• PNF and Movement
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.321-329
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effect on the change in muscle stiffness in the common extensor muscle (CEM) when using the spiral taping method to promote proprioception. Methods: There were 18 participants in this study. CEM stiffness was measured using a MyotonePRO device with the subject in a sitting position and according to the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) arm pattern. Elastic tape was used as the material for the three taping methods employed in the study: kinesiotaping (KT), right spiral taping (RST), and left spiral taping (LST). The taping methods were applied to the wrist extensor muscle with elongation position. Additionally, when performing PNF arm patterns, spiral taping in diagonal and spiral directions was used to promote CEM proprioceptors. The change in CEM stiffness was compared with the initial data values. Results: The results of this study were obtained by comparing and measuring changes in CEM stiffness using three different tapings. It was found that the stiffness change of the CEM was significant compared to the initial value, and the increase in stiffness of the CEM after RST application was also significant. Conclusion: The results of this study show that by affecting the strength and activation of the extensor muscle, taping performed through the RST method had the most positive effect on the change in CEM stiffness.

• 한국정보통신학회논문지
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.2317-2323
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• 2010

근경직으로 인한 질병을 판단하기 위한 새로운 비침습적 초음파 근경직도 측정 시스템을 검증하기 위해 근경직 발생시 근전도의 변화를 분석하였다. 근경직 유발을 위해 하지 대퇴직근에서 등척성 운동을 실시하였다. 실험 프로토콜에 따라 실험을 반복 실시하였다. 이때 바이오시스템3를 이용하여 무릎관절토크의 크기 및 토크를 실시간으로 측정하였다. 또한 대퇴직근에서 근전도 측정 시스템으로 근전도를 측정하였다. 피검자는 실험 프로토콜에 따라 최초 무릎관절 토크의 최대수의적 등척성수축(MVC : maximal voluntary contraction)을 측정하고,. MVC의 50%에서 -5%로 떨어질때까지 등척성 운동을 지속하였다. 근경직 유발시 근전도 신호를 신호처리 과정을 거쳐 중앙주파수변동과 실효값 변화로 나타내었으며, 이러한 결과가 근경직도 측정 시스템의 결과와 유의함을 보였다.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.35-42
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• 2014

Tendon elasticity is an important factor affecting muscle function and thus human movements. It has been reported that the mechanical properties of tendon are adaptable to external loading condition. Based on the adaptability of muscle and tendon to external loading conditions, one can assume that there might be an optimum ratio between muscle strength and tendon stiffness. The present study aimed to investigate whether there is correlation between plantar flexor muscle strength and stiffness of the achilles tendon (AT). Twenty two male subjects (age: $23.2{\pm}1.5yrs$, height: $175.5{\pm}6.2cm$, weight: $75.4{\pm}9.8kg$) performed maximum voluntary isometric plantarflexion on a custom-built dynamometer and muscle-tendon junction of the medial gastrocnemius muscle was simultaneously monitored using a real-time ultrasound imaging machine. The averages of muscle force and tendon stiffness were $366.38{\pm}79.37N$, $35.34{\pm}10.42N/mm$, respectively. Significant positive correlation was observed between muscle strength and tendon stiffness (r=0.8507), indicating that the muscle force is proportional to tendon stiffness. The results might have been used in computational modeling and criterion of training progress level in the fields of training and rehabilitation.

• 한국융합학회논문지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.91-99
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• 2018

