• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.65-75
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• 2006

This study was to find out whether MBT shoes were more effective than general sporting shoes on the kinematic physiology. We comparatively analyzed energy consumption, heart rates, rating of perceived exertion, lactic acid density in blood and muscle activity with EMG. The subjects were 10 regular students of K Univ.(5 male and 5 female). They wore the general sporting shoes for stage 1(group 1), the MBT walking shoes for stage 2(group2) under the same conditions. There was one week interval between stages. 1. There was no significant difference in the energy consumption and the heart rates between two groups. Group 1 showed a higher energy consumption and heart rates than Group 2 under the speed of 4.0 mph. On the other hand, Group 2 showed higher ones over the speed of 4.0 mph. 2. There was no significant difference in the rating of perceived exertion and lactic acid density in blood between two groups. But Group 2 showed a lower fatigue strength than Group 1. 3. Group 2 showed a higher muscle activity with EMG than group 1, especially at the speed of 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 mph in quadratus lumborum muscle and at 4.0mph in tibialis anterior muscle. In conclusion, we are less tired in MBT shoes than in general sporting shoes. Also, we can dorsiflex better in the ankle joint, straighten the lumbar region well and walk erect in MBT shoes. Specially, when it walks slowly, it is favorable in an erection walk and when it walks quickly, we have advantage of obesity management.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.771-782
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• 2017

This paper describes the development of a wearable robot to assist ankle power for the elderly. Previously developed wearable robots have generally used motors and gears to assist muscle power during walking. However, the combination of motor and reduction gear is heavy and has limitations on the simultaneous control of stiffness and torque due to the friction of the gear reducer unlike human muscles. Therefore, in this study, Mckibben pneumatic muscle, which is lighter, safer, and more powerful than an electric motor with gear, was used to assist ankle joint. Antagonistic actuation using a pair of pneumatic muscles assisted the power of the soleus muscles and tibialis anterior muscles used for the pitching motion of the ankle joint, and the model parameters of the antagonistic actuator were experimentally derived using a muscle test platform. To recognize the wearer's walking intention, foot load and ankle torque were calculated by measuring the pressure and the center of pressure of the foot using force and linear displacement sensors, and the stiffness and the torque of the pneumatic muscle joint were then controlled by the calculated ankle torque and foot load. Finally, the performance of the developed ankle power assistive robot was experimentally verified by measuring EMG signals during walking experiments on a treadmill.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.250-260
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate muscle function and symmetry index during whole body vibration exercise using lower extremity training posture for throwing athletes. For throwing athletes in their 20s(6 males, 4 females, age: 24.60±0.92years, height: 177.90±7.40cm, weight: 92.90±22.97kg), lower extremity training postures with squat, carphrase, and lunge movements. Whole body vibration exercise training was performed using. Tensiomyography(TMG) variables Time Delay(Td), Time Contraction(Tc), Time Sustain(Ts) Time Relaxation(Tr), and Displacement Maximumal(Dm) in the lower extremity joint muscles(biceps femoris(BF), gastrocnemius lateral(GL), gastrocnemius medial(GM), rectus femoris(RF), tibialis anterior(TA), lateral vastus(LV), medial latissimus(ML)), were measured to compare and analyze muscle activity, muscle fatigue, and left-right symmetry. The results of the study are left RF, VL, right VM (p<.05) in Td, VM (p<.05) in Tc, GM in Ts (p<.05), left RF in Tr, and right TA (p<. 05) showed a change. Therefore, it has been proven that various whole-body vibration training is an effective exercise with changes in muscle contraction, and stability of the core is secured by symmetry of the left and right muscles. For this reason, the whole body vibration exercise will have a positive effect on rehabilitation training, and it is believed that it will be able to improve performance.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.720-726
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to examine the comparative analysis of body muscle EMGs according to the prop and different foot stability during Pilates bridge motion. Eighteen adult males(age, 22.3±2.1 years; height, 173.89±4.51 cm; body mass, 72.61±4.13 kg; and BMI, 24.03±1.31 kg/m²) participated in this study as subjects. The Pilates bridge was composed of a total of 9 motions, according to the props (NP, no prop; RG, ring; GB, gym ball) and different foot stability (BS, basic surface; FR, form roller; BOSU, both sides up). We measured the right's muscle activities of the upper rectus abdominis, lower abdominal stabilizers, external oblique, adductor longus, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, and biceps femoris. The research findings were as follows. During Pilates bridge motion, the use of GB was found to be more effective in activating the body muscle. And during Pilates bridge motion, the use of BOSU was found to be most high in activating the body muscle as well. To summarize the research findings, the use of GB and BOSU during Pilates bridge motion were discovered to enormous affect muscle activities. Therefore, the results of this study are expected to be able to present efficient Pilates bridge exercises for strengthening physical strength.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.237-242
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the joint movements and muscle activities of novices according to pedal type (flat, clip, and cleat pedal). Method: Nine novice male subjects (age: $24.4{\pm}1.9years$, height: $1.77{\pm}0.05m$, weight: $72.4{\pm}7.6kg$, shoe size: $267.20{\pm}7.50mm$) participated in 3-minute, 60-rpm cycle pedaling tests with the same load and cadence. Each of the subject's saddle height was determined by the $155^{\circ}$ knee flexion angle when the pedal crank was at the 6 o'clock position ($25^{\circ}$ knee angle method). The muscle activities of the vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius medialis were compared by using electromyography during 4 pedaling phases (phase 1: $330{\sim}30^{\circ}$, phase 2: $30{\sim}150^{\circ}$, phase 3: $150{\sim}210^{\circ}$, and phase 4: $210{\sim}330^{\circ}$). Results: The knee joint movement (range of motion) and maximum dorsiflexion angle of the ankle joint with the flat pedal were larger than those of the clip and cleat pedals. The maximum plantarflexion timing with the flat and clip pedals was faster than that of the flat pedal. Electromyography revealed that the vastus lateralis muscle activity with the flat pedal was greater than that with the clip and cleat pedals. Conclusion: With the clip and cleat pedals, the joint movements were limited but the muscle activities were more effective than that with the flat pedal. The novice cannot benefit from the clip and cleat pedals regardless of their pull-up pedaling advantage. Therefore, the novice should perform the skilled pulling-up pedaling exercise in order to benefit from the clip and cleat pedals in terms of pedaling performance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.137-148
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity in the lower extremity during walking wearing jogging and roller shoes. Twelve male middle school students (age: 15.0 yrs, height 173.7 cm, weight 587.7 N) who have no known musculoskeletal disorders were recruited as the subjects. Seven pairs of surface electrodes (QEMG8, Laxtha Korea, gain = 1,000, input impedance >$1012{\Omega}$, CMMR >100 dB) were attached to the right-hand side of the body to monitor the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and medial (GM) and lateral gastrocnemius (GL) while subjects walked wearing roller and jogging shoes in random order at a speed of 1.1 m/s. An event sync unit with a bright LED light was used to synchronize the video and EMG recordings. EMG data were filtered using a 10 Hz to 350 Hz Butterworth band-passdigital filter and further normalized to the respective maximum voluntary isometric contraction EMG levels. For each trial being analyzed, five critical instants and four phases were identified from the recording. Averaged IEMG and peak IEMG were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between shoe conditions (p<.05). The VM, TA, BF, and GM activities during the initial double limb stance and the initial single limb stance reduced significantly when going from jogging shoe to roller shoe condition. The decrease in EMG levels in those muscles indicated that the subjects locked the ankle and knee joints in an awkward fashion to compensate for the imbalance. Muscle activity in the GM for the roller shoe condition was significantly greater than the corresponding value for the jogging shoe condition during the terminal double limb stance and the terminal single limb stance. Because the subjects tried to keep their upper body weight in front of the hip to prevent falling backward, the GM activity for the roller shoe condition increased. It seems that there are differences in muscle activity between roller shoe and jogging shoe conditions. The differences in EMG pattern may be caused primarily by the altered position of ankle, knee, and center of mass throughout the walking cycle. Future studies should examine joint kinematics during walking with roller shoes.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.171-177
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• 2008

