Background: The gluteus maximus (GM) muscle comprise the lumbo-pelvic complex and is an important stabilizing muscle during leg extension. In patients with low back pain (LBP) with weakness of the GM, spine leads to compensatory muscle activities such as instantaneous increase of the erector spinae (ES) muscle activity. Four-point kneeling arm and leg lift (FKALL) is most common types of lumbopelvic and GM muscles strengthening exercise. We assumed that altered hip position during FKALL may increase thoraco-lumbar stabilizer like GM activity more effectively method. Objects: The purpose of this study was investigated that effects of the three exercise postures on the right-sided GM, internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and multifidus (MF) muscle activities and pelvic kinematic during FKALL. Methods: Twenty eight healthy individuals participated in this study. The exercises were performed three conditions of FKALL (pure FKALL, FKALL with 120° hip flexion of the supporting leg, FKALL with 30° hip abduction of the lifted leg). Participants performed FKALL exercises three times each condition, and motion sensor used to measure pelvic tilt and rotation angle. Results: This study demonstrated that no significant change in pelvic angle during hip movement in the FKALL (p > 0.05). However, the MF and GM muscle activities in FKALL with hip flexion and hip abduction is greater than pure FKALL position (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our finding suggests that change the posture of the hip joint to facilitate GM muscle activation during trunk stabilization exercises such as the FKALL.

Background: Push-up are effective exercises for shoulder stability. Previous studies have documented the effects of support plane and hand position and width on muscle activities during a push-up. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the changes in muscle activities in the upper extremity when performing the standard and the knee-flexed push-up with different hand shapes. Methods: A total of twenty-six healthy males participated in this study. Three different hand shapes (finger abduction, finger adduction, and fists) and two types of push-up posture (standard and knee-flexed push-up) were set as the independent variables. Electrograms were used to measure the muscle activity of the upper trapezius (UT), triceps brachii (TB), pectoralis major (PM), and serratus anterior (SA). Each participant performed the randomly assigned push-up to the sound of the metronome. The mixed-effect linear regression model was used to detect the changes in muscle activities after changing the hand shape and push-up posture. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: The UT muscle activity was statistically significantly higher when performing push-up with fists than finger abduction (p = 0.035) or finger adduction (p = 0.044). During the standard push-up, the muscle activity in all muscles was that the push-up with fists showed the highest muscle activity compared to the finger abduction (p < 0.01) and finger adduction (p < 0.01). Regardless of the shape of the hand, UT had the lowest muscle activity compared to other muscles (p < 0.001). In contrast, the SA muscle had the highest muscle activity among four muscles during the standard push-up. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, we suggest hand shape is related to the difficulty level of push-up either in the standard or the knee-flexed push-up, especially in the push-up with fists. In addition, knee push-up can be recommended as shoulder musclestrengthening exercises for individuals with low shoulder muscle strength.

Background: Shoulder external rotation exercises are commonly used to improve the stabilizing ability of the infraspinatus. However, during exercise, excessive activation of the posterior deltoid compared to the infraspinatus causes the humeral head to move anteriorly in an abnormal position. Many researchers have emphasized selective activation of the infraspinatus during shoulder external rotation exercise. Objects: This study aims to delineate the optimal exercise method for selective activation of infraspinatus by investigating the muscle activities of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid according to the four shoulder exercise methods and two forearm positions. Methods: Thirty healthy individuals participated in this study. The participants were instructed to perform shoulder external rotation exercises following four exercise methods: sitting external rotation (SIER); standing external rotation at 90° abduction (STER); prone external rotation at 90° abduction (PRER); side-lying external rotation (SLER), and two forearm positions (neutral, supinated). The electromyography (EMG) signal amplitude was measured during each exercise. Surface EMG signals were recorded from the posterior deltoid, infraspinatus, and biceps brachii. Results: EMG results of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid in PRER, were significantly higher than that of the other exercises (p < 0.01). The EMG ratio (infraspinatus/posterior deltoid) in SIER was significantly higher than that of the other exercises. EMG activation of the posterior deltoid in SIER, PRER, and SLER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the EMG of the infraspinatus in SIER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.01). The EMG ratio (infraspinatus/ posterior deltoid) in SIER was significantly higher in neutral than in supinated (p < 0.05.) Contrarily EMG ratios in PRER and SLER were significantly higher in supinated than in neutral (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results show that clinicians should consider these exercise methods and forearm positions when planning shoulder external rotation exercises for optimal shoulder rehabilitation.

