• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2021

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremity with pain and wrist extension disability. The tendon which is most affected is the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). Previous study evaluated the effect of taping technique on patient with LE, but no study investigated the changes of electromyography (EMG) on ECRB when using dynamic taping (DT) technique. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DT technique using dynamic tape on muscle activity of ECRB during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion. Methods: Twenty-one healthy subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were instructed to perform wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion without and with DT on origin area of ECRB. Wrist isometric extension was performed at 75%, 50% and 25% (%maximal voluntary contraction force), respectively, based on maximum contraction force. Isotonic extension and flexion test used dumbbell. EMG data was collected from ECRB. Results: EMG of ECRB were statistically significant decrease in wrist isotonic extension after DT (p < 0.05). Significant increase in wrist isometric extension during 25% and 50% force task (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied DT technique to suppress the wrist extensor muscles in 21 healthy adults in their twenties. Change in muscle activity was compared in the ECRB muscle during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion task. Based on the results of this study, the DT technique applied to the wrist and forearm area can reduce the load on the wrist extensors when the wrist performs various movements during daily life movements or repetitive tasks, and by using these effects, excessive stress is applied to tennis elbow patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.467-477
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effects of tibial rotation while going up stair on muscle activity of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis, and on patellar displacement. The subjects included 30 people (male: 15; female: 15) who were randomly assigned to the tibial internal-rotation, neutral-rotation, and external-rotation groups. The subjects went up the stair while performing the assigned rotations, and the rotation of the hip and the displacement of the patella were measured using a 3D motion analyzer. In addition, the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis were measured using surface electromyogram. On the tibial internal rotation, the hip rotation significantly appeared in the same direction and so did on the tibial neutral and external rotations(p<.001). Although the MVIC of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis did not significantly differ by tibial rotation during the stair ascent, the MVIC of the vastus medialis oblique was higher than that of the vastus lateralis during the internal and neutral rotations (p<.05). In addition, during the stair ascent, the displacement of the patella was more significant during the tibial external rotation than during the tibial internal and neutral rotations(p<.001). Thus, patients with patellofemoral pain are required to be considered the effects of tibial rotation for their rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate intra-rater reliability and determine the validity of electromyography (EMG) measurements to represent muscle activity and ultrasonography (US) to represent muscle thickness during manual muscle testing (MMT) to external abdominal oblique (EO) and lumbar multifidus (MF). Twenty healthy subjects were recruited for this study and asked to perform MMT at differing levels. The subjects' muscle activity using EMG was measured by a ratio to maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and root mean square (RMS) methods. The subjects' muscle thickness using US was measured by raw muscle thickness and change ratio of thickness to maximum (MVC) or resting condition. In three trials, measurements were performed on each subject by one examiner. The intra-rater reliability of measurements of EMG and US to EO and MF was calculated using intra-class coefficients. The intra-rater reliability of all measurements was excellent (ICC=.75~.98) in EMG and US. The conduct validity was calculated by one-way ANOVA with repeated measurements to compare whether the EMG and US measurements were different between MMT at different levels. There was only a significant difference between all grades at %MVC thickness measurement of US. These results suggest that a %MVC thickness measurement of US was a more sensitive and discriminate in all manual muscle testing grades. This information will be useful for the selection of US measurement and analysis methods in clinics.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.29-40
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activity during a push-up on a suspension sling and a fixed support at the same level. Tests were performed on 15 male subjects. Electromyography using a surface EMG recorded the activity of the triceps, pectoralis major, and internal and external oblique muscles during each push-up. EMG activity was recorded at 0, 45, and 90 degrees of elbow flexion in the push-up position on a suspension sling or a fixed support at the same height above the floor (30 cm). The testing order was selected randomly. The subjects were asked to maintain the push-up position with straight knees, hips, and trunk for 5 seconds at each elbow angle. The mean root mean square (RMS) of EMG activity was calculated. EMG activity was normalized using the maximum voluntary isometric contractιn elicited using a manual muscle testing