• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.229-238
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• 2013

The aim of this study is to evaluate university canadian paddlers' iso-kinetic muscle function and provide training advices. Eight university paddlers with a 8.5 years career participated in this study. Inbody 720, biodex system III, biodex stabilizer system and THP 2 are used to investigate body component, muscle function(peak torque, average power and work fatigue), agility and dynamic balance. Iso-kinetic muscle function around shoulder, thorax and knee are measured. And then bilateral and unilateral muscle imbalance are calculated at each joint. Results of this study are as follows; University canadian paddlers' BMI average is 24.90 $kg/m^2$ and percent body fat is 12.23%. Reaction time average was 324 msec and balance score at each leg are below 2.0. A3, A4, A5, A6, A8 are needed to train shoulder muscle strength and power. A1, A2, A7, A8 are needed to strengthen shoulder muscle endurance. A2, A5, A8 are needed to train thorax muscle strength and power. A1, A8 are needed to strengthen thorax muscle endurance. Most of paddlers' reciprocal muscle balance ratio on thorax and knee are out of normal range. A2, A3, A4, A8 are needed to train abdominal strength and A3, A5, A6, A7, A8 are needed to train hamstring strength.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Background: Chronic neck pain (CNP) is associated with weakness in the deep neck flexor muscles, a shortening of the neck extensors, and a reduction in endurance. In addition, muscle imbalance can lead to neck pain and musculoskeletal dysfunction. This study compared neck extensor muscle fatigue, muscle strength, and muscle endurance time between patients with CNP and healthy adults during isometric neck extension. Methods: Thirty participants (15 patients with CNP and 15 healthy adults) were recruited in this research. The outcome measures included splenius capitis (SC) muscle fatigue, isometric neck extensor strength, and muscle endurance. The independent T-test was used to compare the continuous dependent variables between the CNP group and the healthy group. Results: The independent T-test indicated that muscle fatigue in the left SC differed significantly between the CNP group and the healthy group. A significant difference was also noted in the isometric neck extensor and neck extensor strength between the groups. Conclusion: Our results provided promising clinical evidence that patients with CLP have reduced neck extensor strength and endurance and increased SC muscle fatigue, which results in neck pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to figure out the effects of Open Laser Microdiscectomy(OLM) on deep muscles by comparing multifidus and longissimus muscle size (cross section area; CSA) of pre and post operation. Methods : The subjects consisted of forty patients who had OLM. The data were analyzed with paired t-test comparing left and right deep muscle CSA of pre and post-operation, and both the deep muscle CSA of pre and post-operation, using SPSS ver. 15.0 program. Results : The results of this study showed a significant difference in deep muscle size (CSA) between pre and post operation (p<.05). Although there was not a meaningful difference between right and left deep muscle size (CSA) in pre operation (p>.05), there was a significant difference between both of them in post operation (p<.05). Conclusion : Therefore we made the conclusion that the operation causes decrease of muscle tone in deep muscles and muscle imbalance by causing muscle atrophy in the lumbar deep muscle after the operation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.388-392
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• 2012

Purpose: Muscle imbalance between upper trapezius (UT) and serratus anterior (SA) during arm elevation is a factor causing shoulder dysfunction. However, there is no study to compare the muscle activities of the UT and middle deltoid (MD). The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activities of the UT and MD between with and without elevation of shoulder girdle (ESG) during shoulder abduction. Methods: The subjects without (control group=9) or with (ESG group=8) participated in this study. The muscle activities of the UT and MD were measured using a electromyography during $90^{\circ}$ shoulder abducted position in both group. The data in middle of 3-second of the 5-second periods were used. The mean value of three trials was used in the data analysis. For each muscle, independent t-tests were performed to compare for group differences. Results: The muscle activity of UT was significantly greater in ESG group, compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). The muscle activity of MD was significantly smaller in ESG group, compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings showed that low muscle activation of MD as well as SA may contribute to hyperactivity of UT during arm elevation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The imbalance of pretibial muscles can be a factor contributing to the development of pes planus. However, no study has yet compared the muscle activity of the tibials anterior (TA) to that of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL). The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are differences in the electromyographic (EMG) TA and EDL amplitude indexes (AIs) between normal and pes planus feet. METHODS: A total of 14 subjects with normal feet and 15 subjects with bilateral pes planus participated in this study. TA and EDL muscle activities were measured using a wireless EMG system and the angles of ankle dorsiflexion and eversion of the subtalar joint were measured using a universal goniometer during active ankle dorsiflexion in the prone position. AI was calculated as follows: $\text{amplitude_{TA}-amplitude_{EDL}/(amplitude_{TA}+amplitude_{EDL})}/2{\times}100$. RESULTS: The AIs of the TA and EDL were significantly lower in pes planus feet than in normal feet (p<.05). The angle of subtalar eversion was significantly greater in pes planus feet than in normal feet during active ankle dorsiflexon (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in the angle of ankle dorsiflexion between normal feet and pes planus feet (p>.05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that TA muscle activation was lower in pes planus feet than in normal feet, resulting from greater eversion range of motion during active ankle dorsiflexion. We suggest that the imbalance of ankle dorsiflexors must be considered in pes planus management.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2022

