Background: Because a forward-leaning posture can cause increased back muscle activity and pain. Therefore, an innovative method to reduce back muscle activity and pain is required. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a head support on muscle activity and pain in a forward-leaning posture. Methods: A total of 14 male and 16 female students (average age, 21.65 ± 2.37 years; height, 166.15 ± 7.90 cm; and weight, 60.65 ± 9.00 kg) were recruited for the experiment. Two of them were excluded due to musculoskeletal disorders. The muscle activity and pain in the forward-leaning posture were assessed while participants washed dishes for 7 minutes with and without a head support. The condition of using a head support was randomly performed with a 5-minutes break. To confirm a lumbar flexion angle of 30° during the experiment, myoVIDEO was used, and surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity. Pain was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the data, with p < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector spinae muscle activities significantly decreased with the use of the head support, but there was no significant change in the gluteus maximus. There was a significant decrease in the VAS score for the lumbar erector spinae (p < 0.05), but there was no significant change in the VAS score for the cervical region. Conclusion: The use of a head support in a forward-leaning posture reduced cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector muscle activity and pain. Therefore, it could be recommended during working in a forward-leaning posture, such as during dishwashing, cooking, and working as a factory employee.

Background: Adults with forward head posture (FHP) often suffer from thoracic hyperkyphosis and thoracic dysfunction, and including reduction of the craniovertebral angle (CV angle) and tightening of the superficial neck muscles. In order to treat thoracic dysfunction, interventions aimed at improving thoracic mobility are necessary. Objectives: To examine the effects of maitland manual mobilization therapy on the thoracic spine in adults with FHP. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty adults with FHP who met the selection criteria were randomized to the thoracic multiple joint mobilization (TMJM; n=15) group and the thoracic general joint mobilization (TGJM; n=15) group. Joint mobilizations were performed for 23 minutes a day for 4 weeks continuously, two times per week. Outcome measures were ImageJ, BTS FREE EMG 1000, neck disability Index (NDI). Results: Although changes in the left sternocleidomastoid muscle activity and NDI scores over time between the two groups differed, other variables were noted only changes observed over time. Muscle activity in the right sternocleidomastoid increased again in the TGJM group post-intervention and 2 weeks after the end of the experiment, but changes in other variables were retained or improved, confirming the lasting effects of thoracic joint mobilization. Conclusion: Thoracic multiple joint mobilization may be recommended as a more effective intervention for adults with FHP.

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 robotassisted 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.

Background: Posterior shoulder tightness, which is a problem mainly seen in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome, disrupts the scapulohumeral rhythm between the humerus and scapulae. Objects: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of joint mobilization and stretching on shoulder muscle activity and internal rotation range of motion (ROM) of the glenohumeral joint in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. Methods: The research subjects included 22 in-patients with impingement syndrome with posterior shoulder tightness. They were randomly divided into two groups: one group (12 patients) was treated with joint mobilization and the other group (10 patients) was treated with stretching for the posterior shoulder tightness. Each treatment was performed five times a week for two weeks, and there were 15 sessions for each treatment. The ROM of the internal rotation and muscle activities of shoulder joint were evaluated pretest and posttest in each group. Electromyography data were collected from the upper, middle, and lower trapezius and serratus anterior during shoulder abduction of 90°, 120°, and 150°. Results: Both the joint mobilization and stretching groups showed significant decreases in muscle activity in the upper, middle, and lower trapezius on the posttest (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in serratus anterior at 150° (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference between group in post-hoc analysis (p > 0.025). The internal rotation ROM was significantly increased in the stretching group compared to that in the joint mobilization group (p < 0.025). Conclusion: This study found that both joint mobilization and stretching for posterior shoulder tightness were effective in muscle activity during arm abduction, also in order to increase internal rotation ROM of shoulder joint, stretching was effective in patients with impingement syndrome with posterior tightness.