technique. Two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the average RMS value of EMG activity for each condition. The EMG activity for the pectoralis major, and internal and external oblique muscles during a push-up on a sling was significantly higher than on a fixed support at all angles of elbow flexion (p<.01). There were significant differences in the EMG activity of the pectoralis major and triceps brachii muscles at difference angles of elbow flexion (p<.05). The pectoralis major muscle had the highest EMG activity at 90 degrees of elbow flexion on both the sling and fixed support. The triceps brachii muscle had the highest EMG activity at 45 degrees of elbow flexion on both the sling and fixed support. The internal and external oblique muscles had the highest EMG activity at 0 degrees of elbow flexion, although the difference with angle of flexion was not significant. These results suggest that to improve proximal and trunk stability and muscle strength, push-ups are more useful when performed on a suspension sling than On a fixed support.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hip external rotation angle on pelvis and lower limb muscle activity during prone hip extension. Sixteen healthy men were recruited for this study. Each subject performed an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) in a prone position, and extended the dominant hip at three different hip external rotation angles ($0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, $40^{\circ}$) with a $30^{\circ}$ hip joint abduction. Activity of the gluteus maximus (G Max), gluteus medius (G Med), and hamstring (HAM) and the G Max/HAM and G Med/HAM ratios were determined with surface electromyography (EMG). The EMG signal was normalized to 100% maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and expressed as %MVIC. Data were analyzed by one-way repeated analysis of variance (alpha level=.05) and the Bonferroni post hoc test. Significant differences in G Max and G Med muscle activity were noted among the three different hip external rotation angles. G Max muscle activity increased significantly at both $40^{\circ}$ (p=.006) and $20^{\circ}$ (p=.010) compared to a $0^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. G Med muscle activity increased significantly at $20^{\circ}$ (p=.013) compared to a $40^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. The G Max/HAM activity ratio increased significantly at both $40^{\circ}$ (p=.004) and $20^{\circ}$ (p=.014) compared to a $0^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. The G Med/HAM activity ratio increased significantly at $20^{\circ}$ (p=.013) compared to a $40^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angle. In conclusion, $40^{\circ}$ and $20^{\circ}$ hip external rotation angles are recommended to increase G Max activity, and $20^{\circ}$ hip external rotation is advocated to enhance G Med muscle activity during prone hip extension with ADIM and $30^{\circ}$ hip abduction in healthy subjects.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect on multifidus and external oblique abdominis muscle activation during hip contraction of three types (concentric, isometric, eccentric) in standing position. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty healthy adult men volunteered to participate in this study. Muscle activation was recorded from gluteus maximus, both multifidus, and both external oblique abdominis by surface electromyography (EMG) while holding position in the type of gluteus maximus contraction. EMG values were normalized by maximum muscle contractions (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction). All subjects performed hip extension with three contraction methods. The type of gluteus maximus contraction using Thera-band was composed of concentric contraction (type 1), isometric contraction (type 2), and eccentric contraction (type 3). To measure muscle activation on the gluteus maximus contraction type, each position were maintained for 5 seconds with data collection taken place during middle three seconds. Muscle activation was measured in each position three times. Results: For the results of this study, there was no significant difference within three contraction patterns of the gluteus maximus (concentric, isometric, and eccentric) each both multifidus, both external oblique abdominis, and gluteus maximus. And there was no significant difference among both multifidus, both external oblique abdominis, and gluteus maximus each hip extension contraction type. Conclusions: These findings suggest that specific contraction types of the gluteus maximus does not lead to a more effective activation of the multifidus, external oblique abdominis, and gluteus maximus.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.253-258
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of internal abdominis pressure(normal, hollowing and bracing) on trunk muscle activity during one leg bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirteen healthy adults (9 men and 4 women) were instructed to perform Internal abdominal pressure(IAP) control(Normal, Hollowing, Bracing) during one leg bridge. Electromyography (EMG) data (% Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction, MVIC) were recorded three times on both sides of the participant's Internal Oblique(IO), Effector Spinae(ES), and Multifidus(MF) muscles and the average value was analyzed. Results: As a result, Abdominal bracing one leg bridge (BOLB) group and Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group showed significantly increased muscle activation of bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae and multifidus activation compared to the Normal one leg bridge (NOLB) group (p<0.05). Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group had a significant difference in bilateral Internal oblique muscle activation in compared to the NOLB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus muscles activation in healthy adults at one leg bridge exercise showed greater activation at abdominal bracing. Therefore, in this study, IAP control can be used as an indicator of choice to the dysfunction with trunk muscle weakness and corrective exercise subject's situation when the goal is to activate the trunk muscles by performing one leg bridge.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.179-187
