Physical Therapy Commons^™

The Role Of Lower Leg Muscle Activity In Blood Pressure Maintenance Of Older Adults, Michelle M. Masterson, Amy L. Morgan, Christine E. Multer, Daniel Cipriani

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose. Age-associated muscle weakness, postural instability, and orthostatic hypotension have been identified as contributing factors to falls , but the relationships among them are not clear. Therefore, the purpose of this study, a two-way factorial design, was to investigate the differences in lower extremity (LE) muscle activity, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) between young and older individuals in an upright position. Methods. Ten young males (20-24 yrs.) and 10 older males (65-82 yrs.) stood for 15 minutes while BP, HR, and LE electromyography (EMG) were recorded at one minute intervals . A two-way ANOVA was used …

Muscle Endurance Is Greater For Old Men Compared With Strength-Matched Young Men, Sandra K. Hunter, Ashley Critchlow, Roger M. Enoka

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose was to compare the time to task failure for a sustained isometric contraction performed at a submaximal intensity with the elbow flexor muscles by young and old men who were matched for strength. Eight young men (18–31 yr) and eight old men (67–76 yr) sustained an isometric contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque until the target torque could no longer be achieved for at least 5 s. The maximal torque exerted at the wrist was similar for the young and old men before the fatiguing task (65.9 ± 8.0 vs. 65.4 ± 8.7 N·m; P …

An Electromyographic Assessment Of Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles During Core Stability Exercises, Alicia Marleina Osuna

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Clinicians often use Swiss balls in exercise regimens to recruit activity of the paraspinal musculature. However, we do not know if muscle activity differences exist while performing an exercise on a stable or unstable surface. Design and Settings: A 1 X 2 factorial with repeated measures design guided this study. The single within-subjects factor was a core stability exercise with 2 levels: a stable condition (chair) and an unstable condition (Thera-band® exercise ball). The dependent variables were the integrated electromyography (I-EMG) amplitude of the left and right lumbar paraspinal musculature. Subjects: Sixteen moderately active and healthy male subjects (age: …

Time To Task Failure Differs With Load Type When Old Adults Perform A Submaximal Fatiguing Contraction, Sandra K. Hunter, Ludovic Rochette, Ashley Critchlow, Roger M. Enoka

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Young adults exhibit a longer time to task failure when performing a submaximal isometric contraction by pushing against a force transducer (force task) than when supporting an equivalent inertial load (position task). The purpose of this study was to compare the time to failure for old adults when they performed a force task and a position task with the elbow flexor muscles. Eighteen old adults (72 ± 4 years) performed the force and position tasks at 20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force until task failure. The time to task failure was briefer for the position task (10.6 ± 6.1 min) …

An Electromyographic Study Of The Quadriceps And Hamstrings Recruitment During Two Closed Kinetic Chain Activities, Linda K. Hanson, Shauna T. Salz, Suzanne L. Steffes

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Knee pain and injury are a commonly seen diagnosis in physical therapy practice. Closed kinetic chain activities are frequently used to treat these diagnoses, because of their safety and functional properties. However isolation of specific muscles is difficult with closed kinetic chain exercises. The researchers chose to further study closed kinetic chain exercises in order to compare traditional closed kinetic chain exercises with a recently developed closed kinetic chain device. The purpose of this study is to assess EMG activity of the quadriceps and hamstrings during two different closed kinetic chain activities of the knee, one a traditional method and …

Electromyographic (Emg) Analysis Of Trunk Muscles At The Point Of Puck Contact During Slap And Wrist Shots Of Female Ice Hockey Athletes, Lon Donald, Kristi Kjellgren, Jodi Young, Michael Young

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The number of female hockey players has increased significantly in the last decade. The first recorded female hockey game was in Ottawa in 1889. Since that time, hockey has spread into the United States .. Today, USA Hockey, Inc. reports 40,000 registered females and the Canadian Hockey Association has 55,000 female hockey players. Despite the rising popularity of the sport among females, there is little research specifically related to female hockey players.

