• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.111-116
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of tote bag weight on muscle thickness of pectroalis minor and tone of upper trapezius in young adult women. 27 women habitual of carrying tote bags. The subjects were measured the tone of the upper trapezius muscle and the thickness of the pectoralis minor muscle while carrying tote bags with the weight of 0%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% of the subjects' body weight. As the weight load increased, the upper trapezius muscle demonstrated significantly increased muscle tone (p<.05). additionally, a significantly increased thickness in the pectoralis minor muscle was noted(p<.05). These findings suggest that the habit of carrying a tote bag on the wrist may be disadvantageous to improving the two muscles in young women. Therefore, this study recommend women who likely used tote bag decrease the weight of the bag.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to identify whether resistance exercise using elastic bands for six weeks can improve muscle strength, muscle tone, balance, and gait in patients with stroke. Methods : In total, 35 patients with stroke were randomly divided into three groups: resistance exercise using elastic band training combined with less affected side training group, more affected side training group, and both sides training group. Muscle strength, muscle tone, balance, and gait were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer, the modified Ashworth scale, the Berg Balance scale (BBS), and wireless 3-axis accelerometer, before and after training. Results : All three groups showed a significant increase in muscle strength of the lower extremity after training, and there was a significant difference among the groups. There was no change in muscle tone in all three groups. BBS scores increased significantly in all three groups after training, but these scores were not significantly different. The gait speed increased significantly in all three groups after the training, but the difference was not significant. The cadence increased significantly in Group 2 after training; however, there was no significant difference between Groups 1 and 3. There were no significant differences between the groups before and after the training. Step length increased significantly in Groups 2 and 3 after the training, but it was not significantly different in Group 1. After training, Groups 2 and 3 were significantly greater than Group 1 in the change in step length. Conclusion : The results show that resistance exercise using elastic bands can improve strength, balance, and gait in patients with chronic stroke. Especially, more affected side training was more effective in improving muscle strength than less affected side training. More affected side and both sides training are thought to be more effective than less affected side training to improve step length.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2019

Purpose : This study aimed to determine whether resistance exercise using elastic bands for 6 weeks could improve the muscle strength, muscle tone, balance and gait among stroke patients. Methods : A total of 11 stroke patients who had agreed to participate in the study were randomly divided into 3 groups receiving elastic band resistance training on their less affected side (experimental group 1, n=4), affected side (experimental group 2, n=3), and both the sides (experimental group 3, n=4). Muscle strength, muscle tone, balance and gait were assessed using a hand-held dynamometer, the modified ashworth scale (MAS), the berg balance scale (BBS), and G-walk respectively, before and after training. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze intergroup changes after the intervention, whereas the Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze intergroup changes in all variables. Results : Strength in all the muscle, except for the flexor and extensor muscles in the affected knees, was increased in all the groups, however, no significant difference was observed. No change in the muscle tone (MAS) was found in any group. All the groups showed increased BBS scores walking speed, and walking symmetry following training, although, the differences were not significant. Changes in the affected step length of experimental group 1 were significantly greater than those of experimental group 3, whereas changes in the affected step length in experimental group 3 were significantly greater than those of experimental group 2. Conclusion : Our results suggest that resistance exercise using elastic bands are a potential intervention for improving lower extremity muscle strength, balance, and gait among stoke patients.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.79-87
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• 2020

Purpose: This study sought to determine how the act of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) affects the rescuer's muscle tone, stiffness, and fatigue in the lumbar region. Methods: The research subjects were 30 healthy men in their twenties in possession of a Basic Life Support (BLS) provider certificate. In this study, the CPR rescuer's muscle tone and stiffness in the upper and lower lumbar regions were measured in the resting position, starting position, and position after 10 min. Their level of fatigue was measured before and after performing CPR. Results: Muscle tone and stiffness in the upper and lower lumbar regions of the research subjects significantly increased throughout the CPR process and lasted up to 10 min after the process (p<.001). The subjects' fatigue also significantly increased post-CPR (p<.001). Conclusion: This study suggests that performing CPR creates muscular and physiological stress, fatigue, and ultimately, lower back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the immediate effects of using the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) contract-relax technique in the close kinetic chain position on the gait ability and gastrocnemius muscle tone of stroke patients. Methods: The subjects were patients who had strokes due to cerebrum infarction and hemorrhage. The subjects participated in exercise with the PNF contract-relax technique in the standing-on-elbow position with a high table, and the affected lower leg was placed in the posterior position. The PNF contract-relax technique was applied at the position in which the ankle plantar-flexors were in a sufficiently elongated position. After performing twice in each range, while the muscle was elongated, the affected side was moved further back and a new range was set. In each session, the time of contraction was set to 8 seconds, and the resting time was set to 5 seconds; however, if the patient felt tired, they received more resting time during the intervention. The Myoton Pro and 10 m walking test were used to measure the muscle tone and gait ability both pre- and post-intervention. Results: After participating in the program, the muscle tone decreased and the gait ability improved in the ankle plantar-flexors, as determined by the Myoton Pro and 10 m walking test. Conclusion: The PNF contract-relax technique can help to decrease muscle tone in ankle plantar-flexors with hypertonus and increase the gait ability in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the elastic compression stockings and Kinesio taping on muscle activity and mechanical properties in healthy women during the heel raise exercise that causes muscle fatigue. Methods: Participants were divided into the elastic compression stockings group (ESG, n=8), Kinesio taping group (KTG, n=8), and control group (CG, n=8). All participants performed the heel raise exercise to cause muscle fatigue. Muscle activity, stiffness, and the muscle tone of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior were measured before and after the heel raise exercise. Results: In the gastrocnemius, muscle activity was significantly increased after the heel raise exercise in both the ESG and KTG (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the change in the gastrocnemius muscle activity between the groups (p<0.05). Post hoc analysis showed that the ESG exhibited a significantly greater change in gastrocnemius muscle activity than the CG (p<0.05). The muscle stiffness of the gastrocnemius was significantly decreased after the heel raise exercise in the ESG (p<0.05). The muscle tone of the gastrocnemius was significantly increased after the heel raise exercise in the control group (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in the change in the gastrocnemius stiffness and muscle tone between the groups (p>0.05). In the tibialis anterior, there were no significant differences in muscle activity, stiffness, and muscle tone between and within the groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the use of elastic compression stockings and Kinesio taping during the heel raise exercise are beneficial and delay muscle fatigue in the gastrocnemius.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4098-4106
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• 2012

