Optimal cut-off values of the active knee extension test for diagnosing hamstring tightness.

Background: Active knee extension (AKE) is widely used to assess hamstring length, and an 'AKE >20°' is often used as the criterion for diagnosing tightness. However, the scientific evidence for this is unclear.

Objective: This study measured and analysed AKE according to sex in two groups with different exercise participation levels to identify the appropriateness of current criteria.

Effects of high-intensity interval robot-assisted gait training on cardiopulmonary function and walking ability in chronic stroke survivors: A multicenter single-blind randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic stroke can impair cardiopulmonary function, mobility, and daily activities. This study assessed the impact of robot-assisted gait training (RAGT) on such impairments.

Objective: To investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training on cardiopulmonary function, walking ability, lower extremity function and strength, activities of daily living (ADLs), and blood test results among individuals with chronic stroke.

The test-induced warm-up effect on hamstring flexibility tests.

Background: Although the effect of active warm-up (WU) on acute flexibility enhancement is well documented, the test-induced WU effect in muscle length test has not been widely studied.

Objective: This study aimed to verify the test-induced WU effect on hamstring flexibility tests.

Methods: The active knee extension (AKE) was performed using the right leg, whereas the straight leg raise (SLR) was performed using the left leg.

Joint position sense error in the hip and knee without reference to the joint angle.

Background: Joint position reproduction measures the angle acuity of reference angle reproduction using an indicator angle. However, reference angles are often not available.

Objective: This study aimed to examine joint position sense at three different targeted joint angles, which were estimated from the maximum range of motion (maxROM) without a reference angle at each targeted joint angle.

Effect of PNF stretching performed in the AKE position on hip, knee, and ankle flexibility.

Background: To measure hamstring flexibility, the active knee extension (AKE) test is preferred over the straight leg raise (SLR) test as it can be used to measure hamstring flexibility more selectively. However, hamstring stretching is primarily conducted in the SLR position (maximal hip flexion in the supine position) as it allows for maximal hip flexion in the supine position.

Objective: This study evaluates the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching in the AKE position (maximal knee extension with 90∘ flexion of the hip in the supine position) on hip, knee, and ankle flexibility.

Comparison of muscle activity of hamstrings as knee flexors and hip extensors and effect of tibial and hip rotation on the contribution of hamstrings.

Background: Limited studies have compared the muscle activity of the medial and lateral hamstrings as knee flexors with tibial internal and external rotation and hip extensors with hip internal and external rotation. In particular, hamstring activity during hip extension with hip rotation has rarely been investigated.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the muscle activity of the medial and lateral hamstrings as knee flexors and hip extensors and to compare the activity of these muscles according to tibial rotation during isometric knee flexion and hip rotation during isometric hip extension.

Concurrent and Angle-Trajectory Validity and Intra-Trial Reliability of a Novel Multi-View Image-Based Motion Analysis System.

Sports-related injuries are the most common in the lower extremities among physical regions. To evaluate impaired functional performance in sports training facilities and sports, a marker-less motion analysis system that can measure joint kinematics in bright indoor and outdoor environments is required. The aim of this study was to establish the concurrent and angle-trajectory validity and intra-trial reliability of a novel multi-view image-based motion analysis system with marker-less pose estimation during lower extremity tasks in healthy young men.

Acute effect of diagonal stretching using the posterior oblique sling system on contralateral ankle dorsiflexion.

Background: A significant increase in the dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) after calf muscle stretching has been widely studied. However, it has been shown that the upper body is connected to the ankle joint by passive connective tissues.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of upper-back stretching on the mobility of the contralateral ankle.

Effects of hip rotation on the electromyographic activity of the medial and lateral hamstrings and muscle force.

Background: In clinical practice, knee flexion at the prone position for manual muscle testing of hamstrings and hip extension at the supine position for stretching of hamstring muscles are typically proposed.

Objective: Although different positions have been proposed for different purposes in hamstrings, the understanding of the changing the functional role of hamstrings with position changes is poorly understood.

Methods: The electromyographic (EMG) activity and hip extension force were compared among different postures; hip neutral, internal, and external rotation.

Effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching at low-intensities with standing toe touch on developing and maintaining hamstring flexibility.

Background: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching at low intensities has been rarely investigated. Previous studies have shown that hamstring flexibility after stretching is only temporary.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low intensities (40% and 10% of maximum voluntary isometric contraction, MVIC) of PNF stretching on hamstring muscles and to assess the effect of standing toe touch on the duration of hamstring flexibility.

