• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and knee function index on the knee strength and endurance in the national male field-hockey athletes. METHODS: Twenty-four male field-hockey athletes with a painful knee who trained at the national training center in 2019 were enrolled. The VAS and knee function index questionnaire were used to evaluate the degree of pain and functional state of the knee. The muscle strength and endurance of the knee were measured by Biodex (System 4, USA). The Pearson product moment correlation was performed to examine the effects of the VAS and knee function index the of knee on the strength and endurance. In addition, the VAS and knee function index and muscle strength and muscle endurance were examined to determine the relationship using Simple Linear Regression. The statistical significance level was α=.05. RESULTS: An analysis of the correlation between VAS and knee function index and muscle strength and muscle endurance revealed the VAS and knee function index to be statistically significant (r = .700). In addition, the extensor muscle strength, knee VAS (r = -.457), and knee function index (r = -.414) were also statistically significant. A 1-point increase in the VAS and knee function index was associated with an approximately 9.881 and 1.006 extensor muscle strength. CONCLUSION: The VAS and knee function index of field-hockey athletes are related to the strength of the knee extensors. Therefore, field-hockey athletes should develop a program to strengthen the extensor muscle strength of the knee.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.25 no.6_1
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• pp.917-925
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wearing a soft knee brace during balance training on paretic side foot pressure and knee joint muscle strength in stroke patients. The recruited 20 stroke patients were randomized into 10 experimental group and 10 control group. All subjects were subjected to balance training, and only the experimental group was trained in balance while wearing a soft knee brace. Experimental group and the control group before and after the intervention showed significant increases in foot pressure and knee joint muscle strength on the paralyzed side (p<0.05), experimental group showed a significant increase in foot pressure and knee joint muscle strength compared to the control group (p<0.05). This study confirmed that wearing a soft knee brace had a positive effect on paretic side foot pressure and knee joint muscle strength in stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.52-57
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• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the muscle activities of the Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and the Vastus lateralis (VL) at three different knee extension angles: 90°, 135°, and 180° in the sitting position. Methods: Twenty subjects between 20 and 30 years of age participated in the study. A mobile phone application called the Clinometer was used to measure the knee joint angle. Electromyography (EMG) was performed to measure the muscle activities of the VMO and VL muscles during knee isometric extension exercises. The pulling sensor was used to maintain 70% of the maximum strength of the knee extensor continuously in the sitting position. After attaching the EMG sensor, the subjects were asked to perform isometric knee extension exercises randomly among three knee extension angles (90°, 135°, or 180°) in the sitting position. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test was used to identify the VMO and VL muscle activity during knee extension angles among 90°, 135°, and 180°. Results: The VMO and VL muscle activities increased with increasing knee extension angle in the sitting position (p<0.01). Conclusions: Knee extension exercise at a 180° angle in the sitting position can be recommended to increase the muscle activity of the VMO and VL muscle activities efficiently.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the effects muscle fatigue at the knee muscles on balance during standing in healthy adults. Methods Thirty healthy adults were recruited along with their written informed consent. Subjects were randomly assigned to knee extensor group (fatigue on knee extensor, KE), and knee flexor group (fatigue on knee flexor, KF). And subjects performed exercise with each muscle group until muscle fatigue was induced. They were assessed balance ability by functional reaching test (FRT), limit of stability (LOS), and postural sway (one leg standing, normal eye open (NO), normal eye close (NC), pillow with eye open (FO), and pillow with eye close (FC)) before and after fatigue. Results There were significant group differences balance performances in FRT, anterior of limit of stability, one leg standing, and the muscle fatigue of knee muscles were decreased balance performances. The balance performance was affected by visual sense and proprioception. Conclusions These results show that the muscle fatigue of knee muscles decreased balance performance. Therefore, balance exercise program should be trained without muscle fatigue.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2019

Background: The bridge exercise targets the gluteus maximus (Gmax) and gluteus medius (Gmed). However, there is also a risk of dominant hamstring (HAM) and erector spinae (ES) muscles. Objects: To analyze the muscle activity the of Gmax, Gmed, HAM and ES during the bridge exercise with and without hip external rotation in different degrees of knee flexion. Methods: Twenty-three subjects were participated. The electormyography (EMG) activity of the Gmax, Gmed, HAM and ES muscles was recorded during the exercise. The subjects performed the bridge exercise under four different conditions: (a) with $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion, without hip external rotation (b) with $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion, with hip external rotation (c) with $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion, without hip external rotation (d) with $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion, with hip external rotation. Results: There was no significant interaction effect between the degree of knee flexion and hip external rotation. There was a significant main effect for degree of knee flexion in Gmax, HAM muscles activity. Gmax muscle activity was significantly greater in the $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion position than in the $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion position (p<.001). While HAM muscle activity was significantly less in $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion position than in the $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion position (p<.001). ES muscle activity was significantly less in the $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion position than in the $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion position (p=.002). The activity of both the Gmax and Gmed muscles was significantly greater with hip external rotation (p<.001 and p=.005, respectively). Conclusion: For patients performing the bridge exercise, positioning the knee in $135^{\circ}$ of flexion with hip external rotation is effective for improving Gmax and Gmed muscle activity while decreasing HAM, and ES muscle activity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.33-41
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• 2019

