• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the trunk muscle activity according to the direction of upper extremity lifting using elastic band. METHODS: Thirty three healthy individuals participated in this study. Each subject performed upper extremity lifting using elastic band on two different directions (straight and diagonal). And then we compared the muscle activity of respective trunk muscles of both directions. In order to examine the muscle activity of trunk muscle, we used the electromyogram to measure peak and mean torque in shoulder 90 degree flexion with sitting position. Electromyographic activities were recorded from the external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and erector spine muscles during upper extremity lifting. RESULTS: As a result, first, there was significant difference between two directions. The muscle activity of ipsilateral external oblique and contralateral internal oblique is significantly increased in both straight and diagonal directions (p<0.05). Second, the muscle activities of external oblique and internal oblique of both side showed significant difference in diagonal direction (p<0.05). Third, the muscle activity of erector spine of both side showed significant difference in straight direction (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Through this study, it is important that implement diagonal direction exercise at sitting positions to help increasing muscle activity of ipsilateral external oblique and contralateral internal oblique on patients when activating the trunk muscle or stabilizing the trunk.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.65-76
• /
• 2007

Purpose: It is generally accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic teticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space. The increased $[Ca^{2+}]^i$ can phosphorylate the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain $(MLC_{20})$ by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$MACK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC) and others, play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of depletion of SR $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips is not still clear. Methods: To investigate the rotes of $Ca^{2+}$ influx and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel on gastric motility, isometric contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were examined in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips. Results: High KCl, ryanodine, an activator of $Ca^{2+-}$induced $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+-}$ATPase evoked a sustained increase in muscle contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. These increases induced by high KCl, ryanodine, and CPA were partially blocked by application of verapamil ($10{\mu}M$), a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibitor. Additionally, in $Ca^{2+-}$free solution (1 mM EGTA), ryanodine and CPA had no effect contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in fundic muscle strips. Conclusion: These results that extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx and depletion of SR trigger $Ca^{2+}$ influx through verapamil-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel, and extracellular and SR $Ca^{2+}$ store may functionally involve in the subcellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in mouse gastric muscle.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the activity of the abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscle during short foot exercise (SFE) using foot orthosis (SFE-FO) and the windlass effect (SFO-WE) while sitting and in a one-leg standing position. METHODS: We recruited fourteen subjects with normal feet for this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure the muscle activity of the AbdH muscle during SFE, SFE-FO, and SFE-WE while sitting and in a one-leg standing position. Three trials consisting of a 5 s hold for each of the three exercises were performed to measure the EMG activity of the AbdH muscle. Exercise type and position were randomly assigned. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to analyze the effects of exercise type (SFE vs. SFE-FO vs. SFE-WE) and position (sitting vs. one-leg standing position) on AbdH muscle activity. A statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. RESULTS: The EMG activity of AbdH muscle in the SFE-WE exercise was significantly greater than that during SFE and SFE-FO in both exercise positions (p<.001). In addition, the EMG activity of the AbdH muscle in the one-leg standing position was significantly higher than that while sitting (p<.001) during all three exercises. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that SFE-WE is a more effective strengthening exercise than SFE or SFE-FO for activating the AbdH muscle.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.720-726
• /
• 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the comparative analysis of body muscle EMGs according to the prop and different foot stability during Pilates bridge motion. Eighteen adult males(age, 22.3±2.1 years; height, 173.89±4.51 cm; body mass, 72.61±4.13 kg; and BMI, 24.03±1.31 kg/m²) participated in this study as subjects. The Pilates bridge was composed of a total of 9 motions, according to the props (NP, no prop; RG, ring; GB, gym ball) and different foot stability (BS, basic surface; FR, form roller; BOSU, both sides up). We measured the right's muscle activities of the upper rectus abdominis, lower abdominal stabilizers, external oblique, adductor longus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, and biceps femoris. The research findings were as follows. During Pilates bridge motion, the use of GB was found to be more effective in activating the body muscle. And during Pilates bridge motion, the use of BOSU was found to be most high in activating the body muscle as well. To summarize the research findings, the use of GB and BOSU during Pilates bridge motion were discovered to enormous affect muscle activities. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to be able to present efficient Pilates bridge exercises for strengthening physical strength.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2016

