• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.4395-4403
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• 2014

The purpose of study was to compare the effectiveness of sling exercise on the muscle strength and range of motion in female patients who received a total knee replacement. The participants were allocated randomly into 2 groups: sling exercise group (n=15) and control group (n=15). The subjects were evaluated using the Biodex system for the muscle strength test and a goniometer for the range of motion test. The data was analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test to determine the statistical significance. As a result, the sling exercise group before and after intervention showed a statistical significance difference in the flexion angle, quadriceps femoris, and hamstring muscle strength. The control group before and after the intervention revealed a statistically significant increase in the flexion & extension angle, quadriceps femoris, and hamstring muscle strength. Muscle strength test and flexion range of motion test in the sling exercise group showed statistical significance differences compared to the control group (p<.05). Therefore, the sling exercise group has a positive influence on the muscle strength and ROM in patients with a total knee replacement.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.51-59
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the improvement of muscle strength and gait ability of paralyzed lower extremity through convergent stimulation of tDCS(transcranial direct current stimulation) during mirror therapy with resistance exercise in chronic stroke patients. 12 patients with stroke were randomly assigned and divided into groupI(n=6) and groupII(n=6). GroupI provided NDT(neurodevelopmental treatment) and mirror therapy with sham tDCS, and groupII provided NDT and mirror therapy with tDCS. Each convergent stimulation was conducted 5 times a week, 30 minutes per session for a total of 4 weeks. All evaluation was conducted before intervention and performed after 4 weeks. Lower extremity strength showed a significant improvement in groupII compared to groupI(p<.05), and in comparison between groups by variance, significant difference in the quadriceps(p<.01) and tibialis anterior(p<.01). Gait ability showed a significant improvement in both groupI(p<.05) and groupII(p<.05), and significant difference in comparison between groups by variance(p<.01). In conclusion, mirror therapy with tDCS convergent stimulation had a positive improvement effect on paralyzed lower extremity to strength and gait ability through the overlapping interaction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1125-1131
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between quadriceps composition and its functional contractility in obese and nonobese elderly individuals. Thirty-four ($70{\pm}2yr$) individuals (obese, n=21; nonobese, n=13) participated in the study. The thigh composition was assessed with a CT scan, and its functional contractility was measured with an isotonic dynamometer. Variables were analyzed with a $2{\times}2$ two-way ANOVA and a contrast test (p<0.05). There were no between-group differences in the subjects' ages and heights, but individuals in the obese group were approximately 23% heavier and had 18% more fat than those in the nonobese group, regardless of gender. The total thigh volume of the obese elderly was greater (~29%) than that of the nonobese elderly, regardless of gender, and the fat volume (~39%) of the obese elderly was greater than that of the nonobese elderly, regardless of gender (p<0.05). Interestingly, the obese elderly tended to have a greater thigh muscle volume (~17% for males [p<0.05] and ~10% for females) than the nonobese. Despite the greater muscle volume, the peak knee extensor torque of the two groups was comparable or slightly greater in the obese individuals. However, when this was normalized by the total thigh volume, the nonobese males showed significantly greater peak torque (~26% for right and ~20% for left; p<0.05) compared to the obese males. The nonobese females also showed greater peak torque (~8% for both legs) than the obese females after normalization, but the result was not statistically significant. In conclusion, although the obese elderly individuals had greater quadriceps muscle mass than the nonobese, the normalized peak torque of the obese was significantly lower than that of the nonobese, implying a lower degree of muscle contractility.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.967-976
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• 2001

The purpose of the present study was to the investigate the effect of aging in men and women on muscle strength of knee extensor and flexors by using the cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer. A total of 100 volunteers participated in this study and were divided into five groups according to their chronological age as follows: 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, 10 men and 10 women in each decade respectively. Isokinetic ($60^{\circ}{\cdot}s-l$) knee extensor and flexor peak torque, peak torque to body weight ratio, opposing muscles(flexor/extensor) peak torque ratio, deficit of peak torque between dominant and non-dominant were measured. The results obtained were as follows: 1) In men, While the aged increased. the peak torque of the knee flexor and extensor statistically sig nificant decreased in the dominant and non-dominant side. 2) In women, Statistically significant difference of knee extensor peak torque was found as the aged increased in the dominant and non-dominant side, but significant difference of knee flexor peak torque did not that. 3) In men, No significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the non-dominant side, but statistically significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the dominant side. 4) In women. No significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the dominant side, but statistically significant difference in the peak torque of knee flexor to body weight ratio was found as the aged increased in the non-dominant side. 5) In men and women, While the aged increased, statistically significant difference was found the dominant and non-dominant side in the peak torque of knee extensor to body weight ratio. 6) Peak torque of hamstring to quadriceps ratio of dominant and non-dominant side in men and women were not significantly different as the age increases. 7) Mean deficit of peak torque between dominant and non-dominant side in men and women were not significantly different as the age increases. From these results we conclude a proper exercise program is need before 50s decade to preserve in muscle strength of knee flexors and extensors.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.151-155
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• 2008

