• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2022

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.43-50
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• 2004

This study was designed to determine the effects of different widths in the base of support (BOS) on trunk and lower extremity muscle activation during upper extremity exercise. Twenty-seven healthy male subjects volunteered for this study. Exercises were performed for a total of 10 trials with a load of 10 repetitions maximum (10 RM) for each of the various widths of BOS (10 cm, 32 cm, 45 cm). The width of a BOS is the distance between each medial malleoli when a subject was in a comfortable standing position. Electromyography was used to determine muscle activation. Surface bipolar electrodes were applied over the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, rectus femoris, gluteus maximus, upper rectus abdominis, and elector spinae muscle. Electromyographic (EMG) root mean square (RMS) signal intensity was normalized to 5 seconds of EMG obtained with a maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC). The data were analyzed by atwo-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated-measures ($3{\times}7$) and Bonferroni post hoc test. The results were as follows: (1) There were significant differences in the width of the BOS (p=.006). (2) The post hoc test showed significant differences with the BOS between 10 cm and 32 cm, between 10 cm and 45 cm and between 32 cm and 35 cm (p=.008, p=.003, p=.011). (3) There was no interaction with the BOS and muscle. (p=.438) There were no significant differences in the muscle activation (p=.215).

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.113-119
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• 2016

Objective: The effect of abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM) and abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM) on postural control in an unsupported position in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 36 persons with hemiplegic stroke participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into an AEM experimental group (n=12), an experimental ADIM group (n=12), and a control group (n=12). We collected the general characteristics of all subjects and the pre-test results before the intervention and after 4 weeks of the intervention. The trunk stabilization training of the ADIM and AEM group were performed 15 minutes a day, 3 times a week for 4 weeks, and general physical therapy was performed 2 times a day, 30 minutes per session, 5 times a week for all three groups. The control group received joint mobilizations, muscle strengthening, endurance strengthening, and gait exercises along with treatment of the central nervous system, such as neuro-developmental treatment, mat, and gait training. The AEM is an inspiratory phase of tidal breathing expanding the lateral lower ribcage in a lateral direction with minimal superior movements of the chest. Then the lower abdomen expands and the navel moves in an anterior-caudal direction. The ADIM is a repeated contraction and relaxation of the anal sphincter during inspiration. The navel pulls the lower abdomen to the direction of the spine without the movement of the trunk and pelvis. Results: Before and after the interventions, medial-lateral axis movement distance, anterior-posterior axis movement distance, sway mean velocity, and sway area 95% was a statistically significant change in all three groups (p<0.05). The post-hoc test showed a significant improvement in medial-lateral axis movement distance, anterior-posterior axis movement distance, sway mean velocity, and sway area in the AEM group compared with the control group, and in the ADIM group compared with the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, both AEM training and ADIM training are necessary interventions to maintain the independent sitting position according to the characteristics of the patient.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2012

Background: The present study was conducted with 30 adult males in order to examine the muscle activity of the trunk and the lower extremities at diverse initial bending angles of the hip joint during bridge exercise on a stable surfaces and on an unstable surface that is widely performed for stabilization. Methods: The initial angles of the hip joint used were $0^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ and the subjects were divided into a matt experimental group and a balance training group. Results: In maximum values of muscle activity at different exercise methods and angles, the matt experimental group showed statistically significant differences in the muscle activity values of the rectus abdominis muscle, the erector spinae muscle, the rectus femoris muscle and the peroneus muscles between different angles while the balance training group showed significant differences only in the muscle activity values of the erector spinae muscle between different initial angles of the hip joint. The matt experimental group showed significant differences in muscle activity between initial angles $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$, between $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the rectus abdominis muscle, between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the erector spinae muscle, between $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the rectus femoris muscle and between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the peroneus muscles while the balance training group showed significant differences between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the erector spinae muscle. Conclusions: Therefore, it is thought that bridge exercises should be applied to patients using diverse methods.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks of sling exercises on female patients 20 years of age with low back pain according to flexibility, balance, muscle strength and pelvic tilt. Method : The 20 female patients who complained of back pain were divided into two groups. The experimental group exercised for 40 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The control group did not. Both groups were measure for flexibility, balance, muscular strength, and pelvic tilt angle. Result : Curvature of the experimental flexibility, stretch, balance, muscle strength of the trunk forward, backward, left rotation, right rotation for the sling exercise group had significant differences. However, pelvic tilt did not show a significant difference. Control of the stretch of the flexibility, balance, and muscle strength of the trunk posterior showed significant differences for the sling exercise group. Conclusion : Although significant differences were found in flexibility, balance, muscular strength, there was no difference in pelvic tilt. When selecting subjects, we believe patients with regular patterns of pain will be more effective for statistical analysis of the changes in pelvic tilt.

