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

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 2014

Cross knee curl-up is an ideal variation of abdominal curl up exercise to strengthen abdominal musculature without excessive lumbar flexion which can increase the loads on the disc and ligaments. In addition, slowly forced expiration can facilitate the activation of the abdominal musculature. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of slowly forced expiration on activity of abdominal muscles, such as rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), while cross knee curl-up. Eleven young and healthy subjects (6 males and 5 females) participated. All subjects performed the cross knee curl-up slowly forced expiration and natural breathing. Paired t-test was performed in normalized electromyogram (EMG) muscle activity of the bilateral RA, EO, and TrA/IO to compare the differences between the cross curl-up with slowly forced expiration and natural breathing. Statistical significance was set at .05. There were no significant differences in normalized EMG muscle activity of the bilateral RA, EO, and TrA/IO between the cross curl-up with slowly forced expiration and natural breathing. The finding of this study designates that slowly forced expiration does not induce increasing activity of abdominal muscle in cross knee curl-up; hence, learning step of breathing control might not be necessary to strengthen abdominal muscle in cross knee curl-up.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.155-165
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activities of Double Legged Jump (DLJ) and Single Legged Jump (SLJ) by the normalization of muscle activity. Eight college students without the lower extremity injuries were selected as subjects for collecting EMG data of vastus medialis and gastrocnemius. The entire section of motion was established as eccentric and concentric contractions, and each of the contractions was divided into three sections with equal timing intervals, which becomes a total of 6 phases. The EMG data of each phase was integrated and normalized. The muscle activities of the vastus medialis for both eccentric and concentric contractions were significantly different between DLJ and SLJ(p<.05). The increase in overall muscle activity of SLJ was 33.6%. Approximately, there was an increase of 25.9% in eccentric contraction and 40% in concentric contraction. Moreover, the data of the muscle activity of gastrocnemius was similar to the data of the muscle activity of vastus medialis. In conclusion, this research suggests muscle activity of a certain motion can be normalized for an analysis of another motion.

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

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 2005

This study was deigned to identify the effect of electromyographic activity of knee extensor during contralateral hip isometric adduction. six young adults who had not experienced any knee injuries were recruited. Their Q-angles were within a normal rage. They were asked to sit on the table. The EMG activities of the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were recorded in sitting by surface electrodes and normalized by MVC EMG values derived from manual muscle test. The EMG activity levels of the VL, RF, and VMO were the highest when foot was externally rotated. The EMG activity level of VMO/VL ratio did show significant differences(p<.05). The onset time of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) was similar in contralateral hip isometric adduction(p<.05).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.270-274
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the abdominal muscles and to compare the activity ratios of the bilateral rectus abdominis (RA) to oblique abdominal muscles during shoulder abduction in opposite directions with single leg raising (SLR) performed in the supine position on a foam roller. Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited to the study. Each subject lay on the foam roller and performed left single leg raising with right or left shoulder $90^{\circ}$ abduction (Abd); performed in a random order. Surface EMG recordings of selected abdominal muscles (i.e., the RA, external oblique abdominis [EO], internal oblique abdominis [IO], and transverse abdominis [TrA]) were normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. EO/RA and IO and TrA/RA ratios were determined with surface EMG. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test. The statistical significance level was p<0.05. Results: The results were as follows: (1) the right RA, left EO, and right IO and TrA muscle activities increased significantly at the left SLR with left Abd compared to the left SLR with right Abd (p<0.05); and (2) the ratio of right EO/RA activity increased significantly at the left SLR with right Abd compared to left Abd (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that left SLR with left Abd on a foam roller is an appropriate exercise for activation of specific oblique abdominal muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.224-229
• /
• 2009

