Earticle

Purpose: The study attempts to understand the effect of lumbar stability exercise of transcranial direct current stimulation on muscle activity and jump performance in soccer player. Methods: Transcranial direct current stimulation combined lumbar stability exercise have been implemented on 15 trainees and general lumbar stability exercise have been implemented on another 15 trainees for 30 minutes at 5 times per week during 8 weeks, and elector spinae, rectus abdominis, external abdominal obilique have been measured using to evaluate the muscle activity of the trunk. The counter movement jump, counter movement jump with arm swing have been measured using g-jump to measure the jump performance. Results: There was statistically meaningful difference on the elector spinae, rectus abdominis, external abdominal obilique in the muscle activity of the trunk and there was statistically meaningful difference on counter movement jump, counter movement jump with arm swing in the jump performance(p<.05). Conclusion: Based on above, it is realized that the transcranial direct current stimulation combined lumbar stability exercise is more effective than the general lumbar stability exercise on the improvement of the muscle activity of the trunk and the jump performance.

Purpose: This study investigated the feasibility of the newly-developed high-frequency stimulation based on investigation of clinical characteristics, user needs and usage satisfaction according to age groups. Methods: Thirty participants with knee pain were participated in the study. Each participant received the high-frequency stimulation over both knees over three times a week during a total of two weeks. We investigated each participants’ clinical characteristics, user needs and post-intervention usage satisfaction by newly modified questionnaires. Results: As a result, 93.3% of participants wanted to receive the home-based management using the highfrequency stimulation and more than 60% of participants experienced the pain relief after 2-week intervention period. The twenties and thirties reported the largest satisfaction scores (3.722±0.575) after the intervention than other age groups. Conclusion: We conclude that the high-frequency stimulation over both knee is feasible to reduce the knee pain as a home-based pain management tool, especially for the younger.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle thicknesses of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and pectoralis major, stabilizing the scapula, according to changes in the position of the unstable support surface. Methods: Thirty males in their 20s were randomly assigned into three groups: stable support group (control group), Togu to the arm (experimental group 1), and Togu to the leg groups (experimental group 2). These different push-up plus exercises were performed for four weeks. Results: We found that there was a significant increase in the muscle thickness of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, and pectoralis major in all groups during the exercise. The increase in the muscle thickness was the highest in the experimental group 1, followed by experimental group 2 and control group. Conclusion: This study shows that Push-up plus exercise has a positive effect on the scapula stabilization muscles. The exercise with an unstable support surface using Togu would be an effective method for scapular muscles.

