• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.9-16
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• 2011

Background : Smoking reduces the ability of the lungs to function. In particular, smoking reduces the vital capacity of the lungs, which is the amount of air the lungs can take in. This reduction in vital capacity has several important health effects. Purpose : The purpose of this study, therefore was to examine the effects of the respiratory muscle exercise on peak expiratory flow and respiratory muscle strength. Methods : For an experimental research design, it was employed 20 young healthy subjects and these subjects were assigned into two groups; a smoking group(n=10) and an non-smoking group(n=10). All groups were participated in respiratory muscle exercises twice a week for 5 weeks in same condition. For comparison between before and after for post treatment, it was analysed as paired t-test and ANCOVA. Results : The result of this study were as follows; In the case of smoking group, there were significant differences, from $427.77{\pm}76.61$ l/min to $526.66{\pm}58.52$ l/min of peak respiratory flow, from $94.33{\pm}22.07$ kg to $102.16{\pm}21.60$ kg of abdominal muscle strength between the before and the after of respiratory muscle strength exercises. In the case of nonsmoking group, there were significant differences, from $449.54{\pm}77.47$ l/min to $553.18{\pm}61.32$ l/min of peak respiratory flow, from $93.41{\pm}19.21$ kg to $101.58{\pm}18.92$ kg of abdominal muscle strength between the before and the after of respiratory muscle strength exercises. Conclusion : These results were suggested that the peak respiratory flow and muscle strength were improved after respiratory muscle strength exercises.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2015

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of PNF lower extremity flexion pattern on the eletromyographic (EMG) activity in rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominal, external oblique abdominal, erector spinae. Methods : Twenty-six healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required complete following two PNF lower extremity patterns; flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion (D1) and flexion-abduction-internal rotation with knee flexion (D2). A paired t-test was used to determine the influence of the PNF two patterns on muscle activity for each muscle and descriptive statistics was used to determine local/global muscle ratio. Results : The D1 pattern was showed significant rectus abdominis (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 2.23 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.53. The D2 pattern showed significant erector spinae (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 3.06 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.72. Conclusion : The D1 pattern made rectus abdominis activation increase. The D2 pattern made erector spinae activation increase. As compared D1 and D2 pattern on trunk muscle activation, it's will be useful decision making for the trunk muscle strength and stabilization.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2013

