The immediate effects of rib cage joint mobilization and chest wall stretch on muscle tone and stiffness of respiratory muscles and chest expansion ability in patients with chronic stroke.

[Purpose] The main purpose of this study was to identify the impact of rib cage joint mobilization and chest wall stretch on respiratory muscle tone and stiffness and chest expansion in stroke patients and to compare the effects of both interventions. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were randomly assigned to a rib cage joint mobilization group (n=15) or a chest wall stretch group (n=15). Respiratory muscle tone and stiffness were measured using a myotonometer, and the chest expansion was gauged using a measuring tape.

Comparison of the effects of core stabilization and chest mobilization exercises on lung function and chest wall expansion in stroke patients.

[Purpose] The main purpose of this study was to compare the effects of core stabilization and chest mobilization exercises on pulmonary function and chest expansion in chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients were randomly divided into two groups: a core stabilization exercise group (n=15) and a chest mobilization exercise group (n=15). Each exercise was performed 3 times per week for 30 minutes for 4 weeks, and pulmonary function and chest expansion when breathing were measured for both groups.

Effect of eye movements and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on balance and head alignment in stroke patients with neglect syndrome.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of eye movements and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on patients with neglect syndrome. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly allocated to 2 groups: the eye movements (EM) group; and the PNF with eye movements (PEM) group. The program was conducted five times each week for 6 weeks.

Effects of muscle activity and number of resistance exercise repetitions on perceived exertion in tonic and phasic muscle of young Korean adults.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of muscle activity and the number of resistance exercise repetitions on perceived exertion in tonic and phasic muscles in young Korean adults. [Subjects] Janda's classification system was used to divide 40 Korean males and females in their 20s into a tonic muscle group (10 males, 10 females) and phasic muscle group (10 males, 10 females). [Methods] Each participant performed resistance exercise at 70% of maximum exertion for a single repetition.

c-Jun N-terminal kinase contributes to norepinephrine-induced contraction through phosphorylation of caldesmon in rat aortic smooth muscle.

Vascular smooth muscle contraction is mediated by activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, an isoform of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). However, the role of stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in vascular smooth muscle contraction has not been defined. We investigated the role of JNK in the contractile response to norepinephrine (NE) in rat aortic smooth muscle.