This study was designed to determine the effect of ankle taping and short period of walking on the treadmill on the range of motion (ROM) and proprioception at the ankle joint. Twenty healthy male subjects (mean age=24.2 yr) participated in this study. Goniometry and videotape replaying method were used to measure the ankle ROM. Passive sagittal and frontal plane motions were measured. The difference in degree between the stimulus point and the reproduced point was defined as an angular error. The measurements were performed at four different phases: pre-taping (PRT), post-taping immediately (POT), post-5 minute walking with taping (P5M), and post-10 minute walking with taping (P10M). The ankle of dominant limb was taped by a certified athletic trainer using a closed basket weave technique. Participants walked on the treadmill at 2.5 mph. The results showed that the mean of the sagittal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 53.0, 30.5, 36.2, and 40.2 degrees, respectively. The frontal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 33.6, 13.9, 15.7, and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The angular error at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 5.5, 1.6, 1.8, and 1.9 degrees, respectively. After 10 minutes of walking, the sagittal plane motion and frontal plane motion was increased by 9.7 and 4.7 degrees compared with POT, respectively. The proprioception was significantly improved after the application of ankle taping. Both the restriction of frontal plane motion and proprioception improvement at the ankle joint may contribute to ankle stability during walking.

In rehabilitation programs involving muscle re-education and endurance exercise, it is necessary to confirm when fatigue occurs. It is also necessary to quantify fatigue, to confirm whether the muscle has been exercised sufficiently. In general, as fatigue occurs, the force-generating ability of the muscle is reduced. If the median frequency (MDF) obtained from electromyogram (EMG) power spectrum is correlated highly with work, then the timing and degree of fatigue may be confirmed. This study examined the relationship between work and MDF obtained from the EMG power spectrum during repetitive isokinetic exercise. Surface EMG signals were collected from biceps brachii and vastus lateralis of 52 normal subjects (26 males, 26 females) at and while performing an isokinetic exercise. The exercise was finished at 25% of peak work. MDF data was obtained using a moving fast Fourier transformation (FFT), and random noise was removed using the inverse FFT, then a new MDF data was obtained from the main signal. There was a high correlation between work and MDF during repetitiv isokinetic exercise in the biceps brachii and vastus lateralis of males and the biceps brachii of females (r=.50~.77). However, there was a low correlation between work and MDF in the vastus lateralis of females (r=.06~.19).

The purposes of this study were to investigate the therapeutic effects of an early exercise program after mastectomy and to provide the early exercise program protocol for patients who had undergone mastectomy. The subjects were seventy women who were diagnosed with breast cancer. They were randomly as signed either to a experimental group (n=35) that received early postoperative exercise program or to a control group (n=35) that received only education by nurses. Data were obtained for each patient from goniometric measurements of shoulder flexion, abduction, external rotation, 10 elements of functional performance, and subjective pain evaluation using visual analogue scale (VAS). All variables were measured preoperatively, three days postoperatively, and one month postoperatively. Data were compared by groups using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test for parametric or non-parametric data, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups for all variables preoperatively and at three days postoperatively. But there were significant differences at one month postoperatively. The experimental group showed a statistically significant increases in shoulder flexion, abduction, and external rotation and in the pain VAS at one month postoperatively (p<.05). Also, at one month postoperatively, the experimental group had less difficulty with three elements of functional performance-doing up a 'back' zippered article of clothing, reaching the ipsilateral scapula, and contralateral scapula with the fingers on the operated side-than the control group (p<.05). The results of this study suggest that, after mastectomy, the early exercise program conducted by a well-trained physical therapist can make a significant contribution to the return of more normal shoulder function and activities of daily living and to an increased quality of life.

