Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of Home-Based Breathing Exercises on Respiratory Function and Fatigue in COVID-19-Cured Young Patients.

This study investigates the effects of home-based Kakao Healthcare breathing exercises and stretching on respiratory function and fatigue in COVID-19-cured patients. A total of 35 participants performed four movements of home-based breathing exercises and five respiratory muscle stretching exercises four times a week for four weeks. Respiratory function was measured using forced vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow(PEF).

Comparing the Impact of Upper Body Control and Core Muscle Stabilization Training on Landing Biomechanics in Individuals with Functional Ankle Instability: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Functional ankle instability (FAI), which is characterized by recurrent ankle sprains and perceived joint instability, arises from various factors contributing to compromised biomechanical control during activities, particularly those involving landing tasks. While current research predominantly addresses lower-extremity and core stabilization interventions for FAI, the contribution of upper body control to landing biomechanics in this population remains insufficiently explored. In this study, 42 participants (19 males, 23 females) with FAI were randomly assigned to either the upper-body control training group (UBCTG) or the core muscle stabilization training group (CMSTG).

Influence of the Hawthorne effect on spatiotemporal parameters, kinematics, ground reaction force, and the symmetry of the dominant and nondominant lower limbs during gait.

The Hawthorne effect is a change in behavior resulting from awareness of being observed or evaluated. This study aimed to determine whether awareness of being evaluated or presence of an observer influence gait. Twenty-one young women were asked to walk in three conditions.

Effects of Augmented Reality-Based Dual-Task Program on Physical Ability by Cognitive Stage with Developmental Disabilities.

People diagnosed with developmental disabilities are less likely to participate in physical activities even if they are provided opportunities. This study aimed to examine the effects of dual-task exercise-based augmented reality (AR) on muscle strength, muscle endurance, balance ability, and flexibility among people with developmental disabilities. Twenty-seven patients with developmental disabilities were included in the study.

Effects of Augmented Reality Game-Based Cognitive-Motor Training on Restricted and Repetitive Behaviors and Executive Function in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and executive dysfunction are widely acknowledged as core features and hallmarks in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to investigate the effects of augmented reality (AR) using motivational games with cognitive-motor exercises on RRBs, executive function (EF), attention, and reaction time in patients with ASD. Twenty-four patients (range from 6 to 18 years) diagnosed with ASD were recruited from local social welfare centers and randomly allocated to the AR game-based cognitive-motor training group (study group) or the conventional cognitive training group (control group).

Comparison of screw-home movement between patients with knee osteoarthritis and normal adults.

Background: Tibial rotation accompanying sagittal movement contains the phenomenon of screw-home movement (SHM) of the knee, which plays an important role in knee stability during extension.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the change of SHM in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Thirty-one sex-matched patients with knee OA and 31 normal subjects were recruited.

Reliability, minimum detectable change, and minimum clinically important difference of the balance subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency-second edition in children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the internal consistency, inter-rater, and test-retest reliability of the balance subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky test of motor proficiency-second edition (BOT-2) and to estimate the minimum detectable change (MDC) and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) of the balance subtest of the BOT-2 in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: In total, 20 children with CP participated in the present study. Internal consistency, test-retest, and inter-rater reliability were computed to establish reliability of the balance subtest of the BOT-2.

Effects of Caffeine Intake on Cardiopulmonary Variables and QT Interval after a Moderate-Intensity Aerobic Exercise in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Caffeine is considered a widely consumed natural and legal psychoactive stimulant with several effects on the body. The present study attempted to investigate the effects of caffeine consumed before and after a physical exercise on cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory functions in healthy adults. 36 healthy adult males were recruited and randomly allocated to one of the three (3) groups: group I (exercise without caffeine consumption), group II (caffeine beverage intake before exercise), and group III (caffeine beverage intake immediately after exercise).

Variability in blue carbon storage related to biogeochemical factors in seagrass meadows off the coast of the Korean peninsula.

Coastal vegetated habitats such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses, referred to as blue carbon ecosystems, play an important role in climate change mitigation by an effective CO capture from atmosphere and water columns and long-term organic carbon (C) storage in sediments. Although seagrass meadows are considered intense carbon sinks, information on regional variability in seagrass blue carbon stock and factors influencing its capacity still remain sparse. In the present study, seagrass blue carbon storage by measuring C stocks in sediments and living seagrass biomass, and carbon accumulation rates (CARs) in seagrass meadows were estimated along the Korean coast.

The first national scale evaluation of organic carbon stocks and sequestration rates of coastal sediments along the West Sea, South Sea, and East Sea of South Korea.

Blue carbon science requires the estimates of organic carbon stock and sequestration rate; however, holistic data analysis remains limited in South Korea. The present study reports current organic carbon stocks and sequestration rates in the coastal areas of West Sea, South Sea, and East Sea of South Korea, encompassing entire intertidal areas using long-term field survey combined with remote sensing technology. Twenty-one intertidal flats were targeted across seven provinces (Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, Gyeongnam, Gyeongbuk, Gangwon).

Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of metals in intertidal sediments, Korea.

We measured the concentrations of acid volatile sulfide (AVS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), and metals (As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn) in surface sediments of 74 intertidal sectors along the western and southern coasts of Korea to determine their spatial distribution and pollution status. The concentrations of AVS, COD, and metals were relatively higher in northwestern and southeastern coasts due to human and industrial activities around metropolitan, industrial complexes, and large-scale farms. The results of the sediment quality guidelines and geoaccumulation index for organic matter and metal revealed that almost all intertidal sediments were unpolluted with regard to AVS, COD, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn and some intertidal sediments in northwestern and southeastern coasts were moderately polluted with regard to As.