Effects of upper-extremity movements on electromyographic activities of selected trunk muscles during leaning forward.

Background: Leaning forward has been accepted as a foundational approach to facilitate trunk-stabilizing muscles in the abdominal and lumbopelvic regions for patients with back pain during rehabilitation. However, how trunk muscles are activated and recruited during leaning forward performed under dynamic upper-extremity motion conditions is not completely understood.

Objective: To determine whether activation of selected trunk muscles changes depending on shoulder movements during leaning forward exercise in healthy young adults.

Easy method for measuring stretching intensities in real clinical settings and effects of different stretching intensities on flexibility.

Background: Flexibility changes according to stretching intensity have been rarely investigated. I aimed to assess the effect of different stretching intensities on hamstring flexibility by measuring them in a setting similar to real clinical settings.

Methods: Stretching intensities were quantified using an easy method, and participants were grouped according to intensity: 100% (P100), 70% (P70), 40% (P40), and 10% (P10) of maximum voluntary isometric contraction.

Optimal intensity of PNF stretching: maintaining the efficacy of stretching while ensuring its safety.

[Purpose] To investigate changes in hamstring flexibility in relation to intensity of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching and changes in pain over time, and examine the correlations between pain level and target intensity or flexibility gain. [Participants and Methods] Sixty-one healthy adults were randomly divided into 4 groups (100% [P100], 70% [P70], 40% [P40], and 10% [P10] of maximum voluntary isometric contraction) according to intensity of hold-relax stretching. Hamstring flexibility was measured with the active knee extension test, and pain was measured using the visual analogue scale.

Brain tumors disrupt the resting-state connectome.

Brain tumor patients often experience functional deficits that extend beyond the tumor site. While resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) has been used to map such functional connectivity changes in brain tumor patients, the interplay between abnormal tumor vasculature and the rsfMRI signal is still not well understood. Therefore, there is an exigent need for new tools to elucidate how the blood‑oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) rsfMRI signal is modulated in brain cancer.

The efficacy of virtual reality assisted versus traditional rehabilitation intervention on individuals with functional ankle instability: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) training, a virtual environment commonly generated by computer systems, may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of functional rehabilitation programmes. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a VR assisted intervention (VRAI) versus traditional rehabilitation intervention (TRI) on functional ankle instability (FAI).

Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted with 10 subjects for each group.

No significant correlation between the intensity of static stretching and subject's perception of pain.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine whether the intensity of static stretching measured quantitatively is related to subjects' perception of pain. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-eight participants were recruited. Static stretching was performed once for 30 seconds while maintaining the knee at 0° flexion and was continued to the point where pain was recognized.

A 380pW Dual Mode Optical Wake-up Receiver with Ambient Noise Cancellation.

We present a sub-nW optical wake-up receiver for wireless sensor nodes. The wake-up receiver supports dual mode operation for both ultra-low standby power and high data rates, while canceling ambient in-band noise. In 0.

Energy Harvesting for GaAs Photovoltaics Under Low-Flux Indoor Lighting Conditions.

GaAs photovoltaics are promising candidates for indoor energy harvesting to power small-scale (≈1 mm) electronics. This application has stringent requirements on dark current, recombination, and shunt leakage paths due to low-light conditions and small device dimensions. The power conversion efficiency and the limiting mechanisms in GaAs photovoltaic cells under indoor lighting conditions are studied experimentally.

Hindlimb muscle morphology and function in a new atrophy model combining spinal cord injury and cast immobilization.

Contusion spinal cord injury (SCI) animal models are used to study loss of muscle function and mass. However, parallels to the human condition typically have been confounded by spontaneous recovery observed within the first few post-injury weeks, partly because of free cage activity. We implemented a new rat model combining SCI with cast immobilization (IMM) to more closely reproduce the unloading conditions experienced by SCI patients.

Silk amino acids improve physical stamina and male reproductive function of mice.

The effects of a silk amino acid (SAA) preparation on the physical stamina and male reproductive function of mice were investigated. Eight-week-old male ICR mice (29-31 g) were orally administered SAA (50, 160 or 500 mg/kg) for 44 d during 30-min daily swimming exercise. The mice were subjected to a weight-loaded (5% of body weight) forced swimming on the 14th, 28th and 42nd day to determine maximum swimming time, and after a 2-d recovery period (treated with SAA without swimming exercise), parameters related to fatigue and reproductive function were analyzed from blood, muscles and reproductive organs.