The effects of a reciprocal hip exercise on trunk flexion angle and sit-to-stand time in participants with flat backs.

[Purpose] This study developed a reciprocal hip exercise using Thera-Band for those with flat lumbar spines and observed changes in standing and movement angles during sit-to-stand. [Participants and Methods] Eleven females participated in this study. The participants performed the reciprocal hip exercise using Thera-Band.

Comparison of the effects of pectoralis muscles stretching exercise and scapular retraction strengthening exercise on forward shoulder.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare effect in a group of stretching and a group of muscle strengthening exercise for patients with forward scapular posture. [Subjects and Methods] This study was performed in 20 subjects who defined to the forward shoulder posture. The subjects were divided into a group of pectoralis muscles stretching and a group of muscle strength exercise for scapular retraction.

Relationship between the thoracolumbar flexion angle and pelvic posterior movement during trunk flexion.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the linear relationship between the thoracolumbar flexion angle and hip posterior displacement. [Subjects and Methods] This study was performed on 15 subjects. The subjects performed three trials of a lumbar flexion-extension task.

Effects of thoracic posture correction exercises on scapular position.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thoracic extension exercise on scapular alignment and thoracic kyphosis angle. [Subjects and Methods] Ten subjects with a kyphosis angle ≥40° and aged between 20 and 26 years participated in this study. This study investigated the scapular forward distance and thoracic kyphosis angle before and after the thoracic extension exercise.

Use of a visual feedback-equipped reacher in reach-to-grasp movements.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using a visual feedback-equipped reacher when performing reach-to-grasp tasks. [Subjects and Methods] Seventeen healthy participants with no illnesses or physical disabilities were selected for this study. Activation of the flexor digitorum superficialis and extensor digitorum muscles was assessed using electromyography.

Changes in rectus abdominis and multifidus muscle activity during various leg-raising exercises in the supine position.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to compare the rectus abdominis and multifidus muscle activity and rectus abdominis/multifidus ratio ratios during various leg-raising exercises. [Subject and Methods] This study was conducted on 10 healthy males. Leg-raising exercises were performed in four different positions.

Comparison of a retraction exercise and passive scapular lifting for acute scapular medial pain.

[Purpose] This study developed an effective self-relaxation exercise for acute scapular medial pain and investigated its pain relief effects. [Subject and Methods] The subject was a 41-year-old male with scapular medial pain. During session 1, the subject performed a retraction exercise.

Effects of combined chest expansion and breathing exercises in a patient with sternal pain.

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of combined chest expansion and breathing exercises in a patient with sternal pain. [Subject and Methods] The study subject was a 36-year-old female employed as a babysitter who complained of sternal pain at the T1-4 level. The subject performed the combined chest expansion and breathing exercises.

Immediate effects of the trunk stabilizing exercise on static balance parameters in double-leg and one-leg stances.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of stabilizing exercise using the PNF technique on standing balance in one-leg and double-leg stances. [Subjects and Methods] The present study recruited 34 healthy participants from a local university. The Participants performed four balance tests (double-leg stance with and without vision, one-leg stance with and without vision), before and after exercise.

Effect of the different ages and visual display terminal use on repositioning and lumbar muscle activity during continuous sitting.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different ages and visual display terminal (VDT) use on repositioning and lumbar muscle activity during continuous sitting. [Subjects] Thirteen males two groups: 7 males in their 20s, 6 males in their 40s participated in this study. [Methods] The two groups watched a lecture in a seated position under different conditions.

Comparison of the thoracic flexion relaxation ratio and pressure pain threshold after overhead assembly work and below knee assembly work.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the thoracic flexion relaxation ratio following overhead work and below-knee work. [Subjects and Methods] Ten men (20-30 years) were recruited to this study. The thoracic flexion relaxation ratio and pressure pain threshold was measured after both overhead work and below-knee work.

Effects of using an unstable inclined board on active and passive ankle range of motion in patients with ankle stiffness.

