Effects of Eccentric Exercise with Synergist Muscles on Muscle Activity, Muscle Tone, and Strength of the Hamstring Muscle (편심성 운동 시 협력근 활용이 햄스트링 근육의 근활성도, 근긴장도 및 근력에 미치는 영향)

Min-Bong Kang (강민봉); Ki-Hyun Kim (김기현)

doi:10.13066/kspm.2025.20.3.103

Effects of Eccentric Exercise with Synergist Muscles on Muscle Activity, Muscle Tone, and Strength of the Hamstring Muscle

Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
Abbr : J Korean Soc Phys Med
2025, 20(3), pp.103~109
DOI : 10.13066/kspm.2025.20.3.103
Publisher : The Korean Society of Physical Medicine
Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > Physical Therapy > Other physical therapy
Received : April 1, 2025
Accepted : May 27, 2025
Published : August 31, 2025

Min-Bong Kang ¹, Ki-Hyun Kim ²

¹대구케이병원
²경운대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of eccentric hamstring exercises accompanied by synergist muscle activation on muscle activity, muscle tone, and muscle strength. Although eccentric exercises are known to enhance muscle performance, the contribution of synergist activation to functional outcomes remains insufficiently understood. METHODS: Thirty healthy university students were randomly assigned to three groups: a concentric exercise group (CEG), an eccentric exercise group (EEG), and an eccentric exercise with synergist muscle group (SEG). All the groups underwent interventions three times per week for four weeks using sling-based exercises. Surface electro- myography was used to evaluate the activation of the biceps femoris, while the MyotonPro device and a handheld dynamometer assessed muscle tone and knee flexion strength, respectively. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to analyze intergroup differences. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed among groups with respect to muscle activation and tone (p < 0.05), with the SEG group showing the most favorable outcomes. No significant difference was found in knee flexion strength among the groups (p > .05) although strength gains showed the following trend: SEG > EEG > CEG. CONCLUSION: The eccentric hamstring exercise combined with synergist muscle activation significantly improved muscle activation and tone compared to conventional methods. These findings suggest that integrating synergist activation into rehabilitation or preventive programs targeting the hamstrings may be a beneficial strategy.

KEYWORDS

Eccentric Contraction, Electromyography, Hamstring Muscles, Motor Activity, Muscle Strength

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Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine 2025 KCI Impact Factor : 1.09

Effects of Eccentric Exercise with Synergist Muscles on Muscle Activity, Muscle Tone, and Strength of the Hamstring Muscle

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* References for papers published after 2025 are currently being built.

Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine 2025 KCI Impact Factor : 1.09

Effects of Eccentric Exercise with Synergist Muscles on Muscle Activity, Muscle Tone, and Strength of the Hamstring Muscle

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