• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2012

The pelvic compression belt (PCB) contributes to improving sacroiliac joint stability, and it has been used as an additional therapeutic option for patients with sacroiliac joint pain (SIJP). This study aimed to investigate whether the muscle activation patterns of the supporting leg was different between asymptomatic subjects and subjects with SIJP during one-leg standing, and how it changes with the PCB. 15 subjects with SIJP and 10 asymptomatic subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) data (reaction time [RT] and muscle activation) were collected from the internal oblique, lumbar multifidius, gluteus maximus and biceps femoris muscles during one-leg standing with and without the PCB. Without the PCB condition, in the SIJP group, the biceps femoris muscle showed the fastest RT among all muscles (p<.05), whereas in the asymptomatic group, the RT of the internal oblique muscle was the most rapid (p<.05). In condition without the PCB, the biceps femoris EMG amplitudes in the SIJP group were significantly greater than that in the asymptomatic group (p<.05). After the application of the PCB, the RT of the biceps femoris muscle was significantly increased only in the SIJP group (p<.05). Moreover, the biceps femoris EMG amplitudes significantly decreased and the gluteus maximus EMG amplitudes significant increased only in the SIJP group by applying the PCB (p<.05). However, this had no such effect on the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris EMG patterns in the asymptomatic group (p>.05). Thus, this study supports the applying the PCB to patients with SIJP can be used as a helpful option to modify the activation patterns of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris muscle.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.347-357
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare EMG and GRF during a free throw. Seven pairs of surface electrodes were attached to the right-hand side of the body to monitor the flexor carpi radialis (FC), extensor carpi radialis longus (EC), biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), rectus femoris (RF), tibialis anterior (TA) and medial gastrocnemius (GM). GRF data from two force platform were collected during a free throw. The results showed that the muscle activities in the unskilled group must be highly activated prior to the moment of release. This means that a skilled participant can shoot a free throw more efficiently while producing less muscle activeness than an unskilled participant. The DCP of unskilled group in the medio-lateral direction were greater than the corresponding values in skilled group. This showed that the unskilled group were not able to shoot the free throws stably. Thus, when a teacher or instructor teaches students how to shoot free throw, it is considered that the teacher show the learner how to use not only the upper limbs but also lower limbs on the basis of the efficent connecting movement and the flexibility in a stable procedure.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of drive-assisting system in a shower carrier on the upper body muscle activities of caregivers through drivability tests. Background: In care facilities, one of the major ADL (Activities of Daily Living) factors is bathing/showering. Recently, bath/shower-assisting equipment is actively being introduced in care facilities to reduce caregivers' muscle burden. In particular, it is desirable to utilize a shower carrier equipped with drive-assisting system to effectively care for the elderly. However, there were few systematic studies on the relationship between muscle activities and drive-assisting speeds. Method: For the drivability tests to study the effects on the muscle activities according to the drive-assisting speeds(corresponding drive-voltages: 0.0V, 2.0V, 2.1V, 2.3V), 6 females in their 40s($43{\pm}4yrs$, $157{\pm}5cm$, and $54.5{\pm}1.5kg$) were selected. To measure muscle activities of caregivers through drivability tests, 7 muscles in the upper body(TM/Trapezius Muscle, DM/Deltoid Muscle, BBM/Biceps Brachii Muscle, TBM/Triceps Brachii Muscle, ECRLM/Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Muscle, FCUM/Flexor Carpi Ulnaris Muscle, and ESM/Erector Spinae Muscle) were selected. Results: In the TM, muscle activities were decreased as 21% compared to 0.0V, when drive-voltage 2.0V was applied, as 57% by 2.1V, and 62% by 2.3V(p<0.05), whereas 40%, 56%, and 69% of muscles activities were decreased respectively from the DM(p<0.05). Also, from the UL(BBM+TBM+ECRLM+FCUM), muscle activities were decreased by 17% with 2.0V as against 0.0V, by 47% with 2.1V, and 52% with 2.3V, whereas decreases in muscle activities from the ESM were found by 20%, 34%, and 42% respectively by 2.0V, 2.1V, and 2.3V(p<0.05). Conclusion: The muscle activities were decreased in the order of the DM, TM, ESM, and UL. As muscle activities were remarkably reduced as drive voltage were increased, it was expected to reduce the upper body muscle burden on the caregivers when using shower carriers equipped with driving-assist system. Applications: The results from this study can be applied for the development of a shower carrier including other equipment to possibly reduce the muscle burden of the caregivers.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.155-165
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• 2005