Although the availability of home care rehabilitation services have been greatly increased since community-based rehabilitation was introduced to Korea, there is still a dearth of studies investigating the performance level of ADL (activities of daily living) for the physically disabled in the rural areas. The purposes of this study were to investigate the ADL performance level of disabled persons living at home in the rural areas of Wonju city, Korea, using FIM (functional independence measure) and to identify the specific areas of the ADL to be trained or evaluated by physical therapists or occupational therapists. 298 disabled people were interviewed by 10 physical therapy students. Analysis of the interviews indicated: 1) Forty seven point seven percent of the respondents were elderly-disabled persons whose ages were 61 years old or above, and 69.5% of respondents has the history of chronic disability period of 5 years or more. 2) FIM score of bathing, and stairs climbing showed severe dependent trend 3) FIM scores of self-feeding, urination, defecation, and comprehension ability were mildly dependent. These results revealed that functional evaluation/treatment for discharging from hospitals to the rural areas should be emphasized on the specific ADL performance areas such as bathing, and stairs climbing.

The purposes of this study were to assess variation of body sway prior to and after submaximal treadmill exercise; to determine the time course of the effects of a fatiguing performed on a treadmill on body sway; and to compare position sense prior to and after exercise in order to assess any variance in proprioception caused by submaximal treadmill exercise. The subjects were twenty-four healthy men in their twenties. They stood barefoot on the Kinesthetic Ability Training Balance Platform to measure body sway. Control trials were performed with eyes alternately open and closed. In the eyes open condition, they were asked to look at a target placed at eye level 1 m in front them. A total of 10 trials, each lasting 20 seconds, were performed. After this series of trials, position sense was measured. Subjects then exercised on the treadmill until 85% of each person's maximal heart rate was reached. The first series of postural sway measurements began immediately after this exercise. The second identical series of postural sway trials was performed at approximately 10 minutes after exercise. The third series was performed approximately 20 minutes after exercise. This allowed approximately 5 minutes of rest between each experimental series. Position sense was measured at approximately 15 and 25 minutes after exercise. The results were as follows: 1) There was a significant increase in body sway after submaximal treadmill exercise compared to pre-exercise values under both visual conditions (p<.05). 2) After submaximal treadmill exercise, under the eyes open condition, the mean value of body sway was significantly increased after both the first and second series (p<.05). Under the eyes closed condition, the mean value of body sway increased significantly after the first series but decreased significantly after the third series (p<.05). 3) Position sense, measured repeatedly after submaximal treadmill exercise, did not change significantly with respect to pre-exercise values (p>.05). These results suggest that fatigue induced by submaximal treadmill exercise produced an increase in body sway in young healthy subjects with or without visual input, but the increase appeared to be lasting less than 15 minutes. No significant change in position sense suggested that proprioception was unaffected by submaximal treadmill exercise-induced fatigue.

The purpose of this study was to establish modified physiological cost index (PCI) for predicting energy consumption by heart rate (HR) at isokinetic ergometer exercise testing. The subjects were twenty-eight healthy men in their twenties. All of them performed upper and lower extremity isokinetic ergometer exercise tests which had six loads (400, 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900 kg-m/min) and five loads (400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 kg-m/min) respectively. The exercise sessions were finished when HR was in plateau. HR and oxygen consumption were determined during the final minute. Resting heart rate and oxygen consumption were used for calculating heart rate, oxygen consumption changes and modified PCI. Regression analysis established the relationship between each variable to work load, HR and oxygen consumption. The results were as follows: 1) In the lower extremity ergometer exercise test, oxygen consumption increased continuously as work load increased, but in the upper extremity ergometer test, oxygen consumption only increased until work load was 700 kg-m/min. 2) HR increased as work load increased in both exercise tests, but in the upper extremity ergometer test, HR decreased from the 700 kg-m/min. 3) The modified PCI increased as work load mcreased until the 700 kg-m/min point in the lower extremity ergometer test and until the 500 kg-m/min point in the upper extremity ergometer test when it started to decrease in both tests. 4) In the lower extremity ergometer exercise test, regression analysis established the relation as = -.0215HR - .2141 where is given in l/min and HR in beat/min ( = .2677, p = .000). ln the upper extremity ergometer exercise test. regression analysis established the relation as = -.0115HR + .2746 ( = .1308, p = .000). The results of this study were similar to previous studies but were different under high work load conditions. So modified PCI should be used with only low intensity work load testing. Subjects for upper extremity ergometer exercise testing should complete a prescribed training course prior to testing, and only low intensity work load should be used for safety considerations.

