• PNF and Movement
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, based on ballistic stretching and the contract-relax technique, on hip joint flexibility and muscle tone in adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles. Methods: The study involved 40 adults with shortened rectus femoris muscles, identified using the modified Thomas test. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: PNF stretching, employing the contract-relax technique, and ballistic stretching. Measurements included muscle tension, hip joint range of motion, and muscle characteristics. The rectus femoris muscle shortening effect was confirmed by the modified Thomas test, while the flexibility effect was assessed through hip joint motion range. The muscle tension effect was determined using Myoton-PRO. Results: Both stretching methods resulted in significant improvements in modified Thomas test angles and frequency, with the PNF stretching group showing notably greater changes. However, neither stretching method significantly affected decrement or stiffness measurements. These findings suggest that PNF stretching may be more effective for certain outcomes compared to ballistic stretching. Conclusion: In summary, both stretching methods positively influenced flexibility and muscle tension, with PNF stretching showing a greater impact. These findings highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate stretching technique for achieving functional improvements in muscles, which could serve as valuable indicators for preventing and treating muscle injuries in both sports and daily activities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to analyze fatigue patterns of the rectus femoris muscle by isometric contraction. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects(10 male, 10 female) participated in this study. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction(MVIC) was measured by the dynamometer. Muscle activity was recorded from the rectus femoris muscle. During the experiment, the subject was seated in the chair. The measured items, median frequency(MDF) and root mean square (RMS), were collected from the surface EMG. All data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: There was significant difference of MVIC between male and female. Endurance time was significant difference by the level of MVIC but no significant in the main effect(sex) and interaction effect. The MDF and fatigue index were significant differences in the interaction effect. The RMS was not significant difference in both of main and interaction effect. The muscle fatigue patterns of female was greater than male after 60% MVIC. Conclusion: This study showed that sex differences of muscle fatigue were started from 60% MVIC.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.49-55
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate influence of contract-relax exercise on functional leg length inequality (FLLI) and muscle activity. Methods: The subjects were consisted of 40 healthy adults who had FLLI of which degree was at least 10mm. All subjects were randomly assigned to two groups : Contract-Relax Exercise (CRE) group (n=20), control group (n=20). The experimental group underwent CRE for 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Myosystem 1200 was used to measure the activity of rectus femoris and hamstring muscle. The tape measure method was used to measure FLLI. Statistical analysis was used repeated ANOVA know comparison of period, independent T-est know comparison of experiment group and control group. Results: All measurements for each subject took the following test : pre-test, post-test in 2 weeks, post-test in 4 weeks. The FLLI of the experimental group was significantly reduced according to within intervention period (p<0.05). Rectus femoris and hamstring muscle activity of the experimental group was significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: The CRE can reduce FLLI and increase rectus femoris and hamstring muscle activity. Various contract-relax exercise for reduced of FLLI and the methods should be customized for the patients.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.77-84
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of lower limb muscle activity on postural stability and ground type in elderly women subjects. Method : Forty two subjects participated in the experiment (high group - age: $74.29{\pm}4.13yr$, height: $152.44{\pm}5.54cm$, weight: $57.43{\pm}6.16kg$, BMI: $24.77{\pm}2.99$, low group - age: $77.67{\pm}5.16yr$, height: $151.40{\pm}3.93cm$, weight: $60.92{\pm}6.40kg$, BMI: $26.59{\pm}2.57$). Wireless EMG with eight channels was used. Ground types were classified as flat and cushion. Results : In the double-support phase, left and right rectus femoris, left biceps femoris, left and right tibialis anterior, and left gastrocnemius did not show a significant difference in postural stability according to ground type. However right biceps femoris and gastrocnemius showed higher muscle activity in the elderly women group with lower postural stability. In the single-support phase, left and right rectus femoris, right biceps femoris, and left and right tibialis anterior did not show a significant difference in postural stability according to ground type. In addition, left biceps femoris had higher muscle activity in the elderly women group with lower postural stability. Left gastrocnemius had higher muscle activity in the elderly women group with higher postural stability and right gastrocnemius had higher muscle activity in the elderly women group on cushion ground. Conclusion : In a dynamic postural stability and cushion ground, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscle activity were high. As a result, biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscle strengthening exercise on cushion ground could be beneficial in the prevention of falling.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.31-46
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• 2002

The purpose of this research is to provide scientific training guides and the basis for preventing injuries in performing tango backward walk by comparing the effects the height and shape of a heel will have on leg muscles and determining the difference between skilled and unskilled dancers through EMG analysis according to different types of shoes Total eight female athletes were selected for this research. Four with six years of professional dancing experience and another four with one year of dance sports experience. Utilizing the EMG system, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, anterior tibialis, gastrocnemius were measured under different heights (0cm, 5cm, 7cm, 9cm) and shapes (flat, fine, wide) of a heel. Experiments were conducted calculating EMG peak value and muscle load ration under different types of shoes in order to analyze the EMG of leg muscles and Erector Spinae when performing tango backward walk. The result was as follows: 1. The EMG peak value of leg muscles showed significant difference under different heights of a heel in anterior tibialis(p<.001) and gastrocnemius(p.<01) in case of skilled dancers, and in biceps femoris(p.<01) in case of unskilled dancers. 2. The EMG peak value of leg muscles showed significant difference under different shapes of a heel in anterior tibialis(p<.001) and gastrocnemius(p<.001) in case of skilled dancers, and showed no significant difference in case of unskilled dancers. 3. The muscle load ration of leg muscles showed different degrees of muscle contribution between skilled and unskilled dancers. The muscle load ration was in the order of anterior tibialis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius in case of skilled dancers and anterior tibialis, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and rectus femoris in case of unskilled dancers.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.421-426
