Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the activation of the vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO) and vastus lateralis muscle (VL) during squat exercise with various hip adduction loads using a pressure-biofeedback unit, and to suggest the most effective exercise method.[Subjects] We recruited 15 healthy adult females with no pain in the knee joint and no other orthopedic problems of the lower limbs.[Methods] The enrolled individuals performed four exercises (conventional squat exercise, maximal load hip adduction squat exercise, 80% hip adduction squat load exercise, 40% hip adduction load squat exercise).[Result] VMO was more active at 80% and 40% hip adduction loads than in the conventional squat and maximal loading hip adduction squat exercises.[Conclusion] We suggest using a 40%~80% hip adduction load in squat exercises for VMO strengthening in the clinical setting.

(1) Background—The application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) combined with low-intensity exercise to the elderly can be more efficient than low-intensity exercise only in terms of delaying the loss of muscle mass. We aimed to assess the adjunct of NMES to low-intensity lower limb strengthening exercise to prevent falls in frail elderly for a relatively short period of 4 weeks. (2) Methods—Thirty elderly women aged 65 or above were randomly categorized into three groups: control group (CON, n = 8), exercise group (EX, n = 10), and NMES with exercise group (EX + NMES, n = 9). The exercise group took part in a lower limb strengthening exercise program for one hour three times a week for four weeks. Furthermore, the NMES with exercise group had added NMES stimulation when exercising. The limbs’ muscle mass, body fat mass, calf circumference, grip force, five times sit-to-stand test, timed up-and-go test (TUG), one-leg stand test, and Y-balance test (YBT) were evaluated at baseline and 4 weeks after. (3) Results—Comparisons between the three groups showed that the TUG was significantly decreased and the YB was significantly increased in NMES with exercise group (p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions—These results suggested that a combination of NMES stimulation and exercises was more helpful in strengthening balance than exercises alone in the short term.