• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of agility training with kinesio taping (ATKT) on muscle tone, muscle strength lower extremity and dynamic stability of women softball players. Design: Two groups pre-post randomized controlled design Methods: 34 softball players were recruited randomly assigned into the ATKT group and agility training with sham kinesio taping (control group). All subjects performed agility training for 30 min/day, 5 times/week for 4 weeks. The subjects in the ATKT group underwent agility trainingwith kinesio taping on vastus madialis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis where the subects in the control group underwent agility trainingwith sham kinseio taping. Muscle tone was measured using myotonPRO. A Hand dynamometer was used to evaluate muscle strengthening of lower -extremity. Dynamic stability was measured using the side hop test. Results: Muscle tone of lower-extremity was significantly more increased in the ATKT group (mean change 0.39 ± 0.31) than in the control group (mean change 0.19 ± 0.31) (p<0.05). Muscle strength of lower-extremity was significantly more increased in the ATKT group than in the control group (p<0.05). Dynamic stability was significantly more increased in the ATKT group (mean change -1.39 ±0.45) than in the control group (mean change -0.60 ± 0.46) (p<0.05). Conclusions: We confirmed that the benefits that ATKT is effective for increasing in softball players and suggested that knee joint kinesio taping. Also, it was observed improvement of muscle tone, muscle strength and Dynamic stability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.176-183
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the short term effects of ASEJ (ankle strengthening with emphasis on jumping) for 3weeks on strength, mechanical properties, and balance and to compare the balance with and without HH(high-heel) condition. Methods: ASEJ (a combined exercise of squat, heel raise up, and jumping) were performed for the subjects in 11 female ankle instability young females ($21.7{\pm}2.0yrs$ Cumberland ankle instability score $19{\pm}6.5$). To investigate the effect of ASEJ, investigator used dynamometer for measuring strength, MyotonPRO for measuring mechanical properties(tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the muscles), I-Balance test for static balance, and Y-balance test for dynamic balance between the condition with and without HH condition. All data were normally distributed and analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 statistical program. Comparing pre- and post-intervention and the condition with and without HH conditions data were examined using the paired t-test. The level of significance was chosen as 0.05 for all the analyses. Results: 3wks of ASEJ would strengthen leg muscles and increasing muscle tone and stiffness in most muscles however there was decreasing muscle elasticity of gastrocnemious. In addition, the ASEJ improves the static balance for ankle instability young females and increases the dynamic balance when wearing the heels especially. Conclusions: the ASEJ could recommend to improve the strength and balance for ankle instability young females. Also, measuring the balance with HH conditions well represents the risk of ankle damage in female.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.149-158
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• 2021

Purpose : Forward head posture (FHP) is one of the most common postural malalignment of the cranio-cervical region. Previous studies have reported that FHP might affect both temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and cervical muscles, but still remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the changes of craniovertebral angle (CVA) and muscle properties after smartphone use in healthy individuals with and without FHP. Methods : Fifteen healthy individuals aged 18 to 22 years were included. CVA was evaluated using Dartfish motion analysis, and the subjects were divided into two groups according to their CVA: a FHP group (n = 7, CVA less than 48 °) and a control group (n = 8, CVA more than 48 °). MyotonPro was used to measure muscle properties of masseter, digastric and sternocleidomastoid muscles (SCM). Each subject underwent 15-minutes of smartphone task (web browsing or video watching) in relaxed sitting posture. CVA and muscles properties were assessed both before and after the smartphone task. Results : There were significant changes in post measurements of CVA between the groups. Masseter muscle showed significant differences in pre and post measurements of all muscle properties, and digastric muscle showed significance only in muscle tone. Amount of changes (post-pre), however, showed no significant difference in this study. Conclusion : 15-minutes of smartphone task did not affect CVA and muscle properties of masseter, digastric and SCM in both groups, however, there were significant changes in pre and post measurements of CVA and some muscle properties of masseter and digastric muscles. Therefore, CVA, masseter and digastric muscles might be significantly changed in a heavy duration of smartphone usage more than 15-minutes. Further studies are needed regarding duration of smartphone task, assessments in other various TMJ muscle groups, and participants with pathological FHP conditions.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2221-2228
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• 2020

Background: Shoes cover the feet and ankle joints and come into contact with the ground directly during walking, and the shape of shoes is related to the muscle tone of the lower extremity muscles. However, no study has been conducted on the muscle tone of the lower extremity after wearing combat boots. Objectives: To compare and analyze the effects of walking in combat boots and in athletic shoes on muscle tone and stiffness, to identifying the effect of the characteristics of shoes on the muscle tone. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into a combat boots group and an athletic shoes group, and interventions were implemented. Both groups walked for 30 minutes on a treadmill at 4.2 km/h. MyotonPRO was used to measure the muscle tone and stiffness of the lower extremity. The measuring sites were set to five muscles on both legs. Results: In the combat boots group, muscle tone and stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius on the dominant side, the muscle tone and stiffness of rectus femoris, and the muscle stiffness of hamstring on the non-dominant side significantly decreased after walking. In the athletic shoes group, there was no significant change in the muscle tone and stiffness. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to inform the wearing combat boots while walking on a treadmill reduces the muscle tone and stiffness of the lower extremity compared to athletic shoes. It indicates that the restriction of joint movement occurring when wearing combat boots influences reducing muscle tone and stiffness.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.145-153
