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Purpose@#In this study, subjects with femoral anterior glide type were examined to investigate the effects of femoral head anterior glide fixation during active straight leg raise on the strength of the hip flexor in a supine position. @*Methods@#Fifteen subjects participated in this study. All subjects were classified through an evaluation form for femoral anterior glide type (FAGT). The strength of the hip flexor was measured during active straight leg raise test (ASLR test), and compared with and without femoral anterior glide fixation in a supine position. The fixation of the femoral head was achieved as per the therapist’s manual guidelines. Paired t-test was applied to compare changes in the strength of the hip flexor according to fixation conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at α= 0.05. @*Results@#The strength of the hip flexor was lesser during the ASLR test with fixation compared to without fixation (p= 0.007). @*Conclusion@#The strength of the hip flexor decreases with fixation. Results of this study revealed a difference between hip flexor strength, with and without femoral anterior glide fixation during ASLR, in subjects with femoral anterior glide type.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of posterior oblique sling activation on the muscle activities of the gluteus maximus (GM), multifidus (MF), and biceps femoris (BF) during three different prone hip extension exercises in healthy male individuals. @*Methods@#Twenty healthy subjects participated in this study. An electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities of the GM, MF, and BF. Each subject was asked to perform three different prone hip extensions as follows: [1) Prone hip extension with knee flexion + hip abduction 30°; PHE1, 2) Prone hip extension with knee flexion + hip abduction 30° and shoulder abduction 125°; PHE2, 3) Prone hip extension with knee flexion + hip abduction 30° and shoulder abduction 125° with 1kg loading; PHE3, in random order. A oneway repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used to analyze the results. The statistical signifi-cance was set at α= 0.01. @*Results@#The muscle activity of the GM was significantly different between the three positions (Padj < 0.01). The muscle activity of the GM was significantly greater during PHE3 compared with PHE1 and PHE2 (Padj < 0.01). The BF muscle activity was significantly lower during PHE3 compared with PHE1 and PHE2 (Padj < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the muscle activity of the MF (Padj < 0.01). The ratio of the muscle activity (ratio= GM/BF) during PHE3 was significantly greater compared to PHE1 and PHE2 (Padj < 0.01). @*Conclusion@#The GM activity and GM/BF ratio during the PHE3 exercise were significantly greater compared to that during PHE1 and PHE2. Therefore, the PHE3 exercise could be recommended as a selectively effective GM activation exercise while decreasing the muscle activity of the BF.
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Purpose@#Ankle dorsiflexion is an essential element of normal functions, including walking, activities of daily living and sport activities.The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle functioned as a dorsiflexor and as a dynamic stabilizer of the ankle joint during walking and jumping.This study aimed to compare TA muscle thickness using ultrasonography according to the four different toe and ankle postures for the selective TA strengthening exercise. @*Methods@#This study were recruited 26 (males: 15, females: 11) aged 20-30 years, with no injury ankle and calf in the medical history, had normal dorsiflexion and inversion range of motion (ROM). The thickness of the TA muscle was measured by ultrasonography in the four different toe and ankle postures: 1. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe extension and ankle inversion (ITEDF); 2. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe flexion and ankle inversion (ITFDF); 3. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe extension and neutral position (NTEDF); 4. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe flexion and neutral position (NTFDF). One-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni correction were used to confirm the significant difference among conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.01. @*Results@#TA muscle thickness with ITFDF was significantly greater than in any other ankle positions, including ITEDF, NTFDF, and NTEDF (p < 0.01). @*Conclusion@#Among the four toe and ankle postures, isometric contraction in ITFDF postures showed the greatest increase in thickness of TA rather than ITEDF, NTEDF, and NTFDF postures. Based on these results, ITFDF can be recommended in an efficient way to selectively strengthen TA muscle.
