• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.48-56
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• 2014

The aim of this study to investigate the effects of craniocervical flexion on muscle activities of scapular upward rotators during push-up plus exercise in subjects with winging scapula. Eighteen males with scapular winging were recruited, and each subject performed knee push-up plus and other exercises, in two conditions (craniocervical flexion vs. natural head positions). A surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure upper trapezius (UT), serratus anterior (SA), and lower trapezius (LT) muscle activity. A paired t-test was used to determine the statistical significance between the different condition with/without applying of craniocervical flexion. UT EMG activity significantly decreased and SA EMG activity significantly increased during knee push-up plus involving the craniocervical flexion compared to the natural head position. However, no significant differences (p>.05) were found in the activity of the LT muscle. The UT/SA ratios with and without craniocervical flexion showed a significant difference (p<.05). These results showed that the knee push-up plus other exercises performed with craniocervical flexion could strengthen the serratus anterior muscle and minimize the activity of the UT muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2013

Purpose: Spinal instability due to weakness of abdominal muscles is one of the major causes that induces low back pain (LBP). The purpose of this study was to investigate any differences in abdominal muscle activity during curl up, roll out, and jack knife exercises using a swiss-ball or sling. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were randomly assigned into either a swiss-ball exercise group (SBEG) or a sling exercise group (SEG). Subjects performed curl up, roll out and jack knife exercises using the swiss ball or sling. Activity of abdominal muscles (rectus abdominis and external oblique muscle) was assessed using surface EMG and normalized maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The significance of differences between the sling exercise group and the swiss-ball exercise group was evaluated by the independent t-test. Results: These Results indicated that activities of rectus abdominis on right and left of the SEG during the curl up exercise were significantly greater than the SBEG. During the roll out exercise, activity of the abdominal muscle was not significantly different between the SEG and SBEG. In addition, during the jack knife exercise, activities of the right rectus abdominis and left external oblique muscle in the SEG were significantly greater than the SBEG. Conclusion: In conclusion, activity of the abdominal muscles was maximized when curl up and jack knife exercise were performed using the sling rather than the swiss-ball. Therefore, if increased activation of the abdominal muscle is the goal of an exercise program, curl up and jack knife exercises may be useful.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of the lower extremity muscle activity on bridging exercise according to the knee joint angle. Methods : Twenty-five healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required to complete following four bridging exercises; knee joint flexion $120^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$. Surface electromyography from selected lower extremity muscles was normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Muscle activity was measured by QEMG-4 system (LXM 3204, Laxtha Korea). A repeated measures of one-way ANOVA was used to determine the influence of bridging exercise on muscle activity for each muscle and descriptive statistics was used to determine muscle ratio. Results : The biceps femoris of all bridging exercises showed significantly(p<.05). The vastus medialis and lateralis of all bridging exercises showed significant excepted $120^{\circ}$(p<.05). The rectus femoris of all bridging exercises showed no significant. Median of vastus medialis/rectus femoris ratio of $120^{\circ}$ was 2.03, $90^{\circ}$ was 2.16, $60^{\circ}$ was 2.67, $45^{\circ}$ was 4.10. Median of vastus lateralis/rectus femoris ratio of $120^{\circ}$ was 1.70, $90^{\circ}$ was 1.70, $60^{\circ}$ was 2.08, $45^{\circ}$ was 2.58. Median of vastus medialis/vastus lateralis ratio of $120^{\circ}$ was 1.26, $90^{\circ}$ was 1.50, $60^{\circ}$ was 1.52, $45^{\circ}$ was 1.47. Conclusion : Angular motion decreasing with knee joint flexion made increase biceps femoris and vastus medialis activation. This result will be use knee joint stabilizing exercises during bridging or unstable surface training and biceps femoris strength training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.99-111
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of pelvic compression methods on the muscle activities of the trunk muscles during plank exercises in individuals with and without low back pain. METHODS: Individuals who experienced back pain for three or more days within the last six months (low back pain group, LBPG; n = 15) and those who did not (non-experienced low back pain group, NLBPG; n = 15) were instructed to perform plank exercise without pelvic compression or while wearing a ReaLine or Com-pressor belt. The electromyography (EMG) data was measured during each session of exercise. Surface EMG signals were collected for the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), erector spinae (ES), and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles. The data were collected during three 5-s exercises with a 1-min rest period between the three sets. RESULTS: During the plank exercise, the muscle activity of the RA in the LBPG was significantly higher than that in the NLBPG (p < .05), and greater muscle activity was observed in the LBPG even when two pelvic compression methods were applied (p < .05). The muscle activity of RA was decreased significantly during pelvic compression according to the pelvic compression methods in both groups (p < .05). No significant interaction was observed between the groups or the pelvic compression methods for the RA, EO, ES, or GM muscle activities during plank exercises. CONCLUSION: Both pelvic compression methods reduced the RA muscle activity during plank exercises in individuals who had not experienced back pain within the last six months.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.281-289
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• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of the non-elastic taping method for controlling internal hip joint rotation on internal and external hip rotator muscle activity in healthy people. Methods: In this study, 18 healthy volunteers were instructed to perform the small knee bending (SKB) test. All participants completed the test following two methods (using non-elastic taping and not using taping). Muscle activation during the two methods was measured using a surface electromyography (EMG) device. Surface EMG data were collected from the gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, and tensor fasciae femoris muscles while performing the SKB test with and without non-elastic taping. Results: Muscle activity in the gluteus maximus was significantly higher during the SKB test with non-elastic taping than during the conventional SKB test with taping (p < 0.05). Tensor fasciae latae muscle activity was lower during the SKB test with non-elastic taping than during the conventional SKB test (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that the non-elastic taping method for controlling internal hip joint rotation effectively activates the hip's external rotator muscles and minimizes unwanted internal rotator muscle use during the SKB test. Therefore, the non-elastic taping method for controlling internal hip joint rotation could be an effective intervention for those who cannot control the internal rotation of their hips.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2024

