• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.771-782
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• 2017

This paper describes the development of a wearable robot to assist ankle power for the elderly. Previously developed wearable robots have generally used motors and gears to assist muscle power during walking. However, the combination of motor and reduction gear is heavy and has limitations on the simultaneous control of stiffness and torque due to the friction of the gear reducer unlike human muscles. Therefore, in this study, Mckibben pneumatic muscle, which is lighter, safer, and more powerful than an electric motor with gear, was used to assist ankle joint. Antagonistic actuation using a pair of pneumatic muscles assisted the power of the soleus muscles and tibialis anterior muscles used for the pitching motion of the ankle joint, and the model parameters of the antagonistic actuator were experimentally derived using a muscle test platform. To recognize the wearer's walking intention, foot load and ankle torque were calculated by measuring the pressure and the center of pressure of the foot using force and linear displacement sensors, and the stiffness and the torque of the pneumatic muscle joint were then controlled by the calculated ankle torque and foot load. Finally, the performance of the developed ankle power assistive robot was experimentally verified by measuring EMG signals during walking experiments on a treadmill.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.505-514
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle activation in trunk and low-limbs muscle during squat exercise on various instability surface. 10 subject performed squat with 75% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) on a stable floor, stability blue, stability black and BOSU. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured trunk muscle such as rectus abdomina (RA), external obliques (EO), internal obliques (IO), multifidus (MF), and low-limbs muscle such as gluteus maximus (GMA), gluteus medius (GME), biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateral oblique (VLO), medialis gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), soleus (SOL) and anterior tibia (AT) when ascending and descending squat phase. One-way ANOVA repeated measure with Sheffe used to compare the muscle activity on the stable and unstable surface. Squat with BOSU ball induces higher muscle activity of IO, MF, GMA and GME compared with stability and stability blue and blackduring descending motion. Squat with BOSU ball induces higher muscle activity of GMA compared with stability and stability blue and blackduring ascending motion. This results suggested that BOSU ball in the squat could be effective increasing of trunk stability and gluteal muscle activity. However, there was no difference of squat on low-limb muscle with or without instability.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.657-667
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• 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of swimming exercise on growth-related telomere length and expression of TRF 2 in different tissues of SD rats. The telomere lengths of all the tissues analyzed were longer in the standard group than either in aged-control group or in two aged-exercise groups, suggesting growth-induced attrition of telomere lengths. On the other hand, it was also found that swimming exercise could attenuate this growth-related telomere attrition in the heart tissue of the long-term group only, with no significant attenuating effects of aerobic exercise on either liver telomere length or soleus muscle telomere length. Also, in the heart, TRF 2 expression was significantly lower in control group compare to standard group. But, there was significantly higher in long term exercise group compare to control group. There was positive correlation between telomere length and expression of TRF 2 in heart tissue. This study implies that the swimming exercise performed for longer periods of time can contribute to growth process of heart by regulation of telomere length and TRF 2 expression. In the growth process, the regular swimming exercise will provide a meaningful advantage for various physiological processes.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

