• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

Background: Shoulder impingement syndrome, a major cause of shoulder pain, involves weakness of the scapular retractor muscles. The major scapular retractor muscles are the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles; however, the latter is excluded in most studies. Objects: We aimed to measure the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles using an ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system while performing four different shoulder retraction exercises and comparing the thicknesses and ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Methods: The thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles was measured in 24 healthy adults using ultrasound. Muscle thickness was measured three times in the Reference posture and four times while performing four different exercises that involved scapular retraction. The averages and standard deviations of the measured muscle thicknesses were obtained and compared. The ratio of muscle thickness and rate of changes in muscle thickness between the reference posture and the four exercises were compared. Results: For both, male (n = 10) and female (n = 14), there was a significant difference in the thickness of the middle trapezius muscle between the reference posture and the four exercises (p < 0.05) and in the thickness of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles between male and female (p < 0.05); however, there was no significant difference in the ratio of the thicknesses of these muscles. Although a significant difference in the rate of change in muscle thickness during the four exercises was noted, there was no significant difference in the ratio of change in muscle thickness. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the ratio of the thicknesses of the middle trapezius and rhomboid major muscles and the rate of change in their thickness during exercises involving scapular retraction in healthy people in their 20s-30s.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2000

Background and Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the sensitivity of the Repetitive Nerve Stimulation Test (RNST) between the upper and lower extremity muscles in myasthenia gravis(MG) patients. Material and Methods: The study population consisted of 20 normal persons(control group) and 10 MG patients(MG group). Using Stalberg's method. RNST was systemically performed in orbicularis oculi muscle. upper extremity muscles(flexor carpi ulnaris. abductor digiti quinti), and lower extremity muscles(tibialis anterior. extensor digitorum brevis. vastus medialis). Results: There were statistical differences of decremental response($mean{\pm}SD$) in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles between the control and MG groups(p<0.05 or p<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference of decremental response($mean{\pm}SD$) to RNST in lower extremity muscles between the control and MG groups. There were highersensitivity in orbicularis oculi and upper extremity muscles than lower extremity muscles. Although positive reponse were detected in the lower extremity muscles, the positive response rates of lower extremity muscles were lower than o.oculi and upper extremity muscles. Conclusions: When the response rates of RNST in facial and upper extremity muscles are normal, may not be required RNST in lower extremity muscles.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.333-346
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• 1997

The ischemia and reperfusion injury of the skeletal muscles is caused by generation of reactive oxygen during ischemia and reperfusion. It is well known that over 4 hours of ischemia injures the skeletal muscles irreversibly. The author has demonstrated the effects of SOD (superoxide dismutase), DMTU (dimethyl thiourea) and ischemic preconditioning on ultrastructural changes of the muscle fibers in the rectus femoris muscles after 4 hours of ischemia and 1 day and 3 days of reperfusion. A total of 72 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats weighing from 200 gm to 250 gm were used as experimental animals. Under urethane(1.15 g/kg, IP, 2 times) anesthesia, lower abdominal incision was done and the left common iliac artery was occluded by using vascular clamp for 4 hours. The left rectus femoris muscles were obtained at 1 and 3 days after the removal of vascular clamp. The SOD (15,000 unit/kg) or DMTU (500 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally at 1 hour before induction of ischemia. The ischemic preconditioned group underwent three episodes of 5 minutes occlusion and 5 minutes reperfusion followed by 4 hours of ischemia and 1 day and 3 days of reperfusion. The specimens were sliced into $1mm^3$ and prepared by routine methods for electron microscopic observation. All specimens were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and then observed with Hitachi-600 transmission electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. SOD or DMTU alone did not affect the ultrastructure of muscle fibers in the rectus femoris muscles. The electron density of mitochondrial matrix was decreased by ischemic preconditioning. 2. Dilated cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum, triad, mitochondria and the loss of myofilament in the sarcomere were observed in the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day reperfused rectus femoris muscles. Markedly changed sarcoplasmic reticulum, triad, disordered or loss of myofilament, indistinct A-band and I-band, and irregular electron lucent M -line and Z-line are seen in the 4 hours ischemia and 3 days reperfused rectus femoris muscles. 3. SOD reduced the changes of organelles in the muscle fibers of the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day reperfused rectus femoris muscles of the rats, but SOD did not affect the changes of muscle fibers in the 4 hours ischemia and 3 days reperfused muscles. On the other hand, DMTU markedly attenuated considerably the ultrastructural change of the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day or 3 days reperfused rectus femoris muscles. 4. By the ischemic preconditioning, the change was attenuated remarkably in the 4 hours ischemia and 1 day reperfused rectus femoris muscles. As the ischemic reperfused changes of muscle fibers were regenerated or recovered by ischemic preconditioning, the ultrastructures of them were similar to those of normal control in the 4 hours ischemia and 3 days reperfused rectus formoris muscles. Consequently, it is suggested that DMTU is stronger inhibitor to ischemic reperfused change than SOD. The ischemia and reperfusion-induced muscular damage is remarkably inhibited by ischemic preconditioning.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.277-286
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• 2001

