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KMID : 0357220090210040057
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Journal of Korean Society Physical Therapy
2009 Volume.21 No. 4 p.57 ~ p.63
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Muscle Activities of the Lower Extremity based on Ankle Plantar-flexion in Elderly Women
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Cho Yong-Ho
Choi Jin-Ho
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Abstract
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Purpose: To better understand falls in elderly women, we measured differences in muscle activities of 4 lower extremity muscles (tibialis anterior, soleus, rectus femoris, biceps femoris) based on angle plantar-flexion in elderly women.
Methods: Subjects were 15 healthy elderly women. No subjects had musculoskeletal or nervous disorders. EMGs were used to check muscle activity of lower extremity muscles. For statistic analysis, data were expressed as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). We measured %MVIC for 5 sec under 4 conditions and did not use data for the first and last second. Muscle activities of the muscles of the lower extremities were measured based on the degree of plantar-flexion of the ankle joint. The 4 conditions corresponded to different degrees of: 0, 10, 20 and 30 degrees. This was done using a 50 cm board for measuring the degrees.
Results: The tibialis anterior, soleus, and bicpes femoris showed increasing muscle activity associated with increasing degree of plantar-flexion of the ankle joint. All muscles showed a significant increase in muscle activities in association with increasing degrees. Rectus femoris showed a significant increase in muscle activity for 0 degrees and for the other degrees, but there were no further changes when plantar flexion of the ankle joint was over 10 degrees.
Conclusion: Activities of the muscles of the lower extremities except rectus femoris were higher with increasing degree of plantar flexion. High muscle activity may result in muscle fatigue. Thus, increasing degree of plantar flexion may be risk factors of falls in elderly women.
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KEYWORD
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EMG, Elderly women, Muscle activities
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