• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activity and vertical ground reaction force(F) in children with Down syndrome(DS) during vertical jump. Six DS and one healthy child performed vertical jump. Four muscles(Biceps femoris, Rectus femoris, Tibialis anterior & Gastrocnemius) and F were analyzed. Gastrocnemius in DS showed lower muscle activity in a propulsive phase. Impulse during 0.3sec before toe-off in DS displayed lower value than that in the healthy child. The second peak of F in DS occurred later than that in the healthy child, so DS performed landing with their knee more flexed. The first and second peak of F and loading rate to the second peak of F in DS showed lower value than those in the healthy child. Therefore, DS might have lower ability to absorb the force while landing from a vertical jump.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.589-600
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• 2005

The purposes of this study is to discuss and analyze the effect on the recovery from cut in sciatic nerve. This study used 9 weeks male rats of Sprague-Dawley family. Rat in groups 4 were treated with pulsed therapeutic ultrasound for 3 minutes. 3 times weekly at 3MHz respectively (intensity; $0.2W/cm^2,\;0.5W/Cm^2,\;10W/cm^2$); rat in group 1 received placebo ultrasound. In addition, changes of serum aspartate amino-transferase(AST) and creatine phosphokinase(CPK) levels were also demonstrated with diameter of individual muscle fasciculate and number of muscle fiber in each of three types of muscles located in gastrocnemius, soles. The results of comparing the changes in groups are as follows; 1. We found out that hypertrophic epineurium was present in sciatic nerve injured ultrasound treatment of groups. 2. In the gastrocnemius morphological investigation of the group I (control group), severe muscle atrophy were observed at the 7th days of the sciatic nerve injury. however, muscle atrophy of the group IV ($1.0W/cm^2$) were slightly recovered at the 14th days after treatment ultrasound. At the 28th days, muscular fibers were formed in polygon and were significantly recovered. 3. C-fos immunoreactive of the group II ($0.2W/cm^2$), III ($0.5W/cm^2$) were remarkably increased at the 1th day after treatment of ultrasound. Group IV were markedly deceased. 4. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor(BDNF) immunoreactive of the group II, III were increased after 7 days of the sciatic nerve injury. Group IV were markedly increased from 14th days to 28th days after treatment of ultrasound. 5. A significant increase of serum AST levels were demonstrated in control group. However, serum AST levels of massage groups were significantly decreased compared to that of control group in followed order ; ($0.2W/cm^2<0.5W/cm^2<1.0W/cm^2$). 6. A significant increase of serum CK levels were demonstrated in control of group. However, serum CK levels of massage groups were significantly decreased compared to that of control group in followed order ; ($0.2W/cm^2<0.5W/cm^2<1.0W/cm^2$). The above results suggest that ultrasound treatment after peripheral nerve injury might reduce noxious stimuli, facilitate nerve recovery and effective in the functional improvement delaying muscle atrophy or degeneration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1409-1414
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise on intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis signaling pathways in skeletal muscle. ICR-type white male mice were divided into a control group (CON: n=10) and an exercise training group (EX: n=10) after a 1 week adaptation period. EX performed treadmill running at 16.4 m/min with a 4% incline, 40 min/day and 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Cervical dislocation was performed at 48 hours after the last bout of exercise, after which gastrocnemius skeletal muscles were immediately collected. The results of verifying the intrinsic apoptosis pathway showed that there were no significant differences in Bcl-2, Bax, or the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins between EX and CON. On the other hand, the results of verifying the extrinsic apoptosis pathway showed that caspase-8 proteins were significantly lower in EX than in CON (p<0.05). Apoptosis suppressing protein HSP70 was higher in EX than in CON. In addition, caspase-3, which is the final factor for apoptosis, was not activated. These results indicate that apoptosis did not develop since caspase-3 is non-cleaved by the effects of caspase-8 and HSP70 extrinsic pathways rather than Bcl-2 and Bax intrinsic pathways among signal pathways for apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of metatarsal pad (MP) compared with barefoot and MP with using different insoles on gait. 15 healthy females who had no history of injury in the lower extremity with an average age of 22.7 year(SD=1.35), height of 160 cm(SD=3.4), weight of 48.8 kg(SD=5.52) and average foot size of 232.5 mm(SD=6.8) participated in this study as the subjects. The subjects walked on a treadmill under four different experimental conditions: 1) walking with barefoot, 2) walking wearing MP 3) walking wearing a soft insole with MP(SIMP), 4) walking wearing a rigid insole with MP(HIMP). During walking, foot pressure data such as force, contacting area, peak pressure, and mean pressure was collected using Pedar-X System(Novel Gmbh, Germany) and EMG