Earticle

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate angles and ROMs of the upper limbs, distances, speeds, and energy consumptions. [METHODS] Four cyclists (two men belong to MH3 and two women WH4) who were registered with the Korea Disabled Cycling Federation participated in this study. Qualisys system was composed of twelve Oqus-500 infrared cameras and QTM software. Experimental protocols were designed to make subjects carry out 9 levels of incremental load exercise consisting 30 seconds of warm-up and 30 seconds of maximal exercise for each level. The analysis of the results has been done with the average values taken from the three times selected motions. [RESULTS] First, men cyclists' patterns of wrist angle were irregularly oval during cranking. Second, increasing load and time of maximum muscle activity were decreased except one excellent cyclist (SM1_Y). Third, time of maximum muscle activity of excellent cyclist was greater than others. Fourth, for women, the most difference in ROM between contralateral muscle groups was the wrist joints bur elbow joints for men. [CONCLUSIONS] These findings suggest that important factors of hand cycling performance were a regular pattern of wrist joint angle and increasing the time of maximum muscle activity.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic, resistance, balance exercise program on skeletal muscle index, functional fitness, and health-related quality of life in frail elderly women. [METHODS] The subjects were comprised of 18 frail elderly women(exercise group, n=9; control group, n=9). The exercise program performed the aerobic exercise(20 minutes), resistance exercise(20 minutes), and balance exercise(10 minutes) a day, 3 days per week, for 12 weeks. The changes of body composition, fitness, health-related quality of life(SF-36) were measured and analyzed at pre- and post- exercise program for verifying the exercise effectiveness. [RESULTS] In body composition body weight(p<.01), and % fat(p<.001) were significantly decreased, but skeletal muscle mass and skeletal muscle index were not changed. In functional fitness, VO2max(p<.01), grip strength(p<.001), arm curl(p<.001), chair sit to stand(p<.001), back scratch(p<.05), and chair sit & reach(p<.01) were significantly increased and timed up & go(p<.01) were significantly decreased. In SF-36, physical functioning(p<.01), body pain(p<.001), general health(p<.001), role-emotional(p<.05), and mental health(p<.01) were significantly increased. [CONCLUSIONS] These findings suggest that combination of aerobic, resistance and balance exercise program showed the beneficial effects on functional fitness and SF-36 in frail elderly women.

[PURPOSE] Horse riding simulator has been developed as a substitute of horse-back riding to compensate poor accessibility and economic feasibility. The effects of a horse riding simulator for young adults have been investigated. However, it has been little known about the psychological and physiological benefits of exercise using a horse riding simulator for the elderly compared with young adults. The purpose of this study was to analyze changes of perceived psychological factors and energy expenditure in young adults and the elderly during riding a horse riding simulator producing similar gait patterns of the horse such as walk, slow trot, and fast trot. [METHODS] The participants were eighteen adults(age: 26.4±4.2yrs, height: 168.9±9.2cm, weight: 63.4±10.8kg) and seventeen elderly people(age: 68.8±5.5yrs, height: 160.8±8.4cm, weight: 65.0±10.1kg). We measured perceived task enjoyment and difficulty, oxygen uptake, and energy expenditure using VAS and pulmonary gas exchange measurement with respect to gait pattern and age difference. The participants rode the simulator in 15 minutes for each gait pattern, respectively. The participants were asked to mark perceived task enjoyment and difficulty by themselves on the 10cm-line after each gait pattern. We analyzed using the last 10 minutes of gas analysis data for oxygen uptake and MET. [RESULTS] There were significant differences on perceived task enjoyment and difficulty, oxygen uptake, and energy expenditure among gait patterns. There were statistically significant difference in perceived task enjoyment between walk and fast trot(p<.05), walk and slow trot(p<.05). Also there were significant difference in perceived difficulty between walk and fast trot(p<.05), slow trot and fast trot(p<.05). Especially, the elderly was shown greater perceived task enjoyment than young adults(p<.05). Oxygen uptake(F=131.83, p<.05) and METs(F=131.83, p<.05) both had significant differences regarding to each gait pattern. [CONCLUSIONS] Riding a horse riding simulator might provide mild exercise effect regardless age difference and this simulator might be utilized to the elderly for safe and attractive exercise program.

