• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.145-150
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effects of ankle control training using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), leg muscle activation, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty-one stroke patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage were selected for the study. The experimental group underwent ankle control training using NMES, while the control group applied NMES to the paretic tibialis anterior muscle for 30 minutes per session, five times a week for four weeks. The muscle activity changes were measured using surface electromyography, and balance parameters were evaluated using a functional reach test (FRT). Results: The intra-group comparison of the concentric muscle activity revealed improvements in the experimental group, including paretic tibialis anterior (TA) muscle (p<0.05), medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) (p<0.01), and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (LG) (p<0.05), as well as MG (p<0.05), LG (p<0.05), soleus muscle (p<0.05) of the non-paretic side, and soleus muscle symmetry index (p<0.05). The intra-group comparison of the eccentric muscle activity showed improvements in the experimental group, including MG (p<0.01) and LG (p<0.01) of the paretic side, as well as MG (p<0.01), LG (p<0.01) of the non-paretic side, and LG symmetry index (p<0.01). The intra-group comparison of the functional reach test revealed significant differences in the test results in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ankle control training using NMES had a positive effect on the changes in muscle activation and improved balance in patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.324-330
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to compare the muscle architecture of lower extremity using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) in young adults in Seoul and Hanoi. Methods: The study design was a comparative study of muscle cross-sectional area of lower extremity. Sixty healthy young subjects (Seoul group: 30, Hanoi group: 30) participated in this study. Real-time B-mode RUSI with a 7.5MHz linear transducer was used for measurement of cross-sectional area, pennation angle, and muscle thickness of the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and medial gastrocnemius muscles. Independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant difference in cross sectional area of rectus femoris was observed between Korean young adults and Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). Muscle thickness and pennation angle of tibialis anterior in Korean young adults were greater than in Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). In addition, the muscle thickness and pennation angle of the medial part of gastrocnemius muscle were greater in Korean young adults than in Hanoi young adults (p<0.01). In addition, in the results for gender, men had larger muscle architectures than women in both groups (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study, using RUSI, showed significant difference in muscle architectures of lower extremity in a diverse group of young adults RUSI.

• 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.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2006

The molecular components that generate and maintain circadian rhythms of physiology and behavior in mammals are present both in the brain (suprachiasmatic nucleus; SCN) and in peripheral tissues. Examination of mice with targeted disruptions of either mPer1 or mPer2 has shown that these two genes have key roles in the SCN circadian clock. Here we show that loss of the clock gene mPer2 affects forced locomotor performance in mice without altering muscle contractility. A proteomic analysis revealed that the anterior tibialis muscles of the mPer2 knockout mice had higher levels of glycolytic enzymes such as triose phosphate isomerase and enolase than those of either the wild type or mPer1 knockout mice. In addition, the level of expression of HSP90 in the mPer2 mutant mice was also significantly higher than in wildtype mice. These results suggest that the reduced locomotor endurance of the mPer2 knockout mice reflects a greater dependence on anaerobic metabolism under stress conditions, and that the two canonical clock genes, mPer1 and mPer2, play distinct roles in the physiology of skeletal muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.187-192
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of muscle thickness measurement of the TA using ultrasonography (US) conducted at different inward pressures of approximately 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, and no pressure control. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Two different examiners measured the thicknesses of the dominant TA of each subject randomly to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability. The measurement values were analyzed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and coefficient of variance. Results: All intra-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9. Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9 with 0.5 and 1.0 kg of inward pressure. In contrast, Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed poor reliability (0.23) with no pressure control of inward pressure. Conclusion: The findings showed that maintaining consistent inward pressure is essential for reliable results when the muscle thickness of the TA is measured by different examiners in a clinical setting.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.17 no.3_4
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• pp.29-39
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of foot position and lifting an object on muscle activity and foot pressure during sit to stand(STS) in hemiparetic patients. Methods: Fourteen patients participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to collect muscle activity and foot pressure measurement system was used to analyze foot pressure in hemiparetic side. Three different foot position was assumed(anterior, neutral, posterior) in hemiparetic side. The repeated two-way analysis of variance and multiple comparisons were conducted to determine statistical significance with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results were as follows. 1) Lower extremity muscle activity was significantly higher(p<0.05) in biceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscle during STS without holding an object. With changing positions of the affected foot, muscle activity was significantly increased (p<0.05) in vastus medialis and lateral gastrocnemius when the foot was positioned in posterior. 2) There was no significant difference(p>0.05) in foot pressure during STS with object holding and foot positioning. Conclusion: Muscle activity showed a significant increase when the foot was positioned in posterior in comparison to the muscle activity when the foot was in neutral or anterior position.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the changes that occur in the leg muscle activity of unstable surface with different levels of air pressures. Three groups of college students have been placed randomly on unstable surfaces with different air pressures at group 1.0 psi ($n_1$=36), group 1.4 psi ($n_2$=40), and group 1.8 psi ($n_3$=40). Using surface electromyography, the recruitment of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and the gastrocnemius was measured. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction was measured at the different air pressures based on the manual muscle test, then normalizing the value to %maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). The tibialis anterior muscle activity was significant change from the unstable surface with difference levels of air pressures between group 1.0 psi and 1.8 psi and between group 1.4 psi and 1.8 psi. peroneus longus muscle activity was significant changes in muscle activity occurred between 1.0 psi and 1.4 psi group and between 1.0 psi and 1.8 psi group. Gastrocnemius muscle activity was significant change in muscle activity occurred between 1.0 psi and 1.4 psi group and between 1.0 psi and 1.8 psi group. In conclusion it identify that 1.0 psi group is most effective on muscle activity than the other groups. These suggest that the rehabilitation or strengthening of patients with ankle injuries, balance exercise with low air pressure like 1.0 psi can be more effective.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

