• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.147-157
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• 2010

Objectives : The study is performed to investigate the influence of psychological stress on neck muscles tone and heart rate variability(HRV). Methods : This study was carried out with the data from stress response index score(SRI), surface electromyography(sEMG) and HRV. First subjects were divided into two group according to the SRI points. Subjects in group A had points of SRI in which lower than 30 points. Subjects in group B had points of SRI in which higher than 30 points. Then we investigated how to difference of the index of sEMG and HRV according to each groups. Results : In this study, the muscle contraction of both upper trapezius muscle in stress group were higher than non-stress group significantly. Complexity, root mean square of successive differences of R-R intervals(RMSSD), standard deviation difference between adjacent normal to normal intervals(SDSD), high frequency oscillation power(Ln(HF)), normalized HF(Norm HF) in stress group were lower than non-stress group significantly and normalized LF(Norm LF) was higher. Conclusions : This results show that the stress was associated with neck muscle condition and autonomic nervous system.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.393-398
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation patterns of lower extremities in stroke patients during stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions by surface electromyography (EMG). Methods: Subjects included 19 hemiplegic patients comprehensive rehabilitation center for inpatients with stroke. Surface EMG was used to measure the subjects' medial gastrocnemius (GCM), tibialis anterior (TA), biceps femoris (BF), and rectus femoris (RF) activity as they took six steps during stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions. Results: There was no significant difference in the BF or RF muscle activity for the stepper climbing, stair-up, and level-ground gait conditions. However, there were significant differences in the medial GCM and TA muscle activity between each condition on the patients' hemiplegic side(p<0.05). There was significant difference in the medial GCM, TA, RF, and BF muscle activity between each condition on the patients' non-hemiplegic side (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result, the overall muscle activity during the level-ground gait was higher than the stair-up condition, and the muscle activity during the stair-up condition was higher than the muscle activity during the stepper climbing condition. As one of the many methods used for gait training, we suggest that the stepper exercise could be applied at an earlier stage in the gait training process.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2012

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the psychological fatigue and analyze muscle activity of production workers who are performing processes jobs while standing for prolonged time periods. Methods: The psychological fatigue experienced by the workers was obtained through questionnaire surveys. Meanwhile, muscle activity has been analyzed using surface electromyography (sEMG) measurement. Lower extremities muscles include: erector spinae, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius were concurrently measured for more than five hours of standing. Twenty male production workers in a metal stamping company participated as subjects in this study. The subjects were required to undergo questionnaire surveys and sEMG measurement. Results: Results of the questionnaire surveys found that all subjects experienced psychological fatigue due to prolonged standing jobs. Similarly, muscle fatigue has been identified through sEMG measurement. Based on the non-parametric statistical test using the Spearman's rank order correlation, the left erector spinae obtained a moderate positive correlation and statistically significant ($r_s$ = 0.552, p < 0.05) between the results of questionnaire surveys and sEMG measurement. Conclusion: Based on this study, the authors concluded that prolonged standing was contributed to psychological fatigue and to muscle fatigue among the production workers.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.31-42
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• 2008

This study performed in order to investigate the effect of isometric resistance exercise for vastus medialis oblique muscle with EMG(electromyography) biofeedback training which are applied to the patello-femoral joint of patients with osteoarthritis on the improve of function. The subjects had no neuromuscular disorders, and they were elder patients with osteoarthritis, 20 women. And the experiment was performed in control group, taping with EMG biofeedback training group respectively, and the measurement was carried out before and after the treatment and 4 weeks after the treatment. Motor unit action potential analysis with surface electromyography showed a significant change in RMS(root mean square) amplitude and MDF(median frequency) in vastus medialis oblique muscle(p<0.05). VMO/VL(vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis oblique) MDF ratio showed a significant change between groups(p<0.05). Taping with EMG biofeedback training applied to patello-femoral joint of osteoarthritis patients appeared to be effective for muscle function improvement. However, increase of muscular force in vastus medialis oblique muscle appears to have a positive effect on improve of function along with correction effect on patella malalignment. In conclusion, in case of osteoarthritis patients with loss of patello-femoral joint function, it appears to be effective to practice isometric resistance exercise of vastus medialis oblique muscle selective with taping.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.739-748
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• 2020

