Background: Child care center teachers are exposed to musculoskeletal injuries caused by repetitive movements at low heights due to the nature of their jobs. Self-myofascial release (SMFR) improves flexibility, pain, and functional performance. Pectoralis minor self-stretching (PMSS) improves muscle flexibility and postural alignment. PMSS has been commonly used to correct a rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Objectives: To examine the shoulder height, muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and muscle elasticity for women child care center teachers with RSP. Design: Randomized study. Methods: The participants were 20 women child care center teachers with RSP. They were randomly assigned two groups: SMFR group (n=10) and PMSS group (n=10). They performed each exercise for 20 min, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. They measured shoulder height, muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity of upper trapezius before and after exercise. Results: In the shoulder height, there was no significant difference between two groups. There were significant decreases within both groups. In the muscle tone, stiffness, and elasticity, there was no significant difference between two groups and within two groups. Conclusion: SMFR using a hard massage ball and PMSS have a positive effect on posture correction for child care center teacher with RSP.

Background: Self-myofascial release using a foam roller has short-term effects for improving muscle function and joint range of motion (ROM) and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) after exercise. Objectives: The purpose of our study was to examine the muscle physiological changes for each set in self-myofascial release of the hamstring muscles using a foam roller in order to provide basic data for the most effective program composition for improving muscle tension, stiffness, and flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Design: A quasi-experimental clinical trial. Methods: To confirm the effect of self-myofascial release of the hamstring muscles using a foam roller, muscle tone and stiffness of the hamstring muscles were measured. As an intervention method, the study subject performed four sessions of self-myofascial release by moving a foam roller back and forth on the posterior thigh muscle of the right leg. Results: There were statistically significant changes in the stiffness of the biceps femoris and the flexibility of the hamstring muscles. Conclusion: Self-myofascial release with foam rolling is an effective intervention method for increasing hamstring flexibility and ROM, and it is recommended as effective to perform self-myofascial release for three to four sessions to maintain normal muscle tone and stiffness of the hamstring muscles.

본고는 표준 중국어 초급 학습자를 대상으로 ‘绕口令’ 자료를 활용하여 제3성과 제 2성에 중점을 둔 성조 교육 방안을 설계하고, 이를 직접 실제 교육 현장에 적용하여 그 효과를 검증하는 것에 그 목적을 두고 있다. 이를 위해 2장에서는 수업 설계 방 안을 제시하였고, 3장에서는 수업의 구체적인 운영 및 결과, 만족도에 대한 분석을 진행하였으며, 마지막 4장에서는 본고의 연구 성과를 종합하였다.

Background: Mobilization movements was applied with different forces and frequencies for different clinicians. Force transmission varies with frequency. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of frequency- specific application of grade III PA movement on muscle tone and muscle activity around the lumbar vertebrae. Design: A one group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Twenty study subjects applied grades III of PA movement exercise of 0.5 Hz and 1 Hz with a force of 13 N around the 1st and 3rd lumbar vertebrae, and muscle tone and muscle activity were measured and compared before and after. Results: This study showed that 0.5 Hz grade III PA activity exerted an effect on the decrease in muscle tone of the 1st and 3rd right and left lumbar muscles. It was found that 0.5 Hz affected the right side of L1 and 1.0 Hz affected the left side of L1 in near-activity when applying the grade III PA movement by frequency. Conclusion: In the future, it will be necessary to investigate the effect of applying frequency according to various grades of PA movement.