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Purpose@#This study investigated the muscle activity of the lower trapezius (LT) during three different shoulder flexion exercises. @*Methods@#Twenty-three subjects between 20 and 25 years of age were enrolled. The subjects were asked to perform three different shoulder flexion exercises: 1) shoulder flexion in prone (SFP), 2) shoulder flexion in push-up with a swiss ball (SFPUS) and 3) shoulder flexion in a quadruped position with a swiss ball (SFQPS) in random order. The muscle activity of LT during each shoulder flexion exercise was measured by using surface electromyography. The muscle activity of LT was compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test among three different shoulder flexion exercises. The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.01. @*Results@#The muscle activity of LT was significantly different among three different shoulder flexion exercises (SFP, SFPUS, and SFQPS).The LT muscle activity with SFQPS exercise was greater than SFP and SFPUS exercises (p 0.01). @*Conclusion@#The LT muscle activity was greater during SFQPS than SFP and SFPUS. Therefore, SFQPS exercise can be recommended for selectively activation of LT muscle.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to investigate the exercise effect of two types of training with a recumbent cycle ergometer on ankle muscle strength (dorsiflexor strength, DFS; dorsiflexor strength/weight, DFS/kg; plantar flexor strength, PFS; and plantar flexor strength/weight, PFS/kg) in healthy male subjects. @*Methods@#Twenty-three healthy males (27.91 ± 8.66 yr) were randomly allocated into two groups (high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and aerobic exercise training (AET) after the first measurement. The subjects were trained for 24 sessions (40 min/rep, three times/week) and ankle strength was measured for a second time. Two-way mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify significant differences between changes in ankle muscle strength between before and after training (within factors) in the HIIT and AET groups (between factors). The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05. @*Results@#In both HIIT and AET groups, all variables of ankle muscle strength were significantly increased after training compared to before training (p = 0.001). However, there were no differences in all variables of ankle strength between the HIIT and AET group (p > 0.05). @*Conclusion@#Both types (HIIT and AET) of recumbent cycle exercise training could be effective training methods to increase ankle muscle strength in healthy individuals, and the HIIT type with high intensity and low frequency pedaling could be recommended more to strengthen ankle muscles.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to compare the influence of external scapular stabilization on the isometric strength of shoulder flexor muscle in subjects with and without scapular winging and conditions with and without external scapular stabilization. @*Methods@#A total of 30 subjects with and without scapular winging were enrolled. Two groups were classified using clinical and diagnostic tests to divide the groups with and without scapular winging (15 with scapular winging 15 without scapular winging). The isometric strength of the shoulder flexor was measured using a tensiometer. The isometric strength was evaluated in the sitting position with and without an external scapular stabilization. The external scapular stabilization was provided with the examiner’s hand to fix scapular winging during shoulder flexion. The changing value was calculated to determine the isometric strength difference between shoulder flexion with and without the external scapular stabilization in each group. The changing value between isometric strength of shoulder flexor with and without scapular winging was compared using the independent t-test. Statistical significance was set at 0.05. @*Results@#In the group with scapular winging, the shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position was greater with an external scapular stabilization than without an external scapular stabilization (p 0.05). @*Conclusion@#The external scapular stabilization in the individuals with scapular winging may increase shoulder flexor isometric strength in the sitting position.
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Purpose@#The purpose of the current study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of muscle thickness measurement of the TA using ultrasonography (US) conducted at different inward pressures of approximately 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, and no pressure control. @*Methods@#Twenty healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Two different examiners measured the thicknesses of the dominant TA of each subject randomly to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability. The measurement values were analyzed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and coefficient of variance. @*Results@#All intra-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9. Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9 with 0.5 and 1.0 kg of inward pressure. In contrast, Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed poor reliability (0.23) with no pressure control of inward pressure. @*Conclusion@#The findings showed that maintaining consistent inward pressure is essential for reliable results when the muscle thickness of the TA is measured by different examiners in a clinical setting.
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Purpose@#Biofeedback using various ways has helped correct the sitting posture. This study compared the multifidus muscle activity, pelvic and 2nd sacrum tilting angle during typing in nonspecific lower back pain (NCLBP) subjects with and without visual biofeedback. @*Methods@#Thirty subjects with NCLBP were enrolled in this study. An electromyography device was used to measure the multifidus muscle activity. An electromagnetic tracking motion device was used to measure the pelvic and 2nd sacrum tilting angle. The multifidus muscle activity, pelvic, and 2nd sacrum tilting angle were measured before and after typing for 30 minutes in the sitting position. An independent t-test was used to compare the changing values for 30 minutes between the group with and without visual biofeedback. @*Results@#The changing values of the multifidus muscle activity, pelvic, and 2nd sacrum tilting angle were significantly smaller in the group with visual biofeedback than the group without visual biofeedback (p<0.05). @*Conclusions@#In subjects with NCLBP, the visual biofeedback can be recommended to maintain the multifidus muscle activity, pelvic, and 2nd sacrum tilting angle during typing for 30 minutes.
