• Biomedical Engineering Letters
• /
• 제8권4호
• /
• pp.345-353
• /
• 2018

This study suggested a new EMG-signal-based evaluation method for knee rehabilitation that provides not only fragmentary information like muscle power but also in-depth information like muscle fatigue in the field of rehabilitation which it has not been applied to. In our experiment, nine healthy subjects performed straight leg raise exercises which are widely performed for knee rehabilitation. During the exercises, we recorded the joint angle of the leg and EMG signals from four prime movers of the leg: rectus femoris (RFM), vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and biceps femoris (BFLH). We extracted two parameters to estimate muscle fatigue from the EMG signals, the zero-crossing rate (ZCR) and amplitude of muscle tension (AMT) that can quantitatively assess muscle fatigue from EMG signals. We found a decrease in the ZCR for the RFM and the BFLH in the muscle fatigue condition for most of the subjects. Also, we found increases in the AMT for the RFM and the BFLH. Based on the results, we quantitatively confirmed that in the state of muscle fatigue, the ZCR shows a decreasing trend whereas the AMT shows an increasing trend. Our results show that both the ZCR and AMT are useful parameters for characterizing the EMG signals in the muscle fatigue condition. In addition, our proposed methods are expected to be useful for developing a navigation system for knee rehabilitation exercises by evaluating the two parameters in two-dimensional parameter space.

• 대한전기학회논문지:시스템및제어부문D
• /
• 제55권7호
• /
• pp.344-351
• /
• 2006

The fatigue of back muscle in the repetitive lifting motion was studied using multiple parameters(FFT_MDF, RMS, 2C, NT) in this study. Recent developments in the time-frequency analysis procedures to compute the IMDF(instantaneous median frequency) were utilized to overcome the nonstationarity of EMG signal using Cohen-Posch distribution. But the above method has a lot of computation time because of its complexity. So, in this study, FFT_MDF(median frequency estimation based on FFT) algorithm was used for median frequency estimation of back muscle EMG signal during muscle work in uniform velocity portion of lumbar movement. The analysis period of EMG signal was determined by using the run test and lumbar movement angle in dynamic task, such as lifting. Results showed that FFT_MDF algorithm is well suited for the estimation of back muscle fatigue from the view point of computation time. The negative slope of a regression line fitted to the median frequency values of back muscle EMG signal was taken as an indication of muscle fatigue. The slope of muscle fatigueness with FFT_MDF method shows the similarity of 77.8% comparing with CP_MDF(median frequency estimation based on Cohen Posch distribution) method.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 1990

EMG (eleltromyographic) signals are generated by contracting muscle and detected in and out side of muscle in the form of random signals. In the measurement of muscle fatigue, the mean frequency of EMG signals using spectrum analysis is an important parameter in diagonosis of muscle disease and in sports medicine fields. In this study, the degree of spectral transfer to lower frequency caused by accumulation of Latic acid inside the muscle is estimated. The new spectral analysis method using 2"d order hAaximum Entropy Method was applied to estimate the mean frequency and we confirmed that this new method yields fast and reliable estimation.tion.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• 제27권6호
• /
• pp.392-399
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated whether the strength imbalance between two muscles can affect the score of EMG based biofeedback game, and whether the EMG based biofeedback game score can be used as predictable indicator of the degree of muscle balance alternating the conventional strength measuring equipment. Methods: 40 participated in this study. Biodex was used to measure the peak torque/weight in order to calculate the muscle strength balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor of ankle joint. And muscle balance index (MBI) was calculated. The EMG biofeedback game scores of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor were acquired, so that the EMG electrodes were attached at tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. The relationship between the game score and the muscle balance index were analyzed. Results: There was negative correlation between the muscle balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor and the peak torque/weight of plantar flexor (r=-0.70). And there was negative correlation between the muscle balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor and the game score of plantar flexor (r=-0.83). Conclusion: The EMG biofeedback game score had significant relationship with muscle imbalance at ankle joint, so it seems that the game score can be used for predicting the degree of muscle imbalance as a parameter.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
• /
• 제15권4호
• /
• pp.429-438
• /
• 1994

An electrical stimulator was designed to induce locomotion for paraplegic patients caused by central nervous system injury. Optimal stimulus parameters, which can minimize muscle fatigue and can achieve effective muscle contraction were determined in slow and fast muscles in Sprague-Dawley rats. Stimulus patterns of our stimulator were designed to simulate eleclromyographic activity monitored during locomotion of normal subjects. Muscle types of the lower extremity were classified according to their mechanical property of contraction, which are slow muscle (msoleus m.) and fast muscle (medial gastrocnemius m., rectus femoris m., vastus lateralis m.). Optimal parameters of electrical stimulation for slow muscles were 20 Hz, 0.2 ms square pulse. For fast muscle, 40 Hz, 0.3 ms square pulse was optimal to produce repeated contraction. Higher'stimulus intensity was required when synergistic muscles were stimulated simultaneously than when they were stimulated individually. Electrical stimulation for each muscle was designed to generate bipedal locomotion, so that individual muscles alternate contraction and relaxation to simulate stance and swing phases. Portable electrical stimulator with 16 channels built in microprocessor was constructed and applied to paraplegic patients due to lumbar cord injury. The electrical slimulator restored partially gait function in paraplegic patients.

