• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

Purpose: To evaluate changes in lower extremity muscle activity caused by high heeled shoe wearing during normal, brisk, and upslope walking. Methods: Twenty healthy young women (age, $23.9{\pm}2.47$) participated in this study. Muscle activities of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis, gastrocnemius medialis, soleus, hamstring, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis while walking normally, walking briskly, and walking up a slope. Results: When walking normally, the peroneus longus, gastrocnemius lateralis, soleus, and vastus lateralis evidenced higher activity when high-heeled shoes were worn (p<0.05). During brisk walking, the peroneus longus and gastrocnemius lateralis exhibited higher activity (p<0.05). Although the peroneus longus and vastus lateralis exhibited higher activity when walking up an incline with high-heeled shoes, the activity levels of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medialis were lower (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that increased heel height substantially reduces muscle effort when walking up a slope. From a therapeutic perspective, it is possible that using high heeled shoes over a short period might enhance muscle activity of ankle evertor, although it can cause mediolateral muscle imbalances in the lower extremities.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of lower limbs muscle activities depending on three walking speeds of 2.5km/h, 5.0km/h and 7.5km/h during forward walking and backward walking making 14 students the subjects of this study. To achieve this aim, surface electrodes for factor analysis of EMG were adhered to rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medial head of right lower limbs. The conclusions through this study are as follows. 1) The muscle activity of rectus femoris was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group and it was the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 2) The muscle activity of biceps femoris was higher in forward walking group than in backward walking group. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 3) The muscle activity of tibialis anterior was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 4) The muscle activity of gastrocnemius medial head was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group except P2. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2005

To compare the effects of forward walking and backward walking on surface electromyographic analysis of quadriceps muscles at treadmill grades of 0%, 5% and 10%, subjects were randomized to eleven athletics (5 females, 6 males), with a mean age of 17.8 years, and a SD of 4.66 years. The values of the surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were measured during forward walking and backward walking on a treadmill at grades of 0, 5 and 10%. The subjects walked for approximately 10 seconds at 4.0 km/h. The data were analyzed by repeated measuring of the two-way ANOVA and analyzed by a paired t-test between forward walking and backward walking. The SEMG activity levels of the RF, VL and VMO were the highest when both the forward walking and backward walking increased incrementally for treadmill grades of 0% to 10%, but the VMO/VL ratio had no significant changes. The SEMG activity levels of the RF, VL and VMO were significantly different between directions. However, SEMG activity levels of the RF, VL, VMO and VMO/VL ratio did not show significant difference among the treadmill grades. No statistically significant interactions were detected between the direction of walking and treadmill grade. Backward walking on the treadmill at 4 km/h and grades of 0%, 5%, 10% elicited a greater SEMG activity on the quadriceps muscles than did forward walking under the same conditions. The results suggest that the quadriceps may be effectively activated by performance at treadmill grades of 10%. This investigation confirms that backward walking up an incline may place additional muscular demands on individuals.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.89-99
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were: 1) to show the item difficulty hierarchy of walking/moving construct of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health-Activity Measure (ICF-AM), 2) to evaluate the item-level psychometrics for model fit, 3) to describe the relevant physical activity defined by level of activity intensity expressed as Metabolic Equivalent of Tasks (MET), and 4) to explore what extent the empirical activity hierarchy of the ICF-AM is linked to the conceptual model based on the level of energy expenditure described as MET. One hundred and eight participants with lower extremity impairments were examined for the present study. A newly created activity measure, the ICF-AM using an item response theory (IRT) model and computer adaptive testing (CAT) method, has a construct on walking/moving construct. Based on the ICF category of walking and moving, the instrument comprised items corresponding to: walking short distances, walking long distances, walking on different surfaces, walking around objects, climbing, and running. The item difficulty hierarchy was created using Winstep software for 20 items. The Rasch analyses (1-parameter IRT model) were performed on participants with lower extremity injuries who completed the paper and pencil version of walking/moving construct of the ICF-AM. The classification of physical activity can also be performed by the use of METs that is often preferred to determine the level of physical activity. The empirical item hierarchy of walking, climbing, running activities of the ICF-AM instrument was similar to the conceptual activity hierarchy based on the METs. The empirically derived item difficulty hierarchy of the ICF-AM may be useful in developing MET-based activity measure questionnaires. In addition to convenience of applying items to questionnaires, implications of the finding could lead to the use of CAT method without sacrificing the objectivity of physiologic measures.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.85-95
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• 2006

