Earticle

[PURPOSE] This study attempted to show the relationship between exercise-induced hypertension response and arterial stiffness in men aged 50 years. [METHODS] The subjects of the study were adults male with exercise induced hypertension group (n=45, age 56.22±2.60 years) and control group (n=61, age 56.01±1.57 years) who had undergone exercise test and arterial stiffness test. Exercise induces hypertension is defined as a peak systolic blood pressure ≥210mmHg during treadmill tests. Exercise stress test was conducted using modified Balke protocol. Arterial stiffness was assessed based on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). [RESULTS] Exercise induced hypertension group showed significantly higher baPWV than that of control group (1416.5±154.09cm/sec vs. 1309.5±127.76cm/sec, p<.001). The peak systolic blood pressure was correlated with the resting heart rate (r=0.198, p<.05), resting systolic blood pressure (r=0.190, p<.05), and baPWV (r=0.461, p<.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, we found that the baPWV was a significant predictor of peak systolic blood pressure (β=0.429, p<.001). [CONCLUSIONS] Exaggerated blood pressure response to exercise was associated with arterial stiffness.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of wearing compression stockings on number of repetitions, heart rate, exercise duration and iEMG. [METHODS] A total of 7 male students(22.0±2.8 yr; 174.0±5.8 cm; 75.2±11.0kg) who were free of lower extremity injury participated in this study. One and 10 RM of squats were measured. Five sets of 10 RM squats were performed with and without wearing compression stockings with resting intervals of 2 minutes between sets. Surface electrodes were placed over the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles to measure muscle activation via iEMG. Paired t-tests and repeated ANOVA were conducted to determine differences between groups with statistical significance at p<.05. [RESULTS] The compression stocking significantly increased numbers of repetitions during the first 3 sets: 2.4(24%), 1.2(13.6%), and 1.3(16.7%), respectively. Significant differences were found between groups for the set 1-3(p<.01, p<.05, p<.05). However, there was no significant difference between groups in number s of repetitions during the set 4 and 5. Similarly, no differences were found in both groups during any of sets for the other variables: heart rate, exercise duration, and iEMG. [CONCLUSION] The compression stocking demonstrated an increase in number of repetitions, but had no changes in heart rate, exercise duration, and iEMG, which is related to efficiency of squat exercise.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to examine physique and fitness in elite national fencing players. [METHODS] A total of 559 athletes who played as national players over 10 years participated in the study. There were 285 male and 274 female players (saber: 85 males, 93 females; epee: 105 males, 90 females; fleuret: 95 males, 91 females). Separate one-way ANOVA was performed to determine between sex and weapon categories. [RESULTS] There was a large difference between weapon categories in the male players more than in female players. Epee athletes were of largest physique (height, weight, and fat free mass), and the following were the order saber, and fleuret in both sex. Male epee athletes were significantly stronger in muscular strength and isokinetic muscular strength while female fleuret athletes were in power endurance, muscle endurance, and anaerobic power. Sabre athletes were significantly strong in muscular strength. Epee athletes were significantly strong in flexibility. [CONCLUSIONS] These results suggest that different physique and fitness factors in weapon categories require individualized training protocols.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate gait characteristics during walking with performing tasks on a smart phone. [METHODS] Eleven healthy young men(Age: 22.09±2.02yrs, Height: 174.72±4.6cm, Weight: 72.45±12.46kg) performed either texting with internet browser or talking on a smart phone while walking. In order to get the kinematic data, ten cameras, markers and visual 3D program were used. Variables in the three tasks (nornal walking, texting and talking while walking) were analyzed with One-way ANOVA with repeated measures. [RESULTS] Participants who were texting while walking presented significant reductions in gait velocity, horizontal distance between the edge of walkway and heel, stride length, step length, and the velocity of center of mass in anterior·posterior direction. Participants who were texting with a smart phone while walking presented flexion of their head, extension of their trunk, and decrease of range of motion in hip. [CONCLUSIONS] These results show that using a smart phone while walking affects gait function and working memory and influences gait to some degree that it may compromise safety.