• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.12-19
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of scapular alignment on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the trapezius in people with a short pectoralis minor muscle. For the study, we recruited 15 volunteers who had positive results for short on a pectoralis minor muscle length test. We measured the EMG activity of the upper, middle and lower trapezius muscles. The participants lifted their dominant arm to ear level with the thumb up toward the ceiling in the prone position on a table with the shoulder at a flexion angle of 180 degrees and a horizontal abduction angle of 120 degrees. Scapula was manually aligned by an experienced physical therapist prior to arm lift for the scapular alignment condition. A paired t-test was used to compare the effects of scapular alignment on the EMG activity of the trapezius muscles. The EMG activity of the lower trapezius muscle was significantly increased during the test with the scapular alignment compared to that without scapular alignment (p<.05), while the upper trapezius and middle trapezius exhibited no significant difference between the two conditions (p>.05). The findings of this study suggest that a scapular alignment may alter the recruitment of the lower trapezius muscle during arm lifting in the prone position in people with a short pectoralis minor muscle.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

In this paper, we propose a taping therapy as effective intervention for patients with the back pain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of taping intervention on the VAS evaluated score and he muscular activation degree among 119 paramedics with musculoskeletal injury. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, data was collected from 15 paramediecs in the paramedics department of 3 fire stations under J city's fire defense headquarters. The following results can be obtained by measuring the subjective, the back muscle strength and the buckling-anteflexion before and after the taping for 15 119 paramedics. Through the verification experiment of taping effect to paramedics during the stretcher lifting in this study the VAS evaluated score for the backache are $1.67{\pm}0.62$ before and $0.80{\pm}0.68$ after the application of taping which show statistically significant decrease(p<0.05). In the experimentof joint operation range the measured buckling anteflexion length are $14.62cm{\pm}4.89$ before and $16.41cm{\pm}4.11cm$ after the application of taping which show statistically meaningful difference(p<0.05). In the comparison of muscle activity about paramedics erector spinae(ES) shows the meaningful decrease and external obliques(EO) displays the significant increase. Erector spinae(ES) and internal obliques(IO) show the increasing trend in the muscle activity although they are not significant. the muscle activity for the erector spinae is lowered so that the contribution to the force required for the extensor during the stretcher lifting is resultingly reduced to have the effects of enhancing the activity of abdominal muscles.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes of abdominal muscles thickness according to the angle during the active straight leg raise (ASLR) in young healthy subjects. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: Twenty-three healthy university students (13 men and 10 women) voluntary participated to the study in S University. The ASLR was performed with the subject lying supine with lower extremities straight on a standard plinth, hands resting on the chest, and elbows on the plinth. When one subject performed ASLR from each angles ($30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$), compared changes in the thickness of rectus abdominis muscle. Changes in muscle thickness during ASLR test were assessed with ultrasonography. All subjects were to provide enough time of rest after performed ASLR. Rectus abdominis thickness were measured using rehabilitative ultrasound image. Results: Good quality rectus abdominal muscle activation data were recorded during ASLR. The length changes of linea alba showed significantly shorter in between $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). The thickness of rectus abdominis muscle were significantly different between $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$. According to increase of pelvic angle, the thickness of rectus abdominis muscle were more thickening (p<0.05). Conclusions: This result is changes of abdominal muscles thickness according to the angle during the ASLR.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined whether various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball in the standing position could improve balance, muscle strength, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were randomly divided into three groups, each with seven participants. For four weeks, experimental group 1 performed various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball, while experimental group 2 executed the same exercises without a Swiss ball, and the control group underwent general physical therapy. The subjects' knee extensor muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were evaluated before and after the intervention using portable muscle strength measurement, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), G-walk, and the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES). Results: Knee extensor strength increased significantly in all three groups after the intervention; in particular, a significant increase was seen in experimental groups 1 and 2 compared to the control group. Moreover, all three groups had significantly better BBS scores and higher cadence after the intervention; notably, experimental group 1 had better scores and increased cadence than the control group. Additionally, gait speed was significantly increased in the experimental group 1 than in the control group. The step length of the non-affected leg was also significantly higher in the same group. The K-FES score improved significantly in all three groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that lower extremity exercises with or without a Swiss ball could be effective interventions to improve muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.127-137
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to evaluate muscle activity and foot pressure during gait, and balance in female college students with genu valgum. METHOD: Participants were assigned based on their Q-angle to genu valgum group greater than 20° (GVG, n = 12), unilateral genu valgum group greater than 20° (UVG, n = 11), and control group (CON, n = 13). All subjects were evaluated for balance (Trace length, C90 area, C90 angle, and the Romberg test), muscle activity (gluteus medius; GM, tensor fasciae latae; TFL, vastus medialis; VM, vastus lateralis; VL, biceps femoris; BF, gastrocnemius; GCM and tibialis anterior; TA) and foot pressure (F/F ratio, R/F ratio, Hallux, 2~5 toe, 1st MT, 2~4 MT, 5th MT, Midfoot, M/heel, and L/heel) during gait. RESULTS: Romberg test showed significantly increased loss of balance in the UVG group compared with the CON. In the forward position, the imbalance was significantly increased in the UVG and GVG groups compared to the CON. Muscle activity of VL, GCM, and TA significantly increased in the GVG group compared with the CON. Static foot pressure, 1st MT significantly increased in the GVG compared to the CON group. The 5th MT significantly decreased in the CON compared with the GVG group. The R/F ratio significantly decreased in the GVG compared to the CON group. In dynamic foot pressure, the 2~5 toe significantly increased in the GVG compared with the UVG group. The left 5th MT significantly decreased in the UVG compared with the CON and GVG groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that genu valgum has a negative effect on balance, muscle activity, and foot pressure during gait in female college students.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.96-102
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• 1997

