• ETRI Journal
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.569-579
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• 2011

This paper presents a novel approach for human activity recognition (HAR) using the joint angles from a 3D model of a human body. Unlike conventional approaches in which the joint angles are computed from inverse kinematic analysis of the optical marker positions captured with multiple cameras, our approach utilizes the body joint angles estimated directly from time-series activity images acquired with a single stereo camera by co-registering a 3D body model to the stereo information. The estimated joint-angle features are then mapped into codewords to generate discrete symbols for a hidden Markov model (HMM) of each activity. With these symbols, each activity is trained through the HMM, and later, all the trained HMMs are used for activity recognition. The performance of our joint-angle-based HAR has been compared to that of a conventional binary and depth silhouette-based HAR, producing significantly better results in the recognition rate, especially for the activities that are not discernible with the conventional approaches.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the lower extremity muscle activity and knee joint load according to movement speed conditions during the barbell back squat. Method: Nine males with resistance training experience participated in this study. Participants performed the barbell back squat in three conditions (Standard, Fast, and Slow) differing movement speed. During the barbell back squat, muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris long head (BFL), semitendinosus (ST), gluteus maximus (GM), gastrocnemius (GCN), and tibialis anterior (TA) was collected using an 8 channel wireless EMG system. The peak flexion angle of the lower extremity joints and the peak resultant joint force in each direction of the knee joint were calculated using eight motion capture cameras and ground reaction force plates. This study was to used the Friedman test and the Wilcoxon signed rank test, to compare lower extremity muscle activity and peak resultant joint force at knee joint according to movement speed conditions during the barbell back squat, and the statistical significance level was set at .01. Results: In the downward phase of the barbell back squat, the RF and TA showed the higher muscle activity in the fast condition, and in the upward phase, RF, VL, VM, BFL, ST, GM, and TA showed the higher muscle activity in the fast condition. As a results, analyzing of the load on the knee joint, in the downward phase, and in the upward phase, the higher peak compressive force of the knee joint was showed in the fast condition. Conclusion: The barbell back squat with fast movement speed was more effective due to increased muscle activity of lower extremity, but one must be careful of knee joint injuries because the load on the knee joint may increase during the barbell back squat with fast movement speed.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.25-31
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• 2012

Purpose : This study was intended to compare muscle activity in relation to knee joint angles on closed kinetic chain. Methods : A total of 13 subjects consisting of 5 adult males and 8 adult females were made to make movements maintaining knee joint angles at $30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ on closed kinetic chain and the muscle activity occurring in their vastus medialis, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis was measured. Statistical data were analyzed using oneway ANOVA. Results : On closed kinetic chain, the muscle activity of the vastus medialis, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis increased the most at $90^{\circ}$ among the knee joint angles with statistically significant differences(p<0.05). Conclusion : On closed kinetic chain, it could be seen that as the angle of the knee joint increased, the muscle activity increased.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2021

Purpose: This study compared the muscle activity of the lower limb according to the three types of fixed angles of the ankle joint during a lunge exercise. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects performed the lunge motion in a trial including the three types of fixed angle. The lunge motion with a neutral, 20° dorsiflexion, and 20° plantarflexion of the ankle joint were randomized and measured repeatedly. The muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) was measured by surface electromyography. Results: In the change in ankle joint angle, the RF, VL, BF, and ST muscle activity showed significant differences (p<0.05). In the 20° dorsiflexion position, the muscle activity of VL, BF, and ST showed a significant decrease compared to that in the neutral position (p<0.017). The muscle activity of RF and VL in the neutral position was greater than that in the 20° plantarflexion position (p<0.017). Only the muscle activity of the BF in the 20° plantarflexion position was significantly greater than the 20° dorsiflexion position (p<0.017). Conclusion: These results revealed a difference in the muscle activity of lower extremities in the proximal region according to the angle of the ankle joint during the lunge.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the effect of ankle joint angle on knee extensor electromyographic activity following knee extension exercise. Methods : Ten male university students participated in the study. The subjects performed isometric maximal voluntary knee extensor contractions (MVC) and knee extensor EMG activity measured in with three different ankle joint angle. The EMG activity of rectus femoris(RF), vastus medialis(VM), vastus lateralis(VL) were measured using surface electromyography. Results : EMG activity of vastus lateralis following the change of ankle joint angle was shown statistically significant difference. Conclusion : Ankle plantar flexion position increase EMG activity of vastus lateralis during knee extension exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.125-132
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the optimal knee joint angle and hip joint angle for minimizing the cervical muscle tension and maximizing the muscle activity of the trunk during the bridging exercise for trunk stabilization. METHODS: The bridging exercise in this study included seven forms of exercise: having a knee joint flexion angle of $120^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and hip joint abduction angle of $15^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, $5^{\circ}$. The posture of the bridging exercise was as follows. To prevent the increase of hyper lumbar lordosis during the bridging exercise, the exercise was practiced after maintaining the lumbar neutral position through the pelvic posterior tilting exercise. RESULTS: The abduction angles did not result in statistically significant effects on the cervical erector, external oblique, rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles. However, in relation to the knee joint angles, during the bridging exercise, statistically significant results were exhibited. CONCLUSION: The knee joint angle affected the muscle activity of the neck muscle. The greater the knee joint angle, the lower the load placed on the neck muscle. In contrast, the load increased as the knee joint angle decreased. In addition, the muscle activity of the neck muscle and trunk muscle increased as the knee joint angle decreased.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.129-136
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• 1999

