• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine EMG activities and VMO/VL ratio of the vastus medialis oblique, and vastus lateralis during step up exercise according to ankle and knee positions in soccer players with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Methods: Subject(patellofemoral pain syndrome, PFPS: n=8 and without PFPS, non PFPS; NPFPS: n=8) perfomed step up exercise at each knee and ankle position(knee flexion $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$, ankle internal rotation $30^{\circ}$, neutral, and external rotation $30^{\circ}$) while EMG activity was collected. The EMG signals were expressed by the % maximal voluntary isometric Contraction(%MVIC) values. Statistical analysis consisted of two way repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc analysis. Results: Main results were as follows: 1) EMG of VMO, and VL was tend to be lower in PFPS compared to NPFPS. 2) EMG of VMO and VL with knee flexrion $60^{\circ}$ was significantly higher the results with knee flexion $30^{\circ}$, and $90^{\circ}$. VMO and VL with ankle external rotation $30^{\circ}$ was significantly higher the results with internal rotation $30^{\circ}$ and neutral position. Conclusion: Considering the EMG activity was reduced due to the to the PFPS and that performing step up with knee flexion $60^{\circ}$ with ankle external rotation $30^{\circ}$ position may provide the most effective condition for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 1998

The purposes of this study were to examine the effect of two different pelvic alignments and the Valsalva maneuver on electromyographic (EMG) activity of the erector spinae during squat lifting and lowering, and to find an efficient method for squat lifting and lowering. Twenty hea1thy men in their twenties lifted and lowered loads using four different methods: 1) anterior pelvic tilt position with the Valsalva maneuver, 2) anterior pelvic tilt position without the Valsalva maneuver, 3) posterior pelvic tilt with the Valsalva maneuver, 4) posterior pelvic tilt without the Valsalva maneuver. The EMG activity of erector spinae was recorded during both lifting and lowering with each method. The EMG activity of each individual was normalized to EMG activity produced by muscle during maximal voluntary contraction. Two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures ($2{\times}2$) was used to analyze the effect of the two factors: 1) pelvic tilt position (anterior pelvic tilt, posterior pelvic tilt), 2) the Valsalva maneuver (with and without). Analysis was performed separately for the lifting and lowering. The results were as follows: 1) EMG activity of erector spinae was greater when the pelvis was tilted anteriorly than when the pelvis was tilted posteriorly during squat lifting and squat lowering. 2) There was no difference between EMG activity of erector spinae with the Valsalva maneuver and EMG activity of erector spinae without the Valsalva maneuver during squat lifting and squat lowering. These results suggest that the greater EMG activity of erector spinae with an anterior pelvic tilt position during squat lifting and squat lowering may ensure optimal muscular support for the spine while handling loads, but the Valsalva maneuver may have less effect on erector spinae.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2001

This study was designed to identify the effects of foot position on electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps femoris during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) in standing. Twenty young adults who had not experienced any knee injuries were recruited. Their Q-angles were within a normal range. They were asked to stand in five different foot positions ($40^{\circ}$ externally rotated, $30^{\circ}$ internally rotated, neutral, $20^{\circ}$ plantarflexed, and $10^{\circ}$ dorsiflexed foot position). The EMG activities of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were recorded in standing by surface electrodes and normalized by MVC EMG values derived from manual muscle test. The normalized EMG activity levels (%MVC EMG) of muscles in the five foot positions were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. The EMG activity levels of the VL, RF, and VMO were the highest when foot was externally rotated. The EMG activity levels of the VL and RF were significantly different among the foot positions (p<.05). However, EMG activity levels of the VL, RF, VMO, and VMO/VL ratio did not show significant differences in each foot position (p> .05). The results suggest that the quadriceps femoris may be effectively activated by performing MVC at an externally rotated foot position. Therefore, the externally rotated foot position can be considered as an effective foot position for quadriceps femoris strengthening exercise. Further studies are needed to identify whether there are differences in the effects of foot position on muscle strength after MVC exercise of quadriceps femoris in standing.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.471-478
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• 2004