[Purpose] The present study assessed the effects of using an unstable inclined board on the active and passive ankle range of motion in patients with ankle stiffness. [Subjects] The study included 10 young female patients with ankle stiffness. [Methods] The patients were divided into the following two groups: a group that performed ankle dorsiflexion stretching exercises using a wooden inclined board and a group that performed stretching exercises using an air-cushioned inclined board (unstable inclined board).

Comparison of isometric exercises for activating latissimus dorsi against the upper body weight.

Because there is little agreement as to which exercise is the most effective for activating the latissimus dorsi, and its intramuscular components are rarely compared, we investigated the intramuscular components of the latissimus dorsi during both trunk and shoulder exercises. Sixteen male subjects performed four isometric exercises: inverted row, body lifting, trunk extension, and trunk lateral bending. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to collect data from the medial and lateral components of the latissimus dorsi, lower trapezius, and the erector spinae at the 12th thoracic level during the isometric exercises.

Effects of hand and knee positions on muscular activity during trunk extension exercise with the Roman chair.

This experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of hand and knee positions on muscular activity during back extension exercises with the Roman chair. Eighteen asymptomatic male amateur athletes performed four prone back extension exercises with two hand positions (crossed-arms and behind-the-head), and two knee positions (extended knee and 90° flexed knee). Surface electromyography (sEMG) was performed to collect data from the lower trapezius (LT), latissimus dorsi (LD), erector spinae in the T12 paraspinal region (ES-T12), erector spinae at the L3 level (ES-L3), gluteus maximus (GM), and biceps femoris (BF).

Effects of the Ball-backrest Chair Combined with an Accelerometer on the Pain and Trunk Muscle Endurance of a Computer Worker with LBP.

[Purpose] This study examined the effects of a ball-backrest chair combined with an accelerometer on the pain and trunk muscle endurance of a computer worker with low-back pain (LBP). [Subject and Methods] A 36-year-old male with a flat back who complained of LBP at the L3-5 level was the subject. He used the ball-backrest chair when working at a computer for 1 week.

Differential activation of parts of the latissimus dorsi with various isometric shoulder exercises.

As no study has examined whether the branches of the latissimus dorsi are activated differently in different exercises, we investigated intramuscular differences of components of the latissimus dorsi during various shoulder isometric exercises. Seventeen male subjects performed four isometric exercises: shoulder extension, adduction, internal rotation, and shoulder depression. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to collect data from the medial and lateral components of the latissimus dorsi during the isometric exercises.

The relationship between the active cervical range of motion and changes in head and neck posture after continuous VDT work.

This study investigated the relationship between the active cervical range of motion (ROM) and changes in the head and neck posture after continuous visual display terminal (VDT) work. Twenty VDT workers were recruited from laboratories. The active cervical ROM of the participants was measured and videotaped to capture the craniocervical and cervicothoracic angles using a single video camera before and after VDT work.

Effects of the height of ball-backrest on head and shoulder posture and trunk muscle activity in VDT workers.

This study was designed to elucidate the effects of a ball-backrest at different heights on the head and shoulder posture and neck and trunk muscles of visual display terminal (VDT) workers who adopted a forward head posture when working at a VDT. Twenty-three VDT workers with forward head posture performed the keyboard typing work at a VDT without and with a ball-backrest at the L3, T10, and T4 levels. Surface electromyograms were recorded from the neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles, and the forward head angle and forward shoulder angle were analyzed using a 3-D motion analysis system.

Alterations in intracellular and extracellular activities of antioxidant enzymes during suspension culture of sweetpotato.

Cultured plant cells are a good system for the study of antioxidant mechanisms and for the mass production of antioxidants, because they can be grown under conditions of high oxidative stress. Alterations in the intracellular and extracellular activities of three antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), guaiacol-type peroxidase (POD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), were investigated in suspension cultures of sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) during cell growth. Intracellular SOD activities (units/mg protein) at 15 days after subculture (DAS) and 30 DAS were 10 and 20 times higher, respectively, compared with the SOD activity at 1 DAS, whereas intracellular specific POD and GPX activities did not significantly increase until after 15 DAS, when they rapidly increased.