Background: The serratus anterior (SA) muscle is one of the important muscles in the upward rotation of the scapula when the arm is raised. Insufficient muscle activity of the SA can cause deformation of the shoulder rhythm resulting in shoulder pathology. Objects: This study intends to compare SA and upper trapezius (UT) activity during the conventional wall-slide and push-up plus exercises for SA muscle strengthening and the scapular upward rotation (SUR) exercise. Methods: A total of 30 subjects participated in this study, and we measured the muscle activity of the SA and UT muscles during the wall-slide, push-up plus and SUR exercises. The one-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare SA and UT muscle activities during the 3 exercises. Results: During the SUR exercise, SA muscle activity was 79.88% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), which was significantly higher than its activity during the other 2 exercises. The UT muscle activity was 47.53 %MVIC during the SUR exercise, indicating a significantly higher UT muscle activity than during the other 2 exercises. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the SUR exercise can maximize SA muscle activity to strengthen the SA while keeping UT muscle activity at an appropriate level.

The aim this study was to examine the effect of general squat and wall squat exercises on the muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL), and the muscle activity of the VMO and VL during squat exercises depending on the flexion angle of the knee joint. Thirty adults in their 20s participated in the study, and subjects were divided into the general squat group, and the wall squat group, and their electromyographic (EMG) was monitored and collected during squat exercises. The muscle activity of the VL during squat exercises was compared between the two groups, and that of the wall squat group was higher than that of the general squat group, indicate a statistically significant difference (p<.05). The muscle activity of the VMO of the wall squat group was also higher than that of the general squat group, indicate a statistically significant difference (p<.05). The muscle activity depending on the angle of the knee joint was compared between the two groups, and that of the VL showed a statistically significant difference between different angles of the knee joint (p<.05). That of the VMO also showed a statistically significant difference between different angles of the knee joint (p<.05). The findings of the present study suggest that wall squat is more effective in improving the muscular strength of the VL and VMO than general squat, and that maintaining the angle of the knee joint at 60° is more effective in improving the muscular strength than maintaining it at 15° or 45°

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of unilateral shoulder bag weight and heel heights on trunk muscle activities. This study recruited 40 healthy women in their twenties. Electromyography activities of rectus abdominis muscle, external abdominal oblique muscle, internal abdominal oblique muscle and erector spinae muscle during standing position were measured using a surface electromyography system. The overall muscle activities of the trunk muscles were significantly increased in the contralateral trunk muscles (p<.05). Inaddition, the trunk muscles overall activities on the contralateral side without the shoulder bag was positive correlation with the heel height and unilateral shoulder bag weight (p<.05). Both high-heeled wear and unilateral shoulder bags are fashion items that cause asymmetry in the trunk muscles of women in their twenties. These findings suggest that the increase in the weight and heel height of the unilateral shoulder bag in women cause asymmetry of trunk muscle activities.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of respiratory exercise on cardiopulmonary function and muscle activity of rectus abdominis in smokers and non-smokers with elderly people. All the participants were older than 65 years, and twenty non-smokers, and twenty smokers participated. Non-smokers and smokers were randomly divined into 10 feedback breathing exercises (FBE) and a balloonblowing exercise (BBE) group. The FBE and the BBE were performed three times a week for four weeks. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume at one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and vital capacity (VC) were measured as pulmonary function. EMG was used to measure the activity of the rectus abdominis. In the FBE and BBE groups, FEV1 was significantly lower in non-smokers compared to smokers at two and four weeks (p<.05), FEV1/FVC, PEF and VC were significantly lower in non-smokers compared to smokers to pre-test, two weeks, four weeks and six weeks (p<.05). Muscle activity of rectus abdominis was significantly difference in the BBE group at pre-test, two weeks, four weeks, and six weeks (p<.05). These results suggest that respiratory exercise was effective in improving pulmonary function and rectus muscle activity.