Study on the design development of a multi joint ankle foot orthosis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a newly designed multi joint ankle-foot orthosis on the gait and dynamic balance of stroke patients having foot drop. [Participants and Methods] This study was investigated 10 participants who were diagnosed with stroke. Patients were evaluated based on a 10-meter walk test, timed up and go test and Berg balance scale after each participant wore a plastic ankle-foot orthosis and a multi joint ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) that consisted of orthosis joints (having poster-stop joint and Klenzak joint functions).

Forward head posture (FHP) angle and plantar pressure resulting from oscillatory stimulation training of the shoulder joint: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Oscillatory stimulation provides strong sensory stimulation, which can activate muscle spindles, strengthening proprioceptive sense and, therefore, helping to strengthen the muscles involved in posture stability.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the difference in average distribution of plantar pressure resulting from changes in the forward head position (FHP) angle caused by controlling muscle activity in the neck and shoulders through Bodyblade.

Methods: The subjects were divided into an experimental group (Bodyblade, n= 15) and a control group (general physiotherapy, n= 15).

Effect of Ankle Range of Motion (ROM) and Lower-Extremity Muscle Strength on Static Balance Control Ability in Young Adults: A Regression Analysis.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of ankle ROM and lower-extremity muscle strength on static balance control ability in young adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was conducted with 65 young adults, but 10 young adults dropped out during the measurement, so 55 young adults (male: 19, female: 36) completed the study. Postural sway (length and velocity) was measured with eyes open and closed, and ankle ROM (AROM and PROM of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion) and lower-extremity muscle strength (flexor and extensor of hip, knee, and ankle joint) were measured.

Comparison of Hypertension Prediction Analysis Using Waist Measurement and Body Mass Index by Age Group.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate hypertension with simple anthropometry data related to obesity in Korean adults and identify whether age specific waist circumference (WC) may be a useful screening tool for determining hypertension.

Methods: Subjects ( = 571) were classified into 3 groups by age; young (18-39 years), middle aged (40-64 years), and old aged (≥ 65 years). Correlations between demographic and anthropometric parameters and hypertension were performed using Spearman correlation analysis.

The relationship between anterior pelvic tilt and gait, balance in patient with chronic stroke.

[Purpose] The aim of this study is to find out the association between anterior pelvic tilt and gait and balance in chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen chronic stroke patients were included in this study. A palpation meter was employed to measure the anterior inclination of the pelvis.

Correlations among visual analogue scale, neck disability index, shoulder joint range of motion, and muscle strength in young women with forward head posture.

This study investigated the correlation between the neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS), which are indicators of neck pain, shoulder joint range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength in women with a slight forward head posture. This study was carried out on 42 female college students attending Uiduk University in Gyeongju, Korea. The neck pain and disability index for each subject was measured using VAS and NDI, respectively.

Correlation between Scapular Asymmetry and Differences in Left and Right Side Activity of Muscles Adjacent to the Scapula.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between scapular asymmetry in young female adults and differences in left and right side activity of muscles adjacent to the scapula.

Methods: This study included 60 female students from U university in Korea. In order to examine scapular asymmetry, the lateral scapular slide test (LSST) was used.

The effect of horse-riding simulator exercise on the gait, muscle strength and muscle activation in elderly people with knee osteoarthritis.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of horse-riding simulator exercise on gait ability and muscle strength, muscle activation in elderly with knee osteoarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis were recruited, a horse-riding simulator group consisted of fifteen subjects and they performed exercise three times a week for eight weeks. And each exercise was performed, horse riding simulator exercise for 15 minutes and knee strengthening exercise for 15 minutes.

Effects of skilled reach training with affected forelimb and treadmill exercise on the expression of neurotrophic factor following ischemia-induced brain injury in rats.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of skilled reach training with affected forelimb and treadmill exercise on the expression of neurotrophic factor following ischemia-induced brain injury in rats. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups randomly: namely, the control sacrified 2 weeks after surgery, skilled reach training with forepaw contralateral to brain injury for 2 weeks, and treadmill exercise for 2 weeks. Transient focal cerebral ischemia was induced by intraluminal occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery.

Analysis of the reliability of the make test in young adults by using a hand-held dynamometer.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities of the make test, a manual muscle testing measurement method, using a hand-held dynamometer in Korean young adults. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 42 university students participated in this study. The make test, a manual muscle testing method, was conducted.

Partial correlation between lower muscle thickness, 10-meter walk test, and the timed up & go test in children with spastic cerebral palsy.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between lower extremity muscle thickness and gait ability through the 10-meter walk and timed up and go tests. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 28 children (20 males and 8 females) with spastic cerebral palsy undergoing physical therapy at D hospital in D city, South Korea participated in this study. Partial correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between lower extremity muscle thickness and gait ability (10-meter walk test and timed up and go test).

Correlation among scapular asymmetry, neck pain, and neck disability index (NDI) in young women with slight neck pain.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the correlations among scapular asymmetry, neck pain, and neck disability index in women in their 20s with slight neck pain. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 60 female students at U university in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, participated in this study. The lateral scapular slide test, which measures the distance between the thorax and scapula, was used to analyze the scapular asymmetry.

The effect of an active vibration stimulus according to different shoulder joint angles on functional reach and stability of the shoulder joint.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of an active vibration stimulus exercise according to shoulder joint angles on functional reach and stability of the shoulder joint. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty healthy male students participated in this study. Upper limb length of each subject was measured to obtain normalized measurement values.