• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2022

Purpose: In this study, we provide a way to assess even a slight effect of exercise on trunk-muscle activity. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy male participants (mean age, 24.7 ± 3.2 years; height, 171.2 ± 9.8 cm; and weight, 63.8 ± 11.9 kg) performed 15 sets of an exercise with 20 repetitions of 90° hip and right-knee flexion while lying supine. The exercise intensity was measured using the 10-point Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale after the first and 15th sets of exercises. Although cross-sectional areas and functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-acquired muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging, fast-mfMRI) have been proposed for imaging to evaluate exercise-induced muscle activity in real time, no previous studies have reported on the evaluation of trunk-muscle activity using functional T2 mapping. As a method for assessing trunk-muscle activity, we compared functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-mfMRI) with cross-sectional areas. Results: Although the muscle cross-sectional areas were increased by the exercise, there was no significant difference at rest. On the other hand, for all sets, the changes in T2 were significant compared with those at rest (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that T2, calculated from fast-mfMRI images can be used to detect even a small amount of muscle activity induced by acute exercise, which was impossible to do with cross-sectional areas. Conclusion: Fast-mfMRI, which can also display functional information with detailed forms, enabled non-invasive real-time imaging for identifying and evaluating the degree of deep trunk-muscle activity induced by exercise.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.581-587
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• 2020

The Many patients who have lumbar instability(LI) could make a different trunk movement pattern by reduction of their respiratory function and altered breathing pattern. This study was conducted to investigate the change in the thoracoabdominal usage rate(TAUR) on three circumference lines(axillary, xiphoid junction, 10th rib) during the resting and forced breathing (RB and FB) after respiratory pattern correction(RPC) exercises in patients with LI. 15 patients in the experimental group performed RPC exercises, and 15 patients in the control group conducted lumbar stabilization exercises. Before the intervention, both groups had a significant difference in the usage rate among the three thoracoabdominal lines during the RB and FB(p<.05). After the intervention, the experimental group was seen no significant difference in the usage rate among the three lines during the RB(p>.05) and exhibited significant differences in the usage rate between the two thoracoabdominal lines during the FB(p<.05). The RPC exercises might improve the trunk movement patterns by restoring the respiratory patterns. We suggest that the RPC can apply in the re-education and reinforcement process at the reha-program for LI patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2012

Purpose : This study was somatosensory less in patients with idiopathic scoliosis somatosensory input to the lumbar stabilization exercises carried out to determine the most effective treatment method to be stable and unstable in terms of supporting the lumbar stabilization exercises the patient's torso length and postural sway by comparing the distance from a standing position and looked for differences in effect on the balance. Methods : The subjects of the study were 18 patients who showed the symptom of scoliosis. The study classified the patients into two experimental groups, one using an unstable surface and one a fixed surface, and the patients were required to do a lumbar stabilization exercise a total of 12 times for 60 minutes per session, three times a week for four weeks. The study carried out a paired comparison t-test so as to compare differences between measurement values in each experimental group before and after the exercise. Results : Superior iliac spine on the left, there was a significant reduction in the group doing the lumbar stabilization exercise on an unstable surface (p<0.05). Regarding change in sway distance to the left and right directions in the group doing the lumbar stabilization exercise on the unstable surface, there was a significant decrease in both the condition of closed eyes or open eyes (p<0.05). As for change in sway distance in forward-and-backward direction, there was a significant reduction in the condition of either closed eyes or open eyes (p<0.05). Conclusion : The lumbar stabilization exercise on an unstable surface improved the trunk posture of patients with scoliosis symmetrically, and the static balance ability in a standing posture was discovered to be improved. In the future, the lumbar stabilization exercise on an unstable surface may be used as a posture correction and balance increase exercise for patients with scoliosis.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.68-76
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• 2017

Background: Abdominal bracing exercise (ABE) and abdominal hollowing exercise (AHE) improve the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function in various patients, yet the efficacy of ABE or AHE have not yet been evaluated. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function during both ABE and AHE in healthy adults. Methods: The study included 40 healthy adults, who were randomly divided into the experimental group and control group, each with 20 subjects. All subjects performed ABE (experimental group) and AHE (control group). The lumbar flexibility such as trunk flexion test (sitting and standing position) and schober test and pulmonary function such as the spirometer including forced vital capacity (FVC) and force expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$) and chest circumference measurement (middle and lower chest) were measured, respectively. Two-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the lumbar flexibility and pulmonary function, respectively. Results: No significant effects of lumbar flexibility were observed on trunk flexion test from the sitting position (P=.478) and standing position (P=.096) in the ABE than in the AHE. However, the length of ABE was longer significantly than it of AHE (P=.024). No significant effects of lung function were observed on the FVC (P=.410) and $FEV_1$ (P=.072) in the ABE group than in the AHE group. And also, no significant effects of chest circumference measurement were observed on the inspiration (P=.468) and expiration (P=.563) in middle chest circumference and inspiration (P=.104) and expiration (P=.346) in lower chest circumference. Conclusion: This study indicated that the ABE is only more effective in lumbar flexibility by lumbar length difference than AHE in healthy adults.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.67-78
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 3 dimensional exercises and Klapp's exercise on parameters of scoliosis in subjects with non-structure scoliosis. METHOD: This study was performed on 24 subjects. Twenty-four subjects were divided into two groups; 3 dimensional exercise(n=12), Klapp's exercise(n=12). Both of the group performed the exercise 3 times a week for 5 weeks. The data was analyzed by the Paired t-test for comparing before and after changes of factors in each group and the Independent t-test for comparing the between groups. RESULT: The result are as follows. There was statistically significant difference of before and after arthopometric parameters, trunk flexion, Cobb's angle in 3 dimensional exercise(p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference of before and after acromion high, trunk extension, Cobb's angle in Klapp's exercise(p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference of between the two group in arthropometric parameters, ROM, Cobb's angle(p>0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, we found that the 3 dimensional exercise may be effective more than Klapp's exercise.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2017

