• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.75-83
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate steady-state force depression following active muscle shortening in human tibialis anterior muscle during voluntary contractions. Subjects (n = 7; age $24{\sim}39$ years; 7 males) performed isometric reference contractions and isometric-shortening-isometric contractions, using maximal voluntary effort. Force depression was assessed by comparing the steady-state isometric torque produced following active muscle shortening with the purely isometric reference torque obtained at the corresponding joint angle. In order to test for effects of the shortening conditions on the steady-state force depression, the speed of shortening were changed systematically in a random order but balanced design. Ankle dorsiflexion torque and joint angle were continuously measured using a dynamometer. During voluntary contractions, muscle activation of the tibialis anterior and the medical gastrocnemius was recorded using surface electromyography. Force depression during voluntary contractions, with a constant level of muscle activation, was 12 %, on average over all subjects. Force depression was independent of the speeds of shortening ($13.8{\pm}2.9%$, $10.3{\pm}2.6%$ for 15 and 45 deg/sec over 15 deg of shortening, respectively). The results of this study suggest that steady-state force depression is a basic property of voluntarily-contracting human skeletal muscle and has functional implication to human movements.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 2003

Results : 1. The most important concept of IMS is chronic pain illness that may develop into hypersensitivity of the nerves, i.e., neuropathy. 2. Muscle shortening may be triggered by stress, including emotional, physical, external, and internal factors. 3. Muscle shortening increases mechanical tension on the muscles as well as inducing abrasion of the tissues by stretching ligament, tendon, cartilage, bone, and etc. 4. Pain from neuropathy is normally manifested on musculoskeletal system and spasm or shortening play as the central axis of this pain. 5. Neuropathy often appears at the nerve root level and the most important decisive factor of radiculopathy is muscle shortening. 6. Spondylosis is the most common cause of radiculopathy. 7. The most significant treatment principle of IMS is to relieve muscle shortening and remove stimulating determinant from the vertebrae. 8. Dry needling is quite effective for treating various pain caused by muscle shortening.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.626-631
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• 2007

Pre-rigor bovine sternomandibularis muscles were frozen at 3 hr postmortem thawed at various temperatures (18, 2, and $-2^{\circ}C$), and then meat quality and sensory properties were compared with those in chilled muscle (control). The meat thawed at $18^{\circ}C$ had lower ultimate pH, water holding capacity, and sensory scores and higher muscle shortening, thaw drip loss, and shear values than those of the other samples. The samples thawed at $-2^{\circ}C$ had significantly lower muscle shortening and higher sensory scores in tenderness and juiciness than those thawed at 18 and $2^{\circ}C$. Muscle shortening, pH, WHC, shear values, and sensory properties were not significantly different between control and sample thawed at $-2^{\circ}C$. By holding at $-2^{\circ}C$, thaw shortening was prevented and tender meat comparable to the chilled meat was obtained. These results indicate that thaw shortening can be largely eliminated if the frozen pre-rigor muscle is thawed at $-2^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 1979

1. The effects of heat stress (38$^{\circ}C$), cold stress (4$^{\circ}C$) and extreme cold stress (-20$^{\circ}C$) before slaughter on the tenderness and postmortem glycolysis if the excised chicken breast muscle were studied Heat stress significantly (p 0.05) increased the toughness of breast muscle. Though statistically not significant, cold stress also adversely affected the tenderness. The heat-stressed birds showed higher zero hr glycogen higher zero hr pH and significantly (p 0.05) love. ultimate pH then the controls. The cold-stressed birds showed intermediate values in these parameters. Highly significant correlations. were observed between shear value and each of these three parameters. Glycolysis rate ana final moisture content were minor factors which affected the muscle tenderness to a limited extent. The slightly elevated lactate-dehydrogenase and creatine phosphokinase activities in serum and breast muscle of stressed birds failed to account for any variations in tenderness. 2. Chicken breast and thigh muscles were subjected to different environmental temperatures to determine if the phenomenon of cold shortening exists in chicken muscle. For both breast and thigh muscles, minimum shortening was observed in the 4-10$^{\circ}C$t range. Muscles held at 0$^{\circ}C$ showed a slightly higher extent of shortening than at 4$^{\circ}C$; where as muscles held at above 20$^{\circ}C$ showed a severe shortening effect. It was concluded that no apparent cold shortening was detected in chicken muscle except at 0$^{\circ}C$ and even at 0$^{\circ}C$ and even at 0$^{\circ}C$ the extent of shortening was of a small magnitude compared to bovine muscles. Since high temperature induces a much greater shortening, muscle temperature must be lowered to below 20$^{\circ}C$ as early as possible to prevent excessive muse]e shortening.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers A
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.1046-1053
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• 1999

The musculotendon model is presented to show the declines in muscle force and shortening velocity during muscle fatigue due to the repeated functional electrical stimulation (FES). It consists of the nonlinear activation and contraction dynamics including physiological concepts of muscle fatigue. The activation dynamics represents $Ca^{2+}$ binding and unbinding mechanism with troponins of cross-bridges in sarcoplasm. It has the constant binding rate or activation time constant and two step nonlinear unbinding rate or inactivation time constant. The contraction dynamics is the modified Hill type model to represent muscle force - length and muscle force - velocity relations. A muscle fatigue profile as a function of the intracellular acidification, pH is applied into the contraction dynamics to represent the force decline. The computer simulation shows that muscle force and shortening velocity decline in stimulation time. And we validate the model. The model can predicts the proper muscle force without changing its parameters even when existing the estimation errors of the optimal fiber length. The change in the estimate of the optimal fiber length has an effect only on muscle time constant in transient period not on the tetanic force in the steady-state and relaxation periods.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 1996

