• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.23-32
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• 2017

PURPOSE: Flexibility and range of motion are very important factors in sports performance, rehabilitation, and musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of cupping therapy on flexibility, muscle activity, and pain threshold of hamstring muscle compared to passive stretching in healthy subjects. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects were randomly assigned in a crossover design to cupping therapy and passive stretching. Subjects were tested to compare their effects according to the intervention such as Passive range of motion (PROM) (straight leg raising) and active range of motion (AROM). And algometer (pain) testing and MVC assessment using EMG were performed as dependent variables. RESULTS: The cupping therapy group and passive stretching group showed significant differences in all variables including PROM (p=.00, p=.00), AROM (p=.00, p=.03), Pain Threshold (p=.03, p=.08), Semitendinosus MVC (p=.01, p=.00), and Biceps femoris MVC (p=.01, p=.16). There were no significant differences between the two groups in all variables. CONCLUSION: These findings of this study suggested that cupping therapy has as much positive effect on flexibility, pain threshold, and muscle contraction as passive stretching. Also, it is more convenient and easier to work on patients than passive stretching. Therefore, cupping therapy should be considered as another option to treat range of motion, pain, and muscle activity in the clinical field.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2019

Purpose: This study is an investigation of the effects of long-term smart phone usage and of stretching on muscle stiffness, concentration, and visual acuity. Methods: Forty healthy young adults voluntarily participated in the study and were measured for muscle stiffness, concentration, and visual acuity before smartphone usage and after 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes of smartphone usage. The participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=20) and the control group (n=20). Five minutes after the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, the participants were remeasured. Results: After long-term smartphone usage, increases in muscle stiffness and concentration were statistically significant (p<0.05), whereas decreases in visual acuity were statistically significant (p<0.05). After the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, muscle stiffness significantly decreased (p<0.05) and visual acuity significantly increased (p<0.05). Concentration, according to the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, showed no significant pre- or post-test difference. Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that long-term smartphone usage effectively improved concentration but increased muscle stiffness and decreased visual acuity. Appropriate stretching and eye movement during long-term smartphones usage should mitigate the effects on muscle stiffness and visual acuity. Furthermore, smartphones should be considered an effective tool for concentration training when coupled with the development of appropriate applications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of performing gastrocnemius stretching with and without the self-myofascial release of the sole on the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and muscle tone of the gastrocnemius muscle in subjects with short gastrocnemius muscle. METHOD: A total of 23 subjects with short gastrocnemius muscles were included in this study. The study participants were divided into two experimental groups. Group A performed gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises only, while group B performed self-myofascial release of the sole using a massage ball after the gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises. For both groups, the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured using a goniometer, and the tone of the gastrocnemius muscle was assessed using the MyotonPRO®. RESULTS: Within-group comparison showed that the participants in both groups A and B had significantly increased active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and decreased gastrocnemius muscle tone (p < .05) after performing their respective exercises. However, no significant differences in the said criteria were observed between groups A and B (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that both methods were effective in increasing active and passive dorsiflexion angles and decreasing muscle tone. Thus, it is recommended to tailor gastrocnemius stretching exercises according to the patient's condition. If the patient does not experience discomfort in the plantar fasciae, it is recommended to perform the gastrocnemius stretching exercise only without myofascial release and use a massage ball afterward.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.29-35
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the immediate effects of Graston instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (GIASTM) and self-stretching on the muscular properties of the gastrocnemius in athletes. METHODS: Thirty subjects (All in their 20 s) were distributed randomly and evenly into two groups of 15 each: GIASTM and stretching. The subjects had no history of gastrocnemius damage in the previous three months. The muscle tone, stiffness, elasticity, and mechanical stress relaxation time (MSRT) of the gastrocnemius were blind-tested. RESULTS: The GIASTM group showed significant changes in all categories, while only MSRT changed significantly in the self-stretching group after intervention. A comparison of the two groups revealed significant differences in stiffness, elasticity, and MSRT (Time required for the muscle to recover after distortion after intervention in the GIASTM group. CONCLUSION: In this study, significant decreases in muscle tone and stiffness, as well as significant increases in elasticity, were observed in the gastrocnemius of the GIASTM group. On the other hand, sSelf-stretching showed significant differences in MSRT. Therefore, GIASTM is more effective in the recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle from fatigue than self-stretching. This study suggests that GIASTM can help prevent damage to the gastrocnemius in athletes and contribute to their training and rehabilitation programs.

• Advanced Industrial SCIence
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.15-21
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• 2023