Background: Muscle activities of gluteus maximus (GM) and hamstring (HAM) have important roles in the stability and mobility of the hip joint during various functional activities including bridge and prone hip extension exercises. Objects: The purpose of this study is to investigate muscle activities of GM, multifidus (MF) and HAM during three different bridge exercises in healthy individuals. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were participated. Electromyography device was used to measure muscle activities of GM, MF and HAM. Each subject was asked to perform three different bridge exercises with hip abduction (0°, 15°, 30°) in random order. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.01. Results: The muscle activity of GM was significantly different among three conditions (hip abduction 0°, 15°, 30°) (adjusted p-value [Padj] < 0.01). The muscle activity of GM was significantly greater during bridge exercise with hip abduction 30° compared to 0° and 15° (Padj < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the muscle activity of MF and HAM muscle (Padj > 0.01). The ratio of muscle activity (ratio = GM/HAM) during bridge exercise with hip abduction 30° was significant greater compared to the hip abduction angles 0° and 15° (Padj < 0.01). Conclusion: Bridge exercise with hip abduction 30° can be recommended to selectively facilitate the muscle activity of GM and improve the ratio of muscle activity between GM and HAM.

Background: Lunge exercises are lower extremity rehabilitation and strengthening exercises for patients and athletes. Most studies have shown the effectiveness of the forward and backward lunge exercises for treating patellofemoral pain and anterior cruciate ligament injuries (by increasing lower extremity muscle activity) and improving kinematics. Objects: However, it is not known how the two different lunge movements affect trunk muscle activities in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electromyographic activity of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles during forward and backward lunge exercises in healthy participants. Methods: Twelve healthy participants were recruited. Electromyographic activity of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae was recorded using surface electrodes during forward and backward lunges, and subsequently normalized to the respective reference voluntary isometric contractions of each muscle. Results: Activity of the erector spinae was significantly higher than that of the rectus abdominis during all stages of the backward lunge (p < 0.05). The activity of the erector spinae was significantly greater during the backward than forward lunge at all stages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Backward lunging is better able to enhance trunk motor control and activate the erector spinae muscles.

Background: Compression of the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) enables lumbo-pelvic muscles to increase pelvic stability and reduce pain. Many previous studies assessed the effects of pelvic compression belts on the stabilization of the lumbar and SIJs. However, there are a lack of studies to date on the effects of pelvic compression taping (PCT). Objectives: To investigate the effects of PCT on the muscle activity of lumbopelvic muscles during prone hip extension (PHE). Design: Pre-post test design. Methods: In total, 19 healthy male and female participants performed PHE with and without PCT. A surface electromyography system was used to record the muscle activity of multifidus, erector spinae, internal oblique abdominal, and gluteus maximus muscles, and the activities of these muscles before and after taping were compared. Results: During PHE, the activities of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles (P<.05) significantly increased after taping, while that of the internal oblique abdominal muscle significantly decreased after taping (P<.05). However, the activity of the gluteus maximums muscle did not significantly increase or decrease after taping (P>.05). Conclusion: PCT for the SIJ improves the stability of the lumbo-pelvic region, and the use of PCT with functional training would lead to positive clinical effects.

