• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.222-237
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• 1998

In an attempt to investigate the effect of long-term aquatic exercise program on lower limbs' muscle strength, knee Joint flexion, pain reduction and weight changes with aquatic exercise program. Forty three women with arthritis were pre and post tested for changes of muscle strength, range of motion, weight and pain. This data was collected from April 1, 1997 to February 24, 1998. The mean age was 52.5. Statistically significant in lower limbs' muscle strength with an aquatic exercise program by age, BMI, education, rheumatic drug use, illness duration until 12 weeks after experiment. Statistically significant in knee joint flexion with aquatic exercise program by age, BMI, education, rheumatic drug use, illness duration until 12 weeks after experiment. Statistically significant in pain reduction with aquatic exercise program by age, BMI, education, rheumatic drug use, illness duration until 12 weeks after experiment. Statistically significant in weight changes with aquatic exercise program by age, BMI, education, rheumatic drug use, illness duration until 6 weeks after experiment. As a conclusion, aquatic exercise programs for the patients with arthritis require at least 12 weeks and a variety of aquatic exercise programs for the effective control should be developed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.683-696
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• 2000

To examine the blood lipids, muscle strength and flexibility at low back, and muscle strength in the knee joint, 44 women, who were diagnosed as chronic low back pain patients and aged between 40 to 50 years old, were recruited as the subjects. The women were divided into two groups: 1) body fat content less than 25% and 2) body fat content more than 30%. The results were: 1) No differences were found between two groups in blood lipids status. 2) The total cholesterol were less 3.78% in the normal group than the obese group. 3) The HDL-cholesterol were higher 4.85% in the normal group than the obese group. 4) The TG were less 13.1% in the normal group than the obese group. 5) No differences were found between two groups in muscle strength and flexibility 6) No differences were found between two groups in the peak torque of knee joint 7) The total work of the knee joints were higher in the normal group than the obese(P<.05). 8) The abdominal strength were higher 34.04% in the normal group than the obese group. 9) The flexibility of low back were higher 44.54% in the normal group than the obese group.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to suppose basis data the influence of different chair type and pelvic control on quadriceps muscle activity and strength during knee joint extension isometric exercise in hemiplegic patients. This research were investigated in ten healthy adults and tens hemipelgic patients. Surface electromyography (EMG) and Biodex system were used to collect kinematic data and muscle activity, respectively. Independent t-test, paired t-test and one-way repeated ANOVA were used to determine a statistical significance. The results showed as follows: (1) Posterior pelvic angles in healthy group and hemiplegic group were significantly different on isokinetic equipment (p<.05). (2) Different chair type and pelvic control on quadriceps muscle activity and strength were significantly different in hemiplegic patients (p<.05). From the result of this research, posterior pelvic angle control during knee joint extension isometric exercise in hemiplegic patients on isokinetic equipment is necessary to increase quadriceps muscle strength in hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.556-575
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• 1996

In an attempt to investigate the effect of a muscle strengthening exercise program on muscle strength, pain, depression, self-efficacy and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis, a pre-experiment, one group pre-test & post-test design, was planned. Muscle strengthening exercise was carried out from May 22 through August 14, 1995 at isokinetic exercise room in rehabilitation department of University Hospital in Taejon. The subjects were seven female clients conveniently sampled from University Hospital located in Taejon, between 39 and 61 years of age, who had a osteoarthritis in knee. Muscle strengthening exercise program was composed of three sessions per week, one isokinetic exercise at angular velocity of 60° and 180° with Cybex isokinetic dynamometer and two resistance home exercise sessions with elastic band. Data were analyzed with frequency, percentage of change, Friedman test, Duncan test using SAS program. Results were obtained as follows : 1) Flexion and extension muscle strength at angular velocity of 60° and 180° were increased after 12weeks' exercise than those of before experiment. But exept flexion muscle strength at angular velocity of 180°(F=3.34, P=0.0261), there was no statistically significant difference among muscle strengths, which is measured every 3 weeks. 2) Pain was decreased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before experiment, and after 12weeks' exercise than that of 6weeks' exercise. There was statistically significant difference (F=4.28, P=0.0396). 3) Depression was increased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before experiment, and after 12weeks' execise than that of 6weeks' exercise. There was no statistically significant difference between before experiment and after 6weeks' exercise. But, there was statistically significant difference between after 6weeks' exercise and 12weeks' exercise(F=9.38, P=0.0035). 4) Self-efficacy was decreased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before exercise. But, it was increased after 12weeks' exercise than that of be-fore exercise and after 6weeks' exercise. But there was no statistically significant difference (F=1.46, P=0.2706). 5) Quality of life was increased after 6weeks' exercise than that of before exercise, and after 6weeks' exercise than that of 12weeks' exercise. But there was no statistically significant differ once (F=1.06, P=0.3816). Thus, the significant of muscle strengthening exercise for the improvement of muscle strength, pain, depression, is verified. But, this study was a pre-experiment with small size subjects. So, con-trolled experimental study is necessary to determine the effect of this muscle strengthening exercise program on muscle strength, pain, depression, self-efficacy, and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthritis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.140-146
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• 2022

