• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study researched the effects of different types of high heels on the muscles surrounding the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar spine by analyzing muscle activation of the paraspinal muscles during walking while wearing high heels. The high heels were all of the same height: 8cm. METHODS: The 28 subjects in this experiment were females in their 20s with a foot size of 225-230mm. To measure the muscle activation of the paraspinal muscles, EMG electrodes were attached on the paraspinal muscles around C6, T7, and L5. The muscle activation during walking while wearing 8cm high wedge heels, setback heels, and french heels was measured. The measurements were performed 3 times each and the mean value of the result was used for analysis. Two kinds of velocity were used in this study. One of the velocity was 2.5 m/s. The other was 3.5 m/s. RESULTS: The muscle activation of paraspinal muscles increased significantly according to increase of walking velocity. But there was no significant difference according to the heel types. CONCLUSION: In view of the results, the height of heels and the velocity of walking are more convincing variables than the width of the heels on the muscle activation of paraspinal muscles. So wearing high heels is not recommended for those who have pain or functional problem of cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.33-38
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• 2010

Purpose: This study examined the activation of the rectus abdominis (RA), external abdominal oblique (EO), transversus abdominis, internal abdominal oblique (TrA/IO), and Multifidus (MF) muscles while stabilization exercise was performed in a four-point kneeling position. Methods: Experiments were conducted on 21 healthy male adults (mean age=25.29 years) who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. Each subject was instructed regarding maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling. While MVC and stabilization exercise of individual muscles were being performed, activation of the muscles was measured using surface electromyography (EMG). Activation of the muscles while performing stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling was normalized to a percentages of the MVC. Results: Left RA, right TrA/IO, right and left MF muscles showed significant differences among the positions. Conclusion: Selecting an optimal position can aid subjects on physical conditions while performing stabilization exercises in the four-point kneeling position.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.91-100
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• 2018

Purpose : The study investigated the effects of Pilates exercise on strengthening trunk muscles of females who perform such exercise for the purpose of comparing activation of trunk muscles that contact while performing Pilates motions between females with or without at least 8 weeks of Pilates experience. Methods : The study investigated 10 females with at least 8 weeks of Pilates experience in the past 6 months (experienced group) and 10 healthy females without Pilates experience (non-experienced group). The study used basic Pilates postures involving hip abduction, lift, and leg swing motions as the measurement postures in comparing the activation of muscles used for stabilization, such as the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, and transverse abdominis & internal oblique abdominal muscles. Surface electromyography was used for measuring muscle activation, and the measurements targeted activation of the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, transversus abdominis, and internal oblique abdominal muscles. Results : The study results showed that, as compared to the non-experienced group, the experienced group had significantly higher muscle activation in the transverse abdominis and internal oblique abdominal muscles during hip abduction (p<.05) and significantly higher muscle activation in the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, and transverse abdominis & internal oblique abdominal muscles during lift and leg swing motions (p<.05). Conclusion : Pilates exercise performed over a long period can be recommended as an effective exercise method that can increase the activation of trunk muscle, and especially, repeated performance of highly difficult motions can increase muscle activation even more, which can help promote spinal stabilization, prevent pain, and improve performance of activities of daily living.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.316-321
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• 2013

