Background: Passive or therapist-assisted stretching, followed by scapular stabilization exercises, has been shown to be effective. However, most previous studies have focused on stretching individual muscles or specific movement directions, often neglecting the role of active scapular stretching. Objects: This study aimed to compare changes in the muscle activity of the lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and upper trapezius (UT), as well as the scapular posterior tilt (SPT) angle before and after scapular circle (SC) stretching during SPT exercise. Methods: Twenty participants were recruited for this study. Electromyography electrodes were attached to the LT, SA, and UT. Muscle activity and the posterior scapular tilt angle were measured while performing the SPT exercises. After the SC stretch, the measurements were repeated in the same manner. The LT, SA, and UT electromyography activities and SPT angles were analyzed using paired t-tests. Results: LT activity was significantly higher in the SC stretch plus SPT exercise compared with in the SPT exercise alone (p = 0.018). There were no significant differences in SA activity between the SPT and SC stretch plus SPT exercise conditions (p = 0.812). UT activity significantly increased in the SC stretch plus SPT exercise compared with that in the SPT exercise (p = 0.001). The SPT angle was significantly enhanced during SPT exercise after the SC stretching compared to that without SC stretching (p = 0.009). The RSP improved by 2.32% compared to the initial posture when only the SPT was performed, and improved by 9.95% when the SPT was performed after the SC stretching. Conclusion: These results suggest that performing SC stretching prior to SPT exercise may effectively improve scapular alignment and posture, even when UT activation increases more than of the LT. Elevated UT activity highlights the need to address muscular balance in corrective exercise design.

Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent chronic condition that affects approximately 80% of individuals aged ≥ 65 years. Major problems include pain, dysfunction, reduced quality of life, balance ability, and muscle tone. Objects: This study examined the effects of multidirectional knee-strengthening exercises using elastic bands on knee pain, functional disability, quality of life, balance ability, and rectus femoris (RF) muscle tone in elderly patients aged ≥ 65 years with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Forty-eight patients aged ≥ 65 years with knee osteoarthritis participated in the study. The participants were assigned randomly to either the experimental group (n = 24) or the control group (n = 24). Both groups performed knee-strengthening exercises, but the experimental group incorporated elastic bands into their exercises. All interventions were conducted 3 times a week for 30 minutes per session over 4 weeks. The effects were assessed before and after the intervention using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (K-WOMAC), Euro Quality of Life 5 Dimension (EQ-5D), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and RF muscle tone. Between-group differences before and after the intervention were analyzed using the independent t-test, and withingroup differences were examined using the paired t-test for pre-post intervention comparisons of the dependent variables. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in the NRS, K-WOMAC function, KWOMAC total score, EQ-5D, BBS, and RF muscle tone after the intervention (p < 0.05). In addition, the experimental group showed significant improvements in the NRS, K-WOMAC, BBS, and RF muscle tone compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Multidirectional knee-strengthening exercises using elastic bands can be an effective intervention to improve knee pain, functional disability, balance ability, and RF muscle tone in elderly patients aged ≥ 65 years with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is a widely used eccentric strengthening exercise that reduces the risk of hamstring and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. During NHE, the ankles are fixed in a kneeling position, while the upper body falls forward as the knee extends, maximizing hamstring activation. However, compensatory movements, such as an increased hip joint angle, make optimal execution difficult. Assisted NHE (ANHE) using an elastic band facilitates controlled movement, maintains high hamstring activation, and allows intensity adjustments. Despite their benefits, research on exercise postures based on different elastic band application regions remains limited. Objects: This study aimed to compare trunk and hip extensors activation, the gluteus maximus vs. erector spinae (GM/ES) ratio, and subjective difficulty during NHE, chest-assisted NHE (C-ANHE), and pelvic-assisted NHE (P-ANHE). Methods: Twenty-two healthy males performed each exercise, starting from a kneeling position with the knee joint at 90° and extending 15° with isometric contraction. The muscle activations of the ES, GM, and the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) were measured using surface electromyography. The GM/ES ratio was calculated, and the Borg rating of perceived exertion (Borg RPE) (6–20) scale was examined. Results: ES (F = 141.38, p < 0.001), GM (F = 184.14, p < 0.001), and BFlh (F = 164.85, p < 0.001) activation differed significantly among the exercises. All muscles showed higher muscle activity during P-ANHE than during C-ANHE (p < 0.017). The GM/ES ratio was lower than 1 for all exercises but significantly higher in P-ANHE (0.66 ± 0.15) than in C-ANHE (0.57 ± 0.18) (p < 0.017). The Borg RPE score differed significantly among exercises (p < 0.001) and was higher in P-ANHE (15.10 ± 1.77) than in C-ANHE (11.86 ± 1.91) (p < 0.017). Conclusion: P-ANHE increased GM activation to a greater extent than C-ANHE, with moderate subjective difficulty. It is recommended as an ANHE variant for targeting the GM while considering ES activation.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between occupational conditions and foot morphology in industrial workers. Objects: A total of 118 workers from Cheonan and South Korea were recruited through a manufacturing plant for participation in this study. Methods: Musculoskeletal findings were evaluated by musculoskeletal symptoms disease questionnaire. We measured foot structure and foot plantar pressure-based variables using the Arch Finder System. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to investigate statistical examination. Results: Longer years of service revealed a weak negative correlation with foot width, medial arch height, and metatarsal width; workers with foot pain and laborious positions record high values of plantar pressure than those in office positions. Furthermore, strong bilateral correlations were observed between the foot morphological structure parameters of participants (r = 0.796–0.890). Conclusion: Occupational conditions, particularly duty duration and job type, influence plantar pressure and foot structure. Plantar pressure assessment may aid in the early identification and prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Background: Decreased respiratory muscle strength in patients with stroke may cause breathing difficulties, and cardiopulmonary function and exercise capacity may decline, which may reduce balance and gait ability. Objects: This study aimed to determine the influence of improved respiratory muscle strength on the recovery of balance and gait ability at discharge in patients with stroke. Methods: This prospective observational study involved 21 patients clinically diagnosed with stroke. Multiple regression models with a forward selection procedure were used to investigate whether the improvement of respiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP] and maximal expiratory pressure) can contribute to the recovery of balance (Trunk Impairment Scale, Berg Balance Scale, Brunel Balance Assessment, and five times sit-to-stand) and gait (10-meter walk test, timed up and go, and 6-minute walk test [6MWT]) ability. Results: In the forward selection regression analysis, MIP was an influencing factor, accounting for 36.2% of the variance in the 6MWT. Conclusion: This result suggests that an improvement in MIP influences the increase in distance in the 6MWT. Therefore, it is important to evaluate respiratory muscle strength. Inspiratory muscle strengthening can recommended improving endurance and functional walking ability in patients with stroke.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare gluteus medius (Gmed) and quadratus lumborum (QL) muscle activities and the Gmed/QL activity ratio, during five hip abduction exercises in individuals with Gmed weakness. Objects: Nineteen participants with clinically identified Gmed weakness performed five hip abduction exercises: side-lying hip abduction (SHA), side-bridge (SB), SB using sling (SB-sling), SB with hip abduction (SB-HA), and SB-HA using sling (SB-HA-sling). Surface electromyography recorded Gmed and QL, normalized to %maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to assess differences across conditions. Results: Significant differences were found in Gmed (F = 68.980, p = 0.001) and QL (F = 10.676, p = 0.001) activation across exercises. Gmed activity was highest in SB-HA (61.77 ± 14.46 %MVIC), while SHA produced the highest Gmed/QL activity ratio (1.70 ± 0.26), indicating more selective Gmed activation. SB and SB-sling showed lower Gmed activity and higher QL activation. SB-HA-sling resulted in moderate Gmed activation without significantly increasing QL activation. Conclusion: The SB-HA exercise is effective for co-activating Gmed and QL, while SHA and SB-HA-sling are better suited for selectively targeting Gmed with minimal QL compensation. These findings support exercise selection based on specific rehabilitation goals.

