• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2002

This study was designed to identify the effects of walking conditions (normal walking vs. toe-walking) on electromyographic (EMG) activity of gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscle. Seven healthy adult males participated in this study. The exclusion criteria were orthopedic or neurologic disease, congenital anomaly or acquired deformity, or pain in low back or lower extremities. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction for each muscle was used for the reference contraction, and EMG activity of each muscle during normal walking and toe-walking was expressed as a percentage of reference contraction. The gait cycle was determined with two foot switches, and gait was normalized as 100% gait cycle for each condition. The maximal values of EMG activity in terminal stance (30~50% of gait cycle) of each condition were compared for data analysis. No significant differences were found in EMG activity of the tibialis anterior and soleus (p>.05), whereas significant decrement was found in EMG activity of gastrocnemius during toe-walking compared to normal walking (p<.05). There is a limitation to generalize the results of this study, because small number of subjects participated for this study and only EMG was used for data collection. The treatment methods should be developed to improve gait efficiency by substituting the weakened muscles secondary to upper motor neuron, or by strengthening the distal muscles in lower extremity.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.915-918
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• 1998

The chest wall deformity associated with Poland's syndrome is a very rare anomaly which consists of congenital unilateral absence of the sternal head of the pectoralis major muscle and various abnormalities of the upper extremity. Other clinical features associated with Poland's syndrome include deficiency or absence of the breast and nipple, deficiency of subcutaneous fat and axillary hair, and abnormalities of costal cartilages and anterior ends of ribs. The origin remains uncertain, but is considered not to be hereditary. Poland's syndrome may pose a serious psychologic and cosmetic problem, early recognition and surgical correction may prove beneficial. A 37 year old patient with Poland's syndrome was encountered and underwent satisfactory surgical correction.