The purpode of this study was to determine the EMG characteristies of 7 subjects with hemiplegic gait receiving therapeautic exercise after stroke. The akin electrode and gait analysis system were used. The normal gait of 6 health volunteers was analysised. The results were following. 1. Gluteus maximus, the extensor of hip joint had high level of activity compared to normal, and had two peak in late stance phase and early Swing phase. 2. Medial hamstring, the flexor of knee joint had low level of activity compared to normal, and had continuous low amplitude pattern. 3. Vastus lateralis, the extensor of knee joint had high level of activity compared to normal, and had not continuous high amplitude. From early stance phase and mid stance phase, activity had high level but after swing phase. similar to normal. 4. Gastrocnemius, plantar flexor of ankle joint had low level of activity compared to normal and had continuous low amplitude. 5. Tibialis anterior, dorsiflexor of ankle joint had similar muscle activity to normal and had continuous low amplitude.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effect of glenohumeral (GH) rotation position in modified knee push-up plus exercise (MKPUP) by examining the surface electromyography (EMG) amplitude in serratus anterior (SA), pectoralis major (PM), and upper trapezius (UTz) and the activity ratio of each muscle. Methods: A total of 22 healthy subjects volunteered for the study. Each subject performed the MKPUP at $0^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$ of GH joint internal rotation. EMG of the SA and PM, UTz was compared between GH rotation positions and each muscle activity ratio. EMG was used to measure the muscle activity in terms of ratios to maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). Results: The difference in EMG activity during the exercise in three GH joint internal rotation positions was observed with the SA and the PM. The greater the GH joint internal rotation angle was, the lower the activity of the PM. In contrast, the SA showed higher activity. However, the activity of UT was similar under all conditions. The ratio of the SA and the PM was considerably greater at $90^{\circ}$ GH joint internal rotation than at $0^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$. Conclusion: When excessive activation of the PM or imbalanced activation between the PM and the SA occurs, the MKPUP exercise is most effective at $90^{\circ}$ of GH joint internal rotation. Use of this position would be a beneficial strategy for selective strengthening of the SA and minimizing PM activation.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2018

This study was conducted to examine changes in the muscle activity of the triceps surae, specifically the gastrocnemius and the soleus, depending on the angle of the knee joint during the manual muscle test (MMT) of the plantar flexion of the ankle. The muscle activity of the medial and lateral heads of the gastrocnemius was statistically significantly reduced when the angle of the knee joint was $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, and $45^{\circ}$ compared to when the angle was $0^{\circ}$. However, there was no statistically significant difference in muscle activity at the angles of $15^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ or $45^{\circ}$. There was no statistically significant difference in the muscle activity of the soleus depending on the angle of the knee joint. The ratio of the muscle activity of the soleus to that of the triceps surae showed a statistically significant increase when the angle was $15^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$ compared to when the angle was $0^{\circ}$. However, there was no statistically significant difference in muscle activity at the angles of $15^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ or $45^{\circ}$. When the angle of the knee joint was $15^{\circ}$ or higher during the test of the isolated soleus, the muscle activity of the gastrocnemius was reduced. These results indicate that the angle is suitable for the test of the isolated soleus, but there was no statistically significant difference in the muscle activity of the gastrocnemius when the angle was higher than $15^{\circ}$. Therefore, it can be concluded that the most suitable angle of the knee joint for the isolated MMT test of the soleus is $15^{\circ}$.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.177-195
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic variables of ankle joints and EMG signal of the lower limbs muscle activity for the different walking speed. The subjects were 6 males of twenties. It was classified into three different walking speed-0.75m/s, 1.25m/s, 1.75m/s. The walking performances were filmed by high speed video camera and EMG signal was gained by ME3000P8 Measurement Unit. Tibialis anterior(TA), Gastrocnemius medial head(GM), Gastrocnemius lateral head(GL), Ssoleus(SO) were selected for the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint. The result of this study were as follows: 1. In the gait cycle, The time parameters for the phases were showed significant difference without the terminal stance phase and terminal swing phase for the different walking speed. 2. The angle of ankle joint was no significant difference for each time point and MDF, MPF but increasing walking speed the angle had the increasing pattern slightly. 3. The angular velocity of ankle joint was showed the significant difference for LHC, RTO, RKC, LHU, MPF and MDF point along the walking speed. 4. TA was showed about 2-3 times muscle activity at the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s in some phases. And it was showed the similar muscle activity between the 0.75m/s and 1.25m/s but, showed a little much muscle activity in the 0.75m/s. GM was showed about 2-3 times muscle activity in the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s, and even much muscle activity at the 0.75m/s than 1.25m/s in some phases. GL was showed increasing pattern of muscle activity specially in the initial swing phase as the walking speed increased. SO was showed about 3 times muscle activity in the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s during the plantarflexion of ankle joint. It was showed the similar muscle activity between the 0.75m/s and 1.25m/s but, showed a little much muscle activity in the 1.25m/s.