• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.16-25
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the muscle activity of the abdominalis and erector spinae during bridging and unilateral bridging exercises on the firm surface, the sir-fit, and the foam roll. Eighteen healthy young subjects were recruited for this study. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded from the both sides of the rectus abdominalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and erector spinae muscles during bridging and unilateral bridging-exercises. A one-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the EMG activity of each muscle according to the support surface condition. Differences in the EMG activities between the bridging and unilateral bridging exercises, and between the right and left side were assessed using a paired t-test. The study showed that the EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher when the bridging exercise was performed using the foam roll or sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of the right rectus abdominis, right external obliques, the right internal oblique, and both erector spinae were significantly higher during unilateral bridging ex exercise using the foam roll or the sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher during the unilateral bridging exercise than during the bridging exercise. Based on these finding, performing the unilateral bridging exercise using the sit-fit or the foam roll is a useful method for facilitating trunk muscle strength and lumbar stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.264-271
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• 2020

Background: Because a forward-leaning posture can cause increased back muscle activity and pain. Therefore, an innovative method to reduce back muscle activity and pain is required. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of a head support on muscle activity and pain in a forward-leaning posture. Methods: A total of 14 male and 16 female students (average age, 21.65 ± 2.37 years; height, 166.15 ± 7.90 cm; and weight, 60.65 ± 9.00 kg) were recruited for the experiment. Two of them were excluded due to musculoskeletal disorders. The muscle activity and pain in the forward-leaning posture were assessed while participants washed dishes for 7 minutes with and without a head support. The condition of using a head support was randomly performed with a 5-minutes break. To confirm a lumbar flexion angle of 30° during the experiment, myoVIDEO was used, and surface electromyography was used to measure muscle activity. Pain was assessed using a 10-point visual analog scale (VAS). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze the data, with p < 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results: The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector spinae muscle activities significantly decreased with the use of the head support, but there was no significant change in the gluteus maximus. There was a significant decrease in the VAS score for the lumbar erector spinae (p < 0.05), but there was no significant change in the VAS score for the cervical region. Conclusion: The use of a head support in a forward-leaning posture reduced cervical, thoracic, and lumbar erector muscle activity and pain. Therefore, it could be recommended during working in a forward-leaning posture, such as during dishwashing, cooking, and working as a factory employee.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.155-161
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of a personal computer-based muscle viewer (PC-BMW) compared with that of a portable ultrasound (P-US) for measuring upper trapezius (UT) and transversus abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness at rest and during contraction. Design: Observational inter-rater reliability study. Methods: Fifty-five healthy participants (25 men, 30 women) participated in this study. PC-BMW and P-US were randomly measured at the UT and TrA muscles. Two examiners randomly obtained the images of all participants in 3 test sessions lasting 2 days. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), standard error of measurement, contraction ratio, and correlation were used to estimate reliability and validity. Pearson's correlation coefficients were used to analyze the relationship between muscle thickness measures taken from PC-BMW and P-US. Results: The intra-rater reliability ICCs of UT and TrA muscle thickness for the PC-BMW were >0.995, indicating excellent reliability. Inter-rater reliability ICCs for the PC-BMW ranged from 0.963 to 0.987. The P-US also exhibited high reliability. A high correlation was found between the measurements of the two muscles in PC-BMW and P-US (p<0.01). Conclusions: PC-BMW provides clear and excellent images, is pocket-sized and less expensive than a conventional ultrasound imaging system. PC-BMW can be utilized variously and has the advantage of rehabilitative ultrasound imaging. More research is needed to evaluate the utility of PC-BMW for rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.139-146
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction in patients with neck pain. Patients with neck pain also experience muscle weakness and limitation of activities of daily living. Craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction may increase the thickness of the deep cervical flexor muscles, thereby reducing pain and limitations on activities of daily living. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=13) and a control group (n=13). Both groups performed craniocervical flexion exercise using a pressure biofeedback unit; the experimental group performed craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction for 20 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Assessment tools included ultrasonography for measurement of muscle thickness and the Neck Disability Index for the level of pain and function. RESULTS: The rate of change in muscle thickness in both groups significantly increased (p<.05), with a significantly greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group (p<.05). The Neck Disability Index score significantly improved (p<.05) in both groups, with significantly greater improvement in the experimental group compared with the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that craniocervical flexion exercise with masticatory muscle contraction can be effective in increasing muscle thickness and improving the Neck Disability Index score in patients with neck pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate that the change of lower-limb muscle activity when normal gait and assistive gait of older. Methods : The selected subjects of this study were 11 older who be in good physical health and have not problem to gait and over 60 age to analyze the muscle activity. This study has been conducted to analyze the muscle activity of normal gait and assistive gait in unitary status without any contrast group. We have them gait condition of a gradient of 0% and velocity of 1km/h, 2km/h, 3km/h electrode were attached to the motor point of Rectus femoris, Hamstrings, Tibialis anterior, Calf muscle. When normal gait and assistive gait performs, there are meaningful differences that the muscle activity takes a small drop in Rectus femoris by 9.17% at 1km/h, 9.79% at 2km/h, 13.80% at 3km/h, hamstring by 14.78% at 1km/h, 17.82% at 2km/h, 17.26% at 3km/h, Tibialis anterior by 24.38% at 1km/h, 23.85% at 2km/h, 33.52% at 3km/h, Calf muscle by 13.68% at 1km/h, 16.70% at 2km/h, 18.37% at 3km/h(p<0.05). Results : They show the significant difference in statistical figure. We've received the significant through the comparison between normal gait and assistive gait. These results will be utilized for the preliminary date in the future.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.295-300
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects on jump performance and balance in soccer player with functional ankle instability of difference of neuromuscular training. In 33 male college soccer player with functional ankle instability subjects of this study randomization, combined training group (group I, n=11), balance training group (group II, n=11) and control group (group III, n=11) that included in the plyometric training and balance training was classified group. The intervention was conducted three times a week for 8 weeks. Before and after intervention, measured in surface area ellipse and countermovement jump and countermovement jump with arm swing. Showed a significant improvement in postural control and jump performance from the combined training group and balance training group compared to the control group. Showed a significant improvement in countermovement jump from the combined training group compared to the balance training group. Combined training and balance training showed the increased jump performance and postural control in soccer player with functional ankle instability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.13-19
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• 2011

