Earticle

Purpose : This study aims to examine changes in electromyogram (EMG) signals detected from the tibialis anterior muscle during repetitive contraction exercises in normal female adults. Methods : The subjects of this study were 10 normal adult females without any musculoskeletal or nervous system disorders. A total of 30 contractions were made repetitively with maximal voluntary contraction exercise for six seconds and a resting time for three seconds. Changes in muscle contractions were measured using dynamometer and EMG signals such as root mean square (RMS), integrated EMG (IEMG), and median frequency (MDF). Results : The result of measurement showed no significant differences in IEMG and RMS in accordance with the increase in the number of contractions. MVIC and MDF showed significant differences in accordance with the increase in the number of contractions (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study demonstrated that repetitive tibialis anterior muscle contraction resulted in a significantly different MVIC and MDF but no significant differences in IEMG and RMS. Therefore, compared to other lower leg muscles, the tibialis anterior muscle is a low-frequency muscle and therefore electrophysiological characteristics of the muscle should be considered in different exercise methods.

Purpose : We studied the correlation between reference voluntary contraction (% RVC) of vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM), Berg balance scale (BBS), and timed-up & go (TUG) test. Methods : We recruited 30 stroke patients from a rehabilitation center at a hospital.? All subjects could walk with or without an assisting device. Subjects were evaluated with % RVC of VL and VM, BBS, and TUG. The data were analyzed using a Pearson correlation coefficient. Results : The % RVC of VL and VM and BBS (p<0.01) showed a significant positive correlation. TUG negatively correlated with % RVC of VL and VM and BBS (p<0.01). Conclusion : Lower extremity muscle activity increases balance and walking ability. We recommend the implementation of lower extremity strength exercises in the rehabilitation of stroke patient.

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect on the static balance ability according to vestibular training using ball. Methods : Twenty normal subjects participated and were randomly assigned to either a vestibular training group using ball or a control group. The vestibular training using a ball group exercised 3 times per week over 3 weeks. The static balance was assessed by the center of pressure to the stance position. The participants stood barefoot on a force platform in a normal stance and a one-legged stance with a visual close. Results : In the normal stance, there were no significant differences at CoP surface and CoP speed. However, in a onelegged stance, there were significant differences in the vestibular training group between before and after the program. There was also a significant difference between the vestibular training group and the control group. Conclusion : Vestibular training using ball can be implemented as a therapeutic intervention to improve static balance ability in health adults.

Purpose : This study is to examine the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation on the excitability of the central neuron. Methods : This study selected 24 suitable women in their twenties. A positive electrode of transcranial direct current stimulation was placed on the primary motor area (M1) C4 and a negative electrode was placed on the left supraobital. A stimulation of 0.04mA/㎠ was applied for 20 minutes. H-reflex and V wave used diagnostic electromyography. An active electrode was placed at the muscle belly of the medial gastrocnemius muscle at a prone posture. An electrical stimulation was given to the posterior tibial nerve. Measurements were made before and after the stimulation. All data were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 and between each measuring before and after the change of the H-reflex and V wave amplitude. Results : There were no significant differences in all H wave, M wave, and V wave amplitude before and after transcranial direct current stimulation. There were no significant differences in the change of H/M ratio and V/M ratio before and after transcranial direct current stimulation. Conclusion : We know that transcranial direct current stimulation cannot have an influence on a normal grown-up person's central neuron.

Purpose : This study aims to examine the changes of muscle activity of the tibialis anterior muscle and the gastrocnemius muscle on the ground and unstable ground for functional reach test. Methods : This study chose 24 elderly men and 24 elderly women who could walk independently, reach their arm over 25 cm, show shoulder joint 90°flexion, had no operations on lower limb joints, and don’t take medication affecting the ability to keep balance. Muscular activity of the tibialis anterior muscle and the gastrocnemius muscle was measured using functional reach test and electromyogram. Functional reach test was conducted at a total of four sections, 0cm, 15cm, 20cm, and 25cm. Results : It was known that the gastrocnemius muscle was used more than the tibialis anterior muscle to keep balance and the elderly with good balance ability showed no great change of muscular activity on both the stable and unstable ground. Conclusion : It was found that the subjects used their gastrocnemius muscle more and lower limbs of frequently used parts to keep their balance. As the elderly have good balance ability, they showed no great change of muscular activity on both the stable and unstable ground.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of different supporting surfaces on trunk muscle activities during core stabilization exercises. Methods : A total of 20 healthy college students participated in this study for 6 weeks. In this study, we divided participants into a stable surface exercise group and an unstable surface exercise group. Each group performed core stabilization exercises of Curl-ups, Bridges, and Quadrupedal position. Core stabilization exercises were performed 3 times a week for 30 minutes during 6 weeks. The stable surface exercise group used a yoga mat while the unstable surface exercise group used AERO step. This study was designed using pre-test and post -test measurements. We used Surface Electromyograpy (sEMG) to measure for the rectus abdominis, external abdominal oblique, and multifidus muscle of trunk muscle activities. Data was processed using a paired sample t-test on SPSS 18.0. Results : For the stable surface exercise group there was a meaningful improvement in left rectus abdominis, left external abdominal oblique, and right multifidus (p<0.05). For the unstable surface exercise group, a meaningful improvement was seen in the left external abdominal oblique and right multifidus. Conclusion : From the experiment, we concluded that differences in surface can make various degrees of improvement in muscles activities, which suggests patients can choose a better option under their own conditions when planning to have a core stability exercise.

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of three types of therapeutic exercises by applying them to lower back pain patients. Methods : This program was conducted for 30 patients 30 to 55 years old, who visited a rehabilitation center due to lower back pain. We separated participants into three groups with different therapeutic exercises: one with lumbar stabilization exercises, another with stretching exercises, and the other with both exercises. Each exercise was held once a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. We analyzed the effect of these exercises by checking the change of lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Lumbar muscle strength was measured by AS-Med and pain strength was estimated by VAS. Results : The result of the programs was established according to the following list: 1) Lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises lead to higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief (p<0.05). 2) Lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group was significantly higher than the stretching exercise group (p<0.05). 3) Pain relief in the stretching exercise group was significantly higher than the lumbar stabilization exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows all of the groups experienced higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Specifically, there was higher lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group and higher pain relief in the stretching exercise group. Therefore the ideal intervention to improve lumbar muscle strength and pain relief for patients is to implement both lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises