• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.227-233
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• 2014

In this paper, to quantitatively evaluate the degree of rehabilitation for the disabled of unilateral lower extremity, we compared the EMG pattern of normal and simulated abnormal gait. The EMG signal was measured at a rate of 1 kHz on the quadriceps and biceps femoris, the pressure sensor was attached to the sole in order to distinguish the gait cycle. Integrated EMG (IEMG) was obtained by the gait cycle, and classified four patterns that were the normal gait pattern, amplitude decrease pattern, reversed pattern, and irregular pattern. For comparison of the patterns, a curve fitting was performed using the trigonometric functions. The result of curve fitting, the method using a variable A that corresponds to the amplitude of the regression curve was able to distinguish the reverse pattern and remaining pattern. The coefficient of determination ($R^2$) representing coincidence of the pattern of the regression curve and EMG was confirmed the biggest value at the normal gait. Therefore, the degree of normal gait can be confirmed using the coefficient of determination. This results show that it is possible to quantitatively confirm the degree of unilateral lower extremity disabled rehabilitation, and it will be contributed to the study of efficient rehabilitation methods by objective analysis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-57
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic balance and activity of internal oblique muscle, multifidus muscle, gluteus maximus muscle, biceps femoris muscle during the Y balance test following the wearing of pelvic compression belt. Forty healthy adults were recruited for this test. The dynamic balance score was estimated as the following: (anterior+posteromdial+posterolateral)/($3{\times}leg$ length)${\times}100$. The electromyography signals were measured through %reference voluntary contraction, which was normalized by reference voluntary contraction of Y balance test without wearing the pelvic compression belt. The paired t-test was carried out to compare the dynamic balance score and the activity of the trunk and hip extensor with and without the wearing of pelvic compression belt. The dynamic balance score of the Y balance test when wearing pelvic compression belt was significantly than when measured without wearing the pelvic compression belt (p<.05). The muscle activity of the internal oblique and the multifidus was significantly decreased when wearing pelvic compression belt (p<.05). The muscle activity of the gluteus maximus was significantly increased when wearing pelvic compression belt (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in hamstring muscle activity, with or without wearing the belt (p>.05). In conclusion, this study shows that the wearing of pelvic compression belt affects trunk muscle and hip extensor muscle activity related to the pelvic mobility and stability and increases dynamic balance and also contributes to the stabilization of the external pelvic stabilization.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2013

Background: This study tried to identify the bridge exercise posture for efficient exercise application by comparing muscle activity of buttocks and thighs according to internal-external rotation and pronation & supination in bridge exercise. Method: Nine males in their 20s living in D city were randomly selected as subjects. Muscles such as vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), semitendinosus (ST), biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GMAX), gluteus medius (GMED), tensor fasciae latae(TFL), and adductor longus (ADL) were measured using eight channel surface electromyogram (MyoSystem 1400A, Noraxon, USA) to measure muscle activity. Statistics process was performed through paired t test. Results: In the changes in electromyogram signals according to internal-external rotations according to internal-external rotation of shinbones, in most cases muscle activity was higher in external rotation than in internal rotation, but there was no statistical significance (p>.05). In particular, it was lower in TFL and ADL. There was no statistical significance in the comparison between two groups (p>.05). In the changes in electromyogram signals according to internal-external rotations according to pronation & supination of thighs, GMED showed significantly higher value in supination than in pronation (p>.05), and in ADL pronation is significantly higher than supination (p<.05). Conclusion: In internal-external rotation of shinbone and pronation & supination of thighs in bridge exercise, changes in muscle length can make effects on muscle activity of buttocks and thighs. Therefore, muscle strength enforcement program on buttocks and thighs through bridge exercise can make effects on patients with lower limb functional damages in clinical situations.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.343-351
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to suggest effective lunge exercise methods for various purposes by comparing differences in the muscle activity of thigh and plantar pressure according to changes in base of support during lunge exercises. Methods: The subjects were 20 college students who agreed to participate in the experiment. They performed three types of lunges-a basic lunge (BL), wide lunge (WL), and narrow lunge (NL). In a static position during each lunge, the muscle activity of the thigh and plantar pressure were measured. Each movement was maintained for 7 seconds, and the muscle activity for the 3 seconds in the middle was measured and analyzed. The plantar pressure was divided into six areas for analysis. The subjects randomly performed the lunges to prevent the influence of an experimental sequence. Each movement was performed three times, and the mean value of the three measurements was analyzed. Results: The analysis of muscle activities in the thigh during the three lunge movements showed statistically significantly higher muscle activity of biceps femoris in WL and NL than BL. Moreover, the analysis of plantar force showed statistically significant differences between BL and WL and WL and NL on the medial-forefoot and medial-midfoot, as well as between BL and WL and BL and NL on the lateral-midfoot. The analysis of plantar contact pressure exhibited statistically significant differences between BL and NL and WL and NL on the medial-forefoot, as well as a statistically significant difference between WL and NL on the medial-midfoot and lateral-hindfoot. Conclusion: This study suggests that changing the base of support during lunges can be useful to suit the purposes of various rehabilitation programs.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2006

