• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.446-453
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• 2022

Objective: The popularization of smartphones can lead to abnormal cervical alignment in university students. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship among smartphone screen time, cervical alignment, and muscle function in university students. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Seventy-five university students participated in the study. They completed the evaluation of cervical alignment and muscle function, such as handgrip strength, proprioception, and muscle quality (tone, stiffness, and relaxation time). All participants recorded their general characteristics and individual smartphone screen time before the evaluation. They were evaluated craniovertebral angle (CVA) using smartphone application (angle meter 360) for measuring cervical alignment. The muscle function was assessed using a digital hand-held dynamometer, dual inclinometer, and MyotonPRO device. Results: Of all participants, twenty-five university students had forward head posture (CVA<49°, 33.33%). Independent t-test revealed that there were significant differences on smartphone screen time, muscle stiffness, and muscle relaxation between the participants with and without forward head posture (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between the smartphone screen time and the CVA, muscle tone, and muscle relaxation (r=-0.493, 0.250, and -0.500, respectively). Conclusions: The results indicate that the university students with forward head posture had high smartphone screen time and muscle stiffness compared to the students without forward head posture, and smartphone screen time might be associated with cervical alignment and muscle quality.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-70
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three relaxation techniques, namely, Static Stretching Exercise (SSE), Eccentric Contraction Exercise (ECE), and Suboccipital Muscle Release (SMR) on the flexibility and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. Methods: The participants were 45 adults in their 20s with hamstring shortening. They performed three exercises (i.e., SSE, ECE, and SMR) for two weeks. We measured flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance before and after the intervention, applying each relaxation technique. Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set at α=0.05. Results: Flexibility increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with the SSE group showing the greatest improvement. Muscle tone and stiffness decreased in all groups, with the ECE group exhibiting the highest reduction. Proprioception increased in the SSE, ECE, and SMR groups, with SSE demonstrating the greatest enhancement. Balance also increased in all groups, with the ECE group showing the most pronounced improvement. Conclusion: Overall, all three relaxation techniques for hamstring shortening resulted in improved flexibility, muscle tone and stiffness, proprioception, and balance of the lower limb in adults with hamstring shortening. The findings of this study underscore the importance of selecting an appropriate technique according to the purpose of treatment and the condition of the patient.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Background: Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) was a term which refers to a sudden onset of myoelectric silence in the erector spinae muscles of the back during standing full forward flexion. Hamstring muscle length may be related to specific pelvic and trunk movements. Many studies have been done on the FRP of the erector spinae muscles. However, no studies have yet investigated the influence of hamstring muscle flexibility on the FRP of the hamstring muscle and lumbopelvic kinematics during forward bending. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the hamstring muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics and compare them during forward bending in subjects with different hamstring muscle flexibility. Methods: The subjects of two different groups were recruited using the active knee extension test. Group 1-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angle under $30^{\circ}$; Group 2-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angel above $50^{\circ}$. The kinematic parameters during the trunk bending task were recorded using a motion analysis system and the FRRs of the hamstring muscles were calculated. Differences between the groups were identified with an independent t-test. Results: The subjects with greater hamstring length had significantly less lumbar spine flexion movement and more pelvic flexion movement. The subjects with greater pelvic flexion movement had a higher rate of flexion relaxation during full trunk bending (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that differences in hamstring muscle flexibility might cause changes in people's hamstring muscle activity and lumbopelvic kinematics.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.38-45
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• 2019

Purpose: This study purpose to comparison the effects of passive scapular alignment exercise and hold & relaxation technique on craniovertebral angle (C1~C7) with forward head posture due to using variety bag and using computer in healthy subjects. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: 22 subjects were divide into two groups: PSAEx group and H/R group two groups. After exercise, the CVA were measured using C7 and tragus. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 20.2 Results: There were significant differences pre and post the exercise. Conclusion: PSAEx and H/R technique was effective to correct a abnormal CVA posture. The result of this study may helpful as basic data for orthopedic physical therapy.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.791-803
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• 2016

In this article, the problem of a two-dimensional thermoelastic half-space are studied using mathematical methods under the purview of the generalized thermoelastic theory with one relaxation time is studied. The surface of the half-space is taken to be thermally insulated and traction free. Accordingly, the variations of physical quantities due to by laser pulse given by the heat input. The nonhomogeneous governing equations have been written in the form of a vector-matrix differential equation, which is then solved by the eigenvalue approach. The analytical solutions are obtained for the temperature, the components of displacement and stresses. The resulting quantities are depicted graphically for different values of thermal relaxation time. The result provides a motivation to investigate the effect of the thermal relaxation time on the physical quantities.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.173-182
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• 1997