It is known that chronic pain and injury of upper limb joint tissue in manual wheelchair users is usually caused by muscle imbalance, and the propulsion speed is reported to increase this muscle imbalance. In this study, kinematic variables, electromyography, and ultrasonographic images of the upper limb were measured and analyzed at two different propulsion speeds to provide a quantitative basis for the risk of upper extremity joint injury. Eleven patients with spinal cord injury for the experimental group (G_E) and 27 healthy adults for the control group (G_C) participated in this study. Joint angles and electromyography were measured while subjects performed self-selected comfortable and fast-speed wheelchair propulsion. Ultrasound images were recorded before and after each propulsion task to measure the acromiohumeral distance (AHD). The range of motion of the shoulder (14.35 deg in G_E; 20.24 deg in G_C) and elbow (5.25 deg in G_E; 2.57 deg in G_C) joints were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Muscle activation levels of the anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii increased at fast propulsion. Specifically, triceps brachii showed a significant increase in muscle activation at fast propulsion. AHD decreased at fast propulsion. Moreover, the AHD of G_E was already narrowed by about 60% compared to the G_C from the pre-tests. Increased load on wheelchair propulsion, such as fast propulsion, is considered to cause upper limb joint impingement and soft tissue injury due to overuse of the extensor muscles in a narrow joint space. It is expected that the results of this study can be a quantitative and objective basis for training and rehabilitation for manual wheelchair users to prevent joint pain and damage.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different heel height on the electromyographic (EMG) activity in Rectus abdominis (RA) and Erector spinae (ES) during gait activity. Methods : A repeated measures design was used. 33 healthy females carried out a standardized gait activity under 3 conditions; with heel wedges of 1, 7, and 12cm in height. EMG activity was recorded from RA and ES during the activity. Data was analysed using the repeated one-way ANOVA. Results : First, as the shoe-heel height was getting higher, change of muscle activation indicated the statistically significant difference in rectus abdominis(p<0.05). Second, as the shoe-heel height was getting higher, change of muscle activation indicated the statistically significant difference in erector spinae(p<0.05). Conclusion : We found that as heel height increased, there was an increase in EMG activity in both RA and ES. This indicated that no RA : ES imbalance was elicited. This study provides information that will inform future research on how heel height affects muscle activity around the trunk.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2013

Purpose: Low back pain occurs and frequently recurs in many people. An imbalance of paraspinal muscle activity can cause low back pain. Mulligan's concept of mobilizations with sustained natural apophyseal glides (SNAG) is a common method for treating low back pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of this method on paraspinal muscle activity in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Twenty-one patients with low back pain participated in this study. Patients were classified using the Oswestry disability index. The subjects' paraspinal muscles were measured by surface electromyography both before and after the SNAG mobilization. We measured the root mean square value of the paraspinal muscles during lumbar flexion and extension. Results: Paraspinal muscle activity in patients with chronic low back pain was different between the right and left sides. Importantly, paraspinal muscle activity significantly decreased after using the SNAG mobilization method. Conclusion: This study shows a difference between paraspinal muscle activity in chronic low back pain patients and finds that the Mulligan's concept of SNAG mobilization is effective at reducing imbalances in paraspinal muscle activity in low back pain patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.329-334
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• 2022

Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is a symptom that accounts for a large proportion of musculoskeletal pain. Among them, non-specific LBP (NSLBP) means that the pathological cause is unknown, and belongs to the most common LBP. Studies on the mechanism of muscle control in LBP are insufficient, and quantitative studies are needed. Design: Observational cross-sectional study design Methods: A Thirty participants with NSLBP symptoms were enrolled, and their pressure pain thresholds (PPT) and muscle and fat thickness were measured. Participants measured the paraspinal muscles (PM) of the thoracic and lumbar spine and medial hamstring (semitendinosus) on the dominant and non-dominant sides in the prone position. Results: Among the variables that were significant in the correlation analysis, PM of the thoracic and lumbar spine showed a significant relationship in the PPT ([thoracic spine PM]=1.141+0.912 [lumbar spine PM]). Also, there was a significant relationship between the lumbar spine PM in the PPT and the thoracic spine PM in the muscle thickness ([lumbar spine PM of PPT]=4.057+0.117 [thoracic spine PM of muscle thickness]) Conclusions: Although there was no muscle imbalance according to the dominant and non-dominant side, there is a correlation between the pressure pain threshold and the muscle thickness between the paraspinal muscles of the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the immediate effects of weight-assisting methods on vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle activation, on the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio, and on muscle onset time in healthy subjects when ascending stairs. Methods: Healthy participants were randomly assigned to the belt group (n = 11), hand group (n = 11), and control group (n = 11). In the belt group, a belt was wrapped around the sacrum and pulled forward with both hands, moving the center of weight forward, while ascending stairs. The hand group grasped the hips with both hands and climbed stairs, assisting their weight from the rear and moving the center of weight backward, and the control group climbed the stairs without any intervention. Results: Muscle activation of the VMO decreased significantly after the intervention in the belt and hand groups, and activation of the VL muscle in both groups showed a greater decrease than that of the VMO muscle. Further, the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio increased significantly, with an improvement shown in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group, while muscle onset time also improved in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group. Conclusion: The belt group demonstrated the greatest effect across all dependent variables, confirming that in clinical practice, these two weight-assisting methods are more effective interventions during stair ascent for patients with knee joint instability, pain, and imbalance than no assistance.