• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.115-121
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• 2014

Purpose: The study aimed to examine the influence of PNF direct and indirect breathing treatments for patients with cervical spinal cord injuries who had breathing problems. Methods: For each cervical spinal cord patient, force vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow, maximum phonation time (MPT), rib cage width, and VAS were measured pre-intervention and four weeks after post-intervention. The indirect method and the direct method were used for interventions. We treated patients with the indirect method using scapular anterior depression pattern, bilateral extensor pattern with rhythmic initiation, and a combination of isotonic. We treated patients with the direct method, applying pressure on the sternum and using rhythmic initiation (hold relax and stretch reflex) for the rib cage. Training occurred for 50 minutes a day and three days per week for four weeks. Results: FVC, MPT, peak expiratory flow, and rib cage width were increased and decreased at the VAS point for rolling after treatment. Conclusion: Patients with cervical spinal cord injuries who had breathing problems felt uncomfortable when they had conversations on a couch. We found that PNF direct and indirect treatments improved rib cage width and breathing functions of patients with cervical spinal cord injuries.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish an association between grip strength and gait variability in the elderly. Methods: The participants in this experiment (n = 20) were aged 65 or older. Power grip and lateral pinch forces were obtained in grip strength tests, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected from IMU sensors during 6 min actual walking to test the gait of participants. The collected gait parameters were converted to coefficient of variation (CV) values. To confirm the association between grip strength and gait variability, a partial correlation analysis was conducted in which height, weight, and gait speed were input as controlling variables. Results: Grip power showed a significant negative correlation with the stride length CV (r = -0.52), and the lateral pinch force showed a significant negative correlation with the stance CV (r = -0.65) and swing CV (r = -0.63). Conclusion: This study reveals that gait variability decreases as grip strength increases, although height, weight, and gait speed were controlled. Thus, grip strength testing, a simple aging evaluation method, can help identify unstable gait in older adults at risk of falling, and grip strength can be utilized as a non-invasive measurement method for frailty management and prevention.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.395-406
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze the changes in kinematic and kinetic parameters of lower extremity joint according to rehabilitation period. Fourteen collegiate male athletes(age: $22.1{\pm}1.35$ years, height: $182.46{\pm}9.45cm$, weight: $88.63{\pm}9.25kg$) and fourteen collegiate athletes on functional ankle instability(age: $21.5{\pm}1.35$ years, height: $184.45{\pm}9.42cm$, weight: $92.85{\pm}10.85kg$) with the right leg as dominant were chosen. The subjects performed drop landing. The date were collected by using VICON with 8 camera to analyze kinematic variables and force platform to analyze kinetic variables. There are two approaches of this study, one is to compare between groups, the other is to find changes of lower extremity joint after rehabilitation. In comparison to the control group, FAI group showed more increased PF & Inversion at IC and decreased full ROM when drop landing. Regarding the peak force and loading rate, it resulted in higher PVGRF and loading. FAI group used more increased knee and hip ROM because of decreased ankle ROM to absorb the shock. And it used sagittal movement to stabilize. In terms of rehabilitation period, FAI group showed that landing patterns were changed and it increased total ankle excursion and used all lower extremity joint close to normal ankle. Regarding the peak force and loading rate, FAI group decreased PVGRF and loading rate. and also showed shock absorption using increased ankle movement. And COP variable showed that proprioception training increased stability during 8 weeks. The results of this study suggest that 8 weeks rehabilitation period is worthwhile to be considered as a way to improve neuromuscular control and to prevent sports injuries.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.50-55
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• 2018

