• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.647-653
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the lower extremities muscle activation between squatting exercise with gym ball and wall for improving muscle strengthening in lower extremities. METHODS: Participants were 21 university students (males 10, females 11) who didn't have any problem with orthopedic surgery. Participants performed squatting exercise with gym ball and wall. Squatting exercise with gym ball were performed using by gym ball behind back, and the gym ball were fixed in back and wall. We asked participants to push back the gym ball slightly to prevent fall of ball. Wall squatting exercise, we ask participants to contact their back in wall slightly in order to prevent trunk flexion during performed squatting exercise. Each squatting exercise had performed until knee joint were flexed at 60 degree, and maintained five seconds. We collected data from E.M.G of Biceps femoris, Gastrocnemius, Vastus medialis and lateralis, Tibialis anterior of lower extremity in isometric phase of knee joint angle 60 degree of each squatting exercise. We analysed data using by ANOVA and independent t-test of SPSS PC ver.20.0 in order to compare the muscle activation between squatting exercise with gym ball and wall. RESULT: All of lower extremities muscle activation showed more higher value in squatting exercise with gym ball than squatting exercise with wall, especially there was significantly difference of muscle activation in vastus medialis, tibialis anterior between squatting exercise with gymball and with wall. CONCLUSION: On comprehensively considering the results of the present study, we suggested that squatting exercise with gym ball was more effective method improving lower extremity muscle strengthening.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.35-46
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of sit-up exercise using gym ball unit on lower extremity strength. Method: Subjects consisted of 12 G University student (Male:6/Female:6) aged 23~26 years. The experiment progressed with 2 groups according to different size gym balls. and diameter of each gym ball is 45cm / 65cm. The measurement of strength of lower extremity was taken by isokinetic exercise machine(Biodex Medical, Inc, USA) Result: The results of this study were as follow. There were not different of Peak torque and Average Power between 65cm gymball and 45cm gymball. in other words using the 45cm gym ball and 65cm gym ball sit-up exercise were both effective for strengthening of lower extremity. Conclusion: Sit-up exercise on all of less than 65cm gym ball was effective for strengthening of lower extremity, furthermore it was helpful for keeping uprighting posture also it is affect on abdominal strengthening. As a result sit-Up Exercise Using Gym Ball is effective for a person with weak lower extremity and a person need uprighting posture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.9-15
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• 2016

Background: Squatting is one of the best functional exercises to strengthen the quadriceps muscle in independent gait and activities of daily living. Although the use of a gym ball during squat exercise is the most common way of strengthening the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, published data on this subject are limited. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the sequential muscle activation of the VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during squat exercise using a gym ball at different knee flexion angles. Methods: Forty healthy adults were randomly divided into experimental (squat exercise using a gym ball) and control (squat exercise alone) groups, in which squats were performed at $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion. Electromyographic (EMG) activity data were collected over 10 seconds under the 2 angles of knee flexion ($45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$). Results: There was significant group and time interaction effect for VMO and VL muscle activation at $45^{\circ}$ knee flexion. This was similarly demonstrated at $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion. No significant group main effect and time main effect for VMO and VL muscle activation were noted at $45^{\circ}$ knee flexion, respectively. In contrast, there was significant group main effect and time main effect for VMO and VL muscle activation at $90^{\circ}$ knee flexion. These significant differences were demonstrated through two-way analysis of variance over repeated measurements, suggesting that the EMG activity of the VMO muscle during squatting with a gym ball showed remarkable improvement compared to that of the VL muscle. Conclusion: This research suggests that squat exercise using a gym ball may be more beneficial in improving the activity of VMO than of the VL muscle at both $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ of knee flexion, respectively. We highly recommend squat exercises with a gym ball for selective strengthening of the VMO muscle in knee rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.25-32
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• 2004

The use of a gym ball is becoming more popular for dynamic balance exercises. However, little is known about the effects of the dynamic ball exercises in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to compare balance and functional mobility after dynamic balance exercises using a gym ball to reduce the risk factorfor falls. All of the 15 subjects were women between the ages of 68 and 91 (mean age=79.9 yrs, SD=5.87) at anursing home in Wonju. Seven of fifteen subjects were placed in the experimental group and the others in the control group. Three clinical tests were used to determine the degree of balance and functional mobility before beginning the exercise program, after 4 weeks of gym ball exercise, and after 8 weeks of gym ball exercise. These three tests included Timed Up & Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Dynamic ball exercises training for 8 weeks (5 days per week) included side stretching, prone walking, bridging, marching and opposite arm and leg lifting. There were significant differences found before the gym ball exercise program began and after 4 weeks and then 8 weeks in the experimental group (p<.05). Significant differences between the groups were shown for TUG and BBS (p<.05). No significant difference was noted between the groups for FIM. Therefore, gym ball exercises can improve dynamic balance and may be recommended to include in a therapeutic program to help the elderly reduce their risk of a fall.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.339-345
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study is to investigate the effect of 4 weeks of gym ball exercise on the pelvis and spine of women in 20s. METHODS: Randomly selected 10 of 20 subjects are allocated to experimental group who will practice gym-ball exercise while the rest 10 subjects are allocated to control group. Values for pelvic obliquity DL-DR, pelvic torsion DL-DR, pelvic rotation, kyphotic angle ICT-ITL (max), and lordotic angle ITL-ILS (max) were measured through recording using 3-dimensional image analyzer as a preliminary inspection. Gym-ball exercise was implemented 3 sessions a week for 4 weeks. Each session consisted of 10 minutes of warm up exercise, 30 minutes of main exercise, and 10 minutes of cool down exercise totaling 50 minutes. Post inspections were measured after exercise. RESULTS: Experimental group showed statistically significant difference in pelvic obliquity DL-DR, pelvic torsion DL-DR, and kyphotic angle ICT-ITL (max) (p<.05) and values of pelvic obliquity DL-DR showed statistically significant difference between two groups (p<.05). However pelvic rotation, lordotic angle ITL-ILS (max) did not show a significant difference. CONCLUSION: These results showed that gym-ball exercise has positive effect in the pelvic obliquity, torsion and spine kyphotic angle and expected to have positive effect on the body balance, body lineup, and coordination.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1981-1991
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• 2020

