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Excessive activity of the upper trapezius (UT) muscle contributes to a rounded shoulder posture (RSP) through abnormal rotation of the scapula that weakens the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) muscles. This study compared the effects of knee push-up plus (KPP) exercise and KPP with isometric shoulder extension (KPPISE) exercise on the activities of LT, SA, and UT, and lower trapezius/upper trapezius (LT/UT) and serratus anterior/upper trapezius (SA/UT) activity ratios in subjects with RSP. Twenty subjects with RSP performed KPP and KPPISE. Electromyography was used to examine the muscle activity and a caliper, to measure the RSP. The paired t-test was used to compare the effect of KPP and KPPISE exercises on LT, SA, and UT activities, as well as LT/UT and SA/UT activity ratios in subjects with RSP. The LT and SA muscle activities significantly increased during KPPISE exercises than during KPP exercise (p=.004, p=.001; respectively). In contrast, the UT muscle activity significantly decreased during KPPISE exercise than after KPP exercise (p=.001). The LT/UT and SA/UT activity ratios increased significantly during KPPISE exercise than during KPP exercise (both p=.001). The KPPISE exercise may be an effective way to increase the LT and SA activity while reducing UT activity in subjects with the RSP.

This study aimed to compare the changes in muscle strength of the hip, knee, and ankle joints by conducting the recumbent cycle (RC) in high intensity interval training (HIIT) mode for four weeks. Thirty-six healthy subjects participated in this study. The subjects were trained for 24 sessions, 40 minutes per session, and three times a week. The hip flexor strength (HFS), hip extensor strength (HES), hip abductor strength (HAS), knee flexor strength (KFS), knee extensor strength (KES), ankle dorsiflexor strength (ADS), and ankle plantar flexor strength (APS) were measured using Micro FET. Paired t-tests were used to clarify significant differences in lower extremity strength before and after training. The statistical significance level was set at α=0.05. All subjects completed all exercise sessions. The values of HFS, HES, HAS, KFS, KES, ADS, and APS were significantly greater than the muscle strengths before exercise (p<0.001). These findings suggest that training using RC in HIIT mode increases the HFS, HES, KFS, KES, ADS, and APS of the lower extremity joints.

This study was suggested that speed, variability of gait variables could be used to predict mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The slow gait speed was also thought to be a risk factor for cognitive impairment, including MCI. The variability provides flexibility when adjusting to perturbations in the environment and is fundamental to changing coordination patterns during locomotion. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in lower extremity joint coordination, gait variability, and gait dynamics compared to normal elderly people, and to confirm the possibility of early diagnosis of MCI. In the walking speed of MCI decreased significantly in outdoor walking compared to indoor walking, and there was a decrease in the range of motion of each joint in the gait cycle in the MCI than in the 40s group. In the knee and ankle joint, there was difficulty in phase shift between or within the gait cycle. The cross-correlation coefficient of the gait cycle during this period was significantly low. In the comparison of hip and knee joint coordination between groups, there was a decrease in joint coordination in the MCI, and the variation of hip-knee angle plot within the each groups was high in the MCI. The cognitive impairment can be decreased gait speed, decreased joint coordination, and increased gait variability, especially in outdoor environments.

The use of a pelvic compression belt (PCB) contributes to increased stability of the lumbopelvic region by closely contacting the articular surfaces in the sacroiliac joint, which aids in the relief of pain and discomfort in the lower back and legs. The study aimed to examine the effects of wearing PCB on the activities of specific leg muscles and vertical jump performance in healthy young women. Thirty young women volunteered to participate in this study. Electromyography was performed on the multifidus, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles during vertical jump activity with and without the PCB. In addition, vertical jump performance, including jump height and duration of the flight, was assessed. The activities of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris increased with PCB and the duration of the flight in jumpﾠ(p<0.05). These findings imply that the PCB has a beneficial effect on increasing the lower limb's muscle activity and jump performance. Future studies must validate the long-term effects of wearing the PCB and the effects of its involvement on various functional issues.

