• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality based treadmill training on muscle architecture of gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the virtual reality based treadmill training (VRTT) group (n=15) or treadmill training (TT) group (n=15). Both groups participated in a standard rehabilitation program; in addition, the VRTT group participated in virtual reality based treadmill training for 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks, and TT group participated in treadmill walking training for 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks. Ultrasound image was used for measurement of pennation angle and muscle thickness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at rest and during maximum voluntary contraction. Results: In the paretic side medial gastrocnemius muscle, greater improvement on the pennation angle and muscle thickness while resting and maximal voluntary contraction were observed in the VRTT group compared with the TT group. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that the virtual reality based treadmill training has an effect on muscle architecture of medial gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.178-186
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• 2015

Endurance time is very important indicator to estimate muscle fatigue. In the case of measuring endurance time directly, it is dangerous for subject to perform a test until the point of failure to main time force. Therefore, this paper presents the model to estimate endirance time using indirect measurements such as personal factors and anthropometrical data. Previous studies had shown that personal factors such as gender and age were not related to endurance time, but recently studies have shown that it is estimated by using independent variable or predictor such as GTA (Gravitational Torque of the horizontal, stretched arm) and MVC (Maximum Voluntary Contraction). The present study investigated variables to estimate endurance time using personal factors and anthrometrical data during isotonic contractions. Twenty five healthy subject volunteered for this study, and performed three test sessions of isotonic contraction exercises at 10~50% respectively. Afterward the correlation coefficient and p-values were compared among regression models using personal factors and anthropometrical data. The results demonstrated that multi-regression model had significant coefficient of correlation, and was useful estimate endurance time.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Objectives To evaluate the clinical utility of MET performed on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients, we measured a change of meridian electromyography. Methods We compared electrical activity before and after MET performed on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients in same group (n=20) in isometric exercise state during five seconds. We analyzed amplitudes and areas of electrical activity and asymmetry index (AI). Results 1. After MET performed on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients, maximum voluntary isomeric contraction (MVIC) was significantly increased more than before MET performed (p<0.005). 2. Comparing with before MET performed on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients, muscle fatigue after MET performed on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients decreased but there was no significant difference. 3. Comparing with before MET performed on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients, asymmetry index (AI) after MET performed on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients decreased but there was no significant difference. Conclusions According to above results, after performing MET on sternocleidomastoid muscle of acute nuchal pain patients, maximum voluntary isomeric contraction (MVIC) increased significantly, so it is certain that performing MET on sternocleidomastoid muscle has a clinical effect.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.250-256
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• 2020

Background: Unstable surface-based core training can significantly enhance core strength, but no studies have compared the effects of balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises. Objects: To study the effects of unstable surface-based balance pad- and sling-assisted core strength exercises on muscle activity. Methods: Twenty male students aged 20-25 years participated in this study. The effects of three types of core strength exercises, performed with a sling or balance pad, on the activities of three muscles, i.e., the right musculus obliquus externus abdominis (EO), right erector spinae (ES), and right gluteus maximus (GM), were examined. Results: 1) In the glute bridge exercise, the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction of the EO, ES, and GM were significantly different between the balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises. The relative contribution of the ES and GM activities to all muscle activity were not significantly different between the two training types, whereas that for EO showed a significant difference. 2) There was no significant difference in the percentage value of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) among the EO, ES, and GM during the "leg-lifting with flat support" exercise, and there were no significant difference in the relative contributions between the two training types. 3) In the "side bridge leg separation exercise", the %MVC of the ES, EO, and GM were significantly different between the two training types. Conclusion: Sling training for core muscles was generally better than balance pad assist training. The majority of physiotherapy patients require core training. Our results could guide physiotherapists in the choice of targeted exercises for these patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.216-222
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• 2012

Purpose: Weight-bearing exercise is a type of physical exercise that is widely performed for rehabilitation after acquiring nervous-system diseases or sports-related injuries. It is one of the most commonly prescribed rehabilitation programs for strengthing of the lower extremities. Weight-bearing exercise is important for the conduct of such activity of daily living (ADLs) as walking, and up and down the stairs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle activities during one-leg standing and one-leg squatting, the two most representative weight-bearing exercises. Methods: A total of 43 elderly (60~70 years old) males who could perform weight-bearing exercises were included in the study. During the one-leg standing and one-leg squatting, the electromyographic (EMG) signals were quantified as maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) using surface EMG, and then the muscle activities of the lower extremities during the two exercises were compared. For statistical analysis, an independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were performed. Results: The results of the study are as follows: (1) in the one-leg standing, the activity of the gluteus medius was the greatest among the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, bicep femoris, (2) in the one-leg squatting, the activity of the vastus medialis was the greatest; and (3) the activity was greater in the one-leg squatting than in the single-leg standing exercise. Conclusion: The one-leg standing and squatting exercises are suitable for strengthening the muscles for the prevention of and recovery from lower-extremity injury, and for functional ADL in elderly people. In addition, dynamic exercise was shown to be more effective than static exercise for strengthening the muscles.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.549-556
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• 2013