This work intends to investigate the effects of pedaling directions on the muscle actions during the bicycle's uphill propulsion. A test rig was developed that consists of a bicyle with a special planetary geartrain, a height-adjustable treadmill, a rear-wheel support and a magnetic brake. A three-dimensional motion analysis was performed for measuring kinematic characteristics of the forward backward pedaling and the electromygraphy(EMG) measurements were simultaneously performed for estimating the muscle actions of the leg. In this work, four muscles are considered including Gastrocnemius muscle(GM), Vastus lateralis(VL), Tibialis anterior(TA) and Soleus(SOL) while the uphill slope is varied from $0^{\circ}$ to $6^{\circ}$. Raw EMG signals were first processed through the root-mean-square(RMS) averaging and then ensemble curves were derived by averaging the EMG RMS envelopes over 50 consecutive cycles. Results show that both the kinemactic characteristics and the muscle actions are significantly affected by the pedaling direction. The crank speed of the forward pedaling is higher but the difference in speed is reduced as the slope is increased. The ensemble curves of the :ac signals clearly exhibit some differences in their patterns, peak values and the corresponding locations with respect to the crank angle. The peak values of most EMG signals are higher for the forward pedaling regardless of the slope magnitude. However, the averages of the EMG signals are not observed to have a similar relationship with the pedaling direction, which seems to be affected by several factors such as less experience of the participants' backward pedaling. inappropriate bicycle design for the backward pedaling. These limitations will be further considered in future work.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2012

