Analysis of the ratios of medial-lateral and proximal-distal muscle activities surrounding the hip joint in the step-up and step-down positions.

BACKGROUND: Many practitioners recommend step-up and step-down exercises to increase muscle strength in the lower extremities. However, decreased stability of the hip joint and imbalanced muscle activities can alter limb biomechanics during these movements. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated muscle imbalance between the medial and lateral muscle components and between the proximal and distal muscle components by expressing the proportions of muscle activation in the step-up and step-down positions. METHODS: Nineteen subjects participated in the study. Activity of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, adductor, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus was assessed. RESULTS: The semitendinosus-biceps femoris ratio was higher in the step-down position than in the step-up position. The adductor-gluteus medius, adductor-vastus lateralis, and adductor-biceps ratios were higher in the step-up position than in the step-down position. The gluteus maximus-biceps ratio was greater in the step-down position than in the step-up position. In the hip joint, internal rotation was significantly greater in the step-up position. CONCLUSIONS: The transverse angle of the hip joint has a greater effect on the medial-lateral balance of the muscles surrounding the hip joint. Muscle activation in the medial hamstring is greater in the step-down position; in the adductor, muscle activation is greater in the step-up position. The step-down position is more appropriate for those with proximal weakness, as it can promote muscle activation in the gluteus maximus while maintaining biceps femoris activation.

Effect of diaphragm breathing exercise applied on the basis of overload principle.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine effects of diaphragm breathing exercise applied on the basis overload principle on respiratory function. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 35 normal adults. They were randomly assigned to two group; the maneuver-diaphragm exercise group and self-diaphragm exercise group. The respiratory function was evaluated using the CardioTouch 3000S (BIONET, Korea) as a pulmometry device. [Results] The maneuver-diaphragm exercise was more effective on functional vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at one second when compared to the self-diaphragm exercise. [Conclusion] According to the results of this study, although the self-diaphragm exercise did not show effects as much as the maneuver one, but the self-diaphragm exercise had a similar effects as the maneuver-diaphragm exercise. The self-diaphragmatic respiration applied on the basis of overload principle may be used as an effective respiratory exercise as a part of home respiration program.

Effects of skilled reach training with affected forelimb and treadmill exercise on the expression of neurotrophic factor following ischemia-induced brain injury in rats.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of skilled reach training with affected forelimb and treadmill exercise on the expression of neurotrophic factor following ischemia-induced brain injury in rats. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: namely, the control sacrified 2 weeks after surgery, skilled reach training with forepaw contralateral to brain injury for 2 weeks, and treadmill exercise for 2 weeks. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery. After that, skilled reach training and treadmill exercise were conducted. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate expressions of neurotrophic factors. [Results] There were significant differences in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor expression between the control group and the experimental group. There were no significant differences in brain-derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor expression between the skilled reach training group and the treadmill exercise group. [Conclusion] Skilled reach training and treadmill exercise can affect the expression of neurotrophic factors.

Effects of Kinesio taping on joint position sense of the ankle.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Kinesio taping on the joint position sense of the ankle. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 26 nomal adults who had experienced ankle sprain. Kinesio taping was applied over the ankle medial ligament and ankle lateral ligament with eight pattern reinforcement taping. Joint position sense was measured using isokinetic equipment (Biodex System 4 pro dynamometer, Biodex Medical systems Inc., USA) during dorsiflexion/plantarflexion and inversion/eversion, before and after taping. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0 for Windows. [Results] Joint position sense after Kinesio taping was improved in the dorsiflexion and inversion positions. [Conclusion] According to the results of this study, Kinesio taping of the ankle is effective for the prevention of ankle sprain.

Analysis of variation in length of stay (LOS) after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to understand factors present at baseline that affect outcome and healthcare utilization post-stroke. We investigated the association between the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score and functional outcome (length of stay) after hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Data from the Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey for 6 years, from 2005 to 2010, were used. The t-test and analysis of variance were carried out to compare average differences in the length of stay with the general characteristics in accordance with CCI. Multiple regression analysis was carried out using dummy variables to look at factors affecting stroke patients' length of stay. [Results] Independent variables with significant relationships with the log-transformed length of stay included gender, type of insurance, the size of city of residence, the number of beds in the hospital, the location of the medical institution, hospitalization path, receipt of physical therapy, treatment involving brain surgery, death, the type of stroke, and CCI. [Conclusion] The results of the present study suggests that CCI independently influences the length of stay after ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and that variables with significant relationships with the log-transformed length of stay need to be continuously managed.

The effect of forward head posture on muscle activity during neck protraction and retraction.

[Purpose] The present study was performed to investigate whether forward head posture (FHP) affects muscle activity. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty subjects attending Y university in Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea. They were divided into two groups according to craniovertebral angle: a control group (n=10) and a FHP group (n=10). Electromyography electrodes were attached to the upper fibers of the trapezius, middle fibers of the trapezius, the splenii (splenius capitis and splenius cervicis), and the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle to measure muscle activity during the neck protraction and retraction. [Results] EMG activities of the middle trapezius, splenii, and SCM muscle showed significant differences between the control group and the FHP group. However, the EMG activity of the upper trapezius muscle showed no significant difference between the two groups during neck protraction and retraction. [Conclusion] The results suggest that FHP alters the muscle activity in neck protraction and retraction.

The effect of a skilled reaching task on hippocampal plasticity after intracerebral hemorrhage in adult rats.

[Purpose] The primary objective of this study was to assess the effects of a skilled reaching task on cognition, as indexed by the pattern of GAP-43 expression in the hippocampus, following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats (when the hippocampus plays a critical role in spatial memory and learning). [Subjects and Methods] The model of ICH used in the present study involved intrastriatal injection of collagenase. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 12 weeks) were randomly assigned to either a control (n = 30; CON) or skilled reaching training group (n = 30; SRT). The SRT group were trained 5 days per week for 4 weeks following ICH. Animals were sacrificed 1, 2, or 4 weeks after ICH. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate GAP-43 expression. [Results] GAP-43 expression was increased in the SRT group, in accordance with greater elapsed time, but decreased in the CON group. At 1 week post injury, there were no significant differences between the CON and SRT groups. However, there were significant differences at both 2 and 4 weeks. [Conclusion] The present findings suggest that increased GAP-43 expression in the hippocampus following skilled reaching training may result in enhanced cognition and neural plasticity following ICH.

Relationship between the Application of TENS to the Lower Limbs and Balance of Healthy Subjects.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of TENS applied to the skin overlying the bellies of the gastrocnemius muscles of the lower limbs on balance and plantar pressure of healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight healthy college students were the subjects of this study. Adhesive transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes were attached to the medial and lateral belly of the gastrocnemius muscle. Before and after the application of the TENS, subjects' balance ability and maximum plantar pressure were measured and compared. [Results] The scores improved in the balance tests, including the fall risk test and the stability limit test, after the application of TENS, and a statistically significant difference was noted in the stability limit test. The maximum plantar pressure after the application of TENS decreased except beneath the big toe, and statistically significant difference was found under the forefoot. [Conclusion] The results of present study suggest that TENS applied to the skin overlying gastrocnemius muscles is useful strategy that improves the balance ability of healthy adults.