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to analyze rearfoot control and impact force absorption variables with increments of running velocity, and provide essential data to enhance evaluation of sports shoes. [METHODS] Subjects in this study were ten healthy college students with normal foot function and without lower extremity injuries in the past year. Experimental shoes were shoes with a 50 of midsole hardness and 0.74 N/mm of bending stiffness. Motions of lower extremity at 3 different running velocities were analyzed through 3D cinematography and force platform. [RESULTS] Initial Achilles tendon angle, Initial 1/10 Achilles tendon angle, Maximal Achilles tendon angle were found to be larger than those reported in previous studies, but initial pronation was smaller while total pronation, compressive angle, torsion angle were similar. Most of the rearfoot angle and impact force absorption variables increased with increments of running velocity in comparisons with the previous studies. [CONCLUSIONS] These results indicate that some of the variables were extremely sensitive to running velocity while some were sensitive in a smaller range, and the other were not influenced by different running velocities. So, it is very important to control the running velocity if results should be compared for different shoes. The present study suggest that proper running velocity for shoe evaluation should be within 4㎧.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between radiological indices, pulmonary function, and inspiratory capacity in patients with idiopathic scoliosis after taking into account their age, height, weight, muscle mass, and BMI. [METHODS] We enrolled a total of 31 female patients with mild to moderate, right-sided idiopathic scoliosis. We took standardized standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs using full spine radiography. The following radiological indices were measured: the thoracic Cobb's angle, the level of shoulder asymmetry, the pelvic tilt, the thoracic kyphotic angle, and the number of vertebra. Pulmonary function was measured as the maximum inspiration volume, and our measures of inspiratory capacity were inspiratory pressure and inspiratory velocity. Pearson's and partial correlation analyses were used to analyze data. [RESULTS] We found that pulmonary function was not significantly correlated with age, height, weight, muscle mass, or BMI in patients with mild to moderate idiopathic scoliosis or with a thoracic Cobb’s angle of less than 40°. But we found that inspiratory capacity was significantly correlated with these factors save for height (p<.05). After adjusting for these factors, we found that radiological indices were not significantly correlated with either pulmonary function or inspiratory capacity in these patients. [CONCLUSIONS] After adjusting for factors associated with inspiratory capacity, we found that radiological indices in patients with mild to moderate idiopathic scoliosis were not associated with respiratory parameters such as pulmonary function and inspiratory capacity. Therefore, our data suggest giving a consultation of a possible impairment in pulmonary-related function to such patients on the basis of radiological findings such as the Cobb’s angle may be ungrounded and should be refrained.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of short term static · dynamic lumbar stability exercise on the trunk muscles strength and endurance of chronic low back pain female college students in their 20's. [METHODS] The subjects were consisted of twenty patients who had non specific chronic low back pain. All subjects randomly assigned to the static lumbar stabilizing exercise group(n=10)and dynamic lumbar stabilizing exercise group. Dynamic lumbar stabilizing exercise group received 3D balance, static lumbar stabilizing exercise group received bridge exercise during 4 weeks period. HUR was used to measure the isometric muscle strength. Time watch measure method was used to measure the abdominal and back muscle strength and endurance of trunk flexion and extension. [RESULTS] The trunk muscle strength was significantly difference between group(p<.05), Short term dynamic lumbar stabilizing exercise group was significantly increased than short term static lumbar stabilizing exercise group(p<.05). Endurance of trunk flexion, extension weren't significantly difference between group(p>.05). [CONCLUSIONS] Short term dynamic lumbar stabilizing exercise group showed increase in trunk muscle strength. Both group were increased endurance of trunk flexion, extension. Therefore, Short term dynamic and static lumbar stabilizing exercise will be available in the intervention of chronic low back pain patients.

