• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the correlations between muscle strength of the ankle and balance, walking in the elderly. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were selected from a population of female volunteers. Measurement of balance ability included evaluation of timed "up and go", functional reach, and a one leg standing test. Measurement of walking analysis included evaluation of cadence, stride length, step length, and walking speed. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the ankle muscle strength was measured by use of a dynamometer. Results: For balance, there were significant negative correlations between timed "up and go" and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. There were significant positive correlations between one leg standing with the eyes closed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. For walking, there were significant positive correlations between cadence, walking speed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. Conclusion: This study showed that there were close relationships between muscle strength of the ankle dorsiflexor and walking and balance in the elderly.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.140-145
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visual block with ankle joint fatigue on gait and dynamic balance ability. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (men=15, women=15) between 22 to 25 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects performed the gait and dynamic balance test successively in two conditions: the visual block and the open eyes condition. Before the gait and dynamic balance test, muscle fatigue on the ankle joint was induced to all subjects by doing ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion alternately, and then gait parameters (step length, stride length, cadence, velocity, single limb support, and double limb support) were assessed by walking on the GAITRite system (CIR Systems Inc., USA). Subjects also performed the functional reach test (FRT) for assessment of dynamic balance. This study examined gait parameters and FRT scores in each visual block and open eyes condition. Results: The results showed that FRT scores with the visual block condition significantly decreased compared to without visual blocking (p<0.01). Step length, stride length, cadence, and velocity of gait parameters decreased significantly in the visual block condition (p<0.01) while there was no significant difference for single limb support. However, double limb support increased significantly in the visual block system (p<0.01). Conclusions: Therefore, blocking of visual information with muscle fatigue of the ankle joint can affect gait and balance ability of young adults and increase the risk of falls.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.57-62
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• 2009

Kinematic analysis of MTC (Muscle-Tendon Complex) units is a key indicator for diagnosis of patients with musculoskeletal disorders because the contracture or shortening of musculo-tendinous units is known to produce pathological gaits. Therefore, the principal objective of this study was to assess the length change in the triceps surae prior to and after wearing an AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthoses) in patients with musculoskeletal disorders during a gait. In this study, analyses were conducted using a Muscle Tendon Complex model coupled with the trajectory data from markers attached to anatomical landmarks. As a result, the maximum length change in the triceps surae during a gait was 4.87% when a barefoot walking group and a walking group with AFO were compared. In particular, the difference in length changes between both groups in Soleus MTC units was found to be statistically significant in all gait phases. Our results revealed that MTC length in the AFO walking group was clearly increased over that of the barefoot walking group. In the future, further studies will be required in order to more adequately assess musculoskeletal disorders using many cases studies with regard to agricultural working conditions because this study deals with the kinematic analysis of musculo-tendinous units in the case of clinical experiments.

• 대한인간공학회지
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• 제30권6호
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• pp.689-694
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• 2011

