• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.41-50
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• 2023

Purpose : The aim of study was to determine the effect of lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercises on the height of rounded shoulder posture and muscle activity in patients with rounded shoulder posture. Methods : Thirty-one subjects with rounded shoulders were selected and assigned, with the use of a random number table, to an experimental group (EG, n=16) that received resistance exercises of the trapezius (lower) muscles or a control group (CG, n=15) that received isometric exercises of the lower trapezius muscles. In the EG, with the subject in a prone position, both arms were abducted at the angles suggested for each posture (145 °, 45 ° abduction), with the hands holding dumbbells to assume a functional posture. The CG performed only isometric exercises without dumbbells in the same conditions. At the start signal, with the thumb raised, the arm was raised to the level of the ear. Both groups were assessed by the height of the rounded shoulder posture (RSP) and muscle activity (EMG). The intervention was performed three times a week. Results : The RSP significantly decreased during the intervention period in both the EG and CG (p<.05), and a significant difference was determined between the RSP of the two groups (p<.05). In the EG, the EMG significantly increased during the intervention period (p<.05), but the CG did not show any significant increase (p>.05). The final EMG was significantly higher in the EG than in the CG (p<.05). Conclusion : Both the EG and CG showed positive improvement in rounded shoulder posture during the intervention period. In particular, lower trapezius resistance exercise appears to reduce shoulder height and positively affects the activity of muscles around the shoulder.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Background: Using wearable passive back-support exoskeletons in workplace has attracted attention as devices that support the posture of workers, enhance their physical capabilities, and reduce physical risk factors. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a wearable passive back-support exoskeleton on the activity of the erector spinae muscles during lifting tasks at various heights. Methods: Twenty healthy adult males were selected as subjects. Electromyography (EMG) was used to assess the activity of the erector spinae muscles while performing lifting tasks at three distinct heights (30, 40, and 50 cm), with and without the application of the Wearable Passive Back Support Exoskeleton. EMG data were gathered before and after the application of the orthosis. Results: The use of the Wearable Passive Back Support Exoskeleton resulted in a significant decrease in muscle activity when lifting a 10 kg object from heights of 30 and 40 cm (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant reduction in muscle activity when lifting from a height of 50 cm compared with that at lower heights (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The use of a wearable passive back-support exoskeleton led to a decrease in the activity of the erector spinae muscles during lifting tasks, irrespective of the object's height. Our results suggest that the orthosis we tested may help decrease risk of lower back injuries during lifting.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2017

Purpose: This study compared and analyzed the effect of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) arm extension pattern and leg flexion pattern on the contralateral lower extremity muscles when the patterns were applied to the same subject. Methods: In the study, 35 healthy men and women who understood the PNF patterns were selected as participants. The participants completed the PNF arm extension-abduction-internal rotation pattern and leg flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion pattern in the supine position. While the patients' completed each pattern, the contralateral leg muscle activity was measured to examine the irradiation effect. The maximum isometric contraction time of the muscles to be measured was kept for 5 seconds, and the mean value was obtained by repeating the pattern three times. Results: When the leg flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion pattern was completed, the muscle activity in the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius of the contralateral lower extremity was significantly greater than that found in the PNF arm extension-abduction-internal rotation pattern. Conclusion: The PNF leg flexion pattern showed greater muscle activity on the contralateral lower extremity than the arm extension pattern. Thus, the PNF leg extension pattern is more effective in the activation of the muscles associated with weight-bearing activity.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of performing squats and kneeling squats on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity in persons with stroke. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten persons with stroke (3 male and 7 female) were recruited. The subjects were instructed to randomly perform the 4 different squat conditions: squat with 30 degrees of knee flexion, squat with 60 degrees of knee flexion, squat with 90 degree of knee flexion, and the kneeling squat. During the squat performance, surface electromyograms (sEMG) was used to assess muscle activity of the erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Results: Muscle activation of the ES and BF were significantly increased with the kneeling squats compared to the general squats with 30 degrees and 60 degrees of knee flexion (p<0.05), and muscle activation of the Gmax and Gmed were significantly increased with the kneeling squats compared to all other squat conditions (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that the kneeling squat is an effective exercise to strengthen the proximal muscles of the lower extremities. Rather than applying a difficult general squat to the stroke population, the kneeling squat may be applied as a safer method for training the proximal muscles.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 2021

The purpose of our study is to confirm the trend of the muscle activity of the trunk and lower limb muscles by the attack method and phase during volleyball exercise. To achieve this purpose, spike serve and spike were conducted for 9 male middle school students, and at that time, it was divided into four phase, such as run jump, take off, impact, and follow, and the rectus abdominis, erector spine, and left rectus femoris, left biceps femoris, left anterior tibialis, left gastrocnemius midialis, right rectus femoris, right biceps femoris, right anterior tibialis, right gastrocnemius midialis, were examined. Spike serve and spike were each performed three times, and randomly cross-allocated to extract accurate data. We was no difference in all muscles according to the attack method, and the muscle activity of the rectus abdominis was highest in the impact phase and the muscle activity of the vertebral spine muscle was highest in the close-up phase. In addition, all of the measured left and right lower limb muscles showed the highest muscle activity between the assisted devices. As a result, We found out that regardless of the method of spike serve and spike, the lower limbs in the run-up phase for a high jump, the vertebrae in the take off phase, the preparation phase for hitting the ball strongly, and in the impact phase at the moment of hitting the ball. It can be seen that it exerts the greatest power in the rectus abdominis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.393-400
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unilateral sciatic nerve injury on unaffected hindlimb muscles of rats. Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of three groups: control(C) group(n=10) that had no procedures, sham(S) group(n=10) that underwent sham left sciatic nerve transection, and sciatic nerve transection(SNT) group(n=9) that underwent left sciatic nerve transection. At 15 days rats were anesthetized, and the soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected. Results: Muscle weight of the unaffected plantaris muscle in the SNT group was significantly lower than in the other two groups. Type II fiber cross-sectional areas of the unaffected plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles in the SNT group were significantly smaller than in the other two groups. The decrease of muscle weights and Type I, II fiber cross-sectional areas of the unaffected three muscles in the SNT group were significantly less than that of the affected three muscles. Conclusion: Hindlimb muscle atrophy occurs in the unaffected side after unilateral sciatic nerve injury, with changes in the plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle being more apparent than changes in the soleus muscle. These results have implications for nursing care, in the need to assess degree of muscle atrophy in unaffected muscles as well as affected muscles.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1695-1699
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• 2019

