• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isometric upper limb contraction on the trunk and lower extremity muscles during the sit-to-stand activity in elderly females. METHODS: Eighteen healthy elderly females performed three directional isometric upper extremity contractions (flexion, extension, and horizontal abduction movements) using an elastic band during sit-to-stand activity. Electromyography signals were collected from the internal oblique, erector spinae, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. RESULTS: Internal oblique activity was greater in bilateral shoulder flexion and bilateral shoulder horizontal abduction than in neutral position (p<.05). Erector spinae and rectus femoris muscle activities in bilateral shoulder flexion was greater than in neutral position and bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). Biceps femoris activity was significantly greater in bilateral shoulder flexion than in bilateral shoulder extension and horizontal abduction, and in neutral position compared to bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that incorporating isometric upper limb contraction may be beneficial for enhancing the contribution of trunk and lower extremity muscle activities to trunk stabilization during sit-to-stand activity. Therefore, isometric upper limb contraction during sit-to-stand tasks, especially in flexion, may be used to elicit contraction of the lumbopelvic region muscles within a tolerable range, for developing endurance and strength in the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.229-238
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the immediate effects of various contract-relax (CR) techniques on the peck force and passive range of motion (ROM) of knee extension. Methods: This study recruited 17 adult males and females who obtained below $90^{\circ}$ in straight leg raising. The subjects randomly performed one of three different CR techniques (direct CR, indirect CR, and modified CR) on the right knee extension four times per day for three days. The subjects' peck force during each CR and their passive knee extension on the hip at a $90^{\circ}$ flexed position before and after each CR were measured. Results: The peck force was significantly higher in the direct and modified CR than in the indirect CR. The ROM in the passive knee extension significantly increased after direct and indirect CR. Comparing between each CR, the passive knee extension range was significantly more improved in the direct and indirect CR than in the modified CR. Conclusion: Direct and indirect CR are more effective than modified CR in the ROM of passive knee extension. The study results suggest that the modified CR did not have the same effect on the ROM of the knee extension as the direct and indirect CR and that further research is needed to recruit more subjects and to determine the effects on different muscles after modified CR.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences of shock attenuation strategies between double-leg and single-leg landing on sagittal plane using statistical parametric mapping. Method: Nine healthy female professional soccer players (age: 24.0±2.5 yrs, height: 164.9±3.3 cm, weight: 55.7±6.6 kg, career: 11.2±1.4 yrs) were participated in this study. The subjects performed 10 times of double-leg and single-leg landing from the box of 30 cm height onto force plates respectively. The ground reaction force, angle, moment, angular velocity, and power of the ankle, knee, and hip joint on sagittal plane was calculated from initial contact to maximum knee flexion during landing phase. Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare the biomechanical variables of double-leg and single-leg landing of the dominant leg throughout the landing phase. Each mean difference of variables was analyzed using a paired t-test and alpha level was set to 0.05. Results: For the biomechanical variables, significantly increased vertical ground reaction force, plantarflexion moment of the ankle joint, negative ankle joint power and extension moment of the hip joint were found in single-leg landing compared to double-leg landing (p<.05). In addition, the flexion angle and angular velocity of the knee and hip joint in double-leg landing were observed significantly greater than single-leg landing, respectively (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggested that negative joint power and plantarflexion moment of the ankle joint can contribute to shock absorption during single-leg landing and may be the factors for preventing the musculoskeletal injuries of the lower extremity by an external force.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.307-318
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic variables of glide kip motion on the uneven bars through a two-dimensional cinematography. Three expert female gymnastics players were involved in the data gathering process. The followings were concluded according to the results. The arm, trunk and leg segments were fully extended throughout the kip movement. The whole body center of gravity showed the biggest changes during 66 to 87% of the kip motion. During the kip phase, the horizontal displacement of the leg was greater than the vertical displacement the leg. Glide kip motion should be done in orders of upward movement of leg, forward movement of leg, upward movement of trunk and forward movement of trunk segment. It was found that trunk segment and hip joint movements showed bigger changes than those of leg segment and shoulder joint in the glide kip motion. The largest angular velocity of hip joint was shown in the middle of the kip Phase. In conclusion, effective kip movement could be resulted when the trunk was displaced posterior-upward direction with fast hip joint extension after the leg segment was elevated upward and thrusted forward in advance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate influence of therapeutic exercise on functional leg length inequality(LLI). Methods : The subjects were consisted of thirty patients who had Leg length inequality(LLI) of more than 10mm(l6 females. 