Purpose: To better understand falls in elderly women, we measured differences in muscle activities of 4 lower extremity muscles (tibialis anterior, soleus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris) based on angle plantar-flexion in elderly women. Methods: Subjects were 15 healthy elderly women. No subjects had musculoskeletal or nervous disorders. EMGs were used to check muscle activity of lower extremity muscles. For statistic analysis, data were expressed as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). We measured %MVIC for 5 sec under 4 conditions and did not use data for the first and last second. Muscle activities of the muscles of the lower extremities were measured based on the degree of plantar-flexion of the ankle joint. The 4 conditions corresponded to different degrees of: 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees. This was done using a 50 cm board for measuring the degrees. Results: The tibialis anterior, soleus, and bicpes femoris showed increasing muscle activity associated with increasing degree of plantar-flexion of the ankle joint. All muscles showed a significant increase in muscle activities in association with increasing degrees. Rectus femoris showed a significant increase in muscle activity for 0 degrees and for the other degrees, but there were no further changes when plantar flexion of the ankle joint was over 10 degrees. Conclusion: Activities of the muscles of the lower extremities except rectus femoris were higher with increasing degree of plantar flexion. High muscle activity may result in muscle fatigue. Thus, increasing degree of plantar flexion may be risk factors of falls in elderly women.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.443-449
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to identify the differences in the muscle activity of the ankle joint muscle depending on the type of footwear (sneakers, mule sneakers, slippers) worn while walking on a slope. Methods: The subjects wore each shoe (sneakers, mule sneakers, and slippers) and walked on an 18-degree slope at a speed of 110 beats/min. While walking, the muscle activities of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius were measured. Of the three walking cycles, the second walking cycle was measured except for the first and third walking cycles, which are the beginning and end, and a three-minute break was taken to prevent muscle fatigue when the type of footwear was changed. Results: When walking on a slope, there was no significant difference in the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior according to the type of footwear. However, when walking on a slope, the difference in muscle medial gastrocnemius muscle activity was significant between sneakers and mule sneakers. There was also a significant difference between sneakers and slippers, but there was no significant difference between slippers and mule sneakers. Conclusion: There was no significant statistical difference between sneakers and mule sneakers, but there was a numerical difference. Therefore, the presence or absence of the shoe collar may affect the muscle activity of the medial gastrocnemius when walking on a slope. This can lead to patellofemoral pain syndrome caused by the excessive use of the quadriceps, so it must be considered that caution is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of short-term treadmill walking with high-heeled shoes on electromyography activities of the medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior in healthy young females. Methods: Fifteen healthy females were recruited for this study. To measure muscle activation, the subjects were asked in random order to walk on a treadmill using either high-heeled shoes or barefoot conditions. The shoe heel height for high-heeled walking was 7 cm. The walking speed on the treadmill was 4 km/h, and the inclination rate of the treadmill was 10%. The subjects performed treadmill walking in the barefoot and high-heeled walking conditions for 5 minutes. Electromyography data were collected from the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, lateral gastrocnemius, and soleus on both firm and foam surfaces and during eyes-open and-closed conditions while standing. Results: Tibialis anterior activity was significantly different before and after the walking task while standing on a foam surface with eyes closed (p<.05). Conclusion: This finding suggests that the activity of the tibialis anterior may be lowered after high-heeled walking. Therefore, high-heeled shoes contribute to harmful effects at the ankle joints, increasing the risks of falling and musculoskeletal injury.