• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-327
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on activation of trunk muscles of patients with low back pain. Diaphragmatic breathing may affect activation of trunk muscles. The assumptions are as follows: the crural diaphragm attatches to the lumbar vertebrae from L1 to L3, the voluntary downward pressurization of the diaphragm increases intra-abdominal pressure, and this increases the stiffness of the spine. Diaphragmatic breathing increases intra-abdominal pressure and the increased intra-abdominal pressure may contribute to the lumbar stability. Sixty patients with low back pain were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise with six breathing positions and control group performed only the breathing positions for five times per week during six weeks. % maximal voluntary contraction(% MVC) of trunk muscles on six breathing positions of experimental and control group was measured according to testing period of pre test, three weeks, and six weeks. The repeated measures of one-way ANOVA were used to analyze % MVC on trunk muscles of experimental and control group according to testing period. The results of this study were as follows: First, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in the right leg extension position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Second, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in all-four positions indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Third, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the sitting position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fourth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the standing position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fifth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the supine position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Sixth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the lying on prone position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, as experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise according to the period of pre-test, post three weeks, and post six weeks, experimental group showed the greater significant effect on the activation of right, left erector spinae, and external oblique muscle. Diaphragmatic breathing exercise which resulted in activation of trunk muscles can be effective for managing the patients with back pain and should be utilized as the new therapeutic intervention.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of the hip internal rotation on gluteal and erector spinae muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity during treadmill walking. Eleven healthy subjects were recruited. All subjects performed treadmill walking while maintaining the hip in neutral position (condition 1) and in internal rotation (condition 2). Surface EMG activity was recorded from four muscles (gluteus maximus (GM), gluteus medius (GMED), tensor fascia latae (TFL), and erector spinae (ES)) and the hip internal rotation angle was measured using a three dimensional motion analysis system. The gait cycle was determined with two foot switches, and stance phase was normalized as 100% stance phase (SP) for each condition using the MatLab 7.0 program. The normalized EMG activities according to the hip rotation (neutral or internal rotation) were compared using a paired t-test. During the entire SP of treadmill walking, the EMG activities of GM in condition 1 were significantly greater than in condition 2 (p<.05). The EMG activities of TFL and ES in condition 2 were significantly greater than in condition 1 (p<.05). The EMG activities of the GMED in condition 1 were significantly greater than in condition 1 (p>.05) except for 80~100% SP. Further studies need randomized control trials regarding the effect of hip internal rotation on the hip and lumbar spine muscle activity. Kinetic variables during gait or going up and down stairs are also needed.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.137-144
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on muscle activity in the trunk and legs while subjects walk on a ramp. Methods: The subjects were healthy adult males (n=15) and females (n=8) in their twenties. The subjects were asked to maintain the ADIM contraction for 15 minutes using a pressure biofeedback unit. Their muscle activity was then measured while ascending or descending the ramp with or without the ADIM contraction maintained. Activity in the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, transversus abdominis, erector spinae, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis muscles was measured using surface electromyography (TM DTS, Noraxon, USA). A paired t-test was conducted using SPSS 18.0 (IBM) for statistical data processing. Results: Maintaining the ADIM contraction during ascension led to a significant increase (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis, but a significant decrease (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the erector spinae, when compared to the same activity without the ADIM maintained. Furthermore, maintaining the ADIM contraction during descent led to a significant increase (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the rectus abdominis, external abdominal oblique, transversus abdominis, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis, but a significant decrease (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the erector spinae, when compared to the same activity without the ADIM maintained. Conclusion: As a result of this study, it maintains the ADIM and reduces lumbar muscle activity at the waist and increases muscle activity in the legs when walking on a ramp. Therefore, maintaining the ADIM contraction during ramp walking is recommended as training to improve the function of patients' muscular skeleton.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.253-258
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of internal abdominis pressure(normal, hollowing and bracing) on trunk muscle activity during one leg bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirteen healthy adults (9 men and 4 women) were instructed to perform Internal abdominal pressure(IAP) control(Normal, Hollowing, Bracing) during one leg bridge. Electromyography (EMG) data (% Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction, MVIC) were recorded three times on both sides of the participant's Internal Oblique(IO), Effector Spinae(ES), and Multifidus(MF) muscles and the average value was analyzed. Results: As a result, Abdominal bracing one leg bridge (BOLB) group and Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group showed significantly increased muscle activation of bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae and multifidus activation compared to the Normal one leg bridge (NOLB) group (p<0.05). Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group had a significant difference in bilateral Internal oblique muscle activation in compared to the NOLB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus muscles activation in healthy adults at one leg bridge exercise showed greater activation at abdominal bracing. Therefore, in this study, IAP control can be used as an indicator of choice to the dysfunction with trunk muscle weakness and corrective exercise subject's situation when the goal is to activate the trunk muscles by performing one leg bridge.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.133-140
