Abstract
Objective: Chronic lateral epicondylitis is a condition which becomes sore and tender on the lateral side of the elbow joint damaged from overuse and repetitive use of the extensor muscles of the forearm. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexion degrees in the elbow joint on extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis and biceps brachii muscles in individuals with healthy young adults. The main purpose of this study was to suggest the feasibility of optimal elbow angle during therapeutic eccentric exercise with resistance for strengthening of wrist extensors. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty health young adults (male 15, female 15) participated in this study. This study measured muscle activation in four different conditions of elbow flexion, $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$ during eccentric exercise with weight loading in wrist extensors, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis and biceps brachii muscles using surface electromyography. Results: The muscle activation of extensor carpi radialis showed a negative relationship with the degrees of elbow joint flexion. With increasing elbow flexion angles, the ECRL muscle activation amount was significantly lower (p<0.05). In contrast, the muscle activation of the ECRB muscle activation amount was significanlty higher (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that the eccentric exercise of wrist extension with selected activation of wrist extensor muscles according to elbow flexion positions, and suggests that the extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis will need to be strengthened for preventing and treating chronic lateral epicondylitis regardless of degrees of elbow joint flexion.
