• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.89-99
• /
• 2024

Background: Squats are well-known for their effectiveness in strengthening the quadriceps femoris muscle. Flexibility and stability of the ankle joint are critical factors in performing squats correctly. Ankle instability can lead to injuries owing to compensatory actions. The role of the soleus muscle in maintaining ankle balance is crucial to minimize the risk of injury. Moreover, squats on unstable surfaces have gained attention for their potential to enhance balance and stability, which in turn helps prevent injuries. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the correlation between the soleus and quadriceps femoris muscles during squat exercises on various support surfaces. Design: Simple regression analysis Methods: Participants performed three different types of squats. Prior to commencing the exercises, we conducted electromyography (EMG) measurements to assess the activity of both the soleus and quadriceps femoris muscles. The order of the exercise execution was randomized. The squats were performed in a Full Squat format, and a one-minute rest was provided between each exercise type. Results: Our analysis of the results revealed significant differences in the activation levels of the soleus and quadriceps femoris across different squat types (p<.05). The regression analysis revealed an inverse relationship between the activity levels of the soleus and quadriceps femoris. Specifically, the quadriceps femoris exhibited the highest activation during squats using a wedge, while its activation was lowest during squats using the TOGU. In contrast, the soleus muscle demonstrated its highest activation during squats using the TOGU. Conclusion: Compared to traditional floor squats, the disparities in soleus and quadriceps femoris muscle activation observed during Wedge or TOGU squats can be attributed to the influence of ankle stability and balance. As the surface instability increased during squats, the soleus muscle's activity increased while the activation of the quadriceps femoris muscle decreased. These findings suggest that heightened soleus activation on unstable surfaces can significantly impact the activation of the quadriceps femoris muscle during squat exercises.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.367-373
• /
• 2021

Objective: Short foot exercise(SFE) is frequently used to increase the medial longitudinal arch of the foot, as well as the intrinsic foot muscles. This studyinvestigated the effects of SFE onmuscular activity and the onset of contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscle during squats in healthypeople. It also aimed to compare and analyze the results with those of the general squat method and propose a more efficient squat method. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study compared 20 adults (male=10, female=10) who statisfied the inclusion criteria for the muscle activity and onset of the muscle contraction of the quadriceps femoris using surface EMG under two conditions: general squats and SFE squats. Results: Separate analyses and comparisons of the outcomes of the SFE squat and the general squat, showed a significant increase in the muscle activities of the rectus femoris and vastus medial muscles in both males and females (p<0.05). The onset of muscle contraction was significantly delayed for the vastus lateralis relative to that for the vastus medialis (p<0.05). However, it delayed significantly in females, but not in males. Conclusions: The SFE squats induced selective muscular activities of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis muscels and affected the onset of contraction of the vastus medialis and lateralis muscles.

• Journal of the military operations research society of Korea
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.77-98
• /
• 1982