Background: The functioning of the serratus anterior (SA) muscle is essential to normal scapulohumeral rhythm during forward flexion (FF) of the shoulder. Also, SA weakness and overuse of the upper trapezius (UT) is observed in patients with shoulder dysfunction and trapezius myalgia. We designed a combination exercise involving FF and scapular protraction with resistance (CFFSP) to activate the SA muscle and to deactivate the UT muscle. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not CFFSP would be more effective in activating the SA muscle than FF alone and FF with scapular protraction (FFP). Methods: Nineteen subjects (12 men and 7 women) participated in this study and performed FF, FFP, and CFFSP at 120°. Surface electromyography was applied to the SA, UT, and pectoralis major (PM) muscles, as was one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures. Statistical significance was set at .05. Bonferroni adjustment was used to counteract the problem of multiple comparisons, with a statistical level of significance of .017 (.05/3). Results: A statistically significant difference was found in relation to the three positions for the SA muscle (p<.001) and the SA/UT ratio (p=.005) using ANOVA. Significantly different results, depending on the position, were also demonstrated using the Bonferroni post-hoc test for the SA muscle (FF=28.27±16.20, FFP=45.66±15.81, and CFFSP=62.4±27.21) and for the SA/UT ratio (FF=3.04±2.14, FFP=3.61±2.38, and CFFSP=5.95±3.01). Significant differences between the three positions was not found regarding the average amplitude of SA/PM muscle ratio (SA/PM: p=.060). Conclusion: We recommend the use of CFFSP to strengthen the SA muscle at 120°.

Background: Many previous studies recommended the side-lying hip abduction (SHA) exercise for targeting the gluteus medius (Gmed) and gluteus maximus (Gmax) muscle activity while the decreasing tensor fasciae latae (TFL) activation. Mischoice of hip position and angle in SHA may increase the risk of lower extremity injuries and undesirable muscle activation. However, information is limited on the effect of composite hip flexion angles and hip rotation on the gluteal muscle activity during SHA. Objects: This study aimed to compare muscle activity (Gmed, TFL, and Gmax) and activity ratios (Gmed/TFL, Gmax/TFL, and Gmed/Gmax) using surface electromyography (EMG) during SHA exercise at three different hip flexion angles either with or without internal rotation (IR) in subjects with Gmed weakness. We hypothesized that applying hip flexion and IR during SHA would increase gluteal muscle activity and decrease TFL activity. Methods: Muscle activity and activity ratios in 20 volunteers with Gmed weakness during 6 different SHA were investigated with surface EMG. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to determine the statistical significance. Results: Significant differences were found among the six different exercises for Gmed (F2,41=11.817, p<.001) and Gmax (F3,52=5.513, p=.003) muscle activity, and Gmed/TFL (F3,54=8.735, p<.001) and Gmax/TFL (F2,37=4.019, p=.028) activity ratios. Conclusion: Applying hip flexion is an effective method for increasing gluteal activity, and it elicits great Gmed/TFL and Gmax/TFL activity ratios during SHA in subjects with Gmed weakness.

Background: For the treatment of forward head posture (FHP) and forward shoulder posture, methods for strengthening scapular retractors and deep cervical flexors and stretching pectoralis and upper cervical extensors are generally used. No study has yet assessed whether suboccipital release (SR) followed by cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) (SR-CCFE) will result in a positive change in the shoulders and neck, showing a “downstream” effect. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of SR-CCFE on craniovertebral angle (CVA), shoulder abduction range of motion (ROM), shoulder pain, and muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction in subjects with FHP. Methods: In total, 19 subjects (7 males, 12 females) with FHP were recruited. The subject performed the fifth phase of CCFE immediately after receiving SR. CVA, shoulder abduction ROM, shoulder pain, muscle activities of UT, LT, and SA, and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction were measured immediately after SR-CCFE. A paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the significance of differences in scores between pre- and post-intervention in the same group. Results: The CVA (p<.001) and shoulder abduction ROM (p<.001) were increased significantly postversus pre-intervention. Shoulder pain was decreased significantly (p<.001), and LT (p<.05) and SA (p<.05) muscle activities were increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention. The LT/UT muscle activity ratio was increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention (p<.05). However, there was no significant change in UT muscle activity and SA/UT muscle activity ratio between pre- and post-intervention (p˃.05). Conclusion: SR-CCFE was an effective intervention to improve FHP and induce downstream effect from the neck to the trunk and shoulders in subjects with FHP.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vibration on Golgi tendon organ(GTO) and Hold-Relax of PNF in muscular activity and gait factors on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness(DOMS). This study was conducted on 20 subjects. they were divided into two groups; Hold-Relax of PNF(n=10), Vibration on GTO(n=10). Both of the group was performed interventions 1 times a day for 3 days. The data was analyzed by the repeated-ANOVA for comparing before, after 24h and after 48h changes of factors in each group and the Independent t-test for comparing the between groups. The results are as follows. There was statistically significant difference of before, after 24h and after 48h vibration on GTO group and Hold-Relax of PNF group in muscular activity and gait factors on DOMS.(p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference of between vibration on GTO group, but there was statistically significant difference Hold-Relax of PNF group in EMG, step width, step length, stride length(p>0.05). As a results of this study, Hold-Relax of PNF group are effective in improving muscular activity and gait factors

