• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2022

Purpose : Kegel exercises reported that it is effective in managing stress-related or complex urinary incontinence through contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles. In many previous studies, it was confirmed that Kegel exercise is involved in respiration as well as urinary system diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the effect of pelvic setting when performing Kegel exercises. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect on maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and abdominal muscle thickness through Kegel exercise after lumbar-pelvic motor control using pressure biofeedback unit (PBU). Methods : The subjects of this study were 10 healthy female students in their 20s. Subjects measured MVV with a spirometer. In hooklying, external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis of the dominant hand were measured using ultrasound. The measured value was an average of three times. After one week of intervention, measurements were made in the same manner. Before Kegel exercise, pelvic setting training was performed using PBU. In hooklying, PBU was placed in the waist and set to 40 mmHg, and it was adjusted to 60 mmHg through pelvic muscle contraction. For Kegel exercise, the pelvis was first set using PBU, and then the pelvic floor muscles were contracted for 8 seconds and relaxed for 8 seconds, 10 times, 1 set, and 3 sets. Results : In MVV, a significant difference was confirmed after exercise than before exercise (p<.05). There was also a significant difference in abdominal muscle thickness before and after exercise (p<.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, Kegel exercise using PBU had an effect on MVV and abdominal muscle thickness. However, since this study was conducted without a control group as a preliminary study, additional research should be conducted to supplement this.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.177-186
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• 2024

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to use oral instruction and taping to induce abdominal draw-in in the previous study, but there is a lack of research on the comparison of effects. Therefore, in this study, we would like to study how the effect of oral instruction, taping, and no feedback can affect muscle activity when performing abdominal draw-in pier exercises. Methods : Before the experiment, group A trained piers and applied only draw-in piers, group B applied taping feedback, and group C were divided into three groups per week for six weeks, and three sets of contractions for five seconds per group were performed five times, and a minute break was provided between each exercise. As a measurement tool, a wireless surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure surface electromyography (Telemyo-DTS, NORAXON, USA) that derives a synthetic unit of muscle using a surface electrode. For statistical processing of data, the analysis is performed using the SPSS/PC Version 25.0 statistical program for Windows, and the statistical significance level is a=.05 Results : First, the duration was somewhat shorter in order to more accurately compare the muscle activity of the core muscles. Therefore, future research needs to be research that can be exercises with precise biofeedback and taping applied over a longer period of time. Secondly, it is believed that there is no significant difference, since the subjects were studied in healthy young adult men and women, not patients. Thirdly, they could not control the daily life of the subjects. Through future research, it is necessary to analyze the correlation between muscle activity and abdominal muscle thickness by adding ultrasound in addition to muscle activity in various age groups. Conclusion : During draw-in bridge exercise according to feedback, the muscle activity of the back muscle increased, and there was no significant difference in the muscle activity of the back muscle according to each feedback. Therefore, both the feedback applied during the draw-in pier exercise and the control group are effective in changing the thickness of the abdominal muscles.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2018

Purpose : This study investigated the effects of different types of plank exercise on abdominal muscle thickness in subjects with asymmetric pelvic anterior tilt. Methods : Participants with a diagnosis of pelvic anterior tilt were divided into an experimental group (n=12) and a control group (n=13). The thicknesses of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles were measured using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. The data were analyzed using an SPSS (Ver. 21) program. Results : In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the thicknesses of the left and right muscles in the standing and elbow plank exercises (p<.05). All the muscle thicknesses increased significantly during the plank exercises(elbow plank, right-side plank, and left-side plank) as compared with those in the standing position (p<.05). In addition, the side-plank exercise resulted in significantly higher muscle thickness of the supported side (p<.01, p<.001). Conclusion : These findings suggest that asymmetric exercise should be applied to the change of the left and right muscles of the abdominal when applying plank exercise according to pelvic anterior tilt.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.123-132
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise during abdominal hollowing with conscious contraction of the pelvic floor muscles on trunk muscle in healthy twenties subjects. METHODS: The participants were randomly allocated to an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The experimental group received lumbar stabilization exercise combined with conscious contraction of the pelvic floor muscles during abdominal hollowing. The control group received lumbar stabilization exercise with abdominal hollowing. Both groups trained with the respective exercise for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Muscle activation of the external oblique and erector spinae muscles, thickness of the transversus abdominis and multifidus, and contraction holding time of tranversus abdominis were measured before and after exercise. RESULTS: Activations of both the external oblique muscles were significantly decreased, and thickness of both the transversus abdominis and multifidus muscles, and contraction holding time of the transversus abdominis muscle were significantly increased in the experimental group (p<.05). The thickness of the left transversus abdominis and right multifidus muscles, and the contraction holding time of the transversus abdominis muscle significantly increased in the control group (p<.05). On comparing both groups, the activations of both external oblique muscles were significantly reduced and the contraction holding time of the transversus abdominis muscle was significantly increased in the experimental group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lumbar stabilization exercise by abdominal hollowing and conscious contraction of the pelvic floor muscles is suitable and efficient for healthy twenties subjects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined thickness changes in abdominal muscles according to difficulty level of core stabilization exercise in healthy subjects. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (age range: 21-30 years) volunteered under three conditions. In the first condition, the subjects performed an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM). In the second condition, they performed the ADIM during quadruped exercise using a suspension device without extending their lower limbs. In the third condition, the subjects performed the ADIM during quadruped exercise using a suspension device while extending both lower limbs. The changes in thickness of transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles were measured by ultrasonography (US) imaging during the three experimental conditions, and US was used to measure the improvement ratio of muscle thickness at rest. The interventions were conducted over three trials in each condition, and measurements were performed on each subject by one examiner. Results: Our results showed a significantly greater increase in the muscle thickness of TrA and IO muscles after performance of quadruped exercise using a suspension device without knee extension (p<0.05) compared to the other conditions. The results also showed a significantly greater increase in the thickness changes of EO muscle in those who performed the ADIM during quadruped exercise using a suspension device with knee extension (p<0.05) compared with the ADIM only. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated positive evidence that a low-level core stabilization exercise could improve thickness of abdominal muscles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.72-83
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• 2023