Golf, tennis, and hockey swings utilize similar rotational components about the trunk. Trunk rotation is controlled and produced by the erector spinae, external oblique and rectus abdominus muscles. …

An Electromyography (Emg) Study Of Two Dynamic Surfaces: Hippotherapy And Swiss Ball, Melissa J. Metcalf, Roslyn J. Muller, Tanya L. Schimek, Erica H. Wheeler

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The use of horseback riding as a therapeutic intervention has been used since the fifth century, B.C.1 It has been proposed that the physical benefits of horseback riding include: improved posture, balance, muscle strength, decreased spasticity, improved gait patterns, and coordination. Unfortunately, at the current time, hippotherapy, the use of horses in physical therapy intervention, has been poorly documented due to little objective research. The purpose of this study was to provide an objective measure of children's postural muscle activity through the use of electromyography (EMG) and electrogoniometry on two dynamic surfaces. Data was analyzed for differences in postural muscle …

Influence Of Aging On Sex Differences In Muscle Fatigability, Sandra K. Hunter, Ashley Critchlow, Roger M. Enoka

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to compare time to task failure for a sustained isometric contraction performed at a submaximal intensity with elbow flexor muscles by young and old men and women. Twenty-seven young (14 men and 13 women, 18–35 yr) and 18 old (10 men and 8 women, 65–80 yr) adults sustained an isometric contraction at 20% of maximal voluntary contraction torque until target torque could no longer be achieved for ≥5 s. Young adults were stronger than old adults (66.8 ± 17.9 vs. 47.7 ± 18.1 N·m, P < 0.05), and men were stronger than women (69.8 ± 17.9 vs. 47.1 ± 15.3 N·m, P < 0.05), with no interaction between age and sex (P > 0.05). Time to task failure was longer …

Electromyographic Analysis Of Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During Plyo Press Jump And A Vertical Jump, Leigh James Griffith, Kristen Michelle Olson, Daniel Kenneth Sinness, Steven Peter Thomas

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Many training programs have been developed to aid in training the athlete with their goal of maximizing strength and performance. The Plyo Press machine was developed for training athletes enrolled in the Frappier Sports Acceleration Program. This machine was designed to couple strength training with plyometrics to enhance dynamic muscle activity and speed.

There has been limited research on the Plyo Press machine to support these claims. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to compare muscle recruitment during a vertical floor jump versus a plyojump in the Ply Press leg machine. EMG analysis of selected lower extremity muscles was …

Electromyographic Analysis Of An Isometric Vastus Medialis Oblique Contraction With Incorporated Adductor Component, Dan Thielen, James Turner

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Knee pathology is a common clinical complaint that may result in diminished function of the affected lower extremity, ultimately leading to atrophy of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle. The VMO contributes a great deal to the medial tracking mechanism of the patella which is crucial for normal biomechanical function of the knee joint. Effective strengthening of the VMO is a challenging task in physical therapy clinics. The purpose of this study was to determine if it is possible to enhance the muscle activity of the VMO with the addition of an adductor contraction.

Thirty-one subjects between the ages of …

An Electromyographic Study Of Lower Trapezius Muscle Activity During The Traditional Muscle Testing Position And A Modified Position, Keri M. Doyle, Molly E. Mcdonald, Heather M. Partlow, Eric R. Paur

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Many people use repeated overhead movements in their occupations or recreational activities. Literature has shown that this repeated overhead activity greatly contributes to the incidence of shoulder pathologies such as impingement syndrome. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the lower trapezius was more successfully recruited in the traditional muscle testing position of 145° of shoulder abduction or a modified position consisting of shoulder external rotation while in 80° of shoulder abduction and 90° of elbow flexion.

Forty-one subjects between the ages of 21 and 45 voluntarily participated in this study. One subject was excluded due to exceeding …

An Emg & Motion Analysis Study Of The Elliptical Trainer, Chris Hansen, Jaime Horner, Filip Johnson, Emily Wolkomir

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose

The purpose of this study is to describe lower extremity muscle activity and joint range of motion while moving both forward and backward on an elliptical trainer at minimum and maximum inclines.

