• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Electromyography (EMG) of the upper limb during reaching tasks according to two heights in the sitting position. Design: Cross sectional design Methods: Fifteen hemiplegia, fifteen elderly, and fifteen healthy subjects have participated in this study. The targets (90% length of the subject's arm) were located at the two heights (the eye and xiphoid process). We have recorded EMG signals of seven upper limb muscles (anterior deltoid (AD), posterior deltoid (PD), pectoralis major (Pec), infraspinatus (Inf), supraspinatus (Sup), biceps brachii (Bi), triceps brachii (Tri)). The dependent variables were movement time(s), modulation ratio, working ratio, and the co-contraction ratio of the hemiplegia, elderly, and healthy at the reaching task. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA (2-heights) was analyzed with the LSD post hoc test. Results: The study results were as follows: (1) The movement time to the target during reaching movement was significantly longer for the hemiplegia and elderly groups compared to the healthy group. (2) The modulation rate was significantly higher at eye height than the xiphoid height in AD, PD, Pec, Inf, Bi muscles, and the hemiplegia group and elderly group were significantly lower than the healthy group. Additionally, the modulation ratio showed a significant interaction between heights and groups. Conclusions: It is expected that the variables using the muscle contraction characteristics, the evaluation method of this study, can be used as an electromyography-based feedback method that can be objectively evaluated and quantified in clinical practice.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.39-48
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• 2023

Background: The position of pitcher requires a lot of repetitive motion, and because of this, it is known that not only professional baseball players, but also middle and high school players are frequently exposed to injuries in baseball. The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in upper extremity muscle activity during repeated pitching and the activity of each muscle during repeated pitching by analyzing middle and high school pitchers, divided into groups by age. Methods: Twenty participants (10 middle school male students and 10 high school male students) were recruited for this research. The outcome measures included neuromuscular motor control, including the upper trapezius (UT), triceps brachii (TB), deltoid (DT), latissimus dorsi (LD), biceps brachii (BB), pectoralis major(PM), extensor carpi radialis(ER), and flexor carpi radialis (FR). Results: The two-way analysis of varaince (ANOVA) was used to compare the muscle activity variables between the middle school and high school students. The one-way ANOVA was used to compare the muscle activity variables within time differences each groups. Conclusion: Our results provided promising clinical evidence that guide for upper extremity muscles to increase pitching efficiency in middle and high school base ball players.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.3109-3116
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• 2011

