• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.21-27
• /
• 2007

The purposes of this study were to compare core muscle activities with and without the use of Pilates resistive equipment during bridging exercises and to investigate the efficacy of a Pilates device. Fourteen healthy individuals (6 males, 8 females) between 20 to 26 years of age were examined. They were engaged in a bridging exercise with and without a magic circle. Three consecutive repetitions of each exercise were performed. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the electrical activities of the right side internal oblique, the adductor longus, the multifidus, and the gluteus maximus muscles. Normalized EMG activities were compared using a paired t-test and the level of significance was set at =.05. The results showed that the EMG activities of the internal oblique (p=.0078), the adductor longus (p=.0007), and the gluteus maximus (p=.0001) muscles were significantly higher when using the magic circle during the Pilates bridging exercise. Also, statistically significant change existed in the multifidus muscle (p=.0106). The bridging exercise, combined with hip adduction using the magic circle, may enhance core stabilization. Therefore, using a magic circle during hip adduction combined with bridging exercise may be recommended usefully for individuals wanting to strength the core muscles. Further research is needed to access the nature of motor control of the Pilates mat exercises and to deliver exercise intervention for lower back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.121-127
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study aims to compare the effect on balance during core and ankle muscle strengthening exercises using the Thera-Band. Methods: 21 healthy college students were recruited. The participants were divided into a core strengthening group (CSG), an ankle strengthening group (ASG), and a non-exercise group (NEG). CSG and ASG were performed twice a week for a total of 4 weeks, and static and dynamic balance were measured before and after the intervention. The static balance were measured as stability index and weight distribution index using Tetrax^®. The dynamic balance was measured in each direction by the Y balance test. The Thera-Band intensity was increased after 2 weeks of exercise, and the exercise was subsequently performed. Results: Participants showed static balance with Tetrax^®, a significant difference was noted between normal eye closes and pillow with eye closes in ASG (p<0.05). In the case of dynamic balance with the Y balance test, a significant difference was observed in posterolateral direction (PL) and composite score (CS) between each group for the pre- and post-intervention differences (p<0.05). A significant difference was observed between PL and CS in CSG (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that the progressive Thera-Band exercise had a positive effect on balance abilities. It was confirmed that core strengthening was effective for dynamic balance, and ankle strengthening was effective for static balance.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration combined breathing resistance on lung capacity and respiratory muscle and to suggest a mediation method for improvement of respiratory function and lung function in the future. Methods: This study was a preliminary study design of two groups of 54 healthy young adults who were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=27) with core exercise combined with respiratory resistance and whole body vibration and a control group with respiratory resistance and core exercise (n=27). All interventions consisted of 6 core exercises every 40 seconds and rest for 20 seconds. To compare the effects of intervention, we measured spirometry and respiratory muscle strength. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed a significant increase in Forced vital capacity (FVC) and Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) (p<.05). However, FEV1 and FEV1% were significantly increase only in the experimental group (p<.05). FVC, FEV1%, Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP) showed more significant increase in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that whole-body vibration combined breathing resistance is an effective intervention for people, with FVC, FEV1%, MIP, MEP increase.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.75-85
• /
• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensively complex physical therapy program on pain, range of motion (ROM) and muscle function in traumatic low back injury by industrial accident. Design: Prospective study Methods: Eight patients with traumatic low back injury by industrial accident participated in this study. They were treated the intensively complex physical therapy program including daily 60 minutes therapist supervised physical therapy at 5 times a week and 30 minutes manual therapy at 5 times a week in 12 weeks. Evaluation was performed before the commencement of the training and again 4, 8 and 12 weeks. There were measured Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for evaluating pain, ROM of trunk, and isometric muscle strength of trunk, core muscle endurance, neuromuscular control ability for evaluating muscle function. Results: NRS was significantly improved according to time (p<0.05). ROM of extension and rotation, isometric muscle strength of trunk and hip, core muscle endurance and neuromuscular control ability were significantly improved according to time (p<0.05). Conclusion: We could confirm the superiority effect of intensively complex physical therapy program on pain, ROM of trunk and muscle function in traumatic low back pain with industrial accident.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.417-424
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between the segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise according to visual control. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 healthy students. An 8-channel electromyograph was used to measure muscle activities of the erector spinae by segment(cervical, thoracic and lumbar) during a core stability exercise according to visual control. The collected data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Pearson-test. RESULTS: The activity of the erector spinae for all segment was higher without the vision than with. The activity of right cervical erector spinae was significantly increased by increasing the activity of the left thoracic erector spinae during a core stability exercise with vision (r= .555). The activity of left thoracic erector spinae was significantly increased by increasing the activity of the left lumbar erector spinae during a core stability exercise without vision (r= .472). CONCLUSION: There was a positive correlation between the cervical and thoracic segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise with vision. There was a positive correlation between the thoracic and lumbar segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise without vision.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.13 no.7
• /
• pp.361-373
• /
• 2019