In this study, we investigated the effects of stretching and movement with mobilization in lunge position on the muscle activity of the lower limb and limited of stability in chronic stroke patients with hemiplegia. Sixteen subjects were randomly selected and classified into the experimental and control groups. The experimental group performed self stretching exercises in the lunge position, and in the control group performed movement with mobilization in the lunge position. The interventions were conducted for 20 min, 5 times a week for 8 weeks. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated ANOVA. The analysis results showed no statistically significant between-group differences with respect to the muscle activity(%MVIC;maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of lower limb and limited of stability(LOS)(p>.05). However, statistically significant within-group differences were observed in the maximum voluntary isometric contraction and limited of stability for both the groups (p<.05). Therefore, self stretching in the lunge position is considered to have positive influences on the muscle strength and balance in stroke patients with hemiplegia.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.23-30
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• 2007

Purpose: This study examined the correlation between the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and the muscle architecture in the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle during MVIC. Methods: The muscle area, volume were measured using a ultrasound imaging system to obtain the muscle architecture during the MVIC. For the mechanical muscle strength measurements, the MVIC was obtained using a dynamometer. Results: There was a significant correlation between the MVIC and the muscle area (r=0.498, p<0.01) and muscle volume (r=0.602, p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between the MVIC and density (r=-0.429, p<0.05). The area showed significant correlations with the muscle volume (r=0.699, p<0.001) and density (r=-0.429, p<0.05). In addition, there was a correlation between the volume and muscle density (r=0.555, p<0.01). Conclusion: There is close relationship between the MVIC and the muscle architecture in the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle during the MVIC.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2012

This paper proposes a novel discomfort assessment method for truck ingress and egress motions based on the maximum-voluntary-contraction (MVC) ratios of muscles obtained by biomechanical analysis of human musculoskeletal models. In this study, a human motion to enter and exit a truck cabin with different types and heights of footsteps is first measured using an optical motion capture system and load sensors. Next, in a biomechanical analysis system, a human musculoskeletal model with contacting conditions on footsteps and handles is modeled, and then joint torques and muscles forces are calculated by inverse dynamics of the musculoskeletal model with the motion data. Finally, the MVC ratios for the muscles are calculated and their statistical values are used as the measure of discomfort. To ensure the feasibility of our method, subjective discomfort levels have been investigated through the participants' experiments and questionnaires and compared to the results of our method. Comparing to the existing methods based on joint angles or torques, our approach provide a more essential criterion for discomfort because it is based on the muscle contraction by which an active human motion is basically generated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study compared the changes in the range of motion (ROM ) on the knee joint according to three different isometric contraction intensities when applying Evjenth - Hamberg stretching (EHS) to the hamstring muscles of healthy subjects. METHODS: Forty eight healthy subjects aged between 20 and 39 years were allocated randomly to four groups; performing EHS at 10% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group, EHS at 50% MVIC group, EHS at 100% MVIC group, and control group (CG) pre-, and post-intervention. The flexibility of the hamstring muscles was evaluated using a digital goniometer for measuring the knee joint ROM motion. A Chattanooga stabilizer was used to adjust the MVIC intensity by 10%, 50%, and 100%, respectively. RESULTS: These results show that the pre- and post-intervention knee joint ROM were significantly different in all four groups (p<.05). The post-intervention knee joint ROM showed a significant difference between the 100% MVIC group and non-MVIC group (p<.05). The knee joint ROM difference between the pre- and post-interventions was similar in the 10% MVIC and 50% MVIC groups but significant differences were observed among the other groups (p<.05). CONCLUSION: EHS of the hamstring muscles was effective in improving the knee joint ROM with an isometric contraction intensity of 10%, 50%, or 100% MVIC, and of these, 100% MVIC was most effective.

• The Journal of Korea Institute of Information, Electronics, and Communication Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.338-346
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• 2023

During isometric elbow flexion, forearm length should be an important factor to determine not only joint torque but also maximum endurance time (MET), when the forearm is perpendicular to the direction of the force. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of forearm length as an additional factor on empirical models of MET such as an exponential model and a power model during isometric elbow flexion. Thirty volunteers participated in our experiment to measure factor variables such as circumferences and lengths of their upper and lower arms. Their METs were measured according to the percent of maximum voluntary contraction intensity (%MVC). For the multiple linear regression model of ln(MET) using these measurements, significant variables could be observed in %MVC and forearm lengths (P<0.05). The empirical models were assessed by these models using forearm length as the additional factor. Mean absolute deviations (MAD) between the measured METs amd the two empirical models were about 19.4 [s], but MAD using models applied forearm lengths were reduced to about 16.2 [s]. The correlation coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients were about 0.87, but those applied forearm lengths were increased to about 0.91. These results demonstrated that forearm length was a significant additional factor to the empirical model.