• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2015

PURPOSE: Although the abdominal drawing-in maneuver is commonly used in clinical training for trunk stability, performing this procedure in stroke patients is difficult; instead, maximal expiration can be much easily performed in stroke patients. In the present study, we first aimed to demonstrate the effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and maximal expiration on trunk stability in stroke patients. Moreover, we compared the thickness of the transverse abdominal, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides. METHODS: We used ultrasonography to measure the change in the thickness of the transverse abdominal, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides at rest, while performing the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, and while performing maximal expiration in 23 stroke patients. The ratio of muscle thickness between different conditions was estimated and included in the data analysis (abdominal drawing-in maneuver / at rest and, maximal expiration / at rest). RESULTS: The ratio of the thickness of the transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique muscles during maximal expiration was significantly different on the paretic side (p < 0.05). The ratio of muscle thicknesses on the non-paretic side was greater during maximal expiration than during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, although this difference was not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that maximal expiration more effectively increased the abdominal muscle thickness on the paretic side. Hence, we recommend the application of maximal expiration in clinical trunk stability training on the paretic side of stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.44-48
• /
• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes of abdominal muscles thickness according to the angle during the active straight leg raise (ASLR) in young healthy subjects. Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: Twenty-three healthy university students (13 men and 10 women) voluntary participated to the study in S University. The ASLR was performed with the subject lying supine with lower extremities straight on a standard plinth, hands resting on the chest, and elbows on the plinth. When one subject performed ASLR from each angles ($30^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$), compared changes in the thickness of rectus abdominis muscle. Changes in muscle thickness during ASLR test were assessed with ultrasonography. All subjects were to provide enough time of rest after performed ASLR. Rectus abdominis thickness were measured using rehabilitative ultrasound image. Results: Good quality rectus abdominal muscle activation data were recorded during ASLR. The length changes of linea alba showed significantly shorter in between $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ (p<0.05). The thickness of rectus abdominis muscle were significantly different between $0^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$. According to increase of pelvic angle, the thickness of rectus abdominis muscle were more thickening (p<0.05). Conclusions: This result is changes of abdominal muscles thickness according to the angle during the ASLR.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.31-40
• /
• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to confirm the effect of bridge exercise combined with vibration on abdominal muscle thickness. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: As study subjects, 24 adults in their 20s were classified into 12 vibration bridge exercise groups and 12 bridge exercise groups. The time was divided into before the experiment, 3 weeks after the experiment, and 6 weeks after the experiment. Two-way repeated ANOVA was used to examine changes in the muscle thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal muscles of the trunk muscles, and the significance level was set at 0.05. If there was an interaction between time and group, post-hoc analysis was performed, and the significance level was set at 0.01. Results: There was a significant difference in the external oblique muscle in the change by period, the interaction between time and group, and the change between groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the external oblique muscle in the change by period, the interaction between time and group, and the change between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result of this study, bridge exercise combined with vibration had a positive effect on the muscle thickness of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus abdominis muscles. It suggests the possibility of using the basic data of vibration exercise and the lumbar stabilization exercise in clinical practice.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2023

Purpose : This study was conducted to determine the effect of intervention using a smartphone application on abdominal muscle thickness and maximum voluntary ventilation when conducting pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME). Methods : This study was performed on 14 subjects. They were divided into two groups; PFME using smartphone application (n=7), common PFME (n=7). Both of group executed the exercise 5 times a week for 1 weeks. Abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. Maximum voluntary ventilation was measured using a spirometer. The smartphone application used the paid version of Kegel trainer. This material was analyzed by the paired t-test to compare differences on each group and the independent t-test to compare between the two groups. Results : The PFME group using the smartphone application showed a significant increase in the transverse abdominis and internal oblique muscles (p<.05). The common PFME group showed a significant increase in the internal oblique muscle (p<.05). There was no significant difference in variation of the muscle thickness between the two groups (p>.05). The PFME group using the smartphone application showed a significant increase in the maximal voluntary ventilation (p<.05). There was no significant difference in variation of the maximal voluntary ventilation between the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion : As a results of this study, PFME using a smartphone application seems to induce voluntary participation of subjects and maintain continuity against time constraints. As a result, it is thought that using a smartphone application when performing PFME is efficient and convenient in terms of research method. However, this study is difficult to generalize due to the small number of subjects and short intervention period. Therefore, additional research should be conducted by modifying and supplementing these limitations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.53-63
• /
• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the changes in the thickness of the abdominal muscles, including the transversus abdominis, according to the set pressure applied by a pressure biofeedback unit during contractions of the hip adductor muscles. METHODS: After randomizing 40 healthy adult males in their 20 s and 30 s, the participants were instructed to match the pressure gauge indication of the pressure biofeedback device to continue contracting the hip adductor while maintaining it at 10 mmHg (low), 40 mmHg (medium), or 70 mmHg (high). The measurement was taken over five seconds using an ultrasound device. RESULTS: According to the contractile pressure applied to the hip adductor muscle, there was a significant difference in the muscle thickness change of the transverse abdominis muscle between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. The muscle thickness ratio of the external oblique/abdominal muscle was significantly different between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Increased contraction pressure on the hip adductor muscle increases the muscle thickness of the abdominal transverse muscle. Interbody stability exercise with contractions of the hip adductor muscle is expected to help increase in the muscle thickness of the hip adductor muscle.

