• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.89-94
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• 2002

Prostaglandins are generated through two isoforms of the enzyme cyclooxygenase, constitutively expressed cyclooxygenase(COX)-1 and COX-2, which is induced at sites of inflammation. Inhibition of COX-2 is desirable as this may avoid side effects seen with NSAIDs. We examined the effects of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and cold therapy on the levels of muscle cycloooxygenase-2 mRNA in rats of carrageenan-induced inflammatory. The method of behavioral assessment were paw withdrawal latency(PWL) and tail flick test(TFT). The COX-2 mRNA levels were quantified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Following the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and cold therapy, PWL and TFT were increased and COX-2 mRNA expression in gastrocnemius muscles were decreased. These results suggest that a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and cold therapy were good therapy for a muscle pain.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.55-63
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration exercise using surface electromyography. Seven male collegiate wrestlers were participated in this study. Each subject stood on the platform and the vibration was induced for 1min. WEMG8 EMG system was used to record muscle activity from Vastus lateralis, Biceps Femoris, Tibialis Anterior, and Gastrocnemius. The EMG data were sampled for 30 sec. during non-vibration and vibration half squat position, respectively. The raw data were band pass filtered to remove noise and full wave rectified Paired sample t-test were performed to see the differences of maximum and average EMG between non-vibration and vibration trials. The results indicated that vibration produced much more muscle contraction than that of non-vibration trial for all selected muscles even though the significant difference was found only from Biceps Femoris. This phenomenon was due to the individual differences so care must be taken to evaluate vibration intensity and position before personal training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.29-35
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• 2008

Purpose : To describes the important aspects of the foot and ankle movement and function used when git and balance strategy. Method : The foot and ankle was a very important roles in the lower limb movement and gait. This study summarizes the physiologic movement of knee to the PNF lower extremity patterns. Result : The ankle joint composed of the talocural joint, the subtalarl joint, transverse tarsal joint, talocalcaneonavicular joint. The onset of dorsiflexion muscle activity starts in pre swing gait patterns. First contract muscle is the extensor hallucis. Activity of tibialis anterior and extensor digitorum longus quickly follows in mid swing gait phase. During stance phase, the soleus and gastrocnemius muscle provided plantar flexor torque, which muscle reacts quickly to restrain ankle dorsiflexion, and contributes modulated control of the ankle motion in gait patterns. Conclusions : The understanding of ankle kinematics, could provide a good therapeutic approach for improving gait patterns in patients with various pathological condition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.283-287
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• 2006

Although estrogen is known to playa role in fatty acid metabolism, it remains unclear whether fatty acid oxidation in mature female rats differs from fatty acid oxidation in peri-pubertal young rats. In this study, we measured fatty acid metabolism in the skeletal muscles and livers of 5 and 50 weeks old male and female rats. The rate of palmitate oxidation in the liver and gastrocnemius red in the 50-week-old female rats were elevated as compared to the 5-week-old females, whereas there were no differences in the male rats. The rate of palmitate oxidation in the gastrocnemius red was correlated inversely with intra-abdominal fat mass in the 5-week-old male and female rats, whereas the palmitate oxidation rate was positively correlated with fat mass in the liver and gastrocnemius red in the 50-week-old rats. HOMA-IR and plasma insulin levels were positively correlated with intra-abdominal fat mass in the pooled 50-week-old male and female rats, but this correlation was not apparent in 5-week-old rats. In summary, the rate of fatty acid oxidation measured in the middle-aged adult female rats was significantly higher than those measured in the peri-pubertal young female rats. This difference may be attributed to the influence of ovarian hormones.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.393-398
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation patterns of lower extremities in stroke patients during stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions by surface electromyography (EMG). Methods: Subjects included 19 hemiplegic patients comprehensive rehabilitation center for inpatients with stroke. Surface EMG was used to measure the subjects' medial gastrocnemius (GCM), tibialis anterior (TA), biceps femoris (BF), and rectus femoris (RF) activity as they took six steps during stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions. Results: There was no significant difference in the BF or RF muscle activity for the stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions. However, there were significant differences in the medial GCM and TA muscle activity between each condition on the patients' hemiplegic side(p<0.05). There was significant difference in the medial GCM, TA, RF, and BF muscle activity between each condition on the patients' non-hemiplegic side (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result, the overall muscle activity during the level-ground gait was higher than the stair-up condition, and the muscle activity during the stair-up condition was higher than the muscle activity during the stepper climbing condition. As one of the many methods used for gait training, we suggest that the stepper exercise could be applied at an earlier stage in the gait training process.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.392-399
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated whether the strength imbalance between two muscles can affect the score of EMG based biofeedback game, and whether the EMG based biofeedback game score can be used as predictable indicator of the degree of muscle balance alternating the conventional strength measuring equipment. Methods: 40 participated in this study. Biodex was used to measure the peak torque/weight in order to calculate the muscle strength balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor of ankle joint. And muscle balance index (MBI) was calculated. The EMG biofeedback game scores of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor were acquired, so that the EMG electrodes were attached at tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. The relationship between the game score and the muscle balance index were analyzed. Results: There was negative correlation between the muscle balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor and the peak torque/weight of plantar flexor (r=-0.70). And there was negative correlation between the muscle balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor and the game score of plantar flexor (r=-0.83). Conclusion: The EMG biofeedback game score had significant relationship with muscle imbalance at ankle joint, so it seems that the game score can be used for predicting the degree of muscle imbalance as a parameter.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.348-354
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• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the effects of computerized feedback postural training on the balance and electromyography activity of subjects with stroke. Methods: A total of 30 chronic stroke patients were enrolled in this study. Subjects were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Computerized feedback postural training was used in the experimental group. Both groups received intervention for six weeks, 5 times per 30 minutes period. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance for determination of statistical significance. Results: Significant difference in static and dynamic balance was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group (p=0.05), and a significant difference in muscle activity was observed in the gastrocnemius muscle, quadriceps muscle, and elector spinae muscle. However, the hamstring muscle showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Computerized feedback postural training is more effective in improving the ability of balance and muscle activity than neurological physical therapy.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.429-438
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• 1994

