• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.225-232
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• 2019

This study aims to compare muscle activities of trunk and lower extremities according to wearing/not-wearing and forms of backpack. Twenti-six healthy adults were participated in the study. In the backpack with 10% body weight, trunk and lower extremities were measured during carrying the no backpack state(NBs), general backpack state(GBs), a decrease moment arm backpack state(DMBs). The muscle activity in a fore muscles(Obilique, Quadriceps, Tibialis anterior, Gastrocnemius) were analyzed with using wireless electromyogram measuring system. DMBs showed significant improvemet in obilique, quadriceps and gastrocnemius muscle RVC.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.71-80
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• 2015

Hip muscle activation and strengthening exercise programs are often used to prevent and treat various lower extremity injuries. Common exercise programs include squat exercises. The purposes of this study were to investigate gluteus medius (GMED) and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) muscle activity, and to assess the GMED/TFL ratio during squat exercises involving different isometric hip contraction conditions. Different types of isometric hip contraction were standard squat without hip contraction, squats with isometric hip adduction, and squats with isometric hip abduction. Twenty (10 males and 10 females) healthy subjects ($23.7{\pm}2.8$ years old) were recruited. Subjects performed the squat exercises with the back supported by a wall and knees flexed to $60^{\circ}$. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure GMED and TFL activity. One-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare GMED and TFL muscle activity and the GMED/TFL ratio. GMED and TFL EMG activity was significantly higher during squats with isometric hip adduction and abduction compared with the standard squat without hip contraction (p<.05). Between the isometric hip adduction and abduction contraction conditions, only the TFL EMG activity was significantly higher during squats with isometric hip adduction than isometric hip abduction (p<.05). The GMED/TFL ratio was significantly higher during squats with isometric hip adduction than isometric hip abduction (p<.05). Squats with isometric hip adduction and abduction improved GMED and TFL muscle activity. Furthermore, the GMED/TFL ratio was higher during isometric hip adduction than isometric hip abduction. Our data indicate that squat exercises involving isometric hip adduction enhance GMED muscle activity.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.250-257
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• 2019

Objectives: Flatfoot, or low medial longitudinal arch, contributes to back and lower extremity injuries and is caused by weak abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) alone or with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on navicular height, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity in flexible flatfoot. Methods: Thirty-six otherwise healthy people with flexible flatfoot were randomly assigned to a group that received SFE with placebo NMES treatment (the control group) or a group that received both SFE and NMES treatment (the experimental group). Each group received 4 weeks of treatment (SFE alone or SFE with NMES). Navicular height, the CSA of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: No significant differences were found in navicular height or the CSA of the AbdH muscle between the control and experimental groups, while AbdH muscle activity showed a statistically significant difference between the groups ($SFE=73.9{\pm}11.0%$ of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]; SFE with $NMES=81.4{\pm}8.3%$ of MVIC; p<0.05). Moreover, the CSA of the AbdH muscle showed a statistically significant increase after treatment in the SFE with NMES group ($pre-treatment=218.6{\pm}53.2mm^2$ ; $post-treatment=256.9{\pm}70.5mm^2$ ; p<0.05). Conclusions: SFE with NMES was more effective than SFE alone in increasing AbdH muscle activity. Therefore, SFE with NMES should be recommended to correct or prevent abnormalities in people with flexible flatfoot by a physiotherapist or medical care team.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.139-148
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of indoor and outdoor environmental changes on the activity of the major lower limb muscles and walking factors in people 40-50 years and those aged older than 70 years. METHODS: Ten middle-aged people in their forties (age:$44.2{\pm}2.7$, BMI:$21.8{\pm}1.8$) and 10 elderly aged more than 70 years (age:$76.4{\pm}5.9$, BMI:$22.2{\pm}1.9$) with a normal walking ability were included. The participants walked 100 m both indoors and outdoors at their own speed. Using a 3D motion analyzer and EMG, the walking speed, angle of the ankle and activity changes of the lower limb muscles were compared. RESULTS: Significant differences in walking speed and peak-plantar flexion angle were observed between the two groups (p<.05). The muscular activity of the gastrocnemius muscle (GCM) was significantly different outdoors in the swing phase between the two groups (p<.05). In the people aged in their forties, the muscular activity of the rectus femoris (RF) was significantly higher outdoors than indoors (p<.05). In the elderly, however, the muscular activity of the RF was lower outdoors than indoors (p<.05). When compared to those in there forties, the muscular activity of the outdoor RF significantly decreased in the elderly group (P<.05). The muscular activity of the biceps femoris (BF) in the elderly decreased significantly outdoors compared to indoors (p<.05). CONCLUSION: For the elderly, increasing the exposure to the new environments or focusing on the performance of repeated movements for gradual speed control and precise movements is required to maintain normal gaits and movements that are less affected by environmental changes.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2017

Objective: There are many types of exercises with upper and lower-limb action for activation of abdominal muscles for trunk stabilization. A comparison of the different exercise methods been very useful to enhance the result from the exercise for treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate through surface electromyography (EMG) the changes in abdominal muscle activity during the performance of three different dead-bug exercise methods performed at three different speeds. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The subjects were 30 healthy adults (13 males and 17 females). We instructed the subjects to perform three different dead-bug exercises. We also applied three different speeds to the dead-bug exercises; 60 bpm, 90 bpm, and 120 bpm with use of a metronome. The assessment of EMG was percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction on the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO). Results: EMG activation of the RA, EO and IO muscles was significantly greater at the higher speed (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in abdominal muscle activity during the dead-bug exercise performed with both the upper and lower extremities compared to that with only the upper extremity or the lower extremities (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the performance of the dead-bug exercise with both the upper and lower extremities combined at a high speed is more effective compared to other exercises. Therefore, it is suggested that more favourable and effective outcomes may occur when the type and speed of the exercise is chosen appropriately.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2002

