• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely used method to diagnose electrical activity of heart. Although it is a reliable and easy method, ECG could be interfered by electrical signals. One of the interfering signals is electromyogram (EMG) that is caused by muscle contraction in any parts of the body except heart. To avoid the EMG noise, an examinee is advised to be relaxed on supine position while measuring ECG. Sometimes, patients who can't put their arms and legs down on bed due to some reasons such as cast on arms or legs necessarily have the EMG noise. But detailed information about how much of the noise could be induced by positional change of arms and legs has not been reported. Here we examined the noise by analyzing ECG data from 14 candidates, 7 males and 7 females. The ECG data was obtained using the standard 12 lead ECG. EMG noise was induced by raising arms and legs at $90^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$ or $30^{\circ}$. Because arms are located close to the heart, noise by the raised arms was analyzed toward left or right arm separately. All of the examinees showed similar pattern of the EMG noise. EMG noise by positional change of left or right arm was clearly monitored in different limb leads. Change of leg positions induced the noise that was monitored in aVF of augmented leads and II and III of limb leads. There was a difference in degree of the noise between male and female examinees. In addition to the EMG noise, decrease of PR interval was monitored in particular positional changes, which was prominent in male examinees. These results will enlarge fundamental understanding about EMG noise in ECG.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.63-76
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• 2001

Many studies have shown that the initial median frequency (MDF) and slope correlate with the muscle fiber composition. This study tested the hypothesis that the initial MDF and slope are fixed, regardless of the interval at which data are collected. MDF data using moving fast Fourier transformation of EMG signals, following local fatigue induced by isotonic exercise, were obtained. An inverse FFT was used to eliminate noise, and characteristic decreasing regression lines were obtained. The regression analysis was done in three different periods, the first one third, first half, and full period, looking at variance in the initial MDF, slope, and fatigue index. Data from surface EMG signals during fatiguing isotonic exercise of the biceps brachii and vastus lateralis in 20 normal subjects were collected. The loads tested were 30% and 60% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) in the biceps brachii and 40% and 80% MVC in the vastus lateralis. The rate was 25 flexions per minute. There were no significant differences in the initial MDF or slope during the early or full periods of the regression, but there was a significant difference in the fatigue index. Therefore, to observe the change in the initial MDF and slope of the MDF regression line during isotonic exercise, this study suggest that only the early interval need to be observed.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1991 no.05
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• pp.65-70
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• 1991

A hybrid model which uses a probabilistic model and a MLP(multi layer perceptron) model for pattern recognition of EMG(electromyogram) signals is proposed in this paper. MLP model has problems which do not guarantee global minima of error due to learning method and have different approximation grade to bayesian probabilities due to different amounts and quality of training data, the number of hidden layers and hidden nodes, etc. Especially in the case of new test data which exclude design samples, the latter problem produces quite different results. The error probability of probabilistic model is closely related to the estimation error of the parameters used in the model and fidelity of assumtion. Generally, it is impossible to introduce the bayesian classifier to the probabilistic model of EMG signals because of unknown priori probabilities and is estimated by MLE(maximum likelihood estimate). In this paper we propose the method which get the MAP(maximum a posteriori probability) in the probabilistic model by estimating the priori probability distribution which minimize the error probability using the MLP. This method minimize the error probability of the probabilistic model as long as the realization of the MLP is optimal and approximate the minimum of error probability of each class of both models selectively. Alocating the reference coordinate of EMG signal to the outside of the body make it easy to suit to the applications which it is difficult to define and seperate using internal body coordinate. Simulation results show the benefit of the proposed model compared to use the MLP and the probabilistic model seperately.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2020

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal pain condition of the upper extremities. LE is often related to forceful grip activities that require isometric contraction of the wrist extensors. A previous study evaluated the effect of the diamond taping technique on grip strength and pain; however, there has been no report on the change in the electromyography (EMG) findings of wrist extensors. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diamond taping technique, using a rigid tape, on the EMG activities of the extensor carpi radialis (ECR) during grip activities. Methods: Twenty-four healthy subjects (mean age = 21.50 ± 2.76 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform forceful grip activities with and without diamond-type taping on the origin area of the ECR. Grip strength tests were performed at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% for maximal isometric contraction force. EMG data were collected from the ECR. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used to analyze the effect of grip force and taping (with and without). Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.05. Comparison of the results with and without taping at different grip force were analyzed using independent t-test. Statistical significance levels were set at α = 0.01. Results: Statistically significant association was observed between the taping application and forceful grip activity as revealed by the EMG data of the ECR (p < 0.05). EMG of the ECR significantly reduced for all muscle strength levels (p < 0.01) after taping. Conclusion: This study shows an impressive effect of the diamond taping technique, using rigid tape, on wrist extensors during grip activities. Decreasing muscle activity via this taping approach could be utilized to enhance pain-free grip force and reduce pain in patients with LE. Our study suggested that this taping technique could be considered as an effective management strategy of LE.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2011

Foot posture is important in the development of the musculoskeletal structure in the lower limbs because it can change the mechanical alignment. Although foot orthotics are widely used for the correction of malalignments in the lower extremities, the biomechanical effects of wedges have not yet been cleared. The aim of this study was to investigate whether medial wedges affect the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the knee and hip joints in healthy adults that are performing one leg standing. Seventeen healthy volunteers performed the one leg standing under two foot conditions: A level surface, and a $15^{\circ}$ medial wedge. The subjects' EMG data for the gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), tensor fasciae latae (TFL), biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were recorded, along with the surface EMG, and all were analyzed. The EMG activity of the Gmed and TFL had significantly decreased under the medial wedge condition during one leg standing. Further study is needed in order to investigate whether medial wedges influence the EMG activity and kinematic data of the knee and hip joints as well as the ankle joints in adults with flexible flatfoot, while they are performing one leg standing.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.43-54
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• 2008