Background: The functioning of the serratus anterior (SA) muscle is essential to normal scapulohumeral rhythm during forward flexion (FF) of the shoulder. Also, SA weakness and overuse of the upper trapezius (UT) is observed in patients with shoulder dysfunction and trapezius myalgia. We designed a combination exercise involving FF and scapular protraction with resistance (CFFSP) to activate the SA muscle and to deactivate the UT muscle. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not CFFSP would be more effective in activating the SA muscle than FF alone and FF with scapular protraction (FFP). Methods: Nineteen subjects (12 men and 7 women) participated in this study and performed FF, FFP, and CFFSP at $120^{\circ}$. Surface electromyography was applied to the SA, UT, and pectoralis major (PM) muscles, as was one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. Statistical significance was set at .05. Bonferroni adjustment was used to counteract the problem of multiple comparisons, with a statistical level of significance of .017 (.05/3). Results: A statistically significant difference was found in relation to the three positions for the SA muscle (p<.001) and the SA/UT ratio (p=.005) using ANOVA. Significantly different results, depending on the position, were also demonstrated using the Bonferroni post-hoc test for the SA muscle ($FF=28.27{\pm}16.20$, $FFP=45.66{\pm}15.81$, and $CFFSP=62.4{\pm}27.21$) and for the SA/UT ratio ($FF=3.04{\pm}2.14$, $FFP=3.61{\pm}2.38$, and $CFFSP=5.95{\pm}3.01$). Significant differences between the three positions was not found regarding the average amplitude of SA/PM muscle ratio (SA/PM: p=.060). Conclusion: We recommend the use of CFFSP to strengthen the SA muscle at $120^{\circ}$.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2021

Objective: Single leg bridge exercise (SLBE) improves trunk muscle activation and provides muscle stability by aligning joints related to posture. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the effects of SLBE on abdominal muscle activation in subacute stroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifteen subacute stroke patients (9 males, 6 females) voluntarily participated in this study. SLBE was performed on the affected side. Each individual patient performed an SLBE ten times in three sets and was asked to hold their position for 5 s. Muscles activity was recorded using a surface electromyography (EMG) system before and after the SLBE. A surface EMG system was used to analyze the muscle activity during general bridge exercise, including the rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) abdominal muscles. Results: Muscle activity of both EO and IO on the affected side significantly increased (p<0.05), whereas the muscle activity of the RA and the three muscles on the unaffected side did not show a significant difference. In addition, improvement in muscle asymmetry of the EO and IO showed a significant change after SLBE (p<0.05). Conclusions: SLBE is effective in activating the abdominal muscles of stroke patients on the affected side and is a helpful exercise intervention that activates the muscles to transform asymmetric abdominal muscles into symmetric patterns.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.401-409
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the muscular activity of abdominal muscles during a variety of plank exercises following changes in the leg and head positions. Methods: Thirty healthy individuals participated in this study. They performed six variations of plank exercises, including three changes in head position and two changes in leg position. Each plank was defined as head neutral-leg neutral, head up-leg neutral, head down-leg neutral, head neutral-leg wide, head up-leg wide, and head down-leg wide. During the plank excises, the muscle activities of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, and upper trapezius were measured. Results: The head down position significantly increased the rectus abdominis activity compared to other head positions (p<0.05). On the other hand, the upper trapezius muscle activity was significantly higher with the head up position compared to other head positions (p<0.05). Regardless of head positions, both the rectus abdominis and internal oblique muscles were significantly activated with leg wide position compared to the leg neutral position (p<0.05). Conclusion: Head and leg positions could change the muscular activities of abdominal muscles during plank exercises. For example, the head down position is effective for activating the rectus abdominis while the leg wide position could be advantageous for enhancing the internal oblique and rectus abdominis.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.2338-2344
• /
• 2021