An electrical stimulator was designed to induce locomotion for paraplegic patients caused by central nervous system injury. Optimal stimulus parameters, which can minimize muscle fatigue and can achieve effective muscle contraction were determined in slow and fast muscles in Sprague-Dawley rats. Stimulus patterns of our stimulator were designed to simulate eleclromyographic activity monitored during locomotion of normal subjects. Muscle types of the lower extremity were classified according to their mechanical property of contraction, which are slow muscle (msoleus m.) and fast muscle (medial gastrocnemius m., rectus femoris m., vastus lateralis m.). Optimal parameters of electrical stimulation for slow muscles were 20 Hz, 0.2 ms square pulse. For fast muscle, 40 Hz, 0.3 ms square pulse was optimal to produce repeated contraction. Higher'stimulus intensity was required when synergistic muscles were stimulated simultaneously than when they were stimulated individually. Electrical stimulation for each muscle was designed to generate bipedal locomotion, so that individual muscles alternate contraction and relaxation to simulate stance and swing phases. Portable electrical stimulator with 16 channels built in microprocessor was constructed and applied to paraplegic patients due to lumbar cord injury. The electrical slimulator restored partially gait function in paraplegic patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.190-195
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of isokinetic eccentric training (IET) on lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity according to slow velocity and fast velocity of isokinetic eccentric training in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into three groups: experimental group I (n=10), group II (n=10), and control group III (n=10). Each group was provided intervention under three conditions, as follows: isokinetic eccentric training + slow velocity (group I), isokinetic eccentric training + fast velocity (group II), and sit to stand training (group III). The training program was conducted for eight weeks (five times per week; 30 minutes per day). Subjects were measured on lower extremity muscle (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius) activation and walking velocity. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed for comparison of lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity between different intervention methods. Results: Significant difference in lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity was observed in experimental group I and group II compared with the control group III (p<0.01). Results of post-hoc analysis showed a significant in lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity in group I compared with group II and group III. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that slow velocity and fast velocity using isokinetic eccentric training may have a beneficial effect on improvement of lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity in stroke patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2006

The effect of melatonin on morphological changes after ischemia-reperfusion injury was investigated in rat skeletal muscle. Dimethyl-sulfoxide(DMSO) was also tested for comparison. Muscle injury was evaluated in 4 groups as a single laparotomy group(control), ischemia-reperfusion group, DMSO group, melatonin group. Left hind limb ischemia was induced for 4 hours by vascular clamping of the common femoral artery and followed by 24 hours of reperfusion. The midportion of gastrocnemius muscle was taken for histological evaluation. In light microscopic study, ischemia-reperfusion group showed severe neutrophil infiltration, interstitial edema, and partial loss or degeneration of muscle fibers. The muscle tissue of melatonin group showed relatively normal architecture with mild inflammatory cell infiltration. In electron microscopic study, dilated cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum, dilated mitochondria with electron loose matrix and dilated cristae, disordered or loss of myofilament, indistinct A-band and I-band, intracytoplasmic vacuoles, and markedly decreased glycogen granules were observed in ischemia-reperfusion group. But relatively well maintained A-band, I-band, Z-line, M-line, and mildly dilated mitochondria with well preserved cristae were observed in melatonin group. The DMSO group showed intermediately attenuated ultrastructural changes. The results show that melatonin improves morphologically ischemia-reperfusion injury more effectively than DMSO. In conclusion, melatonin seems to be a promising agent that can salvage the skeletal muscle from severe ischemia-reperfusion injury.