• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.164-168
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• 2015

Purpose: Flexibility has been considered one of the most important goals in rehabilitation. This study aimed to investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) with the static stretching technique on the flexibility of hamstrings. Methods: Twenty-four subjects (15 men, 9 women) with limited hamstrings flexibility received three different intervention sessions in random order. The treatment sessions included static stretching (SS), static stretching with motor-level TENS (SS with motor TENS) and sensory-level TENS (SS with sensory TENS). All sessions of SS were performed in the straight-leg raise position for 30 seconds followed by rest for 15 seconds, in repetitions for 10 minutes using a belt. The TENS groups underwent TENS stimulation ($40{\mu}s$, 100 Hz) during the stretching for 10 minutes. Outcome measures were evaluated according to active knee extension (AKE) and recorded before the session and at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 15 minutes after the session. Results: There was significant improvement in hamstrings flexibility within all groups (p<0.05). SS with TENS (both sensory and motor) maintained significant increases in knee extension range of motion until 15 minutes post-treatment. In contrast, the SS-only group maintained significantly increased hamstrings flexibility only until 6 minutes post-treatment (p<0.05). Conclusion: Improvement in hamstrings flexibility with SS with TENS was maintained longer than with SS-only intervention. Electrical stimulation with stretching may be more effective than SS alone for increased duration of maintained hamstrings flexibility.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.644-651
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• 2016

Purpose. This study was to investigate the change of dynamic balance and flexibility for normal group, using skater and sprinter exercise program of PNF pattern. Method. In this study it was participated twenty-one subjects. Experimental group worked skater and sprinter pattern exercise with Thera-band or without Thera-band each 40 times. Evaluation of dynamic balance and flexibility(using the Functional Reach Test and Fingertrip To Floor Test) were carried out before and after the exercise. Result. In dynamic balance it was observed to significant change except first measure and flexibility was observed to all measures significantly(p<.05). Conclusion. Skater and Sprinter pattern exercise is effective to improve for dynamic balance and flexibility. However, the experimental group is small sample size of normal adult. therefore, It should be carefully considered in generalizing the results to disabled person.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.275-280
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking on physical fitness (dominant hand grip power, dominant isokinetic leg muscle strength, abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance) and depression in patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study and subjects consisted of 60 young males with chronic low back pain. The subjects were allocated to two groups following a self-report survey: cigarette smoking group (n=25) or non-smoking group (n=35). Physical fitness (dominant hand grip power, dominant isokinetic leg muscle strength, abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, cardiopulmonary endurance) were measured using objective methods and depression in patients with chronic low back pain was measured using the Korean version of center for epidemiologic studies depression (CES-D) scale. Results: The results of this study were as follows: In physical fitness, the cigarette smoking group showed a significant decrease in abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary endurance compared with the non-smoking group. Depression index (CES-D scale score) was significantly higher in the cigarette smoking group than in the non-smoking group. Conclusion: These results suggest that cigarette smoking had a negative effect on abdominal muscle endurance, flexibility, and cardiopulmonary endurance in patients with chronic low back pain. In addition, depression of patients with chronic low back pain was affected by cigarette smoking. Thus, we suggested that cigarette smoking may play a significant role in the deterioration of physical fitness and depression of chronic low back pain patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2022

