• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to compare the comfort level between healthy people and adult in-patients in Korea. The sample consisted of 248 adults(healthy adults : 124, patients admitted in university hospitals in Seoul and Jinju : 124). The research tool used for the study was General Comfort Questionnaire(GCQ) which was developed by Kolcaba(1992) and was translated by Korean. The research tool consisted of 28 items(6 items on physical dimension, 9 items on psychospritual dimension, 7 items on environmental dimension, 6 items on social dimension). Data were analyzing using the SPSS, yielding t-test, ANOVA. The results are as follows : 1) Mean scores for comfort level in healthy adults were 2.92 on a 4 point scale. 2) Mean scores for comfort level in-patient adult were 2.72 on a 4 point scale. 3) There was a significant difference between the two groups on the comfort level. The healthy adults had higher comfort level than in-patients(t=4.44, p=0.000). 4) There was a significant difference between the two groups on the comfort level of physical and environmental dimension. The healthy adults had higher comfort level than in-patients(t=2.99, p=0.003) and environmental dimension(t=8.81, p=0.000).

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.198-203
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• 2015

The present study was conducted to assess the status of vitamin C among healthy young adults in relation to serum antioxidant parameters [glutathione (GSH), thiols, and total antioxidant capacity, (TAC)], and oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrites plus nitrates (NN)]. A prospective study included 200 young adults, and their dietary intake was assessed by using food diaries. Fasting plasma vitamin C, serum levels of GSH, thiols, TAC, MDA, and NN were measured using biochemical assays. It was observed that 38% of the enrolled subjects, n=76, had an adequate dietary intake of vitamin C (ADI group). Meanwhile, 62%, n=124, had a low dietary intake of vitamin C (LDI group) as compared to the recommended dietary allowances. The fasting plasma level of vitamin C was significantly higher in the ADI group as compared to the LDI group. Oxidative stress in the sera of the LDI group was evidenced by depletion of GSH, low thiols levels, impairment of TAC, an elevation of MDA, and increased NN. In the ADI group, positive correlations were found between plasma vitamin C and serum antioxidant parameters (GSH, thiols, and TAC). Meanwhile, the plasma vitamin C was negatively correlated with serum MDA and NN levels. This study reveals a significant increase of oxidative stress status and reduced antioxidant capacity in sera from healthy young adults with low intake of the dietary antioxidant, vitamin C.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.341-349
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of soleus muscle stretching on the muscle thickness and muscle tone of the tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles in healthy young adults. Methods: This study was an observational, cross-sectional study design in healthy young adults. Thirty healthy young adults participated in the study. To investigate the effect of agonist elongation on the muscles' antagonist and synergist characteristics, this study conducted the dynamic stretching of the soleus and plantarflexor muscles for 20 seconds. This study measured the muscle thickness and muscle tone of the soleus, tibialis anterior and peroneus longus muscles before stretching, immediately after stretching, and five minutes after stretching. Results: After analysis, the muscle tone of the soleus muscle was significantly decreased immediately after stretching (20.91±2.61Hz) compared to before stretching (21.83±2.78Hz). The muscle tone of the tibialis anterior was significantly decreased both immediately after stretching (21.76±2.73Hz) and five minutes after stretching (21.72±3.25Hz) compared to before stretching (22.61±3.29Hz). The muscle thickness of the soleus muscle was significantly decreased immediately after stretching (2.04±0.52mm) compared to before stretching (2.21±0.51mm) and was significantly increased five minutes after stretching (2.14±0.49mm) compared to immediately after stretching. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the static stretching of the soleus muscle changed the muscle tone of the tibialis anterior, but not of the peroneus longus muscle. This study suggests that the dynamic stretching of the agonist muscle would show meaningful muscle tone change in the antagonist.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2021

Background: This study is goal to explore the effects of swiss ball exercise on muscular strength, flexibility, and balance in healthy adults with and without pelvic compression belts. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: This study randomly divided the experimental and control groups in 24 healthy adults wearing pelvic compression belts, and they conducted Swiss ball exercise programs, 5 times for 40 minutes a week during 3 weeks in conclusion 15 times. Results: The results showed that the experimental groups have increased significantly in muscle strength and flexibility (p<.05). Conclusion: This study showed that pelvic compression belts and Swiss ball exercise programs will help health improvements such as muscle strength, flexibility, and balance in normal adults, and it is also thought to be worth applying to patients with back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.265-271
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• 2021