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Purpose@#A hyperextended knee is described as knee pain associated with an impaired knee extensor mechanism. Additionally, a hyperextended knee may involve reduced position sense of the knee joint that decreases the individual’s ability to control end-range knee extension movement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of visual biofeedback information for plantar pressure distribution on knee joint angle and lower extremity muscle activities in participants with hyperextended knees. @*Methods@#Twenty-three participants with hyperextended knees were recruited for the study. Surface electromyography signals were recorded for the biceps femoris, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscle activities. The plantar pressure distribution was displayed and measured using a pressure distribution measuring plate. Knee joint angle kinematic parameters were recorded using a motion analysis system. The visual biofeedback condition was the point at which the difference between the forefoot and backfoot plantar foot pressure on the monitor was minimized. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine the significance between the visual biofeedback condition and the preferred condition. @*Results@#The knee joint angle was significantly decreased in the visual biofeedback condition compared to that in the preferred condition (p<0.05). The rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscle activities were significantly different between the visual biofeedback and preferred conditions (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#The results of this study showed that visual biofeedback of information about plantar pressure distribution is effective for correcting hyperextended knees.
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Purpose@#The purpose of the current study was to determine the intra- and inter-rater reliability of muscle thickness measurement of the TA using ultrasonography (US) conducted at different inward pressures of approximately 0.5 kg, 1.0 kg, and no pressure control. @*Methods@#Twenty healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Two different examiners measured the thicknesses of the dominant TA of each subject randomly to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability. The measurement values were analyzed using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) with a 95% confidence interval, standard error of measurement, minimal detectable change, and coefficient of variance. @*Results@#All intra-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9. Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed high reliability above 0.9 with 0.5 and 1.0 kg of inward pressure. In contrast, Inter-rater reliability ICC values showed poor reliability (0.23) with no pressure control of inward pressure. @*Conclusion@#The findings showed that maintaining consistent inward pressure is essential for reliable results when the muscle thickness of the TA is measured by different examiners in a clinical setting.
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Purpose@#Biofeedback using various ways has helped correct the sitting posture. This study compared the multifidus muscle activity, pelvic and 2nd sacrum tilting angle during typing in nonspecific lower back pain (NCLBP) subjects with and without visual biofeedback. @*Methods@#Thirty subjects with NCLBP were enrolled in this study. An electromyography device was used to measure the multifidus muscle activity. An electromagnetic tracking motion device was used to measure the pelvic and 2nd sacrum tilting angle. The multifidus muscle activity, pelvic, and 2nd sacrum tilting angle were measured before and after typing for 30 minutes in the sitting position. An independent t-test was used to compare the changing values for 30 minutes between the group with and without visual biofeedback. @*Results@#The changing values of the multifidus muscle activity, pelvic, and 2nd sacrum tilting angle were significantly smaller in the group with visual biofeedback than the group without visual biofeedback (p<0.05). @*Conclusions@#In subjects with NCLBP, the visual biofeedback can be recommended to maintain the multifidus muscle activity, pelvic, and 2nd sacrum tilting angle during typing for 30 minutes.
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Purpose@#A hyperextended knee is described as knee pain associated with an impaired knee extensor mechanism. Additionally, a hyperextended knee may involve reduced position sense of the knee joint that decreases the individual’s ability to control end-range knee extension movement. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of visual biofeedback information for plantar pressure distribution on knee joint angle and lower extremity muscle activities in participants with hyperextended knees. @*Methods@#Twenty-three participants with hyperextended knees were recruited for the study. Surface electromyography signals were recorded for the biceps femoris, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscle activities. The plantar pressure distribution was displayed and measured using a pressure distribution measuring plate. Knee joint angle kinematic parameters were recorded using a motion analysis system. The visual biofeedback condition was the point at which the difference between the forefoot and backfoot plantar foot pressure on the monitor was minimized. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine the significance between the visual biofeedback condition and the preferred condition. @*Results@#The knee joint angle was significantly decreased in the visual biofeedback condition compared to that in the preferred condition (p<0.05). The rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscle activities were significantly different between the visual biofeedback and preferred conditions (p<0.05). @*Conclusion@#The results of this study showed that visual biofeedback of information about plantar pressure distribution is effective for correcting hyperextended knees.
