• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.54-63
• /
• 2022

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this paper is to suggest the strategical lifting postures able to alleviate imbalanced EMG amplitude leading to an increase in low back muscle fatigue while lifting asymmetric load dynamically. Eleven male subjects are required to lift symmetrically an external load with 15.8kg and load center of gravity (LCG) deviated 10cm to the right from the floor to the waist height at the speed of about 25cm/sec. The EMG amplitudes on bilateral low back muscles (Longissimus, Iliocostalis, and Multifidus) are recorded during 2sec and analyzed. Independent variables are trunk postures (No bending vs. Bending to the LCG) and feet placements (Parallel vs. Right foot in front of the other vs. Right foot behind the other). Dependent variables are EMG amplitude average on six muscles and the EMG amplitude difference between right and left muscle group. Results indicate the phenomenon showing an amplitude increase in the left muscle group is equal to an decrease in the right one is observed in dynamic as well as static lifts, bending the trunk to the LCG increases amplitude discrepancy more than no trunk bending, and the amplitude discrepancy in one foot ipsilateral to LCG in front of the other foot is lowest among other foot postures. As bilateral EMG amplitude discrepancy increases total low back muscle fatigue, the strategical combination of no trunk bending and one foot close to LCG in front of the other is recommended for preventing elevated incidence of low back pain (LBP).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Leg-crossing sitting is very common for men and woman. No solid evidence exists for either a beneficial or a detrimental effect of this posture. This study investigated the change of activities of trunk muscles between the normal group and the low back pain group during various leg-crossing positions. Methods: The subjects were consisted of 10 subjects who don't have low back pain and 10 subjects who have low back pain. In this study, we used electromyography(EMG) to evaluate the activities of both the trunk muscles (rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and multifidus) during various leg-crossing positions (up-right, leg-crossing, tailor-crossing, and ankle-crossing). We analyzed the data by using repeated one way ANOVA. Results: In normal group, there were increased in EMG activities of trunk muscles, but no significant differences during leg-crossing positions. In back pain group, there were increased in EMG activities of right external oblique, left. internal oblique, and both multifidus muscles in leg-crossing and tailor-crossing position, but no significant differences during leg-crossing positions. There was no significant difference of muscle activity of trunk muscles between the back pain group and the normal group. Conclusion: We suggest that low back pain people who have weak muscles of rectus abdominis, external and internal oblique are often experienced in leg-crossing posture than normal. To compensate this unstability of trunk, leg-crossing posture is substituted passive structure for activities of active muscle.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.63-74
• /
• 2005

J. R. PARK. The Analysis of Electrimyography and Kinematic of Kumdo Player's Head Hitting. Korean Journal of Sport Biomechanics, Vol. 15, No. 1, pp. 63-74, 2005. The purpose of this study were to describe and compare the selected electromyographical muscle activities of arm and kinematic data of kumdo player's head hitting. Using surface electrode electromyography, we evaluated muscle activity in 6 male players during head hitting motion. Surface electrodes were used to record the level of muscle activity in the carpi radialis, deltoid, triceps, biceps muscles during the player's head hitting. These signals were compared with %RVC(Reference voluntary contraction) which was normalized by IEMG(Integrated EMG). The kumdo head hitting motion was divided into two phases: back swing, down swing. we observed patterns of arm muscle activity throughout two phases of the kumdo head hiting The results can be summarized as follows: right elbow angle had decreased and left deltoid muscle's activation had higher than right deltoid muscle's activation, right carpi radialis muscle's activation had higher than left carpi radialis muscle's activation in back swing phase, knee angle had decreased and left triceps muscle's activation had higher than right triceps muscle's activation, right deltoid muscle's activation had higher than left deltoid muscle's activation, right carpi radialis muscle's activation had higher than left carpi radialis muscle's activation in down swing phase

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.117-120
• /
• 2001

Low back pain has been known as the most frequent musuculoskeletal disorders in modern industrial society and cost by low back pain is increasing mon and more. The asymmetric lifting has been identified as a major risk factor of low back pain. In this study, the muscle activity and muscle exertion level during asymmetric load handling (without trunk flexion) was estimated. The results of normalized MVC measurement were decreased about 16％, 24％, 34％ respectively as the asymmetric angle was $30^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$. From the results of EMG measurement contralateral muscles were more active than ipsilateral muscles. RMSEMG values of right erector spinae muscles were decreased as the work posture went to 90$^{\circ}$ and those of left erector spinae muscles were increased until the asymmetric angle was 40$^{\circ}$ but decreased continually over 40$^{\circ}$. And for seven of subjects, activities of left and right latissimus dorsi muscles were maintained constantly, while for remainer, those were irregular.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.71-82
• /
• 2015