Purpose: This study examined the effects of golf rehabilitation exercise on swing power, swing speed, X-factor and club head speed between novice and expert golfer. Methods: The participants were 12 novice and 12 experts. They participated in a golf rehabilitation exercise program for 6 weeks. This program consisted of 5 steps and 4 items (sleeper stretch, full side plank, push-up to plank, high plank knee unders). A three-dimensional motion analyzer was used to measure the X-factor (angle between shoulder and pelvis at top of backswing). Primus RS was used to measure the swing power and swing speed. The golf simulator was used to measure the clubhead speed. In the study, we compared the dependent variables before and after the exercise between the novice and expert. Results: Swing power, swing speed, X-factor, and clubhead speed were significantly increased after the exercise in both groups. There was no significant difference in swing power, swing speed, and X-factor between the groups, but the clubhead speed of expert golfers was significantly increased than that of the novice. Conclusion: This study exhibits that the rehabilitation exercise for golfers was effective for increasing swing power, swing speed, X-factor, and club head speed for both novice and expert golfers.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stretching techniques on pressure pain threshold (PPT) of myofascial trigger points in the iliopsoas muscle and to compare the effect of two stretching techniques (static and hold-relax stretching). Methods: The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: Static group (n=12); hold-relax group (n=12). For each group, stretching was applied to the dominant leg and performed three times a week for a period of two weeks. PPT of each subject was recorded at pre- and post-tests, respectively. Results: As a result, PPT was different between pre- and post measurements. However, it was not significantly different between groups. In conclusion, two stretching techniques are useful for improving Iliopsoas muscle shortening. Conclusion: This study indicates that the choice for a qualified technique should be decided individually according to the patient and therapist.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of concentration training on cognitive ability. Methods: For this study, 30 subjects were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received concentration training using a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program. The intervention was performed three times a week for four weeks. The period of each session was 10 minutes. The control group received the training with a virtual driving simulator. To assess cognitive ability, a virtual driving simulator was used. Results: This study shows the following results. First, the control group showed a significant increase in interference task 1 compared with the experimental group. The control group displayed statistically significant speed increases in interference task 1 compared with the experimental group. Third, the experimental group showed significant increases in the score and the speed of the ability to stay in one’s lane compared with the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that concentration training had positive effects on cognitive ability, but the learning effect of the virtual driving simulator influenced the score and speed of interference task 1.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of flexibility and balance when stretching after attaching tape. Methods: Twenty-five college students who reduced their hamstring numbers participated in the experiment. The experimental group was taping and the control group was not taping. Stretching took place in four sets for 15 seconds, with each set resting for 30 seconds. Flexibility was used to measure the flexibility of short hamstring using a smartphone application called the Clinometer application. We used a Biodex balance system to measure balance. Immediately before stretching, immediately after stretching, and 6 minutes later, a total of 3 measurements were made. We used two-way repeated ANOVA to identify significant differences. Results: When measured immediately before stretching, immediately after stretching, and 6 minutes, both groups showed increased flexibility and sense of balance. There was no statistically significant difference in balance sensation with taping attachment. There was a statistically significant difference in the flexibility change with taping attachment. (p<0.05) Conclusion: Regardless of the taping attachment to the short hamstring, flexibility and balance were positively affected by stretching. However, statistical flexibility was improved when stretching was applied after taping.

Purpose: This study is to investigate the relationship between pitcher’s ball speed, shoulder muscle strength, and proprioception. Methods: Thirteen high school pitchers participated in this study. Ball speed was measured using a speed gun. A dynamometer and an electrogoniometer were used to measure the strength and proprioception, respectively, for both internal and external rotations in the shoulder. Results: This study demonstrated that pitcher’s ball speed was correlated with muscle strength and proprioception of shoulder internal rotation. Conclusion: This result will help to provide the basic knowledge for sports rehabilitation and athletic performance.

Purpose: This study was conducted to find out the effect of fast backstep treadmill training, modifying speed and slope, on the improvement of turtle neck. We recruited 20 male and female college students with Turtle neck syndrome. Methods: We measured neck angles using a goniometer in the following speed and slope conditions: (1) 3.5km and 0%, (2) 3.5km and 5%, (3) 3km and 0%, (4) 3km and 5%. Results: This study found that the neck angles were changed by fast backstep treadmill training. Specifically, the neck angle of 3.5km and 0% condition was a significant difference in that of 3km and 0%. Conclusion: These results show that fast backstep treadmill training with modifying walking speed will help improve the turtle neck. In fast backstep treadmill training, walking speed may be an important factor in turtle neck patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the need for home visit physical therapy, the cost of use, and the application method, and to assert the necessity of in-home visit physical therapy. Methods: To do this, we identified the needs, costs of use and application based on survey research. Results: It was found that a variety of needs, costs of use, and methods of application are being proposed after compiling subjective suggestions within the questionnaire of health students, clinical health professionals, and the general public for home visit physiotherapy by age group. Also, a survey to find out preferences for the need for home visit physical therapy showed a high need in the near future, a high cost of 50,000 won to 60,000 won, and a high standard of qualification for home visit physiotherapists showed three to five years. Conclusion: Many of these identified results have been considered in this study for improvement, which includes collecting opinions on home visits and physical therapy by age group. If the system is introduced without trial and error through further investigation and research, it will be basic data that can improve life and quality to patients or carers in terms of welfare services.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of unicycle exercise on trunk muscle thickness. Methods: A total of 30 university students were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=15). In the experimental group, unicycle exercise was performed for 50 minutes, 3 times per week, and a total of 10 weeks. In the control group, trunk muscle strengthening exercises were performed during the same period. To investigate the trunk muscle thickness of the subjects, ultrasound imaging was used to measure the external oblique muscle, internal oblique muscle, transverse abdominis, and multifidus. Results: As a result, it was found that there was a significant difference between groups and between preand post-tests in the external oblique , transverse abdominis, and multifidus muscles. In the internal oblique muscle, there was a significant difference between pre- and post-tests, but not between groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the unicycle exercise increased trunk muscle thickness. This result can be suggested as basic data for the effect of the unicycle exercise on abdominal and back muscle contraction.