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

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.14-19
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• 2017

Objective: To investigate the effect of performing three different bridge exercise conditions on the activities of four different muscles using surface electromyography (sEMG) in healthy young adults. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A total of 20 healthy young adults (10 males, 10 females) voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects randomly performed three different bridge conditions as follows: general bridge exercise, isometric hip abduction (IHAB) with a blue Theraband (Hygenic Corp., USA), and isometric hip adduction (IHAD) with a Swiss ball (Hygenic Corp.). The muscle activities of bilateral erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), biceps femoris (BF), and external oblique (EO) muscles during the bridge exercises were measured using sEMG. Subjects performed each of the three bridge conditions three times in random order and mean values were obtained. Results: For bilateral ES and BF, there was a significant increase in muscle activity in the IHAD condition compared to the general bridge and IHAB condition (p<0.05). For bilateral GM, there was a significant increase in muscle activity in the IHAB condition compared to the general bridge condition (p<0.05) and there was a significant increase in muscle activity in the IHAB condition compared to IHAD condition (p<0.05). For left EO, a significant increase was observed in the IHAD condition compared to the general bridge condition (p<0.05). Conclusions: ES and BF muscle activity increases were observed with hip adduction and increased GM activity was observed with hip abduction. These findings may be applicable within the clinical field for selective trunk and lower extremity muscle activation and advanced rehabilitation purposes.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.934-939
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• 2014

The purpose of this study unit a Quadrupedal position of limbs due to changes in the thickness of the trunk muscles to find out, by comparing the difference in muscle activity fours spinal stabilization devices do you need to choose an effective stance is to provide the data. The subjects C # 29 University students healthy adults were recruited. The Rectus abdominis muscle and the transversus abdominis and internal oblique abdominal muscle, external oblique abdominal muscle should be measured. The results of this study Lt. IO, EO, TrA, Rt. TrA, Muscle showed significant differences among the positions. The study reveals that the exercises in Quadrupedal position can activate trunk muscles and the degrees of muscle activities can vary according to the angle.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.78-85
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• 2024

Objective: This Study aimed to examine the changes in muscle activity of trunk muscles by performing three squat exercises on normal adults. Design: cross-sectional study Methods: Thirty-two adult subjects participated in this study. General squat, overhead squat, and overhead squat combined with abdominal stabilization were randomly performed for 5 seconds, 3 times, to calculate the average muscle activation. Muscle activation was normalized using electrodes on the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae muscles to measure maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) for 5 seconds, repeated 3 times each. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean and maximal muscle activity of the bilateral erector spinae (ES) when comparing the squat to the overhead squat (p<0.05). There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the mean and maximal muscle activity of the bilateral external oblique (EO) when comparing the overhead squat to the overhead squat combined with the abdominal stabilization technique. When comparing the squat to the overhead squat with abdominal stabilization, there was a significant difference in the mean and maximum muscle activity of the bilateral RA, EO, and left Internal oblique (IO) (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference in the maximum muscle activity of the bilateral erector spinae (ES) (p<0.05). Post hoc tests showed significant differences between squatting methods for the RA, EO, IO, and ES (p<0.017). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that squats combined with abdominal stabilization were more effective at activating core muscles than squats or overhead squats alone.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2017

The problem of trunk stability is a major factor in back pain.. Abdominal draw in maneuver(ADIM), One of the trunk stabilization exercises to relieve lumbar instability, is a method of inducing selective contraction of the transverse abdominis associated with anticipatory posture control among the abdominal stabilization muscles. ADIM is usually performed with a visual feedback by applying a pressure biofeedback unit(PBU) under the lumbar at the supine position, which is not functional compared to the sitting position. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ADIM applied in supine and sitting position on 31 healthy men and women. In each posture, muscle activity was measured by rectal abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis (TrA)/internal obilique (IO) and erector spinae (ES) using wireless EMG. In the result, there was no significant difference between RA and EO between the two postures and there was a significant difference between TrA / IO and ES. In both postures, the activity of TrA/IO was higher than that of RA, and the effect of ADIM was shown to be the same, whereas TrA/IO and ES showed higher activity in sitting position. This means that the activity of the muscles involved in the postural stability and lumbar stability is increased further in the sitting position. Therefore, ADIM in sitting, which can be applied more easily in daily life, is useful for improving lumbar stability.