[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of adjusting the scapula into its ideal position through active scapular protraction on the muscle activation and function of the upper extremity. [Subjects] Twenty female college students aged 19–21 without any physical or functional disability were the subjects of this study. They had no history of injury to their upper extremities or hands. [Methods] After the initial measurements the experimental group was asked to perform active scapular protraction; then, their grip strength and muscle activation were measured again. Every action was maintained for 5 seconds and repeated 3 times. The mean values of the measurements were analyzed. A resting of 1 minute was given between each action. [Results] The results revealed a significant change in the experimental group’s grip strength after active scapular protraction had been performed. The surrounding muscles of the scapula, such as the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis and palmaris longus, showed significant changes in muscle activation after active scapular protraction. The muscles of the upper extremity also showed significant changes after active scapular protraction. [Conclusion] The adjustment of scapula into its ideal position through active scapular protraction increased the activations of the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint and improved the function of the upper extremity.

[Purpose] This research investigated the relationship between elbow joint angle and elbow flexor and extensor strength and activation, taking into consideration the length-tension tension curve of the muscle. [Subjects] There were 30 research subjects in total, 15 male and 15 female college students from Busan S University who had no functional disabilities that might affect measurement of muscle strength and muscle activation, and none had they experienced any damage in their upper extremities or hands. [Methods] The elbow joint angles were positioned at angles of 56°, 70° and 84°, and then muscle strength and activation were compared. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis, and the paired t-test was used to identify the difference between each angle. We used the SPSS for windows (ver. 21.0) statistical software and a significance level of α=0.05. [Results] The results showed that muscle strength and activation of the biceps was highest when the joint was placed at 56°. On the other hand, for the triceps, the result was highest when the joint angle was placed at 84°. [Conclusion] The tests confirmed that muscle strength and activation were highest at the joint angle at which the muscle was stretched to 20% more than the resting position in concentric contraction.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effects of combined exercise for a period of 12 weeks on the changes in lower extremity muscle activation during walking in older women. [Subjects] The subjects of this study were 22 elderly women who were 65 years of age or older and living in B-City. The subjects had no nervous system or muscular system diseases that might affect walking in the previous two years. [Methods] Muscle activation was measured by using surface EMG (QEMG-8, Laxtha, Daejeon, Republic of Korea). The subjects were asked to walk on an 8 m of footpath at a natural speed. In order to minimize the noise from the cable connecting the EMG measuring instrument to the electrodes, tape was used to affix the electrodes so that they would not fall off the subjects. The EMG data were analyzed by using the RMS. [Results] Muscle activation of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius was increased significantly after combined exercise for 12 weeks. However, no increase was observed in the left biceps femoris. [Conclusion] It was demonstrated that our exercise program, which includes aerobic walking exercises, senior-robics, and muscle strengthening exercises using elastic bands, is very effective for reorganizing the normal gait pattern in the cerebral cortex and improving muscle strength.

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Probody Massage Program on the physical characteristics, gross motor function and ROM (Range Of Motion) of children with cerebral palsy. Method : The subjects of this study were two children who have been diagnosed with first grade cerebral palsy that utilized T development support center located in B Metropolitan city for 8 weeks, twice a week, to carry out the Probody Massage Program for 30 minutes. Physiological reactions (height, weight, BMI, blood pressure (an index of inflammation), pulse rate) and large operating functions (sitting, crawling and the joints' range of motion as an angle of the shoulders' upper limb articulation) were measured pretest, after 4 weeks, and after 8 weeks.Results : The Probody Massage Program showed positive changes in physical characteristics (blood pressure, sitting, and crawling), gross motor function (upper limb shoulder movement), joint range of motion, height, body weight, metabolic activation and blood circulation of children with cerebral palsy. Conclusion : We believe making a practical impact on the growth and development, functional recovery of daily life, and improvement of quality of life of children with cerebral palsy by utilizing Probody Massage Program improves blood pressure (an index of inflammation), pulse, sitting, crawling, and the joints' range of motion as an angle of the shoulder joints' upper limb movement of children with cerebral palsy.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of indoor and outdoor exercise environments on bone mineral density and body composition in old women. A total of 26 old women were randomly divided into two groups: an indoor exercise group (IE, n=13) and an outdoor exercise group (OE, n=13). The exercise groups performed moderate exercise (HR max 50~70%; RPE 11-15) three times a week for 60 minutes over 20 weeks. After exercise training, bone mineral density was significantly improved in the OE group as compared with the IE group. Body fat mass was significantly decreased in the IE group. Weight, lean body mass, and body fat mass were significantly decreased in the OE group. Body mass index was significantly decreased in the outdoor exercise group as compared to the IE group. Our findings show that a 20-week program of outdoor exercise training improves bone mineral density and body composition in old women. As mentioned above, it has been found that engaging in an outdoor exercise program for 20 weeks has a positive effect on bone mineral density and body composition in old women. In conclusion, engaging in the outdoor exercise program, including aerobic and resistance exercises, for 20 weeks improved bone mineral density and inhibited bone loss in old women and had a positive influence on vitamin D levels, thereby potentially lowering the risk of osteoporosis.