Subjects

Ten healthy subjects (7 female and 3 male) gave informed consent to voluntarily participate in this study.

Methods

A single group experimental design was used. A maximum contraction was performed for comparison measure and electromyographic (EMG) data was collected while the subjects performed the stride at the specified variables.

Results

The vastus lateralis was the most active of all the muscles throughout the entire …

An Electromyographic And Video Motion Analysis Study Of Sprinters At Varying Speeds And Inclines, Marc Sondreal

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Athletes desire to succeed in their respective sport. Several training programs claim to enhance athletic performance by loading specific muscles and joints needed for increased speed, power, and strength in a sport specific manner. One such training regimen is the Frappier Acceleration® program, in which the core element involves sprinting on a treadmill at varying speeds and inclines. The purpose of this study is to describe muscle activity and joint motion while running on a treadmill at different speeds and inclines.

Eleven males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two years of age ran on a treadmill at five different …

An Electromyographic And Video Motion Analysis Study Of The Drawback And Hold Phases Of Compound Bow Versus A Traditional Bow In Experienced Archers, Jason Brodina

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background/Purpose: Archery is quickly becoming an increasingly popular sport, with limited research in the training and rehabilitation of archers. The purpose of this study is to identify the major muscles and timing of recruitment during the drawback and hold of a bow, and to determine the presence of differences in this recruitment between a compound and traditional bow.

Subjects/Methods: Seven males between the ages of 36 to 51 years of age completed 6 drawbacks each with a compound bow and a traditional bow. Surface electrodes on the subjects and reflective markers on the bow were used to analyze electromyographic activity …

An Electromyographic And Video Motion Analysis Study Of The Drawback And Hold Phases Of A Compound Bow Versus A Traditional Bow In Experienced Archers, Andrea L. Vagle

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background/Purpose: Archery is quickly becoming an increasingly popular sport, with limited research in the training and rehabilitation of archers. The purpose of this study is to identify the major muscles and timing of recruitment during the drawback and hold of a bow, and to determine the presence of differences in this recruitment between a compound and traditional bow.

Subjects/Methods: Seven males between the ages of 36 to 51 years of age completed 6 drawbacks each with a compound bow and a traditional bow. Surface electrodes on the subjects and reflective markers on the bow were used to analyze electromyographic activity …

An Electromyographic And Video Motion Analysis Study Of Sprinters At Varying Speeds And Inclines, Jeremy Zimney

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Athletes desire to succeed in their respective sport. Several training programs claim to enhance athletic performance by loading specific muscles and joints needed for increased speed, power, and strength in a sport specific manner. One such training regimen is the Frappier Acceleration® program, in which the core element involves sprinting on a treadmill at varying speeds and inclines. The purpose of this study is to describe muscle activity and joint motion while running on a treadmill at different speeds and inclines.

Eleven males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two years of age ran on a treadmill at five different …

An Electromyographic Study Of Lower Trapezius Muscle Activity During Exercise In Traditional And Modified Positions, Rebecca Lee. Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder rehabilitation commonly overlooks the influence of scapular muscles in providing the stability necessary for the shoulder to function properly. When considering muscles acting on the scapulothoracic articulation, literature suggests that the lower trapezius is a key stabilizer of this articulation. Traditionally, the lower trapezius is exercised while the patient is in a prone position with the humerus abducted 1450 while performing forward elevation. Unfortunately, repeated overhead activity has been proven to increase the incidence of shoulder impingement. In an effort to avoid exercising the lower trapezius in a position that would compromise the shoulder complex, a modified position of …

An Electromyographic And Video Motion Analysis Study Of Sprinters At Varying Speeds And Inclines, Christine Ann Rygh

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Athletes desire to succeed in their respective sport. Several training programs claim to enhance athletic performance by loading specific muscles and joints needed for increased speed, power, and strength in a sport specific manner. One such training regimen is the Frappier Acceleration® program, in which the core element involves sprinting on a treadmill at varying speeds and inclines. The purpose of this study is to describe muscle activity and joint motion while running on a treadmill at different speeds and inclines.