Occlusal disharmony is frequently observed among edentulous patients. When artificial teeth come into contact, the unfavorable displacing force may lead to the discomfort, mucosal trauma, or even neuromuscular alterations and emotional disturbances. An optimal occlusal scheme is a critical factor for successful complete dentures. For this case, an edentulous patient with significant interarch size discrepancy due to mandibular prognathism contributing to inadequate function of dentures was treated with complete dentures. The posterior cross-bite tooth setup for compensating the abnormal jaw relations provided a stable and retentive complete denture prosthesis, which was considered adequate by both patient and dentist.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.343-351
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to suggest effective lunge exercise methods for various purposes by comparing differences in the muscle activity of thigh and plantar pressure according to changes in base of support during lunge exercises. Methods: The subjects were 20 college students who agreed to participate in the experiment. They performed three types of lunges-a basic lunge (BL), wide lunge (WL), and narrow lunge (NL). In a static position during each lunge, the muscle activity of the thigh and plantar pressure were measured. Each movement was maintained for 7 seconds, and the muscle activity for the 3 seconds in the middle was measured and analyzed. The plantar pressure was divided into six areas for analysis. The subjects randomly performed the lunges to prevent the influence of an experimental sequence. Each movement was performed three times, and the mean value of the three measurements was analyzed. Results: The analysis of muscle activities in the thigh during the three lunge movements showed statistically significantly higher muscle activity of biceps femoris in WL and NL than BL. Moreover, the analysis of plantar force showed statistically significant differences between BL and WL and WL and NL on the medial-forefoot and medial-midfoot, as well as between BL and WL and BL and NL on the lateral-midfoot. The analysis of plantar contact pressure exhibited statistically significant differences between BL and NL and WL and NL on the medial-forefoot, as well as a statistically significant difference between WL and NL on the medial-midfoot and lateral-hindfoot. Conclusion: This study suggests that changing the base of support during lunges can be useful to suit the purposes of various rehabilitation programs.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.379-389
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of wheelchair handle directions on the trunk muscle activity of adult males when climbing ramps. It also evaluated the wheelchair attendant's physical discomfort during tasks. Methods: Healthy males aged over 20 years were chosen and the direction of wheelchair handle grip was randomly selected. The grips included a general grip with ulnar deviation, a medial grip with wrist pronation, and a neutral grip with a neutral wrist. The trunk muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Furthermore, the physical discomfort of wheelchair attendants was subjectively evaluated using the Borg CR-10 Scale, which rates the perceived exertion. In addition, the SPSS 18.0 program was used perform repeated measure ANOVA to compare muscle activity and subjective discomfort during the interventions. The contrast test was also conducted with a significance level (α) of 0.05. Results: There was significant difference between the general grip and the medial grip in the rhomboid major muscle and the lumbar erector spinae muscle (p<0.05). In addition, there was significant difference between the general grip and the neutral grip in the rhomboid major muscle and the lumbar erector spinae muscle (p<0.05). Further, there was significant difference between the general grip and the neutral grip in subjective discomfort (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, adult male trunk muscle activity and subjective discomfort were lowest when using the neutral grip while climbing ramps. Accordingly, we suggest that neutral grips will help improve the function of the musculoskeletal system and reduce the subjective discomfort by putting less strain on the trunk muscles and maximizing efficiency with less force.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.391-399
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the three-dimensional moment values of the hip joint for subjects with artificial leg length alterations and subjects with unaltered leg lengths. Methods: Forty-two healthy adults (8 men, 34 women) participated in this study. The selected subjects were able to walk normally, had less than a 1 cm leg length discrepancy, and were instructed to wear shoes that fit their feet. The study participants performed 8 dynamic gait trails to measure the hip joint moment using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Kinetic and dynamic three-dimensional gait analysis data were collected from infrared cameras, and a force plate was used to standardize the weight of each subject. Results: There were significant correlations between the differences in the leg length discrepancy during right extension, right flexion, right internal rotation, and left extension in hip joint moments (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between the differences in shoe conditions during left extension, right flexion, right extension, and right internal rotation in the hip moments (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that a leg length discrepancy can affect hip joint moment, which may further exacerbate musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis in lower extremity joints. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to verify the impact of clinical interventions on differences in hip joint moment values to correct leg length discrepancies and prevent osteoarthritis in lower extremity joints.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.177-187
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined training on the physical fitness of male short distance athletes. Methods: Combined training was applied with CLT and isokinetric training three times a week for eight weeks. For CLT, elastic bands were used in the sitting and standing positions to gradually increase sprint and skating movements. Isokinetic training was conducted at $60^{\circ}/sec$ and $180^{\circ}/sec$ to improve muscle strength and muscle power. Results: After the application of combined training, strength (hand force) improved from 42.25 kg to 47.30 kg. Muscle power for standing long jump improved from 240.00 cm to 248.80 cm, while the sergeant jump improved from 55.00 cm to 58.00 cm. Isokinetic testing showed that muscle strength ($60^{\circ}/sec$) improved from 315.65 %BW to 365.79 %BW for the left extensor and from 306.60 %BW to 325.00 %BW for the right extensor. The left flexor improved from 177.23 %BW to 189.47 %BW, but the right flexor decreased slightly from 210.87 %BW to 201.53 %BW. Muscle power ($180^{\circ}/sec$) improved from 254.00 %BW to 293.00 %BW for the left extensor and from 256.00 %BW to 272.00 %BW for the right extensor. The left flexor improved from 150.00 %BW to 162.00 %BW and the right flexor from 145.25 %BW to 182.00 %BW. Conclusion: Combined training could be used as a physical training program for male short distance athletes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.63-69
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• 2019

Background: Both the rapid concentric and eccentric contractions during exercise repeatedly impose excessive stress on muscle tissue. The hamstring muscles are very susceptible to injury due to the tensile stress. Various interventions are currently being undertaken to prevent strain injury before exercise. Stretching is the most common method and is known to have a positive effect on flexibility and muscle performance. However, relatively few studies have investigated the potential negative factors of stretching. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine changes in pain following the different intensity of the stretching and types of physical stress. Methods: The subjects were divided into three groups based on the intensity of stretching: 100% (S100), 75% (S75), and 50% (S50) of the measured force at the point of discomfort in static stretching and 100% (P100), 75% (P75), and 50% (P50) of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching. The pain individual subjects perceived after stretching was measured via a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and compared between the groups Results: Despite the decrease in the intensity of static stretching, no decrease in VAS value was observed. In PNF stretching, a significant decrease was observed at P50 compared to P100. S100 was significantly higher than P75 and P50. Conclusion: Previous studies have shown that PNF has a superior or the same effect on flexibility in comparison with static stretching. This effect was maintained even in moderate intensity. PNF stretching performed under moderate rather than high intensive static stretching, which causes pain and discomfort, might be recommended in clinical settings.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.201-211
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of trunk stabilization exercises using a Reformer on trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 24 chronic stroke patients, randomly divided into two groups: trunk stabilization exercise using the Reformer group (TS-R, n = 12) and general trunk stabilization exercise group (GT-E, n = 12). Assessment methods included the Trunk Impairment Scale for trunk control, the AMTI force platform for static balance, the Timed Up and Go test for dynamic balance, and the Dynamic Gait Index for gait function. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention. The intervention for the TS-R group consisted of bridging exercises using a Reformer, while the GT-E group performed bridging exercises on a mat. All interventions were performed for 17 minutes per session, five times a week, for a total of 20 sessions over four weeks. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated-measures ANOVA to analyze the interaction between groups and time. Results: The results of the repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the groups and time. The TS-R group showed statistically significant differences in all variables before and after the intervention. In contrast, the GT-E group did not show statistically significant differences in any variables before and after the intervention. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that trunk stabilization exercises using a reformer are effective in improving trunk control, balance ability, and gait function in chronic stroke patients.