Background: For the rehabilitation of stroke patients, it is necessary to confirm the differences in the mechanical properties of the paretic- and non-pareticside masseter muscles. Objectives: To investigate the muscle tone and stiffness of masseter muscles in patients with chronic stroke. Design: A case study. Methods: This study included 20 stroke patients. Muscle tone and stiffness of the paretic and non-paretic masseter muscles in stroke patients were measured using MyotonPRO. Measurements were performed under relaxation and masseter muscle contraction conditions. Results: There was no significant difference in the muscle tone and stiffness of the paretic and non-paretic side masseter muscles in the relaxation conditions (P>.05). In male, left hemiplegia, right hemiplegia and infatction, the nonparetic side masseter muscles showed significantly increased than musle tone and stiffness of the paretic side masseter muscles in the contraction (P<.05). In female and hemorrhage, the non-paretic side masseter muscles showed significantly increased than musle tone the paretic side masseter muscles in the contraction (P<.05). Conclusion: The muscle tone and stiffness were lower on the paretic side than on the non-paretic side during masseter muscle contraction in stroke patients; thus, muscle strengthening training was required.

이 논문은 드럼 세트를 구성하는 악기들 중 스네어 드럼에 사용되는 진동제어장치의 크기와 질량의 변화에 따라 음량과 음색 및 엔벨로프가 어떻게 변화되는지에 대해 연구하였다. 스네어 드럼을 사용하여 연주하는 드럼 연주자 및 음향 엔지니어들에게 진동제어장치의 변화에 따라 도출되는 소리의 특성을 제공하여 표현하고 싶은 스네어 음색을 구사할 수 있는 정보를 제공하는 목적을 가지고 있으며 스네어 드럼의 음색을 구사하는 능력이 향상된다는 것은 음악의 장르와 스타일에 따라 연주자 및 음향 엔지니어의 표현 능력이 향상될 수 있는 긍정적 영향을 끼칠 수 있다. 실험 결과 진동제어장치를 사용하여 면적과 질량의 변화를 준 환경에서 라우드 니스의 변화는 발생하지 않았으며, 주파수 응답의 변화는 미미한 수준이었고, 엔벨로프의 길 이에서는 큰 변화가 발생하였다. 실험과정에서 실제로 듣는 청감상의 스네어 드럼 음색 변화는 매우 크게 나타났으며 특히 질량보다는 면적의 변화에 따른 실험환경에서 큰 음색 변화가 있었다. 결과적으로 진동제어장치는 실질적으로 엔벨로프에만 관여하며, 스네어 드럼은 엔벨 로프의 길이가 짧아 엔벨로프의 앞부분에서 발생하는 음색이 더 중요하다는 일부 인식과 달 리, 엔벨로프의 뒷부분도 인간이 지각하는 음색에 큰 영향을 준다는 연구들이 도출되었다.

Background: Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis show abnormal changes in muscle activity due to pain and limited range of motion of the lumbar spine. Excessive increased muscle tone and decreased muscle activity patterns threaten the patients’ quality of life. However, there have been a few studies showing how to improve muscle performance in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Among these, joint mobilization is one way of improving muscle performance through pain relief and increasing the range of motion. Objectives: To investigate the effect of lumbar mobilization by orthopedic manual physical therapy on paravertebral muscle activity and tone in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: In this study, 24 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis were randomized (1:1 ratio) into two groups. The experimental group underwent lumbar posteroanterior mobilization, and the control group underwent conventional physical therapy (conventional transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) for 15 minutes each. For outcome measures, MyotonⓇPRO was used to evaluate muscle tone when resting of the paravertebral muscle in the pain area. For muscle activity evaluation, the reference voluntary contraction of the paravertebral muscle was evaluated using surface electromyography. Results: Muscle tone and activity were significantly improved after intervention in both the experimental and control groups. In addition, the experimental group showed more significant decrease in muscle tone and activity than the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that lumbar mobilization improving muscle performance in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Background: Shoes cover the feet and ankle joints and come into contact with the ground directly during walking, and the shape of shoes is related to the muscle tone of the lower extremity muscles. However, no study has been conducted on the muscle tone of the lower extremity after wearing combat boots. Objectives: To compare and analyze the effects of walking in combat boots and in athletic shoes on muscle tone and stiffness, to identifying the effect of the characteristics of shoes on the muscle tone. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into a combat boots group and an athletic shoes group, and interventions were implemented. Both groups walked for 30 minutes on a treadmill at 4.2 km/h. MyotonPRO was used to measure the muscle tone and stiffness of the lower extremity. The measuring sites were set to five muscles on both legs. Results: In the combat boots group, muscle tone and stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius on the dominant side, the muscle tone and stiffness of rectus femoris, and the muscle stiffness of hamstring on the non-dominant side significantly decreased after walking. In the athletic shoes group, there was no significant change in the muscle tone and stiffness. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to inform the wearing combat boots while walking on a treadmill reduces the muscle tone and stiffness of the lower extremity compared to athletic shoes. It indicates that the restriction of joint movement occurring when wearing combat boots influences reducing muscle tone and stiffness.

