• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.48-56
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• 2016

Background: Recently, there has been an emphasis on the use of interventions with biofeedback information for the maintenance or correction of posture. Objects: This study assessed the change of trunk posture and trunk muscle activation when people exhibiting postural kyphosis performed visual display terminal work with or without a contact feedback device (CFD). Methods: Eighteen right-handed individuals were recruited. Thoracic angle and right thoracic erector spinae (TES) muscle amplitude were analyzed. There were two sessions in these experiments. The control session involved 16 minutes of typing without a CFD, and the CFD session involved 16 minutes of typing with a CFD. The visual analog scale score was analyzed with a paired t-test, and the kinematic and electromyography data were analyzed through two-way repeated analysis of variance. Results: The paired t-tests revealed that subjects had significantly less pain after the CFD sessions than after the control sessions (p<.05). Significant main effects by session and by time were observed in the thoracic kyphosis angle (p<.05). There was a significant session${\times}$time interaction for TES amplitude (p<.05), along with significant main effects by session and by time (p<.05). Conclusion: The CFD caused people with postural kyphosis to straighten and to activate their TES continuously, even though they were habituated to bend their bodies forward. Therefore, the CFD was a beneficial treatment tool.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.51-59
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• 2005

To examine the influence of aging on the mechanism of muscle fatigue, we compared the magnitude of central and peripheral fatigue in young and old women before, during and after a sustained submaximaI isometric contraction of elbow flexor muscles. Twelve women (6 young. $20.7{\pm}1.2$ years and 6 old, $68.8{\pm}29$ years) performed a contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque with their non-dominant arm. The old women were weaker than the young women, however their endurance time for the 20% contraction was longer compared with the young women ($1822{\pm}444$ vs. $1061{\pm}678$ sec, P <. 05). Both groups had a similar reduction in voluntary activation ratio (VA) during and after the fatiguing contraction. However, the old women showed much greater variability in VA before and after the contraction ($91.61{\pm}4.54%$ and $76.70{\pm}19.55\;%$ range of $79{\sim}99$ to $87{\sim}99%$ respectively) compared with the young women ($95.71{\pm}1.86\;%$ and $83.46{\pm}7.57\;%$ range of $39{\sim}75$ to $69{\sim}90%$, respectively). Furthermore, the EMG activity of the elbow flexor muscles and triceps brachii was greater for the old women compared with the young women throughout the fatiguing contraction, indicating different activation strategies with age. Indices of peripheral fatigue including twitch properties, showed that fatigue within the muscle was more rapid for the young women compared with the old women. These results suggest that although old women are weaker than young women, they have greater endurance due to mechanisms within muscle. Furthermore, old women showed great variability in their ability to optimally activate all muscle fiber compared with young women for an isometric contraction.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities on the changes of illuminations in the elderly women. Ten older women ($70.90{\pm}3.28$ years, $154.70{\pm}3.47$ cm, $53.80{\pm}5.39$ kg) with normal vision and no gait disabilities participated in this study. All the experiments were performed on a level walkway from low to high lighting (six conditions). A 3-dimensional motion capturing system, force-plate, and EMG were used to acquire and analyze walking motion, force, and muscle activity data; the sampling frequency was 100 Hz, 1000 Hz and 1000 Hz respectively. To test the differences on walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities between the six lighting conditions, one-way repeated ANOVAs were evaluated. The following results were drawn: First, mean standard time was about 1.3 sec/stride, and velocities were smaller with lighting increasing except 100 Lx. Second, the joint power patterns of ankle and knee were not consistent, but only hip joint power was a greatest in 6 Lx and a smallest in 400 Lx. Third, standard times(100 Lx<300 Lx, 400 Lx) were statistically significant, and hip joint max powers (100 Lx>others) were also statistically significant. But ankle and knee joint max power were not statistically significant. These results showed that standard times from low to high lighting were not consistent, and hip joint of 100 Lx has a greatest rotational torque. We suggested that gait strategies of them as to changing illuminations were not consistent and findings may represent a lack of adaptability in the elderly women.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1990

