• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2016

Objective: This study was aimed to compare the thickness and pennation angle of gastrocnemius through ultrasonography during the heel-drop exercise on ankle dorsiflexion angle. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Nineteen normal adults in their 20s had voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects performed the ankle heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$: heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$ was executed on floor-level, heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ on a wooden-block of 2.3 cm in height, and heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $20^{\circ}$ on a wooden-block of 5.5 cm in height. In each regimen, the subjects completed a session of 100 heel-drop exercises (10 repetitions${\times}$10 sets; with 30 seconds rest following each set; with 24 hours rest following each exercise). Before and immediately after each heel-drop exercise, the thickness and pennation angle of gastrocnemius were measured using an ultrasonography. Results: After the performance of the heel drop exercises with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$, the thickness of the gastrocnemius was significantly higher than pre-exercise (p<0.05), and furthermore heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ was significantly higher than exercise with the ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). However, as for the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius, there were no significant changes after each heel-drop exercise. Conclusions: This finding suggest that the heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$ is effective on the strengthening of the gastrocnemius. Furthermore, the heel-drop exercise with the ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ is more effective than with the ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in skeletal muscle architecture and qualitative properties by muscle contraction force when neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of 50% MVIC was applied. Sixteen subjects (8 male, 8 female) without neuromuscular disease volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were divided into two subgroups: control (no electrical stimulation) group and 50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group. NMES training program was performed in the calf muscle three times a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the experiments, the MVIC of ankle plantar flexor was measured by the use of dynamometer, and the ultrasonography in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle was measured. The following results were obtained; MVIC was significantly increased in the electrical stimulation groups. Pennation angle, muscle density, and white area index also considerably changed in the electrical stimulation groups. In conclusion, the NMES training of 50% MVIC, comparative low level, improved the skeletal muscle architecture and the qualitative properties as well as the muscle contraction force.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.5867-5874
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to find on muscle architectural and tissue compliance of biceps brachii in stroke patient based on elbow joint angle. The subjects of this study were twelve hemiplegic adults after stroke with passive range of motion in the elbow from $10^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ and Modified Ashworth Scale score 1 to 3 were recruited. Ultrasonography and Myotonometer was used to measure biceps brachii muscle pennation angle, fascicle length, and tissue compliance at the rest condition and pennation angle, fascicle length, and tissue compliance of the biceps brachii muscle were measured in the affected and unaffected sides of people after stroke at 9 different elbow angles ranging from $10^{\circ}$ to $90^{\circ}$ at the rest condition. The results of this study, comparisons found that the pennation angles of the affected biceps brachii muscle were significantly larger(p<.05) than the unaffected muscle in the most extended positions($<40^{\circ}$), whereas the affected fascicle lengths were significantly shorter(p<.05) than the unaffected muscle in most flexed positions($>20^{\circ}$), and the affected tissue compliance were significantly lower(p<.05) than the unaffected muscle in most extended positions($<50^{\circ}$) Therefore, pennation angles, fascicle lengths, and tissue compliance were found to be joint-angle-dependent in both the affected and unaffected sides at the rest condition. Suggest that, the results data can be used as a muscle architectural changes and clinical treatment research in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.324-330
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to compare the muscle architecture of lower extremity using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) in young adults in Seoul and Hanoi. Methods: The study design was a comparative study of muscle cross-sectional area of lower extremity. Sixty healthy young subjects (Seoul group: 30, Hanoi group: 30) participated in this study. Real-time B-mode RUSI with a 7.5MHz linear transducer was used for measurement of cross-sectional area, pennation angle, and muscle thickness of the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius muscles. Independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant difference in cross sectional area of rectus femoris was observed between Korean young adults and Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). Muscle thickness and pennation angle of tibialis anterior in Korean young adults were greater than in Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). In addition, the muscle thickness and pennation angle of the medial part of gastrocnemius muscle were greater in Korean young adults than in Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). In addition, in the results for gender, men had larger muscle architectures than women in both groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study, using RUSI, showed significant difference in muscle architectures of lower extremity in a diverse group of young adults RUSI.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2632-2640