Background: This study was undertaken to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of several muscles in repetitive nerve stimulation test (RNST) for myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 39 MG patients classified by modified Ossermann's classification. Using Stalberg's method, RNST was systematically performed in facial (orbicularis oculi and nasalis) and upper extremity (flexor carpi ulnaris, abductor digiti quinti and anconeus) muscles. Results: The significant electrodecremental response of RNST were noted in orbicularis oculi(58.9%), nasalis (51.3%), flexor carpi ulnaris(42%), anconeus(41%) and abductor digiti quinti muscles(27%). Among the 3 muscles of upper extremity(abductor digiti quinti, flexor carpi ulnaris and anconeus), the positive electrodecremental response of anconeus muscles was significantly higher than other two muscles(p<0.05) in type IIa, IIb and there were no statistical differences of the positive electrodecremental response between orbicularis oculi and nasalis muscles. The facial muscles showed more prominent decremental responses than upper extremity muscles in type I MG(p<0.05). In type IIa MG patients, there were no significant statistical differences between facial and upper extremity muscles but significant statistical differences among upper extremity muscles. In type IIb MG patients, there were no significant statistical differences in all tested muscles in spite of the increased positive electrodecremental response of RNST. Conclusion: On the basis of this study, RNST would be initially performed for the orbicularis or nasalis in type I MG and for the anconeus in type IIa or IIb MG.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2008

Pelvic floor muscles positively affect not only urinary incontinence but also lumbar stabilization by generating intra－abdominal pressure through interaction with muscles around the trunk. Especially, contracting pelvic floor muscles consistently and gently at low intensity is one of the most effective methods to separate and contract transverse abdominis which plays an important role in lumbar stabilization. The purpose of this study was to reexamine the importance of pelvic floor muscles which had not been used much in the treatment of lumbago and to introduce pelvic floor muscle exercises that can be utilized in the treatment of lumbago by examining literature on the relationship between pelvic floor muscles and lumbar stabilization. It is expected that this study will help apply lumbar stabilization exercise to patients with lumbago more variously and effectively.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.301-306
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to describe and identify the relationship between gait and contracted ratios of the transverse abdominal (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles. Methods: This study was conducted on 50 elderly people. The contracted ratios of the lateral abdominal muscles (LAM) were measured using the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and ultrasonographic imaging. Gait was measured using the timed up and go test and the 10 m walk test. Results: The contracted ratios of the TrA and IO muscles significantly increased after ADIM. Those of the TrA muscles showed a significant correlation with gait in the limited community ambulatory group. The contracted ratios of the IO and EO muscles showed a significant correlation with gait in the community ambulatory group. Conclusion: Our findings suggest a specific training on the relationship between gait speed and the activation of the LAM in elderly people.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.33-38
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• 2010

Purpose: This study examined the activation of the rectus abdominis (RA), external abdominal oblique (EO), transversus abdominis, internal abdominal oblique (TrA/IO), and Multifidus (MF) muscles while stabilization exercise was performed in a four-point kneeling position. Methods: Experiments were conducted on 21 healthy male adults (mean age=25.29 years) who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Each subject was instructed regarding maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling. While MVC and stabilization exercise of individual muscles were being performed, activation of the muscles was measured using surface electromyography (EMG). Activation of the muscles while performing stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling was normalized to a percentages of the MVC. Results: Left RA, right TrA/IO, right and left MF muscles showed significant differences among the positions. Conclusion: Selecting an optimal position can aid subjects on physical conditions while performing stabilization exercises in the four-point kneeling position.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 1994

A new method is used to record the actual shortening produced during the auxotonic activity of the sartorius (SAR), gastrocnemius (CAS) and rectus abdominis (RAB) muscles of a lizard Uromastix. The auxotonic twitch and tetanus records thus obtained were used for the first time to calculate the coefficient of linear shortening (COLS). This coefficient represent the relative Index between change in length $(\Delta\;L=L_0-L_1)$ and tension $({\Delta}P\;P_0-P_1)$ due to shortening at the steepest rising phase of the twitch and tetanus, recorded at resting length. In addition to this, maximum shortening $(S_{max})$ and auxotonic tensions were also determined at resting lengths of these muscles. The COLS was found to express the speed of shortening and auxotonic tensions are suggested to be of value to express the internal architecture of SAR, GAS & RAB muscles. The results are discussed in terms of contractile and elastic elements of the muscles alongwith the importance of shortening at resting lengths in skeletal muscles.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2007

Obejectives : Slow-motion strengthening trainings build up muscles better than any other type of training, these exercises focus on balancing and strengthening the muscles in the anatomical center of the body - the core - which includes the back, hip and abdominal muscles. Methods : We had a concept of 'core', and compared core muscles with 12 meridian tendino-musculature based on Thomas Myers' myofascial meridian. Results : It has been suggested that the core muscles correspond to meridians of foot- three Yin and foot- three Yang. The study of core muscles strengthening exercise and movement therapy is requred.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 1999

Extrinsic laryngeal muscles are well known to be important for the classical singers. We tried to elucidate any differences in the function of above muscles between trained and untrained singers by non-invasive surface electromyography(EMG). Four trained sopranos and four untrained singers sang vowel /i/ at different pitch(E3, G3, C4, E4, G4, C5, E5, G5, C6). The EMG activities of the suprahyoid, infrahyoid and omohyoid muscles were measured using surface electrodes. In trained singers, infrahyoid muscle activities increased more than those of suprahyoid in most of pitch. To the contrary, in untrained singers, the pattern of EMG activities were variable among each subjects and the EMG activities of suprahyoid muscles were relatively greater than those of infrahyoid.