• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 1992

Effects of pH, $PCO_2$, and adenosine on the vascular contractility were investigated in the pig coronary arteries. The helical strips of isolated coronary arteries were immersed in the HEPES or $HCO_3^-/CO_2$-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% $O_2\;or\;95%\;O_2-5%\;CO_2\;at\;35^{\circ}C$. The contraction was recorded isometrically using a force transducer. The amplitudes of contraction induced by ACh, high $K^+$, and electrical Held stimulation (EFS) were decreased by elevating extracellular pH (pHo) and were increased by lowering pHo. A shift from $0%\;CO_2\;to\;5%\;CO_2$ at constant pHo (pH 7.4) reduced the contractions induced by ACh, high $K^+$, EFS. However the contraction induced by 100mM $K^+$ was less influenced by the change of pHo or $CO_2$. The contraction induced by ACh in $Ca^{2+}$free Tyrode's solution as well as the contraction developed by the addition of extracellular of $Ca^{2+}$ were decreased by lowering pHo and were increased by elevating pHo. High $K^+$ (25mM) induced contraction at pH 6.8 was not returned to the level of the contraction at pH 7.4 by the elevation of extracellular. calcium $[Ca^{2+}]_o$. Adenosine-induced relaxation was more significant with 5% $CO_2$ than 0% $CO_2$ in the high $K^+$-induced contraction and was more significant with low pHo than high pHo in the contraction induced by EFS. From the above results, it is suggested that $H^+$ and $CO_2$ inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ influx as well as $Ca^{2+}$ release from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ storage sites and enhance the relaxing effect of adenosine in the pig coronary artery.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.246-249
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics between EMG timing of muscle contraction and motor impairment in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. Delay time and co-contraction of 4 patients who had stroke less than 3 years were measured during isometric wrist flexion and extension along the 3 seconds beep signal. Onset and offset of muscle contraction were significantly delayed on the more affected sides than control sides. Offset was significantly delayed than the onset on the affected sides in wrist flexion. Also, recruitment of antagonist was larger than agonist on the affected sides. Co-contraction ratio on the affected side was significantly smaller than control sides in wrist flexion. In affected sides, Fugl-Meyer motor assessment(FMA) shows the correlation of onset delay in wrist flexion and extension. However, co-contraction ratio correlated with FMA in wrist flexion. EMG assessment is likely to be useful outcome measure and provide insights into mechanism for motor recovery in stroke patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to evaluate the motor recovery in 4 chronic hemiparetic patients with Fugl-Meyer (FM) and EMG characteristics before and after the training program. The training was performed at 1hr/day, 5days/week during 6 weeks in 4 chronic stroke patients. Electromyographic activities of the affected hand were recorded during isometric wrist flexion/ extension movements. In all patients, FM was significantly improved after the 6-week training. Onset/offset delay of muscle contraction significantly decreased in the affected wrist after the training. The co-contraction ratio of flexor/extensor muscles decreased significantly. Also, onset/offset delay of muscle contraction and co-contraction ratio correlates significantly with upper limb motor impairment and motor recovery. This EMG technique allows an objective evaluation of changes in muscle activity in post-stroke patients, providing easily measurable, quantitative indices of muscle characteristics.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.479-486
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of the inhibitory action of carbon monoxide (CO) on contraction, by measuring cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ level $([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ and ionic currents in guinea-pig ileum. CO (10%) inhibited 40 mM KCl-induced contraction and this effect was blocked by ODQ $(1\;{\mu}M),$ a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor. CO inhibited the 40 mM KCl-induced contraction without changing $[Ca^{2+}]_i.$ Cumulative addition of KCl induced a graded increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and muscle tension. In the presence of CO, cumulative addition of KCl induced smaller contraction than in the absence of CO. On the other hand, the increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ induced by cumulative addition of KCl was only slightly decreased in the presence of CO, and the $[Ca^{2+}]_i-tension$ relationship shifted downwards. Using the patch clamp technique with a holding potential of -60 mV, we found that CO had little effect on the peak Ba currents $(I_{Ba})$ when voltage was stepped from -60 mV to 0 mV. In addition, CO showed no effect on the depolarization-activated outward $K^+$ currents in the all potential ranges. We conclude that CO inhibits smooth muscle contraction mainly by decreasing the $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile elements via a cGMP-dependent pathway, not by involving L-type $Ca^{2+}$ and outward-potassium currents in guinea-pig ileum.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2009

The estimation of muscle force is important to understand the roles of the muscles. The static optimization method can be used to figure out the individual muscle forces. However, muscle forces during the movement including muscle co-contraction cannot be considered by the static optimization. In this study, a hybrid static optimization method was introduced to find the well-matched muscle forces with EMG signals under muscle co-contraction conditions. To validate the developed algorithm, the 3D motion analysis and its corresponding inverse dynamics using the musculoskeletal modeling software (SIMM) were performed on heel-rise movements. Results showed that the developed algorithm could estimate the acceptable muscle forces during heel-rise movement. These results imply that a hybrid numerical approach is very useful to obtain the reasonable muscle forces under muscle co-contraction conditions.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.309-317
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• 2015

