• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.65-71
• /
• 2016

Background: The unilateral prone arm lift (UPAL) is commonly used to exercise the lower trapezius muscle. However, overactivation of the upper trapezius can induce pain during UPAL exercises in subjects with upper trapezius tenderness. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of position of ipsilateral neck rotation (INR) on the inhibition of upper trapezius muscle activity and the facilitation of the lower trapezius muscle when performing UPAL exercises. Methods: In total, 19 subjects with upper trapezius tenderness were recruited for the study. Electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius muscles during UPAL with and without INR position. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare EMG activity in the trapezius muscles and the muscle ratios. Results: EMG activity in the upper trapezius muscles was decreased significantly in the INR condition compared to without the position with INR during UPAL exercises (p<.05). EMG activity in the middle and lower trapezius was not significantly different between the with and without INR conditions (p>.05). However, the ratio of lower to upper trapezius activation showed a significant increase in the INR condition compared to the without INR condition (p<.05), indicating greater lower trapezius activation relative to the upper trapezius in the INR position than in the without INR position. Conclusions: The EMG results obtained in this study suggest that the position with INR reduced overactivation in the upper trapezius and improved muscle imbalance during lower trapezius exercises in individuals with upper trapezius tenderness.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.127-137
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to evaluate muscle activity and foot pressure during gait, and balance in female college students with genu valgum. METHOD: Participants were assigned based on their Q-angle to genu valgum group greater than 20° (GVG, n = 12), unilateral genu valgum group greater than 20° (UVG, n = 11), and control group (CON, n = 13). All subjects were evaluated for balance (Trace length, C90 area, C90 angle, and the Romberg test), muscle activity (gluteus medius; GM, tensor fasciae latae; TFL, vastus medialis; VM, vastus lateralis; VL, biceps femoris; BF, gastrocnemius; GCM and tibialis anterior; TA) and foot pressure (F/F ratio, R/F ratio, Hallux, 2~5 toe, 1st MT, 2~4 MT, 5th MT, Midfoot, M/heel, and L/heel) during gait. RESULTS: Romberg test showed significantly increased loss of balance in the UVG group compared with the CON. In the forward position, the imbalance was significantly increased in the UVG and GVG groups compared to the CON. Muscle activity of VL, GCM, and TA significantly increased in the GVG group compared with the CON. Static foot pressure, 1st MT significantly increased in the GVG compared to the CON group. The 5th MT significantly decreased in the CON compared with the GVG group. The R/F ratio significantly decreased in the GVG compared to the CON group. In dynamic foot pressure, the 2~5 toe significantly increased in the GVG compared with the UVG group. The left 5th MT significantly decreased in the UVG compared with the CON and GVG groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that genu valgum has a negative effect on balance, muscle activity, and foot pressure during gait in female college students.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.24-32
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Muscle imbalance around the knee region, especially quadriceps imbalance, is considered one of the main contributing factors to the development and progression of knee dysfunction based on the changes observed via electromyography (EMG). This study aimed to investigate the effect of vastus lateralis (VL) inhibition taping using non-elastic tape on the EMG activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and VL during isometric knee extension. Method: Thirty-three healthy young adults (11 males and 22 females) were recruited. With and without VL inhibition taping, the participants performed isometric knee extension in the sitting position for a total of 7 seconds. Result: VMO/VL EMG ratio significantly increased after VL inhibition taping (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that VL inhibition taping may contribute to VL inhibition and may help improve VMO/VL ratio in young adults. We expect VL inhibition taping to be useful in individuals with greater VL than VMO activity

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.37-43
• /
• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of core stability training at deep abdominal muscle for balance control of hemiplegic patient. Method : The subject of this study was a 47-year-old man with right hemiplegia. He was treated five times a week for three weeks with core stability training at deep abdominal muscles. Evaluation tool was used Functional reach test(FRT), timed up and go test(TUG) and one leg standing for stroke patients. Result : The FRT distance increase, TUG time decrease, one leg standing time increase core stability training at deep abdominal muscles for right hemiplegia improved was the ability for maintain balance. Posture and control of trunk stability are changing posture, and so which showed significant improve of total balance control. Conclusion : The result of this study showed that core stability training at deep abdominal muscles is an effective treatment for balance control. Therefore, it could be considered as a treatment method in the rehabilitation of stroke patient with poor postural control and imbalance, although further studies are needed.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.2197-2202
• /
• 2020

Background: If there is a difference in leg length, the center of gravity shifts unilaterally toward the short leg, causing loss of balance and secondary postural imbalance, trunk muscle tone changes, gait abnormalities and pelvic imbalance. Objectives: To investigate effects of self exercise program on leg length, balance in adults with leg-length discrepancy. Design: Single blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-eight participants were selected and divided into resistance exercise, flexibility exercise, and core exercise. Each exercise was performed for 40 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Leg length and balance before and after exercise were measured and analyzed. Results: Following the interventions, resistance exercise group showed significant improvement in balance, but leg length difference did not show significant results. Flexibility exercise group showed significant improvement in leg length difference, but balance did not show significant results. Core exercise group showed significant improvement in leg length difference and balance. There was no significant difference in the comparison between the three groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that customized exercise according to the patient's level is beneficial to the patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.2184-2190
• /
• 2020

