The purpose of this study was to examined the kinematic relationship and differences through the range of motion (ROM), muscle activity, and vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) during forward and backward lunge movements, which are effective in improving muscle strength and balance ability of the lower extremities, and to provide clinical information on more efficient lunge movements. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Fifteen adult males who met the selection criteria were tested for their dominant feet.Forward and backward lunges were then performed, and the ROM, muscle activity, and VGRF were measured for kinematic analysis during the lunge movement.The differences betweenthe forward lunge and backward lunge intervention were examined using a paired t-test. Results: A significant increase in the ROM of the knee and ankle was observed during the forward and backward lunges (p＜0.05). In addition, in terms of the muscle activity, the peak values of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and VGRF also showed a significant increase in the forward lunge compared to the backward lunge (p＜0.05). Conclusions: This study showed an increase in VGRF peak value, knee and ankle ROM, and VMO muscle activity during forward lunge. Based on these results, it is considered necessary to apply differently depending on the direction of progress in consideration of the musculoskeletal situation and physical ability during the lunge movement.

Dynamic taping Eletromyography Scapular muscles Upper limb offloadBackground: For performing various movements well, cooperation between the muscles around the scapula and shoulder has been emphasized. Taping has been widely used clinically as a helpful adjunct to other physiotherapy methods for shoulder pathology and dysfunction treatment. Previous studies have evaluated the effect of taping techniques using dynamic tapes on shoulder function and pain. However, no study investigated the electromyographic (EMG) changes in the shoulder muscles.Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of the upper limb offload taping technique using a dynamic tape on EMG activities of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius, serratus anterior (SA), and middle deltoid (MD) muscles during scaption plane elevation.Methods: A total of 26 healthy subjects (19.85 ± 6.40 years, male = 20) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform scaption elevation with and without dynamic taping on the shoulder. Shoulder elevation strength tests were performed at 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%, for the maximal isometric contraction force.Results: There were statistically significant interaction effects between the taping application and shoulder scaption elevation force in EMG activities in the UT (p < 0.05) and MD (p < 0.05). EMG activities in the UT showed significant increases in 50%RVC (reference voluntary contraction, p < 0.05) and 25%RVC (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the EMG activity of the SA significantly increased in 50%RVC (p < 0.01) and 25%RVC (p < 0.01) after dynamic taping. For the MD, the EMG activity level significantly decreased in 100%RVC (p < 0.05). Conclusion:These results indicated that upper limb offload dynamic taping application affects the muscle activities of some shoulder muscles depending on different scaption elevation strength levels. Therefore, we suggest that the upper limb offload dynamic taping can be applied to the shoulders when patients need middle deltoid inhibition or upper trapezius facilitation, such as patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

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Background Sacroiliac joints (SIJs) transmitted trunk load to lower extremities through the lumbopelvis. External compression devices across the SIJs could provide stability to the SIJs. A previous study established that using a device known as Active Therapeutic Movement version 2 (ATM®2) has been developed to improve pain and joint range of motion (ROM) in patients with LBP. However, no study has examined the physiological change in the muscle through ATM®2-based exercise thus far. This study aimed to determine the immediate effects of ATM®2 exercise on the contraction timing, back extension endurance, muscle fatigue, and trunk ROM of lumbar and lower limb muscles in healthy subjects. Methods Thirty-six healthy subjects (mean age = 23.16 ± 2.3) volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were instructed to perform ROM test using sit and reach test, back extensor endurance test using Biering-Sorensen test, erector spinae (ES), lumbar multifidus (LM) fatigue and onset time of Gluteus maximus (GM) in prone hip extension using electromyography before and after trunk flexion and extension isometric exercises. Results The ROM in trunk flexion showed a significant increase of 7.9% after exercise compared to that before exercise (p < 0.05). Relative GM contraction onset timing significantly decreased after exercise (p < 0.05). The result of the Sorensen test after exercise showed a trend of increase in duration time. Muscle fatigue in the LM, however, showed a significant increase (p < 0.05), whereas muscle fatigue in the ES was reduced without statistical significance. Conclusions The results base on this study showed that exercise-based on ATM®2 is an effective exercise protocol with an effect on the biomechanics of healthy subjects. Clinical trial registration numbers KCT0006728. Clinical trial registration date: 09/11/2021.