The aims of the current study were to assess reliability of range of motion (ROM) measurement of glenohumeral internal rotation (GIR) with a pressure biofeedback stabilization (PBS) method and to compare the reliability between manual stabilization (MS) and the PBS method. In measurement of pure glenohumeral joint motion, scapular stabilization is necessary. The MS method in GIR ROM measurement was used to restrict scapular motion by pressing the palm of the tester’s hand over the subject’s clavicle, coracoid process, and humeral head. The PBS method was devised to maintain consistent pressure for scapular stabilization during GIR ROM measurement by using a pressure biofeedback unit. GIR ROM was measured by 2 different stabilization methods in 32 subjects with GIR deficit using a smartphone clinometer application. Repeated measurements were performed in two test sessions by two testers to confirm inter- and intra-rater reliability. After tester A performed measurements in test session 1, tester B’s measurements were conducted one hour later on the same day to assess the inter-rater reliability and then tester A performed again measurements in test session 2 for confirming the intra-rater reliability. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) (2,1) was applied to assess the inter-rater reliability and ICC (3,1) was applied to determine the intra-rater reliability of the two methods. In the PBS method, the intra-rater reliability was excellent (ICC=.91) and the inter-rater reliability was good (ICC=.84). The inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the PBS method was higher than in the MS method. The PBS method could regulate manual scapular stabilization pressure in inter- and intra-rater measuring GIR ROM. Results of the current study recommend that the PBS method can provide reliable measurement data on GIR ROM.

This study compared the effects of the initial head position (i.e., a HHP versus a relaxed head position) of subjects with and without a FHP on the thickness of the deep and superficial neck flexor muscles during CCF. The study recruited 6 subjects with a FHP and 10 subjects without a FHP. The subjects performed CCF in two different head positions: a HHP, with the head aligned so that the forehead and chin formed a horizontal line, and a relaxed head position (RHP), with the head aligned in a self-selected comfortable position. During the CCF exercise, the thickness of the longus colli (LCo) and the thickness of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) were recorded using ultrasonography. The thickness of each muscle was measured by Image J software. The statistical analysis was performed with a two-way mixed-model analysis of variance. The thickness of the SCM differed significantly (p<.05) between the subjects with and without FHP. According to a post hoc independent t-test, the change in thickness of the SCM increased significantly during CCF in the subjects with FHP while adopting a HHP compared to that in the subjects without FHP. The change in thickness of the SCM was not significantly different between the two positions in subjects without FHP, and there was no significant change in thickness of the LCo muscle during the CCF exercise according to the initial position in both subjects with and without FHP. The results suggest that CCF should be performed in RHP to minimize contraction of the SCM in subjects with a FHP.

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activity of the abdominal and lumbar multifidus during unilateral prone hip extension on the floor and on a round foam roll. Fifteen healthy participants were recruited. They were instructed to perform a unilateral hip extension on the floor and on a round foam roll in the prone position. Surface electromyography (EMG) signals were recorded from bilateral lumbar multifidus (LM), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) muscles. A paired t-test was used to compare muscle activity, with the level of significance set at =.05. The results showed that bilateral LM, EO, IO EMG activity during right-hip extension on a round foam roll was greater than that on the floor, and EMG activity of bilateral LM, right EO, and left IO during left-hip extension on a round foam roll was greater than that on the floor (p<.05). These findings suggest that the unilateral hip-extension exercise on a round foam roll can be used to activate the lumbar multifidus and abdominal oblique muscles and causes a different increasing pattern between the two lifting sides.

