• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.225-231
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on the activity of the upper trapezius and erector spinae according to the length difference of the backpack using electromyogram (EMG). We also conducted a study comparing the center of pressure (COP) and weight distribution before and after using Wii® balance board. Thirty individuals were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=14) wearing a backpack with a short right strap length and a control group (n=16) wearing a backpack with the same strap length. Data were collected by dividing into groups, carring a 15% weight backpack and walking for 20 minutes on a treadmill. As a result of analyzing the EMG data, there was no significant change in the upper extremity muscle activity of the control group, but it was significantly decreased in the right upper trapezius activity of the experimental group (p<0.05). In addition, there was a significant change of COP in the experimental group (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference of the weight distribution in both groups. Recognizing mechanical changes in the body that may occur due to the asymmetry of the strap length is thought to be helpful for systematic ergonomic intervention according to changes in the external environment in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.79-86
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• 2022

PURPOSE: By virtue of its location, the iliopsoas muscle has the potential to affect the function of the diaphragm. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of passive stretching of the iliopsoas muscles on pulmonary function. METHODS: Twenty male university students participated in this study. Subjects with low back pain, negative results on the modified Thomas test, and chest breathing patterns not directly related to the function of the iliopsoas muscles were excluded from this study. A digital pulmonary function measuring device (Pony FX, COSMED Inc, Italy) was used to test pulmonary function. The test was performed three times: the first test before passive stretching, the second test 10 minutes after the first test, and the third after passive stretching. Passive stretching was performed 5 times for each of the left and right iliopsoas muscles. Passive stretching was carried out for 20 seconds followed by a 10-second break. The SPSSWIN (ver. 27.0) statistics program was used for data analysis, and the significance level was α =.05. RESULTS: Among slow vital capacity (SVC) parameters, tidal volume (VT), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), inspiratory capacity (IC) and vital capacity (VC) improved significantly after passive stretching. Also, among the maximal effort vital capacity (MEVC) parameters, forced vital capacity(FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1) improved significantly after passive stretching. CONCLUSION: The results showed that among the various pulmonary function parameters measured, passive stretching of the iliopsoas muscles can improve the SVC and MEVC. Therefore, passive stretching of the iliopsoas muscles may be considered for use as a treatment method to improve pulmonary function.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

Objective: This study identifies the difference among the heights of a chair's backrest (High, Mid, No), the biomechanical changes chair users undergo over time, and the variables that can measure musculoskeletal disorders, eventually providing information on the appropriate type of backrest. Method: Eleven healthy subjects in their 20s and 30s who had no experience with musculoskeletal disorders or surgical operations within the last 6 months participated in this study. Computer typing tasks were randomly designated and performed according to the type of chair backrest, and evaluation was performed for Flexion-Relaxation Ratio (FRR) analysis after the computer typing tasks. This study used eight infrared cameras (sampling rate: 100 Hz) and nine-channel electromyography (sampling rate: 1,000 Hz). ANOVA with repeated measures was conducted to verify the results, with the statistical significance level being α = .05. Results: Although there was no significant difference in craniovertebral angle (CVA), this study showed time and interaction effects depending on the height of the backrest (p<.05). When working without the backrest, the head-spine angle was lower compared to the chairs with backrest, based on the computer work. As for the head angle, the higher the back of the chair was, the less the head flexion and the body angle became, whereas the body flexion became less when there was a backrest. In addition, the body flexion increased over time in all types of backrests (p<.05). The muscle activity of the upper body tended to be high in the high backrest chair. On the other hand, a lower muscle activity was found with a low backrest. Conclusion: These results show that a chair is more ergonomic when the body angle is correctly set without bending and when it is supported by a low backrest. Accordingly, this study determines that the backrest affects shoulder and neck musculoskeletal disorders during typing and that medium-height backrest chairs can help prevent musculoskeletal disorders, contrary to the expectation that high-backrest chairs are preferable.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2023

Background: Several factors contribute to shoulder pain, including abnormal neck posture, repeated use of the upper limbs, work involving raising the upper limbs above the head, and the effects of vibration. However, previous study has reported that constant vibration exposure could impact improvement of the stability on joints related with muscle recruitment and activation. For this difference reason, we need to verify for the complex study of relationship with repetitive upper limb movements, poor head posture, and constant vibration exposure. Objects: Our study was made to investigate the influence of vibration exposure on the shoulder muscle activity during forward-head and over-head tasks with isometric shoulder flexion. Methods: In a total of 22 healthy subjects, surface electromyography (EMG) data were collected from shoulder muscles (upper/lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and lumbar erector spinae) on tasks (neutral-head task [NHT], forward-head task [FHT], and over-head task [OHT]) with and without vibration exposure. Results: In all tasks, the EMG data of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior significantly increased with vibration exposure (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the EMG data of the lumbar erector spinae significantly increased with vibration exposure in the NHT and FHT (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We suggest that continuous vibration exposure during the use of hand-held tools in the tasks could be associated with harmful effects in the workplace. Lastly, we clinically need to examine the guidelines regarding the optimal posture and vibration exposure.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.515-523
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• 2015

The effects of reducing fat levels from 30% to 20% and salt concentrations from 1.5% to 1.0% by partially substituting incorporated phosphate and sea mustard were investigated based on physicochemical properties of reduced-fat / low-NaCl meat emulsion systems. Cooking loss and emulsion stability, hardness, springiness, and cohesiveness for reduced-fat / low-NaCl meat emulsion systems with 20% pork back fat and 1.2% sodium chloride samples with incorporation of phosphate and sea mustard were similar to the control with 30% pork back fat and 1.5% sodium chloride. Results showed that reduced-fat / low-NaCl meat emulsion system samples containing phosphate and sea mustard had higher apparent viscosity. The results of this study show that the incorporation of phosphate and sea mustard in the formulation will successfully reduce fat and salt in the final meat products.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.44-57
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• 2005

