• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.369-376
• /
• 2013

The purposes of this study were to assess dynamic stability toward pelvis-spine column distortion during running and to compare the typical three-dimensional angular kinematics of the trunk motion; cervical, thoracic, lumbar segment spine and the pelvis from the multi-segmental spine model between exercise group and non-exercise group. Subjects were recruited as exercise healthy women on regular basis (group A, n=10) and non-exercise idiopathic scoliosis women (group B, n=10). Data was collected by using a vicon motion capture system (MX-T40, UK). The pelvis, spine segments column and lower limbs analysiaed through the 3D kinematic angular ROM pattern. There were significant differences in the time-space variables, the rotation motion of knee joint in lower limbs and the pelvis variables; obliquity in side bending, inter/outer rotation in twisting during running leg movement. There were significant differences in the spinal column that is lower-lumbar, upper-lumbar, upper-thoracic, mid-upper thoracic, mid-lower thoracic, lower thoracic and cervical spine at inclination, lateral bending and twist rotation between group A and group B (<.05, <.01 and <.001). As a results, group B had more restrictive motion than group A in the spinal column and leg movement behaved like a 'shock absorber". And the number of asymmetry index (AI) showed that group B was much lager unbalance than group A. In conclusion, non-exercise group was known to much more influence the dynamic stability of equilibrium for bilateral balance. These finding suggested that dynamic stability aimed at increasing balance of the trunk ROM must involve methods and strategies intended to reduce left/right asymmetry and the exercise injury.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.51-55
• /
• 2020

Background: A typical plank exercise (PE) strengthens the core muscles, stabilizes the spinal column, and provides stability around the pelvis and trunk when the trunk is aligned. However, because PE require that the hip joint be kept straight, they can activate the hamstring (HAM). Excessive HAM activation can induce tightness, which may cause low back pain. Therefore, it is necessary to explore PE methods that can minimize HAM activity while maximizing core muscle activity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included 30 healthy adults as subjects. We measured the activity of the HAM and the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), and external oblique (EO) muscles using surface electromyography during three PEs (typical PE, PE with balance pad, and PE with sling). Results: The RA, EO, and ES showed the highest muscular activity during PE with balance pad and the lowest during PE with sling; however, the differences were not significant. The HAM showed lower activity during PE with sling than during the other two PEs; however, these differences were also not significant. Conclusion: Although HAM activation was not significantly difference among PE positions, we should recognize altering activation of core and hamstring muscle according to PE postures.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.345-353
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and static stretching on weight distribution and flexibility for trunk flexion. Method: Sixty participants who had no musculoskeletal disorders were recruited from a local university within six months of this study. The participants were randomly assigned to a PNF stretching group (N=30) and a static stretching group (N=32). For the pre-and post-measurement design, the left-right weight distribution, anterior-posterior weight distribution, and finger-to-floor distance (FFD) were measured before and after the stretching interventions. Result: The FFD results were significantly improved after the interventions, regardless of the group differentiation (p<0.05). The PNF stretching intervention significantly increased the differences between anterior and posterior weight distribution compared to the static stretching group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Both the PNF and static stretching interventions could improve flexibility for trunk flexion mobility. Although the PNF intervention improved the weight distribution in the anterior-posterior direction, further research is required to investigate the various PNF interventions on left-and-right and anterior-posterior weight distribution.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.498-507
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracic flexibility exercise on sitting balance, static standing balance, gait parameters, and the fall risk of patients with chronic stroke. The participants were randomized into the control (n=12) and thoracic flexibility exercise groups (n=12). Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. The subjects in the experimental group performed additional thoracic flexibility exercises 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The trunk impairment scale, static standing balance, gait speed, cadence, and fall risk were assessed for all the participants before and after the intervention. The thoracic flexibility exercise group showed greater improvement than did the control group on the trunk impairment scale (t=-3.57, p=.002), static standing balance (t=5.37, p<.001), gait speed (t=-3.29, p=.003), cadence (t=-2.77, p=.011), and fall risk (t=6.33, p<.001). Furthermore, the thoracic flexibility exercise group significantly improved all the outcomes compared to the baseline values (P<.05). This study showed that the thoracic flexibility exercise improved the functional ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.17-31
• /
• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of child health program on body composition, body balance, physical fitness, health promotion behavior in obese elementary school. Methods: They ranged from the third to fith grade with over 20% body fat ratio. The subjects consisted of 20 obese elementary school children who participated in child health program. The contents of the program for 12 weeks from contained obese education, counseling and music rope jump twice a week. The program lasted from Sep. 3 to Nov. 30, 2007. The data were analysed with SAS 8.2. Results: Muscle mass(z=2.86, p=0.028), skeletal muscle mass(z=2.56, p=0.008), and fat free mass(z=2.57. p=0.006) in body composition were significantly increased. right arm balance(z=4.12. p=0.001), left arm balance(z=2.96, p=0.010), and trunk balance(z=3.70, p=0.001), right leg balance(z=2.42 p=0.013) in body balance were also significantly increased. endurance(z=2.61. p=0.028), agility(z=3.43, p=0.006), flexibility(z=4.37, p=0.000), power(z=6.94, p=0.000) in physical fitness were significantly increased. Health promotion and behaviors were significantly increased(z=2.21. p=0.012). Conclusions: Child health promotion seemed to be useful for body composion, body balance. physical fitness and health promotion behavior.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.54-62
• /
• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of breathing training on the balance ability, lung capacity, and shooting score of shooting athletes. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty shooters were randomly assigned to the experimental group and the control group. Both the experimental group and the control group performed trunk stabilization exercise, and the experimental group received breathing training during exercise. Balance ability, lung capacity, and shooting score were measured before and after the intervention. Results: There was a significant difference in the forced expiratory volume at one second(FEV1), forced vital capacity(FVC) before and after intervention in the experimental group. In the comparison between the two groups, there was a significant difference in FVC between the control group and the control experimental group. Conclusion: The application of breathing training was effective in improving the lung capacity of shooters.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.618-624
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to test the effect of Gastrocnemius and Low Back-muscle isotonic exercise on static dynamic standing balance during the period of 4 weeks. This study was two groups pretest-posttest design. Nineteen subjects who were over 22 years old were randomly assigned to either the experimental group that received the Gastrocnemius muscle exercise(n=9) or the low back muscle exercise(n=10) : The former group performed isotonic exercise(plantar flexion), the latter group performed isotonic exercise(trunk extension) a total of 18 times for three times per week for four weeks. Two groups also performed static and dynamic balance before the exercise and 4weeks after the exercise. The data were analyzed by using the paired t-test and independent t-test. The results were as follows: As compared with change of dynamic balance performance capacity at two groups, a significant difference was shown in the test(p<.05), but not in static balance(p>.05). Also, a significant difference of balance between groups was not shown in the test. In this study indicated that gastrocnemius and low back muscle isotonic exercise will have positive impact on standing balance.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2024