We studied the effects of vibration stimulation method on upper limbs spasticity in patients with brain lesion. 21 patients with spasticity of the upper limbs selected and divided randomly 3 groups. And then vibratory stimulation was applied to the triceps brachii muscle in group I(n=7), to biceps brachii muscle in group II (n=7), and to both muscles in group III (n=7). Using Neuro-EMG_Micro to investigate the changes in spinal neuronal excitability, F-waves were measured at before and directly after stimulation, and 10 minutes later and 20 minutes later after stimulation especially. MAS(Modified Ashworth Scale) test for muscle tone and MFT(Manual Function Test) for the upper extremity motor function were performed before stimulation and 20 minutes later after stimulation for the purpose of clinical evaluation. In our study, MAS was significant decreased in all groups, F wave and F/M ratio parameters were decreased in all groups and more decreased specially in group III. MFT was increased in group II and III, and more increased specially in group III. Vibration stimulation reduced the neuronal excitability of spinal cord and also muscle tone, and improved the motor function of the upper extremity. These results suggested that vibration stimulation giving to both muscles(triceps and biceps brachii muscle) at the same time was more efficiency in reducing the neuronal excitability of spinal cord and improving the motor function of the upper limbs.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.29-40
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare the muscle activity during a push-up on a suspension sling and a fixed support at the same level. Tests were performed on 15 male subjects. Electromyography using a surface EMG recorded the activity of the triceps, pectoralis major, and internal and external oblique muscles during each push-up. EMG activity was recorded at 0, 45, and 90 degrees of elbow flexion in the push-up position on a suspension sling or a fixed support at the same height above the floor (30 cm). The testing order was selected randomly. The subjects were asked to maintain the push-up position with straight knees, hips, and trunk for 5 seconds at each elbow angle. The mean root mean square (RMS) of EMG activity was calculated. EMG activity was normalized using the maximum voluntary isometric contractιn elicited using a manual muscle testing technique. Two-factor repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the average RMS value of EMG activity for each condition. The EMG activity for the pectoralis major, and internal and external oblique muscles during a push-up on a sling was significantly higher than on a fixed support at all angles of elbow flexion (p<.01). There were significant differences in the EMG activity of the pectoralis major and triceps brachii muscles at difference angles of elbow flexion (p<.05). The pectoralis major muscle had the highest EMG activity at 90 degrees of elbow flexion on both the sling and fixed support. The triceps brachii muscle had the highest EMG activity at 45 degrees of elbow flexion on both the sling and fixed support. The internal and external oblique muscles had the highest EMG activity at 0 degrees of elbow flexion, although the difference with angle of flexion was not significant. These results suggest that to improve proximal and trunk stability and muscle strength, push-ups are more useful when performed on a suspension sling than On a fixed support.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic factors of motion during air pistol shooting. Method: This study aimed to investigate changes in forces during movement and determine the factors that affect changes in force during the first, middle, and last periods of shooting an air pistol. Two ground reaction force systems (force platform), SCATT (a shooting training system), and EMG (electromyogram) to measure the action potentials in the muscles of the upper body were used in this study. Four university air pistol players (age: 19.75 years, height: 175.50 cm, body mass: $69.55{\pm}11.50kg$, career length: $6.25{\pm}6years$) who are training to progress to a higher rank were enrolled. Results: In terms of the actual shooting results, the mean score in the middle section was $42.48{\pm}1.74$ points, higher than those in the first and the last periods when using SCATT. The gunpoint moved 13.48 mm more vertically than horizontally in the target trajectory. With respect to action potentials of muscles measured using EMG, the highest action potentials during the aiming-shooting segments, in order higher to lower, were seen in the trapezius (intermediate region), trapezius (superior region), deltoid (lateral), and triceps brachii (long head). The action potentials of biceps brachii and brachioradialis turned out to be high during grasping motion, which is a preparatory stage. During the final segment, muscle fatigue appeared in the deltoid (lateral), biceps brachii (long head), brachioradialis, and trapezius (intermediate region). In terms of the ground reaction force, during the first period of shooting, there was a major change in the overall direction (left-right $F_x$, forward-backward $F_y$, vertical $F_z$) of the center of the mass. Conclusion: The development and application of a training program focusing on muscle groups with higher muscle fatigue is required for players to progress to a higher rank. Furthermore, players can improve their records in the first period if they take part in a game after warming up sufficiently before shooting in order to heighten muscle action potentials, and are expected to maintain a consistent shooting motion continuously by restoring psychological stability.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.101-109
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study is to verify the differences in muscle characteristics of elite level swimmers before and after a 2-hour practice session. Method: The study was conducted on 15 elite swimmers. Preliminary measurements for each muscle (Anterior Deltoid, Triceps Brachii, Biceps Brachii, Flexor Carpi Ulnaris) were taken using the MyotonPRO device before training. After approximately 2 hours of training, the same muscle areas were measured again. The collected data was analyzed through descriptive statistics and two-way 2×2 RG·RM ANOVA, and all statistical significance levels were set at α=.05. Results: After analyzing the characteristics of the Flexor Carpi Ulnaris (FCU) before and after training in both proficiency level swimmers (excellent, non-excellent), it was found that the interaction effect of group X repetition in muscle tension (F), muscle stiffness (S), and body recovery time (R) was statistically significant. Secondly, in the analysis of the Biceps Brachii (BB), the main effect of repetition in muscle tension (F), muscle stiffness (S), and body recovery time (R) was statistically significant. Furthermore, the interaction effect of group X repetition in muscle stiffness (S) and body recovery time (R) was statistically significant. Conclusion: The efficient use of FCU and BB suggests that it is an important factor distinguishing the performance of excellent and non-excellent swimmers in swimming. Therefore, if we develop and apply measures to efficiently utilize FCU and BB during training, it can help improve the performance of the athletes.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

