• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.319-327
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• 2011

Skeletal muscle fatigue is defined as a 'any reduction in the maximal capacity to generate force or power output', and is the reduction of oxygen consumption and by-product of metabolism. For the muscle fatigue therapy, low level laser has been introduced that leads the mitochondrial respiratory and attributes the muscle fatigue recovery. This study analyzed the muscle fatigue signals from electromyography(EMG) during low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Healthy subjects performed voluntary elbow flexion-extension excercise and received placebo LLLT and active LLLT using a 830 nm laser diode. Then, EMG were measured for the evaluation of muscle fatigue. The acquired EMG data were analyzed with median frequency and short time fourier transform methods. The results showed that the LLLT had a significant symptomatic relief of muscle fatigue based on the EMG frequency analysis. Therefore, the muscle fatigue analysis with EMG signals can be applied to quantitative evaluation for the monitoring of LLLT effects.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.109-128
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• 2003

This study tested whether repeated measurement of median frequency (MDF)-related variables could express the muscle power changes during a 12-week DeLome strengthening program, by using consecutive overlapping FFT (Fast Fourier transformation) and integrated EMG (IEMG) from surface EMG data for isometric and isotonic exercise. To evaluate the effect of training, the following were recorded every 3 weeks for the elbow flexors and knee extensors of 5 healthy male volunteers: MVC, lRM, limb circumference, and surface EMG during isometric MVC or isotonic contraction at 10RM load. From the EMG data, IEMG and variables from a regression analysis between MDF and time were obtained. MVC, lRM, IEMG, and initial MDF increased linearly over the training period. The fatigue index and slope of the regression line increased temporarily until the 6th week and decreased thereafter. From these results, there appeared to be enhanced neural recruitment of fast twitch fibers in the first 6 weeks and continued enhancement in the recruitment and hypertrophy of fast twitch fibers, which led to increased fatigue resistance, over the last 6 weeks. Accordingly, the MDF and IEMG analysis technique could demonstrate the effect of the program detected significant changes in both isometric and isotonic contractions. EMG analysis methods can be used to estimate the electrophysiological and histological changes in skeletal muscles during a strengthening program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2013

Purpose: This study evaluated the validity of measuring paravertebral muscle function with 3D-NEWTON (Hanmed, Korea) by assessing the correlation between Biodex (Biodex, USA) and surface electromyography (EMG). Methods: Nineteen healthy adults participated. The function of their paravertebral muscle was measured in three ways. Maximum endurance time was measured in seconds when 3D-NEWTON was inclined forward for assessing extensor function, and inclined backward for assessing flexor function. Using surface EMG, maximum muscle activity was obtained from the eractor spinae and rectus abdominis during the 3D-NEWTON measurement. Maximum muscle activity was the mean activity from 10 seconds when the root mean squared firing data was highest. Through Biodex the peak torques of the extensor and flexor were measured during isometric exercises. The Spearman correlation coefficiencts from 3D-NEWTON, surface EMG, and Biodex were calculated. Results: The data from surface EMG and Biodex were statistically correlated when measured for flexor function, but less so for extensor function. In the case of 3D-NEWTON, the correlation coefficient with Biodex was 0.50 (p=0.05), while the coefficient with surface EMG was 0.53 (p=0.02) when measured for extensor function. Similarly, the correlation coefficienct with Biodex was 0.60 (p=0.01), while the surface EMG was 0.51 (p=0.03) for flexor function. Conclusion: 3D-NEWTON was a useful method for measuring paravertebral muscle function and can give helpful information for treating people with diseases associated with the lumbar spine.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2020

