• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.427-433
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• 2015

Hot forging industry workers are prone to encounter several health risks due to lack of automation and poor working environment conditions. These workers particularly suffer from muscle fatigue owing to the constant handling of heavy products during the forging process. Thus we developed an assistant robot for workers who carry out hot forging tasks. The purpose of a robot is to compensate gravity-loads for heavy products. To verify the functionality of a robot, we performed a muscle fatigue analysis using Electromyography (EMG) signals. Four muscles of the upper extremity were chosen to measure muscle activity. And experiment conditions were setup to imitate the hot forging process. Post experimental analysis of the captured muscle activity revealed a reduction in the median frequency of the EMG signals, which means clear fatigue reduction due to a robot's assistance. The developed assist robot with compact and economical components can be efficiently utilized at forging work sites to create better working conditions for operators.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2006

This study aimed to compare movement patterns of shoulder joints between the right and left symmetry in stroke patients and control subjects. This study proposes use of the voluntary response index (VRI) calculated from quantitative analysis of surface electromyographic (sEMG) and motion data recorded during voluntary movement as a feeding task. The VRI is comprised of two numeric values, one derived from the total muscle activity recorded for the voluntary motor task (magnitude), and the other from the sEMG distribution across the recorded muscles with the similarity index (SI). Five stroke patients and five age-matched healthy controls were recruited. Feeding motion was performed using the provided spoon five times with rests taken on a chair in between tasks. EMG data were digitized and analyzed on the basis of the root mean square (RMS) envelope of activity. The average amplitude of responses was calculated. Responsiveness and clinically meaningful levels of discrimination between stroke patients and control for EMG magnitude and SI were determined. The similarity index of the results from two successive examinations of both sides apart for stroke patients and control subjects were .86 and .95 in motion analysis and .84 and .99 in electromyographic analysis. The SI of sEMG data and motion data was significantly correlated in stroke patients. The data suggest that SI is a sensitive program for comparing and analyzing the symmetry of muscle activity and motion in both sides. This analysis method has a clinical value in grading muscular activity and movement impairment after brain injury.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.66-76
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare the integrated electromyographic activity ratios of vastus lateralis(VL); rectus femoris lateral portion (RFL); rectus femoris medial portion(RFM); and vastus medialis(VM) muscles of 30 healthy subjects under three proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) techniques. Each subject was randomly assigned to one of 3 PNF techniques groups : slow reversal(SR), slow reversal hold(SRH) and rhythmic stabilization (RS). Each person was positioned in supine with the right hip flexed to $45^{\circ}$ and the knee fully extended and received a total of 6 sessions. Each technique was applied to the right lower extremity in two diagonal patterns while electrical activity was monitored from the ipsilateral muscles VL, RFL, RFM, and VM, respectively. Comparison of normalized mean EMG magnitudes from VL, VM showed that RS demonstrated significantly greater activity than that of SR or SRH and that RFL and RFM did not demonstrate any greater relative EMG activity with the three PNF techniques than did VL or VM.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.295-301
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic activity and onset time of the gluteus maximus (GM) and hamstring (HAM), lumbopelvic kinematics during three different prone table hip extension exercises in healthy individuals. Methods: Twenty subjects were participated. Electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities and onset time of the GM and HAM muscles. An electromagnetic tracking motion device was used to measure lumbopelvic compensations. The subjects were asked to perform three different prone table hip extension [Prone table hip extension with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on a chair (PTHEA), PTHEA with the ipsilateral knee flexion (PTHEAF), PTHEAF with hip 30 abduction (PTHEAFA)]. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used. Results: The electromyographic activity and onset time were significantly different among three conditions (PTHEA vs. PTHEAF vs. PTHEAFA)(p<0.01). The GM muscle activity and onset time were significantly greater and reduced during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). However, The HAM muscle activity and onset time were significantly smaller and delayed during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). Conclusions: PTHEAFA exercise can be recommended to facilitate the muscle activity and efficient muscle firing time of GM without HAM dominance.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.17 no.1_2
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• pp.23-32
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate trunk and gluteal muscle activation during one-leg standing or two-leg standing with lumbar stabilizing taping using non-elastic tape. Method: The subjects of this study were twenty subjects(man=11, women=9) who be in good physical health and have not problem to back muscle and one leg standing. The surface electromyographic(EMG) data were recorded on external oblique(EO), gluteus medius(GMed), gluteus maximus(GMax), quadratus lumborum(QL) while pre- and post-lumbar stabilizing taping in two-leg standing and one-leg standing. The analysis of data was performed using the paired samples t-test to compare the difference of EMG activity of pre and post lumbar stabilizing taping. Result: Contrast of pre-lumbar stabilizing taping the muscle activity of QL in post-lumbar stabilizing taping is significant decrease on two-leg standing posture(p<.05), and the muscle activity of GMed is significant increase on one-leg standing posture(p<.05). Thus, we suggest that lumbar stabilizing taping using by functional tape will be able to affect on lumbar stability and gluteal muscle retraining.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.487-497
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• 2002

