• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.285-289
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• 2011

Muscle fatigue is characterized as a progressive increase in discomfort arising from the active muscle at moderate load levels are maintained. The median frequency is the most commonly used as a parameter to describe muscle fatigue. However, the estimate of the median frequency is difficult to indicate muscle fatigue because of its high standard deviation and instability. This paper investigates the power changes of the appropriate low frequency band as a fatigue parameter in EMG during isotonic exercise. To select the appropriate band, linear regression lines are employed to calculate the slopes and the coefficient of determination. Three females and seven males volunteered to participate in surface EMG recordings placed on the biceps brachii and each recording experiment continued until their exhaustion. The results of experiment shows that the power changes of the selected low frequency band (15~45 Hz) have linear slopes and high determinant coefficients. Therefore, this fatiguing parameter using the power changes of the low frequency band is valid to measure the state of muscular fatigue.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2019

[Purpose] The effect of acute nitrate supplementation on muscle fatigue is largely unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acute nitrate supplementation on muscle fatigue. [Methods] Thirty-five recreationally active subjects consumed 140 ml of beetroot (BR) juice (nitrate: 8 mmol·d^-1) or placebo (PL) 12 and 2.5 hours before two exercise sessions. Peak torque was measured during 50 repetitions, at maximal effort, and during concentric knee extensions at 90°·s^-1. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded pre- and post-exercise. [Results] Peak torque, maximum work, rate of fatigue, and rate of work fatigue were similar between the BR and PL conditions. Post-exercise diastolic BP (BR: 67.2 ± 9.8 vs. PL: 64.5 ± 7.9 mmHg, p < 0.05) and mean arterial pressure (BR: 91.6 ± 9.3 vs. PL: 88.8 ± 8.2 mmHg, p < 0.05) were higher with BR supplementation. [Conclusion] These findings suggest that the acute intake of BR juice had no effect on knee extensor muscle strength or fatigue but increased BP in a healthy recreationally active population.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.344-351
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• 2006

The fatigue of back muscle in the repetitive lifting motion was studied using multiple parameters(FFT_MDF, RMS, 2C, NT) in this study. Recent developments in the time-frequency analysis procedures to compute the IMDF(instantaneous median frequency) were utilized to overcome the nonstationarity of EMG signal using Cohen-Posch distribution. But the above method has a lot of computation time because of its complexity. So, in this study, FFT_MDF(median frequency estimation based on FFT) algorithm was used for median frequency estimation of back muscle EMG signal during muscle work in uniform velocity portion of lumbar movement. The analysis period of EMG signal was determined by using the run test and lumbar movement angle in dynamic task, such as lifting. Results showed that FFT_MDF algorithm is well suited for the estimation of back muscle fatigue from the view point of computation time. The negative slope of a regression line fitted to the median frequency values of back muscle EMG signal was taken as an indication of muscle fatigue. The slope of muscle fatigueness with FFT_MDF method shows the similarity of 77.8% comparing with CP_MDF(median frequency estimation based on Cohen Posch distribution) method.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 2002

The purpose of study is to investigate the relationship between the trunk muscle fatigue and recovery time during repetitive extension by using a surface electromyogram(EMG). Ten healthy subjects particioated in a simulated lifting task with five levels of recovery time and three levels of sub-maximal contraction. EMG signals of the L1(Lumbar 1st Vertebrae) and L3(Lumbar 3rd Vertebrae) level of the erector spinae muscle were recorded. and analyzed in terms of MPF(mean power frequency) parameter to quantify the level of muscle fatigue. It was found that MPF significantly (p<0.05) decreased during repetitive extension task at 50% and 75% sub-maximal contractions. Then it took minutes for the trunk muscle to recover from fatigue during 50% sub-maximal contraction. and it took five minutes during 75% sub-maximal contraction. and it took five minutes during 75% sub-maximal contraction. The recovery time estimated by the maximum force needs to be re-evaluated for the trunk muscle to fully recover from fatigue. In conclusion. the work/rest cycle needs to be studied based upon the information of muscle fatigue in order to prevent workers from musculoskeletal injuries during repetitive lifting task.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.28-37
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of smartphone use on muscle fatigue and tenderness in the cervical erector spinae (CES) and the upper trapezius (UT) and on the cervical range of motion among subjects with and without neck muscle pain. The subjects were 30 smartphone users in their 20 s who -were assigned to either an experimental group with neck muscle pain or a control group without neck muscle pain. Muscle fatigue and tenderness in the CES and the UT as well as the subjects' cervical range of motion were measured before and after 20-min smartphone sessions in a sitting position. In a between-group comparison of muscle fatigue, the experimental group showed a significantly greater decrease in median frequency in the CES and the right UT after smartphone use (p<.05). Regarding the assessment of muscle tenderness after smartphone use, the experimental group showed a statistically significant decrease in the pressure-pain threshold (PPT) in all muscles (p<.05), whereas the control group showed a significantly decreased PPT in the right CES and the UT (p<.05). The assessment of the cervical range of motion revealed a statistically significant reduction in the cervical flexion-extension and left lateral flexion in the experimental group (p<.05) after smartphone use. However, there was no significant change in the cervical range of motion in the control group (p>.05) after smartphone use. When compared with the control group, the experimental group demonstrated greater changes in cervical extension, lateral flexion, and rotation, except for cervical flexion (p<.05). In conclusion, when smartphone users have pre-existing neck muscle pain, the use of a smartphone further increased muscle fatigue and tenderness in the neck and reduced PPT and the cervical range of motion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2008

