• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.169-180
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TENS on muscle pain induced by carrageenan. Muscle pain was induced in male Sprague-Dowley rats by intra-muscular injection of gastrocnemius with $3\%$ carrageenan. nNOS was measured to assess the effect of TENS on muscle pain induced by Carrageenan. The lumbar enlargement of the spinal cord was removed in different groups of animals 24 h after induction of muscle pain. The level of nNOS mRNA was measured in the lumbar section of the spinal cord using RT-PCT. The expression of nNOS was analyzed in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord by immunohistochemistry. TENS decreased nNOS immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the lumbar spinal cord when compared with controls(p<.05). In RT-PCR, TENS decreased nNOS mRNA level of lumbar spinal cord when compared with controls(p<.05). These results suggested that application of TENS attributed to decrease muscle pain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.1062-1065
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• 2002

We have evaluated the ability of a time-delayed artificial neural network (TDANN) to predict muscle forces using only eletromyographic(EMG) signals. To achieve this goal, tendon forces and EMG signals were measured simultaneously in the gastrocnemius muscle of a dog while walking on a motor-driven treadmill. Direct measurements of tendon forces were performed using an implantable force transducer and EMG signals were recorded using surface electrodes. Under dynamic conditions, the relationship between muscle force and EMG signal is nonlinear and time-dependent. Thus, we adopted EMG amplitude estimation with adaptive smoothing window length. This approach improved the prediction ability of muscle force in the TDANN training. The experimental results indicated that dynamic tendon forces from EMG signals could be predicted using the TDANN, in vivo.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.359-364
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and a neural dynamic technique (NDYT). As an intervention to treat spastic lower limb muscle tone, stiffness, and static balance in stroke patients. Methods: Totally, 26 participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the IASTM (n=13) and NDYT (n=13) groups. Both groups were subjected to their respective technique for 15 minutes, 5 times a week, for 6 weeks. Muscle tone, stiffness, and static balance were evaluated before and after training, to compare both group changes. Results: IASTM group showed significant decrease in the gastrocnemius medial region and semitendinosus muscle tone and stiffness (p<0.05) compare to NDYT group; however, no significant different was observed in static balance between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results suggest that IASTM is an effective method for decreasing the muscle tone and stiffness in acute stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of spine orthosis and sit-to-stand motor strategies on ground reaction force (GRF) and lower extremity muscle activity. Twenty healthy adult men participated, and subjects randomly performed sit-to-stand motions in three different conditions: Momentum-transfer strategy (MTS); MTS with spine orthosis; and zero-momentum strategy (ZMS) with spine orthosis. GRF data, onset time, and muscle activity were determined and compared using force plate and electromyography. Data were statistically analyzed by the SPSS version 13.0. One-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance, and least significant difference was used as a post hoc test. The level of significance was .05. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Peak GRF and relative time to peak GRF were not significantly different in the three different conditions (p>.05). 2. Onset time of four muscles, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris and rectus femoris, in the three different conditions were significantly different (p<.05). 3. The tibialis anterior and rectus femoris muscle activity before hip-off and tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and rectus fermoris muscle activity after hip-off were significantly different in the three different conditions (p<.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2007

The present study was designed to assess whether dietary inorganic and organic selenium (Se) could affect antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, in the intestine, serum, liver, and gastrocnemius muscle of Korean native goats. A total of eighteen Korean native goats was allotted into three dietary groups, consisting of basal diet (CON), or basal diet with either 0.25 ppm inorganic (IOSEL) or 0.25 ppm organic Se (ORSEL), and fed the corresponding diets for 5 wks. Growth performance, including body weight and total gain, and blood biochemical profiles, including GSH-Px, were not significantly different between the three dietary groups. Also, the specific activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and GST, and the level of MDA in the intestinal mucosa and liver from goats were not substantially affected by either inorganic Se or organic Se. However, goats fed the diet containing organic Se showed a significant increase in GSH-Px and GST activities in the gastrocnemius muscle compared with those fed the basal diet. In conclusion, increased muscle GSH-Px and GST activities suggest that dietary organic Se may affect, at least in part, the antioxidant defense system in muscle of Korean native goats under the conditions of our feeding regimen.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.194-201
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• 2019

