Ji-Woong Noh

A Pilot Study on the Effect of Functional Electrical Stimulation of Stroke Patients in a Sitting Position on Balance and Activities of Daily Living

[Purpose] This study investigated the effect of functional electrical stimulation (FES) of stroke patients in a sitting position on balance and activities of daily living. [Methods] FES was applied to stroke patients (six male, three female) while in a sitting and supine position. FES was applied six times for 30 minutes each for a total of six weeks. [Results] The timed up and go (TUG) values at weeks 2, 4, and 6 after FES treatment in a sitting position were noticeably decreased in a time-dependent manner, compared with controls. In the sitting, the functional reach test (FRT) values were significantly increased in a time-dependent manner. The same values in the supine position weakly showed a similar pattern to those in the sitting position. Furthermore, the functional independent measurement (FIM) values in the sitting position were markedly increased in a time-dependent manner. In the sitting position, the intensity of FES was markedly decreased in a time-dependent manner. The same values in the supine position weakly showed a similar pattern to those in the sitting position. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the conditions of stroke patients in both the sitting and supine positions after FES treatment were improved and that FES had a greater effect in the sitting position.

A Review of Signal Transduction of Endothelin-1 and Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase-related Pain for Nanophysiotherapy

[Purpose] An understanding of pain is very important in the study of nanophysiotherapy. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of endothelin-1 (ET-1)- and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-related pain, and suggest their applications in pain physiotherapy. [Method] This review focuses on the signal transduction of pain and its mechanisms. [Results] Our reviews show that mechanisms of ET-1- and MAPK-related pain exist. [Conclusions] In this review article, we carefully discuss the signal transduction in ET-1- and MAPK-related pain with reference to pain nanophysiotherapy from the perspective of nanoparticle-associated signal transduction.

Analysis of combat sports players' injuries according to playing style for sports physiotherapy research.

[Purpose] This study describes the characteristics of injuries in strike and non-strike combat sports, and the results are intended for use in the area of sports physiotherapy research. [Subjects and Methods] The study was conducted on 159 athletes involved in a variety of combat sports. The participants included elite college players of the following sports: judo (47), ssireum (19), wrestling (13), kendo (30), boxing (16), and taekwondo (34). Of the participants, 133 were male and 26 were female. In the case of ssireum and boxing, all of the athletes were male. [Results] In the case of the combat sports, the types of injury and injured regions differed according to playing style. Dislocation and injuries to the neck, shoulders, and elbows were more frequent in the non-strike sports, while injuries to the wrists and hands were more frequent in the strike sports. There was a high incidence of sprains, strains, bruises, and injuries to the lower limbs in both groups. [Conclusion] We suggest that the characteristics of injuries in combat sports differ according to playing style, and our study will therefore provide physical therapists and researchers with information that can be used to prevent injury.

Effects of conventional overground gait training and a gait trainer with partial body weight support on spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients after stroke

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of both conventional overground gait training (CGT) and a gait trainer with partial body weight support (GTBWS) on spatiotemporal gait parameters of patients with hemiparesis following chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty stroke patients were alternately assigned to one of two treatment groups, and both groups underwent CGT and GTBWS. [Results] The functional ambulation classification on the affected side improved significantly in the CGT and GTBWS groups. Walking speed also improved significantly in both groups. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the GTBWS in company with CGT may be, in part, an effective method of gait training for restoring gait ability in patients after a stroke.

Somatotype analysis of Korean wrestling athletes compared with non-athletes for sports health sciences

The purpose of this study was to show somatotype and physical characteristic differences between ssireum athletes and non-athletes. Differences between weight divisions were also examined. In this study, we first observed 32 elite and professional ssireum athletes and 15 non-athletes. The participants were measured with the modified somatotype method of Heath-Carter, resulting in three kinds of somatotype (endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph) and a balanced type (central type). The non-athletes consisted of 2 endomorphic, 3 mesomorphic, 5 ectomorphic, and 5 central types. The ssireum athletes consisted of 30 mesomorphs and 2 endomorphs. Subdividing the athletes’ somatotypes resulted in 23 endomorphic mesomorphs, 6 mesomorph-endomorphs, 2 mesomorphic endomorphs, and 1 balanced mesomorph, respectively. Ssireum athletes had higher weights, body mass index, and endomorphic and mesomorphic component values than did the non-athletes. However, the ectomorphic component in the athletes was lower than in the non-athletes. Furthermore, a higher weight division was positively correlated with a higher body mass index and endomorphic and mesomorphic components, but negatively correlated with the ectomorphic component. Our study provides in part physical characteristics of ssireum athletes to establish a reference for the studying sports health sciences.