This study analyzes how different knee flexion angles affect the abdominal and pelvic muscle activity during supine bridging. Twenty healthy subjects participated in the study. We used surface electromyography (EMG) to measure how three different knee flexion angles ($100^{\circ}$, $70^{\circ}$, and $40^{\circ}$) affected the activity of the transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), external oblique (EO), biceps femoris (BF), rectus femoris (RF), and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles on the dominant side during supine bridging. The one-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance of TrA/IO, EO, BF, RF and GM muscle activity and the GM/BF activity ratio. For the TrA/IO, EO, BF, and GM muscles, supine bridging with different knee flexion angles resulted in significant differences in abdominal and pelvic muscle activity. For the TrA/IO muscles, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased at $40^{\circ}$ compared to $70^{\circ}$; however, there were no significant differences between $100^{\circ}$ and $70^{\circ}$ or $100^{\circ}$ and $40^{\circ}$. For the EO muscle, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased at $40^{\circ}$ compared to $100^{\circ}$ and $70^{\circ}$; no significant difference was observed between angles $100^{\circ}$ and $70^{\circ}$. For the BF muscle, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased according to the knee flexion angle ($40^{\circ}$ > $70^{\circ}$ > $100^{\circ}$). For the GM muscle, the post-hoc test demonstrated that muscle activity significantly increased according to the knee flexion angle ($100^{\circ}$ > $70^{\circ}$ > $40^{\circ}$). However, for the RF muscle, there was no significant difference. Additionally, the GM/BF activity ratio significantly increased according to the knee flexion angle ($100^{\circ}$ > $70^{\circ}$ > $40^{\circ}$). From these results, we can conclude that bridging with a knee flexion of $100^{\circ}$ can strengthen the GM muscle, whereas bridging with a knee flexion of $40^{\circ}$ is recommended to strengthen the IO, EO, and BF muscles. We can also conclude that knee flexion angles should be modified during supine bridging to increase the muscle activity of different target muscles.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to study the effect of rectus abdominal muscle contraction by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation trunk stabilization training using extremity simultaneous pattern (PNF trunk stabilization training) and traditional trunk stabilization training methods. Methods : A group of 24 adults male and female, healthy, with no previous medical history nor disability in neuromuscular system and musculoskeletal system was chosen as subjects, and was divided into a control group, a PNF trunk stabilization training group and a traditional trunk stabilization training group. Experiments were performed on the last two groups, 3 times a week for 6 weeks, totaling 18 times. Using a dynamometer, muscle strength and endurance time on trunk flexion were measured before and after each experiment, and surface electromyography in left and right rectus abdominis were measured. Results : following results were obtained; 1. As for the change in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), all subjects in the trunk stabilization training group showed significant difference from those in the control group. 2. As for surface electromyography measurement and the changes in root mean square at the time of trunk flexion, in the left rectus abdominis, PNF trunk stabilization training group showed significant difference from the control group, while in the right rectus abdominis, traditional trunk stabilization training group showed significant difference. Conclusion : To sum up the results, both trunk stabilization training groups showed improvement in the MVIC of abdominal muscle, motor unit action potential activity, but the difference between two trunk stabilization training groups was not significant. Therefore, while trunk stabilization training significantly improved abdominal muscle contraction, but the difference attributable to training methods was found to be insignificant.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigates the effects of task-oriented training for a left trunk flexion pattern using real-time ultrasound imaging in a stroke patient with unilateral neglect symptoms. Methods: This study used the ABA experimental design, which is a single-subject research method among individual case research methods. For the ABA experimental design, changes in the degree of unilateral neglect, balance ability, and the thickness of the lateral abdominal muscle were visually analyzed during the baseline process, in the intervention period, and after the intervention. The experiments were performed 24 times in total for 8 times in each of the 3 periods. The unilateral neglect was measured using the Albert test, balance ability was measured using the Berg balance test, and the thickness of the lateral abdominal muscle was measured using ultrasound imaging. The subject was a 50-year-old male patient with unilateral neglect caused by right cerebral hemorrhage. He performed task-oriented training for a voluntary left trunk flexion pattern using real-time ultrasound imaging during the intervention period. Results: The result of comparing the data collected during the intervention period with the data point average of the baseline process showed that balance ability improved and the tendency line was above the baseline. The tendency line of unilateral neglect was below the baseline and showed a decreasing tendency. The thickness of the lateral abdominal muscle showed an increasing trend and the tendency line was above the baseline. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the task-oriented training for left trunk flexion pattern using real-time ultrasound imaging has a beneficial effect on balance ability, the degree of unilateral neglect, and the strength of the lateral abdominal muscle in unilateral neglect patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.81-88
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of normal timing according to angular motion in PNF patterns on electromyography (EMG) activity in rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominal muscle, external oblique abdominal muscle, and erector spinae. Methods: Ten healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. The participants were required to complete following two PNF extremity patterns; upper extremity extension- adduction-internal rotation pattern with $180^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$ and lower extremity flexion- adduction-external rotation pattern with $0^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$. A paired t-test was used to determine the influence of the two PNF patterns on muscle activity in each muscle. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the ratio of local muscle activity to global muscle activity. Results: In terms of their effect on applied normal timing, the upper and lower extremity pattern significantly affected the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae (p < .05). The upper extremity pattern (at an extension angle of $30^{\circ}$) and the lower extremity pattern ((at a flexion angle of $90^{\circ}$) influenced the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae (p < .05). Conclusion: The effect of the upper and lower extremity patterns on applied normal timing was significant in that these patterns increased trunk muscle activation. The upper extremity pattern (at an extension angle of $30^{\circ}$) and the lower extremity pattern (at a flexion angle of $90^{\circ}$) increased trunk muscle activation. Normal timing is required to increase trunk muscle strength and extremity movement.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.683-696
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• 2000

To examine the blood lipids, muscle strength and flexibility at low back, and muscle strength in the knee joint, 44 women, who were diagnosed as chronic low back pain patients and aged between 40 to 50 years old, were recruited as the subjects. The women were divided into two groups: 1) body fat content less than 25% and 2) body fat content more than 30%. The results were: 1) No differences were found between two groups in blood lipids status. 2) The total cholesterol were less 3.78% in the normal group than the obese group. 3) The HDL-cholesterol were higher 4.85% in the normal group than the obese group. 4) The TG were less 13.1% in the normal group than the obese group. 5) No differences were found between two groups in muscle strength and flexibility 6) No differences were found between two groups in the peak torque of knee joint 7) The total work of the knee joints were higher in the normal group than the obese(P<.05). 8) The abdominal strength were higher 34.04% in the normal group than the obese group. 9) The flexibility of low back were higher 44.54% in the normal group than the obese group.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.27-36
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• 2018

Background: We developed a novel integrative lumbar stabilization technique that combines lumbar extension (LE) exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) to ameliorate low back pain (LBP) associated with neuromuscular imbalance and instability, based on the collective evidence of contemporary spinal rehabilitation. Objects: The specific aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of LE exercise with and without ADIM on core muscle strength, lumbar spinal instability, and pain, as well as functional characteristics in individuals with LBP using advanced radiographic imaging techniques. Methods: patients with mechanical LBP (N = 40, 6 males; $35.1{\pm}7.6years$) were recruited and randomly assigned either to the combined LE and ADIM (experimental group) or the LE alone (control group). Outcome measures included the visual analog scale, the modified Oswestry Disability Index, muscle strength imbalance (MSI), and radiographic imaging. The lumbar intervertebral displacement (LID), intervertebral (IV) and total lumbar extension (TLE) angles were calculated to evaluate the lumbar segmental instability. Results: The experimental group showed significant differences in the L3-L4, L5-S1 LIDs, L4-L5 and L5-S1 IV angles, and TLE angle as compared to the controls (p<.05). Immediate pain reduction and muscle strength imbalance ratio were significantly different between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the addition of ADIM significantly increased lumbar spinal stabilization in individuals with LBP, thereby reducing pain associated with functional lumbar flexion during daily activities.