• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.108-127
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• 1996

The purpose of this research was to determine whether or not a education program of low back pain would have benificial effect on nurses. Nonequivalent control group pre-post test research was designed. Subjects for this study were 50 selected from nurses who work at a general hospital in Taegu. Of them, twenty seven were assigned to experimental group, twenty-three to control group. The data were collected during the period from June 27 to August 31, 1994. The instruments used in this study were Visual Analog Scale for low back pain, Sit-and-reach test for trunk flexibility, and 1 min sit up test for abdominal muscle endurance. Data related to general chracteristics and factors of low back pain were collected with questionnaire developed by this reseacher. The data were analyzed by $X^2-test$, t-test and paired t-test, using the SAS package program. The results of this study are summerized as follows : 1. The numbers of the experimental group with low back pain were not a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting($X^2=0.77$, p=.379), and the numbers of the control group with low back pain were also not a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting($X^2=0.09$, p=.767). 2. The severity of low back pain of the experimental group was not a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting(t=-0.55, p=.5857), and the severity of low back pain of the control group was also not a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting(t=-0.70, p=.3101). 3. The trunk flexibility of the experimental group was not a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting(t= 1.08, p=.2835), and the control group's trunk flexibility was also not a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting(t=0.85, p=.4026). 4. The abdominal muscle endurance of the experimental group was a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting(t=-2.42, p=.0190), but the control group's abdominal muscle endurance was not a statistically significant difference from pre to posttesting(t=-0.06, p=.9556) This study suggest that replication of study with more sample and more rigid treatment should be needed. And furthermore, the longitudinal research is needed to determine the effectiveness of education program.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4098-4106
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• 2012

This study aims to investigate the effect of trunk muscle strengthening exercises on balance performance of sitting posture and muscle tone, targeting the children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. 16 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy in IV phase of GMFCS were sampled at random and the tests were conducted for 6 weeks, 3 times per week. For experimental groups, only trunk muscle strengthening exercises were conducted and for control groups, only basic physical therapy was conducted. The trunk muscle strengthening exercise consisted of 2 exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles and back muscles. BPM(Balance Performance Monitor) was used to measure balance performance and MMAS(Modified Modified Ashworth Scale) was used to measure muscle tone. As a result, the changes of sitting balance performance in experimental groups and control groups show significant difference in the changes of sway path and sway velocity(p<.05), the comparison of changes in sitting balance performance in between experimental groups and control groups show significant difference in the changes of sway path and sway velocity(p<.05). Knee flexor muscles and hip adductor muscles in both groups show no significant difference in changes of the muscle tone(p>.05). Therefore, the balance performance in both experimental groups and control groups was improved. However, the experimental group had more significant improvement in balance performance and no change in muscle tone was detected in both groups. Thus, these findings show trunk muscle strengthening exercises are effective in improving the balance performance of sitting posture for the children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy without changing muscle tone.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.21
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• pp.1-18
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• 2009

Background: This study was to investigate the effects of spinal strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise(core exercise program) on trunk muscle strength, flexibility and balance, lumbar function. The subjects of this study were the eighteen subjects who was registered in private guard company. The each exercise group of 9 persons were chosen by random controlled trial. Methods: We used instrument BTE, Libra, Ruler Measuring tape to measured trunk muscle strength, flexibility, balance and lumbar function. Results: The result of this study were summarized below; The flexor muscle strength was improve in lumbar stabilization exercise(core exercise) group(p<.05). The extensor muscle strength was improve in lumbar stabilization exercise(core program) group(p<.05). The trunk flexibility was improve in spinal strengthening exercise group and lumbar stabilization exercise group(p<.05). The balance ability was improve in spinal strengthening group and lumbar stabilization exercise group(core program) group(p<.05). Conclusion: With the above results, demonstrated effects of spinal strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise in each private guard and security in this study.

• 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.8 no.1
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• pp.76-88
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• 2001

Back extension exercises have been used for rehabilitation of the injured low back, prevention of injury, and fitness training programs. However, excessive loading on low back can exacerbate existing structural weakness. The purpose of this study was to compare muscle activity of low back muscles during back extension exercises. Twenty healthy male subject s were evaluated. Electromyographic (EMG) activities of low back muscles at L1 and L5 level were recorded during seven different back extension exercises and two reference tasks by surface EMG and saved for data analysis. Reference tasks of lifting 20% and 40% of their body weight were included for comparison. The result were as follows: 1) Single-arm extension and single-leg extension exercises on quadruped position appeared to constitute a low-risk exercise for initial extensor strengthening. 2) When arm extension was combined with contralateral leg extension on quadruped position, EMG activities of low back muscles were increased. 3) EMG activity of low back muscles was highest during the trunk extension exercises on prone position. 4) EMG activities of low back muscles during arm and leg extension exercises on quadruped position were less than those of reference task of lifting 40% of their body weight. These result s have important implications for progressive back extensor muscle strengthening exercises in patients with back pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

