• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between standing posture biomechanics and physical fitness in the elderly. Physical fitness variables and postural variables for 227 (140 women and 87 men) elderly individuals were tested. Physical fitness tests (Korean Institute of Sports Science, 2012) included 3m sit, walk, and return, grip test, 30 second chair sit and stand, sit and reach, figure 8 walks, and 2 minute stationary march. Postural biomechanics variables included resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP), shoulder slope, pelvic slope, knee flexion angle, leg length difference, thoracic angle, and upper body slope. In statistical analysis, multiple regression was conducted by using stepwise selection method via SAS (version 9.2). Analysis for both men and women revealed significant relationships between physical fitness and age, upper body slope, knee flexion angle, leg length difference. Pelvic and thoracic angle were only related to figure 8 walking and sit and reach in women, while RCSP and shoulder slope had no relationship with any physical fitness variables.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.391-396
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cross arms and palms facing forward on spinopelvic parameters during the whole spine lateral radiography. In addition, we would like to present the usefulness of a posture with the palm facing forward during whole spine lateral radiography of the spine using EOS. The subjects of this study were images of a total of 50 patients (18 males, 32 females) who whole spine lateral radiography using the conventional method and the EOS method from October 2020 to March 2021. The posture used in this study was set as 'CAP' for cross arms and 'PUSH' for posture with palms facing forward. In this study, among the spinal stability factors, thoracic kyphosis (thoracic vertebrae 4 to 12), lumbar lordosis (lumbar vertebrae 1 to sacrum 1), sagittal vertical axis, sacral slope, and shoulder flexion angle were compared on average. The mean thoracic kyphosis was 34.52±12.46° for CAP and 28.46±10.81° for PUSH (p<0.01). The lumbar lordosis of CAP was 42.45±17.45°and that of PUSH was 40.56±16.14°(p>0.57). The sagittal vertical axis was 26.59±34.34 mm in CAP and 21.21±35.41 mm in PUSH (p>0.44). In CAP, the sacral slope was 30.96±10.29°, and in PUSH, it was 31.01±10.19° (p>0.98). shoulder flexion angle was 38.31±8.24° for CAP and 26,08±6.71° for PUSH(p<0.01). As a result of this study, the PUSH posture is considered to be a posture that can minimize the shoulder flexion angle and can perform a stable examination while minimizing changes in spino-pelvic parameter.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.11-19
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• 2017

Background: Methods for exercising serratus anterior (SA) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles are important for the recovery of patients with various shoulder disorders, yet the efficacy of closed or open kinetic chain exercises have not yet been evaluated. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the activation of the SA and UT muscles during scapular protraction considering both closed and open kinetic chain exercises. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into experimental groups (closed kinetic chain exercise) and control groups (open kinetic chain exercise) in which scapular protraction was performed at $90^{\circ}$ or $125^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion. Electromyographic activity data were collected from the SA and UT muscles per position and exercise method. Results: Separate mixed 2-way analysis of variance showed significant differences in the activation of the SA (F1,28=6.447, p=.017) and the UT (F1,28=35.450, p=.001) muscles between the groups at $90^{\circ}$ and $125^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion. Also, the SA/UT ratio measures at $90^{\circ}$ and $125^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion significantly differed between the groups (F1,28=15.457, p=.001). That is, the closed chain exercise was more effective than open chain exercise for strengthening the SA muscle and controlling the UT muscle, $125^{\circ}$ of shoulder joint was more effective than $90^{\circ}$. Conclusion: The findings suggest that scapular protraction with shoulder $125^{\circ}$ flexion at the closed kinetic chain exercise may be more effective in increasing SA muscle activation and decreasing UT muscle activation as well as increasing the SA/UT ratio than open kinetic chain exercise.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate any visible difference in shoulder stability muscle activity along the bending angle($70^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $110^{\circ}$) to perform the open kinetic chain(OKC) and closed kinetic chain(CKC) exercise. Method: This study was performed on normal 20 males subjects. Exercise was carried out in two ways OKC and CKC. Shoulder stability muscles are examined activity in the bending angles. In the OKC and CKC exercise to subjects with stretched out waist straightened, and than push forward the shoulder. Muscular activation was examined using the WEMG-8. Result: The results of this study were as follows. 1. Only in the trapezius muscle, it showed specific interaction between exercise methods and angles. When it comes to muscle activity, there was no significant difference in all muscles except for the anterior fibers of the deltoid muscle during both CKC and OKC exercise. 2. The average value of maximum muscle activity was significantly increased with increasing order of angles. But in CKC exercise, the muscle activity of infraspinatus tended to decrease with increasing angles. Conclusion: To summarize the research results, the muscle activity in upper fibers of the trapezius, anterior fibers of the deltoid, and serratus anterior was significantly different depending on the angle of the shoulder in both CKC and OKC exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.39-51
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of neck and shoulder self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media on neck pain, postural alignment, and joint position error in women with chronic neck pain. Methods: The subjects included 20 women that gave consent to participate in the study voluntarily. They performed the self-stretching exercises using audiovisual media was carried out 20 minutes 5 times a week during 3 weeks. Neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to measure the functional disability and pain, A pressure pain threshold was measured using an algometer, and a cervical range of motion (CROM) measurement tool was used to measure the range of motion and error of proprioceptive position sense of the cervical spine. To assess posture alignment, forward head angle (FHA), forward shoulder angle (FSA) were measured using image J software. Results: The neck pain intensity was statistically significantly within group (p<.05). Neck and shoulder functional disability were a statistically significant difference within group (p<.05). Splenius capitis and upper trapezius pressure pain threshold were statistically significant difference in within group (p<.05). The postural alignment was statistically significantly within group (p<.05). The cervical range of motion in neck extension, right and left lateral flexion were statistically significantly within group (p<.05). The joint position error in neck flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion decreased statistically significantly within group (p<.05). Conclusion: Self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media increased the mobility of the neck, decreased neck pain and joint position error, and improved posture alignment. As a result, there was a positive effect by applying the self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media to people with neck pain. Based on this, it is thought that it can be used as the basis for research related to home training programs for healthy self-management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.111-119
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• 2016