This study was designed to identify the effects of walking conditions (normal walking vs. toe-walking) on electromyographic (EMG) activity of gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscle. Seven healthy adult males participated in this study. The exclusion criteria were orthopedic or neurologic disease, congenital anomaly or acquired deformity, or pain in low back or lower extremities. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction for each muscle was used for the reference contraction, and EMG activity of each muscle during normal walking and toe-walking was expressed as a percentage of reference contraction. The gait cycle was determined with two foot switches, and gait was normalized as 100% gait cycle for each condition. The maximal values of EMG activity in terminal stance (30~50% of gait cycle) of each condition were compared for data analysis. No significant differences were found in EMG activity of the tibialis anterior and soleus (p>.05), whereas significant decrement was found in EMG activity of gastrocnemius during toe-walking compared to normal walking (p<.05). There is a limitation to generalize the results of this study, because small number of subjects participated for this study and only EMG was used for data collection. The treatment methods should be developed to improve gait efficiency by substituting the weakened muscles secondary to upper motor neuron, or by strengthening the distal muscles in lower extremity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.323-330
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of muscle activation of neck, lumbar and low limb by using baby carrier with arms during walking. Methods : Twenty healthy and young females who brought up infants and had no musculoskeletal disorders of neck, lumbar and low limb were recruited for this study. They were instructed to perform muscle activation of neck, lumbar and low limb using the baby carrier with and without arms during walking. ProComp $infiniti^{TM}$ (Thought Technology Ltd., Canada) was used to measure the muscle activity of neck, lumbar and lower extremity muscles. Results : Activation of neck paraspinalis muscle was significantly increased using baby carrier with arms and there was a significant increase on erector spinae muscle activation by using anterior baby carrier. Conclusion : These results indicate that the muscle activation was changed by arms assist and the position of using baby carrier. Therefore, it could be considered relationship of muscle activation and musculoskeletal demage as carrying baby.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.429-438
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• 1994

An electrical stimulator was designed to induce locomotion for paraplegic patients caused by central nervous system injury. Optimal stimulus parameters, which can minimize muscle fatigue and can achieve effective muscle contraction were determined in slow and fast muscles in Sprague-Dawley rats. Stimulus patterns of our stimulator were designed to simulate eleclromyographic activity monitored during locomotion of normal subjects. Muscle types of the lower extremity were classified according to their mechanical property of contraction, which are slow muscle (msoleus m.) and fast muscle (medial gastrocnemius m., rectus femoris m., vastus lateralis m.). Optimal parameters of electrical stimulation for slow muscles were 20 Hz, 0.2 ms square pulse. For fast muscle, 40 Hz, 0.3 ms square pulse was optimal to produce repeated contraction. Higher'stimulus intensity was required when synergistic muscles were stimulated simultaneously than when they were stimulated individually. Electrical stimulation for each muscle was designed to generate bipedal locomotion, so that individual muscles alternate contraction and relaxation to simulate stance and swing phases. Portable electrical stimulator with 16 channels built in microprocessor was constructed and applied to paraplegic patients due to lumbar cord injury. The electrical slimulator restored partially gait function in paraplegic patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.311-319
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine of this study is to study the effect of squat exercise on muscle activation in a sling device using various types of ropes and to propose an effective sling exercise method for strengthening the lower extremity strength. Method: 20 adult male subjects (age: 25.2±2.4 yrs, height: 176.5±3.2 cm, weight: 77.2±4.5 kg) participated in this study. In the experiment, a total of four squats were conducted: squat [SE], sling squat using inelastic rope [IR], sling squat using elastic rope [ER], and sling squat using two elastic ropes [TER]. Squats were performed 5 times for each condition, and a 60-second break was given for each condition to minimize muscle fatigue. The activation of biceps brachii, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles was measured. Results: It was found that the activation of all muscles was the lowest during the squat exercise [SE]. During the sling squat using inelastic rope [IR], the muscle activation of the biceps brachii was the highest. During the sling squat using elastic rope [ER], the activation of the rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles was found to be the highest. In the sling squat using two elastic ropes [TER], most of the muscle activation was similar to that of the sling squat using inelastic rope [IR]. Conclusion: Our results of the experiment, it was found that sling squat exercise using elastic rope had a positive effect on the activation of all muscles. It is thought that performing a squat exercise under moderate weight load and unstable conditions, such as sling squat exercise using elastic rope, can increase the muscle activity of the lower limbs and perform more effective exercise effect than performing a conventional squat exercise under stable conditions. In the future, if research is conducted not only on adult men, but also on various ages and patients, it will be able to provide positive help in improving balance, stability and stamina through squat exercise.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activation according to the four strap lengths in the TRX plank exercise to provide scientific and accurate data on effective training methods. Method: Twenty healthy men who had at least 6 months of weight training experience and could fully adjusted plank exercise, were participate in this study (age: 25.2 ± 3.7 yrs., height: 174.2 ± 3.9 cm., weight: 71.2 ± 9 kg). To pursue the study purpose, surface electrodes were attached to trunk muscles (pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi) and lower extramity muscles (gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius), and the muscle activity was measured using 11-channel electromyography equipment. In order to verify the muscle activation according to the four strap lengths during TRX plank exercise, an one-way ANOVA with repeated measure was used with statistical significance level set at as α=.05. Results: First, there were statistically significant differences in pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae among TRX strap lengths. Second, there were statistically significant differences in gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius among TRX strap lengths. Third, even though no statistically significant difference found in latissimus dorsi, but increased muscle activation tendency was showed as the length of the strap increased. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it may be possible that TRX exercise prevent injuries and improve lower extremity muscle as well as trunk muscles by setting appropriate length of strap.