The right hip adbuctor musculature has been reported to demonstrate 'stretch weakness' attributable to chronic elongation imposed by standing posture common to right-handed healthy persons. Kendall and associates have described the concept of 'stretch weakness'. The purpose of this study was to assess isometric hip abduction torque and surface electro-myographic activity (using MYOMED 432) in a sample of 40 healthy right-handed persons (20 male, 20 female), all of whom agreed to participate in the study, and compare side difference in the hip abductor musculature. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the paired t-test was applied at the .05 level of significance. The results were as follows : 1. The difference in apparent leg length of right and left legs was significant at the .05 leve1. 2. There was a significant difference between right and left pelvic height (standing position) at the .005 level measurements, and scapula height at the .05 level. 3. Power measurements and action potentials of right hip adbuctor were greater than the left hip adbuctor regardless of the range of joint motion (inner range, outer range). 4. The difference in muscle power and action potentials according to inner or outer range of both hip abductor were significant at the .05 level. 5. In supine during active left hip abduction, the appearance of action potentials in the right hip abductors is indicative of contra-lateral effect (p<.005). These results suggest : In healthy right-handed persons. the apparent leg length on the right is longer than on the left, and pelvic height is elevated on the right side. Muscle torque and muscle action potentials of the right hip adbuctor art higher than those of the hip abductor in the lengthened position. Therefore, the results in this study are contrary to Kendall's. This type of study should be carried out in many physical therapy departments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.223-231
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• 2010

Purpose : The Purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation and foot pressure on baby carrier and sling for baby care. Methods : Thirty one women subjects (mean age 23.2 years) participated in four static conditions : unloaded quite standing, carrying an anterior baby carrier, carrying a posterior baby carrier, and sling. The baby carrier and sling were loaded with baby model that filled 7.6kg loads. Surface electromyography was used to measure activity in the internal oblique, T4, L3, L5 paraspinal muscle, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius for four conditions. And foot pressure was measured by using MatScan system(Tekscan, USA). Results : The activation of Biceps femoris, T4, L3, and L5 paraspinal muscle were significant differences(p<.05), but other muscles were no significant differences in four conditions(p>.05). Right foot contact area and peak pressure of right mid foot area were significant differences in four conditions(p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that the use of baby carrier of sling for baby care were influenced postural responses of young women. Further work is recommended to find out the influences of various assistive devices for baby care.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.584-590
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• 2019

