• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.87-94
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• 2023

Purpose: The present study aims to investigate the effects of a diagonal exercise pattern on selective activation of the upper extremity muscles using both normalization and isolation methods. Methods: In total, 17 asymptomatic subjects participated in this study. During the two diagonal patterns of exercise (diagonals 1 and 2), muscular activities of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), anterior deltoid (AD), and infraspinatus (IS) were measured. The collected data were analyzed in two ways, according to the dominance of muscle activities (%Isolation) and according to normalized activities (%MVIC). Results: There were significant differences in LT, SA, AD, and IS between %MVIC and %Isolation (p<0.05), and the diagonal 1 pattern of exercise showed significantly more LT activities compared with the diagonal 2 pattern (p<0.05). Further, except for LT, there were no significant differences in muscle activities between the diagonal 1 and 2 exercises. Conclusion: The present study suggests that a diagonal pattern of exercise is advantageous for strengthening shoulder muscles, but caution is needed when applying to patients requiring selective strengthening. Regarding both the concentric and eccentric phases of exercise, there was no significant difference in muscular activation, except in LT, between the two diagonal patterns of exercises.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of mental practice on biceps brachii muscle strengthening in 3 poststroke hemiplegia patients along with multiple baseline design across subjects. The mental practice adopted for this experiment involved imagery training to practice elbow flexion, which last 12 to 16 sessions with 30 minutes each session. Maximal muscle activities was measured pre- and post-mental practice to evaluate the strength of biceps brachii. The strength of biceps brachii was measured by surface-EMG. The results were: In the subject 1, 73.92 mV (pre-) and 127.56 mV (post-); in the subject 2, 147.60 mV (pre-) and 202.85 mV (post-); and in the subject 3, 20.75 mV (pre-) and 27.92 mV (post-). The results indicate that a simple mental practice is a useful method to strengthen biceps brachii muscle in hemiplegic patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.91-94
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of trunk muscle activity with power grasping during one leg stance. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups, one that performed power grasping, and another that did not. An investigator measured the activities of a subject's trunk muscle such as internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), erector spinae (ES), and gluteus medius (GM) while a subject was doing one leg stance. Results: An independent t-test was used to analyze trunk muscle activities with power grasping during one leg stance between the experimental group and the control group. Only the EO activity differed significantly between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that one leg stance with power grasping affected trunk muscle activity. Therefore, this is a useful method for providing lumbar spine stability.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.14-19
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• 2022

Background: Plank exercise (PE) is an effective exercise to enhance lower back stability by strengthening the core and lower limb muscles. However, in patients with a shortened hamstring muscle (HAM), PE may cause abnormal movement of the pelvis and lower back due to HAM hyperactivity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PE on the core muscles and HAM in subjects with a shortened HAM. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Subjects were divided into a normal length of HAM group (NHG; 9 subjects) and a shortened length of HAM group (SHG; 14 subjects). The activities of the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and HAM muscles were measured using surface electromyography. Results: The results showed that RA, EO, and ES muscle activities were higher in the NHG than in the SHG; however, no significant differences were detected. Conclusion: HAM activity was significantly higher in the SHG than in the NHG. In subjects with a shortened HAM, PE may hyperactivate the HAM, adversely affecting the pelvis and lower back.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.52-60
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• 2006