Arthritis is one of the most common chronic degenerative joint disease in elderly. Osteoarthritis is a widespread, slowly developing disease, with a high prevalence increasing with age in women. The large joints mostly involved by the disease are the knees. But there are no treatments available that cure the underlying process of osteoarthritis diseases. Physical exercise helps in increasing cartilage nutrition and remodeling, increases the synovial blood flow, decrease swelling, and improves muscle strength. Thus, exercise has been suggested as an important nursing strategy in osteoarthritis. Purpose: The purpose of this study were to compare muscle strength between Tai-Chi exercise and aquatic exercise for women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with pretest and posttest measures was used. The study subjects were those who had been enrolled in a community health center, and agreed to participate in the study for eight weeks, signed the consent form, and obtained the physicians approval. The study dropout rates were 13.2% with the final study subjects of 17 on Tai-Chi exercise, 16 on aquatic exercise program. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS for Window (version 12.0). Independent sample t-test and paired t-test was performed to compare of muscle strength for women with osteoarthritis after 8-week Tai-Chi exercise and aquatic Exercise. Results: The homogeneity tests of demographic characteristics and study variables at the pretest data revealed no significant differences between two groups. After 8-week Tai-Chi and aquatic exercise, there was significant result in pre-post test comparison on muscle strength on Tai-Chi group, but no significant in aquatic group. There were no significant differences of knee extensor (p=.078), and hand grip(p=.118) in group comparisons on muscle strengths. But there were significant differences of knee flexor(p=.024). Conclusion: Tai-chi exercise was effective in improving knee flexor. So, it seems that Tai-chi exercise may be more suitable for aquatic exercise in osteoarthritis exercise programs. Further studies with other comparisons in physical and psycho social outcomes are necessary to confirm the more effects of exercise.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.471-478
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• 2004

Electromyogram (EMC) signal generated by voluntary contraction of muscles is often used in a rehabilitation devices such as an upper limb prosthesis because of its distinct output characteristics compared to other bio-signals. This paper proposes an EMG-based human-computer interface (HCI) for the control of the above-elbow prosthesis or the wheelchair. To control such rehabilitation devices, user generates four commands by combining voluntary contraction of two different muscles such as levator scapulae muscles and flexor-extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. The muscle contraction is detected by comparing the mean absolute value of the EMG signal with a preset threshold value. However. since the time difference in muscle firing can occur when the patient tries simultaneous co-contraction of two muscles, it is difficult to determine whether the patient's intention is co-contraction. Hence, the use of the comparison method using a single threshold value is not feasible for recognizing such co-contraction motion. Here, we propose a novel method using double threshold values composed of a primary threshold and an auxiliary threshold. Using the double threshold method, the co-contraction state is easily detected, and diverse interface commands can be used for the EMG-based HCI. The experimental results with real-time EMG processing showed that the double threshold method is feasible for the EMG-based HCI to control the myoelectric prosthetic hand and the powered wheelchair.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was carried to identify the component of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in human. Methods : The regional muscle group was divided into outer, middle, and inner layer. The inner part of body surface were opened widely to demonstrate muscles, nerve, blood vessels and to expose the inner structure of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in the order of layers. Results We obtained the results as follows; He Perfcardium Meridian Muscle composed of the muscles, nerves and blood vessels. In human anatomy, it is present the difference between terms (that is, nerves or blood vessels which control the muscle of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle and those which pass near by the Pericardium Meridian Muscle). The inner composition of the Pericardium Meridian Muscle in human is as follows ; 1) Muscle P-1 : pectoralis major and minor muscles, intercostalis muscle(m.) P-2 : space between biceps brachialis m. heads. P-3 : tendon of biceps brachialis and brachialis m. P-4 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. and palmaris longus m. tendon(tend.), flexor digitorum superficialis m., flexor digitorum profundus m. P-5 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. tend. and palmaris longus m. tend., flexor digitorum superficialis m., flexor digitorum profundus m. tend. P-6 : space between flexor carpi radialis m. tend. and palmaris longus m. tend., flexor digitorum profundus m. tend., pronator quadratus m. H-7 : palmar carpal ligament, flexor retinaculum, radiad of flexor digitorum superficialis m. tend., ulnad of flexor pollicis longus tend. radiad of flexor digitorum profundus m. tend. H-8 : palmar carpal ligament, space between flexor digitorum superficialis m. tends., adductor follicis n., palmar interosseous m. H-9 : radiad of extensor tend. insertion. 2) Blood vessel P-1 : lateral cutaneous branch of 4th. intercostal artery, pectoral br. of Ihoracoacrornial art., 4th. intercostal artery(art) P-3 : intermediate basilic vein(v.), brachial art. P4 : intermediate antebrachial v., anterior interosseous art. P-5 : intermediate antebrarhial v., anterior interosseous art. P-6 : intermediate antebrachial v., anterior interosseous art. P-7 : intermediate antebrachial v., palmar carpal br. of radial art., anterior interosseous art. P-8 : superficial palmar arterial arch, palmar metacarpal art. P-9 : dorsal br. of palmar digital art. 3) Nerve P-1 : lateral cutaneous branch of 4th. intercostal nerve, medial pectoral nerve, 4th. intercostal nerve(n.) P-2 : lateral antebrachial cutaneous n. P-3 : medial antebrachial cutaneous n., median n. musrulocutaneous n. P-4 : medial antebrachial cutaneous n., anterior interosseous n. median n. P-5 : median n., anterior interosseous n. P-6 : median n., anterior interosseous n. P-7 : palmar br. of median n., median n., anterior interosseous n. P-8 : palmar br. of median n., palmar digital br. of median n., br. of median n., deep br. of ulnar n. P-9 : dorsal br. of palmar digital branch of median n. Conclusions : This study shows some differences from already established study on meridian Muscle.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.2012-2020
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• 2020