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze whether there are changes in muscle elasticity when resistance using an elastic band is present or absent during a bridge exercise on an unstable surface with a gymball. Methods : Eighteen healthy adult college students attending E University in Gyeonggi-do, who voluntarily agreed to participate were included in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform the bridge exercise using a gymball both without resistance and with resistance using an elastic band. Myoton was used during the exercise to measure the elasticity of the rectus abdominis and biceps femoris muscles. Results : There was a significant difference in the stiffness of the rectus abdominis muscle on both sides before and after using the elastic band (p<.05). however, no significant difference was observed in the biceps femoris on either side (p>.05). Based on the evaluation of the frequency before and after using the elastic band, no significant difference was observed between the rectus abdominis and biceps femoris muscles on both sides (p>.05). The logarithmic decrement was significantly different in the right rectus abdominis muscle (p<.05), and there was no significant difference in the left rectus abdominis and both biceps femoris (p>.05). Conclusion : Resistance exercise using an elastic band is more effective in improving elasticity of the rectus abdominis muscle than without a elastic band during bridge exercise with a gymball.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.101-109
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study is to verify the differences in muscle characteristics of elite level swimmers before and after a 2-hour practice session. Method: The study was conducted on 15 elite swimmers. Preliminary measurements for each muscle (Anterior Deltoid, Triceps Brachii, Biceps Brachii, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris) were taken using the MyotonPRO device before training. After approximately 2 hours of training, the same muscle areas were measured again. The collected data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and two-way 2×2 RG·RM ANOVA, and all statistical significance levels were set at α=.05. Results: After analyzing the characteristics of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris (FCU) before and after training in both proficiency level swimmers (excellent, non-excellent), it was found that the interaction effect of group X repetition in muscle tension (F), muscle stiffness (S), and body recovery time (R) was statistically significant. Secondly, in the analysis of the Biceps Brachii (BB), the main effect of repetition in muscle tension (F), muscle stiffness (S), and body recovery time (R) was statistically significant. Furthermore, the interaction effect of group X repetition in muscle stiffness (S) and body recovery time (R) was statistically significant. Conclusion: The efficient use of FCU and BB suggests that it is an important factor distinguishing the performance of excellent and non-excellent swimmers in swimming. Therefore, if we develop and apply measures to efficiently utilize FCU and BB during training, it can help improve the performance of the athletes.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-128
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric training applied to the calf muscles on muscle tone, muscle strength, and gait variables in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty-two participants were divided into experimental (n=12; eccentric training) and control (n=10; static stretching and stretching board) groups. The participants completed 30-minute physical therapy sessions five times a week for three weeks. Calf muscle tone, muscle strength, and gait variables were measured using MyotonPRO, a hand-held dynamometer, and Optogait, respectively, before and after each intervention. Results: Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a significant interaction effect between measurement points and groups in frequency, stiffness, and decrement of the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles (p<.05). Paired t-tests showed that the experimental group exhibited significantly decreased frequency and stiffness scores for the lateral gastrocnemius, medial gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles (p<.05), as well as significantly increased decrement and muscle strength scores, gait speed, step length, and stride length (p<.05). Conclusion: The application of eccentric training to the calf effectively reduced muscle tone, increased muscle strength, and improved the gait speed, step length, and stride length of patients with chronic stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, based on ballistic stretching and the contract-relax technique, on hip joint flexibility and muscle tone in adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles. Methods: The study involved 40 adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles, identified using the modified Thomas test. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: PNF stretching, employing the contract-relax technique, and ballistic stretching. Measurements included muscle tension, hip joint range of motion, and muscle characteristics. The rectus femoris muscle shortening effect was confirmed by the modified Thomas test, while the flexibility effect was assessed through hip joint motion range. The muscle tension effect was determined using Myoton-PRO. Results: Both stretching methods resulted in significant improvements in modified Thomas test angles and frequency, with the PNF stretching group showing notably greater changes. However, neither stretching method significantly affected decrement or stiffness measurements. These findings suggest that PNF stretching may be more effective for certain outcomes compared to ballistic stretching. Conclusion: In summary, both stretching methods positively influenced flexibility and muscle tension, with PNF stretching showing a greater impact. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate stretching technique for achieving functional improvements in muscles, which could serve as valuable indicators for preventing and treating muscle injuries in both sports and daily activities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.97-107
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the effect of applying elastic taping and passive stretching exercises simultaneously on the muscle tone of the upper trapezius. METHODS: Thirty healthy adults were randomly divided into two groups: the 'passive stretching exercise' group (n = 15) and the 'passive stretching exercise with elastic taping' group (n = 15). Muscle tone was measured using the MyotonPRO®. The muscle tension was measured immediately after the stretching exercises and taping intervention, and again 5 minutes after the intervention. RESULTS: Within each group, there was a significant reduction in muscle tone in the upper trapezius after treatment (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in the muscle tone reduction between the groups (p > .05). Both experimental and control groups showed a significant decrease in muscle tone in both the upper trapezius muscles over time, i.e., immediately after treatment and five minutes later (p < .05). The main effect of time was identified in the repeated measures analysis, while there was no main effect attributed to the treatment method (group) (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The simultaneous application of stretching exercises and taping as an intervention to reduce muscle tension in the upper trapezius is still considered challenging and not yet widely regarded as an essential intervention method.