Background: Whole body-electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is widely used for the rehabilitation and recovery of patients with various neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Objects: To objectively measure changes in lower extremity and abdominal muscles after sit-to-stand dynamic movement training using WB-EMS. Methods: A total of 46 healthy adults (23 experimental and 23 control subjects) performed sit-to-stand exercise; the experimental group with WB-EMS, and the control group without WB-EMS. The muscle activity of the lower extremity, and the muscle thickness of the lower extremity and abdominal muscles were measured before and after the intervention. Results: In terms of electromyographic activity, there was a significant interaction effect for the rectus femoris (RF) muscle (F=30.212, p=.000). With regards to ultrasonographic imaging, the muscle thickness of the RF muscle had a significant interaction effect at the muscle contraction ratio (F=8.071, p=.007). The deep abdominal muscles, such as the transverse abdominal (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) muscles, also showed significant interaction effects at the muscle contraction ratio (F=5.474, p=.024, F=24.151, p=.000, respectively) Conclusion: These findings suggest that WB-EMS may help to improve the muscular activity of the RF muscle, and the muscle thickness of the RF muscle and deep muscles such as the TrA and IO muscles.

Background: Obstacle training affects lower limb muscle activity, balance, reducing the risk of falls, and making gait more stable. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aquatic and ground obstacle training on balance and muscle activity in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: The study subjects included 30 patients with stroke, who were divided into aquatic (n1= 15) and ground (n2=15) groups. Groups underwent obstacle training three times per week, 30 min per session, for six weeks that went as follows: walking over sites with the paralyzed leg, stepping onto and down from a box step, and walking over obstacles with the non-paralyzed leg. Results: The experimental results were obtained by comparing muscle activity. Activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius were significantly increased in the aquatic group (p<.05). Activity of the biceps femoris and tibialis anterior were significantly increased in the ground group (p<.05); however, the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius were not significantly different. In the comparison of maximal distance regarding the limits of stability, it was significantly increased on the non-affected side, affected side, and anterior and posterior distance in the aquatic group (p<.05). It was significantly increased in the non-affected side and anterior and posterior distance the ground group (p<.05); however, maximal distance on the affected side distance was not significantly different. Conclusion: Gait training with aquatic and ground obstacles is effective for improving balance and gait ability of patients with stroke. However, it was more effective for the aquatic group than for the ground group.

Background: The serratus anterior is one of the most important muscle for maintaining good scapular alignment in the shoulder joint. The pectoralis major and upper trapezius may also compensate for weak serratus anterior muscles. The push-up plus exercise has been identified as the optimal exercise for maximum activation of the serratus anterior. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in surface electromyography (EMG) activity of upper trapezius, pectoralis major, and serratus anterior muscles during push-up plus exercises on variously angled surfaces in subjects with winged scapula. Methods: Sixteen subjects with winged scapula (male=5, female=11) volunteered for this study. The subjects performed push-up plus exercise on four different tilt angles, namely 0˚, 30˚, 60˚, and 90˚. EMG activities in the serratus anterior, upper trapezius, and pectoralis major muscles during performance of push-up plus exercise were measured in all subjects. Data were processed from repeated measures one-way analysis of variance. Results: There was significant difference in the muscle activity of the serratus anterior on the different surface angles (p＜.05). The results of the post-hoc analysis showed significantly greater serratus anterior muscle activity on a surface at a 0˚ angle than at others tilt angles (p＜.05). There was also significant difference in the ratio of serratus anterior to upper trapezius and serratus anterior to pectoralis major across the four surfaces (p＜.05), and post-hoc analysis showed significantly greater values on the 0˚ surface than on other tilts (p＜.05). Conclusion: This study found that performing push-up plus exercises on a flat surface with 0˚ and 30˚ tilt angle achieves high activation of the serratus anterior muscle for selective strengthening. It can also take into account the sequential application, which is first performed at a 30˚ and at a 0˚ tilt angle for and effective but not excessive muscle activation.

Background: Although there are interventions available for the improvement of arm functions of patients with stroke, measuring changes in global synkinesis (GS) according to changes in the muscle activity of paretic and nonparetic side muscles is an important factor and studies to investigate such potential factors are evaluated necessary. Objective: To examine the correlation between the affected arm muscle activity and GS changes in patients with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: In order to measure muscle activities of 30 stroke patients, anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii and triceps brachii of the affected arms were measured using surface electromyography (EMG) and for analyzing GS, biceps brachii and triceps brachi of the affected arms were measured using the same instrument. Results: When the correlations between the muscle activity and GS of the affected arm were analyzed, the results showed significant correlations between the posterior deltoid and the triceps brachii(p < .01) and between the triceps brachii and GS(p < .05). Conclusion: : The results of this study suggest that the efficient movements of the affected arms of stroke patients, it is possible to increase extensor activity by improving smooth antagonism of the arm.