Background: Multifaceted approaches will be needed, such as global synkinesis (GS) achieve functional improvements in the arms of stroke patients from involuntary movements during exercise. Objective: To identify changes in arm GS and muscle activity, functional evaluation and the correlation with variables through action observation training, combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES), thereby verifying the effect on stroke patients. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 stroke patients who were divided into two groups: Control group (n=10) and experimental group (n=10). Before the intervention, arm GS and muscle activity were measured using surface electromyography (EMG), and arm function was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) scale. At the end of the intervention, which lasted 4-wk, arm GS and muscle activity were measured again using the same scale. Results: There was a decrease statistically significant difference in GS during the bending action in experimental group (P<.01). Both groups showed a significant difference increased only in the activity of the anterior deltoid (AD) and biceps brachii (BB) (P<.05). The results of the arm functional assessment revealed a significant difference increase in both groups (P<.05). In the between-group comparison, there was a significant difference decrease in GS during the bending action (P<.05). Only the muscle activity of the AD and BB were significantly increase different (P<.05). There was a significant between-group difference increase in the arm functional assessment (P<.05). There was a positive correlation between GS and muscle activity on the FMA in the control group (r=.678, P<.05). In experimental group, GS during the bending arm action exhibited a negative correlation (r=-.749, P<.05), and the muscle activity of the AD and BB showed a positive correlation (r=.701, P<.05). Furthermore, in experimental group, the activity of the extensor carpi radialis increased, and the activity of the flexor carpi radialis decreased, which exhibited a negative correlation (r=-.708, P<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that brain plasticity could be more efficiently stimulated by combining surface stimulation in the affected arm of stroke patients.

• 재활복지
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.147-163
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine how horse-riding exercise would be effective on the stroke patients' muscle thickness of lower extremity. The 30 stroke patients who were hospitalized in a hospital located in G metropolitan city were selected for this study. These subjects were randomly placed in a horse-riding exercise group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The horse-riding exercise group received three 20-minute exercises a week for a total of 6 weeks. An ultrasound imaging equipment was used to measured The thicknesses of the rectus femoris (RF), tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and gluteus medius (GM). After the completion of a 6-week exercise program, same measurement was conducted for all study subjects. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test and independent t-test to determine the statistical significance. As a result, muscle thickness was significantly differentiated before and after the intervention in each group. The thicknesses of all the four muscles significantly increased after exercise in the horse-riding exercise group. The thicknesses of the RF, GM, and TA significantly increased after exercise in the control group. In conclusion, horse-riding exercise increased the thickness of the lower extremity skeletal muscles by stabilizing the knees and activating the extensor muscles of the lower extremities.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.643-655
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical differences between young and old adults during downhill walking on a treadmill in order to understand the mechanisms of elderly falls. Eighteen healthy young females(YG: yrs: 21.17±1.5) and eighteen healthy old females(OG: yrs: 66.67±1.33) participated in this study. They were asked to walk at their preferred speed on a treadmill at level, 7.5° and 15° decline. OG walked more wobbly in the medial and lateral directions than YG(p<.05). As slope got steeper, OG had smaller ROM(range of motion) of ankle and knee joints compared with YG. However, there was no difference in ROM of the hip between OG and YG, but maximum extension angle of OG was smaller compared with YG(p<.05). Smaller extensor moment was generated on OG during downhill walking(p<.05). It was hypothesized that more risk factors would be found on older people compared to young people during downhill. However, older people actually walks with a safer strategy compared to young people during downhill. Finally, current findings about biomechanical characteristics of elderly walking would provide useful fundamental information for a follow-up study regarding the prevention of elderly fall during their daily life.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.259-273
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• 2009

Purpose: This research was conducted to determine the effects of a multifactorial fall prevention program applying HSEP(Home Support Exercise Program) on physical balance and gait, leg strength, fear of falling and falls efficacy of the community-dwelling elderly. Method: The design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. There were 20 subjects in the experimental group and 21 in the control group. The fall prevention program consists of HSEP and fall related education. The intervention was performed for once a week in the senior citizen center and twice a week at home for 8 weeks. Results: There were significant differences in physical balance and gait, leg strength(hip extensor, hip flexor, knee flexor, ankle plantarflexor, ankle dorsiflexor) and falls efficacy between the experimental group and control group. Conclusion : The fall prevention program applying HSEP used in this study was very effective in increasing physical balance and gait, leg strength and falls efficacy. Finally this study would recommended that a fall prevention program applying HSEP should be extended to community facilities such as elderly welfare center and nursing home.