• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2020

Background: To prevent or reduce the risk of strain injury, various approaches, including stretching techniques are currently being used. The effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching on flexibility has been demonstrated; however, it is not clear which one is superior. Objects: This study aimed to evaluate the differences between the effects of PNF and static stretching performed at various intensities on muscle flexibility. Methods: The maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the hamstrings using the PNF stretching technique was performed in the P100 group, while 70% of the MVIC was performed in the P70 group. The MVIC value obtained during the PNF stretching in both groups was used as a reference for setting the intensity of static stretching. Static stretching was performed at 130% (S130), 100% (S100), and 70% of the MVIC (S70). The active knee extension (AKE) values, defined as the knee flexion angle were measured before stretching (baseline), immediately after stretching (post), and at 3 minutes, 6 minutes, and 15 minutes. Results: PNF stretching produce a greater improvement in flexibility compared with static stretching. Specifically, the ΔAKE was significantly higher in the S100 and S70 groups than in the P100 group at Post. In the comparison of ΔAKE over time in each group, the ΔAKE at Post showed a significant decrease compared to the value at Baseline in the S130 group; however, no significant difference was observed at 6 minutes while a significant increase was noted at 15 minutes. Conclusion: This study found that PNF stretching is more effective than static stretching with respect to increasing and maintaining the flexibility of muscles. In addition, the increase in flexibility at maximal intensity was similar to that observed at submaximal intensity during both PNF and static stretching.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.191-197
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine immediate effects of 15 minutes plantarflexor static stretching in quite stance. Methods : Twenty-nine subjects were measured static balance during 1 minute in quite stance with eye closed condition before and after 15 minutes plantarflexor static stretching. Static stretching range was limited from $15^{\circ}$ to $20^{\circ}$ dorsiflexion within comfortable range. Results : The result of this study showed that postural sway significantly increased during 1 minute quiet stance after 15 minutes static stretching(p<.05). Before stretching, postural sway significantly decreased during 41-60 seconds compared to 0-20, 21-40 seconds(p<.05). After stretching, postural sway was decreased significantly over time 0-20, 21-40, and 41-60 seconds(p<.05). Conclusion : The prolong plantarflexor static stretching may require biomechanical, neurological adaptations prior to walking or sport activities for safety.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of present study was to examine the effect of ultrasound therapy and static stretching on hamstring length and balance. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: A total of 30 adults in S college, Seongnam city, Gyeonggi-do, between the ages of 20-30 were randomly assigned to two groups. Group 1 (n=15) had ultrasound therapy, called US group. Group 2 (n=15) had static stretching, called SS group. Measurements were taken prior to starting the program and after completing the experiment using Finger to floor test and Active knee extension test to get the results of hamstring flexibility and the ability of static balance. Paired t-test was used to compare each group pre-test values to post-test values and to compare US post-test values to SS post-test values on PASW 18.0. Results: 1) Both hamstring SS group and US group had significant increase (p<.05) in Finger to floor test and Active knee extension test. 2) Dominant leg standing had significant change (p<.05) only in US group. 3) There was no significant difference between US group and SS group. Conclusion: Results showed that US group and SS group had an effect on changes in hamstring length (p<.05). However, they did not show a significant increase in static balance. Further effective studies on hamstring SS group and US group were needed based on this examination.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.1852-1859
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• 2016

The effectiveness of a binarization algorithm in image processing depends on how to eliminate the uncertainty of determining threshold in a reasonable way and on minimizing information loss due to the binarization effect. Fuzzy binarization technique was proposed to handle that uncertainty with fuzzy logic. However, that method is known to be inefficient when the given image has low intensity contrast. In this paper, we propose an improved fuzzy binarization method to overcome such known drawbacks. Our method proposes a trapezoid type fuzzy membership function instead of most-frequently used triangle type one. We also propose an adaptive ${\alpha}$_cut determination policy. Our proposed method has less information loss than other algorithms since we do not use any stretching based preprocessing for enhancing the intensity contrast. In experiment, our proposed method is verified to be more effective in binarization with less information loss for many different types of images with low intensity contrast such as night scenery, lumber scoliosis, and lipoma images.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which method is efficient to enhance the flexibility of lower back between PNF(Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), static and dynamic stretching. Methods : Subjects were 30 young people between the ages 17 and 19. They were randomly divided into three groups; static group(n=10) performed a static stretching, dynamic group(n=10) performed a dynamic stretching, and PNF group(n=10) performed a PNF stretching. Intervention was provided 5 days per week for 4 weeks. For each case, Trunk flexion forward, trunk flexion backward, trunk left lateral bending, trunk right lateral bending, trunk flexion forward a measuring instrument and tapeline were performed to measured the flexibility of lower back at different times(before starting the exercise, after 4 weeks). Results : The results of the study reveal that the lower back flexibility was a statistically significant difference in all groups(p<.05). There was statistically significant difference between PNF group and static group, PNF group and dynamic group. Conclusion : The finding indicated that PNF may be preferred technique for improving flexibility, and that flexibility training results in an increased consistency of flexibility scores.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.27-32
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of IASTM and static stretching techniques on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), static foot pressure. Methods: Twenty four subjects with gastrocnemius shortness participated in this study. The subjects were assigned randomly to one of two groups: The soft tissue mobilization technique (IASTM) group received intervention using a IASTM instrument for two minutes, and the stactic stretching group performed self stretching for 30 seconds, four times. The ROM of the ankle joint was measured by active ankle dorsi-flexion test, and a TPScan was utilized to collect the plantar foot pressure. This experiment was performed by two physical therapists. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The results were as follows: 1) The ROM of the ankle joint and was significantly increased in both groups. 2) Plantar foot pressure was no significant in both groups. 3) There were no significant differences between the IASTM group and static stretching group for any variable. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that static stretching is an effective and easy technique for restoring proper muscle length in subjects with gastrocnemius shortness. We recommend that static stretching technique be used for treat gastrocnemius shortness in clinical setting and home program.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2019