Objective: This Study aimed to examine the changes in muscle activity of trunk muscles by performing three squat exercises on normal adults. Design: cross-sectional study Methods: Thirty-two adult subjects participated in this study. General squat, overhead squat, and overhead squat combined with abdominal stabilization were randomly performed for 5 seconds, 3 times, to calculate the average muscle activation. Muscle activation was normalized using electrodes on the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae muscles to measure maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for 5 seconds, repeated 3 times each. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean and maximal muscle activity of the bilateral erector spinae (ES) when comparing the squat to the overhead squat (p<0.05). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean and maximal muscle activity of the bilateral external oblique (EO) when comparing the overhead squat to the overhead squat combined with the abdominal stabilization technique. When comparing the squat to the overhead squat with abdominal stabilization, there was a significant difference in the mean and maximum muscle activity of the bilateral RA, EO, and left Internal oblique (IO) (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference in the maximum muscle activity of the bilateral erector spinae (ES) (p<0.05). Post hoc tests showed significant differences between squatting methods for the RA, EO, IO, and ES (p<0.017). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that squats combined with abdominal stabilization were more effective at activating core muscles than squats or overhead squats alone.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2013

Objectives : To evaluate the clinical utility of MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients. Methods : We compared electrical activity between a before MET and a after MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients in same group(n=30) in dynamic flexion-reextension state during five seconds. We analyzed amplitudes and areas of electrical activity and asymmetry index(AI). Results : 1. After MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients were significantly decreased in Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) than before MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients(p<0.05). 2. After MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients were lower electrical activity than before MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients but it is not a pointless observation(p<0.05). 3. AI of the after MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients significantly decreased compared with before MET in elector spinae muscle on low back pain patients(p<0.05). Conclusions : According to above results, there is clinical effect MET on low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.145-150
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effects of ankle control training using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), leg muscle activation, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty-one stroke patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage were selected for the study. The experimental group underwent ankle control training using NMES, while the control group applied NMES to the paretic tibialis anterior muscle for 30 minutes per session, five times a week for four weeks. The muscle activity changes were measured using surface electromyography, and balance parameters were evaluated using a functional reach test (FRT). Results: The intra-group comparison of the concentric muscle activity revealed improvements in the experimental group, including paretic tibialis anterior (TA) muscle (p<0.05), medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) (p<0.01), and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (LG) (p<0.05), as well as MG (p<0.05), LG (p<0.05), soleus muscle (p<0.05) of the non-paretic side, and soleus muscle symmetry index (p<0.05). The intra-group comparison of the eccentric muscle activity showed improvements in the experimental group, including MG (p<0.01) and LG (p<0.01) of the paretic side, as well as MG (p<0.01), LG (p<0.01) of the non-paretic side, and LG symmetry index (p<0.01). The intra-group comparison of the functional reach test revealed significant differences in the test results in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ankle control training using NMES had a positive effect on the changes in muscle activation and improved balance in patients with stroke.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2023

Background: This study was to investigate the effects of coordinative locomotor training(CLT) using elastic bands on pain, dynamic balance, muscle strength, and muscle activity of female college students with patellofemoral pain syndrome(PFPS). Design: Randomized Controlled Trial Methods: Twenty-six female college students with PFPS were assigned randomly to an experimental(n=13) or control(n=13) group. The experimental group performed CLT using an elastic band. The control group performed squat exercises to strengthen muscle strength. The 30-minute inter- vention was applied a total of twelve times, three times a week for four weeks. All subjects measured the pain, the muscle strength, the dynamic balance, and the muscle activity(VL/VM ratio) before and after intervention. A paired t-test was used for the determination of differences before and after treatment, and an independent t-test was used for the determination of differences between treatment groups. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental group showed significant differences in pain, muscle strength, dynamic balance, and VL/VM ratio after the experiment(p<0.05), and the control group showed significant differences in pain, muscle strength, and dynamic balance after the experiment(p<0.05). In comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed more significant differences in pain, dynamic balance, and VL/VM ratio than the control group(p<0.05), and the control group showed more significant differences in muscle strength than the experimental group(p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, CLT using elastic bands effectively improved the pain, muscle strength, dynamic balance, and VL/VM ratio of female college students with PFPS.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.85-99
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• 2003

Muscle tone is the force with which a muscle resists being lengthened. Muscle tone is often tested clinically by passively extending and flexing a relaxed patient's limbs and feeling the resistance offered by the muscle. Both nonneural and neural mechanism contribute to muscle tone. Muscle tone is the mechanisms that contribute to the generation of tone in individual muscles when a person is in a relaxed state. This background level of activity changes in a certain antigravity posture muscle when we stand upright, thus counteracting the force of gravity. This increased level of activity in antigravity muscles is known as postural tone. The evidence from experiments showing that lesions of the dorsal(sensory) roots of the spinal cord reduced muscle(postural) tone is influenced by inputs from the somatosensory system. Patients with neurological damage have several state of muscle(postural) tone, which display from flaccidity to rigidity. This review article deal with muscle tone and somatosensory system acting on this. The understanding about this contribute to a better therapeutic approach for the rehabilitation of patients to have an abnormal muscle(postural) tone due to neurological damage.