• Journal of Advanced Technology Convergence
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2023

This study compares the correlation between muscle thickness (abdominal, quadriceps muscle) and how the muscle thickness affects the static balance when the static balance is measured in a standing position. The subjects of study were to select 29 subjects to find out what relationship muscle thickness had on the static balance when measuring muscle thickness and static balance. rectus femoris muscle thickness showed a significant correlation in statically balanced weight distribution index. In this study, only healthy men in their twenties were selected, and the results could not be generalized to other age groups. As a limitation of this study, muscle strength and peripheral vision were not measured, so it seems difficult to express the accuracy of the study and generalize the results. In future studies, the number of subjects and muscle strength should be measured to proceed with the study.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.39-43
• /
• 2014

Purpose: This study was to examine lateral abdominal muscle activation during maximum expiration exercise between healthy and chronic low back pain(CLBP) patients. Methods: The subjects were 16 CLBP patients and 16 healthy people between the ages of 22 and 53. The thickness of the abdominal muscles was measured using ultrasonography(LOGIQ Book XP, GE, USA). We instructed the subjects how to perform the exercises and measured changes in thickness of the transversus abdominis(TrA) and internal oblique(IO) muscles during the maximum expiration. The main outcome variables were the ratios of the TrA and IO thickness during the exercise versus in the relaxed position(TrA and IO activation ratios). Results: There were significant differences between CLBP patients and healthy subjects for TrA in the relaxed position. However there was no difference in the ratio of change in the muscle activity(TrA, IO). Conclusion: These findings, CLBP patients exhibited atrophy of the TrA muscle, but voluntary TrA muscle activation was similar to that of the normal subjects. Therefore, this exercise could be used during core strengthening in CLBP patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.10-20
• /
• 2017

Background: Patients with chronic stroke often shows decreased trunk muscle activity and trunk performance. To resolve these problems, many trunk stabilizing techniques including the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and the diaphragmatic breathing maneuver (DBM) are used to improve trunk muscle strength. Objects: To compare the effects of the ADIM and the DBM on abdominal muscle thickness, trunk control, and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to the ADIM ($n_1=10$) and DBM ($n_2=9$) groups. The ADIM and DBM techniques were performed three times per week for 4 weeks. The thicknesses of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique muscle, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides, Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score were used to assess changes in motor development after 4 weeks of training. Results: After the training periods, the TrA thickness on the paretic side, TIS score, and BBS score improved significantly in both groups compared to baseline (p<.05). TIS score was significantly greater in the DBM group than in the ADIM group (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ADIM and DBM are beneficial for improving TrA muscle thickness in the paretic side, trunk control, and balance ability. Intergroup comparison revealed that TIS score was significantly improved in the DBM group versus the ADIM group. Thus, DBM may be an effective treatment for low trunk muscle activity and performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.39-47
• /
• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate a comparative study on the effects of maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and thickness of the abdominal muscles through two Kegel exercise postures. Methods : Twenty eight (male= 7, female= 21) subjects participated in this experiment. They performed Kegel exercise in sitting and hooklying. The order of exercise was conducted in the order chosen by the subjects to exclude the learning effect. The MVV was measured using a spirometer. The thickness of the abdominal muscles were measured by ultrasound. The MVV and thickness of the abdominal muscles were measured according to the manual in a sitting and hooklying position before the experiment. After each exercise, the MVV and thickness of the abdominal muscles were also measured in the same way. A one way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the MVV and thickness of the abdominal muscles according to two postures and post hoc analysis, Bonferroni was used. Results : As a result of this study, significant differences in the MVV were observed after exercise than before exercise (p<.05). However, as a result of post hoc analysis, there was no difference in the MVV according to the postures (p>.05). Significant differences in thickness of the abdominal muscles were observed after exercise than before exercise (p<.05). However, as a result of post hoc analysis, there was no difference in thickness of the abdominal muscles according to the postures (p>.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, the MVV and the thickness of the abdominal muscles were confirmed in the sitting and hooklying posture after Kegel exercise. However, further studies on vital capacity and abdominal muscles according to Kegel exercise postures should be conducted.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.23-36
• /
• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Plank exercise on unstable support surfaces on flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain in patients with chronic back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was performed on 16 patients with chronic back pain of ◯◯ military unit. Sixteen subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, an upper extremity trainer group (group I, n=8) and a lower extremity trainer group (group II, n=8). The subjects in group I carried out Flank exercise applying the stability trainer to their upper extremities and ones in group II carried out the same exercise applying the stability trainer to their lower extremities for 4 weeks. In order to ascertain the difference between two groups, flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain were measured before and after the exercise. The flexibility was measured by sit and reach test, the thickness of the abdominal muscle was measured by using ultrasonic imaging equipment, and the pain was measured by the visual analogue scale. A paired t-test was utilized to compare changes in pain, abdominal muscle thickness and flexibility before and after flank exercise on unstable support surfaces. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was performed for ascertaining the significant differences between groups. The significance level was set by α=.05. Results: 1) The flexibilities of two groups were increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 2) In both groups, the thicknesses of rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and transverse abdominis were all increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 3) The pains in both groups were decreased after the exercise (p<0.05). 4) In the comparisons of two groups, there were no differences in the flexibility, thickness of external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis and transverse abdominis and pain (p>0.05). Whereas only thickness of Rectus abdominis was larger in the group I than in the group II (p<0.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise on the unstable support surface for 4 weeks resulted in increased flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain reduction in patients with chronic back pain. Therefore, it is considered that performing flank exercise on the unstable supporting surface is suitable for the reduction of the pain in patients with chronic back pain. However, in this study, it is considered that continuous and diverse studies are needed because there was not a large difference between the groups when the upper or lower limbs are provided unstable support surfaces.