Electromyogram (EMC) signal generated by voluntary contraction of muscles is often used in a rehabilitation devices such as an upper limb prosthesis because of its distinct output characteristics compared to other bio-signals. This paper proposes an EMG-based human-computer interface (HCI) for the control of the above-elbow prosthesis or the wheelchair. To control such rehabilitation devices, user generates four commands by combining voluntary contraction of two different muscles such as levator scapulae muscles and flexor-extensor carpi ulnaris muscles. The muscle contraction is detected by comparing the mean absolute value of the EMG signal with a preset threshold value. However. since the time difference in muscle firing can occur when the patient tries simultaneous co-contraction of two muscles, it is difficult to determine whether the patient's intention is co-contraction. Hence, the use of the comparison method using a single threshold value is not feasible for recognizing such co-contraction motion. Here, we propose a novel method using double threshold values composed of a primary threshold and an auxiliary threshold. Using the double threshold method, the co-contraction state is easily detected, and diverse interface commands can be used for the EMG-based HCI. The experimental results with real-time EMG processing showed that the double threshold method is feasible for the EMG-based HCI to control the myoelectric prosthetic hand and the powered wheelchair.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to analyze the muscle activations and Ground Reaction Force(GRF) in university judo players, and provide the guide of training in Judo. Using surface electrode electromyography(EMG), we evaluated muscle activity in 5 university judo players during the Judo Uke Movements. Surface electrodes were used to record the level of muscle activity in the Tibialis Anterior, Rectus Femoris, Elector Spinae, Gluteus Maximus, Gastrocnemius muscles during the Uke. These signals were compared with %RVC(Reference voluntary contraction) which was normalized by IEMG(Integrated EMG). The Uke was divided into four phases : Kuzushi-1, Kuzushi-2, Tsukuri, Kake. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. The effective Uke Movements needs to short time in the Kake Phase 2. The Analysis of Electromyography of Uke Movements in Supporting Leg; TA(Tibialis anterior) had Higher %RVC in the Kuzushi Phase, RF(Rectus Femoris) had Higher %RVC in the Tsukuri Phase, GM(Gluteus Maximus) had Higher %RVC in the Kake Phase 3. The ground reaction force for Z(vertical) direction was showed increase tendency in Kuzushi phase, Tsukuri phase and decrease tendency in Kake phase.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the feasibility to utilize the electromyogram (EMG) for estimating the muscle torque. The muscle torque estimation plays an important role in functional electrical stimulation because electrical stimulation causes muscles to fatigue much faster than voluntary contraction, and the stimulation intensity should then be modified to keep the muscle torque within the desired range. We employed the neural network method which was trained using the major EMG parameters and the corresponding knee extensor torque measured and extracted during isometric contractions. The experimental results suggested that (1) our neural network algorithm and protocol was feasible to be adopted in a real-time feedback control of the stimulation intensity, (2) the training data needed to cover the entire range of the measured value, (3) different amplitudes and frequencies made little difference to the estimation quality, and (4) a single input to the neural network led to a better estimation rather than a combination of two or three. Since this study was done under a limited contraction condition, the results need more experiments under many different contraction conditions, such as during walking, for justification.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.270-274
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the abdominal muscles and to compare the activity ratios of the bilateral rectus abdominis (RA) to oblique abdominal muscles during shoulder abduction in opposite directions with single leg raising (SLR) performed in the supine position on a foam roller. Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited to the study. Each subject lay on the foam roller and performed left single leg raising with right or left shoulder $90^{\circ}$ abduction (Abd); performed in a random order. Surface EMG recordings of selected abdominal muscles (i.e., the RA, external oblique abdominis [EO], internal oblique abdominis [IO], and transverse abdominis [TrA]) were normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. EO/RA and IO and TrA/RA ratios were determined with surface EMG. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test. The statistical significance level was p<0.05. Results: The results were as follows: (1) the right RA, left EO, and right IO and TrA muscle activities increased significantly at the left SLR with left Abd compared to the left SLR with right Abd (p<0.05); and (2) the ratio of right EO/RA activity increased significantly at the left SLR with right Abd compared to left Abd (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that left SLR with left Abd on a foam roller is an appropriate exercise for activation of specific oblique abdominal muscles.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.145-155
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in endurance time and EMG power spectral characteristics of the masticatory muscles during sustained isometric contraction between patients and controls. 15 CMD patients{8 women and 7 men, aged 15 to 38 years(24.1$\pm$7.5)}, and 15 healthy volunteers{8 women and 7 men, aged 15 to 30 years(24.7$\pm$3.4)} without past history or present symptoms of CMD were included in this study. Sustained isometric contractions of masticatory muscles were perfomeed as long as possible at 50% level of maximum voluntary contraction(MVC) of EMG activity via visual feedback, and the duration of sustained isometric contraction(endurance time) was examined. The author perfomed EMG power spectral analysis in the myoelectric signals of masseter and anterior temporal muscle during sustained isometric contraction in CMD patients with chronic muscle pain and healthy controls. The author came to following conclusions from the results. 1. The endurance time of the patient group was shorter than the control group in sustained isometric contraction of masticatory muscles(p<0.01). 2. MF values of masticatory muscles with sustained isometric contraction during endurance time were decreased following regression line in both groups(p<0.01, r>0.9). 3. The amount of MF shift to lower frequency range exhibited no significant differences between the patients and the control group in sustained isometric contraction during endurance time. 4. SMF to lower frequency range of the patient group was steeper than the control group in sustained isometric contraction during endurance time(p<0.05).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.95-98
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• 2015

