• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 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 Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.77-83
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated relationship of muscular activity in thigh muscle and knee joint angle from bicycle exercise. The EMG signals of 16 persons were measured from rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles. The experiment was performed in 5 steps according to saddle distance and 60RPM/200W loads were applied for 1 minute at each step. EMG activation of rectus femoris and vastus lateralis muscles and knee joint angle were recorded using surface EMG and motion analysis system, respectively. Experimental results of inter relationship between EMG activation of thigh muscles and knee joint angle showed high correlation from Step 1. The unified EMG activation of two muscles and knee joint angle showed negative correlation(-0.97).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.121-129
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study aimed to propose an exercise technique that helps improve the skeletal muscle function while suppressing the symptoms of respiratory distress, by mediating squat exercises in whole-body vibration for patients with severe COPD, and comparing the post intervention pulmonary function and activity of quadriceps. METHODS: Totally, 21 patients with severe COPD were randomly assigned to two groups through clinical sampling: experimental group I included 11 patients (Squat exercise combined with whole-body vibration exercise), and experimental group II included 10 patients (Only squat exercise). Before intervention, we measured pulmonary function using a pulmonary function tester, muscle activity of quadriceps using surface EMG, and gait ability using the 6MWT. RESULTS: Comparison of intra-group changes in both experimental groups showed a significant increase in the activity of rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis, and also in the 6MWT. Intra-group comparisons also revealed significant difference in the activity of rectus femoris, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Squat exercise combined with whole-body vibration significantly increased the activity of the quadriceps muscle, suggesting that this intervention helps maintain the function of skeletal muscles and prevent muscle atrophy. Therefore, studies to develop protocols using whole body vibration in clinical practice as an exercise method can safely be performed in severe COPD patients, as considered necessary.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of foot orthotics on the overall comfort and muscle activity during running. The subjects were 10 members from the joggers' club which consisted of 2 women and 8 men. These individuals ran on the treadmill by 4.0m/s speed with and without the custom foot orthotics. The data concerning the overall comfort was collected by a questionairre that examined the overall comfort, heel cushioning, forefoot cushioning, medio-lateral control, arch height, heel cup fit, shoe heel width, forefoot width, and shoe length The MegaWin ver. 2.1(Mega Electronics lid, Ma. Finland) was used to gain electromyography signals of the muscle activity; Tibialis anterior, medial gastronemius, lateral gastronemius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and rectus femoris were measured. The results of the study were as follows. 1. During running the overall comfort was higher for the foot arthotic condition than the nonorthotic condition. Among the inquiries the overall comfort showed the biggest difference comparing the two conditions. and the shoe heel width showed the highest score for contort. 2 The muscle activity of the biceps femoris, and vastus lateralis in the stance period decreased. due to the foot orthotics. The muscle activity of the vastus medialis in the swing period also decreased and the muscle activity tibialis anterior in the stance and swing stance decreased as well During running, orthotics showed positive result in foot comfort. The foot comfort related to decreased stress, muscle activity, and foot arch strain. Overall comfort and the adequate decrease of muscle activity were associated with injury prevention and the best method to prevent injury semms to be the maintenance of foot comfort.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of knee exercises on the onset times of vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO) and vastus lateralis muscle (VL) and in healthy subjects. Fifteen subjects (7 men, 8 women) in a mean age of 26.4 years participated in the study. Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from the VMO and VL under four exercises. Knee exercises consisted of open kinematic terminal knee extension, straight leg raising, isometric hip adduction exercise, and closed kinematic terminal knee extension. No significant differences were found in the onset times of EMG activities of VMO and VL in the four exercises. There were also no significant differences among the exercises. These results coincided with previous studies that found no difference between onset of VMO and VL. However, it is difficult to say that there is no difference between onset of VMO and VL in healthy subjects. To confirm this results, further researches that follow same on set determination metod and exercises are needed. Not only is the study of onset time of muscle needed, but also the studies of the amount of activation and the rate of increase of muscle activation are needed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.42-49
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• 2009

This study examined the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and the vastus lateralis (VL) onset time differences (OTD) during quadriceps contraction in different hip positions. Twelve healthy subjects were recruited (four men, eight women). Surface EMG activities of the VMO and VL were measured during a quadriceps strengthening exercise in a long sitting condition and in a sitting at a chair with feet hanging condition. For each condition, subjects were tested in two hip positions (neutral and adduction). The OTD between the two muscles was calculated for each condition, by subtracting the onset time of the VL from the VMO. Therefore, the negative value of OTD represent earlier EMG onset of the VMO compared to the VL. The OTD was not significantly different between the hip neutral and the hip adduction position in the long sitting condition (p=.064). However, the OTD was significantly different between the hip neutral position ($15.83{\pm}109.51$ ms) and hip adduction position ($-5.58{\pm}121.08$ ms) during the sitting at a chair with feet hanging condition (p=.047). The negative OTD value in the hip adduction condition during quadriceps strengthening exercises is the result of earlier onset of the VMO than VL. Therefore, quadriceps contraction in the hip adduction position can prevent the risk of patella lateral tracking. We expect that quadriceps strengthening exercise in the hip adduction position will be a safe way to prevent patellofemoral pain syndrome resulting from abnormal patella lateral tracking.