• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.141-149
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• 2003

Median frequency can be regarded as a valid indicator of local muscle fatigue. As local muscle fatigue develops, the muscle fiber conduction velocity decreases, the fast twitch fibers are recruited less, and consequently the median frequency shifts toward the lower frequency area. The aim of this study was to test the characteristics of the median frequency according to exercise load (30% and 60% of MVC on the biceps brachii, 40% and 80% of MVC on the vastus lateralis) during the fatiguing isometric exercise. Thirteen healthy male volunteer students of Yonsei University were recruited. After the testing maximal voluntary isometric contraction, three variables (initial median frequency, regression slope, fatigue index) from the regression line of MDF data were measured in each exercise load. The results showed that the regression slope and fatigue index were significantly different for the biceps brachii, but not for the vastus lateralis initial MDF was not significant difference according to the exercise load on both muscles. The regression slope and fatigue index could monitor physiologic muscle change during fatiguing isometric exercise. The results showed that two MDF variables reflect the local muscle fatigue according to the exercise load.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.175-181
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• 2003

Studies of muscle fatigue have mostly been checked under isometric exercise. However EMG signals from isotonic exercise generate uncontrollable noise, so there were difficulties in gathering reliable median frequency and muscle fatigue index if frequency analysis was equally applied in isometric exercise. This study tried to compare the differences of muscle fatigue determinant variables in terms of median frequency searching methods of EMG signal, which was estimated in isotonic exercise. To accomplish this, we determined median frequency by using different FFT intervals and overlapping ration of consecutive FFT sections under the same EMG signal, and then searched for a linear regression line, and compared initial median frequency, slope, and muscle fatigue index which were variables under the linear regression line. In result of comparison, initial median frequency was more elevated as FFT exercise interval became larger. The slope of the linear regression line showed distinguishable decreasing tendency as FFT intervals were larger and overlapping sections were smaller. Significant tendency of muscle fatigue index in FFT interval was shown by high muscle fatigue index in specific FFT intervals.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.41-54
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• 2001

Fatigue is the decline in force produced as a result of prolonged muscle activity. Localized muscle fatigue can be identified by a shift toward low in the frequency components of the EMG signal, typically represented by a fall in the median frequency. Previous studies show that a shortened muscle develops a higher fatigue than elongated muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time-related change of median frequency and torque during maximal isometric back extension exercises at different exercise angles ($0^{\circ}$, $12^{\circ}$, $36^{\circ}$, $72^{\circ}$). Twenty healthy subjects (mean age = $24.35{\pm}2.70$) were evaluated in this study. Median frequency was extracted from the EMG signals by fast Fourier transform (FFT). Initial median frequency and the slope of median frequency change over time were computed from linear regression analysis. Pearson's product moment correlation was used to quantify the relationship between slope of median frequency and torque. The results were as follows: 1) Significant differences in y-intercepts of torque regression equation with respect to exercise angle were shown. However, there were no differences in the slopes of the median frequency and torque, and y intercept of the median frequency among exercise angles. 2) There was no significant correlation between slope of median frequency and torque. 3) But there was moderate correlation between median frequency and torque at each exercise angle. In conclusion, the exercise angle during maximal isometric back extension exercise is not a direct effect on slope of median frequency and torque. But results showed that median frequency and torque shift were highly correlated in all subjects.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.16-31
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to assess the fatigue in lumbar and abdominal muscles in patients with chronic low back pain compared with normal subjects using spectral analysis with mean power frequency and median power frequency. The experimental group consisted of twenty subjects who had experienced chronic low back pain for over one year after the onset day. A control group consisted of twenty normal subjects with no history of low back pain. All subjects stood in an apparatus to perform sustained contraction in the lumbar and abdominal muscles for 30 seconds with 60% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The resulting electromyographic (EMG) recorded time serial data were transformed into frequency serial data by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The results were as follows: 1) lumbar muscles measured, the frequency change ratio of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly greater for experimental group compared with control group group (p<0.05). In measured two abdominal muscles (inferior rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis) except superior rectus abdominis, the frequency change ratio of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly greater for experimental group compared with control group (p<0.05). 2) In all three (longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, multifidus) lumbar muscles measured, the initial frequency value of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly lower for the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). In the two (inferior rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis) abdominal muscles measured (superior rectus abdominis not included), the initial frequency value of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly lower for the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). These results suggest that in patients with chronic low back pain there is a trend for more fatigue to occur in both lumbar and abdominal muscles than in the normal control group. This would seem to suggest that in treatment programs for patients with chronic low back pain, improvement of endurance in all trunk muscles should be considered.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2002

Localized muscle fatigue can be identified by a downward shift of the EMG frequency typically represented by a fall in the median frequency The Present experimental study was Performed to investigate the time change of the median frequency and the muscle torque during maximal isometric back extension exercises at different exercise angles (0$^{\circ}$, 12$^{\circ}$, 36$^{\circ}$and 72$^{\circ}$) Twenty heath subjects (mean age : 24.35 $\pm$ 2.70) were Participated in this study Median frequency was extracted from EMG signals by employing the fast Fourier transform. Initial median frequency and the slope of median frequency was not significantly correlated with the muscle torque. Pearson's Product moment correlation was used to quantify the relationship between slopes of median frequency and torque. The results may suggest that the exorcise angle during maximal isometric back extension exercises does not affect the slopes of the median frequency and torque, and y-intercept of the median frequency among exercise angles There was no significant correlation between slopes of median frequency and torque. But there was a moderate correlation between median frequency and torque at each exercise angle. In conclusion, the exercise angle during maximal isometric back extension exercise is not a direct effect on slopes of median frequency and torque. But results showed that the shift of median frequency and torque shift were highly correlated in all subjects.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2023