During sports activity, rectus femoris muscle can be commonly injured as the quadriceps contracts forcefully to extend the knee and flex the hip, and rectus femoris muscle has a high percentage of type II muscle fibers which enable it to produce rapid forceful activity and the muscle is the only biarticular muscle of the quadriceps. Avulsion fractures by the traction of rectus femoris from the anterior inferior iliac spine in children are often reported. Rarely, complete rupture of proximal musculotendinous junction of rectus femoris muscle in adult may occurs by chronic repetitive stimulation and may mimic soft tissue neoplasm in the case of no history of antecedent trauma. However, there has been no report of acute complete rupture of origins of the rectus femoris muscle during relay race till now. So, we report a case of acute complete rupture of origins of the rectus femoris muscle occurred during relay race in middle-aged man, diagnosed by magnetic resonance image and treated by surgical repair with review of current literature.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2007

Purpose: We investigated the natural history of acute, isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries treated conservatively. Materials and Methods: Between February 1999 and October 2006, we evaluated retrospectively the results of acute, isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries treated conservatively. The subjects consisted of 21 patients. At initial and follow up visits physical examination, $KT-2000^{TM}$ arthrometer and MRI were performed to assess improvement on the knee stability and continuity of the posterior cruciate ligament. IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) knee scoring and quadriceps muscle strength were also checked in all population. Comparing the results of initial and follow up examinations we assessed the natural history of acute, isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries treated conservatively. The mean follow up period was 22.7 months. Results: The posterior drawer test showed 14 cases of Grade I, 6 cases of Grade II and 1 case of Grade III progressing 18 cases of Grade I and 3 cases of Grade II. The mean difference of 5.7mm by $KT-2000^{TM}$ arthrometer was changed Into 2.7mm and the continuity of posterior cruciate ligament initially checked by 48.1% on MRI increased to 69.7%. The mean quadriceps muscle strength was grade 'Good' and mean IKDC knee score was nearly grade 'A'. Conclusion: Our study suggests that patients with acute, isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries treated conservatively may get good clinical outcomes on clinical situation and MRI.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.41-47
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• 2012

Background: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between electromyography (EMG) activities in the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) vs vastus lateralis (VL) activity ratio and the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down. Methods: Twenty healthy women volunteered to participate in this study. We measured the frontal-plane projections of the knee valgus angle, knee valgus distance, and hip adduction angle by using a digital camcorder. After 3 repetitions of the step down (dominant side) exercise, the findings of the static and dynamic phases were analyzed. EMG activities data of the VMO:VL activity ratio were recorded during the step down exercise and were normalized to the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the quadriceps. A paired t-test was used to compare the findings of the static and dynamic phases. We analyzed the Spearman's rank order correlation coefficient between the and VMO:VL ratio. Results: Hip adduction angle, knee valgus angle, VMO activity, VL activity, VMO:VL activity ratio were statistically higher in the dynamic phase than in the static phase (p<.05). Frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were significantly correlated with hip adduction angle (r=.459, p<.05) and knee valgus distance (r=.505, p<.05). However, the EMG activity ratio of the VMO and the VL did not show a significant change during step down exercise with respect to hip adduction angle (p=.875), knee valgus angle (p=.618), and knee valgus distance (p=.701). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that frontal-plane projections of knee valgus angle were associated with hip adduction angle and knee valgus distance. On the basis of these results, the knee valgus distance may be used to determine the valgus collapse knee position while stepping down.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2017

