• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2021

Background: The scapulo-thoracic musculatures including serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius and lower trapezius can provide shoulder stability and functional shoulder movement. Objects: The muscle activities of upper and lower SA were compared during three different scapular protraction exercises in healthy individuals in sitting position. Methods: Twenty-five healthy subjects were participated. Electromyography device was used to measure muscle activity of upper and lower SA and trapezius muscles. Each subject was asked to perform three different scapular protraction exercises (scapular protraction [SP], SP with self-resistance [SPSR], SPSR with hand-exerciser [SPSRH]) in random order. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used. Results: The muscle activity of lower SA muscle was significantly different among three conditions (SP vs. SPSR vs. SPSRH) (p < 0.01). The lower SA muscle activity was significantly greater during SPSRH compared to SP and SPSR, which required joint stability more than SP and SPSR (p < 0.01). Conclusion: SPSRH exercise can be recommended to facilitate the muscle activity of lower SA. In addition, the intramuscular variation in the upper and lower SA during scapular protraction exercise is required to consider the effective rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely on their upper limbs for body-lifting activity (BLA). While studies have examined the electromyography (EMG) and kinematics of the shoulder joints during BLA, no studies have considered foot position during BLA. Objects: This study compared the effects of different foot positions during BLA on the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion in individuals with SCI. Methods: The study enrolled 13 mens with motor-complete paraplegic SCI, ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) A or B. All subjects performed BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest and on the floor independently. Surface EMG was used to collect data from the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii. The peak plantar pressure was measured using pedar-X and the knee flexion angle with Image J. Borg's rating perceived exertion scale was used to measure the physical activity intensity level. The paired t-test was used to compare the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion between the two feet positions during BLA. Results: The activity of the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii and rating perceived exertion decreased significantly and the peak plantar pressure and knee flexion angle increased significantly when performing BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest compared with on the floor (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that individuals with SCI may perform BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest for weight-relief lifting to decrease the shoulder muscle activities and the rating perceived exertion and to increase the peak plantar pressure and the knee flexion angle.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.104-108
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• 2010

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between Korean Shoulder Scoring System and Isokinetic muscle strength test for allowance of the return to unrestricted activities after rotator cuff disease treatment. Materials and Methods: This study examined 59 patients with impingement syndrome and 36 patients with rotator cuff tear. KSS and isokinetic muscle strength were analyzed and we sought to evaluate the correlation between total score or each functional parameter scores of KSS and isokinetic muscle strength deficit with Pearson's correlation test. Results: We found a weak negative correlation between and the total KSS score and the endurance test as well (r<0.346). The correlation between the manual muscle test of KSS and isokinetic strength deficits was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The isokinetic muscle strength deficit had a weak correlarion between total score or the edurance test of KSS. Our results suggest that the Isokinetic muscle strength test may be needed for return to normal activity after treatment.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.25-35
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activities of infraspinatus, serratus anterior, upper trapezius, and triceps brachii in different supporting surface intervals during push-up exercise. Method : Subjects of the study were 18 healthy male students without any orthopedic or neurological injuries including neck and shoulder surgeries and can perform a push-up exercise required for the study. EMG was used to measure the muscle activities of four muscles. Result : There were statistically significant differences of all the muscles in three different supporting surface intervals(p<0.5). Muscle activity of upper trapezius was the highest(MVIC 39.40%) in the narrowest width and the lowest in the widest width. In infraspinatus, muscle activity was the highest(MVIC 36.23%) in the narrowest width and the lowest in the widest width. In serratus, muscle activity is the highest(MVIC 58.04%) in the widest width and the lowest in the narrowest width. In triceps brachii, muscle activity is the highest(MVIC 68.51%) in the widest width and the lowest in the narrowest width. Conclusion : Muscle activities are at the highest with the narrowest width in the upper trapezius and the infraspinatus. In the serratus and triceps brachii, however, muscle activities are at the highest with widest width.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.11-19
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• 2017