As the large defect of peripheral nerve occurs, the autologous nerve graft is the most ideal method but it has many limitations due to donor site morbidities. Various materials have been developed for the nerve defect as the conduits, but none of these materials is satisfactory. Among them, $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube seems to be one of the most ideal nerve conduit materials at peripheral nerve defect. Many researches have focused on finding the neurotrophic factors. It is recently demonstrated that Valproic acid(VPA) has an effect of axonal regeneration as a neurotrophic factor without enzymatic degradation and toxicity problems. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of VPA on the nerve regeneration at the peripheral nerve defect. A 10 mm gap of rat sciatic nerve was made and $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with biceps femoris muscle was placed at the nerve defect site. We let the rat take VPA as drinking water in experimental group and did not give VPA to the control group. We estimated the results as electrophysiologic and histological aspects for 16 weeks after the surgery. The nerve conduction velocity, total myelinated axon count, myelin sheath thickness and mean nerve fiber diameter significantly increased in VPA-treated experimental group when compared to the control (p < 0.05). From the above results, we conclude that VPA promotes the nerve regeneration at the peripheral nerve defect site. It is suggested that $Gore-Tex^{(R)}$ tube filled with skeletal muscle and VPA administration may be a good substitute for autologous nerve graft.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.47-52
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• 2009

Purpose: To examine the correlation between the gait speed and muscle activation or foot pressure in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty five functionally ambulant stroke patients (male/female: 15/10, mean age: $57.65\pm2.30$) were enrolled in this study. The patients were asked to walk on a plate at a self-selected and comfortable speed. Three walking trials were obtained and then averaged for data analysis. The gait speed and foot pressure were measured from a RS-Scan system. Activation of the quadriceps femoris muscle and biceps hamstring muscle (%RVC) were recorded using ProComp $Infiniti^{TM}$. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between Hamstring muscle activation (%RVC) and gait speed. The gait speed correlated with the foot pressure of the lateral metatarsal zone (M3-5) in the affected side. There was a correlation between the gait speed and the foot pressure of the lateral metatarsal (M3-5) and heel (medial, lateral) zone in the less-affected side. Conclusion: The gait speed is related to hamstring muscle activation and the characteristics of foot pressure. This information was observed in both the affected and less-affected sides, suggesting that rehabilitation programs should be implemented on both sides.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of high heeled shoes on the static balance and EMG activity of lower extremity muscles. Methods Twenty subjects were composed of control group(wearing low-heeled shoes) and experimental group(wearing high-heeled shoes). Two groups participated in bearfoot standing and measured static balance and EMG activity of lower extremity muscles. Balance Performance Monitor(BPM) was used to measure the static balance and FlexComp $Infiniti^{TM}$ was used to measure the EMG activity of lower extremity muscles. Results In static balance, sway area and path of experimental group was significantly larger than control group(p<0.05). And sway velocity of experimental group was significantly faster than control group(p<0.05). They means static balance of experimental group was significantly lower than control group(p<0.05). In EMG activity, L5 paraspinalis and biceps femoris of experimental group was significantly more increased than that of control group(p<0.05). Conclusion : The long-time experience in wearing high heeled shoes may have caused change in static balance and EMG activity of lower extremity muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.471-480
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• 2012