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Purpose@#This study compared the electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) and isometric dorsiflexor strength during dorsiflexion according to the toe postures in individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects with ankle dorsiflexor weakness participated in this study. The electromyographic activity of the TA and isometric dorsiflexor strength during dorsiflexion between with toe flexion, extension, and neutral postures were measured using an electromyography device and a hand-held dynamometer in individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness. One-way repeated measured analysis of variance, and a Bonferroni post hoc test was used. The level of statistical significance was set to α=0.01. @*Results@#The electromyographic activity of the TA was greater with toe flexion during dorsiflexion than with toe extension and neutral postures (p<0.01). The isometric dorsiflexor strength was smaller with toe flexion during dorsiflexion than with toe extension and neutral postures (p<0.01). @*Conclusions@#In individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness, the dorsiflexion with toe flexion can help improve the TA electromyographic activity. The toe posture during dorsiflexion for selective TA activation should be considered, especially in individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness.
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Purpose@#This study was performed to investigate the influence of the condition with and without external support on the strength of hip flexor in supine position in subjects without core stabilization. Hip flexor muscles are very functional in the hip joint structures. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the strength of hip flexor in a clinical and precise way. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects participated in this study. The double bent leg-lower test was used to evaluate subjects without core stabilization. The strength of hip flexor muscles was evaluated in supine position, both with and without external support condition. The paired t-test was used to compare the strength of hip flexor muscles according to external support. The level of statistical significance was at α=0.05. The intra-rater reliability of the repeated measures of hip flexor strength was estimated by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). @*Results@#In subjects without core stabilization, the strength of hip flexor in supine was greater with external support than that without external support (p<0.05). In addition, the intra-rater reliability with an ICC (3, 1) of the strength measurement of hip flexor with external support was higher than that without external support. @*Conclusion@#In subjects without core stabilization, the condition with external support can contribute to the strength of hip flexor in supine position and the strength measurement of hip flexor should be considered with the condition with and without external support.
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Purpose@#This study compared the muscle activities of the Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and the Vastus lateralis (VL) at three different knee extension angles: 90°, 135°, and 180° in the sitting position. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects between 20 and 30 years of age participated in the study. A mobile phone application called the Clinometer was used to measure the knee joint angle. Electromyography (EMG) was performed to measure the muscle activities of the VMO and VL muscles during knee isometric extension exercises. The pulling sensor was used to maintain 70% of the maximum strength of the knee extensor continuously in the sitting position. After attaching the EMG sensor, the subjects were asked to perform isometric knee extension exercises randomly among three knee extension angles (90°, 135°, or 180°) in the sitting position. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test was used to identify the VMO and VL muscle activity during knee extension angles among 90°, 135°, and 180°. @*Results@#The VMO and VL muscle activities increased with increasing knee extension angle in the sitting position (p<0.01). @*Conclusions@#Knee extension exercise at a 180° angle in the sitting position can be recommended to increase the muscle activity of the VMO and VL muscle activities efficiently.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic activity and onset time of the gluteus maximus (GM) and hamstring (HAM), lumbopelvic kinematics during three different prone table hip extension exercises in healthy individuals. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects were participated. Electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities and onset time of the GM and HAM muscles. An electromagnetic tracking motion device was used to measure lumbopelvic compensations. The subjects were asked to perform three different prone table hip extension [Prone table hip extension with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on a chair (PTHEA), PTHEA with the ipsilateral knee flexion (PTHEAF), PTHEAF with hip 30 abduction (PTHEAFA)]. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used. @*Results@#The electromyographic activity and onset time were significantly different among three conditions (PTHEA vs. PTHEAF vs. PTHEAFA)(p<0.01). The GM muscle activity and onset time were significantly greater and reduced during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). However, The HAM muscle activity and onset time were significantly smaller and delayed during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). @*Conclusions@#PTHEAFA exercise can be recommended to facilitate the muscle activity and efficient muscle firing time of GM without HAM dominance.