Background: Methods for exercising serratus anterior (SA) and upper trapezius (UT) muscles are important for the recovery of patients with various shoulder disorders, yet the efficacy of closed or open kinetic chain exercises have not yet been evaluated. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the activation of the SA and UT muscles during scapular protraction considering both closed and open kinetic chain exercises. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into experimental groups (closed kinetic chain exercise) and control groups (open kinetic chain exercise) in which scapular protraction was performed at $90^{\circ}$ or $125^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion. Electromyographic activity data were collected from the SA and UT muscles per position and exercise method. Results: Separate mixed 2-way analysis of variance showed significant differences in the activation of the SA (F1,28=6.447, p=.017) and the UT (F1,28=35.450, p=.001) muscles between the groups at $90^{\circ}$ and $125^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion. Also, the SA/UT ratio measures at $90^{\circ}$ and $125^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion significantly differed between the groups (F1,28=15.457, p=.001). That is, the closed chain exercise was more effective than open chain exercise for strengthening the SA muscle and controlling the UT muscle, $125^{\circ}$ of shoulder joint was more effective than $90^{\circ}$. Conclusion: The findings suggest that scapular protraction with shoulder $125^{\circ}$ flexion at the closed kinetic chain exercise may be more effective in increasing SA muscle activation and decreasing UT muscle activation as well as increasing the SA/UT ratio than open kinetic chain exercise.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Background: Winged scapular (WS) causes muscle imbalance with abnormal patterns when moving the arm. In particular, the over-activation of the upper trapezius (UT) and decrease in activity of the lower trapezius (LT) and serratus anterior (SA) produce abnormal scapulohumeral rhythm. Therefore, the SA requires special attention in all shoulder rehabilitation programs. In fact, many previous studies have been devoted to the SA muscle strength training needed for WS correction. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of shoulder girdle muscle and ratio according to the angle of shoulder abduction and external weight in supine position. Methods: Twenty three WS patients participated in this experiment. They performed scapular protraction exercise in supine position with the weights of 0 kg, 1 kg, 1.5 kg, and 2 kg at shoulder abduction angles of $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$. The angle and weight applications were randomized. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect the EMG data of the SA, pectoralis major (PM), and UT during the exercise. The ratio of PM/SA and UT/SA was confirmed. Two-way repeated analyses of variance were used to determine the statistical significance of SA, PM, and UT and the ratios of PM/SA and UT/SA. Results: There was a significant difference in SA according to angle (p<.05). Significant differences were also identified depending on the angle and weight (p<.05). The angle of abduction at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and weight of 2 kg showed the highest SA activity. However, there was no significant difference between PM and UT (p>.05). There was a significant difference between PM/SA and UT/SA in ratio of muscle activity according to angle (p<.05). Significant differences were found at PM/SA angles of $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ (p<.05). For UT/SA, significant difference was only observed at $90^{\circ}$ (p<.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, in order to strengthen the SA, it was found to be most effective to use 1 and 1.5 kg weights with abduction angles of $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ at shoulder protraction in supine position.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the effect of the plane of movement (sagittal plane vs. scapular plane) and shoulder flexion angle ($90^{\circ}$ vs. $130^{circ}$) during scapular protraction exercises in healthy subjects by investigating the elecromyographic (EMG) activities of the serratus anterior (SA), upper trapezius (UT), and pectoralis major (PM). METHODS: Twenty-one healthy subjects participated in this study. Subjects performed maximal scapular protraction at the $90^{\circ}$ or $130^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angles in the sagittal or scapular planes. Surface EMG was recorded from the SA and UT, and PM muscles. Dependent variables were examined by 2 (plane) ${\times}$ 2 (angle) repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Significantly increased EMG activities in the SA and UT were found during scapular protraction exercise at the $130^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle in the sagittal and scapular plane. Also, EMG activity of the PM significantly decreased at the $130^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle in the sagittal plane and the $90^{\circ}$ and $130^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion in the scapular plane. CONCLUSION: we recommend scapular protraction exercise at the $90^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion in the sagittal plane to selectively strengthen the SA muscle with limitation of upper trapezius activity and at the $130^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion in the scapular plane to selectively strengthen the SA muscle with limitation of pectoralis major activity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2019