activity of lower limb muscles such as tibialis anterior(TA), lateral gastrocnemius(LG), rectus femoris(RF), and musculus biceps femoris(MBF) was gathered using Delsys EMG Work System(Delsys, USA). Collected data was then analyzed using paired t-test in order to investigate the effects of each of experimental conditions. As a result of the analysis, when MP and HIMP were equipped, overall contacting area was increased while the force, peak pressure and the mean pressure were decreased. Especially, when the SIMP was equipped, every data were significantly decreased. In case of EMG, wearing MP, SIMP and HIMP made three muscles(TA, LG, RF)'s activity decrease. A result of the analysis will be able to apply for manufacturing functional shoes, diabetes shoes, senior shoes and lower extremity orthosis. Significance of the study due to a metatarsal pad and the insole is to analyze the changes in muscle strength.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2020

Background: Augmented somatosensory feedback stimulates the mechanoreceptor to deliver information on bodily position, improving the postural control. The various types of such feedback include ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and vibration. The optimal feedback to mitigate postural sway remains unclear, as does the effect of augmented somatosensory feedback on muscle co-contraction. Objects: We compared postural sway and ankle muscle co-contraction without feedback (control) and with either of two forms of somatosensory feedback (AFOs and vibration). Methods: We recruited 15 healthy subjects and tested them under three feedback conditions (control, AFOs, vibration) with two sensory conditions (eyes open, or eyes closed and the head tilted back), in random order. Postural sway was measured using a force platform; the mean sway area of the 95% confidence ellipse (AREA) and the mean velocity of the center-of-pressure displacement (VEL) were assessed. Co-contraction of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles was measured using electromyography and converted into a co-contraction index (CI). Results: We found significant main effects of the three feedback states on postural sway (AREA, VEL) and the CI. The two sensory conditions exerted significant main effects on postural sway (AREA and VEL). AFOs reduced postural sway to a level significantly lower than that of the control (p = 0.014, p < 0.001) or that afforded by vibration (p = 0.024, p < 0.001). In terms of CI amelioration, the AFOs condition was significantly better than the control (p = 0.004). Vibration did not significantly improve either postural sway or the CI compared to the control condition. There was no significant interaction effect between the three feedback conditions and the two sensory conditions. Conclusion: Lower-extremity devices such as AFOs enhance somatosensory perception, improving postural control and decreasing the CI during static standing.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.691-698
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of neuromuscular electrical stimulation(LFES) during hindlimb suspension on weight and function of rat hindlimb muscles. Sprague-Dawley rats(body weight 300-350g) were randomly assigned to five groups: a HLS(n=5) that were hindlimb suspended for 14 days, a WB(n=5) that kept as control, a ES14 that were hind limb suspended for 14days with pre-application of LFES for 14 days, ES11 that were hindlimb suspended for 14 days with pre-application of LFES for 11 days, a LFES 7 that were hindlimb suspended for 14 days with pre-application of LFES for 7 days. Gastrocnemius muscle weight, stride length were significantly decreased and toe out angle were significantly increased in HLS and ES7 groups, whereas muscle weight, stride length, toe out angle were maintained in ES14, ES11. this indicated that LFES for 14 days, LFES for 11 days could prevent muscle atrophy and retain function.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.308-313
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of sex hormones across menstrual cycle phases on knee muscle activity during one-leg landing in non-athletic females. Methods: Twenty-six healthy females who reported normal menstrual cycles for the previous three months were tested when estrogen levels were highest (ovulation) and lowest (menstruation). Knee muscle activity was analyzed based on electromyography (EMG) data recorded during landing on a 30-cm box. Before data collection, each subject was trained in single-leg landing tasks ten times. Landing was analyzed by measuring the average of three landing tasks. EMG data were collected between the moment of ground contact and the point of knee maximum flexion. The maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for normalization that was recorded as the EMG root-mean-square (RMS) during landing was tested, with paired t-tests used to assess differences in knee muscle activity according to menstrual cycle phases. Results: The results showed that the soleus, semitendinosus, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle activity during landing was differed significantly during ovulation compared to that during menstruation (p<0.05). No significant differences in vastus medialis activity were found between menstrual and ovulatory phases during landing (p>0.05). Conclusion: Changes in the menstrual cycle in response to sex hormones changed the activity of muscles around the knee during landing. Females utilize different muscle activity control strategies during different phases of the menstrual cycle, which may contribute to increased ACL injury risk.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.647-653