Objectives: Exercise with partially restricted blood flow is a low-load, low-intensity resistance training regimen which may have the potential to increase muscle strength in the obese, elderly and frail who are unable to do high-load training. Restricted blood flow exercise has also been shown to affect blood vessel function variably and can, therefore, contribute to blood vessel dysfunction. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that unilateral resistance training of the leg extensors with partially restricted blood flow increases muscle strength and decreases vascular autoregulation. Methods: The subjects were nine normotensive, overweight, young adult African-Americans with low cardiorespiratory fitness who underwent unilateral training of the quadriceps' femoris muscles with partially restricted blood flow at 30% of the 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) load for 3 weeks. The 1-RM load and post-occlusion blood flow to the lower leg (calf) were measured during reactive hyperemia. Results: The 1-RM load increased in the trained legs from $77{\pm}3$ to $84{\pm}4 kg$ (P < 0.05) in the absence of a significant effect on the 1-RM load in the contralateral untrained legs (P > 0.1). Post-occlusion blood flow decreased significantly in the trained legs from $19{\pm}2$ to $13{\pm}2mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P < 0.05) and marginally in the contralateral untrained legs from $18{\pm}2$ to $16{\pm}1mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P = 0.09). Changes in post-occlusion blood flow to the skin overlying the trained and the contralateral untrained muscles were not significant. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that restricted blood flow exercise, which results in significant gains in muscle strength, may produce decrements in endothelial dysfunction and vascular autoregulation. Future studies should determine whether pharmacopuncture plays a role in treatments for such blood vessel dysfunction.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to assess the intra-rater, inter-rater and test-retest reliability and validity of frontal plane lower extremity alignment estimated from a rasterstereographic method using ABW-Mapper. Eighteen subjects participated in this study. The S angle (stereographic angle-frontal plane lower extremity alignment estimated from a rasterstereographic method) in standing was measured throughout the two sessions with one week interval by two different readers. In the first session, a reader measured S angle twice per subject with a short break in-between. The Q-angle (quadriceps angle) was measured using a standard goniometer from a photography taken through digital camera with the participant standing in the same position as in the S angle measurement. The HKA(hip-knee-ankle) angle was measured from a computer based digital radiograph with the computerized measurement software. Reliability was tested using intraclass correlation coefficients(ICC). Validity was tested using a Pearson's correlation coefficient. Excellent intra-rater(ICC=0.956~0.974), inter-rater(ICC=0.962), test-retest reliability (ICC=0.945) were demonstrated. There were strong negative correlations between S angle and Q-angle (r=-0.739), and between S angle and HKA angle (r=-0.702). Therefore, the S angle measured using a rasterstereographic mapper may be used to as a preliminary or supplementary tool to evaluate and study LE alignment in the frontal plane in relation to HKA angle or Q-angle.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combined exercise on injury risk factors of lower extremity during landing. Ten sports talented athletes participated in this study. Sports talented athletes participated in a combined exercise (sports talented exercise, coordination) for 16 weeks. A three-dimensional motion analysis was performed using eight infrared cameras (sampling rate of 100 Hz), one force plate, and electromyography system (sampling rate of 1000 Hz) during landing. Kinetic, and kinematics analysis including average impulsive force, angle of lower extremity, vertical stiffness, onset of muscle activation were calculated by Matlab2009a software. Paired t-test was performed at alpha=.05. The average impulsive force in landing phase was not statistically significant (t=-.748, p=.474). The hip joint angle was more decreased in post test compared to pre test (E1: t=2.682, p=.025, E2: t=5.609, p=.000, E3: t=2.538, p=.032). The knee joint (E1: t=-.343, p=.739, E2: t=1.319, p=.220, E3: t=.589, p=.570) and ankle joint (E1: t=.081, p=.937, E2: t=.784, p=.453, E3: t=.392, p=.704) angle were tended to decrease after combined exercise. The vertical stiffness was tended to decrease after combined exercise (t=1.972, p=.080). Onset of quadriceps femoris (t=.698, p=.503) and medial gastocnemius (t=1.858, p=.096) were tended to be faster than biceps femoris (t=-.333, p=.747) after combined exercise. Although thses findings were not statistically significant except on a hip joint angle, risk factors of lower extremity such as joint angle, vertical stiffness and onset of quadriceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius were positively changed after the combined exercise but an additional training for improved onset of biceps femoris would be required in the future.