Muscle weakness in the hemiplegia following stroke is an important factor which determines the quality of life in the future. Therefore, muscle strengthening exercise is essential for functional recovery in hemiplegic patients. Even though the popular conception is that muscle strengthening exercise causes spasticity and associated reaction that hemiplegia patients don't want, and that it disturbs functional recovery, recently there have been many new reports against that opinion. Therefore, the effects of strengthening exercise programs on functional recovery in hemiplegic patients are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of strengthening exercise programs for the knee joint using isokinetic exercise on the associated reaction of the upper extremities. Comparing the muscle activities of biceps brachii and triceps brachii during, before, and immediately after 2 and 5 minute intervals of isokinetic exercise, we examined the increase and decrease of associated reaction. Twenty stroke inpatients participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to get muscle activity data from biceps brachii and triceps brachii. The major findings of this study were as follows: 1. The flexor and extensor peak torque were significantly higher on the sound side than the affected side (p<.05). 2. Before and after strengthening exercise, there was no significant difference in muscle activities (surface electromyographic root mean square values) between the sound and affected side. 3. Muscle activities were examined during, before, and immediately after 2 and 5 minute intervals of isokinetic exercise. There were significant differences in muscle activities between, before and during the exercises, during exercise and 5 minutes after exercise in the biceps brachii (p<.05), and during exercise and 5 minutes after exercise in the triceps brachii (p<.05). In conclusion, there was no relation between strengthening exercise and associated reaction in the upper extremities. Rather, muscle activities after exercise had a tendency to decrease relative to before the exercise. Thus, it is considered that intensive strengthening exercise contributes to improvement of functional recovery without increase in associated reaction in hemiparetic patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.361-368
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of isometric hip adduction and abduction on the muscle activities of vastus medialis oblique(VMO) and vastus lateralis(VL) during leg squat exercises. This study consisted of 21 healthy subjects who had no medical history of anterior knee pain or lower extremity disorders. The ball and belt were used to isometrically adduct and abduct the hip joint during the leg squat exercise, respectively. The surface electromyograms of VMO and VL were analyzed, and the findings were used to calculate the VMO:VL ratio during 3 different quadriceps-strengthening exercises(leg squat, LS leg squat with isometric hip adduction, LSHD leg squat with isometric hip abduction, LSHB). The muscle activities of VMO and VL and the VMO:VL ratios were compared using the paired t-test with Bonferroni adjustment. The results showed that the muscle activities of VMO and VL during LSHD were greater than those during LSHB. The VMO:VL ratio was the highest during LSHD. This finding suggests that LSHD using a ball is more effective than LS and LSHB in selectively increasing the muscle activities of VMO. Therefore, we suggest that leg squat exercise with isometric hip adduction using a ball would be useful for maintaining correct patella tracking and for selectively strengthening VMO.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 2015

Prolonged sitting can contribute to low back pain. The lumbar taping can be applied to correct the sitting posture. This study aimed to investigate the effect of lumbar taping on lumbar kinematics and the muscle activities of multifidus (MF) and internal oblique in the individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) as they type for 30 minutes. Nineteen subjects with NSCLBP (9 people in non taping group and 10 people in taping group) were recruited. Lumbar taping was applied to the taping group before typing. Both groups started typing in a neutral sitting position with their feet on the floor. The change of posture and S2 posterior tilting (S2P) were measured to investigate kinematic data. Three sensors were attached on T12, L3, and S2 to identify the change of posture. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activities. Palpation meter was used to standardize the angle of pelvic tilt in sagittal plane before typing. All instruments were used to measure each data before and after typing. Independent t-test was used to compare the changing values of lumbar kinematics and muscle activities before and after typing between both groups. The changing values of S2P and change of posture of L3 and S2 were significantly smaller in the taping group compared to the non taping group (p<.05). The changing value of muscle activities of MF between before and after typing was significantly smaller in the taping group compared to the non taping group (p<.05). In conclusion, the lumbar taping during the 30-minute typing task can be applied to maintain correct sitting posture in the lumbar and pelvis and to maintain activation of MF.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.269-279
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• 1987