본 연구에서는 뇌성경직양측마비 아동을 대상으로 융합적인 자세교정치료가 근강직도(muscle stiffness) 및 근활성도(muscle activity)에 미치는 단기적인 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구 대상자는 4세부터 7세의 뇌성경직양측마비 아동 3명(남자2, 여자1)을 대상으로 하였다. 측정부위는 위등세모근, 배곧은근, 큰볼기근이며, 근강직도 측정기(Myoton)와 표면 근전도(EMG)를 이용하여 근강직도와 근활성도를 측정하였으며, 양측 대칭성에 대해서도 알아보았다. 연구결과, 보상작용이 심했던 아동들이 융합적 자세교정 치료 중재 후 전반적으로 위등세모근과 배곧은근에서 근강직도와 근활성도가 감소하였고, 큰볼기근에서는 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 특히 해당 근육에서 왼쪽과 오른쪽의 대칭성이 줄어드는 특성을 보였다. 본 연구에서는 몇 가지 제한점에도 불구하고 융합적인 자세교정치료가 뇌성경직양측마비 아동의 자세교정 측면에서 긍정적인 효과가 있음을 보여 주었다.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the impact of exercise with that of functional electrical stimulation (FES) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on muscle tone, calf muscle stiffness, and balance ability in patients with stroke. METHODS: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into an FES group (n=15) and a TENS group (n=15), and a progressive task-oriented exercise was assigned to them. These exercises were performed non-synchronously from December 5, 2016 to January 31, 2017. Patients underwent TENS and simultaneously exercised for 30 minutes daily, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. To determine the effect of the interventions, muscle tone and stiffness of the medial and lateral region of gastrocnemius muscle were measured using the MyotonPRO instrument and balance was assessed using the Berg Balance Scale. RESULTS: Both groups revealed a significant decrease in muscle tone and stiffness of the medial part of gastrocnemius muscle before and after the interventions (p<.05). Berg Balance Scale scores increased significantly (p<.05). However, none of the other parameters were significantly different (p>.05). CONCLUSION: Our results prove that progressive task-oriented exercise along with FES and TENS decreases muscle tone and stiffness of the gastrocnemius muscle in patients with stroke and improves balance. TENS could serve as a complementary replacement for functional electrical stimulation for in-house training, as TENS poses less risk of muscle fatigue and has lesser contraindications than does functional electrical stimulation.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.431-439
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of motion taping on muscle stiffness, muscle tone, and pain in middle-aged women with shoulder impingement syndrome. Methods: The participants comprised 30 middle-aged women with shoulder impingement syndrome. This study measured muscle stiffness, muscle tone, and pain. In the experimental group, the tape was attached after physical therapy; the control group only received physical therapy. In the intervention period, the treatment program was conducted three times a week for a total of four weeks, and the values before and after the intervention were compared and analyzed. For statistical processing, a correspondence test was performed before and after the intervention at a significance level of 0.05, and the comparison between the groups, before and after the intervention, was made using an independent test. Results: In the experimental group, there was a difference in muscle stiffness, muscle tone, and intensity of pain. In addition, there was a significant difference between the control group's emotional domain regarding muscular stiffness and pain and the experimental group. However, there was no significant difference in muscle tone and grade of pain, and intensity of pain for the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that, when physical therapy and motion taping were administered to middle-aged women with shoulder impingement syndrome, it had a more positive affect on the sensory and emotional parts of the muscle tone and pain compared to physical therapy alone.

• 한국컴퓨터정보학회논문지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.125-130
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• 2020

본 연구는 의료기관 사무직 종사자들의 근 경직도에 대한 스트레칭의 효과를 알아보려고 한다. 총 40명의 젊은 여성 대상자들이 자발적으로 이 연구에 참여했다. 대상자들은 스트레칭 군과 대조군에 무작위로 분류하였다. 스트레칭 중재 전, 대상자의 흉쇄유돌근, 상부승모근, 후두하근, 소흉근의 근 경직도를 측정하였다. 그리고 스트레칭을 스트레칭 군에 적용하였다. 중재 후 5분이 지나서 각 근육의 근경직도를 재측정하였다. 스트레칭 군에서 흉쇄유돌근, 상부승모근, 후두하근, 소흉근의 근 경직도는 유의하게 감소하였으며(p<.05), 대조군에서는 중재 전과 후에 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 따라서 적절한 스트레칭은 의료기관 사무직 종사자의 근 경직도의 증가로 인해 야기될 수 있는 근골격계 질환을 예방하고 감소시킬 것으로 사료된다.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.57-68
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• 2019

Purpose: This study is an investigation of the effects of long-term smart phone usage and of stretching on muscle stiffness, concentration, and visual acuity. Methods: Forty healthy young adults voluntarily participated in the study and were measured for muscle stiffness, concentration, and visual acuity before smartphone usage and after 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes of smartphone usage. The participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=20) and the control group (n=20). Five minutes after the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, the participants were remeasured. Results: After long-term smartphone usage, increases in muscle stiffness and concentration were statistically significant (p<0.05), whereas decreases in visual acuity were statistically significant (p<0.05). After the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, muscle stiffness significantly decreased (p<0.05) and visual acuity significantly increased (p<0.05). Concentration, according to the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, showed no significant pre- or post-test difference. Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that long-term smartphone usage effectively improved concentration but increased muscle stiffness and decreased visual acuity. Appropriate stretching and eye movement during long-term smartphones usage should mitigate the effects on muscle stiffness and visual acuity. Furthermore, smartphones should be considered an effective tool for concentration training when coupled with the development of appropriate applications.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제12권3호
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• pp.43-47
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of physical therapy plus Kinesio taping (KT) on muscle tone and stiffness in patients with shoulder pain. METHODS: This study included 22 participants who were divided into the experimental group (n=11) who underwent a routine physical therapy with KT and the control group (n=11) who received the same physical therapy only. The physical therapy consisted of heat application and electrical stimulation. Heat was applied for 10 minutes and electrical stimulation was conducted for 20 minutes. Intervention was provided over a 1-week period, and frequency for muscle tone and stiffness was measured to determine changes in shoulder muscle status. The muscles were supraspinatus and deltoid. Measurements were taken before, after 1day, 3day and after 1 week to identify time-dependent effects of intervention. RESULTS: The effects of the intervention were significant in both groups, and effects were greater in the experimental group. Changes in muscle tone and stiffness were statistically significant in both groups and at varying time points (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Based on the improved muscle performance found in this study, KT is considered an effective intervention strategy for patients with shoulder pain when it is combined with conventional physical therapy.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제10권3호
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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.