• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.85-90
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• 2013

Core muscle is the most crucial for rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal and nervous problem, there is pain, imbalance and functional movement disorder of upper and lower extremities. In this study, low-frequency electrical stimulator was developed for the purpose increasing the activity of rectus abdominis (RA) and the thickness of transverse abdominis (TrA), internal obliquus abdominis (IO), and external obliquus abdominis (EO). Fifteen female in their 20's was divided into a experiment groups (traditional electrical stimulation group, developed electrical stimulation group) and control group. Low-frequency electrical stimulation was performed in experimental groups for 4 times a week, 4 weeks. The muscle activities (RA) by EMG and muscle thickness (TrA, IO, EO) by Ultrasonogrphy imaging were measured, respectively. In the result, the muscle activity of RA and muscle thickness of TrA and EO were significantly increased at developed electrical stimulation group (p<.05). Therefore, the developed low-frequency electrical stimulation is useful for rehabilitation with CNS and PNS subjects.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.14-19
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• 2022

Background: Plank exercise (PE) is an effective exercise to enhance lower back stability by strengthening the core and lower limb muscles. However, in patients with a shortened hamstring muscle (HAM), PE may cause abnormal movement of the pelvis and lower back due to HAM hyperactivity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PE on the core muscles and HAM in subjects with a shortened HAM. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Subjects were divided into a normal length of HAM group (NHG; 9 subjects) and a shortened length of HAM group (SHG; 14 subjects). The activities of the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and HAM muscles were measured using surface electromyography. Results: The results showed that RA, EO, and ES muscle activities were higher in the NHG than in the SHG; however, no significant differences were detected. Conclusion: HAM activity was significantly higher in the SHG than in the NHG. In subjects with a shortened HAM, PE may hyperactivate the HAM, adversely affecting the pelvis and lower back.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.216-221
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effect of visual feedback squat on the core muscle thickness of young adults experiencing back pain. Methods: Thirty adult men and women who experienced back pain were assigned randomly to 15 members of the visual feedback squat group (VSG) and 15 of the normal squat group (NSG) to train three times a week for a total of eight weeks. The core muscle thickness was compared prior to the test for four weeks and eight weeks after the test by dividing it into warm-up exercise, main exercise, and 10 minutes finishing exercise. Before, and four weeks and eight weeks later, the thickness of the core muscle was compared using an ultrasonic imaging system. Repeated measured ANOVA was performed to compare the groups, and a Bonferroni test was performed as a post-hoc test to assess the significance of the timing of the measurements in each group according to the periods. An independent t-test was conducted to test the significance between the groups according to the measurement points. Results: A significant change in the main effects of time and interactions of the time difference in muscle thickness of transvers abdominis were observed between the visual feedback squat and control groups according to the measurement point (p<0.05). No significant difference in the muscle thickness of both muscles was observed between the groups with the exception of the right abdominis (p>0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that visual feedback squat exercise is expected to have positive effects on the development of transverse abdominis in core muscles.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.103-110
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate effect of core stabilization exercises on the erector spinae contractile properties and trunk isokinetic muscle function of middle age with low physical activity and sedentary lifestyle. Method: Twenty (female: n=10, male: n=10) middle-age subjects (age: 37.25 ± 6.08 years, height: 168.01 ± 6.84 cm, weight: 71.37 ± 11.75 kg) participated in this study. Tensiomyography was measured on the erector spinae, and the isokinetic trunk muscle function test was measured at an angular velocity of 60 °/s and 90 °/s. All subjects performed the core stabilization exercises for 60 min per day, 3 times a week, for 7 weeks. A paired t-test was performed with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Tensiomyography of the erector spinae revealed a significant post-exercise increase in the maximum radial displacement (p < .05) and velocity of contraction (p < .05), however, there wasn't a significant post-exercise change in the contraction time. Additionally, the isokinetic muscle function test of the trunk revealed a significant post-exercise increase in trunk extensor relative strength (p < .05) and strength ratio (p < .05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that core stabilization exercises reduced erector spinae muscle stiffness, increased the velocity of erector spinae contraction. Additionally, data showed the improvement in the trunk extensor strength help induce a more balanced development in trunk muscle.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a core stability exercise program using Swiss Ball on muscle activity, muscle thickness, maximum muscular strength, and pain in the trunk region during a 6-weeks program involving participants who have lower back pain. Methods : A total of 21 males between the ages of 20 and 33 years old were divided into 3 Swiss Ball exercise groups. Group 1 performed isometric exercises, group 2 performed isotonic exercises, and group 3 performed mixed exercises. Measurements were taken prior to starting the exercise program and after completing the program at the 6-week period using ME6000 to measure muscle activity and VAS to measure pain reduction. Comparisons were made using a paired t-test and ANOVA on SPSS 10.0. Results : There was a statistically significant effect in muscle activity for group 1 and group 3. Secondly, there was a statistically significant effect in pain reduction for group 1, group 2, and group 3. Conclusion : We found that isometric exercises performed by group 1 were effective in improving muscle activity and pain reduction.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of change in the unstable support surface location during bridge exercise on the muscle activity of erector spinae and gluteus maximus. Research design, data and methodology: 12 healthy participants aged 23.32 ±1.02 were measured muscle activities of erector spinae and gluteus maximus during bridge exercise and compared between the exercise conditions; unstable support surface located on upper back and feet during bridge exercise. Paired t-test was performed to identify whether there was a significant difference in the muscle activities between the exercise conditions. Results: As a result, even though higher levels of the averaged muscle activities of both erector spinae and gluteus maximus during exercise in unstable support surface located on feet than upper back were observed, no significant differences were found. Conclusions: The change of unstable support surface location during bridge exercise for low back pain rehabilitation would be more appropriate to be used to increase levels of tension of muscle activities and train fine motor control rather than to strengthening muscle strength.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2006