Background: Normal-weight obese women have a normal weight with relatively low muscle mass resulting from high body fat. We aimed to investigate the effects of core exercise on body composition, abdominal muscle thickness, trunk muscular endurance, and psychological factors in normal-weight obese women. Design: One group pre-, mid-, and post-test design. Methods: A total of 20 normal-weight obese women were recruited voluntarily. Core exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times a week for 4 weeks. InBody measurements, ultrasound imaging, and clinical tests were used to assess body composition, abdominal muscle thickness, trunk and core muscular endurance, and psychological condition(satisfaction with appearance and self-esteem). The dependent variables were measured three times: before the intervention (pre-test), 2 weeks after the intervention (mid-test), and 4 weeks after intervention (post-test). One-way repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Although there was no change in the body composition (p>0.05), thickness of the transversus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles, endurance of the trunk flexors and extensors and core muscles, and psychological condition showed significant differences after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings will help develop exercise programs for normal-weight obese individuals that utilize the beneficial effect of core exercises.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.415-420
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the thickness of the abdominal muscles during single leg holding exercise (SLH) in a hooked lying position on stable surface and on a foam roller. Healthy twenty subjects who had no medical history of lower extremity or lower back pain were recruited for this study. Muscle thickness of transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) was recorded using real-time ultrasonography during SLH. Paired t-test with Bonferroni adjustment was used to compare the muscles thickness during SLH on stable surface and on a foam roller. The result showed that TrA and IO muscle demonstrated greater thickness during SLH on foam roller than those on the stable surface. This finding suggests that SLH on an unstable foam roller is more effective to increase thicknesses of TrA and IO muscles than stable surface.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the PNF stabilization technique for the hip joint and the bridging exercise on the trunk stabilizer muscles in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults were randomly allocated to either a PNF stabilization exercise group (n = 12) or a bridging exercise group (n = 16). The outcome measures included the contraction thickness ratio in the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO), and the TrA lateral slide was assessed during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver using b-mode ultrasound. The researcher measured the abdominal muscle thickness of each participant before the therapist began the intervention and at the moment that the intervention was applied. Between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The PNF intervention program showed a significant increase in the trunk stabilizer muscle. The percentage of change in the TrA thickness showed a significant interaction between intervention. However, there were no significant differences in the IO and EO between the two groups. Conclusion: The PNF stabilization technique for the hip joint can be used effectively to improve the IO and TrA muscles in healthy adults.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to identify the effect of pressure biofeedback applied in various postures that allow the application of abdominal drawing-in. Design: A cross sectional study. Methods: The study intended to compare changes in the thickness of abdominal muscles between different postures when abdominal drawing-in was performed using a pressure biofeedback unit in five postures and to compare differences in terms of measures such as the transverse abdominis's preferential activation ratio(PAR). Data measured from 30 healthy individuals were used for data analysis. A paired t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to compare the thickness of each abdominal muscle. Results: The transverse abdominis's and internal oblique's thickness showed statistically significant differences in all postures when abdominal drawing-in (p<0.05). In the comparison between the postures, statistically significant differences were observed between the positions of hook-lying and wall support standing and between supine and wall support standing and between hook-lying and sitting (p<0.05). In terms of the transverse abdominis's PAR in each posture, statistically significant differences were observed between hook-lying and quadruped, hook-lying and sitting, hook-lying and wall support standing, quadruped and supine, sitting and supine, as well as wall support standing and supine (p<0.05). Conclusions: When abdominal drawing-in using pressure biofeedback unit is performed for stabilization exercises, selecting and applying specific postures according to targeted muscles and the subject's functional ability will help provide a more efficient and accurate intervention.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.51-60
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• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) on an unstable support surface on maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and abdominal muscle thickness as a method for effective PFME. Methods : This study was performed on 22 subjects. They were matched and divided into two groups based on body mass index; the experimental group (EG) performed PFME on a foam roller (n= 11), the control group (CG) performed PFME on a stable support surface (n= 11). Kegel exercise was performed with 10 seconds of contraction, 10 seconds of relaxation, and 4 sets of 10 reps per set. Both of group executed the exercise 3 times a week for 2 weeks. MIP and MEP was measured using a spirometer. Abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. The paired t-test was used to compare difference on each group and the comparison between groups was analyzed using the independent t-test. A significance level of α= .05 was used to verify statistical significance. Results : The EG showed a significant increase in the MEP (p<.05). The CG showed a significant increase in the MEP (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the two groups (p>.05). The EG showed a significant increase in the external oblique, internal oblique and transverse abdominis (p<.05). The CG showed a significant increase in the internal oblique (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, additional research should be conducted to correct the limitations of this study to confirm that PFME performed on a foam roller has a positive effect on respiratory muscle strength and abdominal muscle thickness.