Background: In previous studies, changes in postural alignment were found when the slope was changed during walking. Downhill walking straightens the trunk by shifting the line of gravity backward. Objects: This study investigated the effect of the downhill treadmill walking exercise (DTWE) on thoracic angle and thoracic erector spinae (TES) activation in subjects with thoracic kyphosis. Methods: A total of 20 subjects with thoracic kyphosis were recruited for this study. All the subjects performed the DTWE for 30 minutes. A surface EMG and 3D motion capture system were used to measure TES activation and thoracic angle before and after the DTWE. Paired t-tests were used to confirm the effect of the DTWE (p<.05). Results: Both the thoracic angle and TES activation had significantly increased after the DTWE compared to the baseline (p<.05). An increase in the thoracic angle indicates a decrease in kyphosis. Conclusion: The DTWE is effective for thoracic kyphosis patients as it decreases their kyphotic posture and increases the TES activation. Future longitudinal studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of the DTWE.

Background: Uncontrolled lumbopelvic movement leads to asymmetric symptoms and causes pain in the lumbar and pelvic regions. So many patients have uncontrolled lumbopelvic movement. Passive support devices are used for unstable lumbopelvic patient. So, we need to understand that influence of passive support on lumbopelvic stability. It is important to examine that using the pelvic belt on abdominal muscle activity, pelvic rotation and pelvic tilt. Objects: This study observed abdominal muscle activity, pelvic rotation and tilt angles were compared during active straight leg raise (ASLR) with and without pelvic compression belt. Methods: Sixteen healthy women were participated in this study. ASRL with and without pelvic compression belt was performed for 5 sec, until their leg touched the target bar that was set 20 ㎝ above the base. Surface electromyography was recorded from rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique abdominis (IO), and external oblique abdominis (EO) bilaterally. And pelvic rotation and tilt angles were measured by motion capture system. Results: There were significantly less activities of left EO (p=.042), right EO (p=.031), left IO (p=.039), right IO (p=.019), left RA (p=.044), and right RA (p=.042) and a greater right pelvic rotation angle (p=.008) and anterior pelvic tilt angle (p<.001) during ASLR with pelvic compression belt. Conclusion: These results showed that abdominal activity was reduced while the right pelvic rotation angle and anterior pelvic tilt angle were increased during ASLR with a pelvic compression belt. In other words, although pelvic compression belt could support abdominal muscle activity, it would be difficult to control pelvic movement. So pelvic belt would not be useful for controlled ASLR.

To examine the changes in pain, the severity of the neck disorder, craniovertebral angle, and muscle activity in young adults with forward head posture. 37 “N” University students in their 20s with forward head posture, including both male and female participants. Measurement of pain, NDI (neck disorder index) craniovertebral angle, and muscle activity were taken before and after the 6 week intervention period. The pain was measured using the visual analog scale. The severity of the neck disorder was measured using the NDI The craniovertebral angle was measured by taking a photo. The muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Neck posture correction exercises paired with proprioceptive training is the most effective intervention for reducing pain. Both neck posture correction exercises paired with Kinesio taping or proprioceptive training are effective interventions for addressing neck disability, craniocervical angle, and muscle activity. Neck posture correction exercises paired with Kinesio taping or proprioceptive training are more effective at addressing pain, neck disorder, craniocervical angle, and muscle activity than performing the neck posture correction exercises alone.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on muscle activity and balance on football players with chronic ankle instability. Eight subjects performed Biodex and sling exercises for four weeks and compared the muscle activity and balance ability of the uninjured and injured feet. Stable and unstable foot % MVIC did not change significantly after treatment in all muscles. The total balance ability was not significantly different between the two groups, however, increased only in the unstable side. The anterior/posterior balance ability also represented no significant difference between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. The medial/lateral balance ability was not significantly different between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. This study suggests that sling exercise contributes to improving % MVIC, total balance ability, anterior/ posterior balance ability, and medial/lateral balance ability of the unstable side.