Background: This study was conducted to apply active release techniques to male youth basketball players to help improve physical development and damage prevention and improve performance through improved balance and functional movement. Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: The subjects included 33 youth basketball players who were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=17) and the control group (n=16). For the experimental group, the active release technique was applied to the hip muscles, calf muscles, posterior thigh muscles based on the distribution of injuries surveyed in youth basketball players in the Korean Basksetball League. The Y-balance test and the functional reach test (FRT) were used to assess balance and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was used to assess functional movement. Interventions were conducted twice a week for 4 weeks at 40 minutes per session. The experimental group was the active release technique group, and static stretching, a common exercise therapy technique, and self-myofascial release using a foam roller were applied for 20 minutes. The control group received general exercise therapy and placebo active release technique. The placebo active release technique applies pressure only. results:The experimental group showed a greater improvement in balance, as evidenced by the FRT, compared to the control group, which received general exercise treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference in improvement between the 2 groups. In the case of the experimental group, the difference in the Y balance test before and after the intervention was larger than that of the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference. Significant improvement was found in functional movement, as evidence by the FMS, for the trunk stability test (p < 0.05), in-line lunge test (p < 0.05), rotational stability test (p < 0.05), total score (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the active release technique improved the balance and functional movement of young basketball players more than general exercise therapy. The application of the active release technique is therefore expected to assist in physical development, prevent damage, and improve the performance of youth basketball players.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.77-85
• /
• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk exercises on the balancing ability of elderly Hansen's disease patients with lower extremity dysfunction. Method : A total of 24 elderly Hansen's disease patients were divided into two groups: 10 without lower extremity dysfunction and 14 with lower extremity dysfunction. The groups exercised for 60 minutes, two days a week, for a total 12 weeks; balancing ability was measured with the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test. The patients were tested and their results were compared both before and after the completion of their exercise programs. Lower extremity dysfunction was assessed according to the following criteria: unilateral foot-drop, toe-loss, and below-knee amputation. Results : After the exercises, participants in both groups showed a positive, statistically significant difference in balance, compared with before the exercises (the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test; p<.05). For comparison purposes, the group with dysfunction and the group without dysfunction were tested before and after the completion of their exercises. Before the exercises, there was a statistically significant difference in the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test (p<.05). However, after the exercises, there was no significant difference in the one leg standing test, tandem walking test, and timed up-and-go test (p>.05). Conclusion : Ultimately, balancing ability was improved in both of the groups after trunk exercises were performed. Although balancing ability was improved, elements of lower extremity dysfunction remained, such as unilateral foot-drop, toe-loss, and below-knee amputation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
• /
• v.19 no.7
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2020

This paper presents the development of a robotic system for rehabilitation of the trunk's ability to maintain postural control under different balance conditions. The system, developed with extensive input from rehabilitation and biomedical engineering experts, consists of a seat mounted on a robotic mechanism capable of moving it with four degrees of freedom (3 rotational and 1 translational). The seat surface has built in instrumentation to gauge the movements of the user's center of pressure (COP) and it can be moved either to track the movements of the COP or according to operator given commands. The system allows two types of leg support. A ground mounted footrest allows participation of legs in postural control while a seat connected footrest constrains the leg movement and limits their involvement in postural control. The design evolution over several prototypes is presented and computer aided structural analysis is used to determine the feasibility of the designed components. The system is pilot tested by a stroke patient and is determined to have potential for use as a trunk rehabilitation tool. Future works involve more detailed studies to evaluate the effects of using this system and to determine its efficacy as a rehabilitation tool.