Background: Although various exercises have been performed for patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP), the effects of these exercises including joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises on flexion relaxation ratio (FRR) have not been compared. Objective: To compare the effects of joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises on the flexion relaxation phenomenon (FRP) and pain in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Methods: Thirty-six patients with chronic low back pain who were undergoing rehabilitation at a rehabilitation center were included. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: joint mobilization group (JMG; n=12), gym ball exercise group (GBG; n=12), and breathing exercise group (BEG; n=12). The exercises were performed for 40 minutes a day, twice a week, for a total of 12 weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in FRR between the three groups (P>.05). Significant decreases in the modified visual analog scale (MVAS) scores after intervention between the groups were found (P<.05). The GBG was significantly decreases from the JMG in the MVAS (P<.05). However, there were significant improvements between the pre- and post-interventional findings on FRR and MVAS in the three groups (P<.05). Conclusion: We demonstrated that intervention using joint mobilization, gym ball exercises, and breathing exercises improve FRP and pain in patients with CLBP.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2015

Background : The purpose of this study was find out more effective method for improving muscle strengthening in lower extremities according squatting exercise method among knee joint angle 45, 60, 90 degree and between gym ball behind back and wall. Methods : Participants were 21 university students(males 10, females 11) who didn't have any problem with orthopedic surgery. We divided participants to two groups with gym ball group and wall group. Gym ball group were performance squatting exercise with gym ball behind back. Each group had performance squatting exercise according knee joint angle 45, 60, 90 degree. We collected data from E.M.G of Biceps femoris, Gastrocnemius, Vastus medialis and lateralis, Tibialis anterior in lower extremity according knee joint angle 45, 60, 90 degree of each groups. We analyzed data using by ANOVA and ANCOVA of SPSS PC ver. 12.0 in order to determine more effective method according various squatting exercise. Results : Each groups show significantly difference value of biceps femoris, vastus lateralis and medialis, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius lateralis and medialis among knee joint angle 45, 60, 90 degree. But there was no significantly difference value between gym ball group and wall group according knee joint angle. Conclusions : We suggested that squatting exercise with gym ball was more effective method improving lower extremity muscle strengthening, and changing knee joint angle was more effective compared than continued knee joint angle.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.49-60
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether gym-ball exercise in standing position was an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients were randomized into three groups: experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8), and control group (n=8). Experimental groups 1, 2 and the control group performed the gym-ball exercise in standing position, same exercise without a gym-ball, and general physical therapy for 4 weeks, five times a week in 30-minute sessions. Muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were assessed using a handheld dynamometer, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the wearable BTS G-WALK® sensor, and the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES), before and after training, respectively. Comparisons within and between groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Bonferroni correction was performed when significant differences between groups were identified (p<.017, .05/3). Results : Regarding muscle strength, BBS score, cadence and FES-K were significantly improved after intervention in all three groups. The weight bearing rate, gait speed and step length in experimental group 1 and 2 were significantly improved after the intervention. The stride length in experimental group 1 were significantly improved after the intervention. Experimental group 1 had significantly improved BBS score and stride length after intervention than experimental group 2 and control group. Experimental group 1 and 2 improved muscle strength, weight bearing rate, and FES-K score more than the control group. Experimental group 1 showed significant improvement in cadence, gait speed, and step length after the intervention than control group. Conclusion : This study showed that exercise with gym-ball in standing position can be an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in stroke patients than the same exercise without gym-ball.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2018

Purpose: The present study was to investigate effects of scapular position and pain on a trunk stabilization exercise with gym ball for patients with arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: Subjects were patients after 2 weeks of rotator cuff repairs. Subjects were randomly assigned to conservative treatment group (CTG, n=10) or trunk stabilization with gym ball group (SBG, n=10), and participated one of those groups for 2 weeks. Measurements about pain and scapular position were assessed in before and after treatment programs. Results: Pain reduced in both rest and night in SBG compared to CTG. In the case of scapular position, decreased scapular retraction (increased protraction) was found in CTG and vice versa in SBG. Reduced scapular anterior tilting was also found on SBG. Conclusion: The present study showed that early performed trunk stabilization with gym ball could bring a scapular alignment that increases subacromial space and reduces pain. This suggests early trunk stabilization with gym ball programs to restore shoulder functions for patients with rotator cuff repair.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.51-56
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• 2022

Purpose: This study examined the effects of gym ball stabilization exercises on the physical functions of elementary school baseball players. Methods: The elementary school baseball players were assigned to an experimental group (n=21). The group performed gym ball stabilization exercises and the changes in the physical functions were measured using the visual response speed test, functional movements, physical balance ability, and pulmonary function. Results: The results of the visual response speed test showed changes in the time response speed. There was a significant change in the number of touches in 15 seconds in the upper arms and left and right legs (p<0.05) after 10 weeks. Also, there was a significant change in the reaction times of the left and right legs after 10 weeks (p<0.05). Further, there were significant differences in functional movements involving rotational stability and the total functional scores after 10 weeks (p<0.05). The player's body balance ability showed a significant difference after 10 weeks in the posterior-lateral and posterior-medial composite scores of the left and right legs (p<0.05). There was a significant change in the forced lung capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 second after 10 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results show that the gym ball stabilization exercises effectively improved the visual response speed and functional movements, balance, and vital capacity of elementary school baseball players.