• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.53-58
• /
• 2011

Purpose: This study aims to examine the effects of pulsed ultrasound on skin inflammatory reaction induced by ultraviolet irradiation. Methods: Twenty subjects were selected for this study. Inflammatory reaction was induced by ultraviolet irradiation in two areas of the lumbar region of the subjects. Pulsed ultrasound (3 MHz) was applied to one of the two areas of inflammatory reaction at a pulse ratio of 1:4, intensity of $0.5W/cm^2$, once a day for 5 min, and pulsed ultrasound was not applied to the other area. Wound color (chromatic red), luminance (gray) and wound contraction (area) were measured using digital imaging processing method. Results: There was a significant difference in wound color (chromatic red) in the interaction between time and area. There was a significant difference in luminance in the interaction between time and area. There was a significant difference in wound contraction between the two areas. Conclusion: These results indicate that pulsed ultrasound increased the wound contraction rate and reduced the inflammatory reaction activity such as erythema induced by ultraviolet irradiation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Sensory input is very important for proper performance of human. Two-point discrimination is the most widely used tactile sensory test. The purpose of this study was to find the changes in cortical activation patterns between tactile stimulation and two-point discrimination. Methods: Two healthy subjects participated in our study. fMRI scanning was done during 4 repeated blocks of tactile stimulation and two point discrimination of the right index finger tip. In one block, stimuli were repeated 10 times every three seconds. To determine the changes of cortical neurons during sensory input, intensity index was analyzed. Results: When tactile stimulation of the right index finger tip was completed, only contralateral primary somatosensory area was activated. In contrast, during two-point discrimination, both the primary somatosensory area and ipsilateral supplementary sensory area were activated. Conclusion: During two point discrimination, both primary somatosensory area and ipsilateral supplementary sensory area were activated. Therefore, two-point discrimination is required more complex and conscious activity than tactile stimulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.165-174
• /
• 2009

Purpose：This study was performed for effects of gait training on treadmill and stable surface which influenced on the lower limbs muscular activity needed in gait, plantar foot pressure with hemiplegic patients caused by cerebrovascular accident. Methods：Two groups of adult hemiplegia(n=20) were allocated randomly in this study: treadmill gait training group and control group. The gait training program was provided to experimental groups for 8 weeks (5 times a week). Measurements of pre and post experiment were plantar foot pressure. For measuring muscular activation rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius were detected. Results：The results of this study showed that in comparison of pre and post changes of gait training, the treadmill gait training group has noticeable changes than other groups in activity of rectus femoris and tibialis anterior, the control group revealed statistically significant differences in plantar foot pressure Toe2-5, M1, M3, M5, MF area, activity of gastrocnemius. Conclusion：These results mean gait training resulted by treadmill, stable surface provides effective muscle activation and plantar foot pressure with stroke.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.789-795
• /
• 2010

This study aimed to investigate the effect of differing heel height on static balance and muscle activation of ankle joint during standing. Twenty-one young females volunteered to participate in this study. To measure balance function and EMG activity of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles, the subjects were asked to perform 1-min standing with eyes open and closed state under 3 different heel heights: barefoot, 3cm, and 7cm each. During the standing, postural sway distance and area, and EMG activity of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were significantly augmented with increasing heel height (p<0.05). For comparison between eyes open and closed in terms of postural sway area and EMG activity of tibialis anterior muscle, barefoot and 7cm height conditions respectively showed significant differences as well. The findings indicate that high-heeled shoes may have disadvantages in maintaining balance function because of extra-muscular effort of ankle joint. This study provides useful information that will inform future studies on how heel height affects muscle activity around the ankle joint in aspects of static and dynamic balance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.62-70
• /
• 2018

Background: The craniocervical flexion (CCF) exercise is one of the effective exercise in correcting forward head posture (FHP). However, some people with FHP achieve CCF with compensatory movements, for example, low cervical flexion using superficial neck flexors such as the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. No study has yet investigated whether a dual­pres ure biofeedback unit (D-PBU) method to prevent low cervical flexion would be helpful in performing pure CCF movement. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the CCF using D-PBU method and the traditional CCF method on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the longus colli muscle (LCM) and the activity of SCM muscle in subjects with FHP. Methods: Twenty­four FHP subjects (male: 16, female: 8) were recruited for this study. All subjects performed CCF using two different methods: the traditional CCF method and the CCF using D-PBU method. The CSA of the LCM was measured via ultrasound, and surface electromyography was used to measure SCM muscle activity. Results: The change in CSA of the LCM was significantly larger during the CCF using D-PBU method ($1.28{\pm}.09$) compared with the traditional CCF method ($1.19{\pm}.08$) (p<.05). The SCM muscle activity using the CCF using D-PBU method ($2.01{\pm}1.97$ %MVIC) was significantly lower than when using the traditional CCF method ($2.79{\pm}2.32$ %MVIC) (p<.05). Conclusion: The CCF using D-PBU method can be recommended for increasing LCM activation and decreasing SCM muscle activity during CCF movement in subjects with FHP.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.78-85
• /
• 2023

Background: Despite fall prevention strategies suggested by researchers, falls are still a major health concern in older adults. Understanding factors that differentiate successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery may help improve the prevention strategies. Objects: The purpose of this review was to identify biomechanical factors that differentiate successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery in the event of a fall. Methods: The literature was searched through Google Scholar and PubMed. The following keywords were used: 'falls,' 'protective response,' 'protective strategy,' 'automated postural response,' 'slips,' 'trips,' 'stepping strategy,' 'muscle activity,' 'balance recovery,' 'successful balance recovery,' and 'failed balance recovery.' Results: A total of 64 articles were found and reviewed. Most of studies included in this review suggested that kinematics during a fall was important to recover balance successfully. To be successful, appropriate movements were required, which governed by several things depending on the direction and characteristics of the fall. Studies also suggested that lower limb muscle activity and joint moments were important for successful balance recovery. Other factors associated with successful balance recovery included fall direction, age, appropriate protective strategy, overall health, comorbidity, gait speed, sex and anticipation of the fall. Conclusion: This review discusses biomechanical factors related to successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery to help understand falls. Our review should help guide future research, or improve prevention strategies in the area of fall and injuries in older adults.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.57-67
• /
• 2006