Background: The therapeutic exercise method using kinesiology taping (KT) has been reported to be effective in activating the suprahyoid muscle in healthy adults. However, its applicability and effectiveness are not known to the physically vulnerable elderly. Objectives: To investigate the effects of kinesiology taping on the activity of suprahyoid muscles in community-dwelling elderly people. Design: Repeated measure design. Methods: We enrolled 23 healthy elderly adults (age range 60-75 years) with no history of neurologic disease. Participants performed five consecutive spontaneous swallowing actions at 5-second intervals under three conditions (KT with 80% stretch, placebo-KT, and non-KT. Activation of the suprahyoid muscles during swallowing in the three conditions was measured using surface electromyography (sEMG). In addition, a 0-10 numerical rating self-report scale was used to evaluate the required effort and the resistance felt during swallowing. Results: KT with 80% stretch were significantly higher in sEMG mean value, peak value, required effort, and resistance felt during swallowing compared to other two conditions (P<.05, all). KT with 80% stretch required the most effort during swallowing and, consequently, has a positive effect on increasing suprahyoid muscle activation. Conclusion: Our results could be taken into consideration in therapeutic exercise method for suprahyoid muscle in dysphagia rehabilitation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.183-190
• /
• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of side planks on the muscle thickness of the core muscles, external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis, and this study was conducted to compare whether side plank exercise according to the application of various unstable support surfaces increases the thickness by activating the action of the muscles. Methods : The subjects of this study were 30 healthy adults and were randomly and equally assigned to three groups by a random number table. All subjects were divided into three groups according to the application of an unstable support surface during the side plank(Group A = stable support, Group B = one unstable support, Group C = two unstable supports). The side plank exercise was performed 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle thickness of the core muscle was measured before the intervention, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 times in total. All measured data were comparatively analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and one-way ANOVA. The statistical significance level was set to .05. Results : The results of this study were as follows : 1. All muscles showed an interaction between training period and group. 2. There was a significant difference between the groups at the 2 weeks and 4 weeks of the internal oblique and transverse abdominis muscle measurements. Conclusion : The thickness of the abdominal muscle increased during the side plank exercise according to the support surface, and the thickness of the abdominal muscle increased the most during the side plank exercise on the unstable support surface. Therefore, it is thought that the addition of an unstable support surface will provide a more effective therapeutic effect on the thickness change of the abdominal muscle during side plank exercise.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.10
• /
• pp.1590-1599
• /
• 2021

Objective: This study investigates the expression patterns of toll-like receptors (TLRs) and intracellular mediators in horse muscle cells after exercise, and the relationship between TLRS expression in stressed horse muscle cells and immune cell migration toward them. Methods: The expression patterns of the TLRs (TLR2, TLR4, and TLR8) and downstream signaling pathway-related genes (myeloid differentiation primary response 88 [MYD88]; activating transcription factor 3 [ATF3]) are examined in horse tissues, and horse peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and muscles in response to exercise, using the quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Expressions of chemokine receptor genes, i.e., C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) and C-C motif chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), are studied in PBMCs and PMNs. A horse muscle cell line is developed by transfecting SV-T antigen into fetal muscle cells, followed by examination of muscle-specific genes. Horse muscle cells are treated with stressors, i.e., cortisol, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and heat, to mimic stress conditions in vitro, and the expression of TLR4 and TLR8 are examined in stressed muscle cells, in addition to migration activity of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells. Results: The qPCR revealed that TLR4 message was expressed in cerebrum, cerebellum, thymus, lung, liver, kidney, and muscle, whereas TLR8 expressed in thymus, lung, and kidney, while TLR2 expressed in thymus, lung, and kidney. Expressions of TLRs, i.e., TLR4 and TLR8, and mediators, i.e., MYD88 and ATF3, were upregulated in muscle, PBMCs and PMNs in response to exercise. Expressions of CXCR2 and CCR5 were also upregulated in PBMCs and PMNs after exercise. In the muscle cell line, TLR4 and TLR8 expressions were upregulated when cells were treated with stressors such as cortisol, H₂O₂, and heat. Migration of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells was increased by exercise and oxidative stresses, and combinations of these. Treatment with methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), an antioxidant on stressed muscle cells, reduced migration of PBMCs toward stressed muscle cells. Conclusion: In this study, we have successfully cultured horse skeletal muscle cells, isolated horse PBMCs, and established an in vitro system for studying stress-related gene expressions and function. Expression of TLR4, TLR8, CXCR2, and CCR5 in horse muscle cells was higher in response to stressors such as cortisol, H₂O₂, and heat, or combinations of these. In addition, migration of PBMCs toward muscle cells was increased when muscle cells were under stress, but inhibition of reactive oxygen species by MSM modulated migratory activity of PBMCs to stressed muscle cells. Further study is necessary to investigate the biological function(s) of the TLR gene family in horse muscle cells.