Eleven males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two years of age ran on a treadmill at five different …

An Electromyographic Study Of Lower Trapezius Muscle Activity During Exercise In Traditional And Modified Positions, Erika Engelstad

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Shoulder rehabilitation commonly overlooks the influence of scapular muscles in providing the stability necessary for the shoulder to function properly. When considering muscles acting on the scapulothoracic articulation, literature suggests that the lower trapezius is a key stabilizer of this articulation. Traditionally, the lower trapezius is exercised while the patient is in a prone position with the humerus abducted 1450 while performing forward elevation. Unfortunately, repeated overhead activity has been proven to increase the incidence of shoulder impingement. In an effort to avoid exercising the lower trapezius in a position that would compromise the shoulder complex, a modified position of …

An Electromyographic Study Of Associated Musculature While Computer Keyboarding At Different Positions, David E. Nelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to monitor the level of muscle activity in upper trapezius and forearm musculature of subjects while typing at different keyboarding positions through the use of surface electromyography (EMG).

Methods: Thirteen female and fourteen males took part in this study ranging from 22 to 43 years of age. Subjects were asked to type at four different keyboarding positions (90 degree, 110 degree, Powerboard 1, Powerboard 2). A device called a Powerboard was used for two of the positions tested. Repeated-measures Analysis of Varience statistics were calculated with significance established at p< .05.

Conclusion: The Powerboard …

Comparison Of The Emg Activity Of The Supraspinatus And Infraspinatus Muscles During Various Closed Chain Exercises, I-Chen Lin

Rehabilitation Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Advantages of closed chain exercises used in the lower extremity have been well documented. However, the effects of closed chain exercises on the upper extremities have not been studied very much. Thus, the purpose of this research is to analyze the EMG activity of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles and compare the relative amounts of activities by performing different isotonic closed chain exercises and an open chain exercise in normal subjects. The supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles in 1 o healthy subjects were studied with fine wire, intramuscular, electromyographic electrodes while performing 5 closed chain exercises and a D2. open chain …

An Electromyographic Study Of The Shoulder Musculature During Codman's Exercises, Myndi L. Frey

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Codman's exercises are commonly used in physical therapy as a supposed passive shoulder activity to help increase range of motion without causing detrimental damage to the injured tissue or surgical graft. These mild shoulder exercises are often the first exercises used post- operatively. Some clinicians often add a weight to the hand or wrist with the assumption that the distraction will decrease the impingement between the acromion and the shoulder musculature while performing these exercises. The purpose of this study is to determine the level of muscle activity within the shoulder musculature during Codman's exercises with and without the addition …

Electromyographic And Kinematic Analysis Of Hockey Skating, Michelle M. Fox

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A limited amount of research has been done on the hockey treadmill and on the response of hockey players to individualized exercise programs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate muscle activity and joint motion of the trunk and knee of hockey players skating on a hockey treadmill.

METHODS: Seven male subjects, ages 18 to 25 years, were tested skating at 8 Mph on 0 percent and 30 percent grades on the treadmill. Electromyographical (EMG) data was collected from the following muscles: Rectus femoris, biceps femoris, adductor longus, gluteus maximus, rectus abdominus, and erector spinae. Motion analysis equipment was used simultaneously.

RESULTS: There was …

An Electromyographic And Video Motion Analysis Study Of Elite Sprinters At Varying Speeds And Inclines, Erica Fretland

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study is twofold 1) to describe muscle activity and joint motion while running on a treadmill at different speeds and inclines and 2) to examine whether or not running on a treadmill at high speeds and on an inline causes particular muscles to work harder or the sprinter to change their running technique to accommodate the increased workload.