[PURPOSE] This study suggests effective guideline manuals prescribed for different exercise programs and appropriate sports medicine applications for preventing injury and improving physical activity through a systematic review of precedent literatures about plantar pressure. [METHODS] We selected Zijlstra et al’s method (2007) of pre-study, which is based on precedent literature published by many researchers that have engaged in both domestic and international study. In this systematic review, we selected Zijlstra et al’s model and then revised the appropriate key-words from precedent literature to our present study. [RESULTS] We selected nine studies located in research databases from 378 related articles. These studies were summarized in terms of inclusion and exclusion about analyzing plantar pressure in sports medicine. Results showed a significant number of relevant results in sport medicine and exercise fields through analyzing plantar pressure. Plantar pressure had significant differences between pre-test and post-tests such as balance, stability, and body posture. [CONCLUSIONS] The value of these plantar pressure-related studies demonstrates injury prevention when prescribed for normal people to be active in a safe manner. Additionally, these studies consider guidelines for foot movement as well as removing risk factors for injury and coaching exercise.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combined intervention of body roller exercise and yoga on physical fitness, variables relate vertebral column of middle aged women with chronic lower back pain. [METHODS] Forteen middle-aged women with chronic low back pain were divided into one of two groups, i.e., exercise group (n=7, age 59.0±7.4 years) and control group (n=7, age 53.1±8.5 years). Subjects in exercise group went through body roller exercise and Yoga for 40 min and 20 min per session, respectively. Yoga exercise was Trikonasana; Adho Mukha Svanasana; Bhujangasana; Supta Padangusthasana1, 2, 3; Eka Padaanda Rajakapotasana. The physical fitness, Cobb's angle, lumbar spine rotation, tilt shoulders, pelvis horizontal degrees, visual analogue scale (VAS) were measured and compared between pre- and post test. [RESULTS] Muscular endurance was significantly higher after the intervention compared in the exercise group. Lumbar spine rotation length, shoulder slope, VAS were significantly decreased after the intervention in exercise group. However, no significant interactions were observed in flexibility, Cobb's angle, and pelvis height. [CONCLUSIONS] Body rollers exercise and Yoga intervention improved positively in muscular endurance, spine rotation angle, tilt shoulders, and the VAS Index. In conclusion, data suggest that body rollers exercise and Yoga may be an effective intervention for patients with low back pain.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate analysis of difference of electromyographic activity on rectus femoris(RF), vastus medialis oblique(VMO), vastus lateralis(VL) and gluteus medius(GM) on type of weight-bearing in patients with patellofemoral pain syndorme. [METHODS] The subjects of this study were 13 female patients with patellofemoral pain syndorme 16 case(Right 8 case, Left 8 case) who are 20 - 30 years. The subjects of the study were rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis and gluteus medius attached EMG electrodes to measure the electromyographic activity during weight-bearing exercise. Weight-bearing exercise was conducted half squat(HS), wall half squat(WHS), pillow wall half squat(PWHS) and single lim wall squat(SLWS). The investigator measured and analyzed the factors related to iEMG of muscle and electromyographic activity ratio during four type weight-bearing exercise the experiment collected data through measures of one-way ANOVA with the statistical significance level set at α=.05. [RESULTS] Weight-bearing exercise effective way to increase muscle activation of the VMO during weight-bearing eccentric contraction was shown to SLWS, weight-bearing exercise effective way to increase muscle activation of the GM were to PWHS. Second, weight-bearing exercise effective way to increase muscle activation of the GM during weight-bearing isometric contraction was shown to WHS and PWHS. Third, the weight-bearing concentric contraction of muscles during four kinds of effective weight-bearing exercise to increase muscle activation of specific muscles were not. [CONCLUSIONS] This study the results of the four type weight-bearing exercise according to the class of muscle contraction in the muscle activity with PFPS patients through each muscle was confirmed that the most efficient forms of exercise.

[PURPOSE] To examine relationships between cervical range of motion, scoliosis angle, posture, static balance and plantar pressure in patients with chronic neck and back pain, and with postural deviations. [METHODS] Sixty nine male and female adult subjects with chronic neck and back pain participated. Cervical ranges of motion were measured using CROM. Scoliosis angles were measured using scoliometer. Leg lengths were measured using a tape measure. Plantar pressure was measured using foot scan, and static equilibrium was measured using TETRAX. [RESULTS] There was a statistically positive correlation between NDI and MDQ (p<.05), and a negative correlation was found between NDI, MDQ and cervical range of motion(p<.05), while there were statistically positive correlations between scoliosis angle, plantar pressure and stability index (p<.05). [CONCLUSIONS] The increased MDQ resulted in an increase in NDI. Also, as the increased NDI and MDQ resulted in a decrease in cervical range of motion and equilibrium. However, the increased NDI and MDQ resulted in an increase in scoliosis angle, plantar pressure on forefoot and hindfoot. It is concluded that these results suggest that one must maintain correct posture and perform strength exercise together with proper gait in order to resolve difficulties in activities of daily living due to chronic neck and back pain. Also, It is suggested that older patients with chronic neck and back pain would improve static equilibrium.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this case report was to investigate the effects of the Schroth exercise on Cobb's angle, thoracic and lumbar hump tilt, hip joint internal rotation and external rotation in idiopathic scoliosis patients with 4-curve type. [METHODS] The subjects included 15-year-old female patients (n = 3) who had diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis according to radiographic findings in Cobb's angle of 10 degrees or more. They performed the Schroth exercise for 140 minutes per day and 3 times per week, for 12 weeks. [RESULTS] Cobb's angle of thoracic spine was decreased by 17.9% (case 1), 10.0% (case 2) and 17.7% (case 3) after the Schroth exercise compared with before exercise. Cobb's angle of the lumbar spine was also decreased by 22.3% (case 1), 19.2% (case 2) and 24.2% (case 3) after the Schroth exercise respectively. Thoracic hump tilt was changed by 0% (case 1), 27.3% (case 2) and 18.2% (case 3) after Schroth exercise. Lumbar hump tilt was not changed or improved to 66.7% (case 1), 40.0% (case 2) and 33.4% (case 3) after the Schroth exercise respectively. ROM of hip joint internal rotation was increased by 7.1% (left of case 1), 5.4% and 29.0% (left and right case 2), and 10.5% and 2.5% (left and right case 3) after the Schroth exercise respectively. ROM of hip joint external rotation was also increased by 5.4% and 5.7% (left and right case 1), 15.0% (left case 2), and 40.7 % and 33.3% (left and right case 3) after the Schroth exercise respectively. [CONCLUSIONS] These results suggest that the Schroth exercise improves Cobb‘s angle, thoracic and lumbar hump tilt and hip joint ROM in idiopathic scoliosis patients with 4-Curve type, but there were large individual differences. Therefore, it is suggestive that the individual difference should be considered for the Schroth exercise in scoliosis patients.