Purpose: We aimed to analyze the reliability of the test for choice stepping reaction time (CSRT) under an unstable surface and determine whether there were differences in CSRT between support surface conditions (stable vs. unstable conditions) and between age groups (young adults vs. community-dwelling older adults). Methods: Twenty healthy community-dwelling older adults and twenty young adults performed the stepping task under an unstable condition over two visits. The mean of the two trials measured for each visit was used for the analysis. The test-retest reliability was analyzed using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC). Differences in CSRT between support surface conditions and age groups were analyzed using the independent t-test with Bonferroni correction. Results: Excellent consistency was observed for ICC >0.90 in both groups. Moreover, the SEM and MDC values of the CSRT in older and young adults were 0.03 and 0.09 and 0.01 and 0.04, respectively. There was a significant difference in the CSRT between the age groups under stable (p<0.001) and unstable conditions (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that the test for CSRT under an unstable condition had reliable results in both groups. Although older adults demonstrated longer reaction times than younger adults in all surface conditions, increasing the balance control demand by implementing a choice stepping task concomitant with a balance task had no influence on the reaction time in both age groups.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of unilateral muscle fatigue in knee and ankle joints on balance and gait in healthy adults. Methods: Exercise inducing muscle fatigue in the knee joint consisted of concentric and eccentric contraction of dominant knee extensors in healthy adults by using the Leg Extension Rehap exercise machine (HUR, Finland). Exercise inducing muscle fatigue in the ankle joint was composed of voluntary contractions and forced contractions of the dominant plantar flexors in healthy adults. Exercises to induce muscle fatigue in the knee and ankle joints were performed until the subject complained of fatigue or pain, the occurrence of muscle fatigue was confirmed by electromyography. We measured static and dynamic balance using the Good Balance system and gait performance by RS-scan. Results: Static and dynamic balance ability and spatial-temporal gait decreased significantly after muscle fatigue in knee and ankle joint. Conclusion: These results show that unilateral muscle fatigue of the lower extremities affected postural control and gait. Therefore, therapists and sport trainers should minimize the risks of fall and injuries related to unilateral muscle fatigue.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.266-274
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• 1995

We invesigated whether the circadian rhythms of plasma MHPG and HVA concentrations exist in 11 healthy young adults, and analyzed the patterns of their circadian rhythms. The results were as follows : 1) The change in the mean plasma MHPG concentrations analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA was not statistically significant. Five subjects showed significant circadian rhythms of plasma MHPG concentrations of each individual, and 4 of those had the acrophases between 17PM and 24PM. 2) The change in the mean plasma HVA concentrations analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA was not statistically significant. Six subjects showed significant circadian rhythms of plasma HVA concentrations of each individual, and 4 of those had the acrophases between 21PM and 6AM. In conclusion, the circadian rhythm pattern of plasma HVA concentrations in our result is consistent with the previous study. It was suggested that plasma MHPG and HVA concentrations should be measured more frequently, and the physical activities of subjects be controlled more strictly for the following study.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.39-48
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of lumbar stabilization exercise (LSE) and isometric lumbar strengthening exercise (ILSE) on lumbar strength and lumbar extension range in healthy young adults. Method : Ten healthy young adults (six males and four females) volunteered to carry out the LSE and ILSE program for two weeks. The subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: the LSE group (n=5) and the LSE plus ILSE group (n=5). The LSE consisted of 20 minutes of exercise related to lumbar stabilization, and the ILSE was composed of five minutes of isometric stabilization exercise with a specific device. Each group exercised three times per week for two weeks. Assessment tools were made using the subjects' isometric lumbar strength and lumbar extension range before and after the interventions. Results : Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in isometric lumbar strength and the lumbar extension range between before and after the interventions in each group (p<.05). Also, the lumbar extension range improved significantly in the LSE plus ILSE group compared to the LSE group; however, there was no statistically significant difference in the two groups' isometric lumbar strength (p>.05). Conclusion : The findings suggest that ILSE might be feasible in clinical settings by offering benefits for lumbar function. Future studies will be continued.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.489-494
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• 2013

Objective: This study compared the effects of streamlined shoes on dynamic gait and foot plantar pressure in healthy young adults. Background: With the importance of ankle and lower extremity mechanism, streamlined shoes are contributing to a static gait factors. However, the study of dynamic gait factor is still insufficient. Method: Sixty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: experimental group(n=30) and control(n=30), respectively. The experimental group performed streamlined shoes, whereas the control group applied usual shoes. Main outcome measurements were assessed contact time, step length and foot plantar pressure using gait analysis with the treadmill. Independent t-test was used to compare the both groups. Results: Compared with control group, contact time of forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot decreased significantly in experimental group(p<.05), Step length increased significantly in experimental group(p<.05). Foot plantar pressure of midfoot and hindfoot increased significantly in experimental group(p<.05), whereas that of forefoot did not show significantly in experimental group(p>.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that streamlined shoes was more effective than usual shoes in dynamic gait change including contact time and step length and foot plantar pressure in healthy young adults. Application: The results of streamlined shoes might help to control for the gait of industrial workers.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.121-127
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate potential effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on bimanual force control capabilities in healthy young adults. Method: Eighteen right-handed healthy young adults (10 females and 8 males; age: 23.55 ± 3.56 yrs) participated in this crossover design study. All participants were randomly allocated to both active-tDCS and sham-tDCS conditions, respectively. While receiving 20 min of active- or sham-tDCS interventions, all participants performed bimanual isometric force control tasks at four submaximal targeted force levels (i.e., 5%, 10%, 15, and 20% of maximal voluntary contraction: MVC). To compare bimanual force control capabilities including force accuracy, variability, and regularity between active-tDCS and sham-tDCS conditions, we conducted two-way repeated measures ANOVAs (2 × 4; tDCS condition × Force levels). Results: We found no significant difference in baseline MVC between active-tDCS and sham-tDCS conditions. Moreover, our findings revealed that providing bilateral tDCS including anodal tDCS on left primary motor cortex (M1) and cathodal on right M1 while conducting bimanual force control trials significantly decreased force variability and regularity at 5%MVC. Conclusion: These findings suggest that providing bilateral tDCS on M1 areas may improve bimanual force control capabilities at a relatively low targeted force level.