• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.128-134
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of healthy persons performing a plank exercise with hip abduction and use of sling on trunk muscle activity. Methods: Twenty-three subjects participated in this study. Muscle activities of the multifidus, rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique were assessed with electromyography (EMG) while the subjects performed 6 various types of plank exercises in random order. Results: There was a significant difference in multifidus and internal oblique on the supported side and the multifidus, external oblique, and internal oblique on the elevated side (p<0.05), and differences in plank methods were significantly higher in the multifidus, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique of the supported side and the rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique on the elevated side (p<0.05). In addition, post-hoc analysis of the various plank methods showed that muscle activity was significantly higher during the general plank exercise compared with the knee-supported-in-sling plank exercises (p<0.05), and was significantly higher with the ankle-supported-in-sling plank exercises compared with the general plank exercise. Conclusion: There was greater trunk muscle activity with plank exercises performed with the ankle-supported-in-sling and hip abduction plank exercises compared with the general or knee-supported-in-sling plank exercises. Through this study, various plank exercises have been discovered that can be selected at different intensities for core muscle training purposes based on trunk muscle strength.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a combination of isotonic (CI) technique on the balance, muscle fatigue and muscle activities of the quadriceps muscle in the paretic leg of hemiplegic patients. Method: All the subjects received a combined isotonic technique of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) for about 30 minutes 3 times per week for 6 weeks. The root mean square (RMS) and mid frequency (MF) were recorded by surface electromyography (EMG)(EMG/EP system, OXFORD Medelec, UK) during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC). The balance ability was measured by a balance system (BIODEX, USA). Result: The RMS of the quadriceps muscle at post-treatment was significantly increased compared to that at pretreatment (p<0.05). Yet there was no significant difference among the three muscles. There were no significant difference in the MF of the vastus lateralis and rectus femoris between pre- and post-treatment, but the MF of the vastus medialis was significantly decreased (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the vastus medialis and lateralis between pre- and post-treatment (p<0.05). Moreover, the overall stability index at post-treatment was significantly decreased compared to that at pre-treatment (p<0.05). But there was no significant difference between the anterior/posterior and medial/lateral stability indexes. Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that a CI technique of PNF had an effect to improve the balance and muscle activity in hemiplegic patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2004

Altered scapular kinematics in the scapular joint is commonly believed to be a factor contributing to trunk posture. The purpose of this study was to analyze the muscle activity with several changes of the shoulder angle. Tests were performed on 10 male subjects by repeated measures. Each subject was measured while sitting in both erect and slouched trunk positions. In each sitting posture, a three-dimensional motion analysis measurement was used to measure thoracic angle and shoulder abduction angle. Measurements were taken with the shoulder abdcution angle at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $120^{\circ}$, and $150^{\circ}$. By using surface Electromyography (EMG) electrodes, we recorded the activity of the upper trapezius, middle trapezius, lower trapezius, middle deltoid, and serratus anterior muscle while the subject held a 4 kg weight at each angle. The mean of root mean square (RMS) of EMG activity was calculated. The middle trapezius, lower trapezius, and middle deltoid muscle activity showed significantly higher results but serratus anterior muscle activity showed significantly lower results (p<.05). With the shoulder angle increased, the muscle activity was also significantly increased (p<.05). In conclusion, the thoracic spine posture significantly affects the scapular muscle during scapular plane abduction, and the slouched posture is associated with increased trapezius muscle activity and with decreased serratus anterior muscle activity.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.9
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• pp.1669-1673
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• 2008

