• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.441-449
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the impact of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation leg patterns emphasizing hallux abduction (PNF-LPHA) on the intrinsic foot muscles of participants with hallux valgus (HV) using the toe-spread-out exercise (TSO). Methods: The present study recruited 12 individuals with HV. All the participants voluntarily agreed to participate in the study after hearing explanations of its purpose and process. All participants performed the TSO, PNF-LPHA 1, and PNF-LPHA 2. The participants' abductor hallucis (AbH), adductor hallucis (AdH), extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) activity was measured, and the ratio of AbH:AdH was measured during the three interventions using electromyography. Additionally, the participants' AbH thickness was measured by ultrasonography. An intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to verify the intra-rater reliability of ultrasonography at rest and during contraction. Results: The intra-rater reliability was excellent at rest and during contraction ($ICC_{3,1}=0.90$ and $ICC_{3,1}=0.83$, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the activity of the AbH, the ratio of AbH: AdH, and the thickness of AbH between the TSO and PNF-LPHA2 groups. Additionally, EHL activity was significantly higher in the PNF-LPHA2 group than in the TSOgroup. Conclusion: PNF-LPHA 2 can be recommended as a method to optimize AbH and EHL activity, the ratio of AbH:AdH, and the thickness of AbH in individuals with HV.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.84-90
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• 2019

Background: Ankle evertor muscles are important for preventing lateral ankle sprain. Since, the evertor muscles cross the ankle and toe joints, the position at which the ankle evertor muscle strength is measured is important. However, no studies have previously investigated the effect of ankle and toe positions on the strength of the ankle evertor muscle. Objects: This study is aimed to determine the effect of various ankle and toe joint positions on the strength of the ankle evertor muscles in healthy subjects. Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Isometric ankle evertor strength of the dominant leg was determined in each subject in different ankle and toe positions (dorsiflexion (DF) with toe extension (TE), DF with toe flexion (TF), plantar flexion (PF) with TE, and PF with TF). A 2 by 2 repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the difference in the evertor strength between the ankle positions (PF and DF) and toe positions (TE and TF). Results: The results indicate that there was no significant ankle position by toe position interaction effect (p=.83). However, the ankle evertor strength was significantly increased in the ankle DF position than in the PF position (p<.01), and the ankle evertor strength during eversion with TE was significantly higher than eversion with TF (p<.01). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that clinicians should consider the ankle and toe positions when measuring the muscle strength and during performance of selective muscle strengthening exercises of the ankle evertor muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.137-144
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The continued use of smartphones has resulted in an abnormal body posture and neck alignment changes. Maintaining this posture for a long time weakens the flexor muscles in the neck and shortens the extensor muscles in the neck. This study examined the correlation between the suboccipital muscle tension and deep neck flexor muscle physical endurance according to the craniovertebral angles. METHODS: The craniovertebral angle, tension of the suboccipital muscle and endurance of the deep neck flexor muscle were measured in 58 healthy 20-year-old male and female college students. The tension of suboccipital muscle and endurance of the deep neck flexor muscle were then divided according to the body mass index (BMI). Their correlation with the craniovertebral angle was then examined. Each parameter was measured three times to determine the interrater reliability. RESULTS: The craniovertebral angle and suboccipital muscle tension showed differed significantly. On the other hand, the craniovertebral angle and deep neck flexor muscle physical endurance showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The results show that the craniovertebral angle and deep neck flexor muscle physical endurance were not correlated, but a smaller craniovertebral angle resulted in a higher suboccipital muscle tension.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.173-181
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to compare muscle activity after applying two muscle energy techniques (MET) to subjects with forward head posture to see if the post isometric relaxation (PIR) technique is more effective than the reciprocal inhibition (RI) technique. Methods : The muscle activity was measured using EMG after applying the PIR and RI techniques to 30 adults at K College. Subjects were selected for forward head posture whose ear center was 2.5 ㎝ front of the center of the shoulder. EMG equipment was used to measure muscle activity, and the measurement sites were measured in cervical flexor and extensor muscles. The experiment period was performed once a week for a total of two weeks, and after the pre-measurement was performed for 5 minutes PIR and RI exercise. In the PIR technique, the head is tilted back in a sitting position, and the experimenter applies resistance with the same force for 7~10 seconds and repeats 3-5 times after rest. In the RI technique, in a sitting position, the subject gives the force to bend the head forward, and the experimenter applies resistance with the same force for 7 to 10 seconds, and repeats 3 to 5 times after rest. Results : The result is same as the following. In the comparison of muscle activity, there was a significant decrease in both PIR and RI at 1 and 2 weeks. And there was a greater decrease in muscle activity in PIR. There was no difference in the comparison of decrease in muscle activity at 1 week and 2 week. Conclusion : Both PRI and RI can be said to be effective in improving the function of the forward head posture in the neck muscles. Therefore, the selection of the two techniques in clinical practice should be appropriately performed under the judgment of experts according to the patient's situation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2021

