Earticle

Purpose: We aimed to propose and validate a novel method for measuring and analyzing cervical spine range of motion (ROM) using built-in smartphone cameras and artificial intelligence technology. Methods: The participants were 15 healthy men (average age: 22.40±1.30 y, height: 175.60±4.17 cm, weight: 74.07±8.05 kg). Cervical spine ROM during extension, flexion, lateral bending, and rotation was collected using a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system. An application with the Pose Detection feature of the Google ML Kit was used to capture and record body segment positions. ROM was calculated using Visual 3D software, and multivariate linear regression analysis was performed on the collected data. Results: Lateral flexion (left) had the highest determination coefficient (Adjusted R2=0.851), showing the most consistent biomechanical pattern, while extension had a lower determination coefficient (Adjusted R2=0.747). ROM estimates that regression models had a root mean square error between 4.43° and 5.85° and a normalized root mean square error between 9.90% and 18.03%. Conclusion: This study presents a data-driven approach to understanding cervical motions using smartphones, providing foundational data for clinical evaluation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the correlations between scapular posture and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) in the neck muscle region according to sex. Methods: The study included 100 student participants (50 men and 50 women). To quantitatively assess their scapular angle, the angle was measured using the EasyAngle goniometer. PPTs of the suboccipital, supraspinal, and trapezius muscles were measured using a digital algometer. Results: There was a significantly negative correlation between scapular anterior tilting and the PPT of the suboccipital muscle (p<0.05), and between scapular internal rotation and the PPT of the trapezius muscle (p<0.05) in men. A negative correlation was observed between scapular anterior tilting and the PPT of the suboccipital muscle (p<0.05), and between the scapular internal rotation and PPT of the supraspinal and trapezius muscles in women (p<0.05). Conclusion: We identified important associations between scapular posture and the PPT in the neck muscles. These findings are expected to be useful in predicting the degree of muscle pain in the neck based on scapular posture.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the effect of ankle joint proprioceptive exercise program combined with calf muscle Kinesio taping on balance and gait. Methods: Thirty participants were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received an ankle joint proprioceptive exercise program combined with calf muscle Kinesio taping while the control group received calf taping and walking. The participants’ balance ability was measured via the Y-balance and gait ability was measured using the Gait-rite system. Paired t-tests were conducted to conduct within and between pre/post comparisons. Results: There were significant differences in all three directions in the within-group pre- and post-comparison (p<.05). In the control group, the back-side and the back-side-in were significantly different when compared before and after (p<.05). In the between-group comparison, a significant difference was seen in the front (p<.05). There was no significant difference in walking ability between the two groups. Conclusion: There was a significant difference between groups in the Y-balance test, but no significant difference in Gait-rite.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of varying training speeds on pulmonary function and posture improvement in patients with rounded shoulder posture using horseback riding equipment. Methods: A total of 27 participants were evenly divided into three groups according to the intervention method: low-, medium-, and high-speed training. Each group engaged in a daily 21-minute session on horse riding training equipment. Pulmonary function, abdominal pressure, and the length of the pectoralis minor muscle were measured both before and after the sessions. Pulmonary function was assessed using the AVAD9 system, abdominal pressure was measured with a stabilizer, and the length of the pectoralis minor muscle was determined using a tape measure. The pulmonary function metrics included forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF). Results: A comparison across low-, medium-, and high-speed movements revealed that all three groups experienced changes in the length of the pectoralis minor. However, significant differences in FEV1 and PEF were observed in the medium-speed group. Conclusion: The medium-speed exercise group exhibited significant improvements in pulmonary function and posture alignment compared with both the high- and low-speed groups.

Purpose: This study was to develop evaluation criteria for sports science measurement of baseball players. Methods: A two-round Delphi study was conducted with a panel of experts to select appropriate evaluation items. In the first round, experts were asked to prioritize important items and key indicators related to the physical, biomechanical, and lifestyle habits of baseball players. The second round confirmed the appropriateness of the results of the first survey. Results: The findings of this study confirmed the validity of 12 key items and core indicators related to physical and biomechanical factors. Conclusion: These results are expected to be useful indicators for player training and injury prevention.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the Feldenkrais Method® on the improvement of shoulder joint function in women with desk jobs. Methods: We assessed 14 white-collar women aged 20–30 years. The range of motion of the shoulder joint, cervical mobility, muscle function, and shoulder flexibility were measured. The intervention program used was the Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement (ATM), which lasted 70 min and included warm-up and cool-down exercises. Results: The changes in shoulder joint mobility after Feldenkrais ATM were significantly improved in terms of abduction (p=0.001), adduction (p=0.005), flexion (p=0.003), extension (p=0.001), internal rotation (p=0.001), and external rotation (p=0.001). The cervical mobility (p=0.022) and muscle function (p=0.001) were also significantly improved. Changes in shoulder flexibility showed significant effects in both the right arm (p=0.003) and left arm dominant postures (p=0.017). Conclusion: The Feldenkrais Method® can increase joint mobility in the shoulder and can be a good way to improve cervical mobility, muscle function, and shoulder flexibility. These effects are thought to be a good way to prevent pain and improve functional impairment for those with shoulder problems.