It has been shown that both caloric restriction and exercise, enhances glucose uptake through translocation of GLUT-4 protein. It remains unclear how exercise and caloric restriction affect the changes in VAMP (vesicle-associated membrane protein) in skeletal muscle and GLUT-2 in liver. This study investigated the effects of exercise training and caloric restriction on the expressions of glucose transport relating proteins in muscle and liver tissues in diabetic rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (250±10 g; 8 week in age) were assigned equally to four different groups; control (C), exercise only (E), dietary restriction only (D) and dietary restriction and exercise (DE). Daily food consumption was monitored to establish baseline intake. Both C and E groups consumed baseline food intake while D and DE groups were provided with only 60% of baseline total food intake. Forty-eight hours after intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg), diabetes was confirmed (8-hr fasting blood glucose levels ≥300 mg/dl). Rats in the E and DE groups exercised on a motorized treadmill for 30 min/d, 5 days/week for 4 weeks (5 min running at 3 m/min, 0% grade; 8 m/min for the next 5min, and then 15 m/min for 20 min). Rats were sacrificed 48 hrs after the last bout of exercise. Soleus muscle and liver were extracted to analyze for GLUT-4, VAMP-2, and GLUT-2, respectively. All variables were analyzed using the Western Blotting technique. All values were expressed as optical volume measured by optical density. A Two-way ANOVA was used to examine the difference between groups and applied Duncan's test for post-hoc. No significant differences in GLUT-2 expression were found among groups. However, E (280133±13228 arbitrary units{AU}) and DE (268833±14424 AU) groups showed significantly higher (p<.001) levels of GLUT-4 as compared with C (34461±2099 AU) and D groups (27847±703 AU). VAMP-2 protein expression increased (p<.001) in E (184137±7803 AU) and DE (189800±10856 AU) groups as compared to C (74201±8296AU) and D (72967±863 AU) groups. These results suggest that either exercise with or without caloric restriction increases the up-regulation of GLUT-4 and VAMP-2 in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats. However, GLUT-2 protein in liver was not affected by either exercise or exercise with caloric restriction.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.1635-1647
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• 2023

Muscle atrophy, which is defined as a decrease in muscle mass and strength, is caused by an imbalance between the anabolism and catabolism of muscle proteins. Thus, modulating the homeostasis between muscle protein synthesis and degradation represents an efficient treatment approach for this condition. In the present study, the protective effects against muscle atrophy of ethanol extracts of Morus alba L. (MA) and Angelica keiskei Koidz. (AK) leaves and their mixtures (MIX) were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that MIX increased 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide-induced C2C12 myotube thinning, and enhanced soleus and gastrocnemius muscle thickness compared to each extract alone in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy Sprague Dawley rats. In addition, although MA and AK substantially improved grip strength and histological changes for dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy in vivo, the efficacy was superior in the MIX-treated group. Moreover, MIX further increased the expression levels of myogenic factors (MyoD and myogenin) and decreased the expression levels of E3 ubiquitin ligases (atrogin-1 and muscle-specific RING finger protein-1) in vitro and in vivo compared to the MA- and AK-alone treatment groups. Furthermore, MIX increased the levels of phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (Akt), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) that were reduced by dexamethasone, and downregulated the expression of forkhead box O3 (FoxO3a) induced by dexamethasone. These results suggest that MIX has a protective effect against muscle atrophy by enhancing muscle protein anabolism through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway and attenuating catabolism through the inhibition of FoxO3a.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1889-1895
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• 2010

The purpose of this present study was to investigate the effects of long-term treadmill running and aged garlic extract supplementation on weight, adipose tissue mass, lipid profiles and oxidative stress after exhaustion in high fat diet-induced obese rats. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats (3 weeks old) were used as subjects. High fat diets were fed to all subjects for 6 weeks in order to induce obesity. The subjects were divided into five groups - N (normal diet group), HD (high fat diet group), E (exercise group), EA (exercise with AGE diet group) and A (AGE diet group). Aerobic exercise was performed through treadmill running and AGE at a dosage of 2.86 kg/g was administered to rats 30 min before every exercise for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, all groups completed acute treadmill running (speed increasing gradually to 25 m/min, 15% uphill grade) until exhaustion. Immediately after exhaustive treadmill exercise, the weight, adipose tissue mass, lipid profiles and oxidative stress of the rats were assayed. At the end of 6 weeks of high fat diets, body weight and body weight gain were significantly higher in the high fat diet groups than in the normal diet group (p<0.001). At the end of treadmill exercise with AGE intake for 4 weeks, body weight gain, visceral and epididymal fat of the E and EA groups were significantly decreased compared to other groups (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in gastrocnemius and soleus. T-C, HDL-C, TG and LDL-C were not significant in any of the groups. TBARS was significantly lower in the A group than in the E group (p<0.05). These results indicated that body weight gain, visceral and epididymal fat decreased in the E and EA groups, and TBARS levels were lower in the A group than the E group. Regular aerobic exercise intervention with AGE supplementation may also modify the adipose weight and improve the oxidant stress in obese rats.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.341-349
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular treadmill running on GLUT4 protein of skeletal muscle in STZ-diabetic rats. I used 19 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 140 to 160 grams. Rats were randomly assigned into normal, diabetes(DM) and DE(DE) groups. The exercise was loaded with treadmill running for 5 days per week during 4 weeks. All experimental procedures were carried out following overnight fasting 48 hours after last exercise. Gain(gm) in body weight in DM rats(822.4) was lowered compared to normal rats(1092.8), and decreased by exercise. Plasma glucose concentration(mg/dl) in DM rats was 1433.1 which is higher than that of normal group of 1036.4. The concentration of DE group was lower than that of DM rats. Plasma insulin concentration(${\mu}U/ml$) of DM and DE rats was significantly lowerd compared to normal rats. There was no difference of plasma concentrations of FFA and HDL cholesterol among noraml, DM and DE groups. Plasma triglyceride concentration(mg/dl) was significantly highered in DM group compared to those of DM group, the concentration of DE group was lower. Glycogen concentration(mg/gm wet weight) of the plantaris muscle in DM and DE groups was significantly reduced compared to normal group. Glucose transporter 4(GLUT4) protein of soleus was analyzed by Western blot. In DM group, the GLUT4 protein level was markdly decreased compared to normal group, but the level was recovered to the level of normal group by 4 weeks treadmill running. In conclusion, the insulin resistance induced by STZ administration was partially improved by 4 weeks physical training in rats.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-42
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment effect of three interventions on the disuse atrophy of rat hindlimb after two weeks suspension. Forty-eight 11~12 weeks old female Sprague-Dawley white rats were divided into four intervention groups: 1) suspension only (S; n=10), 2) intensive weight bearing treadmill (IWBT; n=10), 3) electrical stimulation (ES; n=9), 4) 2)+3) (ES/IWBT; n=9). Another 10 rats received no intervention or hindlimb suspension and served as controls (C). After the interventions, 1) the cross-sectional area (CSA), 2) the ratio of white muscle fiber composition (WMFC), 3) isometric tetanic tension (ITT), and 4) muscle weights (MWs) were measured from the four calf muscle specimens. The results were as follows: 1. In all intervention groups, the CSAs of medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG LG), soleus (SOL), and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) decreased when compared to the control (C) group (p<.05). The CSA increased in FDS and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 2. The ratios of WMFC in MG, LG, SOL, and FDS increased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ratios of WMFC decreased in SOL and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group, and decreased in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the IWBT group (p<.05). 3. The ITT in the MG, LG, SOL, and FDS decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ITT increased in MG LG/FDS, SOL, and the whole calf muscles (WCMs) in the IWBT, ES and ES/IWBT groups compared to the S only group (p<.05). 