Background: Flat feet can be identified by assessing the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) and these conditions can trigger epidemiological changes in the feet. Many of previous studies compared the muscle activity of lower body in terms of intervention and dynamics to treat the structural defect of flat feet. However, few studies have investigated or analyzed the muscle activity of gastrocnemius muscle in the subjects with flat feet. Objects: This study investigated the differences in changes of medial and lateral plantar flexors in subjects with flat feet during bipedal heel-rise (BHR) task and analyzed the differences in muscle activity between two groups by measuring the electromyography (EMG) of abductor hallucis (AH), tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), lateral gastrocnemius (LG). Methods: A total of Twenty one adult females participated in this experiment. Subjects were assigned to groups according to the navicular drop test. The task was applied to the leg, where the heel lifting action prevailed. The muscle activity of the medial and lateral feet plantar flexors was evaluated, and the % maximum voluntary isometric contractions (%MVIC) of these were compared. Results: For the difference between groups the muscle activity (%MVIC) of LG muscle was statistically significantly low in flat feet group compared to healthy feet group (flat feet: 64.57, healthy feet: 90.17; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study will contribute to identifying the muscle activities of medial and lateral feet plantar flexors among subjects with flat feet, which can cause abnormal epidemiological changes in the feet.

본 연구의 목적은 정적 스쿼트 동작 시 발란스 보드와 전신 진동자극기 적용이 신체 근육의 근활성도 변화에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 검증하는 것이었다. 본 연구의 대상자는 20대 남성 20명을 대상으로 실시하였고(연령, 21.90±0.36 세; 신장, 174.30±1.09 cm; 체중, 66.50±1.00 kg; 신체질량지수, 21.90±0.31 kg/m2), 3가지의 기본 정적 스쿼트 동작, 발란스 보드를 적용한 정적 스쿼트 동작 및 전신 진동자극기를 적용한 정적 스쿼트 동작을 수행하였으며, 표면전극을 부착한 부위는 신체 근육의 우측 복직근, 내복사근, 외복사근, 대퇴직근, 외측광근 및 내측광근으로 설정하였다. 실험을 통해 획득된 본 연구의 결과 는 다음과 같다. 복직근, 내복사근 및 외복사근의 근활성도는 발란스 보드와 전신 진동자극기를 적용한 정적 스쿼트 동작 시 통계적으로 높게 나타났고(p=.001, p=.004, p=.000), 대퇴직근, 외측광근 및 내측광근의 근활성도는 전신 진동자극기를 적용한 정적 스쿼트 동작에서 통계적으로 가장 높게 나타났다(p=.000). 본 연구의 결과는 향후 정적 스쿼트 훈련 적용 시 효과적인 신체 근육을 강화시키기 위한 프로그램의 기초 자료가 될 것으로 기대된다.

목적 : 본 연구는 스마트 글러브를 이용한 가상현실 기반의 상지재활훈련이 뇌졸중 환자의 상지기능, 상지의 근 활성도, 일상생활 활동과 삶의 질에 미치는 효과를 분석하고자 한다. 연구방법 : 선착순 무작위 대조 실험연구 방식으로 연구를 진행하였다. 의료연구협의회 지표(medical research council scale), 한국판 간이정신상태검사(Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination; MMSE-K)로 대상자를 선별하여 뇌졸중 환자 31명을 무작위로 스마트 글러브를 이용한 가상현실 기반의 상지재활훈련군과 일반적 작업치료군으로 나눈 뒤, 주 5회 하루 30분씩 총 25회기 동안 실험을 진행하였다. 중재 전ᆞ후 비교 분석을 하기 위해서 뇌졸중 상지 기능평가(Manual Function Test; MFT), 표면 근전도 검사(Surface Electromyography; EMG), 한국판 수정된 바델지수(Korean version of Modified Barthel Index; K-MBI), 뇌졸중 영향 척도 3.0(Stroke Impact Scale 3.0; SIS)을 사용하였다. 결과 : 첫째, 실험군과 대조군에서 상지의 기능향상(MFT)이 있었고, 실험군에서 위팔노근의 근 활성도에 유 의한 향상이 있었다. 둘째, 일상생활활동에서는 실험군과 대조군에서 유의한 향상을 보였다. 셋째, 삶의 질 에서는 실험군에서 유의한 향상이 있었다. 결론 : 스마트 글러브를 이용한 가상현실 기반 상지재활훈련은 뇌졸중 환자의 상지기능, 근 활성도, 일상생활 활동과 삶의 질을 향상하는 효과적인 작업치료 방법이다.