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether medial gastrocnemius ultrasound imaging of the Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) has the possibilities as a measurement method. This study was conducted from April 21th 2011 to April 30th 2011. Thirty-five healthy subjects were included based on the absence of regular physical activity, and no history of recent trauma, musculoskeletal pathology, cardiovascular disease or drug intake. All subjects induced DOMS through climbing for 5 hours and we measured the visual analogue scale (VAS), creatine kinase (CK) and maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVlC) of ankle plantar flexor prior to DOMS and at 24, 48 and 72 hours post DOMS and these measurements were compared with pennation angle of medial gastrocnemius measured by ultrasound imaging. Results of this study were as following. VAS, CK, and MVIC of ankle plantar flexor were found significant difference related measurement period (p<0.05) and pennation angle of medial gastrocnemius were found significant difference related measurement period (p<0.05). Furthermore, we confirmed that the flow of change between variables related measurment period was consistent. Through this study, we think that measuring the changes in pennation angle of medial gastrocnemius over time using ultrasound imaging will be able to be used as a new method measuring DOMS.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality based treadmill training on muscle architecture of gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the virtual reality based treadmill training (VRTT) group (n=15) or treadmill training (TT) group (n=15). Both groups participated in a standard rehabilitation program; in addition, the VRTT group participated in virtual reality based treadmill training for 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks, and TT group participated in treadmill walking training for 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks. Ultrasound image was used for measurement of pennation angle and muscle thickness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at rest and during maximum voluntary contraction. Results: In the paretic side medial gastrocnemius muscle, greater improvement on the pennation angle and muscle thickness while resting and maximal voluntary contraction were observed in the VRTT group compared with the TT group. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that the virtual reality based treadmill training has an effect on muscle architecture of medial gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of functional training using a sliding rehabilitation machine (SRM) on the mobility of the ankle joint and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The subjects consisted of 11 children who were diagnosed with spastic CP. They carried out the functional training using the SRM for 30 minutes, three times a week, for 8 weeks. Before and after all of the training sessions, the subjects were tested using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), range of motion (ROM) in the ankle joint, the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscle and the fascicle length of gastrocnemius muscle were measured to determine the mobility of the ankle joint and balance ability. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test in the PBS and GMFM. The ROM of the ankle joint was significantly increased after the functional training using the SRM. Moreover, the fascicle length was increased and the pennation angle was decreased after the functional training using the SRM, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that functional training using the SRM may have some effect on the mobility of ankle joint and balance in children with CP. According to the results, this study could present an approach to the rehabilitation or treatment of children with CP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.116-120
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to determine which interventions are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility due to changes in the range of motion (ROM) and pennation angle (PA) when foam rolling (FR) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching were performed. Methods: A total of 24 healthy participants who agreed to participate in the study were randomly chosen. The participants were divided into three groups of eight people: Control, FR, and PNF stretching groups. The hip flexion angle (ROM) and PA of the hamstrings were measured before and after the experiment. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the ROM and PA for each group by comparing the before and after results. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the increase in hamstring flexibility between the groups. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in the ROM and PA within all groups, and only the ROM was significant in the comparison between the three groups. In the comparison between the control and other two groups, a significant difference was noted in both the ROM and PA in the FR group and only the ROM in the PNF stretching group (p<0.05). In the comparison between the FR and PNF stretching groups, no significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Conclusion: These findings FR and PNF stretching increased the ROM; however, no change in PA was observed. Therefore, FR and PNF stretching were considered effective interventions in immediately increasing hamstring flexibility.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

When an active muscle is stretched, its steady-state isometric force following stretch is greater than that of a purely isometric contraction as the corresponding muscle length, referred to as force enhancement (FE). The purpose of this study was to investigate possible effects of muscle architecture on the FE. While subject performed maximal isometric dorsiflexion (REF) and isometric-stretch-isometric dorsiflexion (ECC) contractions, ankle joint angle and dorsiflexion torque using a dynamometer and electromyography of the tibialis anterior and the medical gastrocnemius muscles were measure. Simultaneously, real-time ultrasound images of the tibialis anterior were acquired. Regardless of the speed of stretch of the ECC contractions. the torques produced during the isometric phase following stretch ($37.3{\pm}1.5\;Nm$ ($10{\pm}3%$ FE) and $38.3{\pm}1.5$ ($12{\pm}3%$ FE) for the ECC contractions with $15^{\circ}$/s and $45^{\circ}$/s stretch speeds, respectively) were greater than those of the REF contractions ($34.5{\pm}2.5\;Nm$). Moreover, the amount of FE was found to be stretch speed dependent. Angles of pennation ($\alpha$) during the isometric phase following stretch were the same for the REF ($15{\pm}1^{\circ}$) and the ECC ($14{\pm}1^{\circ}$(LS), $15{\pm}1^{\circ}$(LF)). During the same phase, muscle thicknesses were the same ($14.9{\pm}0.6$, and $14.9{\pm}0.5\;mm$ for the REF and the ECC contractions, respectively). For a large limb muscle, the tibialis anterior muscle, a similar amount of force enhancement was observed as did for other human skeletal muscles. Architectural variables, pennation angle and thickness, were not systematically different between the REF and ECC contractions when FE occurred. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that muscle architecture may have little influence on the production of FE.