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the fluctuation of signal amplitude during repetitive dynamic contraction based on surface electromyography(EMG). Background: The most previous studies were considered isometric muscle contraction and they were difference to smoothing window length by moving average filter. In practical, the human movement is dynamic state. Dynamic EMG signal which indicated as the nonstationary pattern should be analyzed differently compared with the static EMG signal. Method: Ten male subjects participated in this experiment, and EMG signal was recorded by biceps brachii, anterior/posterior deltoid, and upper/lower trapezius muscles. The subject was performed to repetitive right horizontal lifting task during ten cycles. This study was considered three independent variables(muscle, amplitude processing technique, and smoothing window length) as the within-subject experimental design. This study was estimated muscular activation by means of the linear envelope technique(LE). The dependent variable was set coefficient of variation(CV) of LE for each cycle. Results: The ANOVA results showed that the main and interaction effects between the amplitude processing technique and smoothing window length were significant difference. The CV value of peak LE was higher than mean LE. According to increase the smoothing window length, this study shows that the CV trend of peak LE was decreased. However, the CV of mean LE was analyzed constant fluctuation trend regardless of the smoothing window length. Conclusion: Based on these results, we expected that using the mean LE and 300ms window length increased reproducibility and signal noise ratio during repetitive dynamic muscle contraction. Application: These results can be used to provide fundamental information for repetitive dynamic EMG signal processing.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.127-133
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between body size traits, carcass traits, and primal cuts in Hanwoo steers. Methods: Sixty-one beef carcasses were classified for conformation and primal cut weight. Additionally, carcass weight, fat thickness, carcass dimensions, and longissimus muscle area were determined to complement the grading. Results: The average live weight and cold carcass weight were 759 and 469 kg, respectively. The mean carcass meat, fat, and bone proportions were 551, 298, and 151 g/kg, respectively. Primal cuts weights showed significant positive correlations (p<0.001) of 0.42 to 0.82 with live weight, carcass weight, and longissimus muscle area and a significant negative correlation with carcass fat (without shank, -0.38 to -0.10). Primal cut weights were positively correlated (p<0.01) with carcass length (0.41 to 0.77), forequarter length (0.33 to 0.57), 6th lumbar vertebrae-heel length (0.33 to 0.59), 7th cervical vertebrae carcass breadth (0.35 to 0.58), 5th to 6th thoracic vertebrae breadth (0.36 to 0.65), 7th to 8th thoracic vertebrae girth (0.38 to 0.63), and coxae girth (0.34 to 0.56) and non-significantly related to cervical vertebrae length and coxae thickness. Conclusion: There was a high correlation among live weight, carcass weight, longissimus muscle area, carcass length, 7th cervical vertebrae carcass breadth, 5th to 6th thoracic vertebrae breadth, and 7th to 8th thoracic vertebrae girth of the primal cuts yield. The correlation between fat and primal cut yields was highly significant and negative. Carcass length and 7th to 8th thoracic vertebrae girth, appear to be the most important traits affecting primal cut yields.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Background: Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) was a term which refers to a sudden onset of myoelectric silence in the erector spinae muscles of the back during standing full forward flexion. Hamstring muscle length may be related to specific pelvic and trunk movements. Many studies have been done on the FRP of the erector spinae muscles. However, no studies have yet investigated the influence of hamstring muscle flexibility on the FRP of the hamstring muscle and lumbopelvic kinematics during forward bending. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the hamstring muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics and compare them during forward bending in subjects with different hamstring muscle flexibility. Methods: The subjects of two different groups were recruited using the active knee extension test. Group 1-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angle under $30^{\circ}$; Group 2-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angel above $50^{\circ}$. The kinematic parameters during the trunk bending task were recorded using a motion analysis system and the FRRs of the hamstring muscles were calculated. Differences between the groups were identified with an independent t-test. Results: The subjects with greater hamstring length had significantly less lumbar spine flexion movement and more pelvic flexion movement. The subjects with greater pelvic flexion movement had a higher rate of flexion relaxation during full trunk bending (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that differences in hamstring muscle flexibility might cause changes in people's hamstring muscle activity and lumbopelvic kinematics.

• 로봇학회논문지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.136-142
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• 2013