본고는 에후드 보드너의 학문적 연구의 틀을 바탕으로 하여 T. S. 엘리 엇의 J. 알프레드 프루프록의 연가 (1915)와 W. B. 예이츠의 탑 (1928)에 투영된 노 화와 노화하는 자아를 재/조명한다. 노화에 대한 사회문화적 태도가 산업혁명 이전의 서구 사회에서 긍정적이었다면, 산업혁명 이후 개인주의 사회에서는 그 시각이 부정적 으로 변화된 양상을 보이는데, 이는 두 작품을 분석하는 데 중요한 맥락을 제공한다. 20세기 초 영문학과 노년학을 가로지르는 학제간 연구로서 이 글은 노화를 바라보는 산업혁명 이전과 이후 사이의 변화된 태도를 그 중심부에 위치시켜 엘리엇의 프루프 록 과 예이츠의 탑 에 대한 다시 읽기를 수행한다.

본 연구는 중앙아시아의 난민 보호를 (1) 수용 역량, (2) 국제 기준과 의 법·정책적 정합성, (3) 재정적·제도적 기여라는 세 가지 차원으로 구 성된 부담 및 책임 분담 프레임워크를 통해 분석한다. 카자흐스탄, 키르 기스스탄, 타지키스탄, 투르크메니스탄, 우즈베키스탄 등 5개국을 비교한 결과, 국가별 난민 보호에 대한 관여 수준에서 뚜렷한 차이를 보인다. 타 지키스탄은 가장 많은 공식 등록 난민을 수용하고 있으며, 카자흐스탄은 난민 유사 상황에 처한 인구가 가장 많다. 1951년 난민협약과의 법적 정 합성은 국가별로 상이하며, 재정적 기여는 제한적으로, 카자흐스탄과 키 르기스스탄만이 UNHCR에 재정 지원을 하고 있다. 그러나 다섯 국가 모 두 난민에 관한 글로벌 콤팩트(Global Compact on Refugees)에 참여 하고 있다. 본 연구는 중앙아시아 국가들이 역량과 정치적 의지 면에서 차이를 보이지만, 난민 책임 분담 접근 방식은 점진적으로 진화하고 있 음을 보여준다.