• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-47
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• 2012

Background: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between electromyography (EMG) activities in the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) vs vastus lateralis (VL) activity ratio and the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down. Methods: Twenty healthy women volunteered to participate in this study. We measured the frontal-plane projections of the knee valgus angle, knee valgus distance, and hip adduction angle by using a digital camcorder. After 3 repetitions of the step down (dominant side) exercise, the findings of the static and dynamic phases were analyzed. EMG activities data of the VMO:VL activity ratio were recorded during the step down exercise and were normalized to the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps. A paired t-test was used to compare the findings of the static and dynamic phases. We analyzed the Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient between the and VMO:VL ratio. Results: Hip adduction angle, knee valgus angle, VMO activity, VL activity, VMO:VL activity ratio were statistically higher in the dynamic phase than in the static phase (p<.05). Frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were significantly correlated with hip adduction angle (r=.459, p<.05) and knee valgus distance (r=.505, p<.05). However, the EMG activity ratio of the VMO and the VL did not show a significant change during step down exercise with respect to hip adduction angle (p=.875), knee valgus angle (p=.618), and knee valgus distance (p=.701). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were associated with hip adduction angle and knee valgus distance. On the basis of these results, the knee valgus distance may be used to determine the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to verify the most effective spinal stabilization exercises program by comparing the activities of muscles contributing to spinal stabilization during four types of exercises using a sling and a mat. Twenty healthy males were recruited and each subjects performed four types of exercises. Exercise 1 was performed in a quadruped position with the subjects lifting the left arm and the opposite leg on the mat. Exercise 2 was performed in a prone position while holding a sling with the right hand and the left knee was fully extended while lifting the left arm and right leg. Exercise 3 was performed in quadruped position while holding a sling with one the right hand and lifting the opposite arm and leg. In exercise 4, subjects were instructed to maintain a balance push-up position while holding slings with both hands in 10 cm forward reaching with extended elbows. Electromyographic(EMG) activities were recorded from the multifidus, external oblique, internal oblique, abdominal rectus, and erector spinalis muscles during the exercises. The EMG amplitude of each muscle was normalized to the amplitude in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of each muscle. Repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni's tests were used to compare the differences in the muscle activity according to the types of exercise. The EMG amplitudes of all the muscles were significantly different according to the types of exercises (p<.05). The highest EMG activities of each muscle was as follow; multifidus was 73.38%MVIC in exercise 3, the erector spinalis was 40.03%MVIC in exercise 3, the external oblique was 135.88%MVIC in exercise 4, the internal oblique was 128.60%MVIC in exercise 4, and the rectus abdominalis was 95.24%MVIC in Exercise 4. The types of exercises showed a significant difference in composition rate of EMG amplitudes of each muscle (p<.05). EMG composition rate of the multifidus was high in exercise 1 and 3. However, EMG composition rates of the external oblique, internal oblique, and the rectus abdominals were high in exercise 2 and 4. These results showed differences in EMG activities of muscles contributing to trunk stabilization during different therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the type of exercise should be carefully selected to effectively strengthen a specific trunk stabilizer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.591-598
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• 2017

Propofol is known to cause vasorelaxation of several systemic vascular beds. However, its effect on the pulmonary vasculature remains controversial. In the present study, we investigated the effects of propofol on human pulmonary arteries obtained from patients who had undergone surgery. Arterial rings were mounted in a Multi-Myograph system for measurement of isometric forces. U46619 was used to induce sustained contraction of the intrapulmonary arteries, and propofol was then applied (in increments from $10-300{\mu}m$). Arteries denuded of endothelium, preincubated or not with indomethacin, were used to investigate the effects of propofol on isolated arteries. Propofol exhibited a bifunctional effect on isolated human pulmonary arteries contracted by U46619, evoking constriction at low concentrations ($10-100{\mu}m$) followed by secondary relaxation (at $100-300{\mu}m$). The extent of constriction induced by propofol was higher in an endothelium-denuded group than in an endothelium-intact group. Preincubation with indomethacin abolished constriction and potentiated relaxation. The maximal relaxation was greater in the endothelium-intact than the endothelium-denuded group. Propofol also suppressed $CaCl_2$-induced constriction in the 60 mM $K^+$-containing $Ca^{2+}$-free solution in a dose-dependent manner. Fluorescent imaging of $Ca^{2+}$ using fluo-4 showed that a 10 min incubation with propofol ($10-300{\mu}m$) inhibited the $Ca^{2+}$ influx into human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells induced by a 60 mM $K^+$-containing $Ca^{2+}$-free solution. In conclusion, propofol-induced arterial constriction appears to involve prostaglandin production by cyclooxygenase in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and the relaxation depends in part on endothelial function, principally on the inhibition of calcium influx through L-type voltage-operated calcium channels.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.53-70
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• 2024

Background: The conventional deadlift is a popular exercise for enhancing trunk, core, and lower extremity strength. However, its use in sports medicine is constrained by concerns of lumbar injuries, despite evidence supporting its safety and rehabilitative benefits. To optimize muscle activation using resistive bands in variable resistance therapy, we explored their feasibility in the deadlift. Design: Comparative experimental design Methods: Surface electromyography recorded muscle activity in the trunk and lower extremities during lifting, with normalization to the isometric Floor Lift using Maximal Voluntary Contraction. Kinematics were measured using inclinometer sensors to track hip and trunk sagittal plane angles. To prevent fatigue, each subject only used one of the three pairs of bands employed in the study. Results: Our study involved 45 healthy subjects (mean age: 30.4 ± 6.3 years) with similar baseline characteristics, except for years of lifting and strength-to-years-of-lifting ratio. Various resistance band groups exhibited significantly higher muscle activity than conventional deadlifts during different phases. The minimal resistance band group had notably higher muscle activity in the trunk, core, and lower extremity muscles, particularly in the end phase. The moderate resistance band group showed increased muscle activity in the mid-and end-phases. The maximum resistance band group demonstrated greater muscle activity in specific muscles during the early phase and overall higher activity in all trunk and lower extremity muscles in the mid and end phases of the deadlift (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings provide valuable insights into muscle activation with various resistance bands during deadlift exercise in clinical and gym settings. There appears to be a dose-response relationship between increased resistance bandwidth, external load, myoelectric activation, and range.