This study aimed to analyze postures that were frequently conducted in manufacturing industry. To find grip strength and muscle activities of each posture, Maximum Voluntary Contraction (MVC) and ElectroMyoGraphy (EMG) were measured. Based on the results of this study, the most appropriate posture could be suggested and used as a basic information for preventing musculoskeletal disorders. Most work-related musculoskeletal disorders have been occurred in the fields of manufacturing industry. According to previous studies, it was reported that the rate of musculoskeletal diseases of upper extremity was higher than that of other body parts. Accordingly, there were many studies about discomfort and grip strength of upper extremity. However, these studies dealt with single selection of wrist, elbow and shoulder. So, it was insufficient for comprehensive studies about upper extremity. And in order to improve the work posture, the physiological changes being generated by the combination of wrist, elbow and shoulder postures should be observed and analyzed. In order to conduct this study, thirty university students who had no records of MSDs involved were recruited. Independent variables were postures of wrist(pronation, neutral, supination), postures of elbow(flexion $45^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$) and postures of shoulder(flexion $0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$). And dependent variables were MVC values and EMG values. Jamar dynamometer and TeleMyo 2400T G2 was used to measure MVC and EMG. MVC and EMG for 12 postures were measured for three second and for three times. Experiment was performed randomly. A 10 minutes rest period was provided after each t. To measure muscle load, the EMG signals of eight muscles (Biceps, Medial triceps, Lateral triceps, Brachioradialis, Extensor carpi ulnaris, Extensor carpi radialis, Flexor carpi ulnaris and Flexor carpi radialis) were evaluated. MVC values and EMG values were analyzed using Minitab ver. 14. The results showed that MVC value was the highest at shoulder $0^{\circ}$, elbow $45^{\circ}$ and wrist supination. In case of wrist postures, MVC of supination is the highest. In case of elbow and shoulder postures, MVC of flexion $45^{\circ}$ and $0^{\circ}$ was the highest. It was found that there were interaction between wrist and elbow posture under shoulder flexion and between shoulder and wrist under elbow flexion $45^{\circ}$. In case of the angle of shoulder $0^{\circ}$, elbow $45^{\circ}$ and wrist supination, the EMG values of four muscles(Medial Triceps, Extensor carpi ulnaris, Extensor carpi radialis, Flexor carpi ulnaris) were the highest. Based on this study, it is worth to note that the combination postures of upper extremity have a large impact on the MVC and EMG. The optimal condition upper extremity was shoulder flexion $0^{\circ}$, elbow flexion $45^{\circ}$ and wrist supination for preventing work-related musculoskeletal disease.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2021