The objectives of this study were to examine the relative efficacy of three active exercise programs for work-related, chronic low back pain, and to observe to what extent the programs affected the mechanical stability of the lumbar region. The subjects were 64 employees who were randomly divided into three groups to match the three active exercise programs which were performed 3 times a week for 6 months. All subjects were assessed with the same measurements at a pre-study examination, and then were reassessed at 2 weeks, 3months and 6 months after the study. The pain intensity didn't show any significant difference among the three groups. However, the Oswestry Disability Index showed significant differences among the three groups at 6 months and the lumbar and thoracic exercise groups showed significant decreases compared to the general physiotherapy group (p<.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed a significant difference among the three groups at 3 months and 6 months, and the thoracic exercise group at 6 months showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). The group that performed maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed the most significant among the 3 months and 6 months. At 6 months, the thoracic exercise group showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant differences among the three groups at 2 weeks 3 months, and 6 months, with the thoracic exercise group being decreased more significantly at 6 months than the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). Exercise aimed at increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. Furthermore, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy and deep muscle strengthening lumbar exercise.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.327-334
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• 2003

This study was carried out to make early prediction of carcass yield grade. Sixty six Hanwoo steers were measured for back fat thickness, longissimus muscle area and body weight at 18, 21 and 24 months of age by ultrasound. Carcass evaluation was done after ultrasound measurement at 24 month of age. Ultrasonic yield grade at 18, 21 and 24 month of age were predicted by regression and decision tree methods. Classifying by carcass yield grade, ultrasonic back fat thickness at 18, 21 and 24 months of age was significantly different in each carcass yield grade (p<0.05). The prediction accuracy of carcass yield grade by regression method was 78.8% at 18 months, 86.4% at 21 months and 90.9% at 24 months of age. By using the decision tree method for carcass yield grade, 78.8%, 89.4% and 89.4% of prediction accuracy were obtained at 18, 21 and 24 months of age, respectively.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.579-595
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• 2000

The purposes of this study were to compare pelvic tilt before and after manipulation of sacroiliac joint in 31 low back pain patients (11 males, 20 females) with sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The sacroiliac joint of patients was manipulated on the side of anterior pelvic tilt, using the technique described by Stoddard (1962) and Greenmann (1996). I used this technique because it usually eliminated sacroiliac joint dysfunction in one treatment session. SPSS for window computer system was used to analyze the data. Also t-test was performed for comparison of pelvic tilt angle before and after manipulation, and Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was performed for intratester reliability for measurements of pelvic tilt angle before and after manipulation. The result were as follows: 1. Intratester reliability was good for measures of pelvic tilt (r=.98). 2. The pelvic tilt after manipulation was significantly decreased (mean=$3.40^{\circ}$) compared with the pelvic tilt before manipulation (p=.001). All subjects showed asymmetrical right versus left pelvic tilt before manipulation. 40% of subjects showed decreased asymmetrical right versus left pelvic tilt after manipulation, and 60% of subjects showed symmetrical right versus left pelvic tilt after manipulation. I think that pelvic tilt asymmetry with hypomobility due to loss of joint play could be symmetrized by manipulation or mobilization, but pelvic tilt asymmetry with unilateral pelvic muscle shortening could not be symmetrized by manipulation or mobilization without relaxation and stretching of shortened muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.63-76
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• 2003

This research was performed to compare spinal segment motion angle between low back pain (LBP) group and painless group during trunk flexion-extension and to investigate the effect of transversus abdominis strengthening exercise on spinal segment motion angle in LBP group. Nine subjects with LBP and ten subjects without LBP participated. Transversus abdominis strengthening exercise was performed in LBP group for three weeks, and spinal segment motion angles were compared before and after the exercise performance. Spinal segment motion angles were measured both in sitting and standing position. Results were as followed: 1) Subjects' average age was 24.79 years, height was 167.84 cm, and weight was 59.95 kg. 2) Spinal segment motion angle of T10/l1 was significantly higher in LBP group compared with painless group (p<.05) in sitting position during trunk flexion-extension. 3) In sitting position, whereas entire lumbar segment motion angles were lower in LBP group compared with painless group (p<.05), angle of L4/5 was higher in LBP group compared with painless group (p<.05). 4) There was no significant difference in thoracic segment motion angle in standing position. 5) After three weeks of transversus abdominis strengthening exercise, thoracic segment motion angle increased both in sitting and standing position (p<.05). 6) In painless group, there was no significant difference in entire spinal segment motion angles in sitting and standing position (p>.05). When spinal segment motion angles were compared between sitting and standing position, there were slight differences. In sitting position, there was no difference in spinal segment motion angle between LBP group and painless group while hip joint motion angle and sacral inclination angle of LBP group was lower than those of painless group (p<.05). In standing position, lumbar segment motion angle was significantly lower in LBP group than that of painless group. Transversus abdominis strengthening exercise influenced thoracic segment motion angle more significantly than lumbar segment motion angle.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2009

Objectives : This study is designed to find out the influence of acupuncture treatments on Iliopsoas muscles of disc herniated patients. Method : Control group took usual acupuncture therapies and sample group took acupuncture therapies on their Iliopsoas muscles and usual acupuncture therapies. To Conclude the results, we studied Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) score and changes of SLR-test angle statistically. Results : The improvement rate of the group who took Iliopsoas muscles and usual acupuncture therapies was higher than the group who only took usual acupuncture therapies. Conclusion : In this study, we found out that the treatment on Iliopsoas muscles is effective to low back pain patients.