• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Purpose: The grip strength is influenced by various factors, such as position of the upper extremity, characteristics of the hand, and general physical condition. In this study, we investigated whether abdominal muscle activity in combination with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver has any effect on the grip strength in healthy young adults. Methods: This study included 31 healthy subjects (16 males, 15 females). We used surface electromyography and pressure bio-feedback unit for this experiment. All Subjects were placed in a cock-lying position with comfort and the grip strength was measured. On the following day, the pressure bio-feedback unit was placed beneath their fifth lumbar vertebra, and the, grip strength was measured again. This time, the measurement was taken while drawing-in their abdomen below the navel gently and gradually, while maintaining a neutral pelvic position. Results: The grip strength was significantly increased when subjects performed the drawing-in maneuver than when they were comfortable (p<0.05). In addition, activations of the rectus abdominal muscles significantly increased (p<0.05). Conclusion: In the current study, we found that abdominal muscle activity, in combination with the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, affected the grip strength, positively. Therefore, we suggest that this result should be considered when evaluating the grip strength.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2017

Purpose: The importance of core exercise on muscle activation of the lower extremity has been studied. This study investigated the effects of core exercise using pressure biofeedback unit on muscle strength of lower extremity. Method: Fourteen healthy young adults (7 males and 7 females) were recruited. They were randomly separated two groups and performed core exercise using pressure biofeedback unit of one set for three minutes, 10sets per day for three weeks. Result: The mean of muscle strength of lower extremity, maximum power of muscle and peak TQ/BW in core exercise group significantly increased after core exercise using bio feedback unit (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that core exercise using pressure biofeed-back unit may help improving of muscle strength of lower extremity in young adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.323-330
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of using a pressure bio-feedback unit (PBFU) and a pelvic belt (PB) on the electromyographic (EMG) signal amplitude of the gluteus medius (Gmed) and the quadratus lumborum (QL) during hip abduction exercise when lying on the side. Methods : Twenty able-bodied volunteers (10 male, 10 female) were recruited for this study. The EMG signal amplitude was randomly measured during hip abduction with preferred hip abduction (PHA), with PBFU, and with PB. The surface EMG signal was recorded from the Gmed and the QL. Data were analyzed using a one-way repeated ANOVA. Results : Muscle activity of Gmed was significantly higher in PBFU and in PB than in PHA (p<.05). There were no significant difference between PBFU and PB(p>.05). Muscle activity of the QL was significantly lower in PB than in PHA(p<.05). The Gmed/QL muscle activity ratio was also significantly higher in PBFU and in PB than in PHA(p<.05), with no significant difference between PBFU and PB (p>.05). Conclusion : Based on these findings, using a PBFU and a PB is an effective method to disassociate QL use from Gmed use during hip abduction exercises when lying on the side.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.50-54
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate differences of cervical flexor muscle thickness (i.e., sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles) depending on levels of pressure bio-feedback unit and eye directions during cranial-cervical flexor exercise in healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 30 subjects (12 males and 18 females) who had no medical history related to musculoskeletal and neurological disorders were enrolled in this study. They were instructed to perform cranial-cervical flexion exercise with adjustment of five different pressures (i.e., 22 mmHg, 24 mmHg, 26 mmHg, 28 mmHg, and 30 mmHg) using a pressure biofeedback unit, according to three different eye directions (i.e., $0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}C$, and $40^{\circ}C$). Muscle thickness of sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles was measured according to pressure levels and eye directions using ultrasonography. Results: In results of muscle thickness in sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles, the thickness of those muscles was gradually increased compared to the baseline pressure level (22 mmHg), as levels in the pressure biofeedback unit during cranial-cervical flexion exercise were increasing. In addition, at the same pressure levels, muscle thickness was increased depending on ascending eye direction. Conclusion: Our findings showed that muscle thickness of sternocleidomastoid muscle and deep cervical flexor muscles was generally increased during cranial-cervical flexion exercise, according to increase of eye directions and pressure levels. Therefore, we suggested that lower eye direction could induce more effective muscle activity than the upper eye direction in the same environment during cranial-cervical flexion exercise.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.99-105
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of craniocervical flexion exercise on deep cervical flexor thickness and gait in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Methods : Twelve children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were recruited for this study. All subjects performed active craniocervical flexion exercise 3times a week over the course of 6weeks. using a pressure bio feedback unit. Ultrasonography was used to assess deep cervical flexor thickness, and a 10m walking test was used to assess gait function. For the statistical analysis, a paired t-test was used to compare the differences pre- and post-value. SPSS Statistics version 20.0 was used for statistical analysis, and statistical significance was defined as a p-value less than 0.05. Result : The results of this study indicate that children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy experienced statistically significant positive changes in both deep cervical flexor thickness (p<.05). and gait(p<.05) following the intervention. Conclusion : In conclusion, craniocervical flexion exercise can positively affect deep cervical flexor thickness in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which in turn positively affects gait.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.55-64
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• 2021

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to apply dynamic neuromuscular stabilization (DNS) to subjects with forward head posture (FHP) and to compare its effects on respiratory function as against the conventional neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises. METHODS: The whole-body posture measurement system was used to measure the degree of FHP, and a spirometer and a respiratory gas analyzer were used to measure the respiratory function. After the intervention was completed, the changes over time were analyzed in the DNS group, the neck stabilization exercise group, and the neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercise group. The inter-group difference in the changes was also analyzed. A repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the respiratory function according to the period between the three groups, and the least significant difference (LSD) method was used for the post hoc test. RESULTS: After the 6-week exercise period, respiratory functions, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume for 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume for 1 sec/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), maximum oxygen intake (VO₂max), and the volume of expired gas (VE), significantly improved according to the period (p < .05), but no inter-group differences were found. CONCLUSION: DNS is an effective training method, and can be applied along with neck stabilization exercise and neck stretching and extensor strengthening exercises, which are widely used in clinical practice, to people with FHP who cannot directly perform neck exercises to improve their respiratory function.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2011

The effects of an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) using a pressure bio-feedback unit (PBFU) were compared to the effects of a pelvic belt (PB) on the muscle activities of the hip and back extensor muscles during hip extension in the prone position. Fifteen healthy male participants all performed prone hip extensions under three conditions: 1) preferred hip extension (PHE), 2) performing an ADIM, and 3) using a PB. The muscle activities of the erector spinae, the gluteus maximus, and the medial hamstring on the right side were recorded by surface electromyography. The muscle activity of the erector spinae was significantly lower while performing an ADIM during prone hip extension than during PHE or with a PB (p<.05). Gluteus maximus muscle activity was significantly higher while performing an ADIM (p<.05). No significant difference was found for the medial hamstring muscle among the three conditions (p>.05). We concluded that the internal stabilization of the pelvis and lumbar spine afforded by the ADIM using a PBFU could be more effective than the external stabilization provided by a PB in terms of increasing selectively gluteus maximus activation during prone hip extension.