• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.393-398
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation patterns of lower extremities in stroke patients during stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions by surface electromyography (EMG). Methods: Subjects included 19 hemiplegic patients comprehensive rehabilitation center for inpatients with stroke. Surface EMG was used to measure the subjects' medial gastrocnemius (GCM), tibialis anterior (TA), biceps femoris (BF), and rectus femoris (RF) activity as they took six steps during stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions. Results: There was no significant difference in the BF or RF muscle activity for the stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions. However, there were significant differences in the medial GCM and TA muscle activity between each condition on the patients' hemiplegic side(p<0.05). There was significant difference in the medial GCM, TA, RF, and BF muscle activity between each condition on the patients' non-hemiplegic side (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result, the overall muscle activity during the level-ground gait was higher than the stair-up condition, and the muscle activity during the stair-up condition was higher than the muscle activity during the stepper climbing condition. As one of the many methods used for gait training, we suggest that the stepper exercise could be applied at an earlier stage in the gait training process.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.35-40
• /
• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of iron supplementation on iron-deficiency-related indices, oxidative stress and antioxidative enzyme activity in female marathoners. Fourteen teenage female marathoners participated in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups: mild anemic and control, depending on their hemoglobin (Hb) level. The mild anemic group had significantly lower RBC count and hematocrit (Hct) and Hb levels compared to the control group. The mild anemic group (〈12.5g Hb/dI, n=7) was given iron supplements (60mg Fe/day) for four weeks during the summer training period. RBC count, Hct and Hb levels showed an increasing tendency through iron supplementation, and significant differences in these variables between the anemic and control groups disappeared in the post-period. There was no difference in plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) between the anemic and control groups. However, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity were significantly higher in the anemic group. The significant difference in enzyme activity between the groups disappeared in the post-period. In addition, superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased after iron supplementation. In conclusion, antioxidative enzyme activity was up-regulated in an anemic condition and mild iron supplementation decreased the antioxidant enzyme activity of female marathoners while improving their anemic condition.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1975-1980
• /
• 2020

Background: It has been argued that changes in muscle activity in the upper trapezius and serratus anterior may or may not cause shoulder joint pain and dysfunction. Objective: To investigate the effects of active vibration exercise on muscle activity regarding scapular stabilization using a flexi-bar. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were randomly assigned to a flexi-bar group with active vibration and general stick group with non-active vibration. Both groups performed the same four action programs for 6 weeks, three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. The upper trapezius muscle, middle trapezius muscle, lower trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle of the dominant side was measured by electromyography before and after the 6 weeks of exercise. The independent t-test and paired t-test were used to analyze data. Results: There was a significant difference between groups in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity after exercise (P<.05). Also, there was a significant difference in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity before and after exercise in the flexi-bar group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that active vibration exercise using a flexi-Bar contribute to reduce the activity of the upper trapezius muscle and promote the activity of the serratus anterior muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.394-399
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of lower rib cage lateral expansion limitation on the maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures and on abdominal muscle activity during maximal respiratory breathing in healthy subjects. Methods: Fifteen healthy male subjects voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. During maximal breathing, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures were measured, and abdominal muscle activity was determined with using surface electromyography. Also, the measurement was repeated with using a non-elastic belt to the lower rib cage for limiting of lateral expansion. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed for obtaining the statistical difference with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The findings of this study are as follows: 1) There were no significant differences in maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure with and without lower rib cage lateral expansion (p>0.05), 2) There was no significant difference in abdominal muscle activity during the maximal inspiratory phase (p>0.05). However, right external oblique muscle activity decreased significantly during maximum exhalation with lower rib expansion limitation (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that a non-elastic belt was effective in decreasing right external oblique muscle activity during forced expiratory breathing in healthy subjects.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the arm extension pattern of proprioceptive exercise program on the muscle activity of the opposite lower extremity. Methods: In this study, electromyogram MP150(Biopac system, USA) was applied to 20 healthy male subjects. Arm extension-adduction-internal rotation pattern was applied within initial, mid and end range in sling position and supine position for measurement. And the effect on the activity of rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscle of the opposite lower extremity was compared and analyzed. Results: The results of this study were summarized as follows: First, there was a statistically significant difference of the activity of the tibialis anterior muscle within the Initial range in sling position and supine position(P<0.05). Second, there was a statistically significant difference of the activity of the tibialis anterior muscle within the end range in sling position and supine position(P<0.05). Conclusion: Rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles shows the higher activity in the supine position than in the sling position. Therefore, the supine position is more appropriate than the sling position to make irradiation on lower extremity muscle with the extension pattern.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.312-316
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a kettlebell complex program according to the support surface on the lower extremity muscle activity and balance of baseball players. Methods: The participants were divided into two groups; unstable support surface group 1 (11 people) performed the kettlebell complex program on an unstable support surface, and stable support surface group 2 (10 people) performed the kettlebell complex program on a stable support surface. Muscle activity was measured by surface electromyography. Dynamic balance was measured with a balance-measuring equipment. A paired t-test was used to compare groups before and after the experiment. An independent t-test was performed to determine the difference in the degree of change between the two groups before and after the experiment. Results: The intragroup comparison between stable support surface group 1 and 2 showed significant differences in muscle activity and sense of balance. In the comparison between the groups, the difference in muscle activity in unstable support surface group1 was significant in the biceps femoris and rectus femoris muscles, and significant differences were also found in the sense of balance. Conclusion: These results suggest that a kettlebell exercise on an unstable support surface is more effective in improving muscle activity and sense of balance than a kettlebell exercise on a stable support surface.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.598-603
• /
• 2022

