Analysis of the ratios of medial-lateral and proximal-distal muscle activities surrounding the hip joint in the step-up and step-down positions.

Background: Many practitioners recommend step-up and step-down exercises to increase muscle strength in the lower extremities. However, decreased stability of the hip joint and imbalanced muscle activities can alter limb biomechanics during these movements.

Objective: This study investigated muscle imbalance between the medial and lateral muscle components and between the proximal and distal muscle components by expressing the proportions of muscle activation in the step-up and step-down positions.

Effects of breathing exercises on resting metabolic rate and maximal oxygen uptake.

[Purpose] The aim of the present study is to examine effects of diaphragm breathing exercise and feedback breathing exercise on maximal oxygen uptake and resting metabolic rate. [Participants and Methods] Thirty-eight healthy participants were randomly assigned to two groups; the diaphragm breathing exercise group and the feedback breathing exercise group. The diaphragm breathing exercise group was asked to perform diaphragm respiration, and the feedback breathing exercise group was asked to breathe with feedback breathing device.

Effect of ankle proprioceptive exercise on static and dynamic balance in normal adults.

[Purpose] The present study was conducted to investigate whether ankle proprioceptive exercise affects static and dynamic balance in normal adults. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight normal adults were recruited to measure their static and dynamic balancing before and after the proprioceptive exercise. A subject stood with bare feet on the round supporting platform of the device for measuring balance, and the investigator entered the age and the height of the subjects and set his/her feet on the central point of the monitor screen.

Effects of diaphragm breathing exercise and feedback breathing exercise on pulmonary function in healthy adults.

[Purpose] The present study investigated effects of diaphragm breathing exercise and feedback breathing exercise on respiratory function. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty-one subjects were randomly assigned to two groups; the feedback breathing exercise group and the maneuver-diaphragm exercise group. The feedback breathing exercise group was asked to breathe with feedback breathing device, and the maneuver-diaphragm exercise group was asked to perform diaphragm respiration.

Analysis of vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique muscle activation during squat exercise with and without a variety of tools in normal adults.

[Purpose] The present study investigated the effects of squat exercises with and without a variety of tools including a gym ball, wedge, and elastic band on the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique muscles. [Subjects and Methods] A total of twenty healthy subjects with no history of neurological, musculoskeletal injury, or pain in the lower extremities were recruited. All subjects performed four types of exercise (conventional squat exercise, squat exercise with a gym ball, squat exercise with a wedge, squat exercise with an elastic band).

The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of lower extremity muscle strength assessment of healthy adults using a hand held dynamometer.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of lower extremity muscle strength assessment of healthy adults using hand held dynamometer. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 55 students (19 males and 36 females) in Y University in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea participated in this study. Lower extremity muscle strength was measured using a hand-held dynamometer (Commander Muscle Tester, JTech, USA).

Changes in the activity of the muscles surrounding the neck according to the angles of movement of the neck in adults in their 20s.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine changes in the muscle activity around the neck according to the neck movement angle during neck flexion and extension. [Subjects and Methods] Activities of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), splenius capitis and splenius cervicis muscles, upper trapezius muscle, and middle trapezius muscle during flexion and extension were assessed in 24 college students. [Results] SCM muscle activation significantly increased at every angle during flexion and extension.

Relationship between the Application of TENS to the Lower Limbs and Balance of Healthy Subjects.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of TENS applied to the skin overlying the bellies of the gastrocnemius muscles of the lower limbs on balance and plantar pressure of healthy adults. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-eight healthy college students were the subjects of this study. Adhesive transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) electrodes were attached to the medial and lateral belly of the gastrocnemius muscle.