• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.441-450
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• 2019

Purpose: This study identified the co-activation of quadriceps and hamstring muscles during hamstring strengthening exercises in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty-one participants were required for the present study design to achieve 80% power, 0.8 effect size (η2), and an alpha level of 0.05. Thus, this study recruited 21 healthy adults. All participants performed Nordic exercises, bridge exercises, and one-leg deadlifts randomly. The activity of the rectus femoris, vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (SM) were measured. In addition, the ratios of VM/VL and hamstring/quadriceps (HQ) were measured during the three hamstring strengthening exercises using electromyography. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the co-activation of quadriceps and hamstring muscles in the three exercises. Results: The activity of VM and VL during the performance of one-leg deadlifts was significantly higher than the other two exercises. The BF had significantly higher activity during the Nordic exercises compared to the other two exercises. In addition, the SM activation was significantly greater during Nordic exercises than one-leg deadlifts. Additionally, there was significant difference in HQ ratio among hamstring strengthening exercises. In specific, the one-leg deadlifts yielded a significantly lower HQ ratio. Conclusion: This study revealed that one-leg deadlifts are effective in rehabilitation for anterior cruciate ligament injury. In addition, Nordic exercises can be recommended to facilitate hamstring muscle activation.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activity according to knee flexion angle during single-limb-deadlift exercises. Methods: In total, 26 healthy volunteers participated. The single-limb-deadlift consisted of 0˚, 15˚, and 30˚ knee joint bending. The electromyography data were collected from the semitendinosus (SM), the biceps femoris (BF), the rectus femoris (RF), the vastus lateralis (VL), and the vastus medialis (VM). In addition, hamstrings and quadriceps (HQ) ratio was measured during the single-limb-deadlift using electromyography. Results: During the single-limb-deadlift, RF, VL, and VM were significantly higher at 30˚ bending angles compared to muscle activity of 0˚ and 15˚ knee-joint bending. The HQ ratio had significant differences in all three knee joint bending angles. In particular, the single-limb-deadlift carried out to a 30˚ knee-joint bend showed the closest value to 1. Conclusion: The most balanced coactivation ratios were observed during a single-limb-deadlift to a 30˚ knee-joint bend angle. A single-limb-deadlift at a knee-bend angle of less than 30˚ could be used as an exercise to prevent ACL injury. It could also be used for post-injury rehabilitation programs by increasing knee-joint stability.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.131-138
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the muscle activity of the proximal muscles of the lower limb according to the distance between the front and rear foot during lunge and to determine the most effective foot position for activation of the proximal muscle in the limb. METHODS: A total of 49 young adults were enrolled in this study. All subjects performed lunge by positioning the big toe of the back foot and the heel of the front foot at intervals of 40%, 60%, and 80% of the subject's own leg length. Muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique, rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), gluteus medius, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus (ST) was then measured during three intervals of lunge operation. Each operation was measured three times for 10 seconds each, after which the average value was calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in muscle activities of RF, VLO, and ST among the three intervals of the foot (p<.05). Post hoc, comparisons revealed lunge at 40% intervals resulted in higher RF and VLO activity than at 60% and 80% intervals (p<.05). In the semitendinosus muscle, 80% leg length intervals showed higher muscle activity than 40% (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Strengthening of the proximal muscles of the lower extremities during lunge exercise is considered to be most effective when placing the fore- and rear foot at intervals corresponding to 40% of the leg length.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.61-66
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance applied in various directions on lower extremity muscle activity and balance during squat exercise performance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-one adults (19 males and 22 females) agreed to the study purpose and procedures. All subjects randomly performed squat exercises with an intensity of overcoming 10% of body weight resistance pulled forward, backward and general squats with $60^{\circ}$ of knee joint flexion. Electromyography was used to measure muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles. The Wii Balance Board was used to assess balance during the three-method squat operation. Each operation was measured three times for 10 seconds. Results: There were significant differences in muscle activities of the VMO, RF, VLO, ST and balance ability with the application of three directions of resistance (p<0.05). Post hoc comparisons revealed that squats performed with resistance pulled in the backward direction resulted in higher VMO, RF and VLO activity than with the resistance placed in a pulled forward direction (p<0.05). In the ST, resistance applied in the pulled forward direction showed greater muscle activity compared to the pulled backward direction (p<0.05). With balance, squats performed with resistance pulled in the forward direction showed greater muscle activity than with resistance applied in the pulled backward direction and during general squat performance (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, squat exercises performed with resistance applied in the direction of pulling backwards was found to be the most effective in improving quadriceps muscle strength and balance. It is effective to provide resistance that is placed in the forward when it is difficult to perform a general squat due to weakness of the quadriceps.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.76-81