The fatigue process of the triceps surae was evaluated during a standing heel-rise test, comparising of pre-fatigue and post-fatigue. Sixteen healthy subjects with a mean age of 22.88 years participated. The heel-rise test was performed until exhaustion, and electromyographic activity expressed as mean value and root mean square of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were calculated. The average number of heel-rise performed was 63.69$\pm$26.10. The result of this present study indicate that the EMG signal is sensitive to the different muscle fatigue. Mean value and RMS decreased significantly in after fatigue. Significant difference were found between the pre-fatigue and post-fatigue in the total subjects. But there were no significant changes in mean and RMS between the male and female during standing heel-rise test. The present results, showing decreased EMG signal in the triceps surae, could be used as reference when testing the fatigue process in different clinical conditions. Recommendations for standardization of a heel-rise test are given.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.17-23
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to assess activation and contribution of muscles of the elderly according to increased loading during the arm flexion extension resistance exercise. Surface electromyographic signals were acquired from biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoid posterior, pectoralis major and latissimmus dorsi to determine the difference of the activation of specific muscles between the elderly and young. Five elderly and five young males with no musculoskeletal disease volunteered for the study. Electromyographic activities in the muscles were measured during resistance exercise and normalized to the maximum EMG activity recorded in the maximal voluntary static contraction (MVC). Against the increased loading during arm flexion/extension resistance exercises, the young uses muscles evenly but the elderly uses one specific muscle frequently. Contribution of triceps brachii during extension and deltoid posterior during flexion was principal in the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.192-204
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• 2004

The surface electromyographic(sEMG) analyses were knee joint angle during open kinetic chain exercise (OKC) and close kinetic chain exercise (CKC) in vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), and rectus femoralis (RF). Ten subjects with normal , aged 20 to 30(X=27.4, SD=3.23), were randomized Statistical techniques for data analysis were applied paired t-test. The 0.05 level of significane was used as the critical level for rejection of the null hypotheses for the study. And the results were: 1) Both OKC and CKC improved the strength of quadriceps muscle as the knee joint flexion was increased. 2) In OKC, the strength of VM was improved the most at the 30 degree angle. 3) In CKC, the strength of VM was improved the most at the 30 degree angle. 4) The VM/VL ratio was the largest at the 10 and 20 degree angles in OKC and CKC. 5) The VM/VL ratio at 10, 20, and 30 degree angles was significantly different between OKC and CKC (P < 0.05). Base on the results, the OKCE is recommended for the knee joint patients, especially for the patellofemoral pain syndrome patients, during the early phase of rehabilitation. In order to improve strength of the quadriceps, muscle strength training at 30 degree angle is recommended. In order to improve VM/VL ratio, 10 and 20 degree angles are recommended during OKCE and CKCE, respectively. Future researches are warranted comparing electromyographic analysis between OKCE and CKCE in the quadriceps at a certain work lead, and muscle strength performance in the quadriceps at different positions of foot.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.440-447
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• 2022

Background: Agricultural handle equipment is present on all production areas' farms. They are handy and portable; however, excessive use can lead to acute traumas or accidental injuries. Repetitive movements, awkward postures, and hand-arm vibrations predispose them to pain and work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to observe the interaction of handle equipment in terms of electromyographic activity and analyze the postural work-related alterations. Materials and methods: Twenty male agricultural operators, mean age 24±1.54 years, underwent the electromyographic analysis testing their muscular activities with a brushcutter, electric saw, and hedge trimmer in four different test conditions. Results: The brushcutter proved to be the agricultural handle equipment with the higher mean frequency (3.37±0.38 Hz) and root mean square (5.25±1.24 ms^-2). Furthermore, the digital postural analysis showed a general asymmetry of the main arm and the respective side of the trunk. The head resulted right inclined in the anterior frontal plane by 5.7°±1.2°; the right scapula lower than the left in the posterior frontal plane (8.5°±1.8°), and a working trunk inclination of 34.15°±5.7°. Conclusions: Vibrations of handle equipment and awkward working postures represent a risk for agricultural operators. Preventive measures are required to avoid young operators from experiencing musculoskeletal disorders all lifelong.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2013.05a
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• pp.1619-1620
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• 2013