Background: Prolonged sitting at work can lead to adverse health outcomes. The health risk of office workers is an increasing concern for the society and industry, with prolonged sitting work becoming more prevalent. Objective: This study aimed to explore the variation in muscle activities during prolonged sitting work and found out when and how to take a break to mitigate the risk of muscle symptoms. Methods: A preliminary survey was conducted to find out the prevalence of muscle discomfort in sedentary work. Firstly, a 2-h sedentary computer work was designed based on the preliminary study to investigate the variation in muscle activities. Twenty-four participants took part in the electromyography (EMG) measurement study. The EMG variations in the trapezius muscle and latissimus dorsi were investigated. Then the intervention time was determined based on the EMG measurement study. Secondly, 48 participants were divided into six groups to compare the effectiveness of every break type (passive break, active break of changing their posture, and stand and stretch their body with 5 or 10 mins). Finally, data consisting of EMG amplitudes and spectra and subjective assessment of discomfort were analyzed. Results: In the EMG experiment, results from the joint analysis of the spectral and amplitude method showed muscle fatigue after about 40 mins of sedentary work. In the intervention experiment, the results showed that standing and stretching for 5 mins was the most effective break type, and this type of break could keep the muscles' state at a recovery level for about 30-45 mins. Conclusions: This study offers the possibility of being applied to office workers and provides preliminary data support and theoretical exploration for a follow-up early muscle fatigue detection system.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.57-69
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to know the effects of the bee venom pharmacopuncture on muscle activity and pain reception of trapezius and deltoid the upper limbs muscles. Methods : We allocated healthy volunteers into two groups. After having exercise with barbell for load to trapezius and deltoid, we measured sEMG(surface electromyography) and VAS(visual analogue scale). In a moment, inject bee venom pharmacopuncture and saline each group. After 30 minutes, we measured sEMG and VAS again. We compared before and after sEMG and VAS data. Results : On sEMG data, bee venom pharmacopuncture had effects on muscle fatigue on left trapezius, muscle fatigue and fatigue and recovery on right trapezius and both deltoid. On VAS data, values of bee venom pharmacopuncture decreased more than that of saline. Conclusions : These results show that bee venom pharmacopuncture have effects on muscle activity aid pain reception of trapezius and deltoid the upper limbs muscle. But further studies should be carried out to verify the exact effects of bee venom.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.533-539
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to estimate a validity of control signal through a design of Exoskeleton Robot Arm's capable of intelligent recognition as a human arm's motion by using realtime processed data of generated EMG signals. By an intelligent algorithm, the EMG output value of human biceps and triceps muscles contraction can be recognized and used for the control over exoskeleton arm corresponding to human's recognition and judgement. The EMG sensing data of muscles contraction and relaxation are used as the input signal from human's body to operate the Exoskeleton Robot Arm thus copying human arm motion. An intelligent control of Exoskeleton Robot Arm is to design the analog control circuit which processes the input data, and then to manufacture an integrated control board. And then abstracted signal is passed by DSP signal processing, Fuzzy logic algorithm is designed for a accurate prediction of weight or load through the intelligent algorithm, and design an Exoskeleton Robot Arm to express a human's intention.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 2017

G-induced Loss of Consciousness(G-LOC) can be predicted by measuring Electromyogram(EMG) signals. Existing studies have mainly focused on specific body parts and lacked of consideration with quantitative EMG indices. The purpose of this study is to analyze the indices of EMG signals by human body parts for monitoring G-LOC condition. The data of seven EMG features such as Root Mean Square(RMS), Integrated Absolute Value(IAV), and Mean Absolute Value(MAV) for reflecting muscle contraction and Slope Sign Changes(SSC), Waveform Length (WL), Zero Crossing(ZC), and Median Frequency(MF) for representing muscle contraction and fatigue was retrieved from high G-training on a human centrifuge simulator. A total of 19 trainees out of 47 trainees of the Korean Air Force fell into G-LOC condition during the training in attaching EMG sensor to three body parts(neck, abdomen, calf). IAV, MAV, WL, and ZC under condition after G-LOC were decreased by 17 %, 17 %, 18 %, and 4 % comparing to those under condition before G-LOC respectively. Also, RMS, IAV, MAV, and WL in neck part under condition after G-LOC were higher than those under condition before G-LOC; while, those in abdomen and calf part lower. This study suggest that measurement of IAV and WL by attaching EMG sensor to calf part may be optimal for predicting G-LOC.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.228-233
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• 2015