4. The MWs in MG LG/FDS, SOL, WCMs decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The MWs increased in MG LG/FDS and WCMs for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES group, and in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 5. In atrophied muscles, the IWBT group showed the best recovery and the ES/IWBT and ES groups followed in decreasing order. The most susceptible muscle to disuse atrophy was the SOL. But conversely, it showed the best recovery in the ES/IWBT group. After two weeks of hindlimb suspension, the calf muscles of rats atrophied and their isometric tension decreased. These changes were best reversed by hindlimb-focused treadmill activity. The next best results were achieved by electrical stimulation combined with the treadmill followed by only electrical stimulation. These findings indicate that full weight bearing treadmill activity alone or in combination with electrical stimulation are effective treatments for non-weight bearing induced muscle atrophy. Further study of the effect of different intensities of electrical stimulation and variations in the duration period of full weight bearing treadmill activity on disuse atrophy is recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.1197-1203
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• 2013

This study investigated the effects of endurance exercise and ginsenoside $Rb_1$ on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) protein expression and glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle of rats. A total of 32 rats were randomly divided into four groups: CON (Control group, n=8), Ex (Exercise group; 25 m/min for 1 h, 6 days/week, 2 weeks, n=8), $Rb_1$ (Ginsenoside $Rb_1$ group; n=8), and $Rb_1/Ex$ ($Rb_1$+Exercise group, n=8). The $Rb_1$ and $Rb_1/Ex$ groups were incubated in ginsenoside $Rb_1$ (KRBP buffer, $100{\mu}g/mL$) for 60 min after a 2-week experimental treatment. After 2 weeks, the expression of phosphorylated $AMPK{\alpha}$ $Thr^{172}$, total $AMPK{\alpha}$, the p85 subunit of PI3K, pIRS-1 $Tyr^{612}$, and pAkt $Ser^{473}$ were determined in the soleus muscle. Muscle glucose uptake was measured using 2-deoxy-D-[$^3H$] glucose in epitroclearis muscle. Muscle glucose uptake was significantly higher in the three experimental groups (Ex, $Rb_1$, $Rb_1/Ex$) compared to the CON group (P<0.05). The expression of $tAMPK{\alpha}$ and $pAMPK{\alpha}$ $Thr^{172}$ was significantly higher in the Ex, $Rb_1$, and $Rb_1/Ex$ groups compared to the CON group (P<0.05). The expression of pAkt $Ser^{473}$ was significantly higher in the $Rb_1$ group compared to the CON and EX groups. However, the expression of pIRS-1 $Tyr^{612}$ and the p85 subunit of PI3K were not significantly different between the four groups. Overall, these results suggest that ginsenoside $Rb_1$ significantly stimulates glucose uptake in the skeletal muscle of rats through increasing phosphorylation in the AMPK pathway, similar to the effects of exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.963-971
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of exercise intensity on PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, and insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of high fat diet-fed Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups: sedentary control group (SED), high fat diet group (HF), high fat diet+low-intensity exercise group (HFLE, 22 m/min, 60 min, 6 days/week), high fat diet+moderate-intensity exercise group (HFME, 26 m/min, 51 min), and high fat diet+high-intensity exercise group (HFHE, 30 m/min, 46 min). After 4 weeks of high fat diet and endurance exercise training, the lipid profiles, insulin, and glucose concentrations were determined in plasma. PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, and GLUT-4 contents were measured in plantaris muscle. The rate of glucose transport in soleus muscle was determined under submaximal insulin concentration ($1,000{\mu}IU/mL$ insulin, 20 min) during muscle incubation. Plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance test in HF was significantly greater than that in SED, and plasma glucose levels in the three exercise (EX) groups were significantly lower that those in SED and HF at 30 and 60 min, respectively (P<0.05). Plasma insulin levels in the EX groups were significantly reduced by 60 min compared to that in HF (P<0.05). The protein expression level of PGC-$1{\alpha}$ as well as muscle glucose uptake were significantly higher in SED and HF than those in the three EX groups (P<0.05), and HFHE showed significantly higher levels than HFLE and HFME. Expression levels of GLUT-4 and PPAR-${\gamma}$ were significantly higher in the HFLE, HFME, and HFHE groups compared to the SED and HF (P<0.05). Therefore, the results of this study indicate that 4 weeks of high fat diet significantly developed whole body insulin resistance but did not affect PGC-$1{\alpha}$, PPAR-${\gamma}$, or the glucose transport rate in skeletal muscle, and exercise training was able to attenuate deteriorated whole body insulin resistance due to high fat diet. In addition, high intensity training significantly affected PGC-$1{\alpha}$ expression and the glucose transport rate of skeletal muscle in comparison with low and middle training intensities.