• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2023

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles when the hamstrings were stretched in one direction and when they were stretched in three directions. METHODS: In this study the subjects were divided into two groups, namely the 'one-direction stretching exercise of the hamstring muscle in the neutral position' group (female: 14 people, male: 14 people) and the 'three-way stretching exercise' group (female: 12 people, male: 14 people) considering the positions of the three hamstring muscles. The elasticity and flexibility of the hamstring muscles were measured before and after the self-extension exercise, and the average value of two measurements was noted. To evaluate the flexibility of the hamstring muscle, a 'sit and reach' test was performed, and muscle elasticity was measured using the MyotonPRO® device. RESULTS: After the stretching exercise, flexibility increased in both groups. In terms of muscle elasticity, the body dynamic strength and resonance frequency of the stretching one-direction stretching group decreased after the stretching exercise. CONCLUSION: To alter the muscle characteristics and increase the flexibility when performing a stretching exercise, selecting and stretching only one muscle with the lowest range of motion yields effective results. The ideal technique to be employed appears to be to stretch the entire hamstring muscle in one direction from the neutral position.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.199-208
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• 2022

Purpose : The study aimed to examine gender-differences in muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness of the erector spinae in young and old subjects. This study also aimed to assess the effect of aging on muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness of the erector spinae in men and women, and compare the trend of the aging effect between the two gender groups. Methods : With the muscle in the relaxed state and subjects in the prone position, a myotonometer was used to quantify muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness, of the erector spinae in 102 participants[46 males (29 young subjects, aged 22.48±2.23 years and 17 old subjects, aged 76.35±3.71 years), 56 females (40 young subjects, aged 20.38±1.43 years and 16 old subjects, aged 74.56±5.40 years)]. Results : The tone and stiffness of the erector spinae muscles were greater in men than in women for both age groups (p<.001-.01), while elasticity did not show a significant difference between men and women. For the direction of change, both male and female groups showed significantly increased tone and stiffness, and decreased elasticity with increasing age (p<.001). For age-related changes, a different tendency was observed between men and women. Men showed a greater increase in tone than women with aging. in contrast, both men and women exhibited a similar decrease or increase in elasticity and stiffness. Conclusion : Gender-differences in the erector spinae in terms of muscle tone and stiffness were observed. Regardless of the age, men had higher muscle tone and stiffness than women, but not elasticity. The erector spinae muscles showed age-related changes in all aspects of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness, in both men and women. Notably, men presented greater variation than women in the amount of increase of muscle tone with aging. These findings have implications for musculoskeletal therapeutic approaches, and gender-customized tuning may be indicated for designing exercise interventions to prevent and manage gender-sensitive muscular injuries or diseases and frailty.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.317-324
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• 2009

This study aimed to assess stiffness and elasticity of the masticatory muscle in the patients with the masticatory muscle pain using a tactile sensor and to investigate whether the masticatory muscle pain affects the facial expression muscles. From those who visited Department of Oral Medicine in Dankook University Dental Hospital, 27 patients presenting with unilateral muscle pain and tenderness in the masseter muscle (Ms) were selected (mean age: $36.4{\pm}13.8$ years). Exclusion criterion was those who also had temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or any neurological pain. Muscle stiffness and elasticity for the muscles of mastication and facial expression was investigated with the tactile sensor (Venustron, Axiom Co., JAPAN) and the muscles measured were the Ms, anterior temporal muscle (Ta), frontalis (Fr), inferior orbicularis oculi (Ooci), zygomaticus major (Zm), superior and inferior orbicularis oris (Oors, Oori) and mentalis (Mn). t-tests was used to compare side difference in muscle stiffness and elasticity. Side differences were also compared between diagnostic groups (local muscle soreness (LMS) vs myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and between acute (< 6M) and chronic ($\geq$ 6M) groups. This study showed that Ms and Zm at affected side exhibited significantly increased stiffness and decreased elasticity as compared to the unaffected side.(p<0.05) There was no significant difference between local muscle soreness and myofascial pain syndrome groups and between acute and chronic groups. The results of this study suggests that masticatory muscle pain in Ms can affect muscle stiffness and elasticity not only for Ms but also for Zm, the facial expression muscle.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.481-482
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• 2008