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of talus stability taping during gastrocnemius stretching on ankle passive dorsiflexion, talus posterior glide, and balance in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Methods: Fifteen subjects (eight males and seven females) with limited ankle dorsiflexion participated in this study. Ankle passive dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), talus posterior glide, and the lower quarter Y-balance test (YBT-LQ) were measured pre-stretching, after applying gastrocnemius stretching (GS), and after applying gastrocnemius stretching with talus stability taping (GSTST). The two types of stretching were performed at random. Results: Ankle passive dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased by both types of stretching (p < 0.05), and ROM was significantly more increased post-GSTST than post-GS (p < 0.05). In addition, talus posterior glide was significantly increased post-GSTST than pre-stretching and post-GS (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between post-GS and pre-stretching (p > 0.05). YBT-LQ score was significantly increased post-GSTST than pre-stretching (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Gastrocnemius stretching with talus stability taping is an effective method for subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion to improve ankle passive dorsiflexion, talus posterior gliding, and balance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences in kinematic factors according to stretching treatment, myofascial release treatment, and static stretching treatment conditions during squat. Method: Twelve males with resistance training experience participated in this study. Participants performed squats without treatment (Pre-Test), and performed squats after treatment with the myofascial release technique (MRT) and static stretching (SS) on different days (post-test). Squat movements were captured using eight motion capture cameras (sampling rate: 250 Hz), and the peak joint angles of the ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis were calculated for each direction. One-way repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses using SPSS 27 (IBM Corp. Armonk NY, USA) were used to compare the peak joint angle of the lower extremity joints and pelvis among the normal condition (squat without treatment), MRT condition (squat after MRT treatment) and SS condition (squat after static stretching). The statistical significance level was set at .05. Results: It was observed that the maximum ankle joint flexion angle during squats was statistically reduced under conditions of myofascial release and static stretching (p<.05), in comparison to the scenario where no stretching was performed. Furthermore, static stretching was found to enhance the maximum hip flexion angle during squat (p<.05), whereas the myofascial release stretching technique resulted in the minimal posterior pelvic tilt angle (p<.05). Conclusion: Employing myofascial release stretching as a preparatory exercise proved to be more efficacious in maintaining body stability throughout the execution of high-intensity squat movements by effectively managing the posterior tilt of the pelvis, as opposed to foregoing stretching or engaging in static stretching.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.63-74
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• 2024

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of static stretching on the pain and range of motion (ROM) of shoulder joints in middle aged women patients with frozen shoulders. Design: One group pretest-posttest design Methods: The participants were 15 middle aged women patients with frozen shoulders in their 40s to 60s. Subjective and objective pain and joint ROM(range of motion) were measured, and the static stretching intervention consisted of 15 minutes of flexion, abduction and external rotation stretching. Results: The results of this study indicated that the daily pain of shoulder joints and pressure pain thresholds of the muscles surrounding the shoulder joints were generally improved after the intervention with the static stretching, for which significant differences were observed (p<0.05). The ROM of shoulder joint flexion, abduction, and external rotation was significantly increased (p<0.05) after the intervention with the static stretching. Conclusion: Static stretching intervention in patients with frozen shoulders relieved shoulder joint pain and had positive effects on the ROM of shoulder joints. Thus, the application of static stretching in middle aged womenpatients who experience severe pain could be effective at enhancing the function of shoulder joints without pain.