Subjects and Methods: EMG and motion analysis data was collected from six subjects while they were running on a treadmill, first at twenty miles per hour at zero percent grade and then at thirteen miles …

An Electromyographic Study Of The Forearm And Upper Trapezius Musculature While Typing At Different Keyboard Heights, Karianne M. Sekiya

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: Ergonomics involves adapting the job and work environment to fit the worker and maximize safety and efficiency in the workplace. To mimimize the stresses on the musculoskeletal system, ergonomic guidelines have been established for visual display terminal workstations. The 90 degree angle position of the elbow is considered an industry standard, however available literature has not adequately established that this angle represents the optimal elbow position. The purpose of this study is to add to the current knowledge of ergonomics and reduce the risk of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders in the workplace by determining the optimal elbow position …

Electromyographic And Kinematic Analysis Of Hockey Skating, Kari Jo Guttormson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

A limited amount of research has been done on the hockey treadmill and on the response of hockey players to individualized exercise programs.

PURPOSE: To evaluate muscle activity and joint motion of the trunk and knee of hockey players skating on a hockey treadmill.

METHODS: Seven male subjects, ages 18 to 25 years, were tested skating at 8 Mph on 0 percent and 30 percent grades on the treadmill. Electromyographical (EMG) data was collected from the following muscles: Rectus femoris, biceps femoris, adductor longus, gluteus maximus, rectus abdominus, and erector spinae. Motion analysis equipment was used simultaneously.

RESULTS: There was …

An Electromyographic Study Of Trunk Muscle Activity During Exercise On The Fitness Plus Low Back Unit, Joel Anderson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Purpose: Fitness Plus, Inc. has developed a series of exercise machines for strengthening of the trunk musculature. Their Low Back Unit is claimed to target the rectus abdominus (RA), gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and erector spinae (ES) muscles, but there is no research to solidify these claims. The purpose of this study was to describe the electromyographic (EMG) activity during the use of the Fitness Plus, Inc. Low Back Unit.

Methods: Fifteen healthy, males (ages 20-30) volunteered to participate in this study. Surface EMG was used to assess the muscle activity in four trunk and hip muscles. The …

An Electromyographic Study Of Back And Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During A Traditional Squat And The Plyo Press Leg Press, Heidi C. Ivesdal

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Strength training is a primary factor in athletics and rehabilitation. Lower extremity strength training has traditionally consisted of free weights, biomechanically designed weight machines, or plyometrics. The Plyo Press is a new machine that is currently being utilized in the Frappier Acceleration Program for athletes. It is specifically designed for lower extremity strength training in combination with plyometrics. The principle behind its design is to build strength in the most effective way to enhance speed and dynamic activity without the stress to the low back or legs that is present with the use of free weights.

Because the Plyo Press …

An Electromyographic Study Of Back And Lower Extremity Muscle Activity During Plyopress Exercises, A Squat Lift, And A Vertical Jump, Melissa K. James

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The ongoing research in the evolution of athlete training continues to reveal new principles and training designs which strive to heighten athletic performance and maximize athletic ability. One example of the application of such research is the Plyo Press machine, a patented device used in the Frappier Acceleration Program for athletes. This device was specifically designed to combine strength training with plyometrics to enhance speed and dynamic muscle activity without the excessive low back stress of traditional training methods.

As the Plyo Press has been recently designed and incorporated into training programs, no research has yet been conducted on the …

A Review Of The Utilization Of Emg Biofeedback, Jeanine Lee Forsgren

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback is gaining popularity as a treatment modality in physical therapy. It is used in the areas of neurological and orthopedic rehabilitation as well as injury prevention and performance improvement. The use of this modality can aid in the rehabilitation process by identifying weak muscles which need to be strengthened. Physical therapy also utilizes EMG biofeedback to identify and change movement patterns which may contribute to injury through the overuse or incorrect use of various muscles. EMG biofeedback is used to assist the patient in learning how to control muscular movement to correct the problems which are identified. …