• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of neck and trunk stabilization exercise on the onset time of trunk muscle contraction in the elderly. Methods: Elderly subjects were divided into 2 groups: a neck and trunk stabilization exercise group (NTSG) and a control group (CG). The NTSG performed both neck and trunk stabilization exercises and the CG performed gait training on a treadmill, at 30 min per session, 3 times per week, over 8 weeks. Surface electromyography was employed to measure the onset times of trunk muscle contractions in the right anterior deltoid, rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and erector spinae muscles. Results: The NTSG subjects showed earlier and statistically significant onset of contraction in trunk muscles as compared to the CG. Conclusion: The combination of neck and trunk stabilization exercises may more effectively improve the onset of muscle contractions in the elderly than other types of exercise. The present study's findings may be used as basic data for the development of exercise programs suitable to the elderly, specifically for the design of home exercise programs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.55-61
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate recruiting order and onset time around shoulder muscle during the push-up according to the body tilting angle. METHODS: Twenty healthy young adult subjects were recruited for this study. They had no neurological and musculoskeletal disease. We used the sEMG for recording onset time of shoulder muscles. Shoulder Muscles were anterior deltoid(AD), posterior deltoid(PD), pectoralis major(PM), upper trapezius(UT). Body tilting angle were measured at 0 degree, 30 degree and 60 degree by using tilting table. Muscles contraction onset time were set by the push-up performed 3 times respectively. Mean of 3 measurements were used. And initiate onset time was decided by the Mean ${\pm}2$ SD in the threshold, more than 25ms. RESULTS: There were significant difference at 0 degree, 30 degree and 60 degree(p<.05). Muscles onset time were same order at 0 degree, 30 degree. UT occurred first of all contraction at 0 degree and 30 degree. And then contracted AD, PD, PM. But, at 60 degree, AD was the first contraction, and PM, UT, PD. CONCLUSION: Muscle recruitment order and onset time according to the body tilting was shown the difference when you do push-up. Therefore, this result, shoulder muscle recruitment pattern of according to the body tilting is different and it has to make effective shoulder exercise program.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.246-249
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics between EMG timing of muscle contraction and motor impairment in chronic hemiplegic stroke patients. Delay time and co-contraction of 4 patients who had stroke less than 3 years were measured during isometric wrist flexion and extension along the 3 seconds beep signal. Onset and offset of muscle contraction were significantly delayed on the more affected sides than control sides. Offset was significantly delayed than the onset on the affected sides in wrist flexion. Also, recruitment of antagonist was larger than agonist on the affected sides. Co-contraction ratio on the affected side was significantly smaller than control sides in wrist flexion. In affected sides, Fugl-Meyer motor assessment(FMA) shows the correlation of onset delay in wrist flexion and extension. However, co-contraction ratio correlated with FMA in wrist flexion. EMG assessment is likely to be useful outcome measure and provide insights into mechanism for motor recovery in stroke patients.