| Keywords |
Forward walking ; Backward walking ; Isokinetic muscle strength ; Electromyographic activity |
| Abstract |
The purpose of this study is to compare efficiency of isokinetic muscle strength of knee and ankle joint such as extension and flexion strength, agonist/antagonist ratio and electromyographic(EMG) activity in the comparison with the forward walking and backward walking on incline. The subjects of this examination are 28 female adults, and they are randomly divided into four groups; 0% forward walking group (FW-0%: n=7), 10% forward walking group (FW-10%: n=7), 0% backward walking group(BW-0%: n=7), 10% backward walking group (BW-10%: n=7). During eight weeks training period, each training group undertakes the test; the isokinetic muscle strength is gauged by testing individual angular velocity of knee and ankle joint. The EMG activity is measured by using sEMG. Following results were proven through the study: 1) Backward walking groups increased their isokinetic strength of knee in the gradient 0 and 10%. Also, backward walking groups in the gradient 10% increase their agonist/antagonist strength ratio. 2) All groups tend to increase rectus femoris and vastus medialis electromyography activities. 3) Backward walking groups in the gradient 0 and 10% tend to increase ankle plantar flexion. 4) Backward walking groups in the gradient 0 and 10% tend to decrease gastrocnemius EMG activities. From these results, backward walking training is effective on legs muscle function, especially 10% backward walking has an effect specifically on improving leg extension strength. |