Publications by authors named "Chie Sekine"

Background: The Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic shoulder and elbow score (KJOC) is sensitive enough to detect subtle changes in the functional level of the shoulder or elbow in overhead athletes. However, a Japanese version of the KJOC is not yet available. Moreover, the original KJOC uses a visual analog scale (VAS) assessment format that requires a print version so that users can add a check mark along a horizontal line.

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Repetitive passive movement (RPM) enhances reciprocal inhibition. RPM is more effective when performed rapidly and at wide joint angles. However, patients with limited joint range of motion may not receive the most effective RPM.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study investigates how repetitive pitching affects the strength of the flexor-pronator muscles and the stiffness of their common tendon, which help protect the elbow during pitching.
  • - After performing 100 full-effort fastball pitches, 15 experienced pitchers showed significant decreases in grip and isolated digital flexion strength, especially in the fingers compared to grip strength.
  • - Despite an increase in common tendon stiffness during grip motion, there was no overall change in stiffness from pitching, and a lower increase in stiffness was linked to greater declines in muscle strength.
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This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between joint structures of the first tarsometatarsal and articular facet degeneration. A total of 100 feet from 50 cadavers were examined. The articular facets of the first metatarsal and medial cuneiform were categorized into four types based on the superior and inferior facets' separation, and the formation of the inferior lateral facet on the lateral plantar prominence: Type I, a single facet with no separation or inferior lateral facet; Type II-a, two facets with separation but no inferior lateral facet; Type II-b, two facets, no separation, but with an inferior lateral facet; Type III, three facets with separation and an inferior lateral facet.

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  • The suprapatellar bursa is located near the knee and helps reduce friction during movement by changing from a single-membrane to a double-membrane structure.
  • Research was conducted on cadaver knees to observe the dynamics of this bursa and determine the flexion angle at which the double-membrane structure appears.
  • Findings indicate that this change occurs at about 91° of knee flexion, suggesting the bursa could affect knee movement and pain near this angle, warranting further research in living subjects.
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This study explored the relationship between the morphological characteristics of the first tarsometatarsal ligaments and fibularis longus (FL) and the severity of articular cartilage degeneration in the first tarsometatarsal joint. Sixty legs from 30 cadavers were examined. The plantar, dorsal, and medial first tarsometatarsal ligaments were classified by fiber bundle number, and their morphological characteristics (fiber bundle length, width, thickness) were measured.

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  • The study investigated how muscle and tendon stiffness in the thighs and lower legs changes during the early follicular and early luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in 15 female university students.
  • Using various methods to track hormonal changes, researchers measured muscle-tendon stiffness with a digital palpation device at specific locations.
  • Results indicated no significant differences in stiffness across the menstrual phases, but found strong correlations between the stiffness of the rectus femoris and patellar tendon, as well as between the vastus medialis and patellar tendon during the early luteal phase.
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  • Anterior ankle impingement syndrome (AAIS) is a common complication after ankle fracture surgery, primarily caused by inflammation and thickening of soft tissues around the tibiotalar joint, which leads to pain and restricted movement.
  • A study involving 20 postoperative patients and 20 healthy controls aimed to analyze the relationship between AAIS and the changes in soft tissue thickness and stiffness using ultrasound technology.
  • The results showed no significant difference in thickness changes between the groups, but the stiffness of the soft tissues was notably higher in the postoperative group at both 3 and 6 months, indicating that stiffness may increase after surgery.
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  • Lumbar stabilization exercises (LSE) enhance trunk stability, muscle strength, and help in recovering from low back pain.
  • This study compared trunk muscle activity during LSEs on stable surfaces versus unstable ones, using different exercises performed by healthy males.
  • Results showed that exercise difficulty on unstable surfaces increased muscle activity across various trunk muscles, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate exercise conditions for effective rehabilitation.
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Background: In baseball players with elbow injuries, towel drills are clinically used before initiating active throwing exercises to gradually increase stress across the elbow. However, elbow valgus torque during towel drills remains unknown. Moreover, towel drills and active ball throws might have different relationships between biomechanical metrics, such as elbow stress, arm slot, and arm speed.

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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the participant's attention target during repetitive passive movement (RPM) intervention on reciprocal inhibition (RI) and joint movement function. Twenty healthy adults participated in two experiments involving four attention conditions [control (forward attention with no RPM), forward attention (during RPM), monitor attention (monitor counting task during RPM), ankle joint attention (ankle movement counting task during RPM)] during 10-min RPM interventions on the ankle joint. Counting tasks were included to ensure the participant's attention remained on the target during the intervention.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify the attachment types of the tibialis anterior tendon (TAT) in Japanese fixed cadavers and to determine the attachment site area in three dimensions.