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.81-86
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to compare the difference between quadriceps strength and endurance on the degree of elasticity of convergent kinesio taping. Twenty-eight normal adults who voluntarily participated in this study were randomly assigned among 4 groups, that is, group without tape, group with tape elasticity of 0 %, group with tape elasticity of 25 %, or group with tape elasticity of 50 %. Quadriceps strength and endurance were measured using CSMI. Strength among the groups was significantly different (p<.001), and the greater the elasticity of the tape, the greater the muscle strength. However, endurance was't significantly different among the groups (p>.05). These findings suggest that convergent kinesio taping elasticity with 25% and 50% is effective for quadriceps strength in physical activity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze whether there are changes in muscle elasticity when resistance using an elastic band is present or absent during a bridge exercise on an unstable surface with a gymball. Methods : Eighteen healthy adult college students attending E University in Gyeonggi-do, who voluntarily agreed to participate were included in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform the bridge exercise using a gymball both without resistance and with resistance using an elastic band. Myoton was used during the exercise to measure the elasticity of the rectus abdominis and biceps femoris muscles. Results : There was a significant difference in the stiffness of the rectus abdominis muscle on both sides before and after using the elastic band (p<.05). however, no significant difference was observed in the biceps femoris on either side (p>.05). Based on the evaluation of the frequency before and after using the elastic band, no significant difference was observed between the rectus abdominis and biceps femoris muscles on both sides (p>.05). The logarithmic decrement was significantly different in the right rectus abdominis muscle (p<.05), and there was no significant difference in the left rectus abdominis and both biceps femoris (p>.05). Conclusion : Resistance exercise using an elastic band is more effective in improving elasticity of the rectus abdominis muscle than without a elastic band during bridge exercise with a gymball.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.141-156
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• 2000

Prognosis in oriental medicine gathers information by four examination methods. It provides important information to understand the degree of deficiency - excessiveness of a patient to treat properly. To generalize the degree of deficiency - excessiveness can be found by seeing the patient's muscle response and pain perception to the palpitations.The theoretical basis to generalize deficiency - excessiveness, oriental and western medical understanding of pain perception and the elasticity of muscle were discussed.The usual symptoms for the excessiveness could include Pain (dislikeness to the palpitation), Stiffness of nape and limbs, Contracture of the limbs, Clonic convulsion and Fast pain. The symptoms for the deficiency could include Pain (likeness to the palpitation, Gastrocnemius muscle spasm, Flaccid paralysis of limbs and Slow pain. More theoretical bases for generalization of deficiency - excessiveness are needed along with the simplifying the complex clinical symptoms. In this way, we can discuss about deficiency - excessiveness with the regard to western medicine to help its generalization.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of changing the tilt angle of the exercise bed on physiological characteristics of trapezius, multifidus, and hamstring muscle function. Methods: Twenty elderly who complains of back and lumbar pain or discomfort participated in this study (average age: $64.70{\pm}4.55$ years). The physiological characteristics, including muscle tone (F), dynamic stiffness (S), and elasticity (D) of trapezius, multifidus, and hamstring muscles were measured by a Myoton device at three tilt angles (0, 15, and 30 degrees) during exercise. Results: The muscle tone, dynamic stiffness, and elasticity of the right trapezius and left hamstring muscle showed significant differences (p<0.05) according to exercise bed tilt angle, while the other muscles showed no significant differences. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that physiological characteristics of the upper and lower extremity muscles are affected ipsilaterally, according to the tilt angles of the exercise bed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.29-35
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the immediate effects of Graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (GIASTM) and self-stretching on the muscular properties of the gastrocnemius in athletes. METHODS: Thirty subjects (All in their 20 s) were distributed randomly and evenly into two groups of 15 each: GIASTM and stretching. The subjects had no history of gastrocnemius damage in the previous three months. The muscle tone, stiffness, elasticity, and mechanical stress relaxation time (MSRT) of the gastrocnemius were blind-tested. RESULTS: The GIASTM group showed significant changes in all categories, while only MSRT changed significantly in the self-stretching group after intervention. A comparison of the two groups revealed significant differences in stiffness, elasticity, and MSRT (Time required for the muscle to recover after distortion after intervention in the GIASTM group. CONCLUSION: In this study, significant decreases in muscle tone and stiffness, as well as significant increases in elasticity, were observed in the gastrocnemius of the GIASTM group. On the other hand, sSelf-stretching showed significant differences in MSRT. Therefore, GIASTM is more effective in the recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle from fatigue than self-stretching. This study suggests that GIASTM can help prevent damage to the gastrocnemius in athletes and contribute to their training and rehabilitation programs.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose was to investigate changes in mechanical properties, range of motion, and grip strength of the forearm muscle in 13 students depending on the wrapping direction of the floss band. Design: A single-blind, crossover study Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to the wrapping direction of the flossing band and then performed a concentric exercise of the wrist flexors using a Flex-Bar. Intervention A applied the flossing band in a right spiral direction, Intervention B applied the flossing band in a left spiral direction, and Intervention C performed the exercise alone. All subjects used their dominant right hand, and pre- and post-assessments were conducted between interventions. To analyze differences in changes between groups pre- and post-, all results were subjected to one-way ANOVA, followed by Scheffe's test as a post-hoc analysis. The paired samples t-test was used to analyze the difference between pre- and post-change within groups. Results: First, in the mechanical properties of the Flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscle, interventions A and B significantly improved muscle tone and stiffness than intervention C (p<0.05), and intervention A showed a significant decrease in decrement (muscle elasticity) than intervention B (p<0.05). Second, interventions A and B showed significant improvement in grip strength than intervention C (p<0.05). Conclusions: The right spiral direction of the flossing band tended to increase the elasticity of the muscles compared to the left spiral direction. Therefore, in future studies, it is necessary to choose the direction of the flossing band to increase the elasticity of the muscles.