Background: The CKCUES test evaluates the functional performance of the shoulder joint. The CKCUES test scores CKC exercises of the upper limbs to examine shoulder stability. Although the CKCUES test provides quantitative data on functional ability and performance, no study has determined the relationship between CKCUES scores and SA and TB muscle strength. Objects: The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between the CKCUES test scores and the strength of the SA and TB muscles in the CKCUES and unilateral CKCUES tests. Methods: Sixty-six healthy male volunteers participated in the study. A Smart KEMA strength sensor measured SA and TB muscle strength. Two parallel lines on the floor indicated the initial hand placement to start CKCUES tests. For 15 seconds, the subject raises one hand and reaches over to touch the supporting hand, then returns to the starting position. Results: The correlation between the CKCUES test scores and the strength of the SA was strong (r = 0.650, p < 0.001), and the TB was moderate (r = 0.438, p < 0.001). The correlation between the unilateral CKCUES test and the strength of the SA of the supporting side was strong (r = 0.605, p < 0.001), and swing side was strong (r = 0.681, p < 0.001). The correlation between the unilateral CKCUES test and the strength of the TB of the supporting side was moderate (r = 0.409, p < 0.001), and swing side was moderate (r = 0.482, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study showed that the CKCUES test had a strong association with isometric strength of SA and moderate association with that of TB. These findings suggest that the CKCUES test can evaluate the function of the SA. Moreover, the unilateral CKCUES test can evaluate unilateral shoulder function.

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) causes various posture imbalances associated with the head and neck. Myofascial release is an effective treatment method used for relaxing muscles and reducing muscle hyperactivity, but no studies have been conducted on suboccipital and neck muscles related to FHP. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of roller massages on the cranio-cervical flexion (CCF) range of motion (ROM) and CCF strength applied to suboccipital and neck muscles in subject with forward head posture. Methods: Twenty-four FHP subjects (male: 13, female: 11) were recruited for this study. All subjects were recruited with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 53 degrees or less and a head tilt angle (HTA) of 20.66 degrees or higher. CCF strength was measured using Pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) in the supine posture and CCF ROM was measured using smartphone-based inclinometer. Roller massage (RM) was applied to suboccipital and neck muscles for 2 minutes and CCF ROM and strength were remeasured. Results: These results of this study showed that CCF ROM was a significant difference in CCF ROM before and after RM (p < 0.05). CCF strength also showed a significant difference before and after RM (p < 0.05). Conclusion: RM method might be recommended to increase the immediate ROM and strength of CCF in subjects with forward head posture.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the differences in volatile profiles among different Korean chrysanthemum cultivars grown as cut flowers. To optimize a method for sampling and comparing scents, the scents were evaluated by electronic nose (E-nose) at different flowering stages and in different organs and cultivars. The values of maximum resistance changes of metal oxide semiconductor sensors and relative aroma intensity were highest at flowering stage III (full flower stage of ray florets and initial opening disc florets) among different stages and in disc florets among different floral organs of cut chrysanthemums. Among the 12 chrysanthemum cultivars, the highest values for response change and relative aroma intensity were observed in the flowers of the ‘Ilweol’ cultivar. To compare scent patterns among the cultivars, E-nose sensor data was subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Principal component analysis and discriminant function analysis of the volatile metabolic profile data indicated that chrysanthemum samples were clearly discriminated in a cultivar-dependent manner. These results show that different cultivars are characterized by distinct volatile profiles. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the 12 chrysanthemum cultivars were separated into 3 main groups according to the relationship of volatile profiles; however, chrysanthemum cultivars were not clustered according to the flower shape. We propose that these results could be used as the basis on which to improve the breeding of cut chrysanthemums based on volatile characteristics.