To learn how maximal locomotory speed of animals is defined in terms of hindlimb structure and muscle contractile function, take-off speed, hindlimb length, thigh muscle mass, shortening velocity and power of the sastrocnemius muscle were measured with one fast species, Rono nigromaculota and one relatively slowresponding species, Bombina orientalis. Take-off speed (m.sec-1) was greater in R. nigromoculata $(2.4\pm0.2SD, $ n: 14) than in the Bombino $(1.6\pm0.1SD, $ n=8). Stvle of the take-off response was a long-iump type in the Rano and a short-ranged hopping in the Bombing. Faster take-off capacity of the ranid frogs was supported by the longer hindlimb length (relative to body length) and the more massive thigh muscles (relative to body mass), compared to the Bombina. Further, the ranids exhibited faster maximal shortening velocity and Breater maximal power generateion than the Bombina [Vmax $(ML.sec-1)=11.79\pm1.69SD$ for the Runa and $9.74\pm1.27SD$ for the Bombina; Pmax $nW.kg-1)=222.42\pm42.42SD$ for the Rono and $169.03\pm34.52SD$ for the Bombinal. With more massive thigh muscles and greater mechanical power, the ranids would generate greater total power and thus higher energy release per unit time to muscle tissues for the burst take-off. As a consequence, biomechanical properties seen in the ranids seem to be more effective for frost take-off than in the Bombina.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-59
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between lumbar instability and shortening of the iliopsoas muscles in patients with chronic low back pain. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with chronic low back pain participated in this study. The modified Thomas test was used to examine the shortening state of the iliopsoas muscle. The length of the iliopsoas muscle was measured using the hip flexion angle, and those with a flexion angle of 10° or more were classified as positive. Five subtests were used for the lumbar instability test: testing for prone lumbar instability, passive lumbar extension, anterior-posterior mobility, passive straight leg raise, and age. Those who tested positive for at least three of these tests were classified as positive for the lumbar segment instability test. RESULTS: There was a significant association between the results of the lumbar instability test and the shortening of the iliopsoas test (p < .05). After analyzing the association between the iliopsoas length test and the five lumbar instability subtests, the results of the prone lumbar instability test (p < .001) and the anterior-posterior mobility test (p < .05) showed a significant association with the iliopsoas length test. CONCLUSION: The association between lumbar instability and shortening of the iliopsoas muscles was examined in 49 patients with chronic low back pain. Patients with shortened iliopsoas muscles tested positive in the lumbar instability tests more often. Hence, the length test of the iliopsoas muscle can be used to determine lumbar instability in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.109-115
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• 2017

Purpose: This study analyzed the effects of digastric muscle injury on mandibular growth in young rats. Methods: Fourteen 4-week-old Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups; experimental group A (n=6) with unilateral (right) shortening of the posterior digastric muscle, experimental group B (n=6) with bilateral shortening of the posterior digastric muscles, and control group C (n=2) who underwent a sham operation. Eight weeks after the operation all animals were sacrificed and the outcomes were compared using body weight evaluation, mensurations on lateral radiograph of hemimandibles and histological evaluation. Results: There was no significant difference between groups A and B in body weight gain. Comparison of the mean values of hemimandible distance on radiograph was performed. The difference in group mean value of mandible-related distances was analyzed using the Wilcoxon test (rank sum test) and a comparison of the homonymous distances of group A and B was performed using the Mann-Whitney test. There were differences between sides in mandibular length in group B and mandibular ramus height and transverse width of the condyle in group A (all, p<0.05). There were differences in condylar height and mandibular length on the left side between groups A and B (p<0.05). Histologic examination of temporomandibular joint showed similar findings in all specimens. Conclusions: Injury of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle during the rat growth period induced shortening of mandibular ramus height and transverse width of the condyle. It can be inferred that trauma to the posterior belly of the digastric muscle affects horizontal and vertical growth of the mandible.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-70
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three relaxation techniques, namely, Static Stretching Exercise (SSE), Eccentric Contraction Exercise (ECE), and Suboccipital Muscle Release (SMR) on the flexibility and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. Methods: The participants were 45 adults in their 20s with hamstring shortening. They performed three exercises (i.e., SSE, ECE, and SMR) for two weeks. We measured flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance before and after the intervention, applying each relaxation technique. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at α=0.05. Results: Flexibility increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with the SSE group showing the greatest improvement. Muscle tone and stiffness decreased in all groups, with the ECE group exhibiting the highest reduction. Proprioception increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with SSE demonstrating the greatest enhancement. Balance also increased in all groups, with the ECE group showing the most pronounced improvement. Conclusion: Overall, all three relaxation techniques for hamstring shortening resulted in improved flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. The findings of this study underscore the importance of selecting an appropriate technique according to the purpose of treatment and the condition of the patient.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.51-60
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate hamstring length during static uprighting position using weight distribution ratio. Methods: Ninety-six volunteers(56 males) were participated. The active knee extension test(AKE) was measured 3 times on both legs. The mean score of AKE was obtained. Then, the measurement of weight distribution ratio was observed 3 times on both legs, and its mean value was also calculated. Subjects were divided four groups based on their hamstring length measurement; both hamstring shortening group, left hamstring shortening group, right hamstring shortening group and normal hamstring length group. One-way ANOVA was employed to analyse collected data. Pearson's correlation was also hired to see any relationship between the hamstring length and the weight distribution. Results: In anterior/left area and posterior/right area, both hamstring shortening group left hamstring shortening group were superior to right hamstring shortening group and normal hamstring length group. Significant difference was existed statistically(p<.05) between groups. The correlation analysis between hamstring length and weight distribution ratio has not been shown any significant findings(Pant/post=0.733, Plt/rt=0.135). Conclusion: The results of the study may be applied to therapeutic management in posture and movement skill in musculoskeletal physical therapy.