• 대한기계학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한기계학회 2000년도 춘계학술대회논문집A
• /
• pp.268-273
• /
• 2000

Velocity-dependent increase in tonic stretch reflexes is one of the prominent characteristics of spasticity. It is very important to evaluate spasticity objectively and quantitatively before and after treatment for physicians. An accurate quantitative biomechanical evaluation for the spasticity which is caused by the disorder of central nervous system is made in this study. A sudden leg dropper which is designed to generate objective testing environment at every trial gives very effective environment for the test. Kinematic data are archived by the 3-dimensional motion analysis system($Elite^{(R)}$, B.T.S., Italy). Kinematic data are angle and angular velocity of lower limb joints, and length and lengthening velocity of lower limb muscle. A program is also developed to analyze the kinematic data of lower limb, contraction and relaxation length of muscles, and dynamic EMG data at the same tim. To evaluate spasticity quantitatively, total 31 parameters extracted from goniogram, EMG and muscle model are analyzed. Statistical analysis are made for bilateral correlations for all parameters. The described instrumentation and parameters to make quantitative and objective evaluation of spasticity shows good results.

• 대한인간공학회지
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 2002

The purpose of study is to investigate the relationship between the trunk muscle fatigue and recovery time during repetitive extension by using a surface electromyogram(EMG). Ten healthy subjects particioated in a simulated lifting task with five levels of recovery time and three levels of sub-maximal contraction. EMG signals of the L1(Lumbar 1st Vertebrae) and L3(Lumbar 3rd Vertebrae) level of the erector spinae muscle were recorded. and analyzed in terms of MPF(mean power frequency) parameter to quantify the level of muscle fatigue. It was found that MPF significantly (p<0.05) decreased during repetitive extension task at 50% and 75% sub-maximal contractions. Then it took minutes for the trunk muscle to recover from fatigue during 50% sub-maximal contraction. and it took five minutes during 75% sub-maximal contraction. and it took five minutes during 75% sub-maximal contraction. The recovery time estimated by the maximum force needs to be re-evaluated for the trunk muscle to fully recover from fatigue. In conclusion. the work/rest cycle needs to be studied based upon the information of muscle fatigue in order to prevent workers from musculoskeletal injuries during repetitive lifting task.

• 대한물리의학회지
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2019

PURPOSE: The continued use of smartphones has resulted in an abnormal body posture and neck alignment changes. Maintaining this posture for a long time weakens the flexor muscles in the neck and shortens the extensor muscles in the neck. This study examined the correlation between the suboccipital muscle tension and deep neck flexor muscle physical endurance according to the craniovertebral angles. METHODS: The craniovertebral angle, tension of the suboccipital muscle and endurance of the deep neck flexor muscle were measured in 58 healthy 20-year-old male and female college students. The tension of suboccipital muscle and endurance of the deep neck flexor muscle were then divided according to the body mass index (BMI). Their correlation with the craniovertebral angle was then examined. Each parameter was measured three times to determine the interrater reliability. RESULTS: The craniovertebral angle and suboccipital muscle tension showed differed significantly. On the other hand, the craniovertebral angle and deep neck flexor muscle physical endurance showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: The results show that the craniovertebral angle and deep neck flexor muscle physical endurance were not correlated, but a smaller craniovertebral angle resulted in a higher suboccipital muscle tension.

• 혜화의학회지
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.13-20
• /
• 2009

Objectives : In order to investigate change of isokinetic trunk muscle strength according to decrease of body composition analysis parameter after obesity treatment. Methods : 2 obese patients have been treated with oriental medical obese treatment for 1 month. One patient got the exercise treatment, another didn't. Before and after treatment, the segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis, isokinetic trunk muscle strength test were performed. Then we analyzed the relationship of data. Results : After obesity treatment, BMI(Body Mass Index), PBF(Percentage of Body Fat), WHR(Waist Hip Ratio) were decreased in all patient and LBM(Lean Body Mass) was increased. In non-exercise patient, Ext.PT(extension Peak Torque) was decreased and Flex.PT(flexion Peak Torque) was increased. In exercise patient showed the opposite results. E/F ratio became more imbalance. Conclusions: Ext.PT was decreased in non-exercise patient but increased in exercise patient. And the trunk muscle strength became imbalance in both patients, right after the treatment. So trunk muscle exercise should be carried out and it is necessary to do long term study.

• 국제물리치료학회지
• /
• 제11권2호
• /
• pp.2021-2027
• /
• 2020

Background: Previous robot-mediated gait training has been proven several limitations such as pointless repeated motion training, decreased presence, etc. In this research, adult stroke patients were participated in robot-mediated gait training accompanied with or without virtual reality program. Objectives: Exploring whether the results indicated virtual reality system has contribution to muscle strength and balance ability. Design: A case series research, cross-over trial. Methods: Eleven participants (male 4, female 7) with adults diagnosed as stroke from medical doctor ware engaged. The participants received 2 treatment sessions of identical duration, robot-assisted gait training with virtual reality and robot-assisted gait training with screen-off randomly crossed over include 1-day for each person of wash-out period. The parameter was muscle activity, the researchers assessed sEMG (surface electromyography). Results: The result showed less muscle activities during training in robot-assisted gait training with virtual reality circumstances, and these indicated muscles were gluteus medius muscle, vastus medialis muscle, vastus intermedius and vastus lateralis muscle, semimembranosus muscle, gastrocnemius-lateral head, and soleus muscle (P<.05). Conclusion: In this study, we analyzed the outcome of muscle activity for clinical inference of robot-assisted gait training with virtual reality (VR). Less muscle activity was measured in the treatment accompanied by VR, therefore, a more systematic, in-depth and well-founded level of follow-up research is needed.