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how different levels of compression exerted on the femoral region (known as the power zone) by coated fabric influences the activation and anaerobic capacity of the rectus femoris. Method: Three different levels of compression on the rectus femoris of the participants, namely 0% (normal condition), 9% (downsize), and 18% (downsize), were tested. The material of the fabric used in this study was nonfunctional polyurethane. Surface electromyography test was used to investigate the activation of the rectus femoris, while the isokinetic test (Cybex, $60^{\circ}/sec$) and Wingate test were used to investigate the maximum anaerobic power. Results: The different compression levels (0%, 9%, and 18%) did not improve the strength and anaerobic capacity of the knee extensor. However, knee flexor interfered with activation of the biceps femoris, which is an agonist for flexion, during 18% compression. Conclusion: Compression garments might improve the stretch shortening cycle effect at the time of eccentric contraction and during transition from eccentric to concentric contraction. Therefore, future studies are required to further investigate these findings.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.199-203
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• 2012

Purpose : Bridging exercise was used most frequently of lumbar stabilization exercise. There has been no reserch regarding the bridging exercise according to hip abductor activation or hip adductor activation. The purpose of this study is to determine correlation of hip abductor, adductor and abdominal muscles, lower limb muscle. Methods : Participants who met the criteria for this study (n=45). Participants performs bridging exercise on three types (normal bridging exercise, bridging exercise with hip abductor contraction, bridging exercise with hip adductor contraction) for evaluate correlation of each muscles. Results : There was a significant negative correlation between adductor magnus and gluteus medius, adductor magnus and rectus femoris. And there was a positive correlation between gluteus medius and rectus femoris on normal bridging exercise (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between adductor magnus and gluteus medius, transverse abdominis, and between gulteus medius and transverse abdominis on bridging exercise with adductor magnus activation (p<0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between adductor magnus and gluteus medius, rectus femoris, and between gulteus medius and rectus femoris on bridging exercise with gluteus medius activation (p<0.05). Conclusion : When we perform bridging exercise for transverse abdominis activation and increase pressure in the abdmen, bridging exercise with hip adductor contraction is more effective than normal bridging exercise and bridging exercise with hip abductor contraction.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.28-36
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the trunk and the lower limb muscles during quiet standing on an unstable surface while wearing low-heeled shoes (3 cm), high-heeled shoes (7 cm) and without footwear (0 cm) in 20 young healthy women. The subjects stood on an unstable surface for 30 seconds. We examined the differences in the EMG data of the erector spinae, rectus abdominis, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and the gastrocnemius medialis muscle. A one-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the effects of shoe heel height on the EMG activity with the level of significance set at ${\alpha}=.05$. The EMG activity of the erector spinae and the rectus femoris were significantly increased (p<.05) in the subjects who wore elevated heel height, while the tibialis anterior and the gastrocnemius medialis were significantly decreased (p<.05). However, the rectus abdominis and the biceps femoris exhibited no significant difference among the three conditions. The above results indicate that wearing high-heeled shoes may change the postural strategy. The findings of this study suggest that excessive heel height could contribute to an increased fall risk during quiet standing.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.105-113
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of non-invasive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on muscle activity, including 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS, in hemiplegic stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 42 inpatients diagnosed with hemiplegia due to stroke at hospital B in Daejeon for more than 6 months. Walking training was conducted for six weeks, five times a week for 30 minutes, with a general walking group (14 people), tDCS walking group (14 people), and tDCS (sham) walking group (14 people). Results: As a result of the study, the change in the muscle activity before and after tDCS intervention was significantly increased in the tibialis anterior muscle in the CG group. In the EG group, the erector spine (lumbar), rectus femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles significantly increased. In the SEG group, significant increases were observed in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles. Significant differences were found in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles in the comparison between groups after intervention according to tDCS application. Also, 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS were significantly increased in the CG, EG, and SEG groups after intervention, and there were significant differences in 10 m WT, TUG, and BBS in comparison between groups after intervention according to tDCS application. Conclusion: As a result, tDCS is an effective in improving the walking ability of stroke patients, and in particular, it effectively increases the muscle activity of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles, which act directly on walking, and also improves the speed and stability of walking. It is considered being an effective method to increase the gait of stroke patients by combining it with the existing gait training.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.85-90
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to find the difference in muscle firing rate between each muscle according to the knee angle with the quadriceps femoris which is a representative action muscle of the lower extremity. Seven normal healthy subjects were recruited. The median frequency (MDF) of muscle contraction was recorded from vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris muscles using the surface EMG, in 5 seconds, during maximal isometric knee extension. The data were analyzed by the two-way repeated ANOVA. The results of the study were as follows: 1) median frequency of muscle contraction was significantly higher at the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris in descending order. 2) median frequency of muscle contraction was significantly higher at the $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$ in descending order. Consequently, muscle recruitment at the knee decreases the EMG activity of the lengthened muscle. This study suggests that the change in EMG activity at different muscle lengths resulted in affecting the muscle firing rate during the knee extension.