• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.17-22
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• 2009

Purpose: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of core strength exercises on the balance control and walking ability of stroke patients. Methods: Twelve stroke patients participated in this study. These patients were divided into two groups (a core stability group and a control group). There were 6 subjects in each group. They participated in core strength exercises for 3 weeks. These exercises included The Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Messen Trairuieren Dokumentieren (MTD) Systems for balance and walking were measured and compared before and after the treatment. Results: First, core strength exercises improved balance control of patients with stroke by increasing weight shifting to the affected side. Second, core strength exercises improved the walking ability of patients with stroke by reducing the TUG score. Third, there was a significant correlation between balance control and walking. Conclusion: Core strength exercises are effective for improving both balance control and walking.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.250-256
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• 2020

Background: Unstable surface-based core training can significantly enhance core strength, but no studies have compared the effects of balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises. Objects: To study the effects of unstable surface-based balance pad- and sling-assisted core strength exercises on muscle activity. Methods: Twenty male students aged 20-25 years participated in this study. The effects of three types of core strength exercises, performed with a sling or balance pad, on the activities of three muscles, i.e., the right musculus obliquus externus abdominis (EO), right erector spinae (ES), and right gluteus maximus (GM), were examined. Results: 1) In the glute bridge exercise, the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction of the EO, ES, and GM were significantly different between the balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises. The relative contribution of the ES and GM activities to all muscle activity were not significantly different between the two training types, whereas that for EO showed a significant difference. 2) There was no significant difference in the percentage value of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) among the EO, ES, and GM during the "leg-lifting with flat support" exercise, and there were no significant difference in the relative contributions between the two training types. 3) In the "side bridge leg separation exercise", the %MVC of the ES, EO, and GM were significantly different between the two training types. Conclusion: Sling training for core muscles was generally better than balance pad assist training. The majority of physiotherapy patients require core training. Our results could guide physiotherapists in the choice of targeted exercises for these patients.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.247-255
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the maximum core muscle activation angle according to core-strengthening exercises. Method: Twenty-six young female football players (age: $17.84{\pm}0.80years$, height: $163.08{\pm}5.25cm$, weight: $54.96{\pm}7.41kg$) registered in the Korea Football Association from D High School located in Seoul were the subjects of this research. An electromyogram (Noraxon, USA) was used for monitoring the maximum core muscle contraction activity. Results: The angle for the maximum core muscle strength per core exercise and muscle was the smallest for the upper rectus abdominis in the windshield wiper exercise. The angle of the vastus medialis was significantly the largest. The range of angles at which the maximum strength was observed for each core exercise were as follows: 1) abdominal flutter kicks ($11{\sim}40^{\circ}$), 2) leg raises ($21{\sim}34^{\circ}$), 3) scissors ($45{\sim}66^{\circ}$), 4) knee to elbow sit-ups ($42{\sim}64^{\circ}$), 5) reverse crunches ($9{\sim}40^{\circ}$), 6) butt-ups ($24{\sim}32^{\circ}$), 7) V sit-ups ($5{\sim}24^{\circ}$), 8) windshield wipers ($11{\sim}20^{\circ}$), 9) bird dog ($11{\sim}18^{\circ}$), and 10) raised leg plank ($38{\sim}50^{\circ}$). Conclusion: Four kinds of motion could be classified according to the range of angles at which the core muscles were maximally activated. The first group involves the range of motion that gives the maximum muscle strength when the lower extremity and ground angle was between $5^{\circ}$ and $24^{\circ}$, such as the V sit-ups, windshield wipers, and bird dog. The second group comprised the flutter kicks and reverse crunches at an angle between $9^{\circ}$ and $40^{\circ}$. The third group comprised the leg raise and butt-up exercises at an angle between $21^{\circ}$ and $34^{\circ}$. The fourth group included the scissors, knee to elbow sit-ups, and raised leg plank at an angle between $38^{\circ}$ and $66^{\circ}$. These results may be useful as basic data for core movement and core muscle training according to the purpose of exercise.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.401-412
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of hip joint exercises and orthotics on RCSP, ankle's range of motion, and core muscle strength of middle school students with pes planus. Method : Out of the original pool of 200 students, 60 students with pes planus (RCSP < -2) were selected for the study. The selected 60 students were then divided into four groups. The first group was a combined orthotics and exercise group (12 students), the second was the orthotics-only group (9 students), the third was the exercise-only group (8 students), and the last was the control group (10 students). Exercise groups worked out twice a week for 60 minutes per session over 8 weeks. The independent variables were corrective hip joint exercises and orthotics. The dependant variables consisted of kinematic and kinetic variables. The kinematic variables were RCSP, and ankle's range of motion (dorsiflexion and plantarflexion). The kinetic variables were muscles forces that consist in core muscle strength, which are hip joint adduction, abduction, and flexion muscles forces. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS 18.0 with multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and a paired t-test was used. Results : The left foot was more responsive to the treatments, both exercise and orthotics, than the right foot. RCSP improved significantly in the left foot for the first and third groups. Only the first group significantly improved hip joint adduction, abduction, and flexion muscles' strengths. As for the ankle's range of motion of the left foot, plantarflexion showed improvement when treated with exercise, orthotics, or both. Conclusion : This study found that exercise is more effective in correcting RCSP and foot orthotics is more effective in reinforcing core muscle strength. Future studies should expand on these results to examine the relationship between the ankle, hip, and pelvis.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제32권3호
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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.

