• International Journal of Contents
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• 제5권4호
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• pp.35-39
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in skeletal muscle architecture and qualitative properties by muscle contraction force when neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of 50% MVIC was applied. Sixteen subjects (8 male, 8 female) without neuromuscular disease volunteered to participate in the study. All subjects were divided into two subgroups: control (no electrical stimulation) group and 50% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) group. NMES training program was performed in the calf muscle three times a week for 10 weeks. Before and after the experiments, the MVIC of ankle plantar flexor was measured by the use of dynamometer, and the ultrasonography in the gastrocnemius medialis muscle was measured. The following results were obtained; MVIC was significantly increased in the electrical stimulation groups. Pennation angle, muscle density, and white area index also considerably changed in the electrical stimulation groups. In conclusion, the NMES training of 50% MVIC, comparative low level, improved the skeletal muscle architecture and the qualitative properties as well as the muscle contraction force.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제13권12호
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• pp.5867-5874
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• 2012

본 연구의 목적은 뇌졸중 환자에서 주관절 각도 변화에 따른 상완이두근(biceps brachii)의 근구조 및 탄성 변화에 관하여 알아보고자 하였다. 연구대상은 주관절 수동 ROM범위가 $10^{\circ}{\sim}90^{\circ}$ 가능하며 MAS(modified Ashworth scale) 1~3등급인 뇌졸중 환자 12명을 대상으로 하였다. 이완(resting) 상태의 건측과 환측 상완이두근의 우모각, 근섬유속길이, 근탄성의 측정은 초음파 영상 촬영장치와 근긴장도 측정기(myotonometer)를 이용하여 주관절을 $10^{\circ}{\sim}90^{\circ}$로 변화시키면서 측정하였다. 본 연구 결과, 환측 상완이두근을 건측과 비교 시 우모각은 신전위치($<40^{\circ}$)에서 큰 값을 나타냈으며(p<.05), 근섬유속길이는 굴곡위치($>20^{\circ}$)에서 짧은 길이를 나타냈으며(p<.05), 근긴장은 신전위치($<50^{\circ}$)에서 전위 값이 낮게 나타나 근긴장이 높아짐을 나타냈다(p<.05). 이렇듯 이완 시 상완이두근의 근구조 및 탄성은 주관절 각도에 의해 영향을 받는다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 본 결과를 뇌졸중 환자의 근구조 변화 및 임상치료의 연구 자료로 사용할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.324-330
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to compare the muscle architecture of lower extremity using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) in young adults in Seoul and Hanoi. Methods: The study design was a comparative study of muscle cross-sectional area of lower extremity. Sixty healthy young subjects (Seoul group: 30, Hanoi group: 30) participated in this study. Real-time B-mode RUSI with a 7.5MHz linear transducer was used for measurement of cross-sectional area, pennation angle, and muscle thickness of the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius muscles. Independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant difference in cross sectional area of rectus femoris was observed between Korean young adults and Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). Muscle thickness and pennation angle of tibialis anterior in Korean young adults were greater than in Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). In addition, the muscle thickness and pennation angle of the medial part of gastrocnemius muscle were greater in Korean young adults than in Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). In addition, in the results for gender, men had larger muscle architectures than women in both groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study, using RUSI, showed significant difference in muscle architectures of lower extremity in a diverse group of young adults RUSI.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.2632-2640
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• 2012

본 연구의 목적은 지연성근통증에 대한 내측 비복근 초음파 영상의 측정도구로서의 가능성에 대해 알아보고자 함에 있다. 본 연구는 2011년 4월 21일부터 4월30일까지 실시되었다. 평소 규칙적인 운동을 하지 않으며, 최근 외상의 경험, 근골격계 질환, 심혈관계 질환이 없고 약물을 복용하지 않는 35명의 건강한 성인이 참여하였다. 대상자들은 5시간의 등반을 통해 지연성근통증을 유발하였으며, 지연성근통증 전과 지연성근통증 후 24, 48, 72시에 통증(visual analogue scale :VAS), 혈중 크레아틴 키나아제(creatine kinase: CK) 활성도, 족저 굴곡근의 최대근수축력(maximal voluntary isometric contraction: MVlC)을 측정하였고, 이 측정값과 초음파로 측정한 내측 비복근의 우상각을 비교하였다. 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 통증지표, 혈중 크레아틴 키나아제 활성도, 족저 굴곡근 최대등척성근수축력에 측정시기에 따른 유의한 차이가 발생하였으며(p<0.05), 내측 비복근 우상각에서도 측정시기에 따른 유의한 차이가 발생하였다(p<0.05). 또한 변수 간 측정시기에 따른 변화의 흐름이 일치하는 것을 확인하였다. 본 연구를 통해 초음파 검사를 통한 내측 비복근 우상각의 시간경과에 따른 변화 측정이 지연성근통증을 감지하는 새로운 측정방법으로 사용될 수 있을 것이라 생각한다.

