• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine activities of the scapular stabilizers during push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises. Methods : 9 subjects performed randomly push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises in four point kneeling. The activities of 4 scapular stabilizing muscles were compared between push-up plus and PNF backward rocking exercises. Results : PNF backward rocking exercise showed significantly higher lower trapezius and lower serratus anterior activations compared to push-up plus exercise. Push-up plus exercise showed significantly higher middle serratus anterior activation than PNF backward rocking exercise. Conclusion : PNF backward rocking exercise facilitates the lower trapezius and serratus anterior activations compared to push-up plus exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.443-448
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE: In recent years, senior friendly device is growing rapidly because of population aging The study was designed to investigate the effects of table height of electronic bed on upper extremity and trunk EMG in elderly. METHODS: Thirty right-handed elderly without history of neurological and musculoskeletal dysfunction were participated in this study. Three heights of the table (3/3 height, 2/3 height, and 1/3 height between top of the shoulder and olecranon) were provided. During the eating performance, surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure muscle activity, and electrodes were attached to the deltoid middle fiber, serratus anterior, suprapinatus, upper trapezius, rhomboideus, cervical part of longissimus, thoracic part of longissimus, lumbar part of longissimus on right. One way ANOVA was conducted for the statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were significant differences in deltoid middle fiber, suprapinatus, upper trapezius, rhomboideus, lumbar part of longissimus in the 3 different height of table (p<.05). The deltoid middle fiber, suprapinatus, upper trapezius, and lumbar part of longissimus were significantly increased in higher table than lower table(p<.05). And the rhomboideus was significantly decreased in higher table than lower table(p<.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that different height of table affect upper extremity and trunk muscle activity. The table height of olecranon is the best for elderly.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.215-222
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of passive scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt and active scapular posterior tilt on the muscle activity of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA). Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects performed general arm elevation, arm elevation with passive scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt, and arm elevation with active scapular posterior tilt. For active scapular posterior tilt, the subjects were trained in this movement using visual biofeedback and a motion sensor. During each arm elevation condition, electromyography was used to measure the muscle activity of the UT, LT, and SA. The measured data were analyzed using a one-way repeated ANOVA. Results: LT muscle activity was significantly increased during arm elevation with active scapular posterior tilt compared to both general arm elevation and arm elevation with passive scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt (p < 0.05). SA muscle activity was greater during arm elevation with passive scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt than during general arm elevation (p < 0.05). There was no significant change in UT muscle activity among the tested arm elevation conditions (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Performing arm elevation with active scapular posterior tilt and performing arm elevation with passive scapular upward rotation and posterior tilt may be useful strategies for increasing muscle activation of the LT and SA, respectively.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.39-46
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of slump sitting postures on the masticatory, neck, shoulder, and trunk muscles associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD). Eleven healthy adults (age, $23.3{\pm}2.7$ yrs; height, $174.0{\pm}4.1$ cm; weight, $61.4{\pm}6.6$ kg) participated in this study. The participants were free of injury history and neurologic deficits in the masticatory, neck muscles and upper extremities at the time of participation. The subjects were asked to perform erect and slump sitting postures under the guidance of physical therapists. The surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the anterior temporalis, masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique, gluteus maximus muscles of 11 adults as they performed visual terminal display work, which are known as the weakened and tightened muscles owing to WRMD. The recorded signals were averaged and normalized to the mean amplitude of the EMG signal obtained during submaximal reference voluntary contractions. The results of study were as follows: The masseter, upper trapezius, serratus anterior, middle trapezius, L3 paraspinal, external abdominal oblique muscles significantly differed in the slump sitting posture (p<.05). The muscle activities of the serratus anterior, middle trapezius muscle, and external abdominal oblique were significantly lower and that of the masseter, upper trapezius, L3 paraspinal muscles were significantly higher. Further research is needed to assess the motor control problems and the function of the deep muscles in posture stability of patients with WRMD.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.41-55
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze human upper body surface changes at the shoulder and back area. The body surface data were analyzed in terms of muscle and bone displacement in dynamic postures. Body surface data were collected with a 3D body scanner. The body surface was scanned at the static and four baseball batting postures. The body surface dimensions over the deltoids, scapulae and trapezius were measured. The results show that the vertical measurements of the deltoids increased by 20%. The horizontal measurements of the axilla of the back increased. The surface of the trapezius was elongated by over 10%, and the lower back musculature was elongated by about 50%. The results of this study showed that changes in back body surface caused by upper arm movements. It was influenced by the deltoid articulated with the humeri and the scapulae and trapezius. These body surface changes caused by muscle activities and ranges of motion can be used to design functional clothing.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.219-229
• /
• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze EMG according to surface type and elastic band usage during the pilates Superman movement. Method : The subjects were 10 female university students with a mean age of 27. The independent variables were surface type (yoga mat, air filled equipment, elastic mat) and elastic band usage. In order to measure muscle activity, the Noraxon(USA) was used. Eight muscles (upper trapezius, lower trapezius, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, semitendinosus) activation were analyzed. For the statistical analysis, MANOVA, independent t-test and Scheffe test for the post-hoc via SPSS 20.0 was used. Results : The left and right upper trapezius muscle activities were significantly reduced when using the elastic bands. In addition gluteus medius muscle activities significantly increased with the elastic band as well. Conclusion : According to the usage of the elastic band and the different types of surfaces, different muscle groups were recruited. Elastic bands were found to have more activation on the gluteus medius muscle meanwhile there was less activation on the upper trapezius during the pilates Superman movement.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.30-39
• /
• 2017

Background: Scapular posterior tilt (SPT) is important in the prevention of abnormal scapular movement and pain during elevation of the arm. However, previous studies have overlooked increased upper trapezius (UT) muscle activity interrupting the normal force couple of scapular motion and compensation of levator scapulae (LS) muscle activated simultaneously with UT during SPT exercise. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of modified SPT with depression exercise versus SPT exercise on serratus anterior (SA), lower trapezius (LT), UT, and LS muscle activities and the clavicular tilt angle, in subjects with rounded shoulder posture (RSP) and myofascial pain in the UT muscle region. Methods: Eighteen subjects with RSP were recruited and randomly allocated to 2 groups; 9 in the SPT group and 9 in the SPT with depression group. All subjects met the specific RSP criteria and had myofascial pain of UT region. Depending on the allocated group, subjects performed the assigned SPT exercise and EMG data were recorded during the each exercise. Clavicular tilt angle was defined as the angle between the line joining the medial and lateral end of the clavicle and a horizontal line. Results: The SA muscle activity was significantly greater in SPT with depression than with SPT exercise (p<.05). The UT, LS muscle activity and the clavicular tilt angle was significantly lower in SPT with depression than with SPT exercise (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings were insightful because the potential risk of pain from overactivation of the UT and LS was considered, in contrast with SPT exercise. SPT with depression exercise can be implemented as an effective method to facilitate scapular muscle activity for stability and to prevent myofascial pain in the neck and shoulder.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.84-89
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Therapeutic climbing has become very popular today, with it being reported as a new method for preventing and treating orthopedic trauma to the shoulder joint. However, objective studies on its effects on the musculoskeletal system are still lacking. The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of wall inclination during therapeutic climbing on the muscle activity around the shoulder joint. Methods: In this study, the participants performed movements at three different inclination angles of $0^{\circ}$, $+15^{\circ}$, and $-15^{\circ}$. sEMG was performed to measure the activities of five different muscles around the shoulder joint (biceps brachii, serratus anterior, upper trapezius, middle trapezius, and lower trapezius muscles). Results: Biceps brachii muscle showed a significant increase at $-15^{\circ}$, as compared to $0^{\circ}$ (p<0.01), and the serratus anterior also showed a significant increase at $-15^{\circ}$, as compared to $0^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). Moreover, the middle and lower trapezius muscles also showed a significant increase at $-15^{\circ}$, as compared to $0^{\circ}$ (p<0.001). Compared to $0^{\circ}$, all muscles showed decreased values at $15^{\circ}$, but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Therapeutic climbing may be a new therapeutic approach that can increase muscle strength and coordination in the sensory nervous system, since it can be used as a tool that promotes active movement by altering wall inclination and causing the user to generate movements according to the existing situation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2020

PURPOSE: Excessive activity of the upper trapezius (UT) muscle contributes to a rounded shoulder posture (RSP) through abnormal rotation of the scapula that weakens the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) muscles. This study compared the effects of two arm-lifting exercises with and without the use of a Thera-band on the activities of LT, SA, and UT muscles, and the LT/UT and SA/UT activity ratio in subjects with a rounded shoulder posture. METHODS: Sixteen subjects with RSP participated in this study. All subjects performed arm-lifting (AL), diagonal arm-lifting (DAL), arm lifting with isometric adduction (ALIA), and diagonal arm-lifting with isometric adduction (DALIA) exercises. The surface electromyography data, LT, SA, UT, and the LT/UT and SA/UT activity ratios were measured. A paired t-test was used to compare the differences between two arm-lifting exercises and two arm lifting with isometric adduction exercises. RESULTS: In ALIA and DALIA exercises, the UT muscle activity decreased significantly, whereas the LT/UT, SA/UT activity ratio increased significantly. The activity of SA muscle increased significantly more with DALIA than that with DAL. CONCLUSION: Arm-lifting exercises using a Thera-band can be implemented as an effective way to reduce the UT overactivity and increase the SA activity and LT/UT, SA/UT activity ratio in subjects with RSP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display on muscle activity and change of head position during overhead arm lift test in individuals with forward head posture. Methods: Fifteen subjects with forward head posture and fifteen normal subjects who volunteered were included in this study. During both groups performed the overhead arm lift test, the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, sternocleidomastoid, and lower trapezius muscle were measured using electromyography, and head position change was measured using photographs. Then, forward head posture group was asked to perform overhead arm lift test again after posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze four conditions: pre-test, posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and the control group. Results: The upper trapezius and lower trapezius muscle activity significantly decreased posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group (p<0.05). The sternocleidomastoid muscle significantly decreased real-time visual feedback and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group. Head position change significantly decreased three conditions than pre-test of forward head posture group and real-time visual feedback and control group significantly decreased than posture correction. Conclusion: This study recommend for maintaining cervical stability during the overhead arm lift test, postural control using real-time visual feedback is more effective in subjects with forward head posture.