Somatotype analysis of elite Taekwondo athletes compared to non-athletes for sports health sciences

The purpose of this study was to show somatotype and physical characteristic differences between elite taekwondo (TKD) athletes and non-athletes. Differences between weight divisions for Gyorugi and Poomsae athletes were also examined. In this study, we first observed 51 elite TKD athletes and 30 non-athletes. The participants were measured with the modified somatotype method of Heath-Carter, resulting in three kinds of somatotypes (endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph) and a balanced type (central type). The non-athletes consisted of eight endomorphic, eight mesomorphic, seven ectomorphic, and seven central types. The TKD athletes consisted of 26 ectomorphic, 14 mesomorphic, six central type, and four endomorphs. Subdividing the Gyorugi athletes somatotypes resulted in seven mesomorphectomorph, five balanced ectomorph, four mesomorphic ectomorph, four endomorphic ectomorph, three central types, two endomorphic mesomorph, two ectomorphic mesomorph, two balanced endomorph, one mesomorphic endomorph, and one mesomorphendomorph, And poomse athletes resulted in four balanced ectomorph, four balanced mesomorph, three central type, three mesomorph-endomorph, two endomorphic ectomorph, one mesomorph-ectomorph, one mesomorphic ectomorph, one endomorphic mesomorph, and one balanced endomorph, respectively. TKD athletes had tall, higher ectomorphic component values than the non-athletes. However, the athletes’ endomorphic and mesomorphic components were lower than in the non-athletes. Furthermore, Gyorugi athletes are taller and more frequently ectomorphic than Poomsae athletes. A lower weight division in Gyorugi athletes was positively correlated with a higher ectomorphic component, but negatively correlated with the endomorphic and mesomorphic components. The −80 kg class had the highest mesomorphic component value and the lowest endomorphic component value. Our study provides, in part, physical characteristics of TKD athletes to establish a reference for the study of sports health sciences.

Somatotype Analysis of Elite Boxing Athletes Compared with Nonathletes for Sports Physiotherapy

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to show somatotype and physical characteristic differences between elite boxing athletes and non-athletes. [Methods] The somatotypes of 23 elite boxing athletes and 23 nonathletes were measured with the Heath-Carter method. The subjects were divided into four weight divisions as follows: lightweight, light middleweight, middleweight, and heavyweight class. [Results] The endomorphic component values of the boxing athletes were lower than those of the nonathletes. However, the mesomorphic component values of the boxing athletes were higher than those of the nonathletes. There was no significant difference in the ectomorphic component between the two groups. The higher weight divisions tended to have higher values of height, weight, and BMI than the lower weight divisions. The higher weight divisions also tended to have higher values for the endomorphic and mesomorphic components and a lower value for the ectomorphic component than the lower weight divisions. The group of nonathletes consisted of eight endomorphs, four mesomorphs, six ectomorphs, and five central types. Among the boxing athletes, there were 16 mesomorphic, four ectomorphic, and two central types and one endomorphic type. Subdividing the athletes into 13 somatotypes resulted in five balanced mesomorphs, five endomorphic mesomorphs, five mesomorph-ectomorphs, three mesomorph-endomorphs, two mesomorphic ectomorphs, two central types, and one ectomorphic mesomorph type. [Conclusion] The data from this study provides in part physical characteristics of elite boxing athletes that can be used to establish a reference for systemic study of sports physiotherapy.

The effects of a progressive resistance training program on walking ability in patients after stroke: a pilot study

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a progressive resistance training (PRT) program on the walking ability of chronic stroke patients with hemiparesis following chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] The participants of this study were fifteen hemiplegic patients. The main outcomes measured for this study were the peak torque of the knee extensor; the gait ability as measured by electric gait analysis of walking speed, walking cycle, affected side stance phase, affected side stride length, symmetry index of stance phase, and symmetry index of stride length; and 10-m walking speed; and the Berg balance scale test. [Results] Walking speed and affected side stride length significantly increased after the PRT program, and 10-m walking time significantly decreased after RPT in stroke patients. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the progressive resistance training program may, in part, improve the stride of the affected side leg of stroke patients after stroke and also positively impact walking speed.

A Pilot Study on Pain and the Upregulation of Myoglobin through Low-frequency and High-amplitude Electrical Stimulation-induced Muscle Contraction

[Purpose] It is well known that, in both in vivo and in vitro tests, muscle fatigue is produced by severe exercise, electrical stimulation, and so on. However, it is not clear whether or not low-frequency and high-amplitude modulation specifically affects serum myoglobin or urine myoglobin. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of low-frequency and high-amplitude modulation on serum myoglobin and urine myoglobin. [Methods] The study used whole blood samples and urine produced over 24 hours from the thirteen healthy subjects. [Results] There was a significant increase in serum myoglobin following electrical stimulation at a frequency of 10 Hz compared with the control group. Furthermore, within 24 hours, urine myoglobin also showed a significant increase for the test volunteers subjected to electrical stimulation at the 10 Hz frequency compared with the control group. However, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of hematologic results in subjects treated with electrical stimulation. [Conclusion] These results suggest that increased myoglobin related to muscle fatigue from electrical stimulation, particularly with a current of 10 Hz combined with a high-amplitude, may be partially related to increased muscle damage.

A review of deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt hypertension and its relevance for cardiovascular physiotherapy research

[Purpose] The purpose of this review was to elucidate the deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt-related hypertensive mechanism and to contribute to future studies of cardiovascular physiotherapy. [Methods] This paper focuses on the signal transductions that control hypertension and its mechanisms. We include results reported by our laboratory in a literature review. [Results] Our results and the literature show the various mechanisms of DOCA-salt hypertension. [Conclusion] In this review paper, we carefully discuss the signal transduction in hypertension based on our studies and with reference to cardiovascular physiotherapy research.