Background: The superimposed technique (ST) involves the application of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) during voluntary muscle action. The physiological effects attributed to each stimulus may be accumulated by the ST. Although various EMS devices for the quadriceps muscle are being marketed to the general public, there is still a lack of research on whether ST training can provide significant advantages for improving quadriceps muscle strength or thickness compared with EMS alone. Objective: To compare the effects of eight weeks of ST and EMS on the thicknesses of the rectus femoris (RF) and vastus intermedius (VI) muscles and knee extension strength. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to either the ST or EMS groups. The participants underwent ST or EMS training for eight weeks. In all participants, the thicknesses of the RF and VI muscles were measured before and after the 8-week intervention by ultrasonography, and quadriceps muscle strength was measured using the Smart KEMA tension sensor (KOREATECH Co., Ltd.). Results: There were significant differences in the pre- and post-intervention thicknesses of the RF and VI muscles as well as the quadriceps muscle strength in both groups (p < 0.05). RF thickness was significantly greater in the ST group (F = 4.294, p = 0.048), but there was no significant difference in VI thickness (F = 0.234, p = 0.632) or knee extension strength (F = 0.775, p = 0.386). Conclusion: EMS can be used to improve quadriceps muscle strength and RF and VI muscle thickness, and ST can be used to improve RF thickness in the context of athletic training and fitness.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2006

The primary purpose of a TKA is to restore normal knee function Therefore, ideally, a TKA should: (a) maintain the natural leverage of the knee joint muscles to ensure generating adequate knee muscle moments to accomplish daily tasks such as rising from climbing stairs; (b) provide adequate knee joint stability. A 16-channel MyoResearch XP EMG system was used to collect the differential input surface electromyography signals VM, VL, RF, BF, ST during climbing/descending stair tests. A Peak Motion Measurement System was used to collect the kinematic and kinetic data. AKIN-COM Ill isokinetic dynamometer was used for EMG of VM, VL, RF, BF and ST during maximal voluntary contraction. I Quadriceps EMG results for the VM of the passed 1year group limb demonstrated significant less RMS EMG than that of the passed 3year group limb $60^{\circ}-15^{\circ}$ of knee flexion(p<0.05). The VL of the passed 1year group limb also demonstrated significants less RMS EMG than that of the passed 3year group limb from $60^{\circ}-45^{\circ}$ of knee flexion(p<0.05). Similar to the VM and VL, the RF of the passed 1year group limb showed less RMS EMG than that of the passed 3year group limb from $60^{\circ}-30^{\circ}$ do knee flexion(p<0.05). Hamstring EMG results for the BF of the passed 1year group limb demonstrated less RMS EMG than that of the passed 3year group limb from $75^{\circ}-15^{\circ}$ of knee flexion(p<0.05). The passed 1year group limb tended to have less ADD displacement(p<0.071) than that of the passed 3year group limb. There was no significant difference of the ABD displacement between the passed 1year group and the passed 3year group limbs(p<0.73). The passed 3year group used compensatory adaptation movement strategies to compensate for the strength deficit of passed 3year group limbs. The passed 3year group limb also increased the quadriceps muscle activation level to produce more knee extension moment to compensate for the short quadriceps moment arm. The passe 3year group limb might have an unstable knee joint in the medio-Iateral direction during the climbing/descending by showing a tendency of more ADD displacement and greater hamming co-activation EMG than the passed 1year group limbs. The TKA design was not able to help the knee joint to produce adequate knee extension moment with less quadriceps muscle effort. I think that old man needs continuous exercise for muscle strength.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.20-28
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• 2019

