• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of side walking training combined with squats on the balance and gait ability of stroke patients. The purpose of this study was to provide fundamental data regarding the use of side walking training combined with squats among stroke patients. Methods: Thirty patients with stroke were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=15) that underwent side walking training combined with squats and a control group (n=15) that performed general rehabilitation exercises. Both groups performed their respective exercises for 30 minutes, five times a week for six weeks. Balance was assessed using the functional reach test and timed up and go test, while gait ability was evaluated using the 10-meter walk test. A paired t-test was performed to compare within-group changes before and after the intervention. Differences between the experimental and control groups were analyzed using an independent t-test. For all tests, the level of statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: After the exercise, significant within-group improvements in balance and gait ability were observed in both the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). There was also a significant between-group difference in balance and gait ability following the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: While general rehabilitation is commonly employed in treating stroke patients and is relatively effective, the application of side walking training combined with squats may offer additional benefits in terms of improving balance and gait ability in these patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2024

Objective: This Study aimed to examine the changes in muscle activity of trunk muscles by performing three squat exercises on normal adults. Design: cross-sectional study Methods: Thirty-two adult subjects participated in this study. General squat, overhead squat, and overhead squat combined with abdominal stabilization were randomly performed for 5 seconds, 3 times, to calculate the average muscle activation. Muscle activation was normalized using electrodes on the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae muscles to measure maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for 5 seconds, repeated 3 times each. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean and maximal muscle activity of the bilateral erector spinae (ES) when comparing the squat to the overhead squat (p<0.05). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean and maximal muscle activity of the bilateral external oblique (EO) when comparing the overhead squat to the overhead squat combined with the abdominal stabilization technique. When comparing the squat to the overhead squat with abdominal stabilization, there was a significant difference in the mean and maximum muscle activity of the bilateral RA, EO, and left Internal oblique (IO) (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference in the maximum muscle activity of the bilateral erector spinae (ES) (p<0.05). Post hoc tests showed significant differences between squatting methods for the RA, EO, IO, and ES (p<0.017). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that squats combined with abdominal stabilization were more effective at activating core muscles than squats or overhead squats alone.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.9-17
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the effects of the Graston-based massage method and microcurrent application on muscle fatigue after causing muscle fatigue of the quadriceps femoris by applying high-intensity exercise. METHODS: Study subjects (56 healthy subjects in their 20s) were randomized into a microcurrent group (MG), Graston group (GG), and control group (CG). To induce fatigue of the quadriceps femoris, the subjects performed squats 100 times without a break within about 5 minutes. Muscle fatigue was measured immediately after performing squats and 15 minutes after intervention. To measure muscle fatigue, surface electromyogram (EMG) was used to obtain and compare the median frequency. Microcurrent or Graston massage was applied to their quadriceps muscles 15 minutes after performing the squats. RESULTS: Muscle fatigue increased significantly in the vastus lateralis before and after intervention in the Graston group (p<.05), while no significant difference was observed in the rectus femoris and vastus medialis (p>.05). There were also no significant differences in the microcurrent group or the control group. CONCLUSION: Both the microcurrent group and Graston group showed a tendency for increasing median frequency values compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference except in the vastus lateralis treated with the Graston technique. Although there was no significant difference, the Graston technique could be utilized to reduce the occurrence of DOMS by preventing muscle fatigue in clinical practice or sports medicine.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the effects of water depth and speed on the activation of lower muscles during squat exercises, utilizing electromyography(EMG). It involved ten male participants in there. Participants performed 30 squats over a minute at a speed of 60bpm and maximum speed squats until exhaustion within a minute. The Integrated electromyography(iEMG) readings for the rectus femoris showed statistically significant differences due to water depth and speed, with a significant interaction effect between depth and speed during squat exercises. The iEMG readings for the biceps femoris also showed statistically significant differences, with a significant interaction effect between depth and speed during squat exercises. The iEMG readings for the gastrocnemius showed statistically significant differences according to water depth and speed. However, the interaction effect of water depth and speed during squat exercises did not show a statistically significant difference. In contrast, the iEMG readings for the tibialis anterior demonstrated statistically significant differences, with a statistically significant interaction effect during squats. These findings suggest that water depth and speed positively influence the activation patterns of lower muscles. Therefore, appropriately tailored aquatic exercises based on water depth for individuals with musculoskeletal discomfort, including the elderly or those with physical impairments, can effectively reduce physical strain and enhance balance, as well as physical and perceptual aspects. It is concluded that such exercises could provide a safer and more effective method of exercise compared to ground-based alternatives.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.407-412