Background : Although plank exercises is reported to the changes in muscle activity of the deep muscles and superficial muscles among the core muscles. However, no study has examined the effects of forearm plank exercise on tone and stiffness in the superficial back line muscle. Objective: To compare the effects of sling forearm plank exercises and mat forearm plank exercises on the superficial back line muscle tone and stiffness. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind) Methods: The subjects were randomized to sling forearm plank exercise group (N = 8) or mat forearm plank exercise group (N = 8). The measurements were taken for each research group following exercises: the muscle tone and stiffness of upper lumbar muscles, lower lumbar muscles, long head of biceps femoris, and medial part of gastrocnemius among the superficial back line muscles. Results: Sling forearm plank exercise group Indicated statistically significant increases in stiffness of medial part of gastrocnemius (p<.05). However, mat forearm plank exercise group reported no statistically significant in muscle tone and stiffness of all measured muscles. No significant differences in measured variables were found between the groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that the forearm plank exercise performed with an unstable surface in the defined sling can increase the stiffness of calf muscle, but it is unlikely to achieve increases in muscle tone and stiffness of the overall superficial back line muscles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.73 no.6
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• pp.312-319
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• 2012

Background: Muscle wasting in sepsis is associated with increased proteolysis. Interleukin-15 (IL-15) has been characterized as an anabolic factor for skeletal muscles. Our study aims to investigate the role of IL-15 in sepsis-induced muscle atrophy and proteolysis. Methods: Mice were rendered septic either by cecal ligation and puncture or by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg i.p.). Expression of IL-15 mRNA and protein was determined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis in the control and septic limb muscles. C2C12 skeletal muscle cells were stimulated in vitro with either LPS or dexamethasone in the presence and absence of IL-15 and sampled at different time intervals (24, 48, or 72 hours). IL-15 ($10{\mu}g/kg$) was intraperitoneally administered 6 hours before sepsis induction and limb muscles were sampled after 24 hours of sepsis. Cathepsin L activity was determined to measure muscle proteolysis. Atrogin-1 and muscle-specific ring finger protein 1 (MuRF1) expressions in limb muscle protein lysates was analyzed. Results: IL-15 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the limb muscles of septic mice compared to that of controls. Cathepsin L activity in C2C12 cells was significantly lower in presence of IL-15, when compared to that observed with individual treatments of LPS or dexamethasone or tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$. Further, the limb muscles of mice pre-treated with IL-15 prior to sepsis induction showed a lower expression of atrogin-1 and MuRF1 than those not pre-treated. Conclusion: IL-15 may play a role in protection against sepsis-induced muscle wasting; thereby, serving as a potential therapeutic target for sepsis-induced skeletal muscle wasting and proteolysis.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Esthetic Dentistry
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2022

Patients who miss teeth partially or fully show many changes which make them lose function and esthetics.From the esthetic point of view, loosing teeth makes lower face unharmonized. There are various changes of lower and whole face according as how much change oral cavity is. Restoring the multiple teeth missing properly can make patient's face harmonized. Especially full mouth implant restorations can cause drastic occlusal change affecting masticatory muscles. Because all the muscles are connected closely, the masticatory muscles which is part of lower facial muscles can cause whole muscle change. In full mouth implant restoration case, I will show the whole face muscle change harmonized by meticulous occlusal treatment process. Full mouth restorations installed in right way show whole face muscle changes extending to head and neck muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.65-71
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• 2016

Background: The unilateral prone arm lift (UPAL) is commonly used to exercise the lower trapezius muscle. However, overactivation of the upper trapezius can induce pain during UPAL exercises in subjects with upper trapezius tenderness. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of position of ipsilateral neck rotation (INR) on the inhibition of upper trapezius muscle activity and the facilitation of the lower trapezius muscle when performing UPAL exercises. Methods: In total, 19 subjects with upper trapezius tenderness were recruited for the study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles during UPAL with and without INR position. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare EMG activity in the trapezius muscles and the muscle ratios. Results: EMG activity in the upper trapezius muscles was decreased significantly in the INR condition compared to without the position with INR during UPAL exercises (p<.05). EMG activity in the middle and lower trapezius was not significantly different between the with and without INR conditions (p>.05). However, the ratio of lower to upper trapezius activation showed a significant increase in the INR condition compared to the without INR condition (p<.05), indicating greater lower trapezius activation relative to the upper trapezius in the INR position than in the without INR position. Conclusions: The EMG results obtained in this study suggest that the position with INR reduced overactivation in the upper trapezius and improved muscle imbalance during lower trapezius exercises in individuals with upper trapezius tenderness.