As in house care is develops and becomes part of the health care delivery system in Korea, it is necessary to quantify the viewpoints of in-patients and outpatients. The purposes of this study are to analyze the utilization of house visits by physical therapist and to investigate the viewpoint of in- and out-patients who had rehabilitation treatment at 3 general hospitals in Wonju, Korea. Two hundred and fifty-eight questionnaires were analyzed and the major findings are as follows: 1. Sixty-five point seven percentage of respondents showed their willingness to utilize house visits by physical therapist if an in house physical therapy program were established. 2. The questionnaire used a Likert-type scale to ask the respondents their viewpoints on in house physical therapy services. Most respondents showed a positive attitude, answering 'I agree'. The findings show that house visits by physical therapists should be introduced as an integral system for the delivery of health care in Korea.

Tape measurement for evaluating edema is frequently used by clinicians. The primary purpose of this study is to determine the intertester and intratester reliability of tape measurement carried out by two physical therapists on lower extremities. The intertester and intratester reliability of six anatomical landmarks measurements were determined in six healthy subjects. The measurements were taken in five sessions by each tester. The intraclass correlation coefficients (2,1) were between .87 and .99 for intertester reliability. Intratester reliability was .93 and .99 for A tester and .82 and .99 for B tester. The average range of variation was .13 to .54 in six landmarks. The reliability of six volume measurements was very high. These results support the use tape measurement as a reliable tool for measuring limb girth.

The purposes of this study were to research the current state of evaluation of children with delayed development and cerebral palsy and determine pediatric physical therapists' knowledge of assessment tools and their use. The subjects were 130 pediatric physical therapists (general hospitals, university-related hospitals, rehabilitation centers, etc.). Data was obtained from August 24, 1999 to October 18, 1999 by means of a survey questionnaire. The results were as follows: 1. The current state of pediatric physical therapist evaluation of children with delayed development and cerebral palsy. 1) Tools used to assess functional areas of children with cerebral palsy were: subjective description format-128 (47.1%); the GMFM-58 (21.3%); facility-generated tool-51 (18.8%); and DDST-15 (5.5%). 2) Tools used to assess developmentally delayed children were: subjective description format-121 (50.6%); the GMFM-43 (18.0%); facility-generated tool-41 (17.2%); and DDS T-14 (5.9%). 3) After their college or university study, therapists who had attended lectures on evaluation were 113 (86.9%); 13 (10.0%) therapists had not attended any lectures on evaluation 2. Test scores of physical therapists' professional knowledge of evaluation procedures: high (more than 36 points)-74 (56.9%); moderate (18~35 points)-39 (30.0%); and low (below 17 points)-none. 1) For therapists treating cerebral palsied children, 73 (65.2%) were in the high range, 39 (34.8%) were in the moderate range and none were in the low range. 2) For therapists treating children with delayed development, 71 (65.7%) were in the high range, 37 (34.3%) were in the moderate range and none were in the low range. Although the general degree of professional knowledge of evaluation was quite high, there was a lack of variety in the assessment tools used With a large number of therapists depending on subjective description. Possible reasons for the low rate of objective asses sment tool use: 1) Poor clinical environment: too many clients and lirnited treatment time. 2) Lack of any medical insurance fee category for specific assessment tools. 3) Lack of continuing education opportunities in pediatric evaluation skills during or after either college-based (3 year) or university-based (4 year) education programs. Based on the study results, provision of more extended educational opportunities would promote the use of a greater variety of objective assessment tools by pediatric physical therapists.

이 연구에서는 24마리의 Japanese White 토끼를 대상으로 양쪽 비골을 인위적으로 골절시킨 후 초음파치료가 골절의 치유에 효과가 있는지를 알아보았다. 초음파 치료 후 대조군의 비골과 실험군의 비골에서의 골소주 비율은 차이가 없었으며 초음파 주파수를 0.875 MHz로 하였을 때와 3 MHz로 하였을 때의 골소주 비율도 차이가 없었다. 따라서 초음파 치료는 토끼의 비골 골절의 치유 효과가 없었다. 그러나 다양한 주파수와 초음파 전달양식을 변화시켰