본고에서는 대표적인 경제 안채비소리들(착어성·유치성·편게성)의 종합적인 음악 특징을 통해 서로 공통점과 차이점을 먼저 살펴보고, 이를 토대로 성조의 선율 특징과 변용 양상 및 그 원인을 논의해보았다. 먼저 종합적인 음악 특징을 보면, 모두 3소박 불규칙박자, 메나리토 리를 근간으로 한 음악어법, 한 옥타브 이내의 좁은 음역, 평이(平易)하고 유유한 선율 특징 등 기본적인 음악 특징이 같으면서도, 고유의 소리 기능과 성격에 따라 음악적 차이와 묘미가 있다. 성조의 선율 특징을 통해 역사적 변용 양상과 그 원인을 살펴본 결 과, 경제 안채비소리에서 평성은 대개 높은 음을 중심으로 평으로 내는 중국 성조와 달리 ‘저음을 평으로 내는 방식’으로 수용되었다. 그리고 그 원인을 중세국어의 평성(平聲)과 한국음악의 평조(平調) 및 악기의 낮은 성음(예>중국의 쟁과 한국의 가야금 비교)에서 찾았다. 상성과거 성은 본래 높은 음을 중심으로 성조의 특징이 좀 다르지만, 경제 안채 비소리에서는 모두 나름대로 중간 높은 음을 중심으로 선율이 진행되는 방식으로 변용되었다. 그리고 이 또한 중세 국어의 특성(상성과 거성의 동질성)과 경제 범패의 음악적 성향이 주요 원인으로 보인다. 입성은 중국에서는 이미 오래전에 소멸된 성조이지만, 한국에서는 특이하게 다양한 양상으로 더욱 발전된 특징이 나타난다. 그리고 이 또한 중세국어의 특징(받침의 안울림소리 전승)과 경제 범패의 음악적 예술성이 복합적으로 작용한 결과로 보인다. 요컨대, 경제 안채비소리 성조의 선율 특징과 변용 양상은 중세 한글 (국어 한자음 포함)과 한국음악 고유의 특징이 함께 작용하여 이루어진 결과이며, 예술성을 은연히 추구하는 경제 범패의 음악성도 성조의 전승 양상에 큰 역할을 한 것으로 보인다. 또한 당대의 엄격한 4성 체제는 중국에서도 이미 오래 전에 변화되었고, 한글의 성조(4성)도 16세기 말 이후 점차 소멸되었지만, 경제 안채비소리에서는 그 특성이 상당부분 남아있어, 역사적, 국어학적, 음악 문화적 차원에서 그 의미가 크다.