This study investigated gait characteristics, kinematics, and kinetics in the lower extremities between two different shoe conditions (high heeled shoes (7 cm), and high heeled shoes with a total contact insert (TCI)) after lower extremity muscle fatigue. Although TCI shave been applied in high heeled shoes to increase comfort and to decrease foot pressure, no study has attempted to identify the effects of TCI in fatigue conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of walking in high heeled shoes with TCI after lower extremity muscle fatigue was induced. This study was carried out in a motion analysis laboratory at Hanseo University. A volunteer sample of 14 healthy female subjects participated. All in fatigue conditions, the subjects were divided into two groups. The muscle fatigue was induced by 40 voluntary dorsi- and plantar-flexion exercises and 40 heel-rise exercises of the dominant foot. Surface electromyography was used to confirm the localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of three muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis). The results were as follows: (1) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI decreased the peak flexion angle of the hip joint significantly in the early stance phase (p<.05) and increased the peak hip flexion moment in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (2) In muscle fatigue conditions, the application of TCI also increased peak hip power generation in the early stance phase and peak hip power absorption in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (3) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI reduced the impact force significantly and increased the secondary peak vertical GRF. These findings suggest that the TCI may provide beneficial effects when muscle fatigue occurs for a high heeled shoe gait. Future research employing the patient population and various types of TCI materials are required to clarify the effects of TCI.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.319-324
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effect of dorsal neck muscle fatigue on the cervical range of motion (CROM) and proprioception in adults with the forward head posture (FHP). Methods: Thirty pain-free subjects were enrolled in this study. All subjects were measured the forward head angle by taking the capture of the sagittal plane of their upper body to determine the FHP. Subjects were distributed into two groups: the FHP group (n=14) and Control group (n=16). All subjects were measured the CROM and the Head repositioning accuracy (HRA) for joint proprioception before and after inducing muscle fatigue of the dorsal neck. The CROM and HRA were measured in neck flexion, extension, right-left lateral flexion, and right-left rotation. Sorenson's test was used to induce muscle fatigue of the dorsal neck. Results: Total CROMs were significantly decreased after dorsal neck muscle fatigue in both groups (p<0.05). Total HRAs were significantly increased after dorsal neck muscle fatigue in the FHP group (p<0.05), but there were no significant differences in the control group (p>0.05). Total CROM changes were not significant differences between groups (p>0.05), but total HRA changes were significant differences between groups (p<0.05) except for right and left lateral flexion (p>0.05). Conclusion: Immediate CROM and proprioception reduction after the dorsal neck muscle fatigue were observed in adults with the FHP. Therefore, FHP can significantly affect the CROM and positioning consistency of cervical proprioception.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.280-289
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to determine the stimulation variables which should be considered when neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is applied for a muscle under the normal innervation to minimize muscle fatigue and increase force-generating ability. Methods: A total of 23 healthy men participated in the study and all subjects were randomly assigned to the 1:1 group, 1:3 group, 1:5 group, and control group with on-off ratio of NMES. The subjects performed a fatigue task, consisting of 10 times of isometric contraction sustained by NMES. NMES using Russian current stimulation was applied to muscle fatigue and divided into three sessions by pulse frequency (10 bps, 30 bps, 90 bps). The EMG was recorded using an MP 100 system from the quadriceps femoris muscle in four groups. Results: The differences of delta MdF and delta MF of between on-off ratio groups of 10 bps, 30 bps, and 90 bps pulse frequencies were very significant (p<0.05). According to the results of post hoc of 10, 90 bps, it was greater in the 1:1 group and the 1:3 group compared with the 1:5 group, and no fatigue was observed in the control group. In 30 bps, it was greater in the 1:1 group compared with 1:3, 1:5, and control group (p<.05). Conclusion: Among NMES variables to minimize muscle fatigue, the larger on-off ratio by pulse frequency showed the lower muscle fatigue. Therefore, on-off ratio needs to be great enough, and will be more efficient with the frequency 30 bps rather than of 10 bps and 90 bps.

• 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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.481-486
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effect of calf muscle fatigue on postural sway according to foot posture (a pes cavus, a normal foot, and a pes planus). Methods: The subjects of this study were 12, 11, and 9 students of U University with a pes cavus, a normal foot, and a pes planus, respectively, according to a Navicular Drop Test. Postural sway was measured with a balance instrument (BioRescue, RM Ingenierie, France) while the subjects stood static on two legs as well as during one-leg standing using the dominant leg in two conditions (with the eyes open and with the eyes closed for 30 seconds). Muscle fatigue was then induced in the calf muscle of the dominant leg, and both muscle fatigue and postural sway were measured using an EMG. To compare the degree of postural sway between the three groups after muscle fatigue was induced, the change values were calculated. The results were analyzed using a Kruskal-Wallis test, and a post-hoc test was conducted using the Bonferroni correction. Results: Significant inter-group differences were detected for postural sway during two-leg standing with the eyes closed and during one-leg standing with the eyes open and with the eyes closed (p<0.05). The post-hoc test showed significant differences between the pes cavus and normal foot groups and between the pes planus and normal foot groups for all three variables (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was detected between the pes cavus and pes planus groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study show that the pes cavus and pes planus cause more fatigue and postural sway than a normal foot. Therefore, attention should be paid to changes in balance caused by muscle fatigue.