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of muscle thickness (MT) and pennation angle (PA) measurements of the ankle muscle, including the tibialis anterior (TA) and the medial gastrocnemius (MGCM), using a hands-free fixed probe and to compare it with the conventional linear probe. Design: Observational inter-rater reliability study. Methods: Thirty-three healthy subjects (20 male, 13 female) were included. In all subjects, ultrasound images were acquired from the TA and MGCM using a hands-free fixed probe and a conventional linear probe in random sequence by two examiners at two time-points within a 7-day interval. MT and PA were calculated on the taken images. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC), 95% confidence intervals, standard error of measurement and the Pearson's correlation coefficient were used to estimate reliability and validity. And also, Bland-Altman plots were generated for a visual representation of MT and PA at the TA and MGCM. Results: The ICC for all intra-rater reliability was 0.943 to 0.995 and that for all inter-rater reliability was 0.928 to 0.993, indicating excellent reliability. A significantly high correlation was observed between MT and PA at the TA and MGCM with use of the hands-free fixed probe and the conventional linear probe (r>0.938; p<0.001). Conclusions: The hands-free fixed probe provided excellent images for measurement of the MT and PA of the TA and MGCM and is a useful device for making clinical measurements of muscle structure without grasping of the probe.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine how gaze angle affects muscle activity and kinematic variables during treadmill walking and to offer scientific information for effective and safe treadmill training environment. Method: Ten male subjects who have no musculoskeletal disorder were recruited. Eight pairs of surface electrodes were attached to the right side of the body to monitor the upper trapezius (UT), rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), rectus femoris (RF), bicep femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), medialis gastrocnemius (MG), and lateral gastrocnemius (LG). Two digital camcorders were used to obtain 3-D kinematics of the lower extremity. Each subject walked on a treadmill with a TV monitor at three different heights (eye level; EL, 20% above eye level; AE, 20% below eye level; BE) at speed of 5.0 km/h. For each trial being analyzed, five critical instants and four phases were identified from the video recording. For each dependent variable, one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine whether there were significant differences among three different conditions (p<.05). When a significant difference was found, post hoc analyses were performed using the contrast procedure. Results: This study found that average and peak IEMG values for EL were generally smaller than the corresponding values for AE and BE but the differences were not statically significant. There were also no significant changes in kinematic variables among three different gaze angles. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, gaze angle does not affect muscle activity and kinematic variables during treadmill walking. However, it is interesting to note that walking with BE may increase the muscle activity of the trapezius and the lower extremity. Moreover, it may hinder proper dorsiflexion during landing phase. Thus, it seems to reasonable to suggest that inappropriate gaze angle should be avoided in treadmill walking. It is obvious that increased walking speed may cause a significant changes in biomechanical parameters used in this study. It is recommended that future studies be conducted which are similar to the present investigation but using different walking speed.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of lower limbs muscle activities depending on three walking speeds of 2.5km/h, 5.0km/h and 7.5km/h during forward walking and backward walking making 14 students the subjects of this study. To achieve this aim, surface electrodes for factor analysis of EMG were adhered to rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medial head of right lower limbs. The conclusions through this study are as follows. 1) The muscle activity of rectus femoris was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group and it was the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 2) The muscle activity of biceps femoris was higher in forward walking group than in backward walking group. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 3) The muscle activity of tibialis anterior was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 4) The muscle activity of gastrocnemius medial head was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group except P2. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.35-41
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• 2019

Background: Obstacle training affects lower limb muscle activity, balance, reducing the risk of falls, and making gait more stable. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aquatic and ground obstacle training on balance and muscle activity in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: The study subjects included 30 patients with stroke, who were divided into aquatic ($n_1=15$) and ground ($n_2=15$) groups. Groups underwent obstacle training three times per week, 30 min per session, for six weeks that went as follows: walking over sites with the paralyzed leg, stepping onto and down from a box step, and walking over obstacles with the non-paralyzed leg. Results: The experimental results were obtained by comparing muscle activity. Activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius were significantly increased in the aquatic group (p<.05). Activity of the biceps femoris and tibialis anterior were significantly increased in the ground group (p<.05); however, the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius were not significantly different. In the comparison of maximal distance regarding the limits of stability, it was significantly increased on the non-affected side, affected side, and anterior and posterior distance in the aquatic group (p<.05). It was significantly increased in the non-affected side and anterior and posterior distance the ground group (p<.05); however, maximal distance on the affected side distance was not significantly different. Conclusion: Gait training with aquatic and ground obstacles is effective for improving balance and gait ability of patients with stroke. However, it was more effective for the aquatic group than for the ground group.