A new cycle ergometer using a Magneto-Rheological (MR) rotary brake system has been developed for rehabilitation of hemiplegia patients to reduce uneven pedaling characteristics. For this purpose, a control method to adjust the resistance of the MR rotary brake in real time based on the magnitude of the muscular force exerted by the subject has been devised so that the mechanical resistance to the pedaling can be minimized when the affected leg was engaged for pedaling. A series of experiments were carried out with and without the engagement of this real-time control mode of MR rotary brake at different pedaling rate to find out the effect of the real-time control mode. The characteristics of the pedaling for these specific conditions were analyzed based on the variations in angular velocities of the pedal unit. The results showed that the variations in the angular velocities were decreased by 42.9% with the control mode. The asymmetry of pedaling between dominant and non-dominant leg was 19.63% in non-control mode and 1.97% in the control mode. The characteristics of electromyography(EMG) in the lower limbs were also measured. The observation showed that Integrated EMG(IEMG) reduced with the control mode. Therefore, the new bicycle system using MR brake with the real time control of mechanical resistance was found to be effective in recovering the normal pedaling pattern by reducing unbalanced pedaling characteristics caused by disparity of muscular strength between affected and unaffected leg.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.77-84
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to introduce the effect of attentional focus on performance of task. Previous studies has shown that motor learning can be enhanced by directing performers's attention to the effects of their movements(external focus), rather than to the body movement producing the effects(internal focus). Wulf and colleagues have invoked the 'constrained action hypothesis' to explain the comparative benefits of adopting an external rather than an internal focus of attention. This hypothesis proposed that when performers utilize an internal focus of attention, they may actually constrain or interfere with automatic control processes that would normally regulate the movement, whereas an external focus of attention allows the motor system to more naturally self-organize. Electromyography(EMG) was used to determine neuromuscular correlates of external versus internal focus differences. EMG activity was lower with an external relative to an internal focus. This suggest that an external focus of attention enhances movement economy, and presumably reduces 'noise' in the motor system that hampers fine movement control. Focusing on a more remote effect seems to facilitate the discriminability of the effect from the body movements that produced it and to be more beneficial than focusing on a very close effects. There might be an optimal distance of the effect, at which ti wis easily distinguishable from the body movement but at which it is also still possible for the performer to relate this effect to the movement techniques. Future Studies of motor learning of patient need to accommodate these new finding and account for the role of the learner's attentional focus and its influencing on learning.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2010

Kinesio Taping (KT) is widely used by physical therapists to treat a variety of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. In this study it was examined whether or not KT has an effect on the peak torque and muscle activity of the quadriceps muscles in healthy subjects. KT was applied to the anterior thigh and tibia of fifteen healthy males (mean age, 25.42${\pm}$1.38 years, mean body height 178.58${\pm}$3.03 cm, mean body weight 71.58${\pm}$6.42 kg) who have no problem within past 2 months. The quadriceps peak torque was assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer while the mean data of muscle activity was measured by surface electromyography (EMG). The maximal voluntary isometric contraction was carried out on all subjects at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$ before, during, and after KT. There were no significant differences in the peak torque and mean data of quadriceps muscle(vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis oblique) activity at $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$ before, during and after application of KT (p>.05). From this study it could be concluded that the application of KT to the anterior thigh and tibia doesn't affect the peak torque and the muscle activity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.389-423
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• 1998

This investigation was designed to determine the effectiveness of the posterior occlusal schemes on masticatory activity during mastication in complete denture. Twelve edentulous subjects were selected for this study. All subjects had no past history and no functional abnormality on masticatory system and TMjoint. And, they had residual ridge of favorable morphology, firm mucosa and Class I skeletal jaw relationship, Twelve experimental denture with interchangeable occlusions(0-degree teeth, 30-degree teeth, Levin teeth and S-A teeth) were constructed for this study. The masticatory performance was analyzed by means of standard sieve(10, 16, 20, 30sieve), and the electrical activity from selected muscles(Temporalis and Masseter muscle) was recorded simultaneously with electromyography (Bio-Pak system) as the subject masticated test foods (rice, peanut and gum) with four different occlusal schemes. Mandibular movement was, also, measured with Sirognathography(Bio-Pak system). These recordings were performed in immediately, after 1 week and after 2 weeks of insertion of complete denture. The results were as fellows; 1. The average masticatory performance of 0-degree artificial teeth was higher than any other artificial teeth. 2. Masticatory performance in denture wearer was affected preferentially by food and artificial occlusal schemes. 3. During chewing, there was a statistical difference of EMG activity between masseter and temporal muscle(p<0.01). Especially, EMG activity of working masticatory muscle was highly affected by food rather than by artificial occlusal schemes. 4. In denture wearer, the velocity of opening was not affected by food, whereas, the velocity of closing was faster in soft food chewing than in hard food chewing, and the amount of vertical displacement was grater in chewing of soft and large bolus than in chewing of hard and small bolus. However, the amount of lateral displacement showed conversely(p<0.05). 5. It was considered that masticatory performance in denture wearer is not affected by the condition of residual ridge. the history of denture wear, the preference, the adaptation to artificial teeth and the total mesiodistal length of artificial posterior teeth.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 1998