Musculoskeletal neck dysfunction syndromes are common in outpatient musculoskeletal pain practice. The underlying musculoskeletal and neurologic causes of pain are variable. In the management of these patients, it is important to accurately identify and treat these pain generators to optimize patient outcome. It is the purpose of this review to discuss three main categories of functional anatomy, the role of superficial/deep muscular system and the scientific evidence for optimal physical therapy intervention for cervical dysfunction. Specifically there is evidence of lowered microcirculation in the upper trapezius muscle, morphological signs of disturbed mitochondrial function which appears to be limited to type I fibers and an increased cross-sectional area of type I muscle fibers despite a lower capillary to fiber area ratio. In acute neck pain syndrome, changes in muscle activity of painful muscles may result from segmental and supraspinal inhibitory effects. Muscle activation is closely related to the control of joint movements and postures and it is difficult to separate the influence of the two components. Both the altered muscle recruitment patterns and altered kinematics appear to be a poor adaptation for pain of the head - neck region, as they are likely to result in increased compressive loading in the cervical spine, affecting muscles, articular structures such as zygapophyseal joints, connective tissues and neural tissues which are all peripheral generators of referred pain. The rectus capitus posterior minor muscle shows that it is one of the most important muscles of the suboccipital region. In this article, i reviewed the anatomy, neurophysiology, function and dysfunction as well as the treatment of cervical dysfunction.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.55-64
• /
• 2013

The first purpose was to identify the plantar pressure distributions (peak pressure, pressure integral time, and contact area) during level walking, and stair ascent and descent in asymptomatic flexible flatfoot (AFF). The second purpose was to investigate whether peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict peak pressure during stair walking by identifying correlations between the peak pressures of level walking and stair walking. Twenty young adult subjects (8 males and 12 females, age $21.0{\pm}1.7$ years) with AFF were recruited. A distance greater than 10 mm in a navicular drop test was defined as flexible flatfoot. Each subject performed at least 10 steps during level walking, and stair ascent and descent. The plantar pressure distribution was measured in nine foot regions using a pressure measurement system. A two-way repeated analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences in the three dependent variables with two within-subject factors (activity type and foot region). Linear regression analysis was conducted to predict peak pressure during stair walking using the peak pressure in the metatarsal regions during level walking. Significant interaction effects were observed between activity type and foot region for peak pressure (F=9.508, p<.001), pressure time integral (F=5.912, p=.003), and contact area (F=15.510, p<.001). The regression equations predicting peak pressure during stair walking accounted for variance in the range of 25.7% and 65.8%. The findings indicate that plantar pressures in AFF were influenced by both activity type and foot region. Furthermore the findings suggest that peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict the peak pressure data during stair walking. These data collected for AFF can be useful for evaluating gait patterns and for predicting pressure data of flexible flatfoot subjects who have difficulty performing activities such as stair walking. Further studies should investigate plantar pressure distribution during various functional activities in symptomatic flexible flatfoot, and consider other predictors for regression analysis.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.366-378
• /
• 2023

This study analyzed the impact of securing nature-friendly public spaces on the healthy growth of children. Additionally, it examined the case of Germany to extract implications for Korea. The natural environment enhances children's play, physical activity, cognitive abilities, and overall happiness. Therefore, it is generally considered a necessary space that must be provided for domestically, especially for children who experience high academic stress and low levels of happiness. However, as evidenced by Germany's "Nature Experience Area Project," creating nature-friendly spaces for children requires legal support at the national level. Additionally, such projects should be integrated with key national policies. Furthermore, beyond interdisciplinary collaboration, caregivers must have a positive perception of the natural environment.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.361-371
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess the daily steps, physical activities and activity coefficient of the elementary school children in the rural area. Body weight, height and daily steps were measured and one-day activity diaries were collected by interviewing children. The average age of the subjects was $9.96{\pm}1.02$ years. Average height, weight, obesity index, body fat and muscle of subjects were $136.2{\pm}8.9cm,\;35.2{\pm}8.5kg,\;99.6{\pm}18.8%,\;22.9{\pm}8.5%\;and\;35.8{\pm}6.0%$, respectively. The average daily steps of the subjects was 17,584 and daily steps (19,314) of 3rd grade students was significantly higher than that (15,712) of 5th grade children. But there was no significant difference in daily steps and activity coefficients between boys and girls. Daily steps (23,347) of exercise group showed the significantly higher than that (16,144) of non-exercise group. Gender and grade of subjects did not have significant influence on activity coefficients, but there was a significant difference in activity coefficient on weekdays between the exercise group ($1.82{\pm}0.30$) and non-exercise group ($1.50{\pm}0.21$). Analysis of variance revealed stronger associations between daily steps and body fat (%) than between daily steps and BMI. Daily steps showed significant negative correlation with body fat (%) measured using two methods r=-0.321 and r=-0.365, respectively. Activity coefficient was significantly correlated (r=0.436) with daily steps, thus increasing daily steps cm prevent and treat childhood obesity by increasing the energy expenditure. The higher activity coefficients (weekday 1.56, weekend 1.53) of the subjects was caused by the fact that rural students spent more time outside and enjoyed stronger activities than urban students. The results of this study can be used to estimate energy requirements for Korean children based on exercise levels and living areas.