• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.65-72
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study assessed the influence of bilateral coordination exercises on unstable support surfaces on leg muscle activation and balance in stroke patients. METHODS: Two groups were recruited for comparison: an experimental group of 10 individuals who performed bilateral coordination exercises on unstable surfaces and a control group of 10 individuals who performed the same exercises on stable surfaces. All participants were assigned randomly. Pre-tests were conducted to measure the leg muscle activation and balance levels of the participants prior to the experiment. The intervention was comprised of three 30-minute weekly sessions for four weeks, followed by a post-test after the four-week period. RESULTS: Significant differences were identified within the experimental group in relation to all muscles (p < .01) and balance (p < .05). Within the control group, significant differences were identified in relation to the rectus femoris muscle, biceps femoris muscle, and balance (p < .05). Significant differences between the two groups were only observed in relation to the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Only the tibialis anterior and soleus muscles showed significant differences between the two groups. This effectiveness may be attributed to using an ankle strategy to maintain body balance during exercise on unstable surfaces.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.1070-1073
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• 2002

The biomechanical interaction between the stump and the prosthetic socket is critically important to achieve close-to-normal ambulation. Many investigators suggested that the pressure changes during gait of transfemoral amputees are closely related to the prosthetic alignment, the socket shape, the stump size, and the residual muscle activity. The effects of the prosthetic alignment, the socket shape, and the stump size on the interface pressure were investigated previously. However, there is no report how the residual muscle activities in the transfemoral stump affect the socket interface pressure characteristics during gait. Since designs of socket fur lower limb amputees need to consider the socket interface pressure characteristics, the interface pressure patterns by the residual muscle activities during gait should be investigated. In this study, myoelectric signals (MES) and socket interface pressure in residual limb of transfemoral amputees were measured during the stance and swing phases of gait. For the purpose, specially designed quadrilateral sockets that MES electrodes could be instrumented were fabricated. A total of two transfemoral amputees were participated in the experiments. The measured temporal MES amplitude and interface pressure in knee flexor (biceps femoris) and extensor (rectus femoris) had significant correlations (P ＜ 0.05). Based on the test results, It was suggested that the residual muscle activity of transfemoral amputees stump is an important factor affecting socket pressure changes during walk.

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

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effects of water depth and speed on the activation of lower muscles during squat exercises, utilizing electromyography(EMG). It involved ten male participants in there. Participants performed 30 squats over a minute at a speed of 60bpm and maximum speed squats until exhaustion within a minute. The Integrated electromyography(iEMG) readings for the rectus femoris showed statistically significant differences due to water depth and speed, with a significant interaction effect between depth and speed during squat exercises. The iEMG readings for the biceps femoris also showed statistically significant differences, with a significant interaction effect between depth and speed during squat exercises. The iEMG readings for the gastrocnemius showed statistically significant differences according to water depth and speed. However, the interaction effect of water depth and speed during squat exercises did not show a statistically significant difference. In contrast, the iEMG readings for the tibialis anterior demonstrated statistically significant differences, with a statistically significant interaction effect during squats. These findings suggest that water depth and speed positively influence the activation patterns of lower muscles. Therefore, appropriately tailored aquatic exercises based on water depth for individuals with musculoskeletal discomfort, including the elderly or those with physical impairments, can effectively reduce physical strain and enhance balance, as well as physical and perceptual aspects. It is concluded that such exercises could provide a safer and more effective method of exercise compared to ground-based alternatives.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.132-139
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the height and insole height upon landing on the lower limb joint angle and muscle activity during maximum ground repulsion in young men. For a male in their twenties, a landing motion was performed with a force plate on a 40cm-high platform by wearing one of 0, 3, 5cm polyurethane insoles per week for a total of 3 weeks. During the landing motion, the joint angle of the lower extremities and the muscle activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, anterior tibialis and calf muscles were measured during the maximum ground repulsion. In order to compare the changes in the joint angle and muscle activity of the lower limbs according to the height of the insole, a one-way ANOVA with repetitive factors was performed. As a result of the analysis of the lower limb joint angle, the higher the height of the insole affected the angle of the left ankle joint. As a result of the muscle activity analysis, the higher the height of the insole affected the right anterior tibialis muscle and biceps femoris. It is thought that it is possible to protect the body when landing through sufficient muscle strength increase of the lower limb muscles. As the angle of the affected muscle and lower limb joint may be different depending on the type of insole, it is considered necessary to study it.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of spine orthosis and sit-to-stand motor strategies on ground reaction force (GRF) and lower extremity muscle activity. Twenty healthy adult men participated, and subjects randomly performed sit-to-stand motions in three different conditions: Momentum-transfer strategy (MTS); MTS with spine orthosis; and zero-momentum strategy (ZMS) with spine orthosis. GRF data, onset time, and muscle activity were determined and compared using force plate and electromyography. Data were statistically analyzed by the SPSS version 13.0. One-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance, and least significant difference was used as a post hoc test. The level of significance was .05. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Peak GRF and relative time to peak GRF were not significantly different in the three different conditions (p>.05). 2. Onset time of four muscles, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris and rectus femoris, in the three different conditions were significantly different (p<.05). 3. The tibialis anterior and rectus femoris muscle activity before hip-off and tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and rectus fermoris muscle activity after hip-off were significantly different in the three different conditions (p<.05).