The lumbar multifidus muscle, which can be separated into deep fascicles (DM) and superficial fascicles (SM), is important for lumbar segmental stability. However, no previous studies have investigated the effect of lumbar stabilization exercises on the thickness of DM and SM. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess DM thickness after three different lumbar segmental stabilization exercises. In total, 30 healthy male participants were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three exercise groups: hollowing in the quadruped position (H-Quad), contralateral arm and leg lift (CALL), and bilateral arm and leg lift (BALL). Each lumbar segmental stabilization exercise was conducted over 4 weeks. Ultrasonography was used to compare the DM and SM thickness before and after the 4 weeks of exercise. A mixed-model analysis of variance using Scheffe's post-hoc test was used for statistical analysis. The results showed a significant effect for the measurement time (before vs. after 4 weeks of exercise) in the DM (F=31.26, p<.05) and SM (F=4.56, p<.05). At the end of the 4 weeks, the DM thickness had increased significantly in the H-Quad exercise group, and the SM thickness had increased significantly in the CALL and BALL exercise groups. Also in the BALL exercise group, the SM thickness was greater compared with that in the H-Quad exercise group. These findings suggest that the thickness of the DM and SM were increased by different types of lumbar segmental stability exercise after 4 weeks.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of two types of stretching extensor carpi radialis on the visual analog scale (VAS), pressure-pain thresholds (PPTs), grip strength (GS), and strength of wrist extensor (SWE) in patients with lateral epicondylalgia. Sixteen patients with lateral epicondylalgia were recruited for this study and randomly assigned to two groups; the conventional stretching group (CS) and the stretching of proximal functional massage group (PFM); the VAS, PPTs, GS, and SWE were measured before and after the intervention. Over a period of stretching exercises were performed for five minutes per day, five days per week. The paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the statistical differences in the VAS, PPTs, GS, and SWE (pre- and post-test). The Independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the effects of stretching exercises between the CS and PFM groups. The results of this study demonstrated that in the PFM group, the PPTs, GS, and SWE significantly increased, and the VAS decreased (p<.05). In the CS group, the VAS and GS increased significantly after the three-week intervention (p<.05). Pain was decreased and strength (GS and SWE) was increased in the PFM group, compared to the CS group (p<.05). The findings of this study indicate that PFM technique can be applied for decreasing pain and increasing the GS and SWE in patients with lateral epicondylalgia.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of contralateral hip adduction (CHA) on thickness of lumbar stabilizers during hip abduction in side-lying. Twenty healthy subjects without back pain were recruited for this study. The thickness of transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO) and quadratus lumborum (QL) were measured by ultrasonography. Pelvic lateral tilting motion was measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Measurements were performed at rest position (RP), preferred hip abduction (PHA) and abduction with contralateral hip adduction (CHA) in side-lying at the end of expiration. During the measurements, subjects were asked to maintain steady trunk alignment without hand support. Thickness of TrA and IO was significantly greater in CHA than in PHA and RP conditions. There was no significant difference in thickness of TrA and IO between PHA and RP conditions. Medio-lateral (M-L) thickness of QL was not significant between PHA and CHA conditions. Anterio-posterior (A-P) thickness of QL in PHA and CHA significantly decreased compared to RP condition. Angle of pelvic lateral tilting was significantly decreased in CHA compared to PHA condition. In conclusion, CHA can be recommended for increasing trunk stability without compensatory pelvic motion during hip abduction exercise in side-lying.

The lumbrical muscles contribute to the intrinsic plus position, that is simultaneous metacarpophalangeal (MCP) flexion and interphalangeal (IP) extension. The strength of the lumbrical muscles is necessary for normal hand function. However, there is no objective and efficient method of strength measurement for the lumbrical muscles. In addition, previous studies have not investigated the measurement of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the lumbrical muscles using ultrasonography (US) and the relationship between lumbrical muscle strength in the intrinsic plus position and the CSA. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the measurement method of the CSA of the lumbrical muscles using US and to examine the relationship between maximal isometric strength and the CSA of lumbrical muscles. Nine healthy males participated in this study. Maximal isometric strength of the second, third, and fourth lumbrical muscles was assessed using a tensiometer in the intrinsic plus position which isolated MCP flexion and IP extension. The CSA of the lumbrical muscles was measured with an US. The US probe was applied on the palmar aspect of the metacarpal head with a transverse view of the hand in resting position. There was no significant difference between maximal isometric strength of the lumbrical muscles, but the fourth lumbrical muscle was stronger than the others. The CSA of the lumbrical muscles was significantly different and the fourth lumbrical muscle was significantly larger than the second lumbrical muscle. There was moderate to good correlation between maximal isometric strength and the CSA of the lumbrical muscles. Therefore, we conclude that maximal isometric strength of the lumbrical muscles was positively correlated to the CSA of the lumbrical muscle in each finger, while the measurement of the CSA of the lumbrical muscles, using US protocol in this study, was useful for measuring the CSA of the lumbrical muscles.