Purpose : The muscle strength of iliopsoas (IL) was measured commonly in sitting position with hip and knee flexed 90°. However, there is no study to determine the muscle strength of IL in various test positions. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the muscle strength of IL and muscle activity of rectus femoris (RF) according to test position and knee flexion angle. Methods : Twenty healthy subjects were participated for this study. The muscle strength of IL and muscle activity of RF were measured by hand-held dynamometer and surface electromyography during maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of IL, respectively. The muscle strength of IL and muscle activity of RF was measured in 4 conditions as follows; 1) knee flexion angles 90 ° in supine, 2) 130 ° in supine position, 3) 90 ° in sitting, 4) 130 ° in sitting. Each condition were performed randomly by three repetitions. Results : The muscle strength of the IL was the main effect on the test position and knee flexion angle (p<.05), and the muscle activity of RF was the main effect only on the knee flexion angle (p<.05). There was also no interaction between the factors (p>.05). In supine position, the muscle strength of IL in knee flexion 130 ° was significantly less than that in knee flexion 90 ° (p<.0125). In knee flexion 90 °, the muscle strength of IL in supine position was significantly greater than that in sitting position (p<.0125). The muscle activity of RF in knee flexion 130 ° was significantly less than that in knee flexion 90 ° in supine and sitting positions (p<.0125). Conclusion : When the muscle strength of IL was measured in clinic and sports fields, the supine position with knee flexion 130 ° was recommended to prevent the muscle activation of RF and to maintain the trunk stability.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.9-15
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• 2016

Background: Squatting is one of the best functional exercises to strengthen the quadriceps muscle in independent gait and activities of daily living. Although the use of a gym ball during squat exercise is the most common way of strengthening the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, published data on this subject are limited. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the sequential muscle activation of the VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during squat exercise using a gym ball at different knee flexion angles. Methods: Forty healthy adults were randomly divided into experimental (squat exercise using a gym ball) and control (squat exercise alone) groups, in which squats were performed at $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion. Electromyographic (EMG) activity data were collected over 10 seconds under the 2 angles of knee flexion ($45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$). Results: There was significant group and time interaction effect for VMO and VL muscle activation at $45^{\circ}$ knee flexion. This was similarly demonstrated at $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion. No significant group main effect and time main effect for VMO and VL muscle activation were noted at $45^{\circ}$ knee flexion, respectively. In contrast, there was significant group main effect and time main effect for VMO and VL muscle activation at $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion. These significant differences were demonstrated through two-way analysis of variance over repeated measurements, suggesting that the EMG activity of the VMO muscle during squatting with a gym ball showed remarkable improvement compared to that of the VL muscle. Conclusion: This research suggests that squat exercise using a gym ball may be more beneficial in improving the activity of VMO than of the VL muscle at both $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ of knee flexion, respectively. We highly recommend squat exercises with a gym ball for selective strengthening of the VMO muscle in knee rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in ultrasound imaging of the lower limbs in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis who received a total knee replacement (TKR). Methods : The participants for the study were ten patients who were to receive a total knee replacement. Measurements were taken a total of three times: before receiving a total knee replacement, and one week and two weeks after receiving a total knee replacement. The vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle were measured using ultrasound imaging. Results : Muscle thickness of the vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle had no significant interaction over time whether surgery was performed or not. White area index (WAI) and density of vastus medialis, rectus femoris muscle, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle had no significant interaction over time whether surgery was performed or not. Conclusion : In conclusion, lower quality muscles were due to a decrease in muscle fiber and an increase in fat fiber. Therefore, initial physical therapy after total knee replacement should consider this point and be designed appropriately as a therapeutic approach for total knee replacement patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the maximum knee strength and endurance of elderly Korean women with Kellgren-Lawrence grade (K-L II) by age. METHODS: In this study, the total number of participants was 50, divided into five groups of 10 by age. Maximum knee muscle strength was measured at a low speed of 60°/sec using Biodex, an isokinetic device for comparison of maximum knee muscle strength, whereas muscle endurance was measured by muscle contraction at a high speed of 180°/sec. The peak torque values of the extensor and flexor muscles in the muscle strength and muscle endurance tests were collected according to each classification. RESULTS: The results of the experiment show that maximum muscle strength and muscle endurance decreased significantly at 60°/sec and 180°/sec during flexion and extension according to age (p<.05). In particular, the age group of 71 to 75 years showed the most significant correlation with other age groups (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study can be used as basic data for increasing physical activity and muscle strength in women with knee osteoarthritis.