.21). The rapid counteraction system and authentic work obtained the highest average rating (M=4.50). The next counteraction system is confidentiality, which encourages people to be brave whenever asking questions (M=4.33). The counteraction system's lowest average was the accuracy of questioning counteraction (M=3.90). The overall level of content satisfaction regarding the safe sex chatbot program is high (M=4.37). The chatbot program with the highest average level was the modern program (M=4.63). The next was easy to understand (M=4.53). The lowest level average was on appropriate for the needs (M=4.03), the improvement of using a chatbot program to promote personal ability to learn independently.

Effectiveness of Dental Caregiver Training Program on Knowledge, Attitude, and Skills in Oral Health Care for Bedridden Patients

Sunisa Chansaeng — 2025-09-02

This quasi-experimental study, employing a one-group pretest-posttest design, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a dental caregiver development program on the oral healthcare practices of bedridden patients. A sample of 26 participants was selected using purposive sampling. The intervention was based on the Self-Efficacy Theory and included educational activities, oral health examination demonstrations, hands-on practice, and group-based learning exchanges. The research instruments consisted of questionnaires assessing oral health knowledge, attitudes, and caregiving skills for bedridden patients. The reliability coefficients of the instruments were 0.89, 0.71, and 0.75, respectively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation), as well as the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

The findings showed that after participating in the program, the caregivers had significantly higher mean scores in oral health knowledge (M = 12.42, SD = 0.85), attitudes toward oral health care (M = 2.69, SD = 0.16), and caregiving skills (M = 26.65, SD = 3.22), compared to their pre-intervention scores (p < .001).

These results suggest that the program can serve as a model for developing short-term training modules for village health volunteers (VHVs). Furthermore, sub-district health-promoting hospitals (SHPHs) can consider integrating this program into routine home visit services or care for bedridden patients.

Predicting Factors of Health Related Quality of Life among Older Persons with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Phonthip Thongpleo — 2025-09-02

This study aimed to examine the predictive power between comorbidities, social support, frailty, depression, self-care ability, and health perception on health-related quality of life in elderly people who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The sample consisted of 108 elderly people who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement, aged 60 years and above, who underwent surgery. The multi-stage design was used. The instruments used were a questionnaire on personal factors and a comorbidity assessment form: a social support assessment form, a frailty assessment form, a depression assessment form, a self-care ability scale, a health perception assessment form, and a health-related quality of life assessment form for elderly people who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression. The results showed that comorbidities had the highest predictive coefficient (β = -.336, p = < .01). The variables were comorbidities, social support, frailty, depression, self-care ability, and health perception. The variability of health-related quality of life in the elderly who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement could be predicted by 78.90 percent with statistical significance at the .01 level (Adjusted R2 =.789, p< .01).

Effect of Dietary Fiber Supplementation from Powdered Carrot Pomace and Powdered Silkworm Pupae Protein on the Quality of Extrusion RD 43 Rice Snack

Suthida Kitjaworasastien — 2025-09-02

Extruded snacks are popular across all age groups but are typically high in carbohydrates due to starch as a main ingredient. Adding dietary fiber and protein can enhance their nutritional value. This study aimed to investigate the effects of powdered carrot pomace (fiber) and powdered silkworm pupae (protein) on the physical, chemical, and sensory properties of extruded snacks made from RD 43 rice. Results showed that increasing levels of both powders significantly affected product characteristics (p<0.05). Water activity (a_w), a*, b*, bulk density, and hardness increased, while L*, expansion, and fracturability decreased. The optimal formulation was 10% powdered carrot pomace and 10% powdered silkworm pupae by weight, offering the best physical properties and moderate consumer acceptance in appearance, color, aroma, taste, texture, and overall liking. Chemically, the developed snack had higher energy, moisture, protein, fat, ash, and fiber but lower carbohydrates than the control formula (p<0.05). Thus, using agro-industrial by-products like carrot pomace and silkworm pupae can effectively enhance snack nutrition.

The sustainability of OTOP Development, Finance Aspect, on the Basis of Risk Management toward Finance of the Sufficiency Economy in Samut Prakan Province Under New Normal

U-sa Juthasuwansiri — 2025-09-15

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, OTOP entrepreneurs in Samut Prakan Province faced financial and economic uncertainty, creating business risks. This study aims to assess and propose financial risk management guidelines to develop sustainable OTOP businesses through financial risk management based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy under the new normal lifestyle. The sample consisted of 406 OTOP entrepreneurs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (one-way ANOVA and multiple regression) at a significance level of 0.05. Results revealed that 1) most respondents were food producers in the community, certified with local identity and 4-star products, earning 100,001–500,000 baht, with low expenses, low burden, and low financial risk. 2) Income and expenses were the most significant risk factors, followed by financing, interest rates, and current inflation rates in order. 3) Entrepreneurs should produce according to customer order, reduce inventory, expand markets, and manage working capital efficiently. 4) To ensure sustainability, they should increase income, reduce costs through clear business plans, group collaboration, and maintain income-expense records.