• 대한임상전기생리학회지
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• 제9권1호
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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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.128-134
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of healthy persons performing a plank exercise with hip abduction and use of sling on trunk muscle activity. Methods: Twenty-three subjects participated in this study. Muscle activities of the multifidus, rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique were assessed with electromyography (EMG) while the subjects performed 6 various types of plank exercises in random order. Results: There was a significant difference in multifidus and internal oblique on the supported side and the multifidus, external oblique, and internal oblique on the elevated side (p<0.05), and differences in plank methods were significantly higher in the multifidus, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique of the supported side and the rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique on the elevated side (p<0.05). In addition, post-hoc analysis of the various plank methods showed that muscle activity was significantly higher during the general plank exercise compared with the knee-supported-in-sling plank exercises (p<0.05), and was significantly higher with the ankle-supported-in-sling plank exercises compared with the general plank exercise. Conclusion: There was greater trunk muscle activity with plank exercises performed with the ankle-supported-in-sling and hip abduction plank exercises compared with the general or knee-supported-in-sling plank exercises. Through this study, various plank exercises have been discovered that can be selected at different intensities for core muscle training purposes based on trunk muscle strength.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.21-27
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• 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.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.229-236
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed, first, to develop core strength training equipment with elderly-friendly, easy-to-use features and, second, to investigate the effect of core strength training using the equipment on the performance and stability of the elderly in activities of daily living. Method: In this study, we developed training equipment with a stability ball that can be used for performing core strength exercises in the elderly. Twenty-three elderly subjects (age: $77.87{\pm}6.95years$, height: $149.78{\pm}6.95cm$, and weight: $60.57{\pm}7.21kg$) participated in this study. The subjects performed the core strength training exercise with 16 repetitions for 8 weeks (2 repetitions per week). Performance in activities of daily living was assessed by using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), a test of going up and down 4 stairs, and one-leg static balance test. Stability was quantified as changes in the center of pressure (COP) and C90 area. Results: With the core strength equipment, trunk core strength exercise could be performed by pulling or pushing a rope with 2 hands on the stability ball. During the task, the tension in the rope was manipulated by a motor connected to the rope and the COP of the subject was measured by 4 load cells mounted in the equipment. Our results showed that the SPPB score was significantly higher (p < .05), the time to complete the "going up and down 4 stairs" test was significantly shorter (p < .05), and one-leg static balance statistically improved under an eyes-open condition (p < .05) after as compared with before the core strength training. The changes in the COP in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions, and C90 area were significantly lower in the posttest (p <. 05) than in the pretest. Conclusion: The core strength training exercise using the equipment developed in the present study improved the performance and stability of the elderly in activities of daily living.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제8권4호
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• pp.583-592
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate muscles activation relate to core stability during 5 therapeutic exercise in children with spastic diplegia. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 8 children with typical development and 12 children with spastic diplegia who have been treated in Bobath children's hospital, all of whom agreed to participate in the study. All subjects were measured to see their muscles activation of rectus abdominalis, external oblique abdominalis, elector spinae, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and semitendinosus with surface EMG. RESULTS: The results of this study were as follows : 1) There were statistically significant difference in the root mean square(RMS) of all muscles according to 5 therapeutic exercise in children with spastic diplegia. 2) There were statistically significant difference in the RMS of all muscles according to 5 therapeutic exercise in children with typical development. 3) Significant differences of the RMS between diplegic children and normal children were found in elector spinae and rectus femoris only curl-up exercise. CONCLUSION: As the above results, we suggest that 5 therapeutic exercises could be used for a core stability or core strengthening program. Depending on the individual needs of children with cerebral palsy, some of exercises may be more beneficial than others for achieving strength.