Purpose : The hamstring is a group of three muscles, biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, placed behind the thigh. The hamstring is one of the most commonly injured muscles and usually occurs during high-speed, high-intensity exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of static stretching and eccentric exercise of hamstrings on flexibility, strength, and functional performance. Methods : This study was conducted on 28 healthy adults. Subjects were divided into a static stretching group (n=15) and an eccentric exercise group (n=13). Subjects measured hamstring flexibility (active knee extension test), hamstring strength (concentric and eccentric peak torque), and functional performance (triple hop for distance and modified 20 m sprint). The intervention was conducted three times a week for six weeks. To compare the difference between values before and after the intervention, paired t-test was used, and an independent t-test was used to compare between groups. Results : In both groups, the active knee extension test, concentric peak torque, triple hop test, and 20 m sprint significantly increased after the intervention compared to before the intervention (p<.05). However, no significant difference was found in eccentric peak torque after intervention in both groups (p>.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the effect on the variables (p>.05). Conclusion : Both interventions were found to be effective for flexibility, concentric strength, and functional performance. Eccentric exercise and static stretching are recommended to improve the flexibility and functional performance of the hamstring. This study's results will be considered essential data on the effectiveness of static stretching and eccentric exercise.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.35-42
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study is to measure the amount of influence of taping and a whole body balance upon muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility. Experiments were conducted by two different groups, specially designed for this study. The choice of exercise methods for each group depends on its own idiosyncratic characteristics (or Each group employs its own idiosyncratic exercise method). Methods: The first group, with taping applied, undertook exercises three times a week; second group just took exercises three times a week. These experiments show the following outcomes. Results: The first group showed a considerable amount of difference in terms of muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility. Second group also showed similar outcome. Both the first group and the second group revealed a considerable difference. But the first group showed a bigger difference than the second group. Conclusion: Thus, the result of these experiments strongly indicates that exercise, with taping applied, turns out the most effective in promoting muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects on flexibility of bridge and plank exercises using sling suspension on an unstable surface. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 healthy adults in their 20s (plank=10, bridge=10). Both types of exercise were performed three times per week for a period of four weeks. Each exercise was performed in the front and side direction. Exercise intensity was altered through the use of a sling, which was placed at the knee and ankle. Flexibility at trunk forward flexion and backward extension was measured. The trunk forward flexion was measured at sitting position. The trunk backward extension was measured at prone position. The data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the pre- and post-test for both the bridge and plank exercise groups. In the bridge exercise, significant differences were shown in the trunk forward flexion and the trunk backward extension (p<.05). In the plank exercise, a significant difference was shown in the trunk backward extension (p<.05). No significant differences were noted in interaction effect or the main effects in either group. CONCLUSION: Bridge and plank exercises on an unstable surface improve flexibility. The bridge exercise improves the flexibility of the forward and backward muscles of the trunk. The plank exercise improves the flexibility of the forward muscles of the trunk. This information would be useful in the development of exercise programs including bridge and plank exercises for improving flexibility and core stability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.183-193
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study assessed the exercise programs for improving the spinal angle and trunk flexibility by applying the aquatic exercise and sling exercise to young adults with scoliosis. METHODS: The subjects were 14 participants diagnosed with scoliosis. They were assigned randomly either to an aquatic exercise group (n=7) that received the WATSU exercise program or to a sling exercise group (n=7) that received a sling exercise program. The exercise program was 50 minutes once, three times a week, 12 times for four weeks. The spinal angle and flexibility were measured using the Cobb's angle and modified sit and reach test, respectively. Two variables were analyzed before and after the intervention, and the aquatic exercise group and sling exercise group were compared. RESULTS: After the intervention, the Cobb's angle decreased significantly, and the flexibility increased significantly in both groups (p<.05). A larger increase in flexibility was observed in the aquatic exercise group than in the sling exercise group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results showed that the two exercise programs improved the spine angle and flexibility. The increased flexibility showed that aquatic exercise was more effective than the sling exercise. Therefore, aquatic exercise and sling exercise can be used in the treatment and prevention of scoliosis.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.76-84
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• 2021

Background: In clinical practice, active knee extension (AKE) test has been widely used to measure hamstring flexibility. During the AKE test, the knee extension is repeated six times. The first five repetitions are considered as warm-up, and the sixth is used as baseline. In order to accurately measure the subject's inherent flexibility, warm-up trials have been proposed as mentioned above; but currently, the evidence is insufficient. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-three healthy adults participated in this study. The AKE was performed slowly after flexing the hip and knee joints by 90° in a supine position. The knee was extended as far as could be done without causing discomfort or pain. When reaching the end range, knee flexion was performed without stopping. As per standard protocol, the subjects performed the knee extension six times. Results: There was no significant difference between the AKE value in the first trial with those in the other five trials. During the repetitions, the average value in the group with higher flexibility tended to decrease and the Intraclass correlation coefficient gradually decreased. Conclusion: Successive repetitions of the AKE test can misrepresent an individual's inherent hamstring flexibility. In order to avoid a decrease in hamstring flexibility, it is strongly recommended that individuals with high initial hamstring flexibility avoid unnecessary repetitions of the AKE test.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2013

Purpose : This study was to investigate effects of pilates and taping on flexibility and muscular strength of low back. Methods : A total of 29 healthy over 20 years old college students(men = 6, women = 23) who were participated in this. We selected randomly for lo people of pilates, taping, and 9 people of control group. For the past six weeks, pilates worked out twice aweek for 40 minuates and taping stuck once a week for 24 hours and then we compared before and after muscle strength and flexibility of low back. Results : 1. The sesult compared of flexibility of low back have found no significant diffrences between pilates and taping groups.(P>.05) 2. The result compared of experimental groups have found significant diffrences between before and after flexibility of low back.(P<.05) 3. The result compared of muscle strength of low back have found no significant diffrences between pilates and taping groups.(P>.05) 4. The result compared of experimental groups have found significant diffrences between before and after muscle strength of low back.(P<.05) Conclusion : In conclusion there were not differences between pilates and taping on muscle strength and flexibility of low back. Those were increased in comparison with control group.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.105-111
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that difference in forefoot of shoe flexibility during the quick lunge from a jump smashing on the lower limbs and the plantar pressure distribution. For this 10 elite badminton players with over 10 years experience and right handed participated. Two kinds of badminton shoes were selected and tested mechanical testing for the forefoot flexibility. Motion analysis, ground reaction forces and plantar pressure distribution were recorded. It was required to conduct lunge movement after jumping smashing as possible as high. Photo sensor was located in 3 meter away from standing position and its height was 40 cm. Subjects were conducted to return original position after touching the sensor as under clear movement as possible as fast. Forefoot stiffness had an effect on shoe peak bending degree and peak bending angular velocity in propulsion phase. Forefoot flexibility had an effect on ankle plantar flexion and knee flexion moment. It appears that joint power on lower limb and peak plantar pressure were not influenced by the flexibility of shoes.