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the relative muscle activity on the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and hamstring, using a non-visual feedback bridge exercise and a visual feedback bridge exercise with a tension sensor and clinometer. Methods: Twenty-two healthy subjects participated in this study. The study subjects performed bridge exercises without visual feedback, bridge exercises using a tension sensor, and bridge exercises using an inclinometer in the supine position, and the muscle activity of the left and right erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and hamstring muscles was measured while maintaining isometric contraction during the bridge movement. Muscle activity was measured by using surface an electromyography equipment. To standardize the measured action potential of each muscle, the maximum voluntary isometric contraction was measured. The bridge exercise was repeated 3 times for 5s each. Using repeated analysis of variance, we compared the significant difference in EMG activity for each muscle between the three experiments, and all statistical processing was performed using SPSS version 26. The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05. Results: During bridging exercises, the asymmetry of the muscle activity of the erector spinae and gluteus maximus during visual feedback guiding was lower than that during no visual feedback. However, there was no significant difference. Moreover, the asymmetry of the muscle activity of the hamstring muscles was significantly lower during tension sensor visual feedback than that during no visual feedback (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that bridge exercise with visual feedback using a tension sensor and an inclinometer is effective in inducing symmetrical movement. When it is necessary to symmetrically adjust the weight load of both feet during the bridge exercise, it is effective to apply visual feedback using a tension sensor.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.307-315
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of kinesio taping on lumbar flexibility onto erector spinae and sacroiliac joint. Methods: Sixty healthy adults (male=36, female=24) participated in this study and were randomly assigned to the experimental group that received kinesio taping onto erector spinae and sacroiliac joint (n=30) or the control group that received X-letter placebo taping onto them (n=30). Lumbar flexibility (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation) was measured using back range-of-motion instrument (BROM) II before and after taping. Results: In the change of lumbar flexibility after taping in the experimental group, there were statistically significant difference in flexion, lateral flexion, and rotation (p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in extension. There was no significant difference in the change of lumbar flexibility after taping in the control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, kinesio taping onto erector spinae and sacroiliac joint improved the joint function. Kinesio taping may reduce the muscle tension and facilitate the circulation of tissue fluid. In light of these results, it is thought that the application of kinesio taping had influence on an increase in lumbar flexibility. Therefore, kinesio taping will be able to be used as the method of the prevention of pain and the treatment in the lumbar region.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.55-61
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether applying ultrasound after stretching the erector spinae muscle is an effective method for normal adults as a way to restore reduced back flexibility that causes back pain. Methods: The study was conducted on 60 healthy volunteers divided randomly into four groups (control group, stretching group, ultrasound group, ultrasound after stretching group). The flexibility-promoting effects were determined by assessing, each group, at the time of treatment, pre and post by modified fingertip to-floor (MFTF) and active straight leg raising (ASLR). The data were analyzed using the two-way ANOVA repeated measure with significant level α=.05. Results: Each group showed statistically significant changes in MFTF distance and ASLR degree. In the post-hoc test about this result, the length of MFTF and degree of ASLR in ultrasound after stretching group increased significantly compared to the others. Conclusion: The results suggest that using ultrasound after stretching is far more effective in increasing the flexibility of the erector spinae than using stretching or ultrasound intervention.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2019

Background: The bridge exercise targets the gluteus maximus (Gmax) and gluteus medius (Gmed). However, there is also a risk of dominant hamstring (HAM) and erector spinae (ES) muscles. Objects: To analyze the muscle activity the of Gmax, Gmed, HAM and ES during the bridge exercise with and without hip external rotation in different degrees of knee flexion. Methods: Twenty-three subjects were participated. The electormyography (EMG) activity of the Gmax, Gmed, HAM and ES muscles was recorded during the exercise. The subjects performed the bridge exercise under four different conditions: (a) with $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion, without hip external rotation (b) with $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion, with hip external rotation (c) with $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion, without hip external rotation (d) with $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion, with hip external rotation. Results: There was no significant interaction effect between the degree of knee flexion and hip external rotation. There was a significant main effect for degree of knee flexion in Gmax, HAM muscles activity. Gmax muscle activity was significantly greater in the $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion position than in the $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion position (p<.001). While HAM muscle activity was significantly less in $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion position than in the $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion position (p<.001). ES muscle activity was significantly less in the $135^{\circ}$ knee flexion position than in the $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion position (p=.002). The activity of both the Gmax and Gmed muscles was significantly greater with hip external rotation (p<.001 and p=.005, respectively). Conclusion: For patients performing the bridge exercise, positioning the knee in $135^{\circ}$ of flexion with hip external rotation is effective for improving Gmax and Gmed muscle activity while decreasing HAM, and ES muscle activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the level of muscle activation on the cervical erector spinae (CES), lumbar erector spinae (LES), and upper trapezius (UT) according to the sitting postures while using a smartphone in the bathroom. Method: Thirty-two healthy subjects were recruited for this study. The CES, LES, and UT were evaluated by surface electromyography according to two sitting postures while using a smartphone on the toilet seat. A paired t test was performed for the root mean square of reference voluntary contraction (%RVC) comparisons between two sitting postures, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare the three muscle activations within each posture. Results: A comparison between the two sitting postures revealed the muscle activation of both CESs in sitting posture 2 and both LESs in sitting posture 1 to be significantly higher than those of the others. In sitting posture 1, the muscle activation of both LESs was significantly higher than those of the CES and UT. In sitting posture 2, the muscle activation of both CESs was significantly higher than those of the LES and UT. Conclusion: High muscle activation of the CES and LES was observed according to the sitting postures when using smartphone in the restroom. Therefore, long time use of smartphones on a toilet seat should be avoided.