Background: The serratus anterior and upper trapezius muscles act synergistically to allow for an appropriate scapulothoracic rhythm. However, a decrease in serratus anterior activation causes the upper trapezius to become overactivated, resulting in dysfunction. This study compared serratus anterior and upper trapezius muscle activity according to sling angle and compared serratus anterior strength between healthy adults and patients with shoulder instability. Methods: Twenty participants (10 healthy adults and 10 patients with shoulder instability) were included in this study. The participants had their arms extended at sling angles of 30°, 60°, and 90° in reach forward with shoulder flexion using goniometer. Serratus anterior strength was measured three times while the participants were supine. The outcome measures were surface electromyography amplitude of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior and serratus anterior strength. Results: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test indicated that the upper trapezius was significantly different between healthy group and shoulder instability group at a sling angle of 60°, and both the upper trapezius and serratus anterior exhibited significant differences at 90°. Moreover, a significant difference was noted in the muscle strength of the serratus anterior. Conclusion: Our results provide novel and promising clinical evidence that patients with shoulder instability have decreased serratus anterior activation and upper trapezius overactivation, resulting in muscle imbalance. In addition, there was a significant difference between the healthy group and shoulder instability group in the serratus anterior muscle strength

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of posture correction & stabilization according to horse rider's(n=10) skill levels of novice(0wk), mid-skill(12wk) & skill(24wk) in walk & trot. First, Mean posture of 3 times experiments; Anterior & posterior leaning posture of trunk showed rather unstable according to progress of the stages of TD1, TO, TD2 phase, and also shoulder & elbow angle, which effects to the distance from bit to rein, showed unstable riding posture. There was close relationship between shoulder and elbow Angle in walk and hip, knee & ankle angle in trot. Second, Posture correction & stabilization according to riding skill levels; Anterior & posterior leaning posture of trunk did not show significant difference statistically but showed approaching tendency to trunk's vertical line and showed significant difference(p<.05) according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot horse riding. Hip angle showed significant difference according to progress of the stages of TD1, TO, TD2 phase(p<.05) and showed tendency maintaining the larger thigh flexion according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot. Knee angle showed more stable posture by maintaining the larger flexion between thigh and shank according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot(p<.05). Ankle angle also showed tendency maintaining the larger plantar flexion of foot according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot. When considering the above, regular horse riding program could be useful in posture correction & stabilization according to improvement of skill levels of novice(0wk), mid-skill(12wk) & skill(24wk) in walk & trot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.181-197
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• 2003

The Purpose of this study was to examine the kinematic analysis of the upper-limb motion of wheelchair basketball free throw shooting. Three-dimensional kinematic data were obtained from 8 male wheelchair basketball players performing a successful free throw. Players were divided into three groups, according to their IWBF classification(Group 1: 1 point players, Group 2: 2-2.5point players and Group 3:3.5-4 point players) Wheelchair basketball free throw motions were taken by video camera. The three-dimensional coordinates was processed by DLT. Players from Group 1 and 2 tended to release the ball from a lower height, with greater velocity and release angle. Players from Group 1 showed greater shoulder horizontal adduction and horizontal abduction angle, wrist ulnar flexion and radial flexion angle, and trunk angle. but players from Group 2 appeared lower shoulder abduction. Upper limb angular velocity showed most greatly in hands from Group 1, upperarm from Group 2, and forearm from Group 3.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2023

Background: Flexion of cervical and lumbar joints is required when viewing a smartphone screen. Thus, these joints are overused, together with the surrounding joints and muscles. Long-term use of smartphones will cause changes in cervical and lumbar posture. The effect on forward head posture will vary, depending on the angle of cervical flexion start position in relation to the smartphone. This study investigated how forward head posture changes over time when using a smartphone at 20° and 40° cervical flexion start positions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty-five subjects with a forward head posture angle of 35° or less participated in the study. A Forward Head Posture app on the participants' smartphones measured forward head posture 5 and 10 minutes after watching videos on their smartphones. Cervical range of motion was used to set a smartphone watching start posture of 20° and 40° of cervical flexion. Results: There was no significant difference in forward head posture, irrespective of cervical flexion start position, but the angle of forward head posture increased more at cervical flexion of 40° than at cervical flexion of 20°. There was no significant difference in what according to smartphone video viewing times, but the angle of forward head posture increased over time. Conclusion: An increase in forward head posture over time with smartphone usage poses a potential risk of neck and shoulder pain. Therefore, smartphone users should avoid prolonged screen time.