• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2022

Background: Bird dog exercise (BDE) is one of the lumbar stabilization exercises that rehabilitate low back pain by co-contraction of the local and global muscles. Previous studies have reported the effect of various type of BDEs (for example, practicing the exercises on various surfaces and changing the limb movement) for muscle co-contraction. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of knee joint flexion position of the raised lower limb on abdominal and back muscle activity during BDE in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Thirteen males participated in this study (age: 32.54 ± 4.48 years, height: 177.38 ± 7.17 cm). Surface electromyographic (SEMG) data of the internal abdominal oblique (IO), external abdominal oblique (EO), lumbar multifidus (MF), and thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum (ICLT) were collected in two knee joint flexion positions (90° flexion versus 0° flexion) during BDE. The SEMG data were expressed as a percentage of root mean square mean values obtained in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results: Greater muscle activity of the IO (p = 0.001), MF (p = 0.009), and ICLT (p = 0.021) of the raised lower limb side and the EO (p = 0.001) and MF (p = 0.009) of the contralateral side were demonstrated in the knee joint flexion position compared to the knee joint extension position. Greater local/global activity ratios of the abdominal muscle (i.e., IO and EO) of the raised lower limb (p = 0.002) and the back muscle (i.e., MF and ICLT) of the contralateral side (p = 0.028) were also noted in the knee joint flexion position. Conclusion: BDE with a knee joint flexion position might be recommended as an alternative lumbar stabilization exercise to enhance muscle activity in both the raised lower limb and the contralateral sides of the trunk for individuals with CLBP.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of abdominal muscle contraction thickness using real-time ultrasound imaging while applying an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) and pelvic floor muscle contraction (PFC) to low back pain patients and healthy subjects. Methods: The subjects were 21 young adults; a group of 10 low back pain patients and a control group of 11 healthy subjects. Measurements were made with the subjects on a pillow in a supine position, with the knee joints flexed at 60 degrees. While the two groups conducted ADIM and PFC, their transverse abdominal muscle (TrA), internal abdominal oblique muscle (IO), and external abdominal oblique muscle (EO) thicknesses were measured using an ultrasound imaging system. Result: The TrA muscle contraction thickness ratio during PFC and ADIM was significantly lower in the low back pain group than in the healthy group (p<0.05). The EO muscle contraction thickness ratio during ADIM was also significantly lower in the low back pain group than in the healthy group. The healthy group's muscle contraction thickness ratio was significantly lower during PFC than during ADIM in the TrA, IO, and EO (p<0.05). The low back pain group's muscle contraction thickness ratio was lower during PFC than during ADIM in the TrA, IO, and EO, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that oral direction during ADIM induced an appropriate contraction of the TrA. Therefore, the procedure reported here may be applied during rehabilitation for appropriate contraction of the TrA.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the hand acupressure and lumbar strengthening exercise on young adult women with back pain. Methods: The study used a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The subjects consisted of 37 female young adults (19 persons in the experimental group and 18 persons in the control group). The hand acupressure and strengthening exercise for lower back were developed by the investigator and a hand acupressure expert. The experimental group was exposed to this program 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The visual analog scale, back muscle strength, flexibility, and quality of life were used as measurement instruments. The data were analyzed with frequency, t-test, and repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS 18.0. Results: In this study, the hand acupressure and strengthening exercise showed siginificant effects on the back muscle strength, flexibility, and quality of life in the experimental group compared to the control group. However, back pain score was not significantly decreased after the program. Conclusion: The study suggests that this program can be applied for the women with low back pain in order to enhance the back muscle strength, flexibility, and quality of life.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise and lower extremity strengthening program on pain, lower extremity muscle in patients with chronic low back pain. Method: The subject were randomly divided two groups. 15 people who were conducted lower extremity exercises and lumbar stabilization exercises called the combined exercise group and other(15 people) who were only conducted lower extremity exercise group. The assessment tools were the pain level and the led muscle power. Exercise was conducted for eight weeks. Result: Pain of the combined exercise group showed significant differences in the change in pain level(p<.05). The leg muscle power showed significant differences within group which hip flexor, extensor muscles and abductor muscles. there were significant differences within combined exercise group (p<.05). But the knee joint in each group showed a significant difference within group (p<.05). Conclusion: This study suggest that the lumbar stabilization exercises and lower extremity exercises showed more efficient results in the pain levels and leg muscles power than only the lower extremity exercise for patients with lumbar instability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.111-117
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• 2017