The gracilis that is frequently used as a donor of free muscle trasfer is appropriate in the muscular shape and vascular position. This muscle is belonged to the second type of muscle group by the classification of the pattern of muscular nutrient vessel. The adductor branch or first perforating branch of deep femoral artery which supplies the proximal 1/3 of this muscle is a dominant one and this is used for the microscopic anastomosis of muscle or musculocutaneous flap. The minor vascular pedicles which enter the distal 1/3 of this of this muscle are branches of the superficial femoral artery and it is 0.5mm in diameter, 2cm in length with two venae comitantes. These minor pedicles supplies distal half of the gracilis muscle. This island musculocutaneous flap using distal vascular pedicle can be used to cover the defect of soft tissue around the distal femoral supra-condylar area, knee joint and proximal tibial condyle area which cause limitation of motion of knee joint, or in the cases that usual skin graft is impossible. The important operative procedure is as follows; The dissection is carried proximally and distally and the entire gracilis muscle including proximal and distal pedicle is completely dissected. After temporary blocking of the proximal vascular pedicle, the adequate muscle perfusion by the distal pedicle is identified and it is rotated to the recipient site around knee joint. The advantages of this procedure are simple, no need of microscopic vascular anastomoses and no significant functional loss of donor site. Especially in the cases of poor condition of the recipient vessel, this procedure can be used effectively. From 1991 to 1996, we performed 4 cases; complete survival of flap in 3 cases and partial survival of flap with partial necrosis in 1 case. This procedure is though to be useful in the small sized soft tissue defect of distal femoral supra-condylar area, knee joint and proximal tibial condylar area, especially in the defect of anterior aspect which expected to cause limitation of motion of knee joint due to scar contracture. But the problems of this procedure are the diameter of distal vascular pedicle is small and the location of distal vascular pedicle is not constant. To reduce the failure rate, identify the muscular perfusion of distal vascular pedicle after blocking the proximal pedicle, or strategic delay will be helpful.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.41-51
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• 1998

The right hip abductor musculature has been reported to demonstrate "stretch weakness" attributable to chronic elongation imposed by standing posture common to right-handed healthy persons. Kendall and associates have described the concept of "stretch weakness",. The purpose of this study was to assess isometric hip abduction torque and surface electromyographic activity (using MYOMED 432) in a sample of 40 healthy right-handed persons (20 male, 20 female), all of whom agreed to participate in the study, and compare side difference in the hip abductor musculature. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the paired t test was applied at the .05 level of significance. The results were as follows: 1) The difference in apparent leg length of right and left legs was significant at the .05 level. 2) There was a significant difference between right and left pelvic height (standing position) at the 05 level measurements, and scapula height at the .05 level. 3) Power measurements and action potentials of right hip abductor were greater than the left hip abductor regardless of the range of joint motion (inner range, outer range) 4) The difference in muscle power and action potentials according to inner or outer range of both hip abductor were significant at the .05 level. 5) In supine during active left hip abduction, the appearance of action potentials in the right hip abductors is indicative of contra-lateral effect (p<.05) These results suggest: In healthy right-handed persons, the apparent leg length on the right is longer than on the left, and pelvic height is elevated on the right side. Muscle those and muscle action potentials of the right hip abductor are higher than those of the left hip abductor in the lengthened position. Therefore, the results in this study are contrary to Kendall's. This type of study should be carried out in many physical therapy departments.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 1995

