The effect of therapeutic physical exercise on muscle electrical activity in students with chronic diseases
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53468/mifyr.2026.6.2.46Keywords:
Therapeutic exercise; Surface electromyography; Muscle strength; Physical education; NoraxonAbstract
Abstract- Physical inactivity among children and adolescents is a growing public health concern associated with impaired physical development, reduced muscle strength, poor motor coordination, and an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. Students with chronic diseases frequently experience restricted participation in physical education, highlighting the need for evidence-based therapeutic exercise programs that support their physical functioning and promote inclusive participation in school-based physical activity. To investigate the effects of a therapeutic physical exercise program on muscle strength and muscle electrical activity in students with chronic diseases. A single-group quasi-experimental study was conducted with 30 secondary school students diagnosed with chronic diseases. Anthropometric characteristics, flexibility, handgrip strength, back muscle strength, and waist and hip circumferences were assessed before and after the intervention. Surface electromyography (sEMG) using a Noraxon system was performed to evaluate the electrical activity of the rectus abdominis, rectus femoris, thoracic erector spinae, and gastrocnemius muscles. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired and independent t-tests, Pearson correlation analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Cohen's d effect size. Statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. Following the therapeutic exercise program, significant improvements were observed in flexibility, handgrip strength, and back muscle strength. Surface EMG demonstrated significant reductions in the electrical activity of all examined muscles during follow-up measurements (p < 0.001), indicating greater neuromuscular efficiency. Strong positive correlations between baseline and follow-up EMG measurements (r = 0.946–0.988) confirmed the high reliability of the measurements. Large effect sizes further supported the effectiveness of the intervention. Therapeutic physical exercise significantly enhanced muscle strength, flexibility, and neuromuscular efficiency in students with chronic diseases. These findings suggest that school-based therapeutic exercise programs may represent an effective strategy for improving physical function and supporting inclusive physical education for students with chronic health conditions.
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