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effects of turtle neck syndrome, so called, on muscular fatigue and muscle activity. Six subjects (males) participated and performed the prolonged casual computer work in the study. EMG signals from six muscles of the dominant neck-back region were acquired and recorded for 10 seconds at the beginning and the end of three hours computer work. EMG was recorded from six muscles by using a computerized data recording and analysis system. Power spectrum function of EMG was calculated off-line by means of a signal processing software package. Power spectrum functions were smoothed with a moving average filter of 21 points and normalized with respect to the maximal value achieved during the trials. Muscle activity and median frequencies of Sternocleidomastoid(SCM) in turtle neck posture was approximately 51%, which were less than those in normal neck posture. SCM also showed the biggest decrease in median frequency. Results will provide the insight into the neck-back injury mechanism of turtle neck patients. Furthermore, they will be helpful in developing rehabilitation programs for restoring patients' neck-back functions.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.37-44
• /
• 2006

The purposes of this study were to analyze and compare EMG activities of the pectoralis major, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and brachioradialis muscles during biceps curls using a VRT device and an elastic tubing. Fifteen male college students were recruited as subjects and they performed 10-RM and 20-RM biceps curls. For each load and device condition, the mean and peak normalized EMG levels during different phases of a biceps curl were computed. For each load and phase, paired t-test (p.05) was used to find the significant difference between two devices. ANOVA with repeated measures was also used to find the significant difference among phases in terms of EMG values for each muscle. For each load and device condition, the peak and mean EMG levels during different phases of a biceps curl were computed The significant differences between devices were found in biceps brachii for EA, MD, LD phases, and triceps brachii muscles for all phases, respectively. However, no differences were found among phases for any muscle. This indicated that elastic band could have a similar characteristics of VRT. High antagonistic muscle activity as a function of injury prevention which found particularly in VRT device may suggest that elastic tubing can be a safer training device than VRT. This also imply that elastic tubing could be very effective as a home exercise tool for rehabilitation patients and elderly people.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.270-275
• /
• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate 16 muscles activity according to three exercise intensity when performing Deadlift and Upright row. Method: To accomplish the purpose of the study, subjects (n=10) were performed Electromyography (EMG) measurement for 16 different muscles. The experimental movements were Deadlift and Upright row, measured five times for each intensity (40%, 60%, 80%) of 1RM. This study normalized the EMG values through RVC for comparative analysis. Results: The results were summarized as follows: As a result of Deadlift, there was significant difference in the mean EMG value according to the exercise intensity in all muscles except RA, PM and BB (p<.05). As a result of Upright row, There was significant difference in the mean EMG value according to the exercise intensity in all muscles except BF, TA, GN, RA and UT (p<.05). Conclusion: This study allowed us to know the activities of major muscles according to the exercise intensity for 16 different muscles when performing Deadlift and Upright row.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.74-81
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the EMG characteristics of driver's upper extremity and driving performance for manipulating brake and accelerator pedal by using left and right hand control devices during simulated driving. The people with disabilities in the lower limb have problems in operation of the motor vehicle because of functional loss for manipulating brake and accelerator pedal. Therefore, if hand control device is used for adaptive driving controls in people with lower limb impairments, the disabled people can improve their quality of life by driving a motor vehicle. Six subjects were participated in this study to evaluate driving performance and muscle activities for operating brake and accelerator pedal by using two different hand controls (steering column mounted hand control and floor mounted hand control) in driving simulator. We measured EMG activities of six muscles (posterior deltoid, middle deltoid, triceps, biceps, flexor carpi radialis, and extensor carpi radialis) during pushing and pulling movement with different hand controls for acceleration and braking. STISim Drive 3 software was used for the performance test of different hand control devices in straight lane course for time to reach target speed and brake reaction time. While pulling the hand control lever toward the driver, normalized EMG activities of middle deltoid, triceps and flexor carpi radialis in subjects with disabilities were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the normal subjects. It was also found that muscle responses of posterior deltoid were significantly increased (p < 0.05) when using the right hand control than left hand control. While pushing the hand control lever forward away from the driver, normalized EMG activities of posterior deltoid, middle deltoid and extensor carpi radialis in subjects with disability were significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the normal subjects. It was shown that muscle responses of middle deltoid, biceps and extensor carpi radialis were significantly increased when using the right hand control than left hand control. Brake reaction time and time to reach target speed in subjects with disability was increased by 12% and 11.3% on average compared to normal subjects. The subjects with physical disabilities showed a tendency to relatively slow acceleration at the straight lane course.