This study presents the results observed in the change in blood components of ten female students of “K” university's physical Education Department during submaximal exercise, relaxation and recovery periods. 1. After ecercise, the WBC value is higher than in relaxation time. Also within thirty minutes of the relaxation period it does not return to the normal range. 2. After exercise, the RBC value is higher than during relaxation time. Also in the recovery period, within 30 minutes it returns to the normal range. 3. After exercise. the RCT value is higher than during relaxation time. Also in the 30 minutes recovery period it returns to the normal range of relaxation. 4. After exercise, the Hb value is higher than during relaxation time. It rises slowly after exercise and returns to the relaxation range in the 30 minutes recovery period. 5. After exercise and in 10 minutes of the recovery period, the value of Glucose is lower than during relaxation time. It returns to the relaxation range in 30 minutes of the recovery period. 6. After exercise the value of protein is higher than during relaxation time. It returns to the relaxation range within ten to thirty minutes of the recovery period.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 2003

Effect of fixation methods and relaxation treatment on the flame retardant(FR) and physical properties of MDPP/HMM treated cotton weft-knitted fabrics were studied. Combination of four different fixation methods - relaxation, swelling agent treatment, pad dry cure fixation, and wet fixation - were applied to flame retardant finish of cotton weft-knitted fabric with MDPP/HMM. As the results, 1. Swelling agent and wet fixation method helps FR agent penetrate the fiber efficiently. Interlock showed relatively higher values of LOI than single jersey. 2. Interlock showed relatively higher values of bending rigidity(B), shear rigidity(G) and coefficient of friction(MIU) than those of single jersey before and after flame resistant treatment. 3. An increase in internal volume of cotton fiber by relaxation treatment increased the bending rigidity(B), shear rigidity(G) and compressional energy(WC). 4. The cotton weft-knitted fabric treated wet fixation, which crossliked FR agent efficiently, showed higher bending rigidity, shear rigidity(G) and lower compressional energy(WC). Retention of swelling ability of cotton weft-knitted fabrics treated with MDPP/HMM, which increased the internal volume of cotton weft-knitted fabric, showed lower bending rigidity.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1981-1991
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• 2020

Background: Although various exercises have been performed for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), the effects of these exercises including joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises on flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) have not been compared. Objective: To compare the effects of joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises on the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) and pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Methods: Thirty-six patients with chronic low back pain who were undergoing rehabilitation at a rehabilitation center were included. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: joint mobilization group (JMG; n=12), gym ball exercise group (GBG; n=12), and breathing exercise group (BEG; n=12). The exercises were performed for 40 minutes a day, twice a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in FRR between the three groups (P>.05). Significant decreases in the modified visual analog scale (MVAS) scores after intervention between the groups were found (P<.05). The GBG was significantly decreases from the JMG in the MVAS (P<.05). However, there were significant improvements between the pre- and post-interventional findings on FRR and MVAS in the three groups (P<.05). Conclusion: We demonstrated that intervention using joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises improve FRP and pain in patients with CLBP.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.309-314
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• 2005

This study was to determine whether the massage would enhance the physical relaxation in healthy women, and whether the effects of massage on the relaxation would be different by the applied regions of the body. Five healthy young women participated in the two test sessions of back and lower extremities massage in a chamber controlled at an air temperature of $28^{\circ}C$ and a relative humidity of $50{\pm}5%$. The slow stroke massage with lavender aroma oil for 30 minutes was applied to the subjects with a 10-min. and a 20-min rest time before and after the application, respectively. Rectal temperature decreased and the chest and thigh skin temperatures increased with the massage application, and the changes of the temperatures were greater with lower extremities massage than with back massage. Heart rate also decreased during massage period and tended to be lower with lower extremities massage. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased with lower extremities massage. These results show that the slow stroke massage for 30 minutes can induce physiological responses related with the enhanced relaxation in healthy women, and lower extremities massage is more effective on the physical relaxation rather than back massage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 2000

Physical properties of matt georgette knitted fabrics, which has been developed recently, were investigated to provide fundamental information for the textile industry. Dimensional characteristics were examined with three different loop lengths, where the plain knitted fabrics were knitted with cotton yam and polyester yarn. The matt georgette plain knitted stitch was fully relaxed after wet relaxation treatment at $130^{\circ}C$ for 30minutes and subsequent tumble dry treatment at $70^{\circ}C$ for 90minutes. As the treatment temperature of wet relaxation became higher and the loop length did shorter, all of stitch density, course density and wale density were increased with 31 of $K_1$ 8.3 of $K_2$ and 3.8 of $K_3$. Also, The higher value of $K_4$ could be obtain with shorter loop length. When the loop length became longer, the $K_4$ value was varied in a wide range with the treatment of wet relaxation and subsequent tumble dry.