반응-확산 모델을 이용한 연속적인 톤의 표현은 형태형성물질의 패턴 형성 방법을 이용한 기법이다. 그레이 스케일의 영상을 형태형성물질의 수학적 모델을 이용해서 이산적인 밝기를 가진 영상으로 변환할 수 있다. 이러한 방법은 영상을 점과 선의 형태로 변환할 수 있게 해주어 다양한 스타일의 영상 렌더링에 사용할 수 있다. 이는 영상의 밝기 정보가 형태형성물질로 변환되고 이를 통해 시뮬레이션을 했을 경우 예측 가능한 결과를 낸다는 가정에서 출발한다. 실제 실험에서는 대체적으로 급격히 변하지 않는 영상 신호에 대해서는 이러한 가정이 잘 들어맞기 때문에 좋은 결과를 나타내지만 영상 신호가 급격히 변화하는 부분에 대해서는 결과 영상에 문제(artifact)가 나타난다. 이는 밝기차이가 급격히 변하는 부분에서 검은 선 형태로 나타나며 이러한 부분은 원영상의 신호와 다른 결과를 낸다고 할 수 있다. 이를 해결하기 위해 본 논문에서는 반응-확산 모델에서 문제를 해결할 수 있는 방법을 도출하고 이를 적용한 새로운 계산 방법을 제시하여 문제를 해결하고자 한다. 제안된 방법에서는 밝기가 급격히 변화하는 부분을 검출하고 이러한 부분에서는 확산이 일어나지 않도록 제어함으로써 해결하였다.

Background : There is lack of studies on the effects of the bag-carrying style on the shoulder muscles and body alignment in adults with rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of various bag-carrying styles on muscle tone, muscle stiffness and spinal alignment in 20 adults with RSP as they were walking on a treadmill. Design : Crossover Study Design. Methods: A subject performed treadmill walking for 15 minutes at a speed of 4 ㎞/ｈ while carrying three different types of bags: a backpack, a cross bag, and a shoulder bag. Results : The results showed that the main effect of timing was observed in the muscle tone for all the variables and in muscle stiffness only for the upper and lower trapezius muscles. As for the main effect of timing, the muscle tone of the upper trapezius and the pectoralis major significantly increased in all conditions, while the muscle tone of the lower trapezius significantly decreased in all conditions. The muscle stiffness of the upper trapezius significantly increased in all conditions, while the muscle stiffness of the lower trapezius significantly decreased in all conditions. As for the spinal alignment, the dimple distance data values significantly decreased for the cross-bag style. Conclusions : This study demonstrated that walking with a heavy bag, regardless of the bag-carrying style, increased muscle stiffness around the shoulders in adults with rounded shoulder posture, and walking with a crossbag also induced changes in spinal alignment.

Background: Although previous researches have developed interventions for neck problems, headache, and temporomandibular disorder in patients with forward head posture (FHP), changes in masticatory muscle tone or stiffness as FHP worsening have not been investigated. Objective: To examine changes in masticatory muscle tone and stiffness through craniovertebral angle (CVA). Design: Cross sectional study Methods: The subjects were 21 healthy males with normal head posture. Three CVA were established for posture measurement in which the bilateral anterior temporal and masseter muscles were measured during the subjects maintained a series of postures. Results: The Right masseter muscle significantly increased in stiffness with advancing FHP (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the muscle tone or stiffness of any other masticatory muscles, and no significant differences were found in bilateral masticatory muscle tone or stiffness in each measurement posture. Conclusions: This study suggests that the increased stiffness of the right masseter muscle as the FHP worsened requires consideration in physical therapy assessment and intervention.

Background: Previous researchers have investigated the mechanical and neurophysiological effects of manual mobilization, however little research has been done on muscle tone and muscle stiffness. Objective: To compare the effects of posterior-anterior (PA) mobilization with weight bearing on sling and conventional PA mobilization on the bed. Design: Randomized controlled trial (single blind) Methods: The subjects were 16 male university students and randomized to sling mobilization group (SMG, n=8) or conventional mobilization group (CMG, n=8). SMG received PA mobilization using a sling and CMG received traditional mobilization on the bed during lumbar mobilization. Results: Both left and right muscle tones of SMG increased, but left muscle tone of SMG were increased and right muscle tone was decreased after intervention. In addition, both left and right muscle stiffness of SMG were also increased, however left muscle stiffness of SMG was increased and right muscle stiffness was decreased. The muscle tone and muscle stiffness of SMG were higher than those of DMG, especially the right side was statistically significantly higher. Extension of SMG, extension and flexion of CMG were increased statistically significantly except for Flexion of SMG (p<.05). There were no significant differences between the groups in Extension and Flexion. Conclusions: This study suggests that lumbar spine PA mobilization using sling is beneficial in improving muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and trunk movement.