In general, research in isokinetic exercise has focussed on studies of peak torque. However, peak torque is not always sufficient to assess the real amount of motion or to determine endurance. In this study, the subjects were 54 healthy students who performed continuous maximal isokinetic knee flexion and extension until their total work per time reached 50% of their maximal total work. Isokinetic curves were then plotted. Total work sums, exercise durations in seconds, and the numbers of repetitions were compared with reference to subject gender, angular velocity and muscle group. The relationship between total work sum, duration and number of repetition and thigh circumference plus leg length was computed. In addition, the characteristics of total work per second and total work per time were calculated. Results showed the total work sums differed greatly from muscle group to muscle group and with different angular velocities. The duration in seconds and the numbers of repetition differed only at higher angular velocity. Males achieved higher levels in every category except for some duration in seconds and some numbers of repetitions. Thigh circumference and leg length were deciding fators in every case, but duration in seconds and number of repetitions were not. These results suggest that measures of endurance should be included along with measures of total work when isokinetic studies are done. Measures of endurance in seconds are more accurate when isokinetic exercise is performed at lower angular velocities and numbers of repetitions at higher angular velocities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1990

The right hip adbuctor musculature has been reported to demonstrate 'stretch weakness' attributable to chronic elongation imposed by standing posture common to right-handed healthy persons. Kendall and associates have described the concept of 'stretch weakness'. The purpose of this study was to assess isometric hip abduction torque and surface electro-myographic activity (using MYOMED 432) in a sample of 40 healthy right-handed persons (20 male, 20 female), all of whom agreed to participate in the study, and compare side difference in the hip abductor musculature. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the paired t-test was applied at the .05 level of significance. The results were as follows : 1. The difference in apparent leg length of right and left legs was significant at the .05 leve1. 2. There was a significant difference between right and left pelvic height (standing position) at the .005 level measurements, and scapula height at the .05 level. 3. Power measurements and action potentials of right hip adbuctor were greater than the left hip adbuctor regardless of the range of joint motion (inner range, outer range). 4. The difference in muscle power and action potentials according to inner or outer range of both hip abductor were significant at the .05 level. 5. In supine during active left hip abduction, the appearance of action potentials in the right hip abductors is indicative of contra-lateral effect (p<.005). These results suggest : In healthy right-handed persons. the apparent leg length on the right is longer than on the left, and pelvic height is elevated on the right side. Muscle torque and muscle action potentials of the right hip adbuctor art higher than those of the hip abductor in the lengthened position. Therefore, the results in this study are contrary to Kendall's. This type of study should be carried out in many physical therapy departments.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.743-750
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• 2021

Objective: The objectives of this study were to explore the expression patterns of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) genes of different skeletal muscles from Chinese cattle, and to investigate the relationship between myofiber characteristics and meat quality of M. longissimus lumborum (LL), M. psoas major (PM), and M. semimembranosus (SM) from Chinese Luxi and Qinchuan cattle. Methods: Three major muscles including LL, PM, and SM from Chinese Luxi cattle and Chinese Qinchuan cattle were used in this study. The myofiber characteristics were measured by histochemical analysis. The MyHC isoforms expression was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Quality traits including pH value, meat color, cooking loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sarcomere length were determined at day 5 postmortem. Results: PM muscle had higher pH value, a* value, sarcomere length and lower WBSF value compared to LL and SM muscles (p<0.05). Numbers of type I myofiber and the relative expression of MyHC I mRNA in PM muscle were higher than those of LL and SM muscles (p<0.05). Myofiber diameter of PM muscle was lower than that of LL and SM muscles, regardless of myofiber types (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the stepwise linear regression analyses, tenderness was influenced by myofiber characteristics in all three examined muscles. Tenderness of beef muscles from Qinchuan and Luxi cattle could be improved by increasing numbers of type I myofiber.