It was recently reported that exercise-induced fatigue is related to joint position sense although some controversy remains. The purposes of this study were to examine the effect on the accuracy of reproducing the knee angles after a fatiguing isokinetic quadriceps exercise at four different levels (10%, 30%, 50%, and 70% of maximal force) and to find the optimal exercise level without causing knee joint proprioception impairment. Forty healthy women, ages 19 to 27, were randomly assigned to four experimental groups. Before and after the exercise, accuracy of positioning with respect to auditory feedback for specific angles was estimated by calculating the mean errors between specific angles and reproduction angles. Fatigue was measured by EMG signals displayed by a frequency spectrum analysis during the quadriceps exercise. Results showed that there was no significant difference in accuracy of the knee joint positioning sense following the exercises in group 1, group 2, and group 3 (10%, 30%, and 50% of maximal force, respectively); the exception being group 4 (70%). Fatigue level was significantly increased in group 4 but there were no significant increases of fatigue level in group 1, group 2, or group 3. The results concluded that the optimal exercise level to acquire the therapeutic exercise effectiveness without position sense impairment was at 50% of maximal force. Further studies using large sample size and patient groups with poor knee joint proprioception would be needed to confirm this conclusion and to clarify the possibility of clinical applications.

The purpose of this study was to assess the fatigue in lumbar and abdominal muscles in patients with chronic low back pain compared with normal subjects using spectral analysis with mean power frequency and median power frequency. The experimental group consisted of twenty subjects who had experienced chronic low back pain for over one year after the onset day. A control group consisted of twenty normal subjects with no history of low back pain. All subjects stood in an apparatus to perform sustained contraction in the lumbar and abdominal muscles for 30 seconds with 60% maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The resulting electromyographic (EMG) recorded time serial data were transformed into frequency serial data by Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The results were as follows: 1) lumbar muscles measured, the frequency change ratio of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly greater for experimental group compared with control group group (p<0.05). In measured two abdominal muscles (inferior rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis) except superior rectus abdominis, the frequency change ratio of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly greater for experimental group compared with control group (p<0.05). 2) In all three (longissimus thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, multifidus) lumbar muscles measured, the initial frequency value of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly lower for the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). In the two (inferior rectus abdominis, obliquus externus abdominis) abdominal muscles measured (superior rectus abdominis not included), the initial frequency value of both median power frequency and mean power frequency was significantly lower for the experimental group compared with the control group (p<0.05). These results suggest that in patients with chronic low back pain there is a trend for more fatigue to occur in both lumbar and abdominal muscles than in the normal control group. This would seem to suggest that in treatment programs for patients with chronic low back pain, improvement of endurance in all trunk muscles should be considered.

The Posterior Leaf Spring (PLS) has been used for hemiplegic patients in order to help their walking and to increase their balance function. Past studies have mainly focused on the PLS's influence on patients' walking without taking balance function into consideration. The purpose of this study was to identify the immediate effect of PLS on the standing balance in hemiplegic patients. Fifteen hemiplegic patients participated in this study: 10 men and 5 women, with an average age of 53.8 years. Standing balance was measured using a computerized dynamic posturography device under three conditions namely bare-foot standing, standing in shoes without PLS, and standing in shoes with PLS. The results were as follows: 1) The composite equilibrium scores of patients who stood in shoes only and stood in shoes with PLS were higher than those of patients who stood bare-foot. 2) There were no statistical difference in the composite equilibrium scores between the standing condition of patients who stood bare foot and that of patients who stood in shoes with PLS. In conclusion, it is not clear whether or not the PLS affects the standing balance of hemiplegic patients. Further study is required to determine the precise effect of the PLS on standing balance in hemiplegic patients who are not wearing shoes. This is particularly relevant in Korea culture where custom demands the removal of shoes when entering any house or even many restaurants.