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Purpose@#This study compared the electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) and isometric dorsiflexor strength during dorsiflexion according to the toe postures in individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects with ankle dorsiflexor weakness participated in this study. The electromyographic activity of the TA and isometric dorsiflexor strength during dorsiflexion between with toe flexion, extension, and neutral postures were measured using an electromyography device and a hand-held dynamometer in individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness. One-way repeated measured analysis of variance, and a Bonferroni post hoc test was used. The level of statistical significance was set to α=0.01. @*Results@#The electromyographic activity of the TA was greater with toe flexion during dorsiflexion than with toe extension and neutral postures (p<0.01). The isometric dorsiflexor strength was smaller with toe flexion during dorsiflexion than with toe extension and neutral postures (p<0.01). @*Conclusions@#In individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness, the dorsiflexion with toe flexion can help improve the TA electromyographic activity. The toe posture during dorsiflexion for selective TA activation should be considered, especially in individuals with ankle dorsiflexor weakness.
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Purpose@#This study was performed to investigate the influence of the condition with and without external support on the strength of hip flexor in supine position in subjects without core stabilization. Hip flexor muscles are very functional in the hip joint structures. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the strength of hip flexor in a clinical and precise way. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects participated in this study. The double bent leg-lower test was used to evaluate subjects without core stabilization. The strength of hip flexor muscles was evaluated in supine position, both with and without external support condition. The paired t-test was used to compare the strength of hip flexor muscles according to external support. The level of statistical significance was at α=0.05. The intra-rater reliability of the repeated measures of hip flexor strength was estimated by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). @*Results@#In subjects without core stabilization, the strength of hip flexor in supine was greater with external support than that without external support (p<0.05). In addition, the intra-rater reliability with an ICC (3, 1) of the strength measurement of hip flexor with external support was higher than that without external support. @*Conclusion@#In subjects without core stabilization, the condition with external support can contribute to the strength of hip flexor in supine position and the strength measurement of hip flexor should be considered with the condition with and without external support.
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Purpose@#This study compared the muscle activities of the Vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and the Vastus lateralis (VL) at three different knee extension angles: 90°, 135°, and 180° in the sitting position. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects between 20 and 30 years of age participated in the study. A mobile phone application called the Clinometer was used to measure the knee joint angle. Electromyography (EMG) was performed to measure the muscle activities of the VMO and VL muscles during knee isometric extension exercises. The pulling sensor was used to maintain 70% of the maximum strength of the knee extensor continuously in the sitting position. After attaching the EMG sensor, the subjects were asked to perform isometric knee extension exercises randomly among three knee extension angles (90°, 135°, or 180°) in the sitting position. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test was used to identify the VMO and VL muscle activity during knee extension angles among 90°, 135°, and 180°. @*Results@#The VMO and VL muscle activities increased with increasing knee extension angle in the sitting position (p<0.01). @*Conclusions@#Knee extension exercise at a 180° angle in the sitting position can be recommended to increase the muscle activity of the VMO and VL muscle activities efficiently.
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Purpose@#The purpose of this study was to compare the electromyographic activity and onset time of the gluteus maximus (GM) and hamstring (HAM), lumbopelvic kinematics during three different prone table hip extension exercises in healthy individuals. @*Methods@#Twenty subjects were participated. Electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities and onset time of the GM and HAM muscles. An electromagnetic tracking motion device was used to measure lumbopelvic compensations. The subjects were asked to perform three different prone table hip extension [Prone table hip extension with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver on a chair (PTHEA), PTHEA with the ipsilateral knee flexion (PTHEAF), PTHEAF with hip 30 abduction (PTHEAFA)]. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used. @*Results@#The electromyographic activity and onset time were significantly different among three conditions (PTHEA vs. PTHEAF vs. PTHEAFA)(p<0.01). The GM muscle activity and onset time were significantly greater and reduced during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). However, The HAM muscle activity and onset time were significantly smaller and delayed during the PTHEAFA compared to PTHEA and PTHEAF (p<0.01). @*Conclusions@#PTHEAFA exercise can be recommended to facilitate the muscle activity and efficient muscle firing time of GM without HAM dominance.