Background: Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) was a term which refers to a sudden onset of myoelectric silence in the erector spinae muscles of the back during standing full forward flexion. Hamstring muscle length may be related to specific pelvic and trunk movements. Many studies have been done on the FRP of the erector spinae muscles. However, no studies have yet investigated the influence of hamstring muscle flexibility on the FRP of the hamstring muscle and lumbopelvic kinematics during forward bending. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the hamstring muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics and compare them during forward bending in subjects with different hamstring muscle flexibility. Methods: The subjects of two different groups were recruited using the active knee extension test. Group 1-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angle under $30^{\circ}$; Group 2-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angel above $50^{\circ}$. The kinematic parameters during the trunk bending task were recorded using a motion analysis system and the FRRs of the hamstring muscles were calculated. Differences between the groups were identified with an independent t-test. Results: The subjects with greater hamstring length had significantly less lumbar spine flexion movement and more pelvic flexion movement. The subjects with greater pelvic flexion movement had a higher rate of flexion relaxation during full trunk bending (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that differences in hamstring muscle flexibility might cause changes in people's hamstring muscle activity and lumbopelvic kinematics.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.30-36
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• 2012

This study is aimed to show that an asymmetric load in the frontal plane leads to an increase in low back loading and fatigue in comparison with a symmetric load when workers lift an external weight by investigating previous studies and verifying the phenomenon with an experiment. Ten male subjects are required to lift and hold an given external load at 70cm height during 50sec, then the EMG amplitude and median frequency on bilateral low back muscle groups (Longissimus, Iliocostalis, and Multifidus) are recorded and analyzed. Independent variables are two-level load weight (13kg, 20kg) and three-level LCG (Center, 6.5cm to the right, and 13cm to the right), and dependent variables are EMG amplitude average, difference, and Fatigue Index (FI). Results show that load weight increases significantly amplitude average and FI, but LCG does significantly amplitude difference and FI significantly (P-value < 0.05). Also the correlation coefficient between amplitude difference and FI is over 0.99. These implies that trunk loading should be explained by not EMG amplitude but muscle fatigue aspect since the association between an external load and amplitude is linear, but the relationship between an external load and median frequency as muscle fatigue index is almost exponential.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2019

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.244-251
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• 2004

Purposes: This study was to examine the effects of postpartum exercise on pressure of the pelvic muscle contraction, body composition and physical fitness of postpartum mothers. Method: A nonequivalent pre-test, post-test control group study was conducted. Fifty-two postpartum mothers(experimental group, 26; control group, 26) admitted to a postpartum ward in a Busan mother-baby clinic were recruited. Data was analyzed using mean, $x^2$-test, and t-test by SPSS 10.0. Result: Body fat mass(t=-3.196. p= .002), body fat rate (t=-3.831, p= .000), and fat distribution(t=-3.026, p= .004) of body composition increased significantly in the experimental group after the postpartum exercise as compared with the control group. After an 8 week exercise program, the pressure of the pelvic muscle contraction in the experimental group was significantly higher than in the control group(t=3.329, p=.002). In the change of physical fitness, grip strength of the hand, back muscle strength, and trunk flexion forward were not significantly changed, but trunk backward extension in the experimental group significantly increased(t=1.950, p=.050). Conclusion: Postpartum exercise affects pelvic muscle contraction, body composition, and physical fitness of the postpartum mother.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.17 no.1_2
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• pp.23-32
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate trunk and gluteal muscle activation during one-leg standing or two-leg standing with lumbar stabilizing taping using non-elastic tape. Method: The subjects of this study were twenty subjects(man=11, women=9) who be in good physical health and have not problem to back muscle and one leg standing. The surface electromyographic(EMG) data were recorded on external oblique(EO), gluteus medius(GMed), gluteus maximus(GMax), quadratus lumborum(QL) while pre- and post-lumbar stabilizing taping in two-leg standing and one-leg standing. The analysis of data was performed using the paired samples t-test to compare the difference of EMG activity of pre and post lumbar stabilizing taping. Result: Contrast of pre-lumbar stabilizing taping the muscle activity of QL in post-lumbar stabilizing taping is significant decrease on two-leg standing posture(p<.05), and the muscle activity of GMed is significant increase on one-leg standing posture(p<.05). Thus, we suggest that lumbar stabilizing taping using by functional tape will be able to affect on lumbar stability and gluteal muscle retraining.