• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.45.1-45.5
• /
• 2022

We describe a case of gastrocnemius muscle rupture in a goral that got caught in a live trap set up to capture wild boars. We established a diagnostic method based on clinical signs and imaging examination findings, including magnetic resonance imaging for gastrocnemius muscle rupture with symptoms such as hindlimb lameness and plantigrade posture of unknown cause in wild animals. Although this condition is rare, this report will help veterinarians diagnose several diseases of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems in wild animals. This is the first report of successful diagnosis and treatment of gastrocnemius muscle rupture in gorals in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of virtual reality based treadmill training on muscle architecture of gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Thirty chronic stroke patients were randomly assigned to either the virtual reality based treadmill training (VRTT) group (n=15) or treadmill training (TT) group (n=15). Both groups participated in a standard rehabilitation program; in addition, the VRTT group participated in virtual reality based treadmill training for 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks, and TT group participated in treadmill walking training for 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for 6 weeks. Ultrasound image was used for measurement of pennation angle and muscle thickness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at rest and during maximum voluntary contraction. Results: In the paretic side medial gastrocnemius muscle, greater improvement on the pennation angle and muscle thickness while resting and maximal voluntary contraction were observed in the VRTT group compared with the TT group. Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated that the virtual reality based treadmill training has an effect on muscle architecture of medial gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.274-280
• /
• 2011

This study was designed to analyze repetitive dorsiflexion and plantarflexion exercises in ankles have effects on the muscle tones of triceps, vastus medialis and gastrocnemius. 25 healthy woman volunteers(ankle dorsiflexion exercise group: 13, ankle plantarflexion exercise group: 12) participated in the two ankle exercise models, which have performed 3 times a week for 3 weeks. Myotonometer was used to measure the muscle tones of the triceps, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius muscles, and measurements were performed before and after the application of the each exercise model. Repeated measured paired t-test and independent t-test was used to determine a statistical significance. The group of repetitive dorsiflexion exercise of the ankle have effects on the muscle tones of triceps, vastus medialis and gastrocnemius (p>.05). The group of repetitive plantarflexion exercise of the ankle have effects on the muscle tones of triceps, vastus medialis and gastrocnemius(p>.05). The groups of repetitive dorsiflexion and plantarflexion exercise of the ankle have effects on the muscle tones of triceps, vastus medialis and gastrocnemius(p>.05).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.75-82
• /
• 2018

Purpose : The present study tested the hypothesis that acupressure at Zusanli(ST36) would attenuate immobilization-induced skeletal muscle atrophy. Methods : The left hind limb was immobilized using casting tape (ST36 group, n=10), and the animals were then treated daily with a pressure needle at ST36. Ten untreated animals with hind limb immobilization and no treatment served as a control group (n=10). After 2 weeks of immobilization, The body weight changes of rats were evaluated and the morphologies of the right and left gastrocnemius muscles in both the ST36 and control groups were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) of gastrocnemius muscles were observed. Results : The acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli conferred significant protection against reductions in left gastrocnemius muscle weights and average cross-sectional muscle areas in the ST36 group as compared with those in the control group. Moreover, the acupressure at the ST36 point significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) activity in the gastrocnemius muscles as compared with that in the control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at the accupoint of Zusanli provides protection against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by decreasing MDA activity in gastrocnemius muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.56-61
• /
• 2019

Purpose: The spasticity of stroke patients decreases the ankle range of motion and increases the gastrocnemius muscle tone. This study examined the effects of stretching exercise and far infrared irradiation on the ankle function in stroke patients with spasticity. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 stroke patients admitted to Jesaeng General Hospital, who were divided into a study group (stretching exercise with far infrared) and control group (stretching exercise only). The dorsiflexion range of motion was measured using a smartphone and the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness were measured using a Myoton pro. Results: With the exception of the non-paretic gastrocnemius muscle tone in the control group, the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness decreased significantly in both groups. In both groups, the dorsiflexion range of motion increased significantly. In addition, the experimental group had a significantly higher dorsiflexion range of motion than the control group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness. Conclusion: For stroke patients with spasticity, stretching exercises increased the ankle's range of motion and decreased the gastrocnemius muscle tone. The addition of heat therapy further increased the ankle's range of motion. On the other hand, as the sample size was small, future studies should include more subjects.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.2272-2278
• /
• 2021

Background: Vibration stimulation has emerged as a treatment tool to help reduce spasticity during physical therapy. Spasticity includes problems of reduced range of motion (ROM) and stiffness. However, the benefits of vibration rolling (VR) on interventions for stroke patients are unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of VR intervention on the ankle ROM and ankle stiffness in stroke patients. Design: A randomized crossover study. Methods: Seven stroke patients completed two test sessions (one VR and one non-VR [NVR]) in a randomized order, with 48 hours of rest between each session. Participants completed intervention and its measurements on the same day. The measurements included ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion ROM and stiffness of ankle muscles, including the tibialis anterior, medial, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Results: After VR, ankle dorsiflexion ROM, lateral gastrocnemius stiffness, and medial gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (all P<.05). After NVR, only the lateral gastrocnemius stiffness improved significantly (P<.05). Furthermore, in the cases of changed values for ankle dorsiflexion ROM and lateral gastrocnemius stiffness were compared within groups, VR showed a more significant difference than NVR (P<.05) Conclusion: VR improved ankle ROM and muscle stiffness. Therefore, we suggest that practitioners need to consider VR as an intervention to improve dorsiflexion ROM and gastrocnemius stiffness in stroke patients.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.377-382
• /
• 2003