Purpose: Although multi-directional reaching exercises are commonly used clinically, the effects of specific movement directions on the muscle systems of the lower extremities have not been explored. We therefore investigated lower extremity muscle activity during reaching exercises with different sagittal and horizontal plane movements. Methods: The surface electromyography responses of the bilateral rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, and gastrocnemius muscles were measured during reaching exercises in three directions in the horizontal plane (neutral, $45^{\circ}$ horizontal shoulder adduction, and $45^{\circ}$ abduction) and three directions in the sagittal plane (neutral, $120^{\circ}$ flexion, and $60^{\circ}$ flexion). A total of 20 healthy, physically active participants completed six sets of reaching exercises. Two-way repeated ANOVA was performed: body side (ipsilateral and contralateral) was set as the intra-subject factor and direction of reach as the inter-subject factor. Results: Reaching at $45^{\circ}$ horizontal shoulder adduction significantly increased the activity of the contralateral rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles, while $45^{\circ}$ horizontal shoulder abduction activated the ipsilateral rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscles. The rectus femoris activity was significantly higher with reaching at a $120^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion compared to the other conditions. The gastrocnemius activity decreased significantly as the shoulder elevation angle increased from $60^{\circ}$ to $120^{\circ}$. Conclusion: Our results suggest that multi-directional reaching stimulates the lower extremity muscles depending on the movement direction. The muscles acting on two different joints responded to the changes in reaching direction, whereas the muscles acting on one joint were not activated with changes in reaching direction.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.95-103
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is Muscle Activity for the Upper Extremity and Morto-Seoinage(Two-handed shoulder throw) according to performance levels and elite judo players (G1) and non-elite judo players, namely university players (G2). To achieve this purpose, three players in G1 whose main special skill was Morote-Seoinage and three university judo players(G2) were selected as comparative group. After analysing this study, conclusions were derived as follows. 1. Muscle activity of musculi membri superious to group of Kuzushi to Tsukuri was the highest in left biceps brachii and right biceps brachii in order. On the other hand, G2 was the highest in left biceps brachii and left flexer carpi randialis in order. 2. Intergral electromyogram of according to the phase showed right triceps 1P of left flexer carpi radialis. G1 and G2 of showed left biceps brachii was the highest in 1P and 2P. As a result, extra training of left flexer carpi radialis and left biceps brachii is needed.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2018

This study was to investigate the difference of muscle activities in trunk, upper arm, and shoulder during push-up exercise based on 3 types of different arm position(posterior position, PP; normal position, NP; and anterior position, AP) and to provide effective push-up arm position for each muscle development. Fifteen healthy males(age, $21.5{\pm}0.5years$; height, $172.7{\pm}1.0cm$; body mass, $70.5{\pm}1.3kg$; shoulder width, $42.3{\pm}0.6cm$; and BMI, $23.6{\pm}0.5kg/m^2$) participated in this study. PP, NP, and AP of the arm were used to conduct push-up exercise and 8 muscles(deltoideus p. acromialis: DA; pectoralis minor: PMI; pectoralis major: PMA; serratus anterior: SA; biceps brachii: BB; triceps brachii: TB; latissimus dorsi: LD; and infraspinatus: IS) of right side were selected to measure muscle activities. Total 9 counts of push-up exercise were conducted and EMG data signals of 5-time(from $3^{th}$ to $7^{th}$) push-up movement were used for measuring muscle activities. PP push-up exercise showed that there was a significantly higher muscle activity of DA, PMI, PMA, SA, BB, LD, and IS(p<.05) and AP push-up exercise showed a significantly higher TB activity(p<.05). It would be suggested that different arm position evokes various muscle activities when conducting push-up exercise. PP would be the best push-up arm position for inducing various trunk, upper arm, and shoulder muscle activities compared to NP and AP.