Purpose: Dyssynergic defecation (DSD) is one of the important causes of chronic constipation in children. We aimed to analyze the clinical features, diagnostic test results, and treatments for DSD in children. Methods: Children diagnosed with DSD using fluoroscopic defecography were enrolled in this study. Clinical data, including the results of colon transit time (CTT) test and biofeedback (BF) therapy, were collected from medical records retrospectively. Results: Nineteen children were enrolled. The median age was 9 years (6-18 years), the median frequency of bowel movement was 1/7 days (1-10 days), the median duration of constipation was 7.0 years (2-18 years), the median age of onset of constipation was 2.5 years (1-11 years). In the CTT test, outlet obstruction type was noted in 10/18 (55.6%), slow transit type in 5/18 (27.8%), and normal transit in 1/18 (5.6%). The median CTT was 52 hours (40-142 hours). Initial medical therapy was performed with the polyethylene glycol 4000, and the response was good in 9/19 (47.4%), fair in 9/19 (47.4%), and poor in 1/19 (5.0%). BF was performed in 8/19, with good results in 6/8 (75.0%) children and failure in 2/8 (25.0%) children. After long-term medical therapy (11/19), 3/5 showed good response with medication alone, 6/8 showed good response with BF and medication combined. Conclusion: DSD should be considered as a cause of chronic constipation in children, especially in those with abnormal CTT test results. BF combined with medical therapy is effective even with age-limited cooperation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.17-25
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of applied insole types to lower extremities muscle fatigue during treadmill exercise. The control group and each different insole type group consisted of ten healthy male subjects. In the control group and each different insole type (soft type; 10 shore, semi-rigid type; 33 shore, rigid type; 50 shore) treadmill exercise was performed in twenty-five minutes. The electromyography (EMG) signals of four muscle (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris) were recording at sampling rate of 1024 Hz during treadmill exercise. The localized muscle fatigue (LMF) can be investigated using power spectral analysis. When did data analysis that excepted initial five minutes. The raw EMG signals was processed using the fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) and the median power frequency value was determined in initial ten second period and in last ten second period. Fatigue index was calculated and collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS version 10.0 two-way using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures ($4{\times}4$) was used to determine the main effect and interaction. Post hoc was performed with least significant difference. A level of significance was .05. Muscles fatigue index were significantly decreased in insole types (p<.05) and not significantly different in muscle (p>.05). Post hoc analysis shows that fatigue index in soft insole type, semi-rigid insole type and rigid insole type were lower than that control group (p=.028, p=.146, p=.095). There were no interaction between insole type and muscles (p>.05). The finding of this study can be used as a fundamental data when insole is applied and insole can be used to decreased of a fatigue during the dynamic exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.176-191
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to find the effects of the eccentric exercise induced delayed muscle soreness on proprioception, muscle strength, muscle fatigue, and muscle pain of the elbow flexor muscles. Thirty one healthy male subjects were participated in this study. Before resisted eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors and immediately and at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-exercise, pain threshold, proprioception, tension tracking, initial median frequency, and fatigue index were measured. Pain pressure threshold and visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure muscle pain. Proprioception of the elbow joint was measured by using 3 dimension motion analysis system. Maximum isometric contraction was measured by using digital tensiometer. Electromyography and power spectrum analysis was used to measure initial median frequency (IMF) and fatigue index (FI). Immediately post-exercise, a significant decrease pain threshold was observed that continued to 5 days post-exercise. VAS score was significantly increased at 1 and 3 days post-exercise compared to that of immediately post-exercise. Maximum isometric contraction, IMF, tension tracking ability of the exercised elbow joint were significantly decreased at 1, 3, and 5 days post-exercise compared to that of pre-exercise. FI was significantly increased at 1 and 3 days post-exercise compared that of pre-exercise. Proprioception sense of exercised elbow joint was significantly decreased immediately and at 1, 3, and 5 days post-exercise compared to that of pre-exercise. Proprioception sense of the contralateral elbow joint was significantly decreased immediately post-exercise compared to that of pre-exercise. However, proprioception sense that was measured in close chain kinematic position was not significantly difference between pre-exercise and post-exercise. These results could be useful to determine the resume time for exercising and participating sports activities.

• Particle and aerosol research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2017

In this paper, the effect of the irradiation of the median-frequency of ultrasonic wave on the aqueous solution have been investigated. In addition, the decomposition ability of radical species was observed using phytoncide oil of 0.1 wt %. By observing the degree of decomposition while maintaining magnetic stirring, the unirradiated aqueous solution maintained turbid condition and the particle size of the oil was the same as the initial size. On the other hand, the irradiated aqueous solution presented that the transparency degree became good after 3 days and became to the same as the original purified water after one week. The particle size of the after 3 days was about 0.1 to $0.5{\mu}m$. From these results it could be demonstrated that when a medium frequency (about 400 kHz) is applied to the aqueous solution, decomposition ability of radical species are formed and the medium frequency irradiation system can be possible to purify the turbid aqueous solution.