Hokkaido University · Medicine
Professor Mina Samukawa's research lab specializes in human movement science, focusing on the biomechanical and physiological effects of stretching, postural control, and musculoskeletal health. The lab investigates the application of artificial intelligence in gait analysis, particularly using pose estimation to assess movement accuracy and waveform similarity. Key research directions include the impact of different stretching protocols—such as constant torque and intermittent vs. continuous stretching—on muscle-tendon complex properties, flexibility, and joint range of motion. Additionally, the lab explores the influence of low energy availability on bone health in young female athletes, emphasizing the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and skeletal integrity.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Accuracy validation of gait analysis using pose estimation with artificial intelligence (AI) remains inadequate, particularly in objective assessments of absolute error and similarity of waveform patterns. This study aimed to clarify objective measures for absolute error and waveform pattern similarity in gait analysis using pose estimation AI (OpenPose). Additionally, we investigated the feasibility of simultaneous measuring both lower limbs using a single camera from one side. We compared moti
Oba, K, Samukawa, M, Nakamura, K, Mikami, K, Suzumori, Y, Ishida, Y, Keeler, N, Saitoh, H, Yamanaka, M, and Tohyama, H. Influence of constant torque stretching at different stretching intensities on flexibility and mechanical properties of plantar flexors. J Strength Cond Res 35(3): 709-714, 2021-The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of constant torque stretching (CTS) at different stretching intensities on the maximal range of motion (ROM) and muscle-tendon unit (MTU) stiffness o
The different effects of intermittent and continuous stretching on the mechanical properties of the musculotendinous complex have been unclear. This study aimed to compare the effects of intermittent and continuous stretching for the same duration on the range of motion (ROM), passive resistive torque (PRT), and musculotendinous stiffness (MTS) of ankle plantar flexors. Eighteen healthy young men participated in the study. Intermittent (four sets × 30 s) and continuous stretching (one set × 120
The purpose of this study was to determine how the application of static stretching to ankle plantar flexors affects postural control during maximum forward leaning. Twenty-six volunteer males (age 21.4 ± 1.2 years) were randomly assigned to stretching and control conditions. Participants conducted 5-min stretching on a stretch board for the stretching condition and were kept standing for 6-min for the control condition. Before and after intervention, the range of motion (ROM) at ankle dorsiflex
The influence of low energy availability (LEA) on bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone microarchitecture in pubescent female athletes is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the influence of LEA on BMD and trabecular bone microarchitecture in 21 pubescent female athletes (age, 12−15 years; 11 track and field athletes, 10 gymnasts). We used two indices to assess LEA: energy availability and the percent of ideal body weight. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to obtain total b
The amount of tibial rotation is greater in ACL ruptured knees than in uninjured knees, and these greater amounts of tibial rotation affected the figure-of-eight running index.
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