Luteolin, a widespread flavonoid, has been known to have neuroprotective activity against various neurologic diseases such as epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease. However, little information is available regarding the hypnotic effect of luteolin. In this study, we evaluated the hypnotic effect of luteolin and its underlying mechanism. In pentobarbital-induced sleeping mice model, luteolin (1, and 3 mg/kg, p.o.) decreased sleep latency and increased the total sleep time. Through electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG) recording, we demonstrated that luteolin increased non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep time and decreased wake time. To evaluate the underlying mechanism, we examined the effects of various pharmacological antagonists on the hypnotic effect of luteolin. The hypnotic effect of 3 mg/kg of luteolin was not affected by flumazenil, a GABAA receptorbenzodiazepine (GABAAR-BDZ) binding site antagonist, and bicuculine, a GABAAR-GABA binding site antagonist. On the other hand, the hypnotic effect of 3 mg/kg of luteolin was almost completely blocked by caffeine, an antagonist for both adenosine A1 and A2A receptor (A1R and A2AR), 8-Cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), an A1R antagonist, and SCH-58261, an A2AR antagonist. From the binding affinity assay, we have found that luteolin significantly binds to not only A1R but also A2AR with $IC_{50}$ of 1.19, $0.84{\mu}g/kg$, respectively. However, luteolin did not bind to either BDZ-receptor or GABAAR. From these results, it has been suggested that luteolin has hypnotic efficacy through A1R and A2AR binding.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined the effects of heel insoles on the static balance and leg muscle activity and posture control strategy during external perturbation. Methods: Thirty healthy young men participated in the study. The subjects underwent two experimental conditions: 1) no heel insole condition (0cm) and 2) wearing heel insole condition (5cm). The static balance was measured using an I-Balance device, which measured the change in the center of gravity (COG). The onset time of muscle activation and muscle activation of the erector spinae (ES), hamstring (HAM), gastrocnemius (GCM) were measured using surface EMG electrodes to determine the change in posture control strategy during external perturbation. Results: The speed and distance of COG were significantly higher in the wearing heel insoles condition than the no heel insole condition (p<0.05). In addition, significant differences in the onset time of the GCM, HAM, and ES muscle activation were observed when there was no heel insole condition during external perturbation (p<0.017). On the other hand, no significant differences in the onset time of muscle activation were observed between GCM and HAM when wearing the heel insole condition during external perturbation (p<0.017). Moreover, muscle activation of the GCM was significantly higher in the wearing heel insoles condition than the no heel insole condition during external perturbation (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that heel insoles may have disadvantages, and increased efforts are needed to maintain balance and change the posture control strategy during external perturbation.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of leg lift difference on the serratus anterior muscle and the upper trapezius muscle when a subject with winged scapula performs a scapula protraction exercise in a four-leg crawling posture. Method: Twenty normal adults and 20 subjects with winged scapula participated in the experiment. Surface EMG recordings were collected from serratus anterior muscle and back trapezius muscle during scapula protraction exercises. Scapular winging is measured with the lifting distance of scapula retraction to the back using an electronic digital caliper. In two groups of four-leg crawling posture, the two legs support, the dominant leg lifting, and the non-dominant leg lifting, including the scapula protraction, were performed. To examine the difference between groups in the variance analysis, the Bonferroni correction was used (significance level ${\alpha}=.017$). Statistical significance level ${\alpha}$ was .05. Results: There was a significant difference in serratus anterior muscle and upper trapezius muscle during push-up plus exercise in leg lifting in four-leg crawling posture, but there were no significant differences in muscle activity between serratus anterior muscle and upper trapezius muscle, and there was no significant difference according to the presence or absence of scapular winging. Conclusion: For the shoulder stability of the ipsilateral side with the serratus anterior muscle, the leg-lifting posture is effective in the four-leg crawling, and also when a subject with winged scapula chooses an exercise, lifting the ipsilateral side of leg with scapula protraction exercises at the same time may have a positive effect on scapula dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2019

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing an ankle weight belt while performing gait in water by focusing on the effect of using ankle weights have on the gait kinematics and the muscle activities for developing optimum training strategies. Method: A total of 10 healthy male university students were recruited for the study. Each participant was instructed to perform 3 gait conditions; normal walking over ground, walking in water chest height, and walking in water chest height while using ankle weights. All walking conditions were set at control speed of $4km/h{\pm}0.05km/h$. The depth of the swimming pool was at 1.3 m, approximately chest height. The motion capture data was recorded using 6 digital cameras and the EMG was recorded using waterproof Mini Wave. From the motion capture data, the following variables were calculated for analysis; double and single support phase (s), swing phase (s), step length (%height), step rate (m/s), ankle, knee, and hip joint angles ($^{\circ}$). From the electromyography the %RVC of the lower limb muscles medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, erector spinae, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis oblique was calculated. Results: The results show significant differences between the gait time, and step length between the right and left leg. Additionally, the joint angular velocities and gait velocity were significantly affected by the water resistance. As expected, the use of the ankle weights increased all of the lower leg maximum muscle activities except for the lower back muscle. Conclusion: In conclusion, the ankle weights can be shown to stimulate more muscle activity during walking in chest height water and therefore, may be useful for rehabilitation purposes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.