This study investigates the effects of Coordinative locomotor training on spinal imbalance and posture in patients with idiopathic scoliosis. This study included two patients with idiopathic scoliosis, each with thoracic type. The study was designed as a single-case study (A-B-A’). The total duration of the study was 8 weeks. In the first week, participants were recruited and consent forms were completed. The second week was the initial baseline period, weeks 3-7 were the intervention period, and week 8 was the final baseline period. Coordinative locomotor training consisted of a 10-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of exercise, and a 10-minute cool-down, performed for a total of 50 minutes per session. Primary outcome measures were measured using moti-physio to assess spinal imbalance. Secondary outcome measures were assessed by evaluating posture from the front, side, and back. Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and visual analysis with graphs to show changes in percentage using Windows 27.0. The results of this study showed that both participants demonstrated improved spinal imbalance and posture during the intervention period compared to the initial baseline period, and maintained this improvement during the final base line period. This study suggests that applying Coordinative locomotor training can be an effective intervention for improving spinal imbalance and posture in patients with idiopathic scoliosis in a rehabilitation setting.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shoulder rotation and scapular position on muscle activity of the anterior deltoid (AD), middle deltoid (MD), posterior deltoid (PD), and upper trapezius (UT) during lateral raise (LR) in healthy adults. Five healthy individuals were recruited to participate in the study. The muscle activities of UT, AD, MD, and PD were measured using surface electromyography during LR. The muscle activity of UT, AD, MD, and PD was measured under four conditions: 1) shoulder external rotation with scapular neutral, 2) shoulder internal rotation with scapular neutral, 3) shoulder external rotation with scapular depression and retraction, and 4) shoulder internal rotation with scapular depression and retraction, all in the sitting position. The results showed that muscle activity of MD and PD increased with internal rotation of the shoulder, whereas muscle activity of UT decreased with external rotation. Additionally, with respect to changes in scapular position, the muscle activity was high in MD with a neutral position. Therefore, when performing shoulder LR exercise and weight training in a clinical setting, LR exercise with external rotation of the shoulder should be considered to reduce the overactivity of UT and to appropriately create subacromial space.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the association between autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, muscle properties and the dysmenorrhea degree. The degree of dysmenorrhea was evaluated by self-reported Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). Also, muscle properties (tone, stiffness, and elasticity) was measured using Myoton Pro on the muscles related to pain by dysmenorrhea: rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles. In addition, the activity of ANS was estimated through the heart rate variability (HRV) which is considered an index of the functional status of the ANS. The average of MDQ score of the subjects was 97.95±30.73, and the mean of LF/HF ratio which means sympathetic activity was 2.99±2.41 (range from 0.82 to 9.47). Particularly, there was a significant positive correlation between MDQ total score and the LF/HF ratio (r=0.466, p<0.05). Whereas, MDQ total score and HF indicating parasympathetic activity showed a significant negative correlation (r=-0.463, p<0.05). There was no significant association between dysmenorrhea and muscle properties, moreover no association with balance was identified. However, there was a significant association between muscle properties and balance of the subjects who experienced dysmenorrhea (n=17, MDQ≥70). The elasticity of RA showed a significant positive correlation with OSI (r=0.517, p<0.05) and APSI (r=0.795, p<0.01). Muscle tone in ES showed a significant negative correlation with OSI (r=-0.546, p<0.05) and APSI (r=-0.699, p<0.01), and stiffness in ES showed a significant negative correlation with APSI (r=-0.607, p<0.01). These results suggest that dysmenorrhea symptom could induce the increase of sympathetic activity, while reduction of parasympathetic activity.

Various methods of sit-to-stand (STS) training for chronic stroke patients have been devised in the clinical rehabilitation field, aiming at reinforcing muscle strength and recovering balancing ability, including improving weight-bearing capacity. However, there is little research on STS training using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), which is known to be effective in enhancing muscle strength and balancing ability. Hence, this study investigated the impact of STS combined with NMES on the muscle strength of the lower trunk and extremities and balancing ability in chronic stroke patients. They were randomly divided into 12 experimental groups (STS with NMES) and 12 control groups (only STS). Measurements were used before and after the intervention. All measurements significantly increased in both the experimental group and control group after the intervention, respectively (p<0.05). However, after the intervention, between the groups, the experimental group was not more statistically significant than the control group in all measurements (p<0.05). This study illustrated that STS with NMES may not differ concerning the muscle strength of the lower trunk and extremities and balancing ability in chronic stroke patients compared to the application of only STS.

Most studies to improve golf performance focus on whole-body exercise using stretching or muscle training. This study aimed to study the effect of an 8-wk core stability exercise using Pilates method on golf performance. A total of 40 amateur golfer in their 20s to 50s were assigned to two different groups of 20 participants each: Pilates core exercise group, whole body muscle training group. Carry distance, ball speed, club head speed, smash factor were measured before and after each exercise and in addition, core stability test, thoracic spine rotation range of motion, combined elevation test were assessed. Except for smash factor, Significant differences in the overall improvement of golf performance, core stability, flexibility were observed in Pilates core exercise group (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for golf performance, core stability in whole body muscle training group (p>0.05). Significant differences in the smash factor between two groups were observed after intervention (p<0.05). Although there was no significant differences between the two groups except for smash factor, there were observed statistically significant differences in golf performance, core stability, flexibility after Pilates core exercise. The results of these studies mean that core stability exercise using Pilates can improve golf performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between pain pressure threshold, joint position sense, static balance and gait in patients with moderate neck dysfunction index (NDI). A total 27 subjects with chronic neck pain participated in this study. A NDI survey was conducted to select subjects with moderate ability (NDI score: 15～24). The pressure pain thresholds, joint position senses, static balance(sway length and foot pressure balance), and gait were measured, and the correlation between the NDI and each measuring element was analyzed. As a result, NDI had a positive correlations with joint position sense (r=0.708), sway length (r=0.506), and foot pressure on the front left foot (r=0.453). Among them, the correlation between NDI and sway length had a strong positive correlation. Whereas, NDI had not correlations with pressure pain thresholds, and gait factors. These results indicate that moderate neck dysfunction can decreased static balance ability and joint position sense of neck. Although there was no significant correlation between NDI and gait, further research is needed to apply task with gait or identify on the neck pain patients with severe ability.