Objective: About one-third of college students are exposed to stress to the point that their academic performance is negatively affected. To provide useful information for managing the mental health of young people by analyzing the perceived stress level, depression level, and life satisfaction according to the amount of physical activity and the level of muscular strength in male college students. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Among 304 students who participated in the health exercise class at Sahmyook University in Seoul, the amount of physical activity and the level of muscular strength were divided into 3 quartiles, respectively, and the perceived stress level, depression level, and life satisfaction were analyzed through one-way ANOVA. The physical activity level and muscle strength level of the subjects were ranked, divided into 3 groups, and the difference in variables according to the group was verified. Results: There was no difference in perceived stress level, depression level, and life satisfaction according to the amount of physical activity, but statistically significant differences were shown in perceived stress scale(p=0.008) and life satisfaction(p=0.030) according to muscular strength. Conclusions: Policies to increase physical activity are important to improve and manage the mental health of young people, but it is judged to be more meaningful to provide an environment that can improve muscular strength.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.115-121
• /
• 1974

In order to evaluate the health hazard due to exposure to organophosphorus insecticides, we measured the blood cholinesterase activity ana urinary para-nitrophenol among 56 exposed subjects. They are orchard workers, rice plant workers and smithion factory workers. The clinical symptoms were also checked by physicians. We also measured the blood cholinesterase activity and urinary para-nitrophenol excretion of 20 urban people and 15 rural people who had never been exposed to organophosphorus insecticides in order to compare them according to age, sex and geographical differences. And these results were also compared with those of exposed groups. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The normal plasma cholinesterase activity and cell cholinestrase activity were $0.861{\pm}0.148\;{\Delta}pH/hr$ and $0.822{\pm}0.154\;{\Delta}pH/hr$. And normal para-nitrophenol in urine was $1.21{\pm}0.52mg/liter$. 2. No significant difference was existed in blood cholinesterase activities and urinary para-nitrophenol excre tion according to sex, age and geographical difference. 3. The plasma cholinesterase activity and cell cholinesterase activity of orchard workers, rice plant workers and smithion factory workers were $0.682{\pm}0.189\;{\Delta}pH/hr,\;0.775{\pm}0.160\;{\Delta}pH/hr,\;0.754{\pm}0.123\;{\Delta}pH/hr,\;and\;0.691{\pm}0.082\;{\Delta}pH/hr,\;0.756{\pm}0.117\;{\Delta}pH/hr,\;0.739{\pm}0.117\;{\Delta}pH/hr$. And significant decreses in blood cholinesterase activities were existed among orchard workers and smithion factory workers compared with control group. 4, The urinary para-nitrophenol excretions of orchard workers, rice plant workers and smithion factory workers were $1.33{\pm}0.66mg/liter,\;1.19{\pm}0.88mg/liter\;and\;1.37{\pm}0.67mg/liter$ and there were no significant difference between exposed groups and control group. 5. The clinical symptoms complained during and after organophosphorus insecticides exposure were frequently ranked by headache (67.7%) and vertigo (64.5%) and muscular ataxia and weakness (51.6%).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the trunk muscle activity according to the direction of upper extremity lifting using elastic band. METHODS: Thirty three healthy individuals participated in this study. Each subject performed upper extremity lifting using elastic band on two different directions (straight and diagonal). And then we compared the muscle activity of respective trunk muscles of both directions. In order to examine the muscle activity of trunk muscle, we used the electromyogram to measure peak and mean torque in shoulder 90 degree flexion with sitting position. Electromyographic activities were recorded from the external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and erector spine muscles during upper extremity lifting. RESULTS: As a result, first, there was significant difference between two directions. The muscle activity of ipsilateral external oblique and contralateral internal oblique is significantly increased in both straight and diagonal directions (p<0.05). Second, the muscle activities of external oblique and internal oblique of both side showed significant difference in diagonal direction (p<0.05). Third, the muscle activity of erector spine of both side showed significant difference in straight direction (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Through this study, it is important that implement diagonal direction exercise at sitting positions to help increasing muscle activity of ipsilateral external oblique and contralateral internal oblique on patients when activating the trunk muscle or stabilizing the trunk.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.327-339
• /
• 1997

This study aimed at evaluating tile relationship between pressure pain threshold(PPT) and electromyographic(EMG) activity in 30 healthy volunteers and 30 patients with temporomandibular disorders. PPTs were determined with electric pressure algometry over masseter, temporalis anterior, sternocleidomastoid, and trapezius muscle during resting and clenching. To obtain more reliable result, two examiners measured PPTs two times on each muscles, randomly. Resting and clenching EMG activity and tenderness of all muscles were measured to evaluate the relationship with PPTs. The collected data were processed by SAS/STAT program. The obtained results were as follows : 1. Pressure pain thresholds in tendered muscles were lower than those in non-tendered muscles. This tendency was more prominant in masticatory muscles than in cervical muscles and in clenching than in resting. 2. There ware a tendency of higher PPTs in unaffected side than in affected side, but there were no significant difference statistically. 3. There wert no difference of PPTs between in preferred side and in ipsilateral side, significantly. 4. There was a significantly positive correlation between resting and clenching PPTs, but there were no correlation between PPTs and EMG activities. 5. Comparison of EMG activity between in higher group and in lower group by resting PPTs didn't show any significant difference. But resting EMG activity in the higher group of clenching PPTs were lower, on the contrary, clenching activity were higher than those in lower groups of clenching PPTs. From this results, the author concluded that the clenching PPTs was more important than resting PPTs in diagnosis of muscle dysfunction. And the author recommanded that all of three following test were performed for the proper diagnosis and treatment of orofacial Pain : muscle tenderness, EMG activity, and PPT.