Background : Although plank exercises is reported to the changes in muscle activity of the deep muscles and superficial muscles among the core muscles. However, no study has examined the effects of forearm plank exercise on tone and stiffness in the superficial back line muscle. Objective: To compare the effects of sling forearm plank exercises and mat forearm plank exercises on the superficial back line muscle tone and stiffness. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind) Methods: The subjects were randomized to sling forearm plank exercise group (N = 8) or mat forearm plank exercise group (N = 8). The measurements were taken for each research group following exercises: the muscle tone and stiffness of upper lumbar muscles, lower lumbar muscles, long head of biceps femoris, and medial part of gastrocnemius among the superficial back line muscles. Results: Sling forearm plank exercise group Indicated statistically significant increases in stiffness of medial part of gastrocnemius (p<.05). However, mat forearm plank exercise group reported no statistically significant in muscle tone and stiffness of all measured muscles. No significant differences in measured variables were found between the groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that the forearm plank exercise performed with an unstable surface in the defined sling can increase the stiffness of calf muscle, but it is unlikely to achieve increases in muscle tone and stiffness of the overall superficial back line muscles.

This study discusses the social meaning of LHL% (rising-falling tone in IP final) in Seoul Korean, and shows the two kinds of LHL% contours that depend on the phonetic details of the contours. The data consist of popular “pseudo-reality” TV show called ‘we got married,’ where the female characters switch styles between a rational interview style and emotional, conversational style. What clearly characterizes the two styles is the phonetic pattern of LHL%—pitch and duration as the speakers use more phonetically extreme contours in a conversational style. The non-expressive LHL%, with the mild phonetic contour, functions as a “smoother,” while the expressive LHL%, with the extreme contour, has various emotional functions. Thus, this paper argues that while the “smoother” function can be the basis of social meanings of LHL%, the phonetic details, which make the variable more salient, are more important in shaping the social meaning and speaker stances.

본 연구는 테이핑 적용방법에 따른 근긴장도, 근경직도 및 악력의 변화를 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 연구의 대상자는 20대 정상 성인 30명을 대상으로 하여 테이프를 늘리지 않고 붙이는 방법(non stretched taping)과 테이프를 늘려 붙이는 방법(stretched taping)을 통해 변인들을 측정하였다. 근긴장도와 근경직도는 Myoton pro 장비를 이용하여 측정하였으며, 악력계를 이용하여 악력을 측정하였다. 않은 자세에서 측정하였으며, 테이핑을 적용하기 전과 적용한 후를 대상자별로 임의로 순서를 정하여 측정하였고, 같은 동작에서 3번 측정하여 평균값을 사용하였다. 테이핑 적용에 따른 근긴장도, 근경직도 및 악력의 비교를 위하여 대응검정을 이용하여 분석하였으며, 중재 전·후에서 그룹간 차이를 보기 위하여 독립검정을 실시하였다. 본 연구의 결과 non stretched taping 적용과 stretched taping 적용 모두에서 근긴장도, 근경직도는 두 그룹 모두에서 통계적으로 유의한 감소를 보였으며, 악력은 두 그룹 모두에서 통계적으로 유의한 증가를 나타내었다. 그룹간 차이는 중재 전 근긴장도, 근경직도 및 악력은 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 중재 후 그룹간 차이는 근긴장도, 근경직도는 통계적으로 유의한 차이를 나타내지 않았으나, 악력의 경우 통계적으로 두 그룹간 유의한 차이가 나타났으며, stretched taping 그룹에서 더 높은 값을 나타내었다. 테이핑 적용 방법에 따른 근긴장도와 근경직도, 악력의 차이가 있기 때문에 테이핑 방법을 잘 적용하여 사용한다면 근육의 효과를 기대할 수 있을 것이다.