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare changes in the thickness of the gluteus medius muscle fiber between chronic low back pain(clbp) with gluteus medius weakness and healthy subject. METHODS: Ultrasound imaging was used to measure in the thickness of each fiber of the gluteus medius muscle based on maximal muscle contraction during abduction motion of the hip joint in a healthy group (11 subjects) and a chronic CLBP group (21 subjects). An independent t-test was performed to analyze the difference of thickness in each fiber of the gluteus medius muscle and the rate of changes in the fibers in the two groups. RESULTS: The fiber thickness changes in the gluteus medius muscle were significantly lower for the posterior fiber in the CLBP group compared to the healthy group (p<0.01). The changes in rate of difference of thickness the posterior part of the gluteus medius muscle was significantly lower in the CLBP group than in the healthy group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study CLBP patients with weakness of the gluteus medius muscle that lower for the posterior fiber's difference of thickness and rate of change in the CLBP group compared to the healthy group. Indicate that rehabilitation of CLBP patients with weakness of the gluteus medius muscle should consider the functions of posterior fiber of the gluteus medius muscle.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.695-703
• /
• 2011

Objective: This study was to investigate the effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures on the subjective discomfort rating, heart rate, and muscle activities. Background: Although generally many checklists such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA were applied to evaluate various body postures, the body postures were might be overestimated or underestimated because each body part(i.e., back, shoulder, and elbow etc.) was evaluated separately, and then added all rates of individual body parts to assess an overall risk level for the body posture in these methodologies. Methods: A total of 20 participants maintained 14 postures which were combinations of back, shoulder, and elbow flexion angles and then muscle activities, subjective discomfort, and heart rates were collected every three minute during a sustained 15 minute and 0.5kg weight holding task. Four muscle groups were investigated: erector spine, anterior deltoid, upper trapezius, triceps brachii. Results: Results showed that subjective discomfort was the lowest when the angle of back and shoulder were both $0^{\circ}s$, while the body posture with $45^{\circ}$ of back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder angle was rated as the most subjective discomfort posture. In general, the subjective discomfort ratings increased as back and shoulder flexion angles increased. It was noted that, however, the subjective discomfort of body posture with a $45^{\circ}$ back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle was lower than that of body posture with a $0^{\circ}$ back and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle. The research findings of heart rates and muscle activities showed similar results for the analyses of subjective discomfort ratings. Conclusions: The possible limitations of the current ergonomics evaluation techniques which assessing a body posture with summing all body part score after individually analyzed in this study. Based on the analyses of subjective discomfort, heart rate, and muscle activities, it was recommended that a use of effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures would be considered when one evaluates work-load for various working postures. Application: These findings can be used for developing a more accurate assessment checklist for working posture as well as preventing musculoskeletal disorders of workers in workplaces.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.817-822
• /
• 1995

Even though back pain therapy has greatly improved as spinal bio-mechanics is introduced, many patients still have difficulties due to low back pain. At the initial therapeutic stage, the aim of rehabilitation therapy for low back pain is pain control, but, at the later therapeutic stage, the prime aims are to reduce the late complication and to prevent the recurrence of low back pain. Accurate diagnosis should be a first step before any therapy is planned. Thus, accurate physical, neurologic, E.M.G. and radiologic tests are required to give prescription for therapeutic exercise to the patients. In addition to this, the roles of theraphists and therapeutic exercise should be re-evaluated after the therapeutic exercise is performed. Fist of all, the most important things are to educate the patients to understand the low back pain and to let the patients join the therapeutical planning. 1. Bed rest and muscle relaxing exercise for releasing the muscle tention are required for the treatment of acute low back pain. An active exercise is recommended rather than a passive exercise. If the therapeutic exercise depravate the low back pain, the exercise should be immediately terminated and the therapeutical exercise should be replanned. 2. For the treatment of the chronic back pain, stretching exercise and para-spinal muscle strengthening exercise should be performed steadily and actively to prevent the recurrence of low back pain and the low back injury due to minor damage. The patients should be educated to do proper exercise and to maintain good posture in everyday life. 3. As the low back pain is released and the body function is recovered, control of whole body function is necessary. Swiming, bicycling and walking for $30\sim40$ minutes a day and $3\sim4$ days a week are recommended. Other exercise could be recommended depending on the patients condition.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.223-231
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of different methods of pelvic control on abdominal muscle activity and lumbopelvic rotation angle during active straight leg raising (ASLR) in patients with chronic back pain. Methods: The study participants were patients with low back pain (n = 30). They were instructed to perform ASLR with pelvic control, ASLR with pelvic belt, and ASLR only. Surface electromyography data were collected from the ipsilateral rectus femoris (IRF), ipsilateral internal oblique (IIO), contralateral external oblique (CEO), and ipsilateral rectus abdominal (IRA) muscles, and lumbopelvic rotation angle was measured using a motion analysis device. Results: Activation of all abdominal muscles was greater in the ASLR with pelvic control group than in the ASLR with pelvic belt and ASLR groups. The lumbopelvic rotation angle was lower in the ASLR with pelvic control group than in the other two groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that ALSR with pelvic control is an effective means of increasing abdominal muscle activity and reducing unwanted lumbopelvic rotation in patients with chronic low back pain. Controlling the pelvis using the opposite leg is an effective form of ASLR exercise for patients with chronic low back pain.