• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.63-68
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of hyper-extended knee and asymmetric standing posture on knee joint position and lower extremity muscle activity. Thirty-three voluntary participants participated and included sixty legs in the study. The sixty legs were divided into two groups: hyper-extended knee and normal group. The muscle activity and knee extension angle were measured. In the asymmetric standing posture, the knee joint extension angle and the muscle activity of the gastrocnemius were statistically significant between the normal group and the hyper-extended knee group. Based on the results, we confirmed that the asymmetric standing posture increases the hyper-extended knee. Therefore, it will contribute to the establishment of therapeutic guide for the subjects with hyper-extended knee to maintain the symmetrical standing posture, and future studies need to be conducted including the effects of the hip joint and ankle joints.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.16-23
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• 2019

Background: High-heeled shoes can change spinal alignment and feet movement, which leads to muscle fatigue and discomfort in lumbopelvic region, legs, and feet while walking. Objects: This study aimed to identify the effects of different shoe heel heights on the walking velocity and electromyographic (EMG) activities of the lower leg muscles during short- and long-distance walking in young females. Methods: Fifteen young females were recruited in this study. The experiments were performed with the following two different shoe heel heights: 0 cm and 7 cm. All participants underwent an electromyographic procedure to measure the activities and fatigue levels of the tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), rectus femoris (RF), and hamstring muscles with each heel height during both short- and long-distance walking. The walking velocities were measured using the short-distance (10-m walk) and long-distance (6-min walk) walking tests. Results: Significant interaction effects were found between heel height and walking distance conditions for the EMG activities and fatigue levels of TA and MG muscles, and walking velocity (p<.05). The walking velocity and activities of the TA, MG, and RF muscles appeared to be significantly different between the 0 cm and 7 cm heel heights during both short- and long-distance walking (p<.05). Significant difference in the fatigue level of the MG muscle were found between the 0 cm and 7 cm heel heights during long-distance walking. In addition, walking velocity and the fatigue level of the MG muscle at the 7 cm heel height revealed significant differences in the comparison of short- and long-distance walking (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that higher shoe heel height leads to a decrease in the walking velocity and an increase in the activity and fatigue level of the lower leg muscles, particularly during long-distance walking.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.113-121
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of shoulder external rotation on muscle activities of the scapular upward rotators during arm elevation. METHODS: Nineteen healthy subjects with no medical history of shoulder pain or upper extremity disorders were recruited for this study. Electromyography (EMG) was used to measure the muscle activities of the serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UP), lower trapezius (LT) and infraspinatus (IS) muscles during arm elevation. The EMG activities were recorded while the subjects performed $90^{\circ}$ arm elevation with three different arm positions; palm down (PD), neutral position (NP), and palm up (PU). While seated in a chair, the subject was asked to raise the upper extremity in the sagittal plane in random order. Subjects performed $90^{\circ}$ arm elevations in three trials at each arm position. The mean EMG activity normalized by the maximal voluntary isometric contraction was analyzed across three arm positions. Repeated measures one-way ANOVA and the post hoc Bonferroni tests were used to determine the differences in muscle activities among the three arm positions. RESULTS: The EMG activities of the SA and IS were significantly greater in the PU condition than in the other conditions during arm elevation. No significant difference was noted between the NP and PD conditions during arm elevation. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that shoulder external rotation (palm up position) can be used to activate the SA. Therefore, we recommend a scapular protraction exercise in the palm up position for strengthening the SA.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.46-52
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• 2018