Purpose: This study applies the ICF to identify the patient's body function, structure, and participation, evaluates the patient's environmental factors and individual factors, and is a high level of movement to return to the society of patients with multiple ligament injury of the knee joint. Methods: Progressive strength training and ROM exercise were performed 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week for 6 weeks. The evaluation was performed by examining the ROM, length, MMT, instability, dynamic balance, pain and depression. Results: The ROM of the knee joint was improved from 110° to 135° after intervention, and the knee flexion length decreased from 69 cm to 45 cm. Knee flexor is Good after intervention from Poor-, and knee extensor is Good+ after intervention from Poor, and the plantar flexor of the ankle joint improved from Poor- before intervention to Good after intervention and dorsi-flexor of the ankle joint improve to Good from Poor. Pain index was moderate before and after the intervention, with a score of 3, 2 after the intervention, and when maintaining the sitting cross-legged, the before intervention score was 7 to 4 after the intervention. Conclusion: The patient's posture of sitting cross-legged was maintained from 30 seconds before intervention to 14 minutes after intervention. These results were able to set the hypothesis design, intervention method and goal that the multifaceted approach of environment and individual factors as well as body function and structure area, activity and participation area using ICF checklists, it is helped the patient to return to daily life.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle contraction onset time characteristics of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles at different knee flexion angles in individuals with shortened or over-lengthened hamstrings performing prone hip extension. Methods: Twenty-six participants were divided into a hamstring shortened group (n = 12) and hamstring lengthened group (n = 14). Wireless surface electromyography was used to verify the muscle onset time of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris when performing prone hip extension at different knee flexion angles. Results: There were significant differences in the muscle onset times of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris between the hamstring shortened group and hamstring lengthened group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference in the muscle contraction onset times among of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles when performing prone hip extension at a knee flexion of 90° in the hamstring shortened group (p < 0.05) and a knee flexion angle of 0° in the hamstring lengthened group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In all groups, there was no effect on the onset time of the gluteus maximus muscle according based on the knee angle. In addition, the knee flexion angles affected the onset time of the muscle contraction of the gluteus maximus muscle in the hamstring shortened group and hamstring lengthened group with an abnormal length of the hamstring muscle.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of performing Pilates exercises for eight weeks on the isokinetic trunk strength and balance of female middle school students with lumbago. Methods: Twenty-four female students who met the test requirements were recruited and randomly divided into a control group (CG, n = 16) and a Pilates exercise group (Pilates group; PG, n = 8). The PG performed a Pilates program, which consisted of lumbar muscle strengthening exercises, for 60 minutes three times a week for eight weeks. Data analysis was conducted by two-way repeated ANOVA, and a Bonferroni test was carried out when significant differences appeared. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: Following the experimental treatment, the PG showed an increased trunk flexion peak torque of 17% and 13% at angular velocities of 180°/sec and 300°/sec, respectively. The intergroup comparison showed no significant difference at pre-measurement, while the PG increased about 31% (180°/sec) and 15% (300°/sec) higher than the control group at post-measurement. Following the experimental treatment, the PG showed an increased trunk extensor peak torque of approximately 29% and 21% at angular velocities of 180°/sec and 300°/sec, respectively. The intergroup comparison showed no significant difference at pre-measurement, while the PG increased approximately 27% (180°/sec) and 15% (300°/sec) higher than the control group at post-measurement. Both the CG and the PG showed a 20% and 50% decrease in pain index after the experimental treatment, respectively. After the experimental treatment, the PG had about 50% lower pain than the CG. The average error rate of static balance in the PG reduced by 19% from 3.28±0.45 to 2.65±0.36, confirming a significant improvement. Conclusion: Regular Pilates exercise for eight weeks improved the isokinetic trunk muscle strength of female middle school students with lumbago and relieved their pain. Pilates was also shown to be effective in improving balance.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2021

Objective: Low back pain easily becomes chronic and has a high recurrence rate. Therefore, it is most important to prevent chronicity and reduce the risk of recurrence in the early stages of back pain or at the stage with mild pain. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare hip joint muscle strength, trunk muscle endurance, and pelvic alignment between subjects with mild low back pain and subjects without back pain. Design: Crossed-sectional study Methods: The study was conducted by recruiting 30 students in their twenties who are enrolled in K University in Gyeongsangnam-do, and classifying them into 15 patients with mild back pain and 15 patients with normal. The subjects who participated in the experiment were measured for hip flexor and extensor muscle strength, trunk flexion and extension muscle endurance, and pelvic alignment. To measure hip joint muscle strength, biodex was used, and muscle endurance of the trunk was recorded at the end range of the trunk flexion and extension. And pelvic alignment was measured using Formetric 4D. Results: There were no significant differences in hip joint muscle strength, pelvic alignment, and trunk extension muscle endurance. The retention time was found to be significantly shorter in the mild low back pain group than in the normal group for trunk flexion muscle endurance. Conclusions: In the early stages of back pain or in the mild pain stage, training to increase muscle endurance of the flexor muscles may be helpful.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.657-665
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• 2022

Background: Sarcopenia is a new and emerging risk factor aggravating the quality of life of elderly population. Because Korean Red Ginseng (RG) is known to have a great effect on relieving fatigue and enhancing physical performance, it is invaluable to examine its potential as an anti-sarcopenic drug. Methods: Anti-sarcopenic effect of non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng (RGNS) was evaluated in C2C12 myoblasts treated with C2-ceramide to induce senescence phenotypes, and 22-month-old mice fed with chow diet containing 2% RGNS (w/w) for 4 further months. Results: The RGNS treatment significantly alleviated cellular senescence indicated by intracellular lipid accumulation, increased amount of lysosomal β-galactosidase, and reduced proliferative capacity in C2C12 myoblasts. This effect was not observed with saponin fraction. In an aged mouse, the 4-month-RGNS diet significantly improved aging-associated loss of muscle mass and strength, assessed by the weights of hindlimb skeletal muscles such as tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), gastrocnemius (GN) and soleus (SOL), and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of SOL muscle, and the behaviors in grip strength and hanging wire tests, respectively. During the same period, an aging-associated shift of fast-to slow-twitch muscle in SOL muscle was also retarded by the RGNS treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the long-term diet of RGNS significantly prevented aging-associated muscle atrophy and reduced physical performance, and thus RGNS has a strong potential to be developed as a drug that prevents or improves sarcopenia.