In nature, many small insects are using jumping as a survival strategy. Among them, fleas jump in a unique method. They use an elastomer, 'Resilin', an extensor muscle and a trigger muscle. By contracting the extensor muscle, the elastic energy, that makes a flea to jump, is stored in the resilin. After storing energy, the trigger muscle begins contracting and pulling the extensor muscle. When the extensor muscle crosses the rotational joint, direction of torque generated from the extensor muscle reverses, 'torque reversal mechanism'. Simultaneously, the elastic energy stored in the resilin releases rapidly and is converted into the kinetic energy. It makes a flea to jump 150 times its body length. In this paper, miniaturized jumping robot using flea-inspired catapult mechanism is presented. This mechanism is based on the 4-bar linkage and the reversal joint and is actuated by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) coiled springs describing the flea's muscle. The robot prototype is fabricated by SCM process using glass fiber prepregs and a sheet of polyimide film. The prototype is 20mm link length, 34mm width and 2.0g weight and can jump 103cm.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate basic data about the effects of muscle energy technique on the shoulder complex range of motion and posture alignment in the round shoulder posture. Methods: The subjects included 15 women that gave consent to participate in the study voluntarily. They performed the muscle energy technique for 30 minutes twice. The round shoulder posture was measured with a straight edge ruler. The shoulder complex range of motion was measured with the apley scratch test. The forward head posture was measured with ImageJ. The pectoralis minor muscle length was measured with a tape measure. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the round shoulder posture both right and left (p<.05). The experiment group showed statistically significant differences in the pectoralis minor muscle length (p<.05). There were significant differences in the shoulder complex range of motion including flexion, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, left side bending, and right side bending (p<.05), but no significant differences were found in extension (p>.05). The forward head posture showed significant differences in CVA changes (p<.05) and no significant differences in CRA changes (p>.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that the muscle energy technique relaxed muscles around the shoulders and increased the shoulder complex range of motion. The technique is also expected to prevent pain in the neck and shoulders and lower injury risk. In conclusion, the muscle energy technique can be applied as an effective intervention for round shoulder posture.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 2022

Background: The gastrocnemius tightness can easily occur. Gastrocnemius tightness results in gait disturbance. Thus, various interventions have been used to release a tight gastrocnemius muscle and improve gait performance. Moreover, focal muscle vibration (FMV) has recently been extensively researched in terms of tight muscle release and muscle performance. However, no study has investigated the effects of FMV application on medial gastrocnemius architectural changes. Objects: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of FMV on medial gastrocnemius architecture in persons with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: Thirty one persons with <10° of passive ankle dorsiflexion participated in this study. We excluded persons with acute ankle injury within six months prior to study onset, a history of ankle fracture, leg length discrepancy greater than 2 cm, no history of neurological dysfunction, or trauma affecting the lower limb. The specifications of the FMV motor were as follows: a fixed frequency (fast wave: 150 Hz) and low amplitude (0.3-0.5 mm peak to peak) of vibration; the motor was used to release the medial gastrocnemius for 15 minutes. Each participant completed three trials for 10 days; a 30-second rest period was provided between each trial. Medial gastrocnemius architectural parameters [muscle thickness (MT), fiber bundle length (FBL), and pennation angle (PA)] were measured via ultrasonography. Results: MT significantly decreased after FMV application (p < 0.05). FBL significantly increased from its baseline value after FMV application (p < 0.05). PA significantly decreased from its baseline value after FMV application (p < 0.05). Conclusion: FMV application may be advantageous in reducing medial gastrocnemius excitability following a decrease in the amount of contractile tissue. Furthermore, FMV application can be used as a stretching method to alter medial gastrocnemius architecture.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.132-138
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• 1996

To learn how maximal locomotory speed of animals is defined in terms of hindlimb structure and muscle contractile function, take-off speed, hindlimb length, thigh muscle mass, shortening velocity and power of the sastrocnemius muscle were measured with one fast species, Rono nigromaculota and one relatively slowresponding species, Bombina orientalis. Take-off speed (m.sec-1) was greater in R. nigromoculata $(2.4\pm0.2SD, $ n: 14) than in the Bombino $(1.6\pm0.1SD, $ n=8). Stvle of the take-off response was a long-iump type in the Rano and a short-ranged hopping in the Bombing. Faster take-off capacity of the ranid frogs was supported by the longer hindlimb length (relative to body length) and the more massive thigh muscles (relative to body mass), compared to the Bombina. Further, the ranids exhibited faster maximal shortening velocity and Breater maximal power generateion than the Bombina [Vmax $(ML.sec-1)=11.79\pm1.69SD$ for the Runa and $9.74\pm1.27SD$ for the Bombina; Pmax $nW.kg-1)=222.42\pm42.42SD$ for the Rono and $169.03\pm34.52SD$ for the Bombinal. With more massive thigh muscles and greater mechanical power, the ranids would generate greater total power and thus higher energy release per unit time to muscle tissues for the burst take-off. As a consequence, biomechanical properties seen in the ranids seem to be more effective for frost take-off than in the Bombina.