Earticle

Background: The purpose of this study is to analysis of correlation upper body according to forward head posture. Methods: The subjects of this study were 40 female university students who were equally and randomly allocated to a forward head posture group, normal group. Using general posture system, electromyograph, visual analogue scale, tape measurement, neck disability index were evaluated. Results: There was positive correlation between posture analysis and Sternocleidomastoid, neck flexion (p<.05). There was positive correlation between Craniovertebral angle (CVA) and trapezius upper, VAS (p<.05). There was negative correlation between posture analysis and CVA (p<.05). There was negative correlation between Cranial rotation angle and CVA (p<.05). Conclusion: Increased forward head posture lead to increase of pain, muscles activity, so it suggests to be necessary on the prevention of dysfunction and limited activities daily living.

Background: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacies of thoracic self-mobilization and strengthening exercise in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis. Methods: The subjects were 30 young adults (11 males, 19 females) with thoracic hyperkyphosis. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: thoracic self-mobilization, thoracic strengthening exercise, and control group. The thoracic self-mobilization group performed active dynamic exercises, which included thoracic extension and rotation in supine and standing positions. The strengthening exercise group performed resistance exercises involving the back extensor muscle, with an elastic band and dumbbells. The outcome measures were the thoracic kyphosis angle and forward head posture (craniovertebral angle [CVA] and cranial rotation angle [CRA]). Results: Compared with the baseline values, the thoracic kyphosis angle had decreased while the CVA had increased in both training groups (p<.05), but the CRA was significantly decreased in only the strengthening exercise group. Thoracic self mobilization reduced kyphosis and improved CVA, while thoracic strengthening exercise reduced kyphosis and improved CVA and CRA. Conclusion: This study suggests a promising exercise intervention that can improve posture in young adults with thoracic hyperkyphosis.

Background: Excessive pronation of the feet can cause excessive inner rotation of the femur, followed by increased stress in the gluteus maximum, increased front slope of the pelvis, and lumbar lordosis, which leads to lumbar pain. The aim of the present study was to use the navicular drop test to examine foot pronation that can cause lumbar lordosis and to determine whether the navicular drop is lower in patients diagnosed with lumbar disc than in patients without this diagnosis. Methods: The Navicular Drop score was set by subtracting the navicular height at a standing position from the navicular height in a sitting position. The Navicular Drop measurements for college student with and without Lumbar Herniated Intervertebral Disc were compared using an independent t-test. Results: The control group were measured right 7.44±2.96 and left 8.04±3.23. The experimental group were measured right 2.12±1.33 and left 2.80±1.29. Therefore significant difference was found between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The navicular drop affected lumbar herniated intervertebral disc.

Background: People who have painful neck have reduced proprioception in the neck. Reduced proprioception in the neck is related to the muscle spindle activity in the deep neck flexors. The aim of this study was to know that proprioception in the neck was increased by strengthening exercise of the deep neck flexors. Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic neck pain were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). Deep neck flexor muscle exercise with stabilizer were conducted for the study group three times a week for six weeks. Relocation errors in 30 degree rotation to the left were measured three times before and after intervention each. Results: Neck disability index were decreased in the experimental group (p<.05) but not in the control group (p>.05). Relocation errors were decreased in the experimental group after intervention (p<.05), but not in the control group (p>.05). Conclusions: Proprioception in the neck can be increased by the strengthening exercise of deep neck flexors in the subject with chronic neck pain.

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of cervical manipulation for improve blood velocity and flow in the subjects with asymmetric vertebral artery. Methods: Twenty-four subjects on asymmetric vertebral artery with right side have less blood flow than left side participated in this study for apply to non-specific cervical manipulation on lower portion. Measurement method were using duplex ultrasound with colour doppler imaging for blood velocity and flow on left and right vertebral artery. Results: Compared changes of blood velocity and flow on unilateral after the cervical manipulation, the left blood velocity decreased significantly (p<.01) and the right blood velocity increased significantly (p<.01). The left blood flow no significant changes and the right blood flow increased significantly (p<.01). Compared changes of blood velocity and flow on bilateral, the left and right blood velocity and flow made significantly difference on pre-manipulation (p<.01). However, both side no significantly difference on postmanipulation. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the non-specific cervical manipulation took effect for improve blood velocity and flow in the subjects with asymmetric vertebral artery. Therefore, therapeutic approaches for improve to asymmetric vertebral artery should be consider non-specific cervical manipulation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to realize the relations between gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata of pelvic muscles and functional leg length in women’s university students. This study is examined the change of electromyographic activation on gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata according to the leg length discrepancy. Methods: All of the female of freshman and sophomore in ‘D’college were gathered and separated fourteen of healthy women in two groups by functional leg length discrepancy. and The subjects divided into two groups that the difference with less than 2㎝ or more would have structural defects by tapeline. The electromyographic activation on the gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata muscles were recorded by surface electrodes at maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) during lunge posture. The collected datas were analyzed using Independent t-test with SPSS win19.0. Results: In intergroup comparison of electromyographic activation levels for gluteus medius and tensor fascia lata in short or long leg, the influence of electromyographic activation on tensor fascia lata is shown to be more statically higher than gluteus medius according to functional leg length discrepancy in coeds. Even though both muscles are shown to be statistically higher in comparison of electoromyographic activation levels for tensor fascia lata and gluteus medius between short leg and long leg in GroupⅠ, Differences of electoromyographic activation levels for tensor fascia lata is shown to be statistically higher than gluteus medius. Conclusion: Through this study, we realized that tensor fascia lata than the long leg, and also, tensor fascia lata is significantly effective for functional leg length discrepancy than gluteus medius. It leads to pelvic lateral instability. This means that cause tensor fascia lata to have a leg length discrepancy.