This study used an unstable platform to change the support surface type and position of both lower limbs in order to determine changes in weight distribution and muscle including the vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, lateral hamstring, and lateral gastrocnemius of both lower limbs were evaluated during knee joint flexing and extending in a semi-squat movement in 32 hemiplegic patients. The support surface conditions applied to the lower limbs were divided into four categories: condition 1 had a stable platform for both lower limbs; condition 2 had an unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side; condition 3 had a stable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and an unstable platform for the hemiplegic side; and condition 4 had an unstable platform for both sides. The normalized EMG activity levels of muscles and weight bearing ratio of both sides in the four surface conditions were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. A significant increase was found in the weight support distribution for the hemiplegic side in flexing and extending sessions in condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A statistically significant decrease in significant decrease in asymmetrical weight bearing in flexing and extending sessions was observed for condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A similar significant decrease was found in differences in muscular activity for both lower limbs in condition 2 (p<.05). The muscular activity of the hemiplegic side, based on the support surface for each muscle showed a significantly greater increase in condition 2 (p<.05). An unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side therefore increased symmetry in terms of the weight support distribution rate and muscle activity of lower limbs in hemiplegic patients. The problem of postural control due to asymmetry in hemiplegic patients should be further studied with the aim of developing continuous effects of functional training based on the type and position of the support surfaces and functional improvement.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.323-333
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of gait patterns and muscle activations with increased loads during stair walking. Also, it can be used as descriptive data about continuous stair walking in a real life setting. Method : Twelve sedentary young male adults(Age: $27.0{\pm}1.8yrs$, Weight: $65.8{\pm}9.9kg$) without any lower extremity injuries participated in this study. Participants performed stair walking up 7 floors and their ascending and descending motion on each floor was analyzed. A wireless electromyography(EMG) were attached on the Rectus Femoris(RF), Biceps Femoris(BF), Gastrocnemius(GN), Tibialis Anterior(TA) muscle to calculate integrated EMG(iEMG), median frequency(MDF) and co-contraction index(CI). Chest and left heel accelerometer signal were recorded by wireless accelerometer and those were used to calculate approximate entropy(ApEn) for analyzing gait pattern. All analyses were performed with SPSS 21.0 and for repeated measured ANOVA and Post-hoc was LSD. Results : During ascending stairs, there were a statistically significant difference in Walking time between 1-2nd and other floors(p=.000), GN iEMG between 2-3th and 6-7th(p=.043) floor, TA MDF between 1-2nd and 5-6th(p=.030), 6-7th(p=.015) floor and TA/GN CI between 2-3th and 6-7th(p=.038) floor and ApEn between 1-2nd and 6-7th(x: p=.003, y: p=.005, z: p=.006) floor. During descending stairs, there were a statistically significant difference in TA iEMG between the 6-5th and 3-2nd(p=.026) floor, and for the ApEn between the 1-2nd and 6-7th(x: p=.037, y: p=.000, z: p=.000) floor. Conclusion : Subjects showed more regular pattern and muscle activation response caused by regularity during ascending stairs. Regularity during the first part of stair-descending could be a sign of adaptation; however, complexity during the second part could be a strategy to decrease the impact.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-28
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• 2005

Spasticity has been defined as "a motor disorder characterized by a velocity-dependent increased in tonic stretch reflexes with exaggerated tendon jerks, resulting from hyperexcitability of the stretch reflex, as one components of the upper motorneuron syndrome". Spasticity is one of the common symptoms of stroke patients and frequently interferes with the motor functions such as gait, posture and activities of daily living. Therefore, its management is becoming a major issue in physical therapy. The purpose of this study was to determined the effects of reciprocal inhibition by isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle on spasticity in hemiplegic patients through Hoffmann reflex. The subjects were consisted 45 patients who had hemiplegia due to stroke. All subjects randomly assigned to 3 group: manual reciprocal inhibition program group(manual group), neuromuscular electrical stimulation group(NMES group) and control group. The manual group received voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle. The NMES group received neuromuscular electrical stimulation on tibialis anterior. The control group was not received any therapeutic intervention. Before and after experiments, Hoffmann reflex, M-wave and Modified Ashworth scale was measure in all patients. The data of 30 patients who complete experimental course were statistically analysed. Modified Ashworth scale were significantly decreased after experiment in manual group(p<.01). The Hmax/Mmax ratios were significantly decreased after experiment in manual group(p<.o1). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with modified Ashworth scale in NMES group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with Hmax/Mmax ratios in NMES group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with modified Ashworth scale in control group(p>.01). There were no statistical difference between pre-test and post-test with Hmax/Mmax ratios in control group(p>.01). The present results revealed that reciprocal inhibition which produced by voluntary isometric contraction of pre-tibia muscle can be reduce spasticity of gastrocnemius. Therefore, reciprocal inhibition is useful to improve functional activities in hemiplegic patient. Further study should be done to analyse the effects of intervention duration of reciprocal inhibition, appropriate muscle contraction, optimal time to apply the reciprocal inhibition in more long period.