The purpose of this study was to assess the agreement of manual muscle testing (MMT) and test-retest reliability of a hand held dynamometer for the posterior gluteus medius muscle, with and without lumbar stabilization, using a pressure biofeedback unit for patients with low back pain. The pressure biofeedback unit was used to minimize the substitute motion of the lumbopelvic region during hip abduction in patients lying on their side. Fifteen patients with low back pain participated in this study. A tester determined the MMT grades of the posterior gluteus medius with and without the pressure biofeedback unit. Active hip abduction range of motion with an inclinometer and the strength of their posterior gluteus medius using a hand held dynamometer were measured with and without the pressure biofeedback unit in the MMT position. The agreement of the grade of muscle strength in the MMT, and intra-rater reliability of both the active hip abduction range of motion and the strength of posterior gluteus medius were analyzed using the weighted kappa and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. The agreement of MMT with the pressure biofeedback unit (weighted kappa=.92) was higher than the MMT (weighted kappa=.34)(p<.05). The inclinometer with pressure biofeedback unit measurement of the active hip abduction range of motion had an excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC=.90). Also, the hand held dynamometer with pressure biofeedback unit measure of strength of the posterior gluteus medius had a good intra-rater reliability (ICC=.85). Therefore, the test for muscle strength with pressure biofeedback unit will be a reliable method for the determination of the MMT grades or amount of posterior gluteus medius muscle strength and the measurement of the range of motion for hip abduction in patients with low back pain.

The purpose of this study was to compare electromyography (EMG) activity for the middle and lower trapezius muscle according to various shoulder abduction angles. Thirty healthy male subjects were recruited for this study. Each subject performed three repetitions of horizontal abduction at 75˚, 90˚, 125˚, 160˚, and 180˚ of shoulder abduction angle in a prone position. Surface EMG activity was recorded from the middle and lower trapezius while the subjects held for five seconds at a predetermined position. The EMG activity was normalized using the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) elicited using a manual muscle testing technique. A repeatedly measured ANOVA was performed by Bonferroni's post hoc test. The EMG activity of the middle and lower trapezius was significantly different among shoulder abduction angles (p<.05). The greatest level of muscle activity for the middle and lower trapezius were demonstrated at and of shoulder abduction angle, respectively. These results suggest that middle and lower trapezius strengthening exercise and manual muscle testing should be performed at different shoulder abduction angles.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a workplace-based work-conditioning program (WCP) on the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in an automobile-parts manufacturing company. In total, 1,110 subjects with WRMDs participated in workplace-based WCP emphasizing function-centered management and ergonomics. We investigated the incidence of WRMDs variables (number of persons diagnosed with industrial accident-related WHMDs, number of cases of WRMD) and financial benefits (cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs) per year before and after WCP. Additionally, we compared self-reported pain intensity and functional disability in subjects with musculoskeletal pain before and after the WCP. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI) and the Oswestry disability Index (ODI). The number of person diagnosed with industrial accident-related WRMDs, the number of cases of WRMD, the cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs per year decreased by 51%, 37%, 34%, and 47%, respectively, and VAS, NDI, and ODI scores decreased significantly after implementation of WCP (p<.05). Thus, the results of the present study suggest that function-centered, workplace-based WCP was effective in managing WRMDs at an automobile-parts manufacturing company.