Objective: Prone bridge exercise is one of the core strengthening exercise for improving abdominal, lower and upper extremity muscles. In addition, coactivation of the trunk muscles and extremities is important for treatment of low back pain. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the thickness, cross-sectional area of the target muscle, and endurance during prone bridge exercise. Our hypothesis was that an increase in muscle thickness is positively related to the hold time for the static prone bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fourteen healthy university students (8 men and 6 women) voluntarily participated in the study at Sahmyook University. Hold time for the prone bridge with one and both legs was measured. The resting and contracted thickness of the lateral abdominal, rectus femoris, and triceps muscles was measured using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging. The correlation between muscle thickness and endurance for maintenance time was evaluated. Results: The prone bridge with both legs and the contraction thickness of the triceps muscle showed a positive correlation (r=0.692, p<0.05); the prone bridge with one leg and the contraction thickness of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles showed a positive correlation (r=0.545, 0.574, p<0.05, 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Endurance for the prone bridge exercise with a stable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of arm muscles; the prone bridge exercise with an unstable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of the deep abdominal muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.35-42
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• 2006

The walker provides stability for walking for people whose lower extremities are disabled. It is important to measure and determine the appropriate height of a walker to conserve energy and to improve function. The purposes of this study were to examine effects of walker height and gait velocity on triceps, latissimus dorsi muscle activation, and energy expenditure index (EEI) during ambulation with a walker. Fifteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Each subject was assigned a walker with one of three heights (high, standard, lower height) and of two gait velocities (comfortable gait velocity or fast gait velocity). Electromyographic data were collected from triceps and latissimus dorsi, and EEI was determined from each condition. Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance. Post hoc comparison was performed with the Bonferroni test. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. There was a significant difference in the %MVIC of triceps among different walker height factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that %MVIC of dominant triceps brachii was more significantly increased in patients who used the higher walker than those who used the lower walker (p<.05). 2. There were significant differences in the %MVIC of the latissimus dorsi among different walker height factors and gait velocity factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that the %MVIC of dominant latissimus dorsi was also more significantly increased in patients who used the higher walker than those who used the lower walker (p<.05) and in those who used the faster gait velocity than those who used the slower gait velocity (p<.05). 3. There were significant differences in the EEI among different walker height factors and gait velocity factors. Post hoc comparison revealed that the EEI was significantly increased among those who used higher and lower walkers compared with the standard walker. The EEI was also more significantly increased among those who used the fast gait velocity than those who used the slower gait velocity (p<.05). It has been concluded that increased muscle activation in triceps and latissimus dorsi was required when the walker height increased and that more energy was exp ended when the gait velocity increased. Therefore, from the findings of this study, it is recommended that walker height be adjusted according to the purposes of gait training and that healthy subjects conserve energy when ambulating with standard walkers in a comfortable gait velocity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.626-630
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• 2021

This study was conducted to examine the association between the myosin heavy chain 3 (MYH3) in 6-bp deletion variant genotypes and meat color traits in a crossbred pig population Landrace and Jeju native black pigs (JNBP). The longissimus dorsi, semimembranosus, triceps brachii and biceps femoris muscle from each carcass were used for the analysis of meat color traits. A total of 187 pigs and three meat color traits, CIE L^* (lightness), CIE a^* (redness), and CIE b^* (yellowness), were analyzed. All experimental pigs were successfully genotyped for the MYH3 6-bp deletion variant using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. We detected three MYH3 6-bp deletion variant genotypes qq, Qq, and QQ with 0.091, 0.551 and 0.358 genotype frequencies, respectively. Compared to qq homozygotes, the MYH3 6-bp deletion QQ genotype animals showed a higher levels of the meat colors traits CIE L^* (lightness), CIE a^* (redness), and CIE b^* (yellowness) in longissimus dorsi (p>0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001), semimembranosus (p>0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001), triceps brachii (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001), and biceps femoris (p<0.01, p<0.001, p<0.001), respectively. The QQ genotype pigs was associated with increasing meat color traits in the crossbred between Landrace and JNBP. Our findings suggest that the MYH3 6-bp deletion variant genotypes can be used as valuable genetic markers for JNBP-related breeding programs to improve meat quality and control meat color traits.

• 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.