Background: central core disease is one of the non-progressive benign congenital myopathies characterized by the presence of cores in muscle fibers, which was originally described by Shy and Magee (1956). We describe clinical charcteristics of central core disease in a Korean family manifested by autosomal dominant pattern through three generations. Methods: Clinical, serologic, and electrophysiologic profiles were evaluated in eleven members among 22 family members through three generations. Results: Six family members were symptomatic and five were non-symptomatic. Instead of proximal muscle weakness, musculoskeletal manifestations including non-specific joint pain and stiff sense were the most frequent symptoms. Muscle biopsy performed in two symptomatic patients revealed that type I fiber showed central halo, which is charactreristics of central core disease. No remarkable findings were present in serologic study including CPK level and electromyographic findings suggesting myopathic pattern were only present in two patients among 11 symptomatic group. Conclusions: In evaluating non-specific musculoskeletal complaints from the familial members showing genetic trait, central core disease should be considered to one of the possible diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.383-390
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• 2016

Objective: Gymnastics on rings needs a high level of muscle strength with balance ability for controlling the body. A study on a new balance training program is necessary for elite gymnasts. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week pilates core-muscle training on balance ability and asymmetry index of the L-sit on the rings in male elite gymnasts. Method: Ten elite gymnasts (age: $20.6{\pm}0.7years$, height: $169.9{\pm}4.9cm$, weight: $65.4{\pm}5.6kg$, career duration: $20.6{\pm}0.7years$), who are students at K-university, participated in this study. Results: First, the range of the COM tended to decrease in the anterior-posterior direction. Second, the left hip joint angle and knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion angles significantly increased after the pilates training. Third, the ROM also increased. Fourth, the symmetry value increased in the hip angle, while the symmetry index in all joints of the ROM decreased. As a result, the pilates core-muscle training influenced the static balance ability during the L-sit on the rings. Conclusion: Accordingly, the pilates core-muscle training is suitable in enhancing the basic balance ability in gymnastics on rings.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1349-1357
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate to effect of core exercise with swiss ball on sarcopenia index in agriculture older women. A total of 30 subjects(15 Ex group, 15 Con group, 65 over agriculture older woman) were participated in this study. Intervention group were assigned to performing a progressive core exercise training program for 12 weeks(2 time/week). Dependent variable were grip strength, chair stand, muscle mass, 4m gait speed, Timed up and go, and 400m walking. As a result were following. Grip strength was not significantly difference but chair stand was significantly difference in time. And muscle mass was significantly difference in groups. And 4m gait speed, Timed up and go and 400m walking were significantly difference in time. In conclusion, lower body muscle strength and short physical performance battery by muscle activating with core muscle strength training.