본 연구의 목적은 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작 시 슬링과 진동기 적용이 체간 근육의 근활성도 변화에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보는 것이었다. 본 연구의 대상자는 신체 건강한 20대 남성 10명을 대상으로 실시하였고(연령, 23.00±0.45 세; 신장, 176.60±1.64 cm; 체중, 67.50±1.22 kg; 신체질량지수, 21.65±0.34 kg/m2), 3가지의 기본 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작, 슬링을 적용한 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작, 및 진동기를 적용한 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작을 수행하였으며, 표면전극 부착 부위는 체간 근육의 오른쪽 상부 승모근, 대흉근, 전거근, 복직근, 및 외복사근으로 설정하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 승모근, 대흉근, 전거근, 복직근, 및 외복사근의 근활성도는 진동기를 적용한 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작 시 통계적으 로 가장 높게 나타났다(p<.001). 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 향후 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작 적용 시 효과적인 체간 근육을 강화시키기 위한 트레이닝 프로그램의 기초자료가 될 것으로 기대된다.

Background: A backpack is available equipment for moving some objects. Most studies have found that the appropriate weight limit of backpack for students is between 10% to 15% of their body weight (BW). However, Some students should carry a backpack heavier than 15% of BW. Therefore, It is associated with abnormal shoulder and neck posture on students. Objects: This study tested the effects that various amounts of weight carried by university students in their backpacks had on their cervical posture and electromyography of neck muscle. Methods: The subjects consisted of 12 students (6 male, 6 female) in university. There were three loading conditions tested: no backpack, a backpack that weighed 10% and 15% of the student’s BW. The dependent variables were the craniovertebral angle (tragus to C7) and the neck muscle activities (sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius). All 12 subjects were asked to walk while wearing a backpack for 5 minutes and were then instructed to rest for 2 minutes. Results: When assessing the craniovertebral angle, the results of this study were significantly decreased in the order of 0%, 10%, and 15%. And then, there were significantly increased electromyography of neck muscles that comparison of the weight of 10% and 15% on 0%. It was found that as the weight of the backpack increased, the craniovertebral angle decreased (p < 0.05) and the muscle activities increased (upper trapezius p = 0.012, sternocleidomastoid p = 0.013). Conclusion: Our study recommended that some students shouldn’t carry on over the 15% backpack of own weight, and also they should distribute backpack load to equal on body for optimal posture.

Background: Ipsilateral pelvic elevation has been reported as a common compensatory movement during side-lying hip abduction. It has been reported that pelvic elevation inhibits sufficient contraction of gluteus medius. However, few studies have identified the effects of controlled pelvic elevation on the trunk and hip muscles. Objective: To examine the effects of controlled pelvic elevation using visual biofeedback on the muscle activity of the trunk and hip muscles. Design: Crossover study. Methods: Twelve healthy males performed side-lying hip abduction exercises with and without visual biofeedback for pelvic elevation. Electromyography (EMG) activities of the gluteus medius, quadratus lumborum, and multifidus were analyzed using a wireless EMG system while the ipsilateral pelvic elevation angle was measured using a motion sensor during side-lying hip abduction exercises. Results: EMG activities of the gluteus medius (p = .002), quadratus lumborum (p = .022), and multifidus (p = .020) were significantly increased and ipsilateral pelvic elevation was significantly decreased (p = .001) during side-lying hip abduction with visual biofeedback compared to without visual biofeedback. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the application of biofeedback for pelvic motion could improve the trunk and hip muscle activation pattern and decrease compensatory pelvic motion during side-lying hip abduction exercise.