The purpose of this study is to provide fundamental clinical data for the treatment plan and rehabilitation of patients with cervical hypolordosis by comparing the cervical headache and muscle activity after cervical stretching exercise and cervical traction, which are generally applied to patients with cervical hypolordosis. The research subjects included 20 patients without gender division who were diagnosed with cervical hypolordosis. After applying cervical stretching exercise and cervical traction for six weeks, cervical headache and the activity of the muscles around the cervical vertebra(upper trapezius muscle, sternocleidomastoid muscle, splenius capitis muscle, and anterior temporal muscle) were investigated and the following results were obtained. In a comparison of the within group intervention effects of the two groups, cervical pain statistically significantly decreased in the cervical stretching exercise group. According to the results of analyzing the change of muscle tension in the upper trapezius muscle, both the cervical traction group and showed a statistically significant within group difference in the left and right side. According to the results of analyzing the change in the muscle tension of the splenius capitis muscle, both groups showed a statistically significant within group difference in the left and right side. In a betweengroup comparison, a statistically significant difference in the right side was observed. These results confirm that cervical vertebra traction and cervical stretching exercise decrease the cervical headache and muscle activity of the upper trapezius muscle and the splenius capitis muscle among patients with cervical hypolordosis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamic balance and activity of internal oblique muscle, multifidus muscle, gluteus maximus muscle, biceps femoris muscle during the Y balance test following the wearing of pelvic compression belt. Forty healthy adults were recruited for this test. The dynamic balance score was estimated as the following: (anterior+posteromdial+posterolateral)/(3×leg length)×100. The electromyography signals were measured through %reference voluntary contraction, which was normalized by reference voluntary contraction of Y balance test without wearing the pelvic compression belt. The paired t-test was carried out to compare the dynamic balance score and the activity of the trunk and hip extensor with and without the wearing of pelvic compression belt. The dynamic balance score of the Y balance test when wearing pelvic compression belt was significantly than when measured without wearing the pelvic compression belt (p<.05). The muscle activity of the internal oblique and the multifidus was significantly decreased when wearing pelvic compression belt (p<.05). The muscle activity of the gluteus maximus was significantly increased when wearing pelvic compression belt (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in hamstring muscle activity, with or without wearing the belt (p>.05). In conclusion, this study shows that the wearing of pelvic compression belt affects trunk muscle and hip extensor muscle activity related to the pelvic mobility and stability and increases dynamic balance and also contributes to the stabilization of the external pelvic stabilization.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hip external rotation angle on pelvis and lower limb muscle activity during prone hip extension. Sixteen healthy men were recruited for this study. Each subject performed an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) in a prone position, and extended the dominant hip at three different hip external rotation angles (0°, 20°, 40°) with a 30° hip joint abduction. Activity of the gluteus maximus (G Max), gluteus medius (G Med), and hamstring (HAM) and the G Max/HAM and G Med/HAM ratios were determined with surface electromyography (EMG). The EMG signal was normalized to 100% maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVICs) and expressed as %MVIC. Data were analyzed by one-way repeated analysis of variance (alpha level=.05) and the Bonferroni post hoc test. Significant differences in G Max and G Med muscle activity were noted among the three different hip external rotation angles. G Max muscle activity increased significantly at both 40° (p=.006) and 20° (p=.010) compared to a 0° hip external rotation angle. G Med muscle activity increased significantly at 20° (p=.013) compared to a 40° hip external rotation angle. The G Max/HAM activity ratio increased significantly at both 40° (p=.004) and 20° (p=.014) compared to a 0° hip external rotation angle. The G Med/HAM activity ratio increased significantly at 20° (p=.013) compared to a 40° hip external rotation angle. In conclusion, 40° and 20° hip external rotation angles are recommended to increase G Max activity, and 20° hip external rotation is advocated to enhance G Med muscle activity during prone hip extension with ADIM and 30° hip abduction in healthy subjects.