Background: Although studies have been conducted on muscle thickness and balance in trunk stabilization exercise and exercise using vibration props, studies on trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration for spinal alignment are still insufficient to draw a conclusion. Objectives: To investigate the effect of trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration on the spinal alignment in adult females. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-six adult females were randomly assigned to the experimental group (active vibration) and 13 control groups (active non-vibrating) and exercised three times a week for 8 weeks. Each group was measured for spinal alignment before exercise and 8 weeks after exercise. Spinal alignment, trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, and pelvic torsion were measured using a spinal alignment analyzer. Results: Trunk imbalance was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group and the control group (P<.05). Pelvic tilt was a significant difference between the groups (P<.05). Also, pelvic tilt was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group (P<.05), but the control group showed no significant difference (P>.05). Pelvic torsion was no significant difference in both groups (P>.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration has a positive effect on the alignment of the spine.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.1-4
• /
• 2016

We investigated the potential of electromyography (EMG) for diagnosing imbalance in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to apply functional cerebrospinal therapy (FCST). The electromyography signals were measured in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) while a FCST specialist conducted a restricted cervical rotation test. In addition, we also observed the changes in the electromyography signals according to pre-treatment or treatment with a TMJ balancing appliance (TBA), a customized TMJ balancing appliance (CBA), or a CBA with one paper bar. The right SCMs of the two patients with right TMJ imbalance had high EMG signals in the right cervical rotation test, while the left SCMs showed low EMG signals in the left rotation. In addition, the high EMG signals in the right SCMs decreased when using the TBA or the CBA, but the EMG signals of the left SCMs showed low EMG values during the treatments. Furthermore, the EMG signals of the right SCMs rose again after artificial imbalance of the right TMJ by the CBA with one paper bar. This case report demonstrated the potential of EMG as an objective diagnostic method for FCST.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.309-315
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of asymmetric muscle force in lower extremity on dynamic balance during walking. Sixteen elementary students(age: 12.3${\pm}$0.7 yrs, height: 149.4${\pm}$9.7 cm, weight 40.6${\pm}$7.8 kg) who have no musculoskeletal disorder were recruited as the subjects. Temporal parameters, M-L inclination angle of XCoM-CoP, M-L and A-P CoP, loading rate, and decay rate were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, a independent-sample t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between each conditions(p<.05). The displacement of antero-posterior COP during RTO-LHC1 in SG was siginificantly smaller than corresponding value in AG. In contrast, the displacement of medio-lateral COP during RTO-LHC1 in SG was greater than those of AG. It seems that imbalance of muscle force may result in increasing the medio-lateral stance in order to minimize the instability. We found that the asymmetric muscle force in the lower extremity may be a reason for the awkward control of impact force.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the kinematic variables and electromyography (EMG) findings that change with varying characteristics of crouch start and feedback provision, and to provide the fundamental data for record improvement in 400 mH. Method: Four short-distance runners participated in the experiment. The analyzed variables were elapsed time per interval, stride length, and muscle activities in three lower limb muscles. These variables were analyzed by using Kwon3d XP and Noraxon Myoresearch. The participants were subjected to three conditions, including two conditions that relate to the thrusting foot on the rear block and another condition pertinent to feedback provision. Results: In terms of a one-step interval, the elapsed time in condition A was longer than that in condition B, and the one after the feedback was the longest. The stride length of a one-step interval was the longest in condition A. The stride length of a two-step interval was the shortest in condition A. The muscle activity during a one-step interval showed differences in vastus medialis and medial gastrocnemius, with condition A being the highest. Conclusion: When the non-dominant left foot was located at the back, negative results were observed in terms of elapsed time and stride length. Moreover, an imbalance in muscle activity was observed between the left and right feet when the left foot was placed at the back. As a result, significant differences in elapsed time, stride length, and muscle activity were observed depending on the foot placed on the rear block. In conclusion, we identified the characteristics of crouch start in 400 mH, and a specialized program must be suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2019

PURPOSE: Sitting with crossed legs may have an effect on maintaining a healthy body posture and proper functioning of the respiratory system. Thus, this study's objective was to identify whether or not sitting with crossed legs affects the vertebral angle, chest wall mobility, the pulmonary function, and the activity of the respiratory muscles. METHODS: Thirty healthy subjects were recruited for this study (16 males and 14 females). The vertebral angle, chest wall mobility, pulmonary function, and the activity of the respiratory muscle were measured while the subjects sat in the correct posture and these factors were again measured with the subjects seated with their legs crossed. Three-dimensional motion analysis was used to determine the trunk and lumbar vertebral angles. Surface electromyography was employed to measure the sternocleidomastoid, the rectus abdominis, and the external and internal oblique abdominis muscles. A tapeline was utilized to evaluate the subjects' chest wall mobility. Spirometry was assessed to determine the forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second. Paired t-tests were then performed (p<.05). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the trunk and lumbar flexion angles, the chest wall mobility, the activity of the right external oblique muscle, and the left internal oblique abdominis muscle. However, the difference in pulmonary function did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: A crossed leg posture caused slight thoracic extension and lumbar flexion, which may lead to a decrease of the chest wall mobility and also to an imbalance of the abdominal muscles. Therefore, sitting with a crossed leg posture should be avoided. Yet a crossed leg posture did not have any clinical effect on the pulmonary function of healthy people. It may be necessary to study the effects of sitting with crossed legs over an extended period of time for patients suffering with impaired respiratory function.