[PURPOSE] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Swiss ball exercise on trunk ability and postural sway in stroke patients. [METHODS] The subjects were comprised of 30 stroke patients (experimental group, n=15; control group, n=15). The exercise program consisted of performing Swiss ball exercise (30 min) and trunk stabilizing exercise (30 min) once daily for five days per week for six weeks. Changes in trunk ability were measured using the trunk impairment scale (TIS), the postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS), and a trunk control test (TCT), and postural sway (X, Y, and Z axes) was measured by a 3-axis wireless accelerometer pre- and post- exercise program to verify the effectiveness of the exercise. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare each group before and after the intervention, and the Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare the groups after the intervention. The statistical significance was set to be α=.05. [RESULTS] Between each group, significant differences in all of the dependent variables before and after the experiment (p<.05) were observed. Between the two groups, the experimental group showed more significant improvements according to the TIS, PASS, and all axes of the postural sway, but showed no significant improvements according to the TCT. [CONCLUSION] Our results suggest that applying Swiss ball exercise provides beneficial effects on trunk ability and postural sway in stroke patients.

[PURPOSE] The present study examined old male adults to compare physical fitness and cytokine concentrations between obese and non-obese men, and observed post-exercise training changes. [METHODS] Subjects were eighty old male adults, and were divided into an obese group (n =40) and a non-obese group (n=40) based on a BMI of 25 kg/m2. Body composition, muscular strength, cardiopulmonary function, blood TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations were compared between obese group and non-obese group, and then the changes in these parameters were compared after a regular 12-week exercise training. [RESULTS] The overall abdominal fat, subcutaneous fat, and visceral fat areas were significantly larger values in the obese group (p<.05). The muscle-to-fat area ratios in both the abdomen and thigh were significantly lower in the obese group (p<.05). The abdominal and thigh fat areas significantly decreased after exercise training in both groups (p<.05), and the muscle-to-fat area ratios in both the abdomen and thigh significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). The obese group had significant higher blood IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations (p<.05), and significant lower grip strength per kilogram of body weight, PEI obtained from the Harvard step test, and sit-and-reach test score (p<.05). Both groups had significantly enhanced blood TNF-α concentration, grip strength, back muscular strength, and grip or back muscular strengths per kilogram of body weight after exercise training (p<.05). Post-exercise reduction in TNF-α was inversely correlated with increased muscle-to-fat area ratio in the thigh and increased back muscular strength (p<.05). [CONCLUSIONS] The obese group exhibited relative reductions in muscle mass and muscle strength, and had higher blood IL-6 and TNF-α concentration than those in the non-obese group. However, the findings of this study also indicate that these phenomena could be prevented by exercise training. Post-exercise training reduction in blood TNF-α level is significantly correlated with reduction in body fat, increased muscle-to-fat area ratios in the abdomen and thigh, and increased muscular strength. Based on this finding, TNF-α level could be used as an important inflammatory marker related to sarcopenic obesity that occurs during aging.

[PURPOSE] Muscle atrophy is the result of several diseases and conditions. In systemic disease, many factors contribute to muscle atrophy. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a local and systemic hormone that contributes to muscle growth. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in muscle protein synthesis biomarkers and pro-inflammatory factors associated with muscle atrophy in systemic disease. [METHODS] Local muscle tissue damage was observed and compared in both streptozotocin (STZ) -induced diabetic and denervated rats. In these animal models, we measured the expression of muscle-specific IGF-1 (mIGF-1) in by real-time PCR and serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines by ELISA. In addition, muscle mass and blood glucose levels were observed for six weeks. [RESULTS] The results showed that muscle mass was significantly lower in both experimental groups compared to the control group from week two. Over the six week period, muscle mass gradually increased in the control group, dramatically decreased in the denervated group, but interestingly, showed no significant changes in the diabetes group. Inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly higher in diabetic rats than in the control group. The level of TNF-α was increased at week four; however, IL-6 levels did not change in denervated rats. The expression of mIGF-1 mRNA did not change significantly in the two experimental groups. [CONCLUSIONS] In conclusion, mIGF-1 for the proliferation of muscle cells did not have an effect on muscle atrophy among the groups. However the increase in systemic inflammatory factors may be involved in the process of muscle atrophy in diabetic rats.