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of weight ball throw training as a preparatory exercise before golf practice for 8 weeks on back muscle strength, weight shifting of lower body, head speed of club, and driving distance of amateur golfers. METHODS: A total of 18 subjects were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=9) and the control group (n=9), respectively. For the experimental group, Weight ball throw training was provided to the height of waist and shoulder similar to golf swing with the following schedule: 3 kg weight ball throw training from the first week to the 4th week; 5 kg weight ball throw training from the 5th week to the 8th week. Before and after 8 weeks of training, back muscle strength, weight shifting of lower body, head speed of club, and driving distance of subjects in the two groups were measured. RESULTS: The experimental group showed significant differences in rotational back extension torque, weight shifting of lower body, head speed of club, and driving distance during golf swing (p<.05). However, the control group only showed significant difference in driving distance during golf swing (p<.05). Back extension torque, weight shifting of lower body, and head speed of club showed significant differences between the two groups during golf swing (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Weight ball throw training can positively change rotational back muscle strength, weight shifting of lower body, head speed of club, and driving distance of amateur golfers. Therefore, it might be used as an effective warming up exercise for amateur golfers.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of mulligan's straight leg raise with traction technique on angle of passive straight leg raise and length of hamstring muscle in patients with low back and radiate pain. Methods: Thirty one subjects participated in this study. The subjects were assigned to either the low back pain group (n=17) or the radiate pain group (n=14). Subjects in both groups received 3 times mulligan's straight leg raise with traction. All subjects were examined for the range of motion of lower extremity. The range of motion of lower extremity was composed of angle on straight leg raise and 90-90 straight leg raise. The range of motion of lower extremity was measured using a goniometer. Results: After 3 times of mulligan's straight leg raise with traction, significant improvements on the angle of straight leg raise and 90-90 straight leg raise were observed in the both groups (p<.05). However, there are no significant difference was observed between groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that mulligan's straight leg raise with traction provides an immediately effective in range of motion of lower extremity in patients with low back pain as well as radiate pain. Although more research is required on the effects of long-term mulligan's straight leg raise with traction on range of motion of lower extremity, our results can be useful to establish the standard parameters for range of motion of lower extremity in the clinical setting.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.140-158
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• 1999

The purposes of this study are to examine the characters of the lower body shape in the middle aged women and to make slacks pattern on the base of four difference body shapes. The lower body shapes were classified into 4 types on the basis of their lateral view silhouettes. The slacks patterns were based on the lower body shape characters and resulted in followings. In “Type 1” of the right body shape with the standard protrusion of abdomen and hips, little difference from conventional patterns was seen in experiment pattern, in which the front waist girth was W/4+0.5㎝+0.5㎝+fold(2.5㎝) and the back waist girth W/4+0.5㎝-0.5㎝+dart(3.5㎝). The front hip girth was defined as H/4+2.0㎝+0.5㎝ and the back hip girth as H/4+2.0㎝-0.5㎝ due to its increased ease amount produced by abdominal fat deposition. In the experimental pattern of “Type 2” with prominent hips, the front and back differences of the waist girth and the hip girth and the hip girth were defined as 1.0㎝ and 2.0㎝ separately. Accordingly, the front waist girth was W/4+0.5㎝+1.0㎝+fold(2.0㎝), the back waist girth W/4+0.5㎝-0.1㎝+dart(6.5㎝), the front hip girth H/4+2.0㎝+1.0㎝ and the back hip girth H/4+2.0㎝-1.0㎝. In “Type 3” with the prominent abdomen and the flat hips, the front waist girth was set up as W/4+0.5㎝+0.5㎝+fold(4.5㎝) for the increased front fold amount and the back waist girth was W/4+0.5㎝+0.5㎝+dart(3.0㎝). The front hip girth was made as H/4+2.5㎝+0.5㎝ and the back hip girth H/4+2.5㎝-0.5㎝. In “Type 4” with prominent abdomen and hips, considered were ① the increased front fold amount due to the abdominal protrusion, ② the increased back dart amount and the decreased back dart length owing to the hips prominent and ③ the front and back differences of waist and hip girth for the lateral view silhouette. Therefore the front waist girth was defined as W/4+0.5㎝+2.0㎝+fold(5.0㎝), the back waist girth as W/4+0.5㎝-2.0㎝+dart(4.0㎝), the front hip girth as H/4+2.0㎝+1.0㎝ and the back hip girth as H/4+2.0㎝-1.0㎝. The sensory evaluation of appearance and comfort was appeared more suitable on the experiment pattern than on the conventional pattern.