The aim of this study was to compare the activity of the upper trapezius (UT) and serratus anterior (SA) and ratio of UT to SA during shoulder elevations. Ten subjects with UT pain (UTP) and 13 subjects without UTP participated in this study. Subjects with a UTP of over five in a pain intensity visual analogue scale (0-10 ㎝) for more than 2 months and latent myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) in the UT muscle were included in the UTP group. Electromyography (EMG) data of UT and SA at 1st and 10th elevations were analyzed. Two-way repeated analyses of variance were used to compare the EMG activity of UT and SA and the ratio of UT to SA during shoulder elevations between groups with and without UTP. There was a significant increase in UT/SA ratio in the group with UTP compared to the group without UTP (p=.01). The activity of UT and SA measured at the 10th elevation was significantly greater than that in the first elevation (p<.05). The activity of SA was significantly greater in the group without UTP than the group with UTP (p=.03). However, there was no significant difference between groups with and without UTP in terms of UT activity (p=.28). These results indicate that UTP may have relevance to the increased muscle activity ratio of UT to SA during shoulder elevations.

Cross knee curl-up is an ideal variation of abdominal curl up exercise to strengthen abdominal musculature without excessive lumbar flexion which can increase the loads on the disc and ligaments. In addition, slowly forced expiration can facilitate the activation of the abdominal musculature. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of slowly forced expiration on activity of abdominal muscles, such as rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), while cross knee curl-up. Eleven young and healthy subjects (6 males and 5 females) participated. All subjects performed the cross knee curl-up slowly forced expiration and natural breathing. Paired t-test was performed in normalized electromyogram (EMG) muscle activity of the bilateral RA, EO, and TrA/IO to compare the differences between the cross curl-up with slowly forced expiration and natural breathing. Statistical significance was set at .05. There were no significant differences in normalized EMG muscle activity of the bilateral RA, EO, and TrA/IO between the cross curl-up with slowly forced expiration and natural breathing. The finding of this study designates that slowly forced expiration does not induce increasing activity of abdominal muscle in cross knee curl-up; hence, learning step of breathing control might not be necessary to strengthen abdominal muscle in cross knee curl-up.

This study analyzes how different knee flexion angles affect the abdominal and pelvic muscle activity during supine bridging. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the study. We used surface electromyography (EMG) to measure how three different knee flexion angles (100°, 70°, and 40°) affected the activity of the transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), external oblique (EO), biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles on the dominant side during supine bridging. The one-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance of TrA/IO, EO, BF, RF and GM muscle activity and the GM/BF activity ratio. For the TrA/IO, EO, BF, and GM muscles, supine bridging with different knee flexion angles resulted in significant differences in abdominal and pelvic muscle activity. For the TrA/IO muscles, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased at 40° compared to 70°; however, there were no significant differences between 100° and 70° or 100° and 40°. For the EO muscle, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased at 40° compared to 100° and 70°; no significant difference was observed between angles 100° and 70°. For the BF muscle, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased according to the knee flexion angle (40°>70°>100°). For the GM muscle, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased according to the knee flexion angle (100°>70°>40°). However, for the RF muscle, there was no significant difference. Additionally, the GM/BF activity ratio significantly increased according to the knee flexion angle (100°>70°>40°). From these results, we can conclude that bridging with a knee flexion of 100° can strengthen the GM muscle, whereas bridging with a knee flexion of 40° is recommended to strengthen the IO, EO, and BF muscles. We can also conclude that knee flexion angles should be modified during supine bridging to increase the muscle activity of different target muscles.

The purpose of this study is to identify the bridge exercise posture for the efficient exercise by comparing the muscle activity of the lower limbs according to the changes in muscle length because of knee angle in bridge exercise. The subjects of this study were 9 randomly selected males in their 20s living in D city from those who satisfied inclusion criteria. The measured muscles were Vastus medialis oblique, Vastus lateralis, Semitendinosus, Biceps femoris, Gluteus maximus, Gluteus medius, Tensor faciae latae, and Adductor longus. Data were analyzed through paired comparison test. In the result, ST, BF, and TFL muscle activities were high when knee joint flexion angle was 90°Although in most cases higher muscle activity was shown at 90°than 60°there was no statistical significance. Interestingly, it was lower at 90°than 60°in VL. In ST, BF, and TFL, it was significantly higher at 90°han 60°(p<.05). Conclusively, knee angles in bridge exercise may affect the muscle activity, and in particular when the activity of two joint muscles such as semimenbranosus muscle, biceps femoris muscle, and tensor fasciae latae muscle increase as the angle gets higher. Therefore, it is considered that this study will provide helpful tips to develop muscular strength enforcement program for the patients with damages in the lower limbs through bridge exercise in clinical situations.