Experiments have been performed for estimating the individual muscle capabilities of the biceps brachii and the quadriceps femoris muscle. The surface EMG has been recorded on the bellies of the biceps brachii and the quadriceps femoris muscle during isometric contractions at $50\%,\;75\%,\;and\;100\%$ MVC. The rectified EMG amplitudes of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) were in the range of $2.8\~3.0\;mV\;and\;6.9\~7.2\;mV$ the biceps brachii and the quadriceps femoris, respectively. In the biceps brachii, Type S motor units were recruited in the range of $41\~49\%$ MVC; and Type F motor units were recruited in the range of $51\~59\%$ MVC, In the quadriceps femoris, Type S, Type SF, and Type F motor units were recruited in the ranges of $31\~38\%,\;33\~48\%$, and $21\~29\%$ MVC respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.53-57
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the changes in the muscle activation of the quadriceps muscle (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis) during the stand-to-sit (StandTS) movement according to the plantar flexion angle of the ankle joint. Methods: A total of 22 healthy young females participated in this study. During the StandTS under the three conditions (plantarflexion angle 0°, 20°, and 45° of the ankle), electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary iso¬metric contraction) of the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: There was a significant difference in the muscle activation of rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis according to the plantar flexion angle (0°, 20°, and 45°) of the ankle. The muscle activation of the quadriceps was the highest at a 45° angle of plantarflexion and the lowest at 0°. One-way repeated ANOVA was used to analyze the muscle activation data of the lower extremity muscles according to the angle of the ankle joint. Conclusion: Based on the results of our study, it was confirmed that the muscle activity of the quadriceps can be increased even in the StandTS movement, which involves the eccentric contraction of the quadriceps muscle. This suggests that maintaining a plantar flexion posture for a long time, say by wearing high-heeled shoes, can quickly cause muscle fatigue in the lower-limb muscles, which can cause a decrease in balance ability leading to falls.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of patellar height on quadriceps muscles' electromyography (EMG) activity during a squat exercise in adults with patella baja. For the study, we recruited 15 volunteers who had patella baja on the right side. We measured the EMG activity of the right rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, and vastus lateralis muscles during squat exercises under two conditions, specifically with and without an infra-patellar strap. The infra-patellar strap was applied below the tested patella to elevate the patella to a normal height. A paired t-test was used to compare the effects of patella height on EMG activity of the quadriceps muscles. The EMG activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles were significantly decreased during the squat exercise with the infra-patellar strap compared to the same exercise without the infra-patellar strap (p<.05), while the VMO/VL ratio was not different significantly between two conditions (p>.05). The findings of this study suggest that an infra-patellar strap may benefit people with patellar baja, as changes in patellar height could improve the efficiency of the quadriceps muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.541-550
• /
• 2012

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was compare quadriceps femoris muscle activity while performing wall slide squats of four methods. METHODS: Forty subjects, with no history of patellofemoral pain, quadriceps injury, or other knee injury volunteered for this study. Muscle activation of the vastus medialis obliquus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis muscles were recorded while subjects performed 10 consecutive wall slide squats. Subjects performed the wall slide squats during four different methods: (1) basic wall slide squat, (2) keep back upright against fitness ball, (3) standing of unstable surface, (4) squeezing ball between both knees. Statistical analysis were accomplished by utilizing the one-way ANOVA(Bonferroni's post-hoc test) by SPSS 20.0 program. Significance level was set at p<.05. RESULTS: Muscle activations induced wall slide squats of four methods compared and results showed that there was significant difference only in vastus medialis obliquus and rectus femoris but there was no significant difference in vastus lateralis. The vastus medialis obliquus was significantly different only keep back upright against fitness ball at post-hoc test. The rectus femoris was significantly different keep back upright against fitness ball and standing of unstable surface at post-hoc test. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we conclude that quadriceps femoris muscle activations are differenced by performing wall slide squats of four different methods in healthy subjects. These data suggest that for quadriceps muscle strengthening, exercise professionals can perform the wall slide squats by altering several task variables. Further research is needed to determine the exact mechanism by which quadriceps function is altered.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2008

Background: This study examines the changes in muscular strength and muscle fatigue substances when taping treatment is applied in squat exercise and treadmill exercise, in which quadriceps femoris muscles are used frequently so as to clarify the effects of taping as an aid of exercise ability improvement. Methods: 20 healthy male adults in their 20's participated in the study, in which tapes were put on their quadriceps femoris muscles, and various variables as the indicator of muscular strength and muscle fatigue substances were measured by means of the measuring tool before and after exercises. Results: the following conclusion was drawn up: 1. In exercise using muscular strength of the right knee extension, the reduction of muscular strength after exercise of the taping group showed significant statistical difference from that of the non-taping group. 2. In exercise using muscular strength of the lower limbs, the reduction of blood Glaucos after exercise of the taping group showed significant statistical difference from that of the non-taping group. 3. In exercise using muscular strength of the lower limbs, the value of lactic acid after exercise of the taping group showed significant statistical difference from that of the non-taping group. Conclusion: Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate that the application of taping treatment in sports activity or daily life where quadriceps femoris muscles are used a lot can have positive effects on the improvement of muscular strength and relief of muscle fatigue.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.16-22
• /
• 2006

Sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) is an aquired slowly progressive inflammatory myopathy with unknown etiology. Although light microscopic abnormalities and characteristic histopathology on muscle biopsy distinguishes from other inflammatory myopathies, vacuolated muscle fibers, intracellular amyloid deposits or tubulofilaments in electromicroscopic findings are not definite in some patients. This review shows the prominently involved muscles in s-IBM and specific or nonspecific electrophysiologic manifestations from reported data for helping the diagnosis of definite-or probable-IBM patients. In lower limbs, the quadriceps is predominantly involved, as is iliopsoas, and tibialis anterior is common. In the upper limbs, the greatest weakness is in forearm finger flexors. Finger extensors, biceps and triceps also are moderately to prominently involved. The majority of patients demonstrate polyphasic MUAPs that are short in duration. An additional striking feature is the concomitant documentation of long-duration, large-amplitude, polyphasic MUAPs. In spite of the frequent mixed myopathic-neurogenic electromyographic findings of IBM, just like that of chronic myositis, asymmetric, slowly progressive weakness of flexor digitorum profundus or quadriceps femoris muscles after age of 50 is very necessary condition for the diagnosis of IBM.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the posture holding band on muscle activity of the rectus femoris, medial vastus, and vastus lateralis muscles and weight distribution during squat exercise. Methods : This study was conducted with 30 healthy adult men and women in their 20s, and all subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. Squat exercise was performed for 6 weeks. The experimental group received squat exercise while wearing a posture holding band, and the control group applied without wearing a posture holding band. Muscle activity of the quadriceps femoris (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis) and weight distribution (knee flexion 0 °, 30 °, 60 °, and 90 °) was measured. Results : According to the results of this study, all three muscles showed a main effect on time and group, and a significant interaction was shown only in the vastus lateralis. In addition, the value of the weight distribution difference according to the knee flexion angle did not show a main effect according to time and group at 30 ° of knee flexion, but showed an interaction. Conclusion : It was confirmed that the application of the posture holding band during squat exercise increased the muscle activity of the quadriceps muscle, and showed greater changes in the vastus lateralis muscle. In addition, it was confirmed that the difference in weight distribution was reduced in the knee flexion, and in particular, a greater change was shown in reducing the difference in weight distribution in the knee flexion of 30 °. Therefore, it is considered that the effect of the exercise can be further enhanced if the unnecessary movement of the trunk is controlled by using equipment such as a posture holding band during squat exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.21-28
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of changes in the knee angle and weight shifting of the sole on the activity of the lower extremity muscles during bridge exercise. METHODS: The subjects of this study included 20 healthy adult women (mean age 29.8 ± 4.32). The subjects performed the bridge exercise under three weight-shifting conditions general bridge (GB), hindfoot press bridge (HPB), and fore-foot bridge (FPB) and at two knee angles (90° and 60°). During the bridge exercise, the activity of the quadriceps femoris (rectus femoris, vastus medialis oblique, and vastus lateralis) and biceps femoris muscles were measured using an electromyography sensor. RESULTS: In the quadriceps femoris, the muscle activity of HPB and FPB was significantly higher than that of the GB at knee angles of 90° and 60° (p < .05). In the biceps femoris, the muscle activity increased significantly in the order of GB < HPB < FPB, and the knee angle increased significantly at 60° rather than at 90° (p < .05). There was no significant difference according to the knee angle in all muscles except for the biceps femoris. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the weight-shifting bridge of sole bridge exercise was more effective in increasing the activation of the lower extremity muscles than the GB.