본 연구의 목적은 플랭크 운동 시 세라밴드 적용 유·무에 따른 신체 근육의 근활성도를 비교·분석하는데 있었다. 본 연구의 대상자는 건강한 20대 남성 12명을 대상으로 실시하였고(연령, 21.75±0.57 세; 신장, 173.33±1.34cm; 체중, 65.92±1.64kg; 신체질량지수, 21.93±0.46kg/m2), 풀 플랭크, 엘보우 플랭크, 사이드 플랭크, 및 리버스 플랭크 운동은 4가지의 세라밴드(사용 안함(WT), 빨간색(RT), 파란색 (BT), 은색(ST))를 적용하여 수행하였으며, 표면전극 부착 부위는 척추기립근(ES), 삼각근(DA), 외복사근 (EO), 복직근(RA), 대퇴직근(RF), 광배근(LD), 대흉근(PM), 및 대퇴이두근(BF)으로 설정하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 풀 플랭크 동작 시 ES, DA의 근활성도는 WT적용 시 가장 높게 나타났고(p<.05), EO, RA, RF, PM의 근활성도는 ST적용 시 가장 높게 나타났다(p<.05). 엘보우 플랭크 동작 시 ES, DA의 근활성도는 WT적용 시 가장 높게 나타났고(p<.05), RF, PM의 근활성도는 ST적용 시 가장 높게 나타났다 (p<.05). 사이드 플랭크 동작 시 ES, EO, RA, RF, LD, PM, BF,의 근활성도는 ST적용 시 가장 높게 나타 났다(p<.05). 그리고 리버스 플랭크 동작 시 DA, EO, RA, RF, LD, PM, BF,의 근활성도는 ST적용 시 가장 높게 나타났다(p<.05). 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 향후 플랭크 운동 적용 시 효과적인 신체근육을 강화시 키기 위한 훈련프로그램의 자료가 될 것으로 기대된다.

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) is a postural alignment of the cervical vertebrae that leads to increased gravitational load on cervical segmental motions. The overhead arm lift test assesses the ability to actively dissociate and control low cervical flexion and move the shoulders through overhead flexion. Objects: The purpose of this study was to explore muscle activities in the upper trapezius (UT), serratus anterior (SA), sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and lower trapezius (LT) alongside changes in head position during the overhead arm lift test in individuals with FHP. Methods: Fifteen subjects with forward head posture and fifteen subjects with normal subjcects were enrolled in this study. The patients performed the overhead arm lift test, and muscle activities of the UT, SCM, SA, and LT were measured using surface electromyography and by evaluating changes in head position. Independent t-tests were used to detect significant differences between the two groups and Cohen’s d was calculated to measure the size of the mean difference between the groups. Results: The FHP group demonstrated significantly increased muscle activity of the UT (32.46±7.64), SCM (12.79±4.01), and LT (45.65±10.52) and significantly decreased activity in the SA (26.65±6.15) than the normal group. The change in head position was significantly higher in the FHP group (6.66±2.08) than the normal group. Effect sizes for all parameters assessed were large between the two groups. Conclusion: The subjects with excessive FHP displayed were unable to fix their heads in position during the overhead arm lift test. The overhead arm lift test can thus be used in clinical settings to confirm control of the neck in these subjects.

Background: Improvement of the lumbo-pelvic stability can reduce the compensatory action of the erector spinae (ES) during prone hip extension (PHE). Furthermore, the application of abdominal drawing-in (ADI) maneuver increases the action of gluteus maximus (GM) and decreases the action of ES during PHE by improving the lumbo-pelvic stability. However, the post-ADI exercise effects on PHE, not the real-time application of ADI maneuver, has not been studied. Objects: This study is aimed at investigating the post-ADI exercise effects on the muscle activities of GM and ES during PHE. Methods: A total of 24 female adults participated in the study, and they were divided into two groups: Those with normal abdominal muscles (n1=12) and those with weak abdominal muscles (WA) (n2=12). Before the intervention, the subjects’ GM and ES muscle activities during PHE were measured. Subsequently, the two groups were asked to perform the ADI exercise for 10 minutes. After the ADI exercise, the GM and ES activities were equally measured during PHE. Results: The comparison result of the ES muscle activities before intervention shows a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05); the WA group showed higher muscle activities than the normal group. For the within-group comparison, the muscle activities of the ES in the WA group significantly decreased after the ADI exercise (p<.05). For the GM muscle activity, no significant difference was observed in all comparisons (p>.05). For the changes in muscle activities before and after the ADI exercise, a significant difference exists between the two groups only for the changes in ES activities (p<.05); WA group exhibits higher changes than the normal group. By contrast, no significant difference exists between the two groups for the changes in GM activities (p>.05). Conclusion: After the ADI exercise, the compensatory action of ES in the female adults with WC is implied to decrease during PHE.