This study aims to investigate the effect of trunk muscle strengthening exercises on balance performance of sitting posture and muscle tone, targeting the children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. 16 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy in IV phase of GMFCS were sampled at random and the tests were conducted for 6 weeks, 3 times per week. For experimental groups, only trunk muscle strengthening exercises were conducted and for control groups, only basic physical therapy was conducted. The trunk muscle strengthening exercise consisted of 2 exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles and back muscles. BPM(Balance Performance Monitor) was used to measure balance performance and MMAS(Modified Modified Ashworth Scale) was used to measure muscle tone. As a result, the changes of sitting balance performance in experimental groups and control groups show significant difference in the changes of sway path and sway velocity(p<.05), the comparison of changes in sitting balance performance in between experimental groups and control groups show significant difference in the changes of sway path and sway velocity(p<.05). Knee flexor muscles and hip adductor muscles in both groups show no significant difference in changes of the muscle tone(p>.05). Therefore, the balance performance in both experimental groups and control groups was improved. However, the experimental group had more significant improvement in balance performance and no change in muscle tone was detected in both groups. Thus, these findings show trunk muscle strengthening exercises are effective in improving the balance performance of sitting posture for the children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy without changing muscle tone.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.198-205
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify whether cutaneous sensory (CS) changes induced by mechanical intervention(MI) increases the trigger point threshold and muscle tone of the same spinal segment to neck disc patients. Thirty persons with Neck disc patients were recruited in this experiment. The subjects consisted of 10 men and 20 women. The mechanical stimulus group induced CS changes for 5 minutes using the Graston instrument and the control group received no action. The CS changes were estimated by using the Von Frey Filament, PPT changes were measured by using the pressure threshold meter and msucle tone changes were measured by using Myotone pro. CS threshold increased significantly when MI was applied (p<0.05). On the same spinal segment, increases in the right infraspinatus PPT and muscle tone was observed (p<0.05) and decreases in the right trapezius PPT was observed(p<0.05). However, the PPT and muscle tone changes in other muscles were not significantly different. Furthermore, the control group CS, PPT and muscle tone were not significantly different. As a result, CS changes induced by MI make to change PPT and muscle tone on the same spinal segment. Therefore, application of MI to the same spinal segment may be of clinical significance as a new rehabilitation method for increasing pain threshold, muscle tone and pain control in neck disc patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2020

Objective: The shoulders are a particularly an important body part for elite boxers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the upper trapezius (UT), infraspinatus (IS) muscle tone, pain, and isokinetic muscle function of shoulder movements such as external rotation, internal rotation, protraction, and retraction according to the scapular position of elite boxers of the Korean national team. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Using the double square method, the scapular position was measured and divided into the forward scapular position group (n=8) with a measurement distance of 135 mm or more, and the normal scapular position group (n=10) with a measurement distance of less than 135 mm. Through the numeric rating scale of the subject, the pain value displayed during movement was measured. The muscle tone of the subjects' UT and IS were measured. The isokinetic muscle function of ER, IR, protraction, and retraction were measured using isokinetic exercise equipment. Results: The results of this study showed statistically significant differences when comparing muscle tone of the UT and IS, shoulder pain, isokinetic function of ER and IR, protraction, and retraction according to scapular position (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study were that shoulder muscle tone, pain, and isokinetic muscle function were affected according to the scapular position of elite boxers. In the future, this information may be a useful indicator when studying the effects of medium and long-term intervention in elite boxers who possess these characteristics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of performing gastrocnemius stretching with and without the self-myofascial release of the sole on the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and muscle tone of the gastrocnemius muscle in subjects with short gastrocnemius muscle. METHOD: A total of 23 subjects with short gastrocnemius muscles were included in this study. The study participants were divided into two experimental groups. Group A performed gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises only, while group B performed self-myofascial release of the sole using a massage ball after the gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises. For both groups, the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured using a goniometer, and the tone of the gastrocnemius muscle was assessed using the MyotonPRO®. RESULTS: Within-group comparison showed that the participants in both groups A and B had significantly increased active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and decreased gastrocnemius muscle tone (p < .05) after performing their respective exercises. However, no significant differences in the said criteria were observed between groups A and B (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that both methods were effective in increasing active and passive dorsiflexion angles and decreasing muscle tone. Thus, it is recommended to tailor gastrocnemius stretching exercises according to the patient's condition. If the patient does not experience discomfort in the plantar fasciae, it is recommended to perform the gastrocnemius stretching exercise only without myofascial release and use a massage ball afterward.