The reliability of the thickness measurement of the lumbar multifidus (LMD using real-time ultrasonography (US) was determined in only the superficial fiber of the lumbar multifidus (SM). However, previous studies have not examined the reliability of the deep fiber of the LM (DM). The purpose of this study was to determine the intrarater and the interrater reliability of the thickness measurements of DM using US. Eleven heathy males participated in the study. The thickness of the DM was measured with an US in the prone position. Reliability was examined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), standard error of the measurement (SEM), and the Bland and Altman plot. ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the interrater reliability of the thickness measurement of DM using the values from both the first and second test sessions. Additionally, ICC(3,1) was used to calculate the intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days using the measurements obtained in test session 1 and lest session 2. The results of this study were as follows: 1) the ICC(3,1) value for interrater reliability was .94 in the first test session, and .93 in the second test session. 2) the ICC(3,1) values for intrarater reliability of the measurements over two days was .90 in both the first examiner and the second examiner. The interrater reliability and interrater reliability of the DM measurements, obtained via the US protocol used in this research was excellent. Therefore, we conclude that the thickness measurement of the DM obtaioned from the US protocol used in this research would be useful for clinician assessment of the thickness of the DM.

The Nilaparvata lugesn(BPH) and Laodelphax striatellus(SBPH) are major insect pests of rice in Korea. These BPHs migrate from China to Korea, but we have not exactly known about the route of long-distance migration of them. Molecular markers including microsatellite will be critical to asses gene flow in relation to geographical distance. In our work several microsatellite markers were developed for basic population genetic analysis of BPH and SBPH. Among each 21 microsatellite markers in BPH and SBPH, we could select 6 markers for BPH and 2 markers for SBPH as putative markers for analysis of population genetics. Others are further investigated for the possibility as markers. Development of polymorphic microsatellite loci are final stage of our work. But for good microsatellite markers to population genetics, we should do more experiments. Our work for development of microsatellites should facilitate the study of future population genetics of BPH and SBPH, and eventually elucidate the route of BPH and SBPH migration to Korea.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) biosynthesis by bacteria occurs widely in rhizospheres. Bacterial species able to synthesize IAAmay be exploited for beneficial interactions in crop management systems. The objective of this study was to determine the response of ivyleaf morningglory (Ipomoea hederacea) seedlings to IAA and to an IAA-producing rhizobacterum, Bradyrhizobium japonicum isolate GD3. IAA solution and isolate GD3 suppression of seedling growth measured as radicle length and biomass depended on IAA concentration. Seedling radicle length was significantly reduced by ca. 29% with more than 1.0 ㎛ of IAA solution, compared to the control, 48 h after application. The cell concentration at 50% growth reduction (GR₅₀) of the seedling radicle was IAA production by isolate GD3 at 104.82 cfu, the cell concentration for 50% growth reduction (GR₅₀) of seedling radicle was 0.24 ìM, which was much lower than the IAA solution concentration (117.48 ㎛) required for GR₅₀. Therefore, excess IAA production by isolate GD3 may be more detrimental to morningglory radicle growth than standard IAA solution. Results confirmed involvement of IAA in suppressive effects of isolate GD3 on morningglory seedlings grown in a hydroponic system.

本 實驗은 土壤改良劑가 열무(Raphanus sativus L.)에 미치는 影響을 알아보기 위해 修行하였다. 土壤改良劑로는 MPK + Husk + Palma, Husk + Palma, MPK + Compost, Compost, Bio Livestock Cattle System(BLCS) Cattle Dropping 및 Tomi를 사용하였다. 實驗結果, 모든 微生物劑 處理區에서 植物體의 生育特性이 無處理에 비하여 收量이 增加하였다. 특히, BLCS Cat