Purpose: For stroke survivors, abnormal gait patterns lead to a significant risk of falls. We have recently developed an IoT-based Upper and Lower Extremity Rehabilitation Medical Device (RoBoGat) that enables continuous passive motion (CPM) training, squat training (ST), and gait training (GT). The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of RoBoGat on gait in a chronic stroke survivor. Methods: In this study, an individual with right-side chronic hemiparesis post-stroke participated. The participant underwent 14 days of RoBoGat training that involved continuous passive motion training, squat training, and gait training. During the training, knee and hip joint angles were adjusted within the range where the subject felt no pain. We assessed gait, timed up and go test, and visual analog scale at baseline and after first and final interventions. Results: After the intervention, positive changes were observed such as stride, gait velocity, and loading phase. Improvements were also observed in timed up and go tests. However, there was no significant change in VAS, which assessed pain in training and daily life. Conclusion: The main finding of this case-control study is that robot-based upper and lower extremity training may be a feasible approach in the neurorehabilitation field. It can be concluded that repetitive and continuous robot rehabilitation exercises have a positive effect on improving the physical function of chronic stroke survivors.

Purpose: Foot drop is a common symptom in disorders of the central nervous system (CNS : Central Nervous System), such as stroke. The combination of functional electrical stimulation (FES : Functional Electronical Stimulation) and gait rehabilitation is an effective intervention for stroke gait rehabilitation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of FES training based on the muscle synergy pattern of stroke patients during gait. Methods: The intervention was tested on two chronic stroke patients. They underwent a 6-week intervention consisting of 30 min sessions of FES-supported gait three times per week. Muscle synergies were extracted from electromyography (EMG : electromyography) signals using a non-negative matrix factorization algorithm (NMF : Non-negative Matrix Factorization). Results: The optimal number of synergies has been defined as the minimum number needed to obtain variability accounted for (VAF) ⩾90%. Before treatment, both patients presented only three merged muscle synergies during gait, resembling two different gait abnormalities. After the 6-week intervention, the number of extracted synergies became four and they increased their gait speed with the physiological muscle synergies. The 10m walking test (10MWT : 10Meter Walking Test) used in the first and last days of intervention increased from 16.11 to 14.56 m/s, and from 19.76 to 15.37m/s for Subject 1 and Subject 2, respectively. Conclusion: Multi-channel FES walking intervention based on synergy analysis influenced the number of muscle synergies during the gait of stroke patients. This intervention has an effective effect on improving the gait performance of stroke patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the effect of coordinative locomotor training (CLT) on body fat and muscle mass. Methods: A total of eight males were randomly assigned to two groups: treadmill exercise group (n=4) and CLT group (n=4). The intervention was performed for 30 minutes, three times a week, four weeks. The treadmill exercise was set at 6.5 intensity for 30 minutes and the CLT was at moderate intensity for the same period. To measure body fat and muscle mass, the In-body system was used before and after the intervention. Results: There was no significant difference within and between the groups. Conclusion: The result of this study shows that CLT is not effective for body fat reduction when compared with general treadmill exercise.

Purpose: This study compared myofascial release and therapeutic massage to determine which approach is more effective in treating neck pain and limited joint range of motion. Methods: 10 subjects participated in the experiment and randomly assigned to two groups. The treatments were conducted for 4 weeks, 3 times a week. Measured variables, neck pain and joint range of motion, were assessed before and after treatment intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in neck pain and joint range of motion after interventions. Based on the results, Conclusion: we conclude that both myofascial release and therapeutic massage techniques decrease neck pain and increase joint range of motion.