This study investigated the effects of green tea on the muscle antioxidative defense system in the white & red gastrocnemius muscles of rats after aerobic exercise. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150 10 g were randomly assigned to a control group, non-exercise with green tea group (G group), and exercise training group. The exercise training group was then further classified as the training (T) group and training with green tea (TG) group, the latter of which was supplemented with green tea in the drinking water during the experimental period. The rats in the exercise training groups (T and TG) were subjected to aerobic exercise on a treadmill 30 min/day at a speed of 28 m/min (7% incline) 5 days/week, while the other groups (control and G group) were cage confined for 4 weeks. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed with an injected overdose of pentobarbital just after running. In the white muscle, the xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities were 71 % higher in the T group compared to control group, whereas the TG group had the same activity as the control group. The XOD activities in the red gastrocnemius muscle exhibited the same tendency as in the white muscle. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the white muscle was lower in the T group compared with the control group, yet significantly higher in the TG group compared with the T group. The SOD activities in the red gastrocnemius muscle exhibited the same tendency as in the white gastrocnemius muscle. The glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activities in the white & red gastrocnemius muscles were 43 % lower in the T group compared with the control group, yet the activities in the TG group remained at control levels. The glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the white muscle was not significantly different among any of the three groups, but in the red gastrocnemius muscle, the TG group had the same activity as in the control group. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) contents in the white & red gastrocnemius muscles were higher in the T group than in the control but the control and TG groups had the same concentrations of TBARS. In conclusion, the supplementation of green tea in rats subjected to aerobic exercise was found to reduce the peroxidation of muscle lipids by enhancing the antioxidative defense mechanism.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.89-94
• /
• 2016

Objective: This study was aimed to compare the thickness and pennation angle of gastrocnemius through ultrasonography during the heel-drop exercise on ankle dorsiflexion angle. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Nineteen normal adults in their 20s had voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects performed the ankle heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$: heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$ was executed on floor-level, heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ on a wooden-block of 2.3 cm in height, and heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $20^{\circ}$ on a wooden-block of 5.5 cm in height. In each regimen, the subjects completed a session of 100 heel-drop exercises (10 repetitions${\times}$10 sets; with 30 seconds rest following each set; with 24 hours rest following each exercise). Before and immediately after each heel-drop exercise, the thickness and pennation angle of gastrocnemius were measured using an ultrasonography. Results: After the performance of the heel drop exercises with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$, the thickness of the gastrocnemius was significantly higher than pre-exercise (p<0.05), and furthermore heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ was significantly higher than exercise with the ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). However, as for the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius, there were no significant changes after each heel-drop exercise. Conclusions: This finding suggest that the heel-drop exercise with ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$ is effective on the strengthening of the gastrocnemius. Furthermore, the heel-drop exercise with the ankle dorsiflexed to $10^{\circ}$ is more effective than with the ankle dorsiflexed to $0^{\circ}$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.405-411
• /
• 2009

This study evaluated the effects of Puerariae Radix on the skeletal muscle atrophy, Muscle atrophy was induced by the sciatic nerve transection in Sprague-Dawley rats, then aqueous-extract of Puerariae Radix was administered for 12 days, Muscle wet weight was measured in soleus, plantaris, and medial gastrocnemius. Muscle fiber type was classified by MHCf immunohistochemistry. Muscle fiber type proportion and cross section area of muscle fiber also was observed in medial gastrocnemius. Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in medial gastrocnemius of the damaged hind limb were evaluated with immunohistochemistry. The results are as follows; Puerariae Radix attenuated muscle atrophy in soleus of the sciatic nerve transectioned rats, but there was statistic significance. Puerariae Radix attenuated significantly atrophy in plantaris at 12 days and in medial gastrocnemius at 8 days and 12 days. Puerariae Radix improved histology of the atrophic changes and increased significantly cross section areas of type-I and type-II muscle fibers in medial gastrocnemius of the sciatic nerve transectioned rats. Puerariae Radix did not affect to muscle fiber type proportion in medial gastrocnemius of the sciatic nerve transectioned rats. Puerariae Radix attenuated significantly Bax positive nuclei but did not affect to Bcl-2 positive muscle fibers in medial gastrocnemius of the sciatic nerve transectioned rats.According to above results, Puerariae Radix may have an anti-atrophy effect on the denervated skeletal muscle through anti-apoptotic effects on muscle fibers.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.207-213
• /
• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Dokhwalgisaeng-tang on immobilization-induced muscle atrophy. Methods: Twenty young male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. The rats in Dokhwalgisaeng-tang group were orally administered Dokhwalgisaeng-tang water extract, and the rats in the control group were given saline only. Hind limb immobilization was performed with casting tape to keep the left ankle joint in a fully extended position. No intervention was performed on the right leg which was used as an intact region. After 2 weeks of immobilization, all animals were sacrificed, and the gastrocnemius muscle was dissected from both legs and weighed. The morphology of the right and the left gastrocnemius muscle in both the Dokhwalgisaeng-tang and the control group was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The muscle cross sectional area was examined by image analysis (Axiovision LE software). In addition, immunohistochemical staining was carried out using the free-floating method, and the number of apoptotic related proteins were counted (anti-BAX, anti-Bcl-2). Results: Dokhwalgisaeng-tang showed a significant protective effect against the reduction of the left gastrocnemius muscle (weight and muscle cross sectional area) compared with the control group. Moreover, the treatment with Dokhwalgisaeng-tang significantly reduced protein expression of BAX and increased protein expression of Bcl-2 in the gastrocnemius muscle compared with the control group. Conclusion: Dokhwalgisaeng-tang showed protective effects against disuse muscle atrophy, potentially through altered BAX and Bcl-2 protein expression in the gastrocnemius muscle.