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the lower extremities muscle activation between squatting exercise with gym ball and wall for improving muscle strengthening in lower extremities. METHODS: Participants were 21 university students (males 10, females 11) who didn't have any problem with orthopedic surgery. Participants performed squatting exercise with gym ball and wall. Squatting exercise with gym ball were performed using by gym ball behind back, and the gym ball were fixed in back and wall. We asked participants to push back the gym ball slightly to prevent fall of ball. Wall squatting exercise, we ask participants to contact their back in wall slightly in order to prevent trunk flexion during performed squatting exercise. Each squatting exercise had performed until knee joint were flexed at 60 degree, and maintained five seconds. We collected data from E.M.G of Biceps femoris, Gastrocnemius, Vastus medialis and lateralis, Tibialis anterior of lower extremity in isometric phase of knee joint angle 60 degree of each squatting exercise. We analysed data using by ANOVA and independent t-test of SPSS PC ver.20.0 in order to compare the muscle activation between squatting exercise with gym ball and wall. RESULT: All of lower extremities muscle activation showed more higher value in squatting exercise with gym ball than squatting exercise with wall, especially there was significantly difference of muscle activation in vastus medialis, tibialis anterior between squatting exercise with gymball and with wall. CONCLUSION: On comprehensively considering the results of the present study, we suggested that squatting exercise with gym ball was more effective method improving lower extremity muscle strengthening.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.16-44
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• 2003

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a vital process for various muscle myopathies and muscular adaptation to physiological overload. Angiogenesis is the key event in the process of muscle regeneration, and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) plays an important role in it. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of GaAlAs(830nm) laser and immunoreactivity of VEGF on angiogenesis after muscle contusion injury. Muscle contusion injury was induced in the triceps surae muscle by dropping a metal bead(31.4g). GaAlAs laser irradiation(power 20 mW, frequency 2000 Hz, treatment time 15 min) was applied directly to the skin of injured muscle daily for seven days. The experimental group I was irradiated immediately by laser after injury, whereas the experimental group II was irradiated after 1 day of injury. The control group was non-irradiated. The results of this study were as follows. 1. In morphological observation, there were no significant changes in experimental and control groups for 7 days. At 3 days, however, the splited muscle fibers were observed in experimental groups, and the muscle atrophy and granular tissue viewed at 7 days in control group. 2. The VEGF was expressed in muscle fiber that located in the interspace between gastrocnemius and soleus muscles. As the time coursed, the immunoreactivity of VEGF also seemed to be strong in the individual muscle fibers. 3. The experimental group I & II showed higher immunoreactivity of VEGF than control group(p<0.05). Then, the experimental group I showed higher than group II especially(p<0.05). These data suggest GaAlAs semiconduct diode laser irradiation(830nm) enhanced angiogenesis in the skeletal muscle induced contusion injury, and immediate laser irradiation after injury promoted the angiogenesis greatly than after 1 day of injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.195-201
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study aimed to quantify the effects of whole body vibration (WBV) stimulation training on the muscle thickness and gross motor function in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: Twenty children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy were assigned randomly to the Whole Body Vibration (WBV) group (n=10) and control group (n=10). The WBV group received vibration therapy including five different therapy, and the control group received only five general physiotherapy sessions. After 10 weeks of intervention, the muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound, and the Gross Motor Function D and E items were evaluated. RESULTS: After the intervention, both groups showed a significant increase in muscle thickness and gross motor function (p<.05). The WBV group showed a significant increase in the quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscles compared to the control group, whereas no significant increase in the gastrocnemius muscle was observed (p<.05). The WBV group showed significant improvement in the Gross Motor Function D and E scores compared to the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: WBV training may be a useful way of improving the lower extremity muscle strength in children with spastic cerebral palsy, which may help improve the gross motor function.