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is the most common complaint with complex etiological and pathophysiological factors on the lateral side of elbow. Taping techniques commonly used for lateral epicondylitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mobilization with movement taping and diamond taping on the pain, grip strength and functional activity in patients with lateral epicondylitis Methods: Twenty patients with lateral epicondylitis (mobilization with movement taping group: n=10, diamond taping group: n=10) were recruited. They were evaluated pre-treatment, after 1weeks, and after 3weeks, using visual analog scale, pain free grip strength test, patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation. Results: Analysis showed statistcally significant improvement in all time in both groups. and The mean improvement in pre-1weeks visual analog scale was significantly greater in the Diamond taping group than that in the mobilization with movement taping group. and the mean improvement in pre-1weeks pain free grip strength test was significantly greater in the mobilization with movement taping than that in the diamond taping group. Conclusion: Taping technique to patients with lateral epicondylitis can help improve pain, grip strength, functional activity and initial taping technique can be selected depending on the patient's condition and the desired goal

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a difference in activation of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris when performing normal free squat with standinding position and free squat with 30〬˚ flexed hip joint. Methods: Electromyograph surface electrodes were placed on the rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris of 19 healthy college students. The participants performed standing bilateral squats and standing bilateral squats with 30˚ flexed hip joint with EMG measures taken upon initiation of muscle activity as confirmed by an electronic goniometer. Participants completed one trial with the EMG time measurements on each type. Results: There was a significant difference between normal squats(standing squats) and normal squats with 30〬˚ flexed hip joint. The normal squat exercise was statistically higer than normal squat exercise with 30˚ flexed trunk except for semitendinosus and biceps femoris that shown slightly high. Conclusions: As a result of this study, there were increases of muscle activity in both ways. In particular, it may be more beneficial for knee joint stabilization to perform normal squat exercise with standing position relatively.

Background: This study tried to identify the bridge exercise posture for efficient exercise application by comparing muscle activity of buttocks and thighs according to internal‐external rotation and pronation & supination in bridge exercise. Method: Nine males in their 20s living in D city were randomly selected as subjects. Muscles such as vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), semitendinosus (ST), biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GMAX), gluteus medius (GMED), tensor fasciae latae(TFL), and adductor longus (ADL) were measured using eight channel surface electromyogram (MyoSystem 1400A, Noraxon, USA) to measure muscle activity. Statistics process was performed through paired t test. Results: In the changes in electromyogram signals according to internal‐external rotations according to internal‐external rotation of shinbones, in most cases muscle activity was higher in external rotation than in internal rotation, but there was no statistical significance (p>.05). In particular, it was lower in TFL and ADL. There was no statistical significance in the comparison between two groups (p>.05). In the changes in electromyogram signals according to internal‐external rotations according to pronation & supination of thighs, GMED showed significantly higher value in supination than in pronation (p>.05), and in ADL pronation is significantly higher than supination (p<.05). Conclusion: In internal‐external rotation of shinbone and pronation & supination of thighs in bridge exercise, changes in muscle length can make effects on muscle activity of buttocks and thighs. Therefore, muscle strength enforcement program on buttocks and thighs through bridge exercise can make effects on patients with lower limb functional damages in clinical situations.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of somatosensory stimulations with joints mobilization in foot on balance and gait speed in elderly women. Methods: This study included 2 female participants aged 72 years. Participants received somatosensory simulations with joints mobilization on both foot for 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week, during a 4 week period. All subjects were assessed using a BT(balance trainer)-4 balance measurement and timed up and go test (TUG), 10m walk test (10MWT). Results: It has been found that static length and static area were reduced and limits of stability was increased in 2 females. TUG test was improved but gait speed was not significantly difference. Conclusion: Those results indicate that somatosensory stimulations with joints mobilization is effective in elderly women to promoting a static and dynamic balance ability.