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of two shoe size conditions on foot pressure, ground reaction force (GRF), and lower extremity muscle fatigue. Seven healthy men participated. They randomly performed walking and running in two different conditions: proper shoe size and 10 mm greater than proper shoe size. Peak foot pressure, and vertical, anterior and mediolateral force components were recorded with the Parotec system and Kisler force platform. To assess fatigue, the participants performed treadmill running for twenty-five minutes twice, each time wearing a different shoe size. Surface electromyography was used to confirm localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of four muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris). The results were as follows: 1) In walking conditions, there was a significantly higher peak pressure in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size insole sensor 1, 2, 14, and 18 (p<.05). 2) In running conditions, there was a significantly higher peak pressure in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size insole sensor 5, 14, and 15 (p<.05). 3) In walking conditions, there was a significantly higher first maximal vertical GRF in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size (p<.05). 4) In running conditions, no GRF components were significantly different between each shoe size condition (p>.05). 5) Muscle fatigue indexes of the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris were significantly increased in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size condition. These results indicate that wearing shoes that are too large could further exacerbate the problems of increased foot pressure, vertical GRF, and muscle fatigue.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.93-101
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate lower extremity muscle activation to the variable weight shift on the affected side of patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Eighteen patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. All participants performed three types of weight shift (sideways, forward, and backward) in limits of stability on the affected side. Muscle activation in a paralyzed leg was measured with electromyography on the gluteus medius, tensor fasciae latae, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris; furthermore, the attached area was recommended by SENIAM projects. Each weight shift was performed three times, and then the mean value of the three measurements was analyzed. The data were analyzed by measuring the symmetrically standing position with the reference voluntary contraction (RVC) and was standardized with the percentage of RVC method. Results: No significant difference in lower extremity muscle activation occurred according to the three types of variable weight shift. However, significant differences in lower extremity muscle activation did occur with each weight shift position. In addition, activation increased at the rectus femoris and decreased at the gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae. Conclusion: Hip abductor muscle strength training and variable weight shifts on the affected side must increase to improve patients'balance and limits of stability.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.67-74
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of lower limb muscle activation according to the use of arm sling in normal subjects. Design: Cross-sectional Study Methods: Seven healthy subjects (6 males and 1 female, 25.42 years, 173.57 cm, 71.71 kg) were recruited on a voluntary basis. To measure the lower limb muscle activation during walking with and without arm sling, we used a wireless surface electromyography (sEMG) (FreeEMG1000, BTS Bioengineering, Milano, Italy). Six wireless sEMG electrodes were attached to the following three major muscle groups of the both side lower limb: rectus femoris, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius. All subjects wore arm sling on their right side during measurement. Results: In the stance phase, there was a significant increase in right side rectus femoris muscle activation in walking without arm sling compared to the walking with arm sling (p<.05). Additionally, In the stance phase, there was a significant increase in left side tibialis anterior muscle activation in walking without arm sling compared to the walking with arm sling (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is a significant association between the arm swing restriction and lower limb muscle activation. Therefore, it seems that it can be applied as basic data for gait training with an arm slings.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters and muscle activity of the lower extremities between forward walking on sand (FWS) and backward walking on sand (BWS) in normal adults. Methods: This study was conducted on 13 healthy adults. Subjects performed FWS and BWS and the spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters of stride time, stride length, velocity, cadence, step length, stance, swing, double support, and hip range of motion (ROM), knee ROM were measured by a wearable inertial measurement unit system. In addition, the muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GA) was measured. Results: The stride length, stride velocity, cadence, and step length in the BWS were significantly lower than FWS (p<0.05), and stride time was significantly greater (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the ratio of stance, swing, and double support between the two (p>0.05). The kinematic gait parameters, including hip and knee joint range of motion in BWS, were significantly lower than FWS (p<0.05). The muscle activity of the RF in BWS was significantly higher than FWS (p<0.05), but the muscle activity of the BF, TA, GA did not show any significant differences between the two movements (p>0.05). Conclusion: A strategy to increase stability by changing the gait parameters is used in BWS, and this study confirmed that BWS was a safe and effective movement to increase RF muscle activity without straining the joints. Therefore, BWS can be recommended for effective activation of the RF.