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of kinematics and muscle activities depending on the changes of angle approaching balls during backhand drive in squash. The results are as follows. Stride time took the longest at AD2 and step lengths were the biggest at AD1 of left foot contact and right foot contact and AD2 of impact and follow-through. The center of gravity and the speed of racket head were the highest at AD3 and at AD2. Angle of shoulder joint were the biggest at AD1 of left foot contact, right foot contact and impact and AD3 of follow-through. Angle of elbow joint were the biggest at AD3 of left foot contact, right foot contact and follow-through and AD2 of impact. Angle of pelvis joint were the biggest at AD2 of left foot contact, AD1 of right foot contact and AD3 of impact and follow-through. Angle of knee joint were the biggest at AD2 of left foot contact, AD1 of right foot contact and AD3 of impact and follow-through. Angle of ankle joint were the biggest at AD1 of left foot contact and AD3 of right foot contact, impact and follow-through. According to the analysis results of triceps brachii, latissimus dorsi, brachioradialis muscle and flexor carpi ulnaris muscle activities were high at AD1 of all phases. Analysis results of vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medial muscle activities were high at AD2 of phase1 and phase3. Those of vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medial were high at AD3 of Phase 2 and AD1 of phase2.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the simultaneous abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on the muscle activity of the ipsilateral trunk and leg during proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) leg flexion, adduction, and external rotation with knee flexion (D1) patterns. Methods: The participants were 20 healthy adult males and females (18 males and 2 females). The maneuvers were performed by a physical therapist who fully understands the PNF leg patterns (D1) and their application in clinical practice. The participants were trained and allowed to practice for 15 minutes prior to applying ADIM, to ensure adequate learning as evidenced by the pressure biofeedback unit. In this study, we measured the muscle activity of the trunk and leg when the PNF leg pattern (D1) was performed by the physical therapist either sustaining or releasing the ADIM. Muscle activity was measured on the right transverse abdominis muscle (TRA), the external abdominal oblique muscle (EO), the internal abdominal oblique muscle (IO), the erector spinae muscle (ES), the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO), the vastus lateralis oblique muscle (VLO), and the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) and compared using the mean values from averaging three repeated measurements. Results: The muscle activity of the transversus abdominis, the external abdominal oblique, the internal abdominal oblique, the vastus medialis oblique, and the vastus lateralis oblique was significantly greater (p < 0.05), and the muscle activity of the erector spinae was significantly less (p < 0.05) during PNF leg pattern (D1) when the ADIM contraction was sustained compared to when it was not. Conclusion: These results suggest that sustaining ADIM during PNF leg pattern (D1) training increases the trunk and leg muscle activity, resulting in more effective training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.311-319
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the structural change in knees caused by quadriceps angle and the muscle activity in lower limbs. Indirect intervention was provided by using taping for stability in the ankle joints, which affected patellofemoral pain. Methods: The subjects in this study were 20 patients with patellofemoral pain who visited ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}{\bigcirc} $ Hospital in Busan. The visual analogue scale measured the dynamic quadriceps angle and the degree of pain felt by the patients while walking down stairs, which was a known factor of patellofemoral pain. In addition, muscle activities in the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and biceps femoris, which affect the knees and ankles, were measured using surface electromyography. The muscle activities were converted into %RVC for this study. The data obtained in this study were analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test using the SPSS Ver. 25.0 statistical program. The significance level ${\alpha}$ was 0.05. Results: The study results showed that the pain and dynamic quadriceps angle were significantly reduced statistically when applying the calcaneus fixation taping (p<0.05). Muscle activity in the lower limbs was significantly decreased in the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and tibialis anterior (p<0.05). Conclusion: The summary of the study results verified that the calcaneus fixation taping reduced the pain and dynamic quadriceps angle by providing stability in the ankle joints. It also produced efficient movement due to the difference in lower-limb muscle activity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the immediate effects of weight-assisting methods on vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle activation, on the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio, and on muscle onset time in healthy subjects when ascending stairs. Methods: Healthy participants were randomly assigned to the belt group (n = 11), hand group (n = 11), and control group (n = 11). In the belt group, a belt was wrapped around the sacrum and pulled forward with both hands, moving the center of weight forward, while ascending stairs. The hand group grasped the hips with both hands and climbed stairs, assisting their weight from the rear and moving the center of weight backward, and the control group climbed the stairs without any intervention. Results: Muscle activation of the VMO decreased significantly after the intervention in the belt and hand groups, and activation of the VL muscle in both groups showed a greater decrease than that of the VMO muscle. Further, the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio increased significantly, with an improvement shown in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group, while muscle onset time also improved in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group. Conclusion: The belt group demonstrated the greatest effect across all dependent variables, confirming that in clinical practice, these two weight-assisting methods are more effective interventions during stair ascent for patients with knee joint instability, pain, and imbalance than no assistance.