The purpose of this study of which 10 University students in their twenties are the objects was to examine the causal differences of kinematic and electromyography during power walking and normal gait. We came to the following conclusions. 1) It took less time to stance phase, swing phase and whole gait time during power walking compared with normal gait. 2) During power walking, the step length and step length and lower limb length are longer than that of normal gait. 3) During power walking, ankle joint angle became more plantar flexed at LIC and RTO, knee joint angle become more flexed, so did hip joint angle at LIC and RTO. Besides during power walking the shoulder joint angle movement was bigger and elbow joint angle was more flexed as the trait of power walking. 4) During power walking, through out the phase the muscle activity of all muscle was higher expecially the muscle activity of Biceps brachii, gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis, Soleus was higher. Therefore during power walking, one's scope of activity and muscle activity is relatively higher than those of normal gait, so power walking helps one strengthen muscular power and energy metabolism. This will be useful information for those who are interested in diet and well-being.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.177-195
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic variables of ankle joints and EMG signal of the lower limbs muscle activity for the different walking speed. The subjects were 6 males of twenties. It was classified into three different walking speed-0.75m/s, 1.25m/s, 1.75m/s. The walking performances were filmed by high speed video camera and EMG signal was gained by ME3000P8 Measurement Unit. Tibialis anterior(TA), Gastrocnemius medial head(GM), Gastrocnemius lateral head(GL), Ssoleus(SO) were selected for the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint. The result of this study were as follows: 1. In the gait cycle, The time parameters for the phases were showed significant difference without the terminal stance phase and terminal swing phase for the different walking speed. 2. The angle of ankle joint was no significant difference for each time point and MDF, MPF but increasing walking speed the angle had the increasing pattern slightly. 3. The angular velocity of ankle joint was showed the significant difference for LHC, RTO, RKC, LHU, MPF and MDF point along the walking speed. 4. TA was showed about 2-3 times muscle activity at the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s in some phases. And it was showed the similar muscle activity between the 0.75m/s and 1.25m/s but, showed a little much muscle activity in the 0.75m/s. GM was showed about 2-3 times muscle activity in the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s, and even much muscle activity at the 0.75m/s than 1.25m/s in some phases. GL was showed increasing pattern of muscle activity specially in the initial swing phase as the walking speed increased. SO was showed about 3 times muscle activity in the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s during the plantarflexion of ankle joint. It was showed the similar muscle activity between the 0.75m/s and 1.25m/s but, showed a little much muscle activity in the 1.25m/s.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2021

Objective: Through comparative analysis of muscle activity for whole-body vibration, walking and running movements, it is to verify the training effect of whole-body vibration exercise in terms of amount of exercise and muscle activity characteristics. Method: Flat ground walking and slope walking (10 degrees) at a speed of 5 km/h, flat ground running and slope running (10 degrees) at a speed of 11 km/h for running were performed on treadmill, and squats were maintained at 12 Hz, 20 Hz, and 29 Hz conditions on Whole body vibration exercise equipment (Galileo). Muscle activity was analyzed through EMG analysis device for one minute for each condition. Results: The Anterior Tibialis and Erector Spinae show greater exercise effect in whole-body vibration than walking and running. The Rectus Femoris, Biceps Femoris, and Gluteus Maximus have the best effect of exercise in flat running. Whole-body vibration exercise showed greater muscle activation effect as the frequency increased, and exercise effect similar to walking during the same exercise time. Conclusion: The amount of exercise through Whole-body vibration exercise was similar to that of walking exercise, and the Anterior Tibialis and Erector Spinae shows better exercise effect than walking and running.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the activity of the thigh muscle(rectus femoris, vastus medial/ lateralis, hamstring medial/lateralis) which are caused by the change cf lower extremity muscle activity to speed and inclination during forward and backward walking on the treadmill. Method: Twenty healthy young adults were recruited. The subjects were given a warm-up for 1 minute at the speed of 2.0km/h before exercise, and 2km/h to 4km/h from 10% to 4km/h in the frontal and backward walking. Result: In the present study, it was found that the muscle activity of the lateral broad and inward wide muscles increased when the treadmill was backward for 40 seconds without training. And the femur and the muscle were significantly different from 10% to 4km/h(p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that in the treadmill, it is effective in increasing the leg strength in the backward walking than in the forward walking. And it was concluded that muscle activity increased at 4km/h when the speed was 2km/h when backward walking.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.119-126
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the application of abdominal brace techniques on muscle activity of the trunk and lower extremities when walking. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: This study was conducted on 26 healthy adults in their 20s, and the subjects performed two conditions in random order: walking with the abdominal bracing technique and walking in an abdominal relaxation state (normal gait). Muscle activity was measured on the dominant side of all subjects using surface electromyography, and the attachment sites were the erector spinae, external oblique, internal oblique, vastus lateralis, and vastus medialis oblique muscles. Each condition was measured three times to calculate and analyze the average value. Results: When walking using the abdominal brace technique, the muscle activity of the erector spinae, external oblique, internal oblique, and vastus lateralis increased significantly (p<0.05), and the muscle activity of the vastus medialis increased as well but was not significant. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that it is possible to be used as an effective guide to increasing the muscle activity and stability of the trunk and lower extremities through the application of the abdominal bracing technique during walking.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2002

This study was designed to identify the effects of walking conditions (normal walking vs. toe-walking) on electromyographic (EMG) activity of gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscle. Seven healthy adult males participated in this study. The exclusion criteria were orthopedic or neurologic disease, congenital anomaly or acquired deformity, or pain in low back or lower extremities. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction for each muscle was used for the reference contraction, and EMG activity of each muscle during normal walking and toe-walking was expressed as a percentage of reference contraction. The gait cycle was determined with two foot switches, and gait was normalized as 100% gait cycle for each condition. The maximal values of EMG activity in terminal stance (30~50% of gait cycle) of each condition were compared for data analysis. No significant differences were found in EMG activity of the tibialis anterior and soleus (p>.05), whereas significant decrement was found in EMG activity of gastrocnemius during toe-walking compared to normal walking (p<.05). There is a limitation to generalize the results of this study, because small number of subjects participated for this study and only EMG was used for data collection. The treatment methods should be developed to improve gait efficiency by substituting the weakened muscles secondary to upper motor neuron, or by strengthening the distal muscles in lower extremity.