• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2012

The aim of this study is to compare measurements of abdominal muscle thickness using ultrasonography imaging (USI) to those using a special transducer head device, during five different trunk stabilization exercises, ultimately to determine which exercise led to the greatest muscle thickness. Thirty eight healthy subjects participated in this cross-sectional study. The five types of trunk stabilization - i.e., a sit-up on the supine, an upper and lower extremity raise with quadruped on the prone, a leg raise in sitting on the ball, trunk rolling on the ball, and balance using sling on the prone position - were each performed with an abdominal draw. The thickness of the abdominal muscle - including the transverse abdominal (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) - was measured by USI with a special transducer head device, at rest and then at contraction in each position. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated ANOVA with the level of significance set at ${\alpha}$=.05. The results were as follows: 1) the TrA thickness was statistically significant (p<.05), whereas the IO and EO thicknesses were not (p>.05); 2) among the five types of trunk stabilization, TrA thickness significantly increased with the balance using a sling in the prone position, (p<.05), whereas no significant difference was noted for the four types of trunk stabilization (p>.05); 3) reliability data showed that there was a high degree of consistency among the measurements taken using the special transducer head device (ICC=.92). In conclusion, the balance using a sling in the prone position was more effective than any of the four other types of trunk stabilization in increasing TrA thickness in healthy subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of a core stability exercise program using Swiss Ball on muscle activity, muscle thickness, maximum muscular strength, and pain in the trunk region during a 6-weeks program involving participants who have lower back pain. Methods : A total of 21 males between the ages of 20 and 33 years old were divided into 3 Swiss Ball exercise groups. Group 1 performed isometric exercises, group 2 performed isotonic exercises, and group 3 performed mixed exercises. Measurements were taken prior to starting the exercise program and after completing the program at the 6-week period using ME6000 to measure muscle activity and VAS to measure pain reduction. Comparisons were made using a paired t-test and ANOVA on SPSS 10.0. Results : There was a statistically significant effect in muscle activity for group 1 and group 3. Secondly, there was a statistically significant effect in pain reduction for group 1, group 2, and group 3. Conclusion : We found that isometric exercises performed by group 1 were effective in improving muscle activity and pain reduction.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of graded low back exercise program with patient education about low back pain care on abdominal strength, endurance and flexibility of waist of chronic low back pain patents. For this study 13 patients aged 40 to 60 were selected as subjects, who suffered from low back pain and got diagnosed by physician. The exercise program and the education were executed for total 6 weeks, posture education were executed with physical exercises over first 1 to 4 weeks period and over 5 to 6 weeks the exercises were executed. The effect of the exercises and the education were evaluated through weights, WHR, fat(%), flexibility by sit-and-reach and trunk extension test, strength by sit-up test and back sit-up test. Weights were, decreased after physical exercise and education, but there was no statistical significance. Wasit hip ratio(WHR) and fat(%) were decreased after physical exercise and education, but there were no statistical significances. Sit-and-reach was significantly increased from $13.68{\pm}5.59cm$ to $19.45{\pm}3.81cm$ after education and physical exercise(P<0.05). Trunk extension was significantly increased from $30.31{\pm}11.34cm$ to $40.88{\pm}6.16cm$ after education and physical exercise(P<0.05). Sit-up and Back sit-up were increased after physical exercise and education, but there were no statistical significances. These results suggest that graded low back exercise program with patient education about low back pain care increase the abdominal strength, endurance and the flexibility of waist in low back pain patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.73-82
• /
• 2001

In order to study the effect of the isometric exercises on the flexibility. the strength and the waist and hip circumferences, 10 female university students who aged 22.10 ${\pm}$ 1.10 years were measured by sit-up for strength, and trunk flexion test and trunk lifting for flexibility, and also measured by waist and hip circumferences before and during, and after the Swiss ball exercise program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS/PC WIN 7.0 version. and one-way repeated ANOVA Test, The results of the test were as shown; We found that the number of performing sit-up was increased. and the