Purpose: This study confirmed the effect of the heel lift exercise according to the presence or absence of visual blocking and the height of the support surface on muscle activity of the lower leg muscles in general adults. Methods: This study recruited 30 adults. Before the experiment, electrodes were placed in the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior, and the participants practiced heel-raising movements about five times. Next, heel-raising was performed on a box of 0 cm, 20 cm, and 25 cm height with the eyes open and wearing an eye patch. During heel-raising, the muscle activity of the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior was measured, and the maximum isometric contraction value was calculated through normalization. The motion was measured three times and the average of the values was used. Statistical verification was performed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The gastrocnemius and soleus showed significant differences according to height (p<0.05), and the tibialis anterior showed significant results by group and height and an interaction effect of group and height(p<0.01). All groups showed significant changes in muscle activity according to height. Conclusion: The results suggest that in adults with ankle instability, heel-raising movements show greater muscle activity at higher heights when blocked by sight, and that heel-raising exercises can be performed more effectively through adjustment of the support surface height.

Purpose: This study was conducted to establish a safe and effective way to participate in sports activities by analyzing the dynamic balance ability and whole body muscle function according to the functional movement score (FMS) and by confirming the effect on the exercise performance ability of college students. Methods: We assessed 27 male college students. They were divided into the High FMS group and Low FMS group based on a total score of 14. The dynamic balance ability of both arms and feet was measured with the Y-balance test kit, and each hand-push, hand-pull, upper body-push, upper body-push, trunk rotation, lower body-push, and lower body-pull were measured with the smart muscle testing device. Results: The Lower Quarter Y-balance test and whole body muscle function measurements showed that the High FMS group was significantly higher than the Low FMS group (p<.05) in all items. The Upper Quarter Y-balance test measurements of the High FMS group was significantly higher than that of the Low FMS group in the right medial (p=0.016), right composite (p=0.004), and left composite (p=0.021). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the High FMS group's Lower Quarter dynamic balance ability, Upper Quarter dynamic balance ability, and whole body muscle function were superior to those of the Low FMS group, confirming that the FMS score is related to the general public's exercise performance ability. Therefore, it seems that it can be provided as basic data for safe and effective training for the general public's continuous participation in sports activities.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to identify the differences in muscle coordination patterns during squat exercises based on varying levels of proficiency. Methods: The study included an experienced group (nine participants, age 31.3±1.5 years, height 174.7±1.3 cm, weight 81.4±2.1 kg) and a novice group (eight participants, age 31±1.1 years, height 176.8±2.7 cm, weight 75.1±4.4 kg). Muscle activation levels in the trunk and lower extremities were measured, and muscle synergy analysis was conducted to determine muscle coordination patterns during squats. The extracted muscle synergies were classified using the k-means clustering method. Results: The muscle synergy analysis revealed 3.11±0.33 muscle synergies in the experienced group and 2.75±0.46 in the novice group. The k-means clustering results identified a total of five clusters, with differences in cluster preferences between the experienced and novice groups. Experienced individuals preferred clusters that used large muscles in the lower extremities during squats, while novices favored clusters that engaged smaller muscles in the distal parts of the lower extremities. Conclusion: These findings suggest that experienced individuals use larger muscles to more effectively handle weight during squats, whereas novices rely more on smaller muscles, which may result in lower resistance to weight and a higher risk of injury. The results of this study can serve as foundational data for beginners to learn efficient training methods and develop strategies to prevent injuries.

Purpose: This study confirmed the effect of horseback riding, trotting, and walking on muscle activity on patients with and without chronic back pain. Methods: We analyzed 15 patients with chronic back pain with a score of 5 or higher and 15 patients with a score of 5 or less on the Korean version Oceanic Disability Index (K-ODI). For the analysis of muscle activity, electrodes were attached to the rectus abdominis, multifidus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris of both groups. Muscle activity during horseback riding, trotting, and walking were measured, and the result was calculated with MVIC%. Results: In the comparison of muscle activity during horseback riding and trotting in patients with chronic back pain, there were significant differences in the rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris (p<.05). In the non-symptomatic group, there were significant differences in the multifidus and rectus femoris (p<.05). During horseback riding, trotting, and walking, all muscle activity was not statistically significant except for that of the biceps femoris and multifidus, but the muscle activity was low in the back pain group (p>.05). Conclusion: Equestrian exercise for patients with chronic back pain may be a therapeutic training program when comparing the muscle activity of those with and without chronic back pain while horseback riding, trotting, and walking.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to comprehensively analyze the differences in kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation between experienced and novice squat practitioners. Research on the differences in kinetics and muscle activation between experienced and novice practitioners is notably lacking. It is aimed to clearly identify the performance differences between the two groups and provide foundational data for developing more effective customized training programs. Results: The kinematic variables in squat movements show clear differences between experienced and novice practitioners. Experienced practitioners employed strategies that improved energy efficiency and injury prevention by performing more accurate weight distribution and joint angle control. Conclusion: Future studies should conduct in-depth analyses to clearly identify the differences in kinetic variables and muscle activation between experienced and novice practitioners during squat movements.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether cervical stabilization exercise with a pressure biofeedback unit would improve cervical alignment, the mechanical properties of cervical muscles, and neck disability in patients with forward head posture. Thirty such patients were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: cervical stabilization exercise with a pressure biofeedback unit (n=15, group Ⅰ) and the controls (n=15, group Ⅱ). After receiving conventional physical therapy, each group underwent cervical stabilization exercise with visual feedback exercise and passive stretching for 30 min, 3 days a week for 4 weeks. Their craniovertebral angle (CVA; °), muscle tone (Hz), stiffness (Hz), and neck disability index were analyzed before the intervention. After 4 weeks of intervention, the aforementioned items were remeasured, and an intergroup analysis was performed. Results: CVA, muscle tone, stiffness, and neck disability increased in group Ⅰ, with a statistically significant difference (p<.001; p<.05). Conclusion: Cervical stabilization exercise with a pressure biofeedback unit may be suggested as an effective intervention method for the functional recovery of patients with forward head posture.