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the net joint moment and joint power of the lower extremity during squat in female patients with genu varum. Method: Eight female patients with genu varum were asked to do regular squats, and their net joint moment and joint power were compared to those of another eight female participants with straight legs. Their video recordings and ground reaction force data were analyzed to be used as a theoretical evidence of squatting effectively for female patients with genu varum. Results: Squats had a higher impact on internal knee joint rotation and ankle joint flexion moments in the genu varum group than in the straight leg group due to their weak and short hip joint muscles. Conclusion: There is a need to develop a squat movement that is appropriate for women with genu varum in order to distribute overload efficiently among the hip, knee, and ankle joints and to strengthen the muscles in a balanced way.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study is to show the effectiveness of performing squat exercises at various angles to show the maximum muscle activity of the Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO) and Biceps femoris (BF). Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of seventeen healthy young adults (8 males and 9 females) voluntarily participated in the study. All subjects randomly performed three different squat variations as follows: A squat performed with the ankle joint at $0^{\circ}$ of incline, a squat performed with the ankle joint at $5^{\circ}$ of incline, and a squat performed with the ankle joint at $10^{\circ}$ incline. Muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Electrodes were placed on the VMO and BF to measure the muscle activity on the various ankle angles for comparison analysis. Results: There was a significant increase in bilateral VMO muscle activation at $10^{\circ}$ of incline compared to $0^{\circ}$ and $5^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). Greater increases in muscle activation and exercise effect was observed with increasing incline angles of the board. Changes in bilateral BF muscle activity were found; however, none were found to be significant. Conclusions: Bilateral VMO activity was found to be significant when the squats were performed at an ankle angle of $10^{\circ}$ of incline when compared to at an ankle angle of $0^{\circ}$ and $5^{\circ}$ of incline. Squats performed on an incline can be recommended as an effective method to facilitate lower extremity muscle activities.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of resistance applied in various directions on lower extremity muscle activity and balance during squat exercise performance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-one adults (19 males and 22 females) agreed to the study purpose and procedures. All subjects randomly performed squat exercises with an intensity of overcoming 10% of body weight resistance pulled forward, backward and general squats with $60^{\circ}$ of knee joint flexion. Electromyography was used to measure muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO), rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) muscles. The Wii Balance Board was used to assess balance during the three-method squat operation. Each operation was measured three times for 10 seconds. Results: There were significant differences in muscle activities of the VMO, RF, VLO, ST and balance ability with the application of three directions of resistance (p<0.05). Post hoc comparisons revealed that squats performed with resistance pulled in the backward direction resulted in higher VMO, RF and VLO activity than with the resistance placed in a pulled forward direction (p<0.05). In the ST, resistance applied in the pulled forward direction showed greater muscle activity compared to the pulled backward direction (p<0.05). With balance, squats performed with resistance pulled in the forward direction showed greater muscle activity than with resistance applied in the pulled backward direction and during general squat performance (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, squat exercises performed with resistance applied in the direction of pulling backwards was found to be the most effective in improving quadriceps muscle strength and balance. It is effective to provide resistance that is placed in the forward when it is difficult to perform a general squat due to weakness of the quadriceps.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.129-142
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to develop socks to check the range of ankle movement during squats for men in their late 20s. Sensors of 6, 8, and 12 mm were selected, and each sample was impregnated 1 to 3 times. It was prepared using a CNT dispersion, and the GF value was measured using UTM. Among them, the sample with 2 impregnation showed the best GF value. As a result of applying each sample to the socks, the 12 mm sensor was wider than the area of the Achilles tendon, resulting in noise, and the 8 mm sensor was higher than the tensile strength of the socks, resulting in a decrease in the graph. Therefore, testing was performed using a 6 mm sensor. In order to determine the effectiveness of the sensor, the normal operating range was checked through squats, and significant changes were confirmed when the operating range was checked again through squats by performing operations that can increase the operating range through Gastrocnemius, Soleus stretching, and low lunge. Using the results of this study, it is expected that the average value of the ankle movement range of the user is checked prevent injury, to be provided as basic data for the production of shoe products and the promotion of physical health.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in kinematic factors according to stretching treatment, myofascial release treatment, and static stretching treatment conditions during squat. Method: Twelve males with resistance training experience participated in this study. Participants performed squats without treatment (Pre-Test), and performed squats after treatment with the myofascial release technique (MRT) and static stretching (SS) on different days (post-test). Squat movements were captured using eight motion capture cameras (sampling rate: 250 Hz), and the peak joint angles of the ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis were calculated for each direction. One-way repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses using SPSS 27 (IBM Corp. Armonk NY, USA) were used to compare the peak joint angle of the lower extremity joints and pelvis among the normal condition (squat without treatment), MRT condition (squat after MRT treatment) and SS condition (squat after static stretching). The statistical significance level was set at .05. Results: It was observed that the maximum ankle joint flexion angle during squats was statistically reduced under conditions of myofascial release and static stretching (p<.05), in comparison to the scenario where no stretching was performed. Furthermore, static stretching was found to enhance the maximum hip flexion angle during squat (p<.05), whereas the myofascial release stretching technique resulted in the minimal posterior pelvic tilt angle (p<.05). Conclusion: Employing myofascial release stretching as a preparatory exercise proved to be more efficacious in maintaining body stability throughout the execution of high-intensity squat movements by effectively managing the posterior tilt of the pelvis, as opposed to foregoing stretching or engaging in static stretching.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the effects of altering foot position on quadriceps femoris including vastus medialis obliques (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) activation during wall squat exercises. METHODS: All subjects (n = 15) were selected and randomly performed three kinds of wall squats: 1) GWS (General Wall Squat), 2) WSS1/4 (Wall Squat Short 1/4), and 3) WSS1/2 (Wall Squat Short 1/2). Each subject completed all three kinds of wall squatting exercises at three different times and recorded the muscle activity data of vastus medialis obliques, vastus lateralis and rectus femoris. RESULTS: Compared with GWS exercise, VMO and RF muscle activity significantly increased under WSS1/2 exercise (p < .05), while only RF muscle activity significantly increased under WSS1/4 exercise (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that moving the foot toward the wall during wall squats has a positive effect on quadriceps activation. The exercise of wall squat short can not only be used as the lower limb muscle strengthening training for normal people, but also as the recovery training for patellofemoral pain syndrome patients in the rehabilitation stage. Besides, Anterior cruciate ligament patients can also try this exercise according to the advice of doctors and therapists.