This study examined the rates of spinal abnormal curvature and the correlation of the Body Mass Index (BMI), Low Back Pain (LBP) and spinal curvature by measuring scoliosis, kyphosis, and lordosis in university students. The study population included 67 male, 92 female university students, making a total of 159, in Wonju City. Spinal curvature was measured by an electrogoniometer in a computerized skeletal analysis system. Lateral curvature of spine of more than 10 degrees was considered as nonspostural scoliosis. The correlation of BMI, LBP and the spinal curvature was analysed by Pearson's correlation coefficient and t-test. The following results were obtained: 1. The overall incidence and rate of scoliosis in cases with a greater than 10 degree curve in males was an incidence of 8 and a rate of 11%. In females the incidence was 36 and the rate 39.2%. 2. The overall incidence and rate of kyphosis of less than 20 degrees in males was a rate of 9 and an incidence of 11.9%. In females, the rate was 5 and the incidence 5.4%. In kyphosis cases of more than 40 degrees, the male rate was 5 and the incidence 7.7%. For female the rate was 13 and the incidence 14.2%. 3. The overall incidence and rate of lordosis with curves of less than 20 degrees was a rate of 6 for males and an incidence of 9.0%. For females, the rate was 5 and the incidence 5.4%. In cases of more than 50 degrees lordosis, the female rate was 2 and the incidence 2.2%. There were no males in this category. 4. There was a negative correlation between kyphosis and BMI. The greater the kyphotic curve, the less the BMI in males (p<0.05). There was no significant BMI difference by gender in either scoliosis or lordosis. There was, however, a significantly decreased sacral angle in the female group with LBP. The results of this study cannot be generalized to the general population because the subjects were all from one university. The measurements were quite reliable because the angles determined by the Metrocom System were highly correlated with radiologic findings. This study shows the need for a regular screening system for spinal curvatures in university health examination procedures.

Noninvasive low intensity ultrasound has been shown to be an effective means of accelerating bone fracture repair in both animal and clinical studies. The effects of ultrasound stimulation on bone repair after fibular osteotomy were assessed in a rabbit fibular fracture model. Bilateral closed fibular fractures were made in skeletally mature male White Japanese rabbits. In this study, 24 subjects were randomly divided into 2 groups: experimental group 1 (n=12), and experimental group 2 (n=12). Experimental group 1 received 0.875 MHz continuous ultrasound and Experimental group 2 was treated with 3 MHz continuous u1trasound. The ultrasound intensity was 50 and treatment time was 10 minutes for every session in both groups. In each rabbit, one fibula served as a control and the other was subjected to ultrasound treatment 5 times per week for 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, rabbits were sacrificed and the ratios of the area between the trabeculae and bone marrow of the fibulae were calculated. At the end of the experimental period, 14 of the 24 rabbits were excluded due to complications from surgery or inadequate fracture status for this study. There was no statistically significant difference in the trabeculae area between experimental leg and control leg in experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 (p>0.05). And there was also no statistic-statistically significant difference between experimental group 1 and experimental group 2 according to ultrasound treatment frequencies, 0.875 MHz and 3 MHz (p>0.05). These data suggest that in Japanese white rabbits, low intensity ultrasound stimulation does not facilitate fracture repair nor is there any difference in fracture repair results between ultrasound frequencies, 0.875 MHz and 3 MHz.

The purposes of this study were to ascertain differences of the sensory system, central processing system, effector system, and balance ability according to general characteristics (sex, fall experience, and age), and to identify the contributions of the sensory, central processing, and effector system to balance ability in 83 healthy elderly subjects. The subjects were elderly (over 60 years) who live in Wonju City. All subjects participated in six tests (position sense test, visual acuity, vestibular stepping test, Mini-Mental Status Exam-Korea, strength of dorsiflexors, and Berg Balance Test). Collected data were analyzed by the independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows: 1. The results of the six tests according to sex showed that vestibular function was significantly better in women than in men. But visual acuity, cognitive function, strength of dorsiflexors, and balance ability were significantly better in men than in women (p<0.05). 2. There were no significant differences in position sense, visual acuity, vestibular function, cognitive function, strength of dorsiflexors, and balance ability between fallers and non-fallers (p>0.05). 3. However, the results of the six tests according to age (group A: 60-69 years, group B: 70-79 years, group C: 80-89 years) showed significant differences in five tests. In the Scheff test, position sense, visual acuity, and cognitive function showed significantly different results between in group A and group C: the strength of the dorsiflexors was significantly different between in group A and group B, and balance ability was significantly different between in group A and group C, and between in group B and group C (p<0.05). 4. Cognitive function and position sense were positively associated with balance ability. Their power of explanation regarding balance ability was 38% (p<0.05). These results suggest that cognitive function and position sense play an important role in balance ability. This would seem to suggest that programs for evaluation or improvement of elderly's balance ability in the elderly should consider cognitive function and position sense.