Falls are a threat to the physical health of the elderly as well as to their overall quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify which type of exercise is effective for improving the balance of the elderly, and to obtain the basic data for developing the falls prevention exercise intervention program for the elderly. We compared to the differential effects between rhythmic step exercise and core muscle strengthening exercise in terms of functional balance test and self-reported balance test. Women older than 65 years and under 80 years of age were assigned to one of the step exercise group(21), core muscle exercise group(20), and control group(21), and for 8 weeks, twice per week, 20-30 minutes of exercise were treated. All participants performed one foot static balance test with open and closed eyes. And they responded to self-reported balance test, such as Fall Efficacy Scale(FES) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence(ABC) Scale. The results of statistical analysis are summarized as follows. First, rhythmic stepping exercise was more effective in improving functional balance than core muscle strengthening exercise. In particular, the effect of step exercise was obvious in the one-foot static balance test with open eyes. Second, the self-reported balance test showed better step exercise than core muscle exercise. Specifically, rhythmic step exercise was more effective in enhancing fall efficacy than core muscle exercise. In conclusion, the rhythmic step exercise was more effective in improving the balance ability of the elderly than the core muscle exercise. The rhythmic step exercise is more related to the lower extremity muscles, and especially since the rhythmic step exercise is performed in various ground changes, it seems to have a high similarity to the fall occurrence situation. For future research, we recommended the development of task-oriented ankle proprioceptive exercise intervention program and exercise equipment based on the specific motion situation in which the fall accident occurs in the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.243-248
• /
• 2014

Purpose: The transverse abdominis and themultifidus muscle are located in the core. They surround one's trunk and help in body stabilization. Specifically, they control spine articulation to maintain posture and balance. Therefore, weakened deep muscle in the trunk may cause spinal malalignment. This study aims to compare the correlation between the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle and the spine alignment among college students in their 20s. Methods: This study measured the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle of 42 healthy college students in their 20s using ultrasonic waves. The thickness of the muscle was measured for the length of the cross-section except for fascia. The thickness of the left and right muscles was measured, and the mean value was calculated. As the thickness of the transverse abdominis can increase because of pressure during exhalation, it was measured at the last moment of exhalation. Spinal alignment was measured by the kyphosis angle, lordosis angle, pelvic tilt, trunk inclination, lateral deviation, trunk imbalance, and surface rotation using Formetric III, which is a three-dimensional imaging equipment. They were measured for three times, and the mean values were calculated. The general characteristics of the subjects were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The correlations between each factor were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: The transverse abdominis showed asignificant correlation with trunk inclination (p<.05). The multifidus muscle showed a significant positive correlation with pelvic tilt and a negative correlation with surface rotation (p<.05). Conclusion: The thickness of transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle appears to influence spinal alignment. Specifically, the multifidus muscle, which plays an important role on the sagittal plane, influences surface rotation, thus making it an important muscle for scoliosis patients. Therefore, a strengthening training program for the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle is necessary according to specific purposes among adults with spinal malalignment.

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

• 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 Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.53-70
• /
• 2024

Background: The conventional deadlift is a popular exercise for enhancing trunk, core, and lower extremity strength. However, its use in sports medicine is constrained by concerns of lumbar injuries, despite evidence supporting its safety and rehabilitative benefits. To optimize muscle activation using resistive bands in variable resistance therapy, we explored their feasibility in the deadlift. Design: Comparative experimental design Methods: Surface electromyography recorded muscle activity in the trunk and lower extremities during lifting, with normalization to the isometric Floor Lift using Maximal Voluntary Contraction. Kinematics were measured using inclinometer sensors to track hip and trunk sagittal plane angles. To prevent fatigue, each subject only used one of the three pairs of bands employed in the study. Results: Our study involved 45 healthy subjects (mean age: 30.4 ± 6.3 years) with similar baseline characteristics, except for years of lifting and strength-to-years-of-lifting ratio. Various resistance band groups exhibited significantly higher muscle activity than conventional deadlifts during different phases. The minimal resistance band group had notably higher muscle activity in the trunk, core, and lower extremity muscles, particularly in the end phase. The moderate resistance band group showed increased muscle activity in the mid-and end-phases. The maximum resistance band group demonstrated greater muscle activity in specific muscles during the early phase and overall higher activity in all trunk and lower extremity muscles in the mid and end phases of the deadlift (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings provide valuable insights into muscle activation with various resistance bands during deadlift exercise in clinical and gym settings. There appears to be a dose-response relationship between increased resistance bandwidth, external load, myoelectric activation, and range.