• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.29-41
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to provide evidence for the treatment of Forward Head and Rounded Shoulder Posture (FHRSP) using posture correction exercises by comparing muscle activity and onset time around the neck and shoulder area during an arm elevation task. METHODS: The subjects were divided into FHRSP (21 persons) and non-FHRSP (19 persons) groups to measure muscle activity and onset time of muscle contraction. Wireless surface electromyography was used to assess the muscle activity and onset time of the right and left sternocleidomastoid (SCM), splenius capitis, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, serratus anterior, upper trapezius, pectoralis major, and infraspinatus during an arm elevation task. After the pre-measurement, the participants performed the postural correction exercises, and then the post-measurement was conducted. RESULTS: After the posture correction exercises, there were significant differences in the muscle activity and onset time of all muscles in the FHRSP group. The results of the comparison of the muscle onset time during an arm elevation task demonstrated that after the postural correction exercises, the muscle onset time was significantly reduced in the right and left SCM and left splenius capitis, but there were no significant changes in the onset time of other muscles. CONCLUSION: The results of this study help us understand the change in muscle activities and muscle contraction onset time in a person with FHRSP when lifting the arm and suggest the relevant basis to apply the posture correction exercise in clinical settings.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.175-180
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• 2022

Purpose: Leg length discrepancy causes the posture deformation, gait asymmetry, and lower back pain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the correlation among functional leg length discrepancy (FLLD), muscle activity, muscle contraction onset time and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) during simple lifting task. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects participated in this study. FLLD was measured from the umbilicus to medial malleolus of left and right leg using a tape. The subjects performed to lift a 10 kg box from the floor to chest. The muscle activity and muscle contraction onset time of rectus abdominis, erector spinae and rectus femoris was measured using EMG system and vGRF was measured by two force plate. Pearson correlation was used to fine out the correlation among FDDL, muscle activity, muscle contraction onset time and vGRF during simple lifting task. Results: Correlation between FLLD and difference of muscle activity of short-long side was very high (r>0.9) during simple lifting task. Correlation between FLLD and difference of muscle contraction onset time of short-long side was very high (r>0.9) during simple lifting task. And correlation between FLLD and difference of vGRF of short-long side was high (r>0.7) during simple lifting task. Conclusion: This study suggests that there is high correlation between FLLD and muscle activity, muscle contraction onset time, and ground reaction force during simple lifting task. Therefore, FLLD could negatively affect the postural balance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the onset times of muscle activities and the order of muscle firing in hamstring gluteus maximus, and lumbar erector spinae muscle during active hip extension between subjects with low back pain (LBP) and healthy subjects. Thirty subjects, 15 with LBP and 15 healthy subjects, participated in this study. Electromyographic activity was recorded during active hip extension in prone and standing position. Relative onset times of these muscle activities were determined. Similar muscle firing order in hamstring, gluteus maximus, and lumbar erector spinae muscle showed in both groups and positions. However, the onset time of gluteus maximus was significantly later in prone and standing active hip extension in subjects with LBP than in healthy subjects. The onset time of lumber erector spinae muscle activity was significantly delayed in subjects with LBP in standing active hip extension, The delayed onset times of gluteus maximus and lumbar erector spinae muscles' activities were probably related to LBP. Further studies are needed to identify whether the delayed onset times of gluteus maximus and lumbar erector spinae muscle activities are the contributing factors to LBP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.295-301
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic activity and onset time of the gluteus maximus (GM) and hamstring (HAM), lumbopelvic kinematics during three different prone table hip extension exercises in healthy individuals. Methods: Twenty subjects were participated. Electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities and onset time of the GM and HAM muscles. An electromagnetic tracking motion device was used to measure lumbopelvic compensations. The subjects were asked to perform three different prone table hip extension [Prone table hip extension with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on a chair (PTHEA), PTHEA with the ipsilateral knee flexion (PTHEAF), PTHEAF with hip 30 abduction (PTHEAFA)]. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used. Results: The electromyographic activity and onset time were significantly different among three conditions (PTHEA vs. PTHEAF vs. PTHEAFA)(p<0.01). The GM muscle activity and onset time were significantly greater and reduced during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). However, The HAM muscle activity and onset time were significantly smaller and delayed during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). Conclusions: PTHEAFA exercise can be recommended to facilitate the muscle activity and efficient muscle firing time of GM without HAM dominance.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the sprinter and skater combined patterns on muscle contraction onset time and muscle activation of body stabilizing muscles. Method : Our study included young and healthy men in their 20s. The participants used the sprinter and skater combined patterns of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) methods to measure muscle activation and muscle contraction onset time of the trunk muscles. To measure muscle contraction onset time and muscle activation, electrodes were attached to the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spinalis (ES) regions. Significant differences were identified using a paired t-test and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis. Result : In the sprinter combined pattern, the muscle with the fastest onset time of contraction was the RES, and that with the slowest was the RRA (p<.001). In the skater combined pattern, the muscle with the fastest onset time of contraction was the LES, and that with the slowest was the LRA (p<.001). In the sprinter combined pattern, the REO and LIO presented medium muscle contraction onset times (p<.001). In the skater combined pattern, the LEO and RIO presented medium muscle contraction onset times (p<.001). Conclusions: Based on these results, these patterns could be used as exercise methods for the elderly with delayed proactive response speeds of the body stabilization methods due to imbalances in body stabilizing muscles or limbs movement.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.331-340
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• 2022