The purposes of this study were to determine the effect of different degrees of severity of diabetic neuropathy on balance function, and to evaluate dynamic balance and functional performance in diabetes patients. Twenty-four subjects with diabetes mellitus were divided into three groups according to results of sensory nerve conduction study. All subjects were evaluated for dynamic balance which was measured using computerized dynamic posturography, and functional performance which was measured using the Berg balance scale. One-way analysis of variance was used to determine whether there were any statistically differences of dynamic balance function and functional performance among the three groups. The Spearrnan's rank correlation was used to determine statistical significance between dynamic balance and age. The results were as follows: 1. Dynamic balance measured using computerized dynamic posturography was significantly lower in the no response group than in the normal amplitude group (p<0.05). 2. Functional performance tested by the Berg balance scale was not statistically different among the three groups (p>0.05). 3. an inverse relationship was found between dynamic balance measured using computerized dynamic posturography and age (r=-0.68, p<0.05). These results suggest that patients with severe diabetic neuropathy have loss of dynamic balance function. Therefore, patients with severe diabetic neuropathy need to have their balance evaluated and receive appropriate education.

In motor learning, the relative frequency of external feedback is the proportion of external feedback presentations divided by the total number of practice trials. In earlier studies, increasing the percentage of body weight loading on the affected leg of hemiplegic patients, external feedback was continuously produced as the patient attempted to perform a movement. This feedback was produced to enhance the learning effect. However, recent studies in nondisabled populations have suggested that compared with 100% relative frequency conditions, practice with lower relative frequencies is more effective. My study compared the effect of 100% relative frequency conditions with 67% relative frequency conditions to determine what effect they exerted on motor learning for increasing the percentage of body weight loading on the affected lower limbs of patients with hemiplegia. Twenty-four hemiplegic patients were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups. Each group practiced weight transfer motor learning on a machine. During practice, visual feedback was offered to all subjects. The experiment was carried out with full visual feedback for patients in group one but only 67% visual feedback for patients in group two. The percentage of loading on the affected leg was recorded four times: before learning (baseline value), immediately after learning, 30 minutes after learning, 24 hours after learning. The results were as follows: 1. In the 100% visual feedback group, the percentage of loading on the affected leg increased significantly in all three testing modes over the baseline value. 2. In the 67% visual feedback group, the percentage of loading on the affected leg increased significantly in all three measurements. 3. Immediately after learning, the learning effect was not significantly different between the two groups, but was significantly greater after both the 30 minutes delay and the 24 hours period. These results suggest that the 33% reduction in the provision of visual feedback may enhance the learning effect of increasing the percentage of body weight loading on the affected leg in patients with hemiplegia.

Laser photobiostimulation (LPBS) is one of the recent additions to therapeutic procedures used in chronic pain management. Though widely used, a clear understanding of its mechanism of action was not disclosed. In addition, the energy density that produces maximal benefit has not yet been established. The purposes of this study were to determine the effects of LPBS on pain relief in rat and to determine treatment dosage. Eight, 8-week old female, Sprague-Dawley rats were employed. All subjects were assigned to one of four groups: a sham laser group, a 0.4 laser group, a 2.0 laser group, and a 6.0 laser group. Ga-As laser (904 nm wavelength) of three different energy densities (0.4, 2.0, 6.0 ) was applied on a tail acupuncture point and tail-flick latencies were measured five times pre-and post-treatment as following schedules: 30 minutes, 1 hour. 24 hours. 48 hours, and 7 days later. An increase in pain threshold was demonstrated following LPBS, employing rat tail-flick test. LPBS of 2.0 produced hypoalgesia of rapid onset and short duration (1 hour, 24 hours) while the response to 6.0 was delayed and lasted longer (48 hours, 7 days). LPBS of 0.4 did not produce any hypoalgesia.

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 () 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.