14 males) from 20 to 35 years of age(mean aged 24.23). All subjects randomly assigned to contract-relax exercise of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) group(n=15), control group(n=15). Contract-relax exercise group received contract-relax exercise about 10 minutes with therapeutic massage about 15 minutes for 3 times per week during 4 weeks period. Control group not received intervention during 4 weeks period. The tape measure method(TMM) was used to measure functional Leg length inequality. Biodex System 3 Pro was used to measure strength of Knee extension & flexion. All measurements of each subjects were measured at pre-test, 2weeks post-test and 4weeks post-test. Results : 1. The LLI of contract-relax exercise group was significantly reduced according to within treatment period(p<.05), most significantly reduced between pre-test and post-test(p<.05). Contract-relax exercise group significantly more reduced than control group(p<.05). 2. The knee extension strength of contract-relax exercise group was significantly increased according to within treatment period(p<.05), most significantly increased between pre-test and post-test(p<.05). Contract-relax exercise group significantly more increased than control group(p<.05). 3. The knee flexion strength of contract-relax exercise group was significantly increased according to within treatment period(p<.05), most significantly increased between pre-test and post-test(p<.05). Contract-relax exercise group significantly more increased than control group(p<.05). Conclusion : Contract-relax exercise applied with therapeutic massage can reduce LLI and increased lower extremity muscle strength.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.535-544
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• 2015

This study was performed to determine the effect of low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on muscle volume and strength in elderly women. Sixteen elderly women (70.9±4.6 years) were divided into low (30% 1RM) and high (75% 1RM) intense resistance training groups. Tourniquet cuff (Zimmer, Germany) for BFR was applied only to the right leg during the training period. All subjects performed unilateral leg press, leg extension and leg curl (3 sets×12 repetitions) for 10 weeks (2d/wk). Blood pressure was increased from 110 to 240 mmHg during the training period at the most proximal region of exercised leg. Muscle volume and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured by MRI and body composition was monitored by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and isokinetic muscular strength were analyzed in both legs. The quadriceps CSA (15.2%, p<.001) and muscle volume (13.8%, p<.001) were increased in high-intense trained leg with BFR and the increased rate was highest among groups. The quadriceps CSA (9.8%, p<.001) and muscle volume (6.9%, p<.001) were increased in low-intensity training group with BFR and their increased rates were higher than control groups. The strength by exercise training was significantly improved in all groups and tended to be higher in BFR groups. These results demonstrate low-intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction could be an effective way to improve muscle volume and strength in elderly women.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.555-569
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• 2015

During a design process of a protective equipment for sports activities, minimizing movement restrictions is important for enhancing its functions particularly for protection. This study presents a three-dimensional(3D) modeling methodology for designing baseball catcher's leg guards that will allow maximum possible performance, while providing necessary protection. 3D scanning is performed on three positions frequently used by a catcher during the course of a game by putting markings on the subject's legs at 3cm intervals : a standing, a half squat with knees bent to 90 degrees and 120 degrees of knee flexion. Using data obtained from the 3D scan, we analyzed the changes in skin length, radii of curvatures, and cross-sectional shapes, depending on the degree of knee flexion. The results of the analysis were used to decide an on the ideal segmentation of the leg guards by modeling posture. Knee flexions to 90 degrees and to $120^{\circ}$ induced lengthwise extensions than a standing. In particular, the vertical length from the center of the leg increases to a substantially higher degree when compared to those increased from the inner and the outer side of the leg. The degree of extension is varied by positions. Therefore, the leg guards are segmented at points where the rate of increase changed. It resulted in a three-part segmentation of the leg guards at the thigh, the knee, and the shin. Since the 120 degree knee-flexion posture can accommodate other positions as well, the related 3D data are used for modeling Leg Guard (A) with the loft method. At the same time, Leg Guard (B) was modeled with two-part segmentation without separating the knee and the shin as in existing products. A biomechanical analysis of the new design is performed by simulating a 3D dynamic analysis. The analysis revealed that the three-part type (A) leg guards required less energy from the human body than the two-part type (B).