Inflammation is an important protective response mechanism that occurs against microbial invasion or injury. However, excessive inflammation may lead to cause of morbidity and mortality in diseases. The activated macrophages plays a vital role in inflammatory response by stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). This activation further damages the host by inducing certain pro-inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin- 6 (IL-6), TNF-α, inducible nitrous oxide (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX-2). Flavonoids are bioactive compounds with potential effects as anti-cancer, anti-inflammation, anti-viral and anti-bacterial activities. Polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) are unique to citrus plants which are of specific interest owing to their biological effects that includes lipoprotein metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity. Sinensetin is one of the PMFs having five methoxy groups on the basic benzo-γ-pyrone skeleton with a carbonyl group at the C4 position. Sinensetin have been known for exerting various pharmacological activities including anti-angiogenesis, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities. However, there are no studies focused on the anti-inflammatory effects of sinensetin on skeletal muscle cells. In the present study, we investigated the antiinflammatory effect of flavonoids isolated from Sinensetin on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) by inhibition of signal transduction in LPS - induced L6 skeletal muscle cells.

목적 : 본 연구는 완곡추적 안구운동과 경부신전근 진동자극법의 결합중재가 만성 뇌졸중 환자의 편측무시와 일상생활활동 수행에 미치는 영향을 확인하는 것이다. 연구방법 : 본 연구는 발병 후 6개월 이상 지난 3명의 뇌졸중 편측무시 환자를 대상으로 하였으며, 단일대상연구 방법 중 ABAC디자인으로 연구를 진행하였다. 연구는 기초선(A1) 1주, 중재기(B) 2주, 기초선(A2) 1주, 그리고 중재기(C) 2주로 총 6주간 진행되었으며, 중재기(B)에서는 완곡추적 안구운동(Smooth Pursuit Eye Movement; SPEM)의 단일중재를, 중재기(C)에서는 경부신전근 진동자극법(Neck Muscle Vibration; NMV)과 SPEM의 결합중재를 실시하였다. 평가는 매회기 선 나누기 검사와 벨 테스트(Bells test)를 실시하였으며, 한국판 캐서린 버지고 척도(Korean-Catherine Bergego Scale; K-CBS)와 한국판 일상생활활동 중심 작업기반 신경행동 평가(Korean version of ADL-focused Occupation-based Neurobehavioral Evaluation; K-A-ONE)를 기초선(A1)의 첫 회기와 각 중재기의 마지막 회기에 시행하였다. 결과 : 연구결과 SPEM과 NMV를 단일 또는 결합하여 적용하였을 때 편측무시의 지필검사(선 나누기 검사와 벨 테스트)와 관찰적 검사(K-CBS와 K-A-ONE)에서 편측무시가 개선됨을 확인하였고, 특히 결합중재시에 더 효과가 좋았던 것으로 나타났다. 그리고 편측무시가 개선됨에 따라 일상생활활동의 수행(K-A-ONE)에서도 향상을 보였는데, 편측무시 환자의 일상생활을 저해하는 신경행동 손상은 편측무시 뿐만 아니라 공간관계나 마비와 같은 손상 등이 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타나 다양한 신경행동 손상의 중재를 포함하는 포괄적인 재활프로그램을 계획해야함을 확인하였다. 결론 : 본 연구를 통해 SPEM과 NMV의 결합중재가 만성 뇌졸중 환자의 편측무시를 감소시키고 일상생활 활동 수행을 향상시키는데 효과적인 중재라는 것을 확인하였다.