PURPOSE: The object of the present study is to investigate the effects of the insole supporting medial longitudinal arch while walking in spastic cerebral palsy with pes planus. METHODS: Ten spastic bilateral cerebral palsy children with pes planus participated in this study. The insole were custom-made for the individual child. Muscle activity was measured by surface EMGs attached on tibialis anterior (TA), gastrocnemius (GA), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), biceps femoris long head (BF). temporal-spatial parameters such as velocity, step length, stride length, stance time, toe angle were collected while the subjects walked on the GAITRite system. RESULTS: The results of the present study were summarized as follows: 1. Muscle activities in mean EMGs while walking: Left VMO, Right TA, Left BF and GA revealed significant reductions after applying insole. 2. Muscle activities in peak EMGs while walking: Left TA and BF demonstrated reductions significantly after applying insole. 3. There were improvements in temporal-spatial gait parameters with insole: velocity, both step length, Right stride length and Right toe angle were increased(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore the current study demonstrated that insole supporting the medial longitudinal arch would be effective on gait of the spastic cerebral palsy with pes planus.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.10
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• pp.371-376
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of whole-body vibration and to provide scientific basis for effective exercise by analyzing the differences in lower extremity muscle activation according to squat position during whole body vibration. In this study, muscle activation during whole-body vibration was measured in 10 healthy males in their 20s with no orthopedic conditions during standing posture, deep squat, half squat, and heel raise squat. Muscle activation was compared by measuring the root mean square (RMS) with electromyography electrodes attached to lateral gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis, and biceps femoris. The vibration intensity was applied in combinations of the volumes of 50 and 80 and the frequencies of 10, 25, and 40 Hz in each posture. The results showed that there were differences in muscle activations of external gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and vastus lateralis among the position(p<.05). The heal raise squat was found to have a high muscle activation effect.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.317-324
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• 2018

Various studies related to therapeutic horseback riding have been reported to be positive for the therapeutic effect of patients with cerebral palsy; however, most of the previous studies focused on to muscle development with training period related to the physical effects of therapeutic horseback riding. To identify the causes and phenomena of muscular activation of the body through actual therapeutic horseback riding exercise and to promote the excellence of physical effects of therapeutic horseback riding. This study was a nonrandomized prospective positive-controlled trial design. Twelve teenaged males with cerebral palsy were selected who had experienced riding exercise for 8-12 months. This study measured 8 muscle activities of the pectoralis major muscle (PM), biceps brachii (BB), rectus abdominis muscle (RA), latissimus dorsi muscle (LD), spinal erector muscle (SE), rectus femoris muscle (RF), anterior tibial muscle (AT), and external gastrocnemius muscle (EG) by using electromyography (EMG). Muscle activity was significantly higher in horse riding position than sitting on the common chair in all muscles (PM, BB, RA, LD, SE, RF, AT, and EG). The activity of the body muscles according to the difference of horse walking method (walk: WA; sitting trot: ST; and riding trot: RT) of therapeutic horse riding showed the highest muscle activity in the PM muscle at ST, and the highest activity at BB, RA, LD, SE, and AT muscles at ST and RT, and showed the highest muscle activity in RF and EG muscle at RT. The results of this study suggest that intervention for the treatment of cerebral palsy patients can use therapeutic riding exercise as a rehabilitation method.