Purpose: The aimed of this study was to investigate muscle activation related to postural stability according to different frequency of whole body vibration during quiet standing, to identify the most effective training conditions that cause the highest neuromuscular responses, and to evaluate the difference of EMG activation according to the anatomical position of the muscle - proximal or distal from the vibration platform. Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects voluntarily participated in this single-group, repeated-measures study in which EMG data from upper trapezius, rectus abdominalis, external oblique abdominalis, elector spinae, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius were collected over different frequencies (0-5-10-15-20-25Hz) for each subject during quiet standing. Results: We observed a statistically significant difference in the mean values of %RVC of muscular activation according to different frequencies of whole body vibration during quiet standing in all muscles (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that lower frequencies of vibration result in low muscular activation, and higher frequencies elicit high muscular activation. However, the most effective training condition that caused the highest activation was 20 Hz. In addition, the proximally located lower extremity muscles (GCM, RF, ST, GM) showed higher activation than the distally located trunk and neck muscles (ES, EO, RA, UT) together with increasing frequency.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of squatting with different foot positions on the muscle activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in subjects with genu varum. Methods: Thirty four subjects participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activation of the VMO and VL muscles at the knee angles ($15^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$) at three foot positions (internal rotation, neutral position, external rotation) during squatting. Results: Muscle activation differences at different knee angles and foot positions differed significantly between the VMO and VL muscles in both the varus and normal groups. In addition, there was a significant difference according to the knee angles with the foot in external rotation in the VMO and VL ratio. In the varus group, however, the VMO and VL ratio were significantly different only with the feet in internal rotation. In the muscle activation changes of the knee angle differences in the foot position, there was no significant difference in the varus group, but both the VMO and VL muscles were significant different in the normal group. Conclusion: In both groups, regardless of the foot position, muscle activation of the VMO and VL muscles increased with increasing knee flexion angle. In the normal group, when squatting with the feet in external rotation, the VMO and VL muscles activations increased with increasing knee angle. In the varus group, however, the foot position did not affect the VMO or VL muscle activation. This study shows that subjects with genu varum and normal subjects have different VMO and VL muscle activation patterns during squat exercises.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of book bag handling styles and types of footwear on muscle activation of erector spine muscles and calf muscles. Methods : Ten participants took off their book bags and used sneakers to walk on a treadmill for 30 minutes. The following day, 10 participants put on their backpack with 10% of the weight and used sneakers to walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes. On the last day, 10 participants put on their backpack with 10% of the weight and used formal shoes to walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes. After walking on the treadmill at 3 mph for thirty minutes, we measured muscle activation in erector spine muscles and calf muscles. Results : The results of this study showed the activation of the erector spine muscles and the calf muscles significantly increased when walking with a book bag and the activation of the erector spine muscles and the calf muscles significantly increased when walking in formal shoes. Conclusion : Using a backpack and formal shoes increase muscle activity of erector spine muscles and calf muscles. The results of this study indicate that not using a backpack and wearing sneakers are more beneficial than that using a backpack weighted 10% and wearing formal shoes and can be recommended to adult women by clinicians.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.120-124
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• 2016

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.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2071-2076
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• 2020

Background: Based on the understanding of the muscle activation relationship between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles to according to the angle of motion during external rotation on glenohumeral joint, effective shoulder joint strengthening exercise for the prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injury due to muscle strength imbalance can be performed by achieving the ideal muscle activity ratio during exercise. Objectives: To compare and analyze the muscle activation changes and activity ratio of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles according to the glenohumeral external rotation angle. Design: Quasi-randomized trial. Methods: The study included 48 healthy male and female adults who provided informed consent for participation in the study. All the subjects performed isometric glenohumeral external rotation by setting the angle of motion to 30°, 45°, and 60° using a 5 kg resistance weight pulley. On surface electromyography, the differences in muscle activation and activity ratio between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles were investigated. Results: A significant difference in muscle activation was found in the comparison between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles according to the glenohumeral external rotation angle (P<.05). The muscle activation levels of the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles were highest at the external rotation angles of 30° and 60°, respectively. The muscle activity ratio between the infraspinatus and posterior deltoid muscles also showed a significant difference (P<.05) and was highest at the shoulder external rotation angle of 30°. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that muscle activity is the highest at the shoulder external rotation angle of 30° in healthy individuals.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.253-258
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of internal abdominis pressure(normal, hollowing and bracing) on trunk muscle activity during one leg bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirteen healthy adults (9 men and 4 women) were instructed to perform Internal abdominal pressure(IAP) control(Normal, Hollowing, Bracing) during one leg bridge. Electromyography (EMG) data (% Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction, MVIC) were recorded three times on both sides of the participant's Internal Oblique(IO), Effector Spinae(ES), and Multifidus(MF) muscles and the average value was analyzed. Results: As a result, Abdominal bracing one leg bridge (BOLB) group and Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group showed significantly increased muscle activation of bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae and multifidus activation compared to the Normal one leg bridge (NOLB) group (p<0.05). Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group had a significant difference in bilateral Internal oblique muscle activation in compared to the NOLB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus muscles activation in healthy adults at one leg bridge exercise showed greater activation at abdominal bracing. Therefore, in this study, IAP control can be used as an indicator of choice to the dysfunction with trunk muscle weakness and corrective exercise subject's situation when the goal is to activate the trunk muscles by performing one leg bridge.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the effects of the transverse abdominis/internal abdominal oblique (TrA/IO), multifidus (MF) muscles while stabilization exercise was performed in a four-point kneeling position on the unstable surface. Methods : Twenty healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Each subject was instructed regarding maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) and stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling on the unstable surface. While MVIC and stabilization exercise of individual muscles were being performed, activation of the muscles was measured using surface electromyography (EMG). Activation of the muscles while performing stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling on the unstable surface was normalized to a percentages of the MVIC. Results : TrA/IO, MF muscles showed no significant differences among the surfaces. Conclusion : Activation of the trunk muscles while performing stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling does not effect on the surface.