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to devise a method of preventing water infiltration into the surface electrodes during EMG measurements underwater and on the ground and to check the reliability of Electromyography (EMG) measurements when underwater. METHODS: Six healthy adults were selected as subjects in this study. The measurements in this study were conducted in pool dedicated to underwater exercise and physical therapy room in the hospital building. An MP150 (Biopac Systems, US, 2010) and a BioNomadix 2-channel wireless EMG transmitter (Biopac Systems, US, 2012) was used to examine the muscle activity of rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius of dominant side. The subjects repeated circulation tasks on the ground for more than 10 min for enough surface electrode attachment movement. After a 15-min break, subjects performed the circulation task underwater(water depth 1.1m, water temperature $33.5^{\circ}C$, air temperature $27^{\circ}C$), as on the ground, for more than 10 min, and the MVIC of each muscle was measured again. SPSS v20.0 was used for all statistical computations. RESULTS: The maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values between the underwater and on the ground measurements showed no significant differences in all four muscles and showed a high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of >0.80. CONCLUSION: We determined that EMG measurements obtained underwater could be used with high reliability, comparable to ground measurements.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.35-43
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• 2008

Purpose: We investigated the effect of isometric resistance exercise on the vastus medialis oblique muscle with inelastic tape and EMG biofeedback training applied to the patello-femoral joints of patients with patella malalignment. Methods: The 39 elderly subjects that had patella malalignment but no neuromuscular disorders were divided into a control group, taping group, and EMG biofeedback training group. Evaluations of function improvement performed before and after the treatment, as well as 4 weeks after treatment. Results: Change in pain in the knee joint were significantly different among groups (p<0.05). Maximum voluntary isometric contractility in the quadriceps muscle was significantly in the EMG biofeedback group (p<0.001). The WOMAC (Western Ontairo & McMaster Questionnaire) index showed a significant change (p<0.05) in pain, function, and total score. Taping and EMG biofeedback training showed a lasting effect until measurement 4 weeks after treatment. SF-36 (Medical outcome short form-36), which assesses the quality of life, did not significantly change. Conclusion: In osteoarthritis patients with a loss of patello-femoral joint function, isometric resistance exercise of the vastus medialis oblique muscle with taping seems effective.