Background: The wall squat exercise has been recommended for strengthening of the lower extremity muscles with maintaining lumbar lordosis. Although squat has been studied to be related to lower extremity extensor strength, the relationship between wall squat and lower extremity extensor strength unclear. Because squat and wall squat are biomechanically different, study on the relationship is needed. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the lower extremity extensor strength associated with wall squat performance. Methods: 74 healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in this study. The volunteers were measured hip and knee extensors strength and then performed wall squat exercise for maximum count. Results: We found significant relationships between wall squat performance and hip extensor strength normalized by body weight, knee extensor strength normalized by body weight and the composite value. In a regression analysis, hip extensor strength normalized by body weight explained 29% of the variation in wall squat performance in males and 35% in females. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that hip extensor strength normalized by body weight is critical to wall squat performance in both sexes.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.948-956
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a prototype KAFO (Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis) powered by two artificial pneumatic muscles during walking. We had previously built powered AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthosis) and KO (Knee Orthosis) and used it effectively in studies on assistance of plantaflexion and knee extension motion. Extending the previous study to a KAFO presented additional challenges related to the assistance of gait motion for rehabilitation training. Five healthy males were performed gait motion on treadmill wearing KAFO equipped with artificial pneumatic muscles to power ankle plantaflexion and knee extension. Subjects walked on treadmill at 1.5 km/h under four conditions without extensive practice: 1) without wearing KAFO, 2) wearing KAFO with artificial muscles turned off, 3) wearing KAFO powered only in plantaflexion under feedforward control, and 4) wearing KAFO powered both in plantaflexion and knee extension under feedforward control. We collected surface electromyography, foot pressure and kinematics of ankle and knee joint. The experimental result showed that a muscular strength of wearing KAFO powered plnatarfexion and knee extension under feedforward control was measured to be lower due to pneumatic assistance and foot pressure of wearing KAFO powered plnatarfexion and knee extension under feedforward control was measured to be greater due to power assistance. In the result of motion analysis, the ankle angle of powered KAFO in terminal stance phase was found a peak value toward plantaflexion and there were difference of maximum knee flexion range among condition 2, 3 and 4 in mid-swing phase. The current orthosis design provided plantaflexion torque of ankle jonit in terminal stance phase and knee extension torque of knee joint in mid-swing phase.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.93-107
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• 2023

This study aimed to design a knee brace with dry electrode EMS (Electrical Muscle Stimulation) for elite badminton players suffering from knee pain and assess its effectiveness in relieving pain and improving mobility. The assessment measured knee joint range of motion (ROM), Sargent jump height, and pain perception using a visual analog scale (VAS). Four experimental groups were established: stability, pain induction after 100 squats, muscle soreness induction with a regular knee brace, and muscle soreness induction with the EMS knee brace. The most suitable knee brace was selected from four samples to design the EMS knee brace. The conductive fabric was integrated into the inner surface of the knee brace to enhance EMS conductivity for the quadriceps muscles. Tensile strength tests showed that the dry electrode did not significantly affect the physical functionality of the knee brace.Regarding knee joint ROM and Sargent jump height, the EMS knee brace outperformed muscle soreness induction with a regular knee brace and wearing a standard knee brace. VAS measurements demonstrated that the EMS braces effectively alleviated pain perception in most cases. The results indicate the potential for developing EMS braces to alleviate pain and prevent injuries for athletes across various sports.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.28-33
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• 2020

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the effects of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) supplement on delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) by analyzing the maximum muscle strength and indicators of muscle damage. [Methods] Twelve men with majors in physical education were assigned to the BCAA group and placebo group in a double-blinded design, and repeated measurements were conducted. DOMS was induced with an isokinetic exercise. Following BCAA administration, the changes in the knee extension peak torque, flexion peak torque, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) concentrations were analyzed. The maximum knee muscle strength was measured at the baseline (pre-D0) following BCAA administration for 5 days before exercise (-D5, -4D, -3D, -2D, -1D). In contrast, the post-treatment measurements (D3) were recorded after BCAA administration for 3 days (post-D0, D1, D2). Blood samples were obtained before (pre-D0), immediately after (post-D0), 24 h (D1), 48 h (D2), and 72 h (D3) after the exercise to analyze the indicators of muscle strength. BCAA was administered twice daily for 8 days (5 days and 3 days before inducing DOMS and during the experimental period, respectively). [Results] There was no difference in the flexion peak torque between the groups. However, the BCAA group showed a significantly higher extension peak torque at D3 (second isokinetic exercise), compared to the placebo group (p<.05). There was no difference in AST changes between the groups. Nonetheless, the CK and LDH were significantly reduced in the BCAA group, compared to the placebo group. There was no correlation between the extension peak torque and flexion peak torque. However, the CK and LDH increased proportionately in DOMS. Moreover, their concentrations significantly increased with a decreasing peak torque (p<.01). [Conclusion] An exercise-induced DOMS results in a decrease in the peak torque and a proportional increase in the CK and LDH concentrations. Moreover, the administration of BCAA inhibits the reduction of the extension peak torque and elevation of CK and LDH concentrations. Therefore, BCAA might be administered as a supplement to maintain the muscle strength and prevent muscle damage during vigorous exercises that may induce DOMS in sports settings.