• 대한물리치료과학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.1-11
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• 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.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.293-299
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of functional training using a sliding rehabilitation machine (SRM) on the mobility of the ankle joint and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The subjects consisted of 11 children who were diagnosed with spastic CP. They carried out the functional training using the SRM for 30 minutes, three times a week, for 8 weeks. Before and after all of the training sessions, the subjects were tested using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), range of motion (ROM) in the ankle joint, the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscle and the fascicle length of gastrocnemius muscle were measured to determine the mobility of the ankle joint and balance ability. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test in the PBS and GMFM. The ROM of the ankle joint was significantly increased after the functional training using the SRM. Moreover, the fascicle length was increased and the pennation angle was decreased after the functional training using the SRM, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that functional training using the SRM may have some effect on the mobility of ankle joint and balance in children with CP. According to the results, this study could present an approach to the rehabilitation or treatment of children with CP.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.116-120
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to determine which interventions are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility due to changes in the range of motion (ROM) and pennation angle (PA) when foam rolling (FR) and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching were performed. Methods: A total of 24 healthy participants who agreed to participate in the study were randomly chosen. The participants were divided into three groups of eight people: Control, FR, and PNF stretching groups. The hip flexion angle (ROM) and PA of the hamstrings were measured before and after the experiment. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the ROM and PA for each group by comparing the before and after results. The Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the increase in hamstring flexibility between the groups. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in the ROM and PA within all groups, and only the ROM was significant in the comparison between the three groups. In the comparison between the control and other two groups, a significant difference was noted in both the ROM and PA in the FR group and only the ROM in the PNF stretching group (p<0.05). In the comparison between the FR and PNF stretching groups, no significant difference was observed (p>0.05). Conclusion: These findings FR and PNF stretching increased the ROM; however, no change in PA was observed. Therefore, FR and PNF stretching were considered effective interventions in immediately increasing hamstring flexibility.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

When an active muscle is stretched, its steady-state isometric force following stretch is greater than that of a purely isometric contraction as the corresponding muscle length, referred to as force enhancement (FE). The purpose of this study was to investigate possible effects of muscle architecture on the FE. While subject performed maximal isometric dorsiflexion (REF) and isometric-stretch-isometric dorsiflexion (ECC) contractions, ankle joint angle and dorsiflexion torque using a dynamometer and electromyography of the tibialis anterior and the medical gastrocnemius muscles were measure. Simultaneously, real-time ultrasound images of the tibialis anterior were acquired. Regardless of the speed of stretch of the ECC contractions. the torques produced during the isometric phase following stretch ($37.3{\pm}1.5\;Nm$ ($10{\pm}3%$ FE) and $38.3{\pm}1.5$ ($12{\pm}3%$ FE) for the ECC contractions with $15^{\circ}$/s and $45^{\circ}$/s stretch speeds, respectively) were greater than those of the REF contractions ($34.5{\pm}2.5\;Nm$). Moreover, the amount of FE was found to be stretch speed dependent. Angles of pennation ($\alpha$) during the isometric phase following stretch were the same for the REF ($15{\pm}1^{\circ}$) and the ECC ($14{\pm}1^{\circ}$(LS), $15{\pm}1^{\circ}$(LF)). During the same phase, muscle thicknesses were the same ($14.9{\pm}0.6$, and $14.9{\pm}0.5\;mm$ for the REF and the ECC contractions, respectively). For a large limb muscle, the tibialis anterior muscle, a similar amount of force enhancement was observed as did for other human skeletal muscles. Architectural variables, pennation angle and thickness, were not systematically different between the REF and ECC contractions when FE occurred. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that muscle architecture may have little influence on the production of FE.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제13권9호
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• pp.3991-3998
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• 2012

본 연구의 목적은 만성 뇌졸중 환자에서 발목관절 각도에 따른 근 수축이 내측 비복근의 근 구조에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 연구대상은 MAS(modified Ashworth scale) 2등급인 만성 뇌졸중 환자 10명을 대상으로 하였다. 근육 두께, 우모각, 근섬유속 길이, 최대 수의적 등척성 수축력(MVIC) 측정은 초음파 영상 촬영장치와 동력계로 이완 시(resting)와 최대 수의적 등척성 수축 시를 측정하였다. 측정결과, 근육 두께는 마비측이 정상측에 비해 유의하게 얇은 것으로 나타났고(p<.001), 발목이 저측굴곡 될수록 얇아짐을 알 수 있었다. MVIC에서는 이완 시보다 근육 두께가 유의하게 얇아지는 것을 알 수 있었다(p<.001). 우모각은 마비측이 정상측에 비해 유의하게 작은 것으로 나타났고(p<.001), 발목이 저측굴곡 될수록 커짐을 알 수 있었다. MVIC에는 이완 시보다 우모각이 유의하게 커짐을 알 수 있었다(p<.001). 근섬유속 길이는 마비측이 정상측보다 유의하게 짧은 것으로 나타났고(p<.001), 발목이 저측굴곡 될수록 짧아짐을 알 수 있었다. MVIC에는 이완 시보다 근섬유속 길이가 유의하게 짧아지는 것을 알 수 있었다(p<.001). 본 연구를 통해 만성 뇌졸중 환자에서 발목 각도에 따른 근 수축이 내측 비복근의 근 구조에 영향을 미치는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서, 만성 뇌졸중 환자의 영상구조적 특성을 평가하는 것은 임상적 진단과 치료에 매우 유용한 자료라 생각된다.