In this study, a wrist protector was manufactured and designed using 3D printing technology to prevent wrist pain when riding a bicycle with a high forward-tilted saddle. The efficiency of the design was analyzed in objective and subjective evaluations. First, seven women in their twenties selected their most preferred design by subjective evaluation from among three 3D wrist protectors. Then electromyography (EMG) was measured and subjective sensations were evaluated while wearing and not wearing the preferred 3D wrist protector as selected by cyclists. Experimental results showed that a wrist-bending angle of 30 degrees was most favored. When the 3D wrist protector was worn, muscle activity was smaller at the flexor carpus radialis position than when the 3D wrist protector was not worn; muscle fatigue was also lower. In the subjective evaluation, the 3D wrist protector was more comfortable than no protector, and wrist fatigue was also lower. In addition, the wrist protector was rated positively for its design suitability, size adequacy, ease of operation, and fit; however, cyclists felt that a little more cushioning was needed.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.30-38
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out changes in muscle activity and body heat of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles according to the area touching the ground through the areas of different heel heights using electromyography and infrared thermography. Method: This study was carried out for 15 healthy women. After walking for 30 minutes, the body temperature was measured in a standing state in front of the measuring instrument, and the distance between the treadmill and the thermography was about 50M, which may cause an error in measurement. Result: The results of the comparison of changes in muscle activity and body heat showed significant differences all in tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius muscle an lateral gastrocnemius muscle. The changes in body heat of tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscles according to the shape of the heel were lower as the area of the heel touching the ground was wider. Conclusion: This study was conducted to find out changes in muscle activity and body heat of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle depending on the area touching the ground through different heel areas.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.315-319
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leg-crossing positions on muscle activities of rectus femoris, tensor fascia latae, and hamstring in healthy 20's adults. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were asked to perform three leg-crossing positions, leg crossing (LC), tailor crossing (TC), and ankle crossing (AC). Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to evaluate the activities of rectus femoris, tensor fascia latae, and hamstring during upright sit posture (UP) and three leg-crossing positions and UP was compared to three leg-crossing positions. Repeated one way ANOVA was used for data analysis. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The results showed significant difference in the muscle activities of rectus femoris, tensor fascia latae, and hamstring among leg-crossing positions. The muscle activity of the rectus femoris was significantly lower in LC and TC positions than UP. The muscle activity of tensor fascia latae was significantly higher in LC position than UP and other leg-crossing positions. The muscle activity of hamstring was significantly higher in LC and TC positions and significantly lower in AC position than in UP. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the activity of hip muscles was affected by pelvic and knee alignment in various leg-crossing positions.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to analyze the muscle activations and Ground Reaction Force(GRF) in university judo players, and provide the guide of training in Judo. Using surface electrode electromyography(EMG), we evaluated muscle activity in 5 university judo players during the Judo Uke Movements. Surface electrodes were used to record the level of muscle activity in the Tibialis Anterior, Rectus Femoris, Elector Spinae, Gluteus Maximus, Gastrocnemius muscles during the Uke. These signals were compared with %RVC(Reference voluntary contraction) which was normalized by IEMG(Integrated EMG). The Uke was divided into four phases : Kuzushi-1, Kuzushi-2, Tsukuri, Kake. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. The effective Uke Movements needs to short time in the Kake Phase 2. The Analysis of Electromyography of Uke Movements in Supporting Leg; TA(Tibialis anterior) had Higher %RVC in the Kuzushi Phase, RF(Rectus Femoris) had Higher %RVC in the Tsukuri Phase, GM(Gluteus Maximus) had Higher %RVC in the Kake Phase 3. The ground reaction force for Z(vertical) direction was showed increase tendency in Kuzushi phase, Tsukuri phase and decrease tendency in Kake phase.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.39-45
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• 2001

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of treating the carpal tunnel syndrome by using both the Herbal Acupuncture and herbal medicine therapy on five cases. Methods: For the Herbal Acupuncture, Jungseonguhhyul No. 1 and Hwanglyunhaedoktang were used. For the herbal medicine, Dangguihwalhyul-tang was used. The patients were treated once in every two days; the result was evaluated after ten treatments. Patients' conditions were monitored through their testimony, phalen's test, nerve conduction study and electromyography. Results: In all five cases, the patients showed improvement; in four cases, the patients no longer had most of the clinical symptoms. Based on the result of the nerve conduction study, for the four cases in which the patients no longer displayed most of the clinical symptoms, their nerve conduction rate improved; for the remaining one case, the patient's nerve conduction rate deteriorated. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that combining the Herbal Acupuncture and herbal medicine therapy can have noticeable effects in treating the carpal tunnel syndrome; developing more variety of the herbal acupuncture would lead to even better treatment results.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2006

Prolonged immobilization leads to significant weakness and atrophy of the skeletal muscle and can also impair the recovery of muscle strength following injury. Therefore, it is important to minimize the period under immobilization and accelerate the return to normal activity. This study examined the effects of combined heat treatment and rest-inserted exercise on the muscle activity of the lower limb during knee flexion/extension. Twelve healthy subjects were assigned to 4 groups that included: (1) heat treatment + rest-inserted exercise; (2) heat treatment + continuous exercise; (3) no heat treatment + rest-inserted exercise; and (4) no heat treatment + continuous exercise. Heat treatment was applied for 15 mins prior to exercise. Continuous exercise groups performed knee flexion/extension at 0.5 Hz for 300 cycles without rest whereas rest-inserted exercise groups performed the same exercise but with 2 mins rest inserted every 60 cycles of continuous exercise. Changes in the rectus femoris and hamstring muscle activities were assessed at 0 and 2 weeks of treatment by measuring the electromyography signals of isokinetic maximum voluntary contraction. Significant increases in both the rectus femoris and hamstring muscles were observed after only 2 weeks of treatment when both heat treatment and rest-inserted exercise were performed. These results suggest that combination of various treatment techniques, such as heat treatment and rest-inserted exercise, may accelerate the recovery of muscle strength following injury or immobilization.