Background: The hip muscle plays various roles. Several types of functional performance tests are used for the assessment of patients with various lower extremity injuries. Hip muscle functions are important to test the performance of maintaining the spine, pelvic, and leg during bridging exercise. We designed a novel functional performance test tool, which we named close kinetic chain dynamic lower extremity stability (CKCLE) test to assess hip muscle functions. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between CKCLE test and hip extensor, external rotator, and abductor strengths. Methods: Twenty-two subjects were recruited in the present study (13 males and 9 females). The hip extensor, external rotator, and abductor muscle strengths were measured using a Smart KEMA strength sensor. When the examiner said “Go”, the subject performed the CKCLE test by moving one leg from the floor and touching the opposite knee and then return to the floor while maintaining the bridging position. The subjects attempted as many “touches” as possible in the allotted time (20 seconds) during the maximal tests. The correlation between the hip muscle (extensor, external rotator, and abductor) strength of the supporting leg and the number of CKCLE tests performed in 20 seconds was determined using the Pearson correlation. Results: Hip extensor (r = 0.626, p < 0.05), hip external rotator (r = 0.616, p < 0.05), and hip abductor muscle strengths (r = 0.475, p < 0.05) positively correlated with the number of CKCLE tests performed. Conclusion: We designed a CKCLE test and found that performance in the test correlated with hip extensor, external rotator, and abductor muscle strengths. The result suggests that the CKCLE test can be applied as a performance test to assess the functions of the hip extensor, external rotator, and hip abductor muscles.

Background: Prolonged standing during work causes a lower extremity pain and disorders. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the common diagnoses of the knee pain. Although the etiology of PFPS is not completely understood, it is considered to be multifactorial. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate difference in strength of knee muscles, quadriceps:hamstring muscles strength ratio (Q:H ratio), asymmetry ratio of knee muscles strength and dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) between standing workers with and without PFPS. Methods: Twenty-eight standing workers with PFPS and 26 age-, height-, and weightmatched standing workers without PFPS participated in this study. A tension sensor measured knee muscle strength, and motion sensor measured dorsiflexion ROM. The asymmetry ratio of knee muscles was calculated by a specific formula using the knee muscles strength of the dominant side and the sound side. An independent t-test was used to identify significant differences in the strength, ROM, Q:H ratio, and asymmetry ratio between the PFPS and normal groups. Results: The standing worker with PFPS have significantly lower dorsiflexion ROM (p < 0.000) and higher asymmetry ratio of the hamstring muscles strength (p < 0.000) compare to the standing worker without PFPS. No significant differences were seen in the strength of quadriceps muscle and hamstring muscles, Q:H ratio, and asymmetry ratio of quadriceps muscle strength. Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the asymmetry ratio of the isometric hamstring muscle strength. This finding suggests that the asymmetry ratio of isometric hamstring muscle strength may be more important than measuring only the hamstring muscle strength of the PFPS side. Furthermore, the results of this study showed a significant difference in dorsiflexion ROM between the standing industrial workers with and without PFPS. Dorsiflexion ROM and isometric hamstring muscle strength should be considered when evaluating the subjects with PFPS.

Background: Scapular winging (SW) could be caused by tightness or weakness of the periscapular muscles. Although data mining techniques are useful in classifying or predicting risk of musculoskeletal disorder, predictive models for risk of musculoskeletal disorder using the results of clinical test or quantitative data are scarce. Objects: This study aimed to (1) investigate the difference between young women with and without SW, (2) establish a predictive model for presence of SW, and (3) determine the cutoff value of each variable for predicting the risk of SW using the decision tree method. Methods: Fifty young female subjects participated in this study. To classify the presence of SW as the outcome variable, scapular protractor strength, elbow flexor strength, shoulder internal rotation, and whether the scapula is in the dominant or nondominant side were determined. Results: The classification tree selected scapular protractor strength, shoulder internal rotation range of motion, and whether the scapula is in the dominant or nondominant side as predictor variables. The classification tree model correctly classified 78.79% (p = 0.02) of the training data set. The accuracy obtained by the classification tree on the test data set was 82.35% (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The classification tree showed acceptable accuracy (82.35%) and high specificity (95.65%) but low sensitivity (54.55%). Based on the predictive model in this study, we suggested that 20% of body weight in scapular protractor strength is a meaningful cutoff value for presence of SW.

Background: The wall squat exercise has been recommended for strengthening of the lower extremity muscles with maintaining lumbar lordosis. Although squat has been studied to be related to lower extremity extensor strength, the relationship between wall squat and lower extremity extensor strength unclear. Because squat and wall squat are biomechanically different, study on the relationship is needed. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the lower extremity extensor strength associated with wall squat performance. Methods: 74 healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in this study. The volunteers were measured hip and knee extensors strength and then performed wall squat exercise for maximum count. Results: We found significant relationships between wall squat performance and hip extensor strength normalized by body weight, knee extensor strength normalized by body weight and the composite value. In a regression analysis, hip extensor strength normalized by body weight explained 29% of the variation in wall squat performance in males and 35% in females. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that hip extensor strength normalized by body weight is critical to wall squat performance in both sexes.

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.