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.40-55
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• 1997

The purpose of this study are to examine the characters of the lower half body shape in the middle aged women and to make slacks patttern on the base of four difference body shapes as follows. The lower half body shapes were classified into 4 types on the basis of their lateral view silhouette, whose characters were summarized as followings. (1) "Type 1" meant the right body shape with the standard protrusion of abdomen and hips. (2) "Type 2" showed the body shape with prominent hips, which had the flat abdominal silhouette and the greatly curved hips silhouette. (3) "Type 3" was the body shape with the prominent abdomen and the flat hips, in which the frontal view silhouette of the abdomen was greatly curved and the rear view silhouette of hips is less curved. (4) "Type 4" was characterized with prominent abdomen and hips. The slaks patterns were based on the lower half body shape characters and resulted in followings. (1) In the type 1, little difference from conventional patterns was seen in experiment pattern, in which the front waist girth was W/4{\times}0.5cm+0.5cm+fold(2.5cm) and the back waist girth W/4+0.5cm-0.5cm+dart(3.5cm). The front hip girth was defined as H/4+2.0cm+0.5cm and the back hip girth as H/4+2.0cm-0.5cm due to its increased ease amount produced by abdominal fat deposition. (2) In the type 2 experimental pattern, the front and back differences of the waist girth and the hip girth were defined as 1.0cm and 2.0cm separately. Accordingly, the front waist girth was W/4+0.5cm+ 1.0cm+fold(2.0cm), the back waist girth W/4+0.5cm-1.0cm+dart(6.5cm), the front hip girth H/4+2.0cm+1.0cm and the back hip girth H/4+2.0cm-1.0cm. (3) In type 3, the front waist girth was set up as W/4+0.5cm+0.5cm+fold (4.5cm) for the increased front fold amount and the back waist girth was W/4+0.5cm+0.5cm+dart(3.0cm). The front hip girth was made as H/4+2.5cm+0.5cm and the back hip girth H/4+2.5cm-0.5cm. (4) In type 4, considered were $\circled1$ the increased fornt fold amount due to the abdonimal protrusion, $\circled2$ the increased back dart amount and the decreased back dart length owing to the hips prominent and $\circled3$ the front and back differences of waist and hip girth for the lateral view silhouette. Therefore the front waist girth was defined as W/4+0.5cm+2.0cm+flod (5.0cm), the back waist girth as W/4+0.5cm-20.cm+dart(4.0cm), the front hip girth as H/4+2.0cm+1.0cm and the back hip girth as H/4+2.0cm-1.0cm. The sensory evaluation of appearance and comfort was appeared more suitable on the experiment pattern than on the conventional pattern.

• 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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.93-104
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of work environment and low back pain on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine to helpful for preventation and cure of low back pain. Methods : Through measuring of lumbosacral angle, lumbar lordotic angle, lumbar gravity line ratio analyzed structure of lumbar spine and using Trunk Extension Flexion Program of CYBEX NORM System(cybex770+TMC, USA) analyzed Flex. PT, Ext. PT, E/F ratio of lumbar spine of company employees given a medical examination. Results : According to work environment, lumbar gravity line ratio is higher in white collar group than in blue collar group, Ext. PT is significantly lower in white collar group than in blue collar group. According to low back pain or not, lumbar gravity line ratio, Ext. PT is lower in low back pain group than in non-low back pain group. Conclusions : Work environment and low back pain effects on the structural and muscle strength changes in lumbar spine.