본 연구의 목적은 플랫 벤치 프레스에서 하지를 지면에 지지한 자세와 하지를 벤치에 지지한 자세에서의 동작 수행 시 대흉근 및 척추기립근의 근 활성 분석을 통해 벤치 프레스 응용동작에 뒷받침 할 만 한 근거자료를 찾고, 운동수행에 관한 효율적인 기초자료를 제시하는데 있다. 대상자는 아마추어 보디빌더 4명, 헬스 트레이너 2명으로 선정하였다. 측정을 위해 연구대상들의 대흉근과 척추기립근에 표면전극을 부착하였다. 벤치 프레스에 대한 동작구간을 설정하고 하지를 지면에 지지한 동작과 하지를 벤치에 지지한 동작으로 나눠 피험자별 10RM으로 각각 1세트씩 실시하는 방식으로 진행하였다. 데이터는 SPSS 20.0을 통하여 분석하였으며 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 플랫 벤치 프레스 동작 시 하지의 지지 유형이 대흉근에는 영향을 미치지 않았지만, 척추기립근에서는 차이가 나타났다.

The objective of this study was to investigate the dynamic neural mobilization program on the changes in muscle activity and nerve conduction velocity (NVC) in stroke patients. The participants were sampled and randomly divided into experimental group I (n=12) who underwent arm neural mobilization and experimental group II (n=13) who underwent arm dynamic neural mobilization. As the pretest, peripheral NVC of the radial, median, and ulnar nerves were measured using the Viking Quest; the biceps brachii, brachioradialis, flexor carpi radialis, and extensor carpi radialis activities were measured with sEMG. Each intervention program consisted of 10 trials per set and three sets per session. The intervention programs were performed once daily for four weeks (four days/week). Posttest measurements were taken equally as the pretest measurements. Significant differences in peripheral NVC in all sections of the radial and median nerves and wristbelow elbow and below elbow-above elbow areas of the ulnar nerve, as well as in muscle activity of all muscles except the biceps brachii. These findings indicate that dynamic neural mobilization was effective in increasing peripheral NVC and altering the muscle activity.

Background: The craniocervical flexion (CCF) exercise is one of the effective exercise in correcting forward head posture (FHP). However, some people with FHP achieve CCF with compensatory movements, for example, low cervical flexion using superficial neck flexors such as the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. No study has yet investigated whether a dualpressure biofeedback unit (D-PBU) method to prevent low cervical flexion would be helpful in performing pure CCF movement. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the CCF using D-PBU method and the traditional CCF method on the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the longus colli muscle (LCM) and the activity of SCM muscle in subjects with FHP. Methods: Twentyfour FHP subjects (male: 16, female: 8) were recruited for this study. All subjects performed CCF using two different methods: The traditional CCF method and the CCF using D-PBU method. The CSA of the LCM was measured via ultrasound, and surface electromyography was used to measure SCM muscle activity. Results: The change in CSA of the LCM was significantly larger during the CCF using D-PBU method (1.28±.09) compared with the traditional CCF method (1.19±.08) (p<.05). The SCM muscle activity using the CCF using D-PBU method (2.01±1.97 %MVIC) was significantly lower than when using the traditional CCF method (2.79±2.32 %MVIC) (p<.05). Conclusion: The CCF using D-PBU method can be recommended for increasing LCM activation and decreasing SCM muscle activity during CCF movement in subjects with FHP.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heel off stairway walking exercise on the increase of muscle activity and balance activity of the ankle joint muscles in university students with functional ankle instability. The conservative treatment for the control group consisted of stairway walking (n=10) and the experimental group consisted of heel off stairway walking (n=11). The therapeutic intervention of the control and experimental groups was performed a total of 12 exercise sessions, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. To compare the two groups, the level of ankle disability was assessed by using the EMG, BT4 and Pedoscan in pre-treatment and post-treatment. Muscle activity increased in both the experimental groups and control groups in each group, however there was no significant difference between the groups. Balance ability did not show any significant difference. This study demonstrates that heel-off stairway walking is effective in significantly increasing muscle activity, however did not significantly improve balance ability.

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of shoulder stabilization exercises and stretching on shoulder height and muscle activity in young adults with rounded shoulder posture. The subjects were young adults with rounded shoulder posture, and divided into two groups: shoulder stabilization exercises and stretching exercises. The shoulder stabilization exercise group performed Thera band exercises and stretching exercises. The stretching exercise group performed stretching exercises. The groups performed the exercises for 40min, three times a week for four weeks. Shoulder height was measure by Vanier calipers and muscle activity was measured by electromyography. Shoulder height was significantly decreased in both groups after intervention, however there was no difference between groups. There was a significant difference in muscle activity between the two groups after the intervention, however there was no difference between the groups. This study suggests that shoulder stabilization exercise and stretching affect shoulder height and muscle activity.

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.