The Effect of Tea Production Process from Hom Thong Banana (Musa acuminata AAA Group) Blossom on Phytochemicals Content, Antioxidant Capacity and The Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase

Aschariyakul Pungphet — 2025-09-15

This research aimed to study the optimal tea production process from Hom Thong banana (Musa acuminata AAA Group) blossom in relation to phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Banana blossom tea extracts were produced using three different methods: Method 1 (dryng at 50 °C for 5 hours), Method 2 (kneading for 10 minutes, roasting at low heat for 5 minutes, and drying at 40 °C for 6 hours), and Method 3 (kneading for 10 minutes, fermenting for 1 hour, and drying at 50 °C for 5 hours). Results showed that tea produced by Method 2 had the highest antioxidant content, including phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant capacity (DPPH• and FRAP assays). Regarding α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, different production methods resulted in varying inhibitory capacities. However, tea extracts from all three methods exhibited stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase than α-amylase. Notably, tea produced by Methods 1 and 2 showed no significant difference in α-glucosidase inhibition compared to the positive control (Acarbose) (p ≥ 0.05), suggesting that Method 2 is an effective approach for preserving the beneficial properties of Hom Thong banana blossom tea.

Development of the Phet Rajabhat Scholarship System at Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University using the Scrum Process

Nipon Kamtang — 2025-09-15

This research aimed to study the problems needs and to development the Phet Rajabhat Scholarship System of Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University by the Scrum process, with a Target group of Phet Rajabhat scholarship students and the responsible deputy deans. The research steps began with the analysis of problems and needs, design, development, and evaluation of the efficiency of the system by 9 experts and the satisfaction of the group of 69 users. The results of the research found that the development of the system using the Scrum process effectively addresses the needs and resolves issues present in the original management process of the Phet Rajabhat scholarship students and developed system had the highest efficiency, with a mean of 4.58 and a standard deviation of 0.59. The overall satisfaction of the users was at the high level (mean of 4.41 standard deviation of 0.71) especially in terms of design and work processes. In addition, the results of the statistical analysis using the independent t-test found that the responsible deputy deans had significantly higher satisfaction with the system than the students at a statistically significant at p < .05 (t(39) = -4.98, p < .001). The results of the study were consistent with previous research on the use of the Scrum process to develop a flexible system that effectively meets the needs of users.

Lactate Reimagined as an Exerkine: Emerging Evidence, Physiological Benefits, Controversies, and Clinical Applications

Dhissauvach Chaikhot — 2025-09-15

Misconceptions surrounding lactate have persisted for centuries; once dismissed as a mere by-product of anaerobic metabolism and a culprit of fatigue, lactate is now recognized as a powerful exerkine with broad physiological influence across multiple systems. This shift in understanding redefines lactate as more than a waste product, recognizing its critical role in inter-organ communication and physiological regulation during and after exercise. This narrative review explores the multifaceted functions of lactate, highlighting its impact on metabolic regulation, neuroplasticity, immune modulation, muscle adaptation, and angiogenesis. Lactate's interaction with the G-protein-coupled receptor 81 (GPR81) mediates numerous beneficial processes, including anti-inflammatory responses, upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), mitochondrial biogenesis through PGC-1α activation, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression, which supports angiogenesis. While the majority of scientists acknowledge lactate’s vital role in energy homeostasis and systemic signaling, controversies persist concerning the extent of its effects and their dependence on exercise context, intensity, and individual variability. Future research directions include the development of lactate-based therapeutic applications, personalized exercise prescriptions, and integrative approaches with other exerkines. The potential of lactate to enhance patient care, from neurorehabilitation to chronic disease management, underscores its promise as a powerful target for health optimization and performance enhancement. This narrative review aims to deepen our understanding of lactate’s complex roles and guide innovative strategies in health sciences, exercise physiology, and clinical care

How can the Application of SWOT Analysis and the TOWS Matrix be Promoted in SMEs to Enhance Managerial Effectiveness?

Pornsri Laurujisawat — 2025-09-15

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in economic and social development. Strategic management is recognized as a sustainable approach to enhancing competitiveness. Nonetheless, many SMEs have yet to apply theoretical frameworks. This study investigates how to foster strategic management practices in SMEs. SWOT analysis, known for its simplicity, becomes more robust when combined with the TOWS Matrix. Case studies from four SMEs in different countries confirm the tools’ practical success. Results emphasize the critical role of leadership in knowledge development and resource allocation. Furthermore, formal coaching systems are essential. These mechanisms can help SMEs effectively translate academic strategies into actionable organizational practices.