The fact that flip-flops, one of many different types of unstable shoes, are light and relatively easy to put on, accounts for their popularity among people. But because flip-flops rely heavily on the support of a single thong between your first and second toes, they impose a huge amount of pressure onto lower leg. Thus in the following experiment we tried to examine the different effects of flip-flops and running shoes in terms of their effect on muscle activity and fatigue of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius during walking. In order to measure an electromyogram we used Free EMG system. 10 men and 10 women in running shoes ran on treadmills for 15 minutes at 4.8km/h, 2 days later the same experiment was carried out, but this time, in flip-flops. p value turned out to be greater than .05 and thus there was no considerable difference between the effects of flip-flops and running shoes on muscle activity and fatigue during walking. Therefore we conclude that despite the fact that flip-flops are considered unstable, their effects on muscle activity and fatigue of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius are negligible.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of feedback breathing exercise on respiratory muscle activity. Thirty stroke patients were randomly and equally assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received rehabilitation exercise treatment for 30 minutes and feedback respiratory exercise for 30 minutes and the control group received rehabilitation exercise treatment for 30 minutes and conducted motomed exercise for 30 minutes. All of them conducted exercises five times per week for four weeks. Respiratory muscles including the upper trapezius(UT), longissimus dorsi(LD), rectus abdominis(RA), external abdominal oblique(EAO) and, internal abdominal oblique(IAO) were measured using MP 150WSW prior to and after the experiment. Regarding pulmonary functions prior to and after the experiment, the experimental group showed significant differences in all sections but the control group did not show significant differences in any sections. As for in-between group differences after the experiment, there were significant differences in the UT, LD, RA, and IAO but no significant differences in the EAO. In conclusion, respiratory muscle activity was more effective for the experimental group than the control group. It is considered that feedback respiratory exercise may induce improvement in respiratory muscles in stroke patients through feedback breathing exercise.

목적 : 본 연구는 뇌졸중으로 인한 편마비 환자들을 대상으로 앉은 자세에서 지지면의 안정성 변화가 상지기능 수준과 체간근육의 활성도에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : D광역시 ○○재활병원에 내원중인 편마비 환자 15명(남 9명, 여 6명)을 대상으로 앉은 자세에서 양발지지, 손상측지지와 비손상측지지를 사용하여 지지면의 안정성 변화를 중재하였다. 상지기능 수준은 Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled (KEPAD) 다차원 상지기능 작업표본검사로 측정하였고 체간근육의 활성도는 표면근전도를 사용하여 측정하였다. 결과 : 앉은 자세에서 세 가지 지지방법 간에 상지기능 수준을 비교한 결과 양발지지가 손상측지지에 비해 상지기능에 유의한 차이를 보였으나 비손상측으로 지면을 지지한 경우와 비교에서는 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 체간근육의 활성도를 비교한 결과에서는 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결론 : 본 연구를 통해 임상에서 편마비 환자에게 앉은 자세로 작업수행을 할 경우 양발로 지면을 지지하는 것이 상지기능 수준에 긍정적인 영향을 미친다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 작업치료사는 환자에게 양발로 지면을 지지하도록하여 자세 안정성을 극대화시킨다면 기능적인 상지의 움직임을 촉진시킬 수 있을 것이다.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the grip strength by the girth of upper arm and forearm and their muscle activities by duration of grip strength. The subjects were consisted of 20 healthy adults(10 males & 10 females) who had no medical history of neurological and surgical problems with their arms. Girth of upper arm/ forearm and maximum grip strength for 4sec and 30sec were measured. Muscle activity was by wireless electrode EMG system. Co-relation of girth of upper arm/ forearm was significantly high. Upper arm's muscle activity performed for 4sec and 30sec was significantly high. In this study. It suggests that training of upper arm should be performed with the training of grip strength because both of upper arm and forearm affected grip strength.