Purpose: This study observed the activity of trunk and lower limb muscles during a modified bridging exercise with various weight loads. Methods: The participants in this study consisted of 15 male adults. The muscle activity of the elector spinae, rectus abdominis, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior, and soleus muscles was measured with an EMG-8 system during a modified bridging exercise performed with various weight loads (indicated as percentage of body weight). Differences in muscle activity during the bridging exercise according to the weight load applied were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, and post hoc analysis was performed using LSD. Statistical significance was accepted at a p-level of 0.05. Results: When the subjects performed the modified bridging exercise with various weight loads, the muscle activity of the gluteus maximus and vastus medialis peaked at a load of 0.5%. The activity of the gluteus medius showed a remarkable difference when the modified bridging exercise was performed at loads of 0% and 0.5%, 0% and 1%. In addition, the activity of the vastus medialis showed a remarkable difference between modified bridging exercises performed at a load of 0% and that performed at a load of 0.5%. Conclusion: The results suggest that performing modified bridging exercises with a load of 0.5% of body weight results in significant differences in the activity of the gluteus medius and vastus medialis muscles. Thus, it is suggested that performing the modified bridging exercise at 0.5% of body weight may selectively strengthen the gluteus medius and vastus medialis muscles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stretching and strengthening exercise on the static flexibility and pain intensity for the iliopsoas muscle, which is one of the main reasons for the chronic low back pain. Methods: The subjects of this study were 15 male adult patients with showed 6 score or higher in the visual analogue scale(VAS) and complained of low back pain over three months who visited department of the physical therapy, KIA motors Industrial Health Center, from October, 2008 through December, 2008. Fifteen subjects were trained stretching, mat exercises and sling exercises for iliopsoas muscle at 4-5 times a week for 4 weeks. I measured the changes on the extensibility of iliopsoas muscle, static flexibility of low back and VAS between pre- and post exercise treatment. Date were analyzed using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test considering the size of the samples. Results: 1. The angle of the hip joint that showed the extensibility of iliopsoas muscle was relieved, which was significant statistically (p<.05). 2. The static flexibility was statistically significantly improved in the trunk flexion test, trunk extension test and Schober-Test (p<.05). 3. The VAS showed decrease, which is significant statistically (p<.05). Conclusion: It is believed that the exercise treatment of iliopsoas muscle has the significant effects on the improvement of static flexibility and decrease of pain intensity for the chronic low back pain patients.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2022

Purposed: This study was conducted to find out by ultrasonic waves the thickness change of the deep abdominal muscles, such as transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique when performing general bridge exercise on the stable surface (GBE), single-legged bridge exercise on the stable surface (BES), bridge exercise with a sling (SBE) and single-legged bridge exercise with a sling (SBS). Methods: The subject, 33 healthy adults(18 men and 15 women) in their 20s of V university in J city were subjected to take four postures of GBE, BES, SBE, and SBS. When performing each posture, the thickness of transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique were measured by ultrasonic waves and analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA. This significance level was set to be p<.05. Results: Muscle thickness was increased in the order of BES, SBE, and GBE in the external oblique, resulting in statistically significant differences(p<.001). The internal oblique was significantly thicker in SBE and SBS rather than in GBE, and was thicker in SBE and SBS rather than in BES (p<.01). The thickness of the transverse abdominal was significantly increased in SBS than in GBE (p<.01). Conclusion: As the result, it may be more effective for the trunk stabilization exercises to activate the internal oblique and transverse abdominal by applying both-legged or single-legged bridge exercise in slings.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.187-197
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in the muscle activity of the trunk stabilizer muscles before and after incorporating Pilates breathing during three types of Pilates chair exercises. Methods: This study included 33 healthy men and women in their 20's; they were recruited according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. sEMG was used to measure the changes in the muscle activity in the internal oblique/transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae during the three types of Pilates chair movements (footwork, twist footwork, and bridging) without and with the Pilates breathing integration. The muscle activities of the trunk stabilizers between without and with Pilates breathing were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: The internal oblique/transverse abdominis showed an increase and a significant difference in the muscle activity in all three movements of footwork, twist footwork, and bridging after the Pilates breathing integration (p<.001). The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (p<.05) and the erector spinae (p<.05) also increased and showed a significant difference after the Pilates breathing incorporation, except in the bridging movement for the erector spinae. The increase in the rate after integrating Pilates breathing was relatively greater in internal oblique/transverse abdominis than in other muscles. Conclusion: When Pilates breathing was applied, the activities of the trunk stabilizer muscles increased significantly and immediately in all three movements of Pilates chair footwork, twist footwork, and bridging. This means that the use of breathing is expected to have a positive and immediate effect on the activation of trunk stabilizers, thus indicating that it can possibly be an effective re-enforcing tool to promote trunk stability when it is integrated to the Pilates chair exercise. Incorporating Pilates breathing also seemed to have a tendency to activate the deep trunk stabilizer muscles more than the superficial stabilizer muscles.