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2013

Naejirgi is one of the fastest, most forceful and most often being used kicks in Taekkyon games, The purpose of this study was to investigate kinetic factors on two types of Naejirgi kick, one of which uses knee bending of supporting leg and the other uses little it. 12 taekkyoners (11 males and one female) who are the students of Y University participated in this study. They have been practicing on Taekkyon for five years or more. Positions of CoM, the elapsed time of each phase, vertical ground reaction forces, joint moments and impulses of supporting leg were analyzed for this study. The results were as follows; in Naejirgi with knee bending of supporting leg than without knee bending of supporting leg, the vertical motion range of whole body CoM was larger during phase 2 and 3, the elapsed time of phase 4 were longer, players stayed longer in the nearest location to opponent, during phase 4 the vertical ground reaction forces of supporting foot were larger, and joint extension moments and angular impulses of supporting leg (especially knee) were larger. In conclusion supporting knee bending is not a useful strategy for Naejirgi, because players stay longer in the nearest position to opponent and consumed more muscle force and energy for producing the vertical momentum which is unnecessary for pushing down the opponent.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower extremity pattern on the dominant leg on muscle activity of the lower extremity supported by the ground. Methods: The subjects were 20 healthy males living in Busan. All subjects performed four direction PNF lower extremity patterns, and data were collected by surface electromyography from the gluteus medius (GM), tensor fascia latae (TFL), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), and semitendinosus (STD) muscles of the opposite lower extremity during PNF lower extremity pattern. The PNF lower extremity pattern applied to the dominant leg was (1) flexion/adduction/external rotation with knee flexion; (2) extension/abduction/internal rotation with knee extension; (3) flexion/abduction/internal rotation with knee flexion; and (4) extension/adduction/external rotation with knee extension pattern, repeated 3 times per pattern and using the average value of the collected results. Collected muscle activity values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey testing was performed to check between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05. Results: GM and TFL flexion/abduction/internal rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. VMO and VLO extension/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee extension was significantly higher than other patterns. STD flexion/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. Conclusion: The study confirms differences in lower extremity muscle activity for the PNF lower extremity pattern, indicating that selective muscle contraction induction is possible using a pattern appropriate to the purpose of treatment.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.333-343
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a neck exercise using a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion and extension pattern on body balance in a progressive range of positions (supine, prone on elbow, and sitting), on numbness in the upper extremities, and on neck flexion motions in cervical myelopathy patients. Methods: One participant who was diagnosed with cervical myelopathy participated in this study. A reversal design (A-B-A') was used. The A and A' were the baseline period (no intervention), and B was the intervention period. The intervention used a neck extension pattern with a hold-relax technique and a neck flexion pattern with a combination of isotonic techniques in the supine position. Then, neck flexion and extension patterns were applied together with a reversal technique for stabilization, followed by a neck extension pattern with a combination of isotonic techniques in the prone position on the elbows. Finally, a neck flexion and extension pattern was used with a stabilizing reversal technique, and a neck extension pattern was applied with a combination of isotonic techniques in the sitting position for 60 minutes per day, 3 times per week for 8 weeks. To measure balance, numbness, and neck motion during neck flexion, the one-leg stand test and the visual analogue scale were used. Results: The right and left one-leg stand tests showed increased balance ability in the intervention phase. Upper extremity numbness was decreased in the intervention phase, and neck flexion motion was increased in the intervention phase. These increases were maintained after the intervention (Baseline II). Conclusion: These results suggest that a neck exercise using a PNF neck pattern with additional techniques in a progressive range of positions has a positive effect on cervical myelopathy patients for balance, numbness, and neck motion.