Methods: We examined 100 feet from 50 Japanese cadavers. The TAT was classified according to differences in the number of fiber bundles as: Type I, with one fiber bundle; Type II, with two fiber bundles; and Type III, with three fiber bundles.

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This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the joint and ligament structures of the subtalar joint and degeneration of the subtalar articular facet. We examined 50 feet from 25 Japanese cadavers. The number of articular facets, joint congruence, and intersecting angles were measured for the joint structure of the subtalar joint, and the footprint areas of the ligament attachments of the cervical ligament, interosseous talocalcaneal ligament (ITCL), and anterior capsular ligament were measured for the ligament structure.

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Background: Remote facilitation refers to teeth occlusion-activated spinal cord activity resulting in increased trunk and limb muscle strength. Facilitation depends on dentition-related pressure during occlusion and masticatory muscle contraction strength.

Aims: This study aimed to clarify the neurophysiological phenomenon and mechanisms by which occlusal strength and balance affect leg muscle activity and smooth joint movement execution.

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Article Synopsis
  • * AKL was found to be lower in the ovulatory phase compared to the early follicular phase on the reconstructed side, while no significant differences were observed on the contralateral side.
  • * Overall, the research suggests that anterior knee laxity varies based on menstrual cycle phases specifically on the reconstructed side, with no significant changes detected in GR or muscle stiffness.
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This study investigated the relationship between changes in foot characteristics and sex differences during the menstrual cycle in healthy male and female university students. We examined 10 female subjects and 14 male subjects. The menstrual cycle was divided into the three phases: the early follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and luteal phase via basal body temperature, an ovulation kit, and salivary estradiol and progesterone concentration measurements.

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Background: The purpose of this study was not only to examine the attachment site but also to quantify the effect of the tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) on each attachment site by examining the surface area of the attachment region.

Methods: We examined 100 feet from 50 Japanese cadavers. The TPT attachment to the navicular bone (NB), medial cuneiform bone (MCB), and lateral cuneiform bone (LCB) were set as the main attachment sites (Type I).

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This study aimed to determine how transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) alters autonomic nervous activity by comparing the effects of different tVNS frequencies and current intensities. We also investigated the sex-dependent autonomic response to tVNS. Thirty-five healthy adult participants were stimulated using a tVNS stimulator at the left cymba conchae while sitting on a reclining chair; tVNS-induced waveform changes were then recorded for different stimulus frequencies (Experiment 1: 3.

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This study aimed to clarify trunk muscle activity during jump header shooting and examine the immediate effects of trunk stabilization exercises on trunk muscle activity. Nineteen males who had played soccer for over 5 years were assigned to either the trunk stabilization exercise group or the control group. Muscle activity during jump header shooting was measured before and after intervention.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in anterior knee laxity (AKL), stiffness, general joint laxity (GJL), and genu recurvatum (GR) during the menstrual cycle in female non-athletes and female athletes with normal and irregular menstrual cycles. Participants were 19 female non-athletes (eumenorrhea, = 11; oligomenorrhea, = 8) and 15 female athletes (eumenorrhea, = 8; oligomenorrhea, = 7). AKL was measured as the amount of anterior tibial displacement at 67 N-133 N.

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The relationship between the morphological characteristics of the infrapatellar fat pad (IFP) and joint deformity has yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to clarify the morphological characteristics of the IFP and to identify the relationships between morphological characteristics of the IFP and degenerative grade of the articular surface of the patella. This investigation examined 41 legs from 25 Japanese cadavers.

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Background: The relationship between contraction strength of the flexor-pronator muscles (FPMs) and elbow valgus braking function has not been clarified.

Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in medial elbow joint space when there is a difference in contraction strength of FPMs under elbow valgus stress.

Methods: Subjects were 20 healthy male university students, and the elbow joint on the nondominant hand side was used for measurements.

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  • The study investigates how trunk and lower limb muscle activities change during a simulated 2000-meter rowing race performed by ten male rowers.
  • Electromyographic data were recorded for various muscles during different phases of the rowing motion at three stages: initial, middle (1000m), and final.
  • Findings revealed that peak muscle activities were delayed in the middle and final stages compared to the initial stage, suggesting that improving rectus femoris endurance may reduce strain on back muscles and help prevent low back pain in rowers.
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Background: One risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury may be fluctuations in female hormones. This study examined variability in joint laxity, as a risk factor for ACL injury, during the menstrual cycle.

Methods: Subjects were 15 female university students with regular menstrual cycles.

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Background: The purpose of this study was to clarify elbow valgus stability of the transverse bundle (TB). We hypothesized that the transverse bundle is involved in elbow valgus stability.

Methods: Twelve elbows of six Japanese Thiel-embalmed cadavers were evaluated.

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