This study is the high contraction processing conditions set by the method of the CPB process. And the ultimate goal of this study is the high contraction of the CPB processing test method that can solve the problems of the high-contraction fabric processing method of the current jet dyeing machine. Non-coating process(CPB process) developed by the expression of a soft touch, light weight, functional and to develop excellent breathable nylon fabric. The nylon fabrics established the optimum processing conditions through the high contraction of the various test conditions, the CPB system.(The benzyl alcohol was used as the main constrictor.) At this time, the warp and weft contraction of nylon fabric was about 20%. And it established the constrictor concentration, the treatment temperature, time of a variety of tests. Also non-coating process(CPB process) can develop soft touch, lightweight, excellent air permeability. As a result, we developed a high contraction nylon fabric having a uniform surface. Manufactured fabric is used for Wind-proof and Down-proof.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2005

We assessed whether the use of a symmetrical upper limb motion trainer in daily repetitive training for a 6-week period reduced spasticity and improved motor function in three chronic hemiparetic patients. Upper limb motor impairment and disability were measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Manual Muscle Test (MMT), respectively. The electromyography (EMG) of the affected hand was recorded during isometric wrist flexion and extension. In all patients, FMA and MMT scores were significantly improved after the 6-week training. However, MAS scores of the affected wrist spasticity did not change considerably. Onset and Offset delays in muscle contraction significantly decreased in the affected wrist. The co-contraction ratio of flexor and extensor muscles significantly increased after the 6-week training. Onset and offset delays of the muscle contraction and co-contraction ratio correlated significantly with the patients' FMA. This study showed that repetitive, symmetric movement training can improve upper limb motor functions and abilities in chronic hemiparetic patients. Also, the EMG assessment of motor response is likely to provide insights into mechanisms and treatment strategies for motor recovery in chronic hemiparetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.275-282
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• 2012

Purpose : Bridge exercise has been commonly used in clinical rehabilitation settings to improve trunk control, and hip adductor muscles were a related muscle that may affect trunk muscle activation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the co-contraction of hip adductor muscles may affect trunk muscle activation during bridge exercises. Methods : Thirty-eight healthy young subjects (19 men and 19 women) performed bridge exercises (with and without hip adduction movement). Surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the dominant-side internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF) and erect spine (ES) during bridge exercises to compare trunk muscles activation patterns. Result : The EMG activities of IO and RA appeared to be significantly higher during bridge exercise with hip adductor co-contraction than during bridge exercise alone (p<.01), but there were no significant differences in those of MF and ES. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the IO:RA EMG ratio during bridge exercise with hip adductor co-contraction (p<.05). Conclusion : These findings suggest that integration of hip adduction during bridge exercise may be beneficial in increasing deep muscles' activity for trunk stabilization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare different standing postures with the use of standing aids for lumbar spine posture and muscle activity, and to identify the most desirable standing posture. METHODS: The lumbopelvic angle was assessed based on static radiographic measurement on the sagittal plane. Lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral lordosis, and the intervertebral joint angle at L1/L5 and L5/S1 were measured using radiography in three standing postures (standing on level ground, standing with one foot on a platform, and standing on a sloped surface). In addition, muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography to examine the co-contraction of the lumbar and hip muscles. RESULTS: Lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral lordosis, and L5/S1 intervertebral joint flexion occurred with one foot on the platform. No significant differences were found between standing on a sloped surface and standing on level ground. However, muscle co-contraction was reduced with the use of standing aids. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that standing with a foot on a platform induced lumbar lordosis, but that there was no significant difference between standing on a sloped surface and standing on level ground. However, muscle co-contraction was reduced with the use of standing aids. Based on the motor control pattern as a predictor of LBP, the use of standing aids would help workers during prolonged standing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2020

Background: Augmented somatosensory feedback stimulates the mechanoreceptor to deliver information on bodily position, improving the postural control. The various types of such feedback include ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and vibration. The optimal feedback to mitigate postural sway remains unclear, as does the effect of augmented somatosensory feedback on muscle co-contraction. Objects: We compared postural sway and ankle muscle co-contraction without feedback (control) and with either of two forms of somatosensory feedback (AFOs and vibration). Methods: We recruited 15 healthy subjects and tested them under three feedback conditions (control, AFOs, vibration) with two sensory conditions (eyes open, or eyes closed and the head tilted back), in random order. Postural sway was measured using a force platform; the mean sway area of the 95% confidence ellipse (AREA) and the mean velocity of the center-of-pressure displacement (VEL) were assessed. Co-contraction of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles was measured using electromyography and converted into a co-contraction index (CI). Results: We found significant main effects of the three feedback states on postural sway (AREA, VEL) and the CI. The two sensory conditions exerted significant main effects on postural sway (AREA and VEL). AFOs reduced postural sway to a level significantly lower than that of the control (p = 0.014, p < 0.001) or that afforded by vibration (p = 0.024, p < 0.001). In terms of CI amelioration, the AFOs condition was significantly better than the control (p = 0.004). Vibration did not significantly improve either postural sway or the CI compared to the control condition. There was no significant interaction effect between the three feedback conditions and the two sensory conditions. Conclusion: Lower-extremity devices such as AFOs enhance somatosensory perception, improving postural control and decreasing the CI during static standing.