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the asymmetrical difference between the use of leg muscles on the surgical and non-surgical sides during initial lower extremity ergometer exercise after unilateral knee arthroplasty. Methods: Twelve elderly patients diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of the knee and who underwent unilateral arthroplasty were included in this study. The leg length of each subject was taken into account when setting the application distance of the lower extremity ergometer. The same pedal resistance, strength, and speed were used for all the subjects. The total angle of use of the ergometer (360°) was analyzed by dividing it into an extension section and a flexion section. Using a surface electromyography system, the activities of the muscles of the surgical and non-surgical sides were converted into maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and analyzed using the paired t-test. Results: When the activities of the muscles on the surgical and non-surgical sides were compared, it was found that the rectus femoris and biceps femoris had significant differences in the flexion and extension sections (p < .05), and that the tibialis anterior significantly differed in the flexion section (p < .05). There was no significant difference in the extension section of the tibialis anterior muscle, or in the flexion and extension sections of the gastrocnemius (p >.05). Conclusion: The results of this study confirm that the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius on the surgical side act in an opposite manner to those on the non-surgical side during pedaling in the same section.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.131-137
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activities in the frontal plane and scapular plane of the middle fiber and lower fiber of the trapezius muscle at different shoulder abduction angles. Methods: Twenty male and female students in their 20s participated in this study. Each subject maintained shoulder abduction at $75^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $125^{\circ}$, and $160^{\circ}$ in a standing position and repeated motions three times each in the frontal plane and the scapular plane. While maintaining the motions for 10 seconds in each posture, surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity of the middle fiber and lower fiber of the trapezius muscle. The collected EMG data were normalized using maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Differences in muscle activity of the middle fiber and lower fiber of the trapezius muscles according to the angles at each plane were statistically processed using repeated measured analysis of variance, and an independent t-test was used to examine the differences between the two planes at each angle. Results: Muscle activity of the middle and lower trapezius during shoulder abduction in the frontal plane and scapular plane significantly increased as the angles increased (p<.05). However, muscle activity of the middle trapezius was significantly lower in the scapular plane than in the frontal plane for all shoulder abduction angles (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that during shoulder abduction, angles should be different according to the goals, and for training during an acute phase or early phase for functional recovery, it is more efficient to perform the training in the scapular plane than in the frontal plane.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.157-162
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was to evaluate several tasks performed at a high intensity in terms of their ability to elicit EMG activity in the serratus anterior by comparing the EMG activities of the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles during six tasks combined shoulder flexion with rotation. Methods: Fifteen healthy males were recruited to this study. Each subject was instructed to assume a sitting position without back support and asked to flex (90° or 120°) the right shoulder and protract the scapula in the sagittal plane with maximal external rotation; to assume a neutral position; or to internally rotate the glenohumeral joint. The EMG data were collected from the serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UT), and lower trapezius (LT) muscles were normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. The UT/LT and UT/SA muscle activity ratios in each task were assessed by calculating the surface EMG. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, with the level of significance set at p<0.05. Results: The results of this study, shoulder flexion with external rotation resulted in low upper trapezius/serratus anterior and upper trapezius/lower trapezius ratios and a relatively high level of serratus anterior activation. Conclusion: Shoulder flexion with external rotation used herein may be considered as important for clinical interventions aimed at selectively increasing SA strengthen and clinical selection of exercises for improving glenohumeral joint and scapulothoracic control.