Purpose: In real life there are both straight-paths and curved-paths. To evaluate walking ability of both kinds, a figure-8 walking test (F8WT) was developed. The aim of this study was to validate the measure in hemiplegic patients with walking difficulties and to identify correlations of curved walking ability with straight walking ability, motor function, and walking performance ability. Methods: Twenty subjects participated in this study. Curved walking was measured by a F8WT. Straight walking ability was measured by a 10-meter walking test (10MWT). Dynamic balancea bility was measured by timed up and go (TUG) tests. Walking performance ability was measured using a modified motor assessment scale (MMAS). Motor function was measured by the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Linear regression analyses were performed to explore other functional tests in mobility ability by F8WT time, 10MWT (dependent variable). Results: There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT time with 10MWT and TUG. There was a significant negative correlation of F8WT time with MMAS and FMA-coordination. There was a significant positive correlation of 10MWT with TUG. There was a significant negative correlation of 10MWT with MMAS and FMA-coordination. The F8WT time for curved walking ability was attributed to 10MWT for straight walking ability as 94% level of contribution. Conclusion: The results suggest that the F8WT is a good instrument for measuring walking ability because there is a robust correlation of F8WT time with 10MWT, TUG, MMAS, and FMA-coordination in hemiplegic patients who, after stroke, have a mobility deficiency.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.159-165
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• 2018

Purpose: The aims of this study were to determine if game-based training with constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is effective in improving the balance ability in female patients with a total knee replacement, and to provide clinical knowledge of CIMT game-based training that allows the application of total knee replacement. Methods: Thirty-six patients who had undergone a total knee replacement were assigned randomly to CIMT game training (n=12), general game training (n=12), and self-exercise (n=12) groups. All interventions were conducted 3 times a week for 4 weeks. All patients used a continuous passive motion machine 5 times a week and 2 times a day for 4 weeks. The visual analog scale (VAS), muscle strength of knee flexion and extension, and range of motion (ROM) of knee flexion and extension were assessed, and the functional reach test (FRT), and timed up and go (TUG) test were performed to evaluate the balance ability. Results: All 3 groups showed significant improvement in the VAS, knee flexion and extension muscle strength, FRT, and TUG test after the intervention (p<0.05). Post hoc analysis revealed significant differences in FRT, and TUG of the CIMT game training group compared to the other group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although the general game training and CIMT game training improved both the knee extension muscle strength and dynamic balance ability, CIMT game training had a larger effect on dynamic balance control.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2002

Objectives: This study was conducted to find out risk factors related to elderly hip fracture, so that the result could provide basic data to establish prevention programs for hip fracture among the elderly. Methods: The data were collected from 199 cases hospitalized in 4 university hospitals in Pusan from January, 1996 to December, 1998, 193 healthy controls who visited elderly facilities in Pusan. The data were obtained from medical records and by using questionnaires through telephone contact or direct personal interview with the subjects or their family, and were analyzed for 2-test and multiple logistic regression. The risk factors were shown with odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. Results: In univariate analysis, the odds ratio of hip fracture risk was estimated to be 1.9 for the elderly aged 75 years as compare with those aging less than 65 years; 42 for those with job as compared with those without job; 3.3 for those with more than 6 children as compared with those with one or two children. For the variables related to physical characteristics, small height (p=0.015), light weight (p=0.000), and low BMI (p=0.014) were risk factors for elderly hip fracture. Sane variables related to health, such as previous history of illness (OR=3.3.), abnormal blood pressure (OR=1.6), previous fracture history (OR=22), lower limbs weakness (OR=12.1) and gait disturbance (OR=42.6), were significantly associated with the risk of hip fracture. In multiple logistic regression, risk factors for hip fracture were age, having job, lower limb weakness and previous history of illness. The adjusted odds ratios of hip fracture risk among the elderly were age (OR=1.1), having jobs (OR=11.7), weak lower limb (OR=10.8) and previous history of illnesses (OR=3.3), respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that the plan for improving the daily living environment for the elderly systematically should be implemented to avoid the chances of fall, and that programs encouraging to practice regular exercise for physical activity and to promote health of the elderly should be developed.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.25-45
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• 2003

Sling exercise treatment(S-E-T) is a therapeutic exercise based on scientific studies for the purpose of treating musculoskeletal or neurological disorders thereby improving strength, endurance, and skills for sensory-motor integration. Exercise resistance and intensity can be modified in various ways by changing the length of rope, patient position, therapist's manual resistance, and using elastic rope. The therapist can also progress to successively higher levels of exercise resistance and intensity by changing the position of the hanging point: the subject of this article. In brief, there are three axial components in S-E-T; hanging point, motor axis, and suspension point. The hanging point can be changed in several ways in relation to the joint; axial, superior, inferior, medial, and posterior hanging points. The position of the hanging point affects the amount of load on agonist and antagonist muscles as well as on the range of motion. To create an advanced exercise program, selection of hanging point can be two-dimensional such as superior-lateral or anterior-medial. Therapists, therefore, can freely but carefully select the best hanging point based on the purpose of the exercise and their level of knowledge in S-E-T.