Purpose: Gait is the most basic element when evaluating the quality of life with activities of daily living under ordinary life circumstances. Symmetrical use of the lower extremities requires complicated coordination of all limbs. Thus, this study examined asymmetry of muscle activity quadriceps femoris and tibialis anterior as a baseline for training during over-ground walking and stair walking of stroke patients. Methods: Subjects were 14 stroke patients included as one experimental group. Gait speed used in this study was determined by the subject. Low extremity paretic and non-paretic EMG was compared using the surface EMG system. Results: The low extremity EMG difference was statistically significant during over-ground walking and stair walking (p<0.05). The result of low extremity EMG substituted symmetry ratio formula was compared to EMG symmetry ratio in both legs during over-ground walking and stair walking. The average symmetry ratio of quadriceps femoris during over-ground walking was 0.65, and average symmetry ratio of quadriceps femoris during stair walking was 0.47, with significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: EMG data was higher in stair walking than over-ground walking. However, in the comparison of symmetry ratio, asymmetric EMG of quadriceps femoris was significantly increased during stair walking. These findings suggested that application of stair walking for strengthening of both legs can be positive, but the key factor is maintaining asymmetrical posture of both legs. Therefore, physical therapists should make an effort to reduce asymmetry of quadriceps femoris power during stair walking by stroke patients.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.217-227
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze 'response time', 'peak response time' and 'overshoot value' for each muscle by applying the EMG signal to the vehicle response in ISO 7401 and to quantify the response of the driver according to vehicle characteristics by comparing vehicle characteristics and muscle responses of the driver. Background: The Open-loop test defined in international standards ISO 7401 is the only method for evaluating the performance of the vehicle. However, this test was focused only on mechanical responses, not driver's ones. Method: One skilled male driver(22 yrs. experience) was participated in this experiment to measure muscle activities of the driver in transient state. Then the seven muscle signals were applied to calculate 'response time', 'peak response time', and 'overshoot value'. Results: In the analyses of the EMG data, the effects of vehicle type and muscle were statistically significant on the 'response time' and 'peak response time'. Also, the effects of vehicle type, muscle, and lateral acceleration level were statistically significant on the 'overshoot value' in this study. According to the analyses of the vehicle motion data, vehicle motion variable(LatAcc, Roll, YawVel) was statistically significant on the 'response time' and vehicle type, vehicle motion variable, and lateral acceleration level were statistically significant on the 'peak response time', respectively. Conclusion: In the analyses of the 'response time' and 'overshoot value', the data of muscle activities(EMGs) was better index that could evaluate the vehicle characteristic and performance than the data of vehicle motion. In case of peak response time, both EMG and vehicle motion data were good index. Application: The EMGs data from a driver might be applicable as index for evaluation of various vehicle performances based on this study.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.68-79
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• 2016

Electromyographic (EMG) signals have been widely used as motion commands of prosthetic arms. Although EMG signals contain meaningful information including the movement intentions of human body, it is difficult to predict the subject's motion by analyzing EMG signals in real-time due to the difficulties in extracting motion information from the signals including a lot of noises inherently. In this paper, four Ag/AgCl electrodes are placed on the surface of the subject's major muscles which are in charge of four upper arm movements (wrist flexion, wrist extension, ulnar deviation, finger flexion) to measure EMG signals corresponding to the movements. The measured signals are sampled using DAQ module and clustered sequentially. The Fuzzy C-Means (FCMs) method calculates the center values of the clustered data group. The fuzzy system designed to detect the upper arm movement intention utilizing the center values as input signals shows about 90% success in classifying the movement intentions.