Background : We aimed to determine the effect of a mental practice on the electromyography (EMG) activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle of the affected side in a hemiplegic patient during sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit tasks. Methods : We recruited a male patient who had suffered from right hemiplegia. A single-subject experimental A-B-A design was used. The reliability of visual analysis, which was primarily employed in this study design, was supported by using the "2- standard-deviation band" method. The target motions consisted of two activities: sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit. The EMG measurements of the quadriceps femoris muscles of the affected and unaffected sides were made in 8 sessions in the baseline (A), mental-practice (B), and follow-up (A) phases. During the mental practice phase, the 10-min mental practice was performed, and the mental practice was withdrawn in the follow-up phase in order to identify the carry-over effects of the treatment. Data was calculated as the percentage of the ratio of the quadriceps EMG activity values of the affected side on unaffected side. Result : The percentage EMG-activity ratio showed a greater increase in the mental-practice phase than in the baseline, and it was maintained during the follow-up phase. Most of the data points in the mental-practice and follow-up phases were positioned above the "2-standard-deviation band." Conclusion : These findings suggest that mental practice can be used to improve the physical function of hemiplegic patients.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.2336-2344
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• 2008

In this paper, muscular activity and muscle fatigue of FDI(first dorsal interosseous muscle) and thenar muscle of hand was analyzed with surface EMG signal based on four kinds of attitudes(grip, tip, key and palmar) to measure grip strength and pinch strength after hand operation and rehabilitation treatment. The normative data are needed to interpret evaluation data to assess a patient's ability to return to labor environment. The preceding researchers proposed the standard data only by studying on maximum grip strength and the maximum pinch strength followed by each attitude of subjects' hands. But in this study, the muscle activity and muscle fatigue were considered under the various attitude to propose normative data. As a results, the muscle fatigue may be used only for presentation of normative data in labor environment.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect for running shoes with resilience of midsole on biomechanical properties. Methods : 10 healthy males who had no history of injury in the lower extremity with an average age of 26.5 year(SD=1.84), height of 172.22 cm(SD=4.44) and weight of 67.51 kg(SD=6.17) participated in this study. All subjects ran on the treadmill wearing three different running shoes. Foot pressure data was collected using Pedar-X system(Novel Gmbh, Germany) operating at 100 Hz. Surface EMG signals for biceps femoris, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, medial lateralis, tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, soleus and peroneus longus were acquired at 1000 Hz using Bignoli 8 System(Delsys Inc., USA). To normalize the difference of the magnitude of muscle contractions, it was expressed as a percentage relative to the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). The impact resilience of the midsole data was collected using Fastcam SA5 system(Photron Inc., USA). Collected data was analyzed using One-way ANOVA in order to investigate the effects of each running shoes. Results : TPU midsole was significantly wider in contact area than EVA, TPE midsole in midfoot and higher in EMG activity than EVA midsole at biceps femoris. TPE midsole was significantly wider in contact area than EVA midsole in rearfoot and higher in peak pressure than EVA midsole in forefoot. EVA midsole was significantly higher in EMG activity than TPU midsole at tibia anterior. In medial resilience of midsoles, TPE midsole was significantly higher than EVA, TPU midsole. Conclusion : TPU midsole can reduce the load on the midfoot effectively and activate tibialis anterior, biceps femoris to give help to running.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.671-681
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the workload level at each lower limbs posture and suggest the ergonomic workstation guideline for working period by evaluating the imbalanced lower limbs postures from the physiological and psychophysical points of view. Background: Many workers like welders are working in various imbalanced lower limbs postures either due to the narrow working conditions or other environmental conditions. Method: Ten male subjects participated in this experiment. Subjects were asked to maintain 3 different lower limbs postures(standing, squatting and bending) with 3 different working conditions(balanced floor with no scaffold, imbalanced floor with 10cm height of scaffold, and imbalanced floor with 20cm height of scaffold). EMG data for the 4 muscle groups(Retus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius) from each lower limbs posture were collected for 20 seconds every 2 minutes during the 8 minutes sustaining task. Subjects were also asked to report their discomfort ratings of body parts such as waist, upper legs, lower legs, and ankle. Results: The ANOVA results showed that the EMG root mean square(RMS) values and the discomfort ratings(CR-10 Rating Scale) were significantly affected by lower limbs postures and working time(p<0.05). The correlation was analyzed between the EMG data and the discomfort ratings. Also, prediction models for the discomfort rating for each posture were developed using physical condition, working time, and scaffold height. Conclusion: We strongly recommend that one should not work more than 6 minutes in a standing or squatting postures and should not work more than 4 minutes in a bending posture. Application: The results of this study could be used to design and assess working environments and methods. Furthermore, these results could be used to suggest ergonomic guidelines for the lower limbs postures such as squatting and bending in the working fields in order to prevent fatigue and pain in the lower limbs body.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the most optimum way of performing the bandal chagi during Taekwondo Kyorugi competition. By analyzing the EMG data and the kinematic data it was hoped that scientific data would be provided to instructors and players about the optimization of the Bandal Chagi. The results of the analysis are as follows: During competition while performing the Bandal Chagi the most important factors that affect the impact point are the range of motions of the upper body hyper extension and knee joints. Through the measurement of the muscles EMG activity of a well performed Bandal Chagi with the right leg it was observed that the left side erector spinae muscle was highly activated and so it was concluded that this muscle should be trained to improve the performance of the Bandal Chagi. Likewise it was observed that for the right side of the abdominal muscle's EMG there was a high activity level and thus showed that there was a large contribution of this muscle for the optimum performance of the Bandal Chagi.