This study aimed to investigate the influence of walking on crural muscle tone and stiffness in individuals with bilateral pronated foot. This study consisted of 16 healthy male. Subjects were divided into a pronated foot group (n = 8) and a normal foot group (n = 8). The navicular drop test on both foot and muscle tone and stiffness in tibialis anterior muscle, medial gastrocnemius muscle, and peroneus longus muscle of both lower extremities were measured before and after 30 min of walking. In this study, the measured navicular drop test before walking was significantly different between pronated foot group and a normal group(p < .05). After 30 min of walking, significantly, increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness of the non-dominant leg was found in the pronated foot group (p < .05). However, there was no significant difference in medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness between the two groups (p > .05). Based on this study, pronated foot needs to be managed to prevent the abnormally increased medial gastrocnemius muscle stiffness.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the immediate effects of negative pressure soft tissue therapy on muscle tone, muscle stiffness and balance in patients with stroke. In total, 20 patients with stroke and assigned to the negative pressure soft tissue therapy group (NPST, n=10) or, placebo-negative pressure soft tissue therapy group(Placebo-NPST, n=10). Both groups underwent NPST or placebo-NPST once a day during the experimental period. MyotonPRO was used to assess the parameters for muscle tone and stiffness. Biorescue was used to assess the parameters for balance. Each group showed improvements in muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and balance ability (p<.05). Especially, Muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and anterior length in the limit of stability were the significant improvement on NPST group (p<.05). The results of the study suggest that the NPST is effective in improving muscle tone, muscle stiffness, and balance ability in patients with stroke.

Background: After a stroke, the patient may have abnormal muscle tone due to abnormal alignment. Physical therapists have used stretching, neural mobilization other methods to treat patients after stroke. In addition, joint mobilization is also used to stimulation in pathway of cervical segmental region and to normal cervical spine alignment. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine whether Maitland cervical spine mobilization has an immediate effect on muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into a experimental group (n1=10), a placebo group (n2=10), and a control group (n3=10). The Maitland cervical spine mobilization was applied in the supine position. Immediately after the intervention, muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii, brachioradialis, deltoid, and pectoralis major were measured using Myoton®PRO. In the placebo group, sham mobilization was applied to the fifth and sixth cervical vertebra, and the control group was instructed to control breathing. Results: In the experimental group, significant differences were found in muscle tone and stiffness of biceps brachii and brachioradialis in comparison with the affected side and the non-affected side before the intervention (p<.05), whereas there was no significant difference after the intervention (p>.05). Muscle tone of biceps brachii on the non-affected side and pectoralis major on the affected side was significantly decreased before and after the intervention (p<.05). The placebo and control group showed no changes on the non-affected and affected side, and no significant differences were detected before and after the intervention. All the groups revealed no significant differences in muscle tone and stiffness of upper extremity before and after the intervention. Conclusion: This study suggests that the application of Maitland cervical spine mobilization enhanced muscle tone of upper extremity on the involved side symmetrically, and influenced a decrease in muscle tone

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of traction and decompression therapies on the cervical muscle tone and disc height. The decompression group (n=16) received decompression therapy and Mckenzie exercises once a day and four times a week respectively, for three weeks. The traction group (n=15) also received traction therapy and Mckenzie exercises for the same period. Muscle tone was measured with a myotonometer, and the disk height was measured using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), before the interventions. Three weeks later, we investigated the therapeutic effect by repeating these measurements. The difference in disk height between the two groups was not significant. There was a significant difference in the disk herniation index (p<.05). A significant difference was found only in the upper trapezius muscle after comparison of muscle tone and stiffness between the groups (p<.05). Findings from this study suggest that the decompression therapy is a more effective intervention for patients with cervical intervertebral disc herniation.