Background: The hamstring muscles in the lower extremity are highly important for knee joint stability and can be classified into medial and lateral hamstrings according to the anatomical position, which have some different functions. To measure the strength of the individual hamstring muscles, manual muscle testing is clinically performed by dividing rotation postures into internal and external postures. However, this has no sufficient scientific background. Objects: This study aimed to test the difference that the tibial rotation would cause in the muscle activity of the medial and lateral hamstrings. Methods: The muscle activities of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus were measured in a total of three different postures (neutral position and internal and external rotations) with 3 replications. During the maximal isometric contraction, resistance was constantly provided by the string attached to the strap, not by manual resistance of the examiner. Before and after electromyography measurements, the participants underwent hamstring flexibility measurement using the active knee extension test in the supine position on the treatment table. Results: The semitendinosus had a 12.56% reduction in muscle activity in external rotation as compared with that in neutral position. The biceps femoris and semimembranosus showed reduced muscle activities in both external and internal rotations as compared with those in neutral position. Only the women showed significant decreases in the comparison between pre and post-active knee extension. Conclusion: Only the semitendinosus muscle was consistent with the anatomical speculation. However, the reduction in the muscle activity of the semitendinosus as compared with that in neutral position was only 12.56%, the clinical value of which may be difficult to justify.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.291-298
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to suggest an effective exercise for treating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and hamstring injuries based on the dynamic control ratio (DCR) for the hamstring and quadriceps during eccentric hamstring exercises. Methods: Twenty-four healthy participants participated in this study. The participants performed three eccentric hamstring exercises, including the Nordic exercise, the supine leg curl, and single-leg deadlifts. During the eccentric hamstring exercises, the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) were measured using surface electromyography. Results: The DCR was significantly lower during the supine leg curl and single-leg deadlift than during the Nordic exercise (p < 0.05). The activity of the VMO and VL was significantly greater during the supine leg curl than during the Nordic exercise and the single-leg deadlift (p < 0.05). VL activity was significantly higher during the single-leg deadlift than during the Nordic exercise (p < 0.05). ST activity was significantly higher during the supine leg curl and Nordic exercise than during the single-leg deadlift (p < 0.05). BF activity was significantly higher during the supine leg curl than during the Nordic exercise and single-leg deadlift (p < 0.05). Finally, the BF showed significantly higher activity during the Nordic exercise compared to during the single-leg deadlift (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on the DCR ratio and quadriceps activity, the supine leg curl should be introduced early in rehabilitation for ACL injuries.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.115-128
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to observe the change of circumference, volume and strength of normal and operated lower extremities on 3rd, 7th, 10th, and 14th days of postoperation following THRA compared with their condition on preoperation day. Subjects consisted of 13 male and 7 female Patients operated with THRA between the age of 20 and 69 years with a mean age of 38.55(SD=15.1). Circumference of upper and lower leg was measured by tape, leg volume was determined according to formula (Moor & Thornton, 1987) with measurement of 8 circumferences of leg. Leg strength was measured by pressing the center of digital health meter in supine position. The results can be summarized as follows : 1. Circumference of operated thigh decreased significantly at 14 following THRA compared with preoperative value, while that of normal thigh decreased significantly at day 3, 7, 10 and 14 after THRA compared with preoperative value. 2. Circumference of midcalf in both operated and normal limb decreased significantly at day 3, 7, 10 and 14 following THRA compared with preoperative value. 3. Leg volume of operated lower limb decreased significantly at 10, 14 following THRA compared with preoperative value, while that of normal limb decreased significantly at day 7 & 10 after THRA compared with preoperative value.4. Leg strength of operated limb decreased significantly at day 3, 7, 10, 14 following THRA compared with preoperative value. No significant difference of normal leg strength was shown following THRA. 5. Circumference of midcalf differed significantly at day 14 after THRA between normal and operated extremity. From these results, it can be suggested that a decreased activity after THRA caused muscle atrophies in normal and operated extremity.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.27-35
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity levels of the scapular upward rotators [upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA)] and other scapular muscles [posterior deltoid (PD), levator scapulae (LS), and infraspinatus (IS)] during isometric lower trapezius exercises. Twenty males with no medical history of shoulder pain or upper extremity disorders were recruited for this study. EMG activity was recorded from the UT, LT, SA, PD, LS, and IS while subjects performed three different exercises: Prone arm lift (PAL), Backward rocking diagonal arm lift (BRDAL), Modified Prone Cobra (MPC). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine any significant differences among the three exercises. A lower relative activation of UT, LT, and SA was seen with the MPC than with the other exercises (p<.05). The relatively lower activation of the UT identified, the MPC exercise as the preferred choice for preferential strengthening the LT (p<.05). However, a higher activation in the PD, LS, and IS occurred with the MPC than with the other exercises (p>.05). The recruitment pattern of synergist varied depending on the exercise posture. These findings suggest that exercise posture is an important factor in the selection of strengthening exercise for weak muscle.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.102-110