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of squatting with different foot positions on the muscle activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in subjects with genu varum. Methods: Thirty four subjects participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activation of the VMO and VL muscles at the knee angles ($15^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$) at three foot positions (internal rotation, neutral position, external rotation) during squatting. Results: Muscle activation differences at different knee angles and foot positions differed significantly between the VMO and VL muscles in both the varus and normal groups. In addition, there was a significant difference according to the knee angles with the foot in external rotation in the VMO and VL ratio. In the varus group, however, the VMO and VL ratio were significantly different only with the feet in internal rotation. In the muscle activation changes of the knee angle differences in the foot position, there was no significant difference in the varus group, but both the VMO and VL muscles were significant different in the normal group. Conclusion: In both groups, regardless of the foot position, muscle activation of the VMO and VL muscles increased with increasing knee flexion angle. In the normal group, when squatting with the feet in external rotation, the VMO and VL muscles activations increased with increasing knee angle. In the varus group, however, the foot position did not affect the VMO or VL muscle activation. This study shows that subjects with genu varum and normal subjects have different VMO and VL muscle activation patterns during squat exercises.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.299-309
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the ankle pronation squat with the general squat and investigate the effect on the geun varum and the muscles around the knee. Methods : Subjects were chosen as the target for squat exercise with the distance between the knees more than 5 cm. The selected 30 students were randomly divided into 15 pronation squat group and 15 general squat group, and performed five sets movements 20 times. Global postural system (GPS) and digital goniometer were used to check the distance between the knees and the Q angle, and muscle activity was measured with EMG during squat exercise. Results: The result is as follows. First, as a result of analyzing the change in the distance between the knees, the distance between the knees decreased and the Q angle increased in the pronation squat group after exercise. Second, as a result of analyzing the change in muscle activity of the peroneus longus, the muscle activity increased in the pronation squat group after exercise, and it was more effective than the general squat group. Third, as a result of analyzing the change in the VMO (vastus medialis oblique) and VL (vastus lateralis) muscle activity ratio, the activity ratio of the pronation squat group increased after exercise, and the imbalance in the VMO/VL muscle activity was decreased. Conclusion: The pronation squat exercise applied to the ankle will greatly affect what is made into a balanced leg as decreased of the distance between knees, increased of Q angle, increased of the muscle activity of the peroneus longus and the ratio of VMO/VL.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제16권1호
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental clinical data to be used in therapeutic approach to patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome by administrating the squat exercise combined with whole body vibration exercise to them and investigating the effect of such exercise to leg muscle activity and muscle fatigue. METHODS: The patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomly assigned to experimental group I (n = 9) where only squat exercise was administered and experimental group II (n = 9) where the squat exercise combined with whole body vibration exercise was provided. The intervention program was administered for two weeks, four days a week, one session a day, three set a session, and 20 reps a set. The pre- and post-test were performed to measure muscle activity and muscle fatigue of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis. RESULTS: The muscle activity significantly changed in both group (p < .05, p < .01, respectively) and the muscle fatigue showed significant change only in group I (p < .05). In addition, there was significant difference between groups in change of muscle fatigue of both muscles (p < .05) but not in change of muscle activity. CONCLUSION: The results showed that both exercise are effective in improving muscle activity, however, that the squat exercise combined with whole body vibration exercise is more effective in preventing muscle fatigue.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.21-28
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• 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.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.113-121
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study is examined the effects of vestibular stimulation through eye movement on balance and muscle activity. METHODS: In 42 healthy adults, no eye exercise was applied to both feet and one foot. The speed of smooth pursuit eye movement (.2 Hz, .3 Hz, and .5 Hz) and saccadic eye movement (.5 Hz and 1.1 Hz) were randomized. The measurements were taken three times for 30 seconds while standing on two feet and measured three times for 10 seconds while standing on one foot. The muscle activity measurement equipment was used to measure the electromyogram signals of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius medialis, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, abdominal internal oblique, and erector spinae muscle. RESULTS: As a result of this study, when applying smooth pursuit eye movement on one leg, the pressure center movement increased, the muscle activity of the lower extremity increased, in the saccadic eye movement, and the center of pressure decreased. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, the smooth pursuit of eye movement, the intervention of this study, affects balance. Through this, the balance can be improved by applying eye movement to the target who needs to improve the balance ability.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.127-137
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to evaluate muscle activity and foot pressure during gait, and balance in female college students with genu valgum. METHOD: Participants were assigned based on their Q-angle to genu valgum group greater than 20° (GVG, n = 12), unilateral genu valgum group greater than 20° (UVG, n = 11), and control group (CON, n = 13). All subjects were evaluated for balance (Trace length, C90 area, C90 angle, and the Romberg test), muscle activity (gluteus medius; GM, tensor fasciae latae; TFL, vastus medialis; VM, vastus lateralis; VL, biceps femoris; BF, gastrocnemius; GCM and tibialis anterior; TA) and foot pressure (F/F ratio, R/F ratio, Hallux, 2~5 toe, 1st MT, 2~4 MT, 5th MT, Midfoot, M/heel, and L/heel) during gait. RESULTS: Romberg test showed significantly increased loss of balance in the UVG group compared with the CON. In the forward position, the imbalance was significantly increased in the UVG and GVG groups compared to the CON. Muscle activity of VL, GCM, and TA significantly increased in the GVG group compared with the CON. Static foot pressure, 1st MT significantly increased in the GVG compared to the CON group. The 5th MT significantly decreased in the CON compared with the GVG group. The R/F ratio significantly decreased in the GVG compared to the CON group. In dynamic foot pressure, the 2~5 toe significantly increased in the GVG compared with the UVG group. The left 5th MT significantly decreased in the UVG compared with the CON and GVG groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that genu valgum has a negative effect on balance, muscle activity, and foot pressure during gait in female college students.