Since the first description by Cotton, there have been sporadic reports about the inferior subluxation of the shoulder. Nevertheless there is still a lack of consensus regarding the mechanism of occurrence, evolution and treatment. We have experienced six cases of inferior sublusation(five cases after trauma and one case after surgery) which resolved over time. Analysis of the clinical informations including serial radiographs, data from clinical examination and electromyography(EMG) revealed the following results. All the five post-traumatic inferior subluxations were noted in women with an average age of 59 years after direct trauma resulting in fracture of the proxiaml hrnerus(4) or clavicle(1), of which nerve injury was proven by EMG in three. One case occurred after Bankart repair by stretch injury to the axillary nerve. The presenting symptom was unusually severe pain on passive motion. Absence of anterior or posterior displacement wasl confirmed by radiographs. All the cases seemed to have delayed onset of subluxation except one. The subluxed hu.meral head was concentrically reduced at an average 11 weeks(range 3-23 weeks) from the supposed time of occurrence and the acromiohumeral interval measUred on the standing anteroposterior radiographs decreased to 9.4 mm ftom 23 mm. Improvement of pain paralled the reduction. In conclusion, the most common cause of transient inferior subluxation was nerve injury in ou~ series and the prognosis was excellent, however protraction of recovery or leaving permanent subluxation would be possible if .the injured nerve is unrecoverable.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to identify the effects of performing shoulder and hip abduction during the V-sit exercise on abdominal muscle activity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty healthy adults volunteered for this experiment. The participants randomly performed 6 types of V-sit exercises, including V-sit alone (hip 0°, shoulder 0°), V-sit with hip abduction 0° and shoulder abduction 15°, V-sit with hip abduction 0° and shoulder abduction 30°, V-sit with hip abduction 15° and shoulder abduction 0°, V-sit with shoulder and hip abduction 15°, and V-sit with shoulder abduction 30° and hip abduction 15°. EMG data were recorded from the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) muscles of both sides. All abdominal EMG data during the six types of V-sit exercises were measured for 5 seconds, three times, and recorded for the middle 3 seconds excluding the 1 second at the start and end. Results: V-sit with shoulder abduction 30° resulted in significantly greater muscle activity of both RA, EO compared to shoulder abduction 0°, shoulder abduction 15° (p<0.05) and V-sit with shoulder abduction 15° showed significantly greater muscle activation of the RA compared with shoulder abduction 0° (p<0.05). The muscle activity of both EO and IO in the V-sit with hip abduction 15° was significantly greater than hip abduction 0° in all shoulder conditions (p<0.05). Conclusions: Greater angles of shoulder and hip abduction produced more abdominal muscle activity increases during the V-sit exercises. Shoulder abduction affected the RA, EO muscle activation and hip abduction affected the EO, IO muscle activation. This study showed that shoulder and hip abduction during V-sit exercises enabled effective activation of the trunk muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.215-223
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of leg muscle activation by applying proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) arm patterns to unilateral upper extremities under the condition of both open and closed kinetic chains in a seated position. Methods: Twenty-two healthy subjects participated in this study. Four PNF patterns were applied to each subject's unilateral upper extremity. EMG data were collected from the vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. The measured EMG data were digitized and processed to root mean square (RMS) and expressed as percentage maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). The data were analyzed using two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures to determine the statistical significance. Results: The results of this study were summarized as follows: Firstly, in comparison to muscle activation of the biceps femoris, there was a significant increase in the D2 flexion pattern when it was compared with D2 extension pattern and when it was compared with D1 flexion pattern (p<.05). Secondly, there was a significant increase in the muscle activation of the vastus medialis and tibialis anterior with a closed kinetic chain rather than an open kinetic chain (p<.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, in order to increase muscle activation of the biceps femoris, the D2 flexion pattern can be applied, regardless of kinetic chain. In addition, in order to increase muscle activation of the vastus medialis and tibialis anterior, four arm patterns can be applied with a closed kinetic chain.