Background: Round shoulder posture, results from excessive flexed posture of the thorax, is defined as a position of scapular protraction, anterior tipping, and downward rotation. However, previous studies have focused on only passive position of the thorax during scapular posterior tilting (SPT) and have not reported on SPT combined with correction of flexed posture. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare effects of SPT and SPT with prone trunk extension (SPT + PTE) on activities of the lower trapezius, serratus anterior, and thoracic erector spinae and degree of posture in subjects with round shoulder and flexed posture. Methods: Fifteen subjects with round shoulder and flexed posture were recruited. The caliper was used to measure the degree of round shoulder and flexed posture. Electromyography was performed to collect data of muscle activities. Paired t-test was used to compare two exercise (α=.05). Results: When SPT + PTE was applied, the degree of round shoulder posture (p=.001) and flexed posture (p=.039) significantly decreased compared with that when SPT was applied. The lower trapezius activity significantly increased in the SPT + PTE condition compared with that in the SPT condition (p=.026). There were no significant differences in serratus anterior activity between SPT + PTE and SPT. The thoracic erector spinae activity significantly increased in the SPT + PTE condition compared with that in the SPT condition (p=.014). Conclusion: SPT + PTE might be one of the effective methods to enhance activities of lower trapezius and thoracic erector spinae, and to reduce round shoulder posture and flexed posture in subjects with round shoulder and flexed posture.

Background: Sitting posture influences movements of scapulothoracic and glenohumeral joints and changes the shoulder muscle activities. The development and maintenance of correct sitting posture is important for the fundamental treatment of shoulder pain during rehabilitation. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the sitting postures and the shoulder movements on shoulder muscle activities for both male and female. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects without shoulder-related diseases participated in this experiment. The subjects had randomly adopted three different sitting postures (upright posture, preferred posture, maximum slouched posture) and shoulder flexion angles in scapular plane (30˚, 90˚, 120˚). Surface electrodes were collected from upper trapezius (UT), anterior deltoid (AD), and posterior deltoid (PD) and the active shoulder range of motion was measured in each sitting posture and shoulder flexion angle. Results: The active range of motions of the shoulder external rotation and the flexion in the scapular plane decreased from the upright posture to the maximum slouched posture (p<.05, mixed-effect linear regression with random intercept, Tukey post-hoc analysis). All muscles showed the highest EMG activities at 120˚ shoulder flexion with the maximum slouched posture and did not show the gender differences. Conclusion: Increased shoulder muscle activities may become the potential risk factor for the shoulder impairment and pain if people continuously maintain the maximum slouched posture. Therefore, an upright position is necessary during shoulder exercises, as well as in activities of daily living, including motions involving lifting the arms.

Background: Improvement of lumbo-pelvic stability can reduce the compensatory action of the quadratus lumborum (QL) and selectively strengthen the gluteus medius (GM) during side-lying hip abduction (SHA). There are abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) and abdominal bracing (AB) as active ways, and pelvic compression belt (PCB) as a passive way to increase of lumbo-pelvic stability. It is necessary to compare how these stabilization methods affect the selective strengthening of the GM. Objects: To investigate the effects of ADIM, AB, and PCB during SHA on the electromyography (EMG) activity of the GM, QL, external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO), and the GM/QL EMG activity ratio. Methods: A total of 20 healthy male adults participated in the study. The subjects performed three conditions in side-lying in random order: SHA with ADIM (SHA-ADIM), SHA with AB (SHA-AB), and SHA with PCB (SHA-PCB). To compare the differences among the three conditions, the EMG activities of the GM, QL, EO and IO, and GM/QL EMG activity ratio were analyzed using one-way repeated ANOVA. Results: The EMG activity of the QL was significantly higher in SHA-AB than in SHA-ADIM and SHA-PCB. The GM/QL activity ratio was significantly higher in SHA-PCB than in SHA-ADIM and SHA-AB. In addition, the figure for SHA-ADIM was significantly higher than that for SHA-AB. In the case of the EO, the figure for SHA-AB was significantly higher than corresponding values for the other two conditions. The figure for SHA-ADIM was significantly higher than that for SHA-PCB. The EMG activity of the IO was significantly higher in SHA-AH than in SHA-PCB. Conclusion: It can be suggested that wearing the PCB can more selectively strengthen the GM than to perform ADIM and AB during SHA. In addition, the ADIM can be recommended when there is a need to strengthen abdominal muscles during SHA.