The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation and characteristics between electromyographic (EMG) activities of lower leg muscles and the posturographic assessment of static balance control in normal adults. Twenty-four young, healthy adults(12 males, 12 females) participated in the study. Center of pressure (COP) parameters were obtained using force platform as total path distance, total sway area, X mean frequency and Y mean frequency for 20 seconds in the following conditions: (1) comfortable standing with eyes opened or closed, (2) uncomfortable standing (feet together) with eyes opened or closed, (3) virtual moving surround delivered using Head mount display (HMD) with four different moving patterns. The virtual moving patterns consisted of close-far, superior-inferior tilting (pitch), right-left tilting (roll), and horizontal rotation (yaw) movements. Surface electromyographic activites were recorded on the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus, medial and lateral heads of gastrocnemius muscles under each condition. Correlation between the posturographic measures and EMG activities were evaluated. Total path distance and total sway area of COP were significantly increased during uncomfortable standing. EMG activity of tibialis anterior was significantly more during uncomfortable standing and virtual moving surround stimulation than during comfortable standing. Total path distance and sway area of COP during comfortable standing with closed eyes showed significant positive correlation with the EMG activities of the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle. Total path distances and total sway area of COP during muscle. Total path distances and total sway area of COP during presentation of virtual moving surround also had significant positive correlations with EMG activities of the lateral head of gastrocnemius muscle under close-far movement.

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 ( externally rotated, internally rotated, neutral, plantarflexed, and 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.

The purpose of this article was to provide basic knowledge and treatment principles of patient with lymphedema, which was usually not treated at all, or the treatment given didn't work efficiently. Lmphedema is defined as an abnormal accumulation of protein-rich fluid, edema, and chronic inflammation within an extremity. Lmphedema may be classified as either primary results from defects with aplasia, hypoplasia, and hyperplasia in the lymphatic system at birth or secondary is caused by known precipitating factors such as cancer, infection, inflammation, radiation, surgery, or trauma etc. There are essentially several conservative treatment methods which has been utilized successfully to treat lymphedema in Samsung Medical Center. We used following procedures: CPT (Complex Physical therapy) or CDP (Complex Decongesitive Physical therapy) such as skin care, MLD (Manual Lymph Drainage), compression with short-stretch bandage, exercise, elevation, elastic stocking, and pneumatic compression. Our experiences shows that conservative treatments can significantly reduce lymphedema and prevent different complications.