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• 2006

To improve trunk stability, various exercise protocols were introduced into the clinical field. Trunk and lumbar stability exercises on unstable surfaces are especially recommended to improve lumbar stability. The purpose of this study was to compare abdominal oblique muscle activity during leg raising in hook-lying position among 3 different type of surface conditions (on floor (F), vestibular board (VB), and foam roll (FR)). Sixteen able-bodied volunteers, who had no medical history of lower extremity or lumbar spine disease, were recruited for this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the internal and external oblique muscles of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a one-way repeated ANOVA. The results showed that the EMG activities of the internal oblique and external oblique of the lifted leg side during straight leg raising significantly increased under the FR condition when compared to the F condition. There was no significant difference of the EMG activity in abdominal oblique muscles between the VB and the FR conditions. The EMG activity of the internal oblique of supported leg side during the straight leg raising was significantly greater under the FR condition than the VB and F conditions (p<.05). The composition ratio of EMG activity of internal oblique muscles during straight leg raising was significantly increased under the FR condition. Therefore, straight leg raising exercise on foam roll in hook lying position could be beneficial to improve trunk and lumbar stability.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high heeled shoes on the static & dynamic balance performance and electromyography(EMG) of back and lower extremity muscles. Materials & Methods : Sixteen women participated in this study. Subjects were composed two groups with LL shoes group and higher heel shoes group. We carried out Romberg's test and muscle activity of left and right Paraspinalis, Quadriceps femoris, Tibialis anterior, Gastrocnemius muscles by EMG in order to determine static balance performance according heel height. Using by Biorescue(Incenierie company), we trained subject to transfer of COG each direction(Anterior, posterior, Right, Left), we carried out this test for distance, surface, distance/surface in order to determine dynamic balance performance according heel height. The data were analyzed by independent t-test between lower and high heel height using SPSS(ver. 17.0)/PC program. Results : There was significant difference of distance(p<.05) of weight perturbation between lower and high group in dynamic balance performance and EMG value of left Gastrocnemius(p<.05), both Tibialis anterior(p<.05) muscle in static balance performance. Conclusions : Height of heel has effect on dynamic balance performance in distance of the Anterior, posterior direction. EMG of Gastrocnemius and Tibialis anterior muscles were affected by Romberg's test.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on muscle activity, including 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS, in hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 42 inpatients diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke at hospital B in Daejeon for more than 6 months. Walking training was conducted for six weeks, five times a week for 30 minutes, with a general walking group (14 people), tDCS walking group (14 people), and tDCS (sham) walking group (14 people). Results: As a result of the study, the change in the muscle activity before and after tDCS intervention was significantly increased in the tibialis anterior muscle in the CG group. In the EG group, the erector spine (lumbar), rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles significantly increased. In the SEG group, significant increases were observed in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles. Significant differences were found in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles in the comparison between groups after intervention according to tDCS application. Also, 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS were significantly increased in the CG, EG, and SEG groups after intervention, and there were significant differences in 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS in comparison between groups after intervention according to tDCS application. Conclusion: As a result, tDCS is an effective in improving the walking ability of stroke patients, and in particular, it effectively increases the muscle activity of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles, which act directly on walking, and also improves the speed and stability of walking. It is considered being an effective method to increase the gait of stroke patients by combining it with the existing gait training.