In this study, we wanted to know the change in the craniovertebral angle before and after stretching and muscle tone according to rest time immediately after stretching. 57 students in their 20s and 30s were targeted, and the craniovertebral angle was compared before and after stretching. Static manual stretching was applied for stretching, and after 30 seconds, it was repeated three times with a break time of 10 seconds, and before stretching, immediately after, two minutes after, and five minutes after stretching were measured using muscle tone measuring equipment. As a result, there was no significant difference in craniovertebral angle before and after stretching, and the change in muscle tone according to the rest time after stretching was more significant after 5 minutes than before stretching. It is more effective to take five minutes to rest after stretching, reduce muscle tone than working immediately after stretching.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.93-101
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study tries attempted to provide basic clinical data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing the muscle fatigue of the superficial neck muscles and neck disability index (NDI) by performing McKenzie exercise or passive stretching exercise for chronic neck pain patients. METHODS: Sixteen chronic neck pain patients were selected and divided into the McKenzie group (n=8) and passive stretching group (n=8). The intervention program was performed three times a week for four weeks. The time for one exercise was 30 minutes. Before the intervention, the muscle fatigue the superficial neck muscles and NDI were measured. They were measured again after four weeks using the same method. RESULTS: The median frequency of the superficial neck muscles increased significantly in the McKenzie group and passive stretching group (p<.05). The NDI of both the McKenzie group and the passive stretching group decreased significantly. A comparison of the groups, revealed a significant difference in only the median frequency values of the upper trapezius muscle and splenius capitis muscle (p<.05). The NDI values of both groups were similar. CONCLUSION: Both McKenzie exercise and passive stretching exercises showed a significant difference in the degree of fatigue and NDI. McKenzie exercise delayed the replace of the fast twitch fibers which helped improve the muscle fatigue of the upper trapezius muscle and splenius capitis muscle. On the other hand, additional studies applying more variables for the muscle function to improve the symptom of chronic neck pain patients will be needed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2019

Background: A tight iliotibial band (ITB) may lead to lateral patellar maltracking, compression, and tilt, and dominant vatus lateralis (VL) muscle activation relative to vastus medialis oblique (VMO) can laterally displace the patella, which leads to anterior knee pain. Therefore, an effective management technique is needed to stabilize the patella in individuals with tight ITB. Increased stability during the modified Thomas test has the potential to decrease compensatory motion and thus to selectively stretch the ITB. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ITB stretching in the modified Thomas test position on ITB flexibility, patellar translation, and muscle activities of the VMO and VL during quadreceps-setting (QS) exercise in individuals with tight ITB. Methods: Twenty-one subjects with tight ITB were recruited. Digital inclinometer was used to measure the hip adduction angle during the modified Ober test. Universal goniometer was used to measure the hip abduction angle during the modified Thomas test. Ultrasonography was used to measure the patella-condylar distance. Electromyography was performed to collect data of muscle activities. Paired t-test was used to determine the statistical significance between pretest and posttest. Results: The range of hip adduction in modified Ober test increased (p=.04) and the range of hip abduction in the modified Thomas test decreased after ITB stretching (p<.01). There was no difference between lateral patellar translation (p=.18). VMO muscle activity significantly increased after ITB stretching during QS (p<.01). VL muscle activity had no difference after stretching. Conclusion: The ITB stretching in the modified Thomas test position can be suggested as a management method for improving ITB flexibility and VMO muscle activity in individuals with tight ITB.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Hamstring muscle shortening is related to low back pain, and it is important to check the hamstring muscle flexibility and pelvic mobility to analyze the effects of the intervention. This study examined the effects of hamstring muscle shortening on flexibility and pelvic mobility according to the method of stretching the hamstring muscle in patients with low back pain. METHODS: Forty Low Back Pain Patients participated. The subjects performed the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), Korean version of Oswestry Disability Index (KODI), Myovision, and sensbalance therapy cushion (pelvic mobility, proprioception). The subjects were divided into two groups to perform the passive and active stretching protocol. The intervention was conducted three times a week for four weeks. RESULTS: Hamstring muscle flexibility was increased significantly in both groups (p < .05), and there was no difference between the groups. VAS, FABQ was decreased significantly in both groups (p < .01), and there was no difference between the groups. The left lower back muscle impedance was decreased significantly in both groups (p < .05). The passive stretching group showed a significant increase in the pelvic anterior, posterior, and left tilt ROM (p < .05). The active stretching group showed a significant increase in the pelvic anterior, posterior tilt ROM (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Both stretching methods may be useful intervention methods for pelvic mobility and pain recovery and can assess back pain recovery.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of ballistic stretching techniques on the flexibility, muscle strength and electrophysiologic nature. Methods : The subjects of the study were 20 young adults including 10 for the ballistic-stretching group, and 10 for the control group. This study measured hamstring flexibility, muscle strength, median frequency and root mean square on electromyography signals. All measurements were analyzed using independent sample t-tests. Results : VAS, FPRS, and ODI showed significant pain decrease in all groups except for the ODI measurement in the 0.5㎐ group. There were no significant differences according to frequency levels. Conclusion : It was understood that the effect of stretching was greater when performing ballistic stretching techniques.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle activity ratio of the lower limb according to changes in straight leg raise (SLR) test angles on hamstring muscle shortening during squat exercises. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The subjects were 14 healthy adults who were informed of and agreed to the method and purpose of the study. The participants were classified into SLR groups according to two angles (over $80^{\circ}$ or under $80^{\circ}$) assessed using the SLR tests. After training and practicing the wall squat posture to be applied to the experiment, electromyography (EMG) was used to measure changes in muscle activity during the performance of a wall squat. After stretching, a sequence of pre-stretch tests were performed again, and the active and passive SLR tests were also reconducted; thereafter, a wall squat was performed again by attaching EMG electrodes. The EMG results before and after stretching were compared. Results: The muscle activity of the vastus lateralis oblique muscle increased in both groups. The muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique muscle decreased in over both group. Rectus femorus activity increased in the under 80-degree groups but decreased in the over 80-degree group. The muscle activity of the biceps femoris muscle decreased after stretching in the over 80-degree group and increased in the under 80-degree group, and the semitendinosus muscle activity after stretching was decreased. The quadriceps-to-hamstring muscle (Q:H) ratio before and after stretching between groups showed that the hamstring muscle ratio decreased after stretching in both groups. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the Q:H ratio before and after stretching between groups was not significantly different.