Purpose: Thisstudy aimed to identify the effect of varying the expansibility of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. Methods: Forty-five young adults with forward head posture syndrome volunteered to participate and were randomly assigned to one of three groups according to the expansibility of the elastic tape (25%, 50%, 75%). The onset time of muscle contraction for the neck extensor during neck extension was measured using an electromyographic system (Free EMG, BTS, Italy). Multivariate analysis of variance was employed to determine the effect of different expansibilities of elastic tape on the onset time of muscle contraction during neck extension for forward head posture syndrome. When there was a statistically significant difference by MANOVA, Scheffe was used as a post-hoc test. The level of significance was set at α=0.05. Results: In the comparison of the onset time of muscle contraction of varying elastic tape expansibilities and measurement times, there was a significant difference between the groups (Lt. UT, Lt. SCM, Rt. SCM) (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the interaction between the measurement time and the group, between the measurement time (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In the neck extension, 75% of the tape extensibility in the Lt. UT and both SCM shortened the muscle contraction onset time.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.30-40
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• 2024

Background: The purpose of this study is to identify the difference in muscle activity and muscle contraction onset time according to a LLD and object weight When subjects performed a lifting task. Design: Repeated measure design Methods: 15 male adults participated in this study. When subjects performed a lifting task, we measured a difference of muscle activity and muscle contraction onset time in the rectus abdominis(RA), the erector spinae(ES), and the rectus femoris(RF) between both legs using the surface electromyogram (Telemyo DTS, Noraxon Inc., USA). When subjects performed a lifting task, the weight of the object was set to 0% kg, 10% kg, and 20% kg of the subject's body weight, excluding the weight of the box. Results: The difference in muscle activity in the RA, the ES, and the RF between both legs when lifting an object was larger in LLD condition than in non-LLD condition(p<0.05). In all of muscles, the difference of contraction onset time was generally increased as the object's weight increased. Specially, the difference in muscle contraction onset time in the RA, the ES between both legs was larger in the LLD condition than in the non-LLD condition(p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that LLD affects the muscle activity and muscle contraction onset time during lifting objects. It can be used as data to prevent joint damage and muscle due to the LLD during work and movements of daily living.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Purpose : This study was assessed muscle activity and onset time in trunk and upper extremity on functional reaching. Methods : The participant was 18 female(young 10, old 8). As functional reaching, we collection data by using EMG(MP150) on transverse abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae, deltoid middle and serratus anterior. Results : 1) In functional reaching, transverse abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae and deltoid middle muscle activity was augmented on old female(p>.05). Serratus anterior was augmented on young female(p>.05). 2) In functional reaching, transverse abdominis and erector spinae muscle onset time is significantly faster old female than young female(p<.05). External oblique and serratus anterior muscle onset time is faster old female than young female(p>.05). 3) As increase of age muscle activity of external oblique was more increased that we found .511 a coefficient correlation and onset time more faster on transverse abdominis and erector spinae were each -.492 and -.554 coefficient correlation. Conclusion : The muscle activity and onset time was difference in functional reaching according to ageing and task context. It is necessary concentration and attention to old female than young female. Therefore, these results suggest that importance of anticipatory postural control and selective strategy of postural control.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle contraction onset time characteristics of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles at different knee flexion angles in individuals with shortened or over-lengthened hamstrings performing prone hip extension. Methods: Twenty-six participants were divided into a hamstring shortened group (n = 12) and hamstring lengthened group (n = 14). Wireless surface electromyography was used to verify the muscle onset time of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris when performing prone hip extension at different knee flexion angles. Results: There were significant differences in the muscle onset times of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris between the hamstring shortened group and hamstring lengthened group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference in the muscle contraction onset times among of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles when performing prone hip extension at a knee flexion of 90° in the hamstring shortened group (p < 0.05) and a knee flexion angle of 0° in the hamstring lengthened group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In all groups, there was no effect on the onset time of the gluteus maximus muscle according based on the knee angle. In addition, the knee flexion angles affected the onset time of the muscle contraction of the gluteus maximus muscle in the hamstring shortened group and hamstring lengthened group with an abnormal length of the hamstring muscle.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.23-37
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• 2002

This study examined the muscle recruitment order during extension of the hip joint in normal subjects, and evaluated whether the external support obtained from wearing a lumbosacral corset had an effect on muscle recruitment leading to increased lumbar stability. The subjects were 40 normal adults (32 male, 8 female) with no history of low back pain and no pathological findings in the nervous or musculoskeletal systems. All subjects extended their hip joints under 3 positions (prone, sidelying, standing). During extension, the onsets of contraction of the rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, and semitendinosus muscles were measured. Electromyographic activity was measured using a surface electrode, and the muscle contraction onset time was designated as the point exceeding a threshold of 25 ms, using a mean plus twice of the standard deviation. To compare the average order of muscle contraction onset time, a Freedman two-way analysis of variance by ranks was used. The relative difference between muscle contraction onset time wearing and not wearing a lumbosacral corset was measured using a paired t-test. A difference in the average muscle contraction onset order for the rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, and semitendinosus muscles was observed (p<.05) among three positions. However, wearing a lumbosacral corset did not. change the contraction order. In addition, wearing a lumbosacral corset produced a significant difference (p<.05) in the relative onset time between the rectus abdominis and gluteus maximus in the standing position, but no difference was observed for the other muscles or positions. In the future, patients suffering from low back pain should be compared with normal subjects to determine the effectiveness of a lumbosacral corset in changing muscle recruitment order.