The purpose of this study was to obtain basic data needed to clinical diagnosis and treatment by investigating the occlusal wear facets and those related factors. Sixty-six subjects, ranging from 24 to 26 years of age without symptoms of stomatognatic system, were selected from dental students in Chosun University. The area of occlusal wear facets was measured and twenty subjects were selected, and divided into two groups (Group I and Group II). The Group I had small facet areas, and the Group II had large facet areas. These two groups were investigated into right and left side wear facet areas, vertical overlaps, occlusion types of working side, masticatory muscle activities, and asymmetry of right and left side masticatory muscle function. The results were as follows: 1. The average wear facet areas of all subjects was $22.84{\pm}88.95mm^2$, and Group I and Group II were $96.12{\pm}32.00mm^2$ and $372.94{\pm}65.63mm^2$ respectively. 2. The right and left wear facet areas of Group I were $46.72{\pm}14.36mm^2$ and $49.40{\pm}21.46mm^2$ respectively. The right and left wear facet areas of Group II were $175.27{\pm}45.75mm^2$ and $185.69{\pm}45.37mm^2$ repsectively. 3. The vertical overlap of Group I and Group II was $3.88{\pm}0.81mm$ and $2.88{\pm}1.14mm $ respectively. 4. Most of the Group I had Canine protection occlusion (80%), and most of the Group II had Group function occlusion (80%). 5. The masticatory muscle activities at rest position, maximum bite, habitual chewing, right and left unilateral chewing were greater in Group II than in Group I, especially in the masseter muscle of working side at right and left unilateral chewing. (P<0.01). 6. The asymmetry of right and left wear facets and masticatory muscle activities were greater in Group II than in Group I. (P<0.01).

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.29-36
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leg lift difference on serratus and upper trapezius when exercising in a scapula in a prone position, a typical waist stabilization exercise for subjects with a winged scapula. Method: Twenty normal adults and 20 subjects with winged scapula participated in the experiment. The surface EMG recordings were obtained from external oblique muscle and internal oblique muscle during scapula protraction exercise. The presence or absence of winging of the shoulder bone was measured using an electronic digital caliper for the distance the medial border of the scapula is lifted to the rear. In prostrate pier movement posture in both groups, both legs supporting, dominant leg lifting, and non-dominant leg lifting including the scapula protraction were conducted respectively. Results: In the results of comparison between the two groups, the dominant external oblique muscle and the non-dominant internal oblique muscle tended to increase according to the difference of the leg lifting of normal people. In the winged scapula group, internal oblique muscle showed increased muscle activity more than external oblique muscle. Conclusion: It was most effective to exercise with lifting the same position leg for strengthening the same external oblique muscle, and the opposite internal oblique muscle. Also, it is effective to exercise in prone pier movement posture for trunk stability. In addition, internal oblique muscle shows increased muscle activity in subjects with winged scapula. Therefore, appropriate adjustment of external oblique muscle and internal oblique muscle may have a positive effect on scapula dysfunction for trunk stability.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2012

Background: This study was performed to identify what effect plyometric exercise with application of kinesio taping gives on muscle activity and power of lower limb. Methods: In order to conduct research, total 14 male students at G university located Gwangyang city were randomly assigned; 7 for experimental group (with kinesio taping application) and 7 for control groups(without kinesio taping application) were conducted with box drill, one of the plyometric exercise 5 times a week for 4 weeks. Muscle activities were measured by using electrodiagnosis equipment on quadriceps and gastrocnemius. Collected data was analyzed by using Windows SPSS version 19.0. Results: Muscle activities show statistically significant differences (p<.05) both before and after exercise in experimental and control groups in terms of vastus medialis, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis and lateral gastrocnemius. However, only medial gastrocnemius shows statistically significant differences in experimental group compared before and after exercise. Sargent jump for measuring power shows that only experimental group presents statistically significant differences (p<.05). Two groups show that vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, lateral gastrocnemius and medial gastrocnemius only in muscle activities show statistically significant differences (p<.05) after exercise. Conclusion: The result of this survey indicates that plyometric exercise is effective to improve muscle activity and power of lower limb, especially, the group who exercises with application of kinesio tape is more effective than the other group with no tape application. Therefore, it is considered that plyometric exercise with tape is more effective to improve power and muscle strength.