• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Background: Hamstring shortness results in the inappropriate activation of the quadriceps femoris because of the loss of the reciprocal inhibition mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of that activation during lunge exercises on the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, medial, and lateral hamstrings in participants with hamstring shortness and normal length. Design: Quasi-experimental design Methods: Participants were divided into a hamstring shortness group(n=20) and a hamstring normal length group(n=23), based on a hamstring length test. During lunge exercises, muscle activation of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, medial, and lateral hamstrings were measured by electromyography. Results: Each muscle tested was less activated in the hamstring shortness group than in the hamstring normal length group. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion: Although there was no significant difference between the shortness and normal hamstring groups during short lunge exercise time, longer exercising periods will result in the inappropriate activation of the quadriceps femoris. During lunge exercise, hamstring shortness causes an imbalance activation of quadriceps femoris and hamstring, and continuous hamstring shortness can cause damage on joints of lower limb.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.455-463
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of Graston and self-myofascial release (SMR) techniques on knee joint flexibility, hamstring, and quadriceps strength. METHODS: Twenty subjects with hamstring shortness participated in this study. The subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups: The Graston technique (GT) group received intervention using a Graston instrument for one minute, and the SMR group performed self-exercises using a foam roll for one minute. The range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint was measured by active knee extension test, and a handheld dynamometer was utilized to collect the hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength. This experiment was performed by two physical therapists. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}$=0.05. RESULTS: The results were as follows: 1) The ROM of the knee joint and quadriceps muscle strength were significantly increased in both groups. 2) Hamstring muscle strength was significantly reduced in both groups. 3) There were no significant differences between the GT group and SMR group for any variable. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that SMR is an effective and easy technique for restoring proper muscle length and strength in subjects with hamstring shortness. We recommend that SMR technique be used for treat hamstring shortness in clinical setting and home-program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of iliopsoas self-stretching on the hip extension angle, gluteus maximus (GM) activity, and pelvic compensated angle during prone hip extension (PHE) in subjects with iliopsoas shortness. Methods: Twenty-healthy subjects with iliopsoas shortness were recruited. Electromyography (EMG) was used to examine erector spinae (ES), multifidus (MF), GM, and biceps femoris (BF) while performing PHE. An electromagnetic tracking motion analysis device was used to measure the pelvic compensations. The pelvic compensations while performing PHE were considered to be anterior tilting and rotation. A modified Thomas test was used to monitor the hip extension angle before and after iliopsoas self-stretching. A paired t-test was used to investigate the significant difference after iliopsoas self-stretching during PHE. The level of statistical significance was set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: Muscle activity of GM and hip extension angle were significantly greater after iliopsoas self-stretching compared to that before iliopsoas self-stretching during PHE (p<0.05). BF and pelvic rotation angle were significantly lower after iliopsoas self-stretching compared to that before iliopsoas self-stretching during PHE (p<0.05). The muscle activity of ES was not significantly different between PHE before and after iliopsoas self-stretching (p>0.05). Conclusion: Iliopsoas self-stretching can be effective in selectively strengthening the GM muscles with minimized pelvic compensation in subjects with iliopsoas shortness.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2016

Purpose: The flexor hallucis longus stretch test can determine the shortness of the flexor hallucis longus muscle by measuring the angle of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at maximum ankle dorsiflexion. Less than 30 degrees of the first MTP joint at the maximal ankle dorsiflexion indicates shortness of the flexor hallucis longus muscle. The purpose of this study was to examine the intra- and inter-reliability of the flexor hallucis longus stretch test in subjects with asymmetric hallux valgus (HV) angles. Methods: Sixteen subjects with asymmetric HV angles participated in this study. In sitting position, dorsiflexion angles of the first MTP joint were measured with maximum ankle dorsiflexion on each side. ICC (3,1) and ICC (3,k) models were used, respectively, to assess the intra-reliability and inter-reliability of the flexor hallucis longus stretch test. The paired-t test was used to compare the dorsiflexion angle of the first MTP joint on the side with the smaller HV angle with that of the side with the larger HV angle. Results: The results of the study showed that both intra- and inter-reliability were more than 0.95 of the coefficient. Dorsiflexion angle of the first MTP joint was higher on the side with the smaller HV angle. Conclusion: Use of the flexor hallucis longus stretch test is acceptable in clinical settings because both intra- and inter-reliability were high in subjects with asymmetric HV angles. In addition, shortness of the flexor hallucis longus muscle is associated with HV angle. This study provides useful information for use in management of HV deformity.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.150-157
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was investigate the effect of gastrocnemius(GCM) muscle length on the dynamic balance and antero-posterior pressure distribution of foot. Thirty subjects were recruited and each subject was classified with control experimental and control group according to GCM muscle length. The experimental group included subjects with shortness of GCM muscle length, the control group included subjects with normal length of GCM. The dynamic balance and antero-posterior pressure distribution of foot were measured by Biorescue equipment. To evaluate dynamic balance, we collected data of limit of stability in antero-posterior direction. We analyzed the data by using independent t-test. The alpha level was set 0.05. The results showed that the dynamic balance and antero-posterior pressure distribution of foot were significantly different between two groups (p<0.05). This study suggests that the shortness of GCM affects anterior limited of stability in dynamic balance and anterior pressure distribution of foot. Therefore, it is important to maintain optimal GCM muscle length for normal balance ability and prevention of musculoskeletal disease.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.573-582
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• 2023

Muscle atrophy is characterized by the loss of muscle function. Many efforts are being made to prevent muscle atrophy, and exercise is an important alternative. Methylglyoxal is a well-known causative agent of metabolic diseases and diabetic complications. This study aimed to evaluate whether methylglyoxal induces muscle atrophy and to evaluate the ameliorative effect of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in a methylglyoxal-induced muscle atrophy animal model. Each mouse was randomly divided into three groups: control, methylglyoxal-treated, and methylglyoxal-treated within aerobic exercise. In the exercise group, each mouse was trained on a treadmill for 2 weeks. On the last day, all groups were evaluated for several atrophic behaviors and skeletal muscles, including the soleus, plantaris, gastrocnemius, and extensor digitorum longus were analyzed. In the exercise group, muscle mass was restored, causing in attenuation of muscle atrophy. The gastrocnemius and extensor digitorum longus muscles showed improved fiber cross-sectional area and reduced myofibrils. Further, they produced regulated atrophy-related proteins (i.e., muscle atrophy F-box, muscle RING-finger protein-1, and myosin heavy chain), indicating that aerobic exercise stimulated their muscle sensitivity to reverse skeletal muscle atrophy. In conclusion, shortness of the gastrocnemius caused by methylglyoxal may induce the dynamic imbalance of skeletal muscle atrophy, thus methylglyoxal may be a key target for treating skeletal muscle atrophy. To this end, aerobic exercise may be a powerful tool for regulating methylglyoxal-induced skeletal muscle atrophy.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.14-19
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• 2022

Background: Plank exercise (PE) is an effective exercise to enhance lower back stability by strengthening the core and lower limb muscles. However, in patients with a shortened hamstring muscle (HAM), PE may cause abnormal movement of the pelvis and lower back due to HAM hyperactivity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PE on the core muscles and HAM in subjects with a shortened HAM. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Subjects were divided into a normal length of HAM group (NHG; 9 subjects) and a shortened length of HAM group (SHG; 14 subjects). The activities of the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and HAM muscles were measured using surface electromyography. Results: The results showed that RA, EO, and ES muscle activities were higher in the NHG than in the SHG; however, no significant differences were detected. Conclusion: HAM activity was significantly higher in the SHG than in the NHG. In subjects with a shortened HAM, PE may hyperactivate the HAM, adversely affecting the pelvis and lower back.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of IASTM and static stretching techniques on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), static foot pressure. Methods: Twenty four subjects with gastrocnemius shortness participated in this study. The subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups: The soft tissue mobilization technique (IASTM) group received intervention using a IASTM instrument for two minutes, and the stactic stretching group performed self stretching for 30 seconds, four times. The ROM of the ankle joint was measured by active ankle dorsi-flexion test, and a TPScan was utilized to collect the plantar foot pressure. This experiment was performed by two physical therapists. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The results were as follows: 1) The ROM of the ankle joint and was significantly increased in both groups. 2) Plantar foot pressure was no significant in both groups. 3) There were no significant differences between the IASTM group and static stretching group for any variable. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that static stretching is an effective and easy technique for restoring proper muscle length in subjects with gastrocnemius shortness. We recommend that static stretching technique be used for treat gastrocnemius shortness in clinical setting and home program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.266-272
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• 2019

Purpose: This study compared the effects of Static stretching and Mulligan's Two-leg rotation about the Hamstring flexibility, Hip range of motion, and pain. Methods: The subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: Static stretching group (n=13) and Mulligan's two leg rotation group (n=14). The study was designed with stretching protocols for four minutes and thirty seconds per day five times a week for three weeks in total. Measurements, including the Sit and reach test, Active/Passive Straight leg raise, and Visual analogue scale, were conducted before and after the intervention. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: The flexibility of the two leg rotation group was higher than the static stretching group after the intervention. The post-sit and reach test value of the two leg rotation group was significantly higher than the pre-sit and reach test value of the static stretching group. In addition, the variance of the sit and reach test of the two leg rotation group was significantly higher than that of the static stretching group. Conclusion: These results showed that two leg rotation techniques have a positive effect on the changes in the sit and reach test and active straight leg raise test. Two leg rotation techniques can be recommended as a self-stretching and easier way to stabilize the lumbopelvic rhythm, reduce the stiffness of the muscle and relieve pain. This is effective in preventing muscle damage, enabling muscle relaxation and reducing the risk of injury to the spine during daily lives and in sports activities.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.12-19
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of scapular alignment on the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the trapezius in people with a short pectoralis minor muscle. For the study, we recruited 15 volunteers who had positive results for short on a pectoralis minor muscle length test. We measured the EMG activity of the upper, middle and lower trapezius muscles. The participants lifted their dominant arm to ear level with the thumb up toward the ceiling in the prone position on a table with the shoulder at a flexion angle of 180 degrees and a horizontal abduction angle of 120 degrees. Scapula was manually aligned by an experienced physical therapist prior to arm lift for the scapular alignment condition. A paired t-test was used to compare the effects of scapular alignment on the EMG activity of the trapezius muscles. The EMG activity of the lower trapezius muscle was significantly increased during the test with the scapular alignment compared to that without scapular alignment (p<.05), while the upper trapezius and middle trapezius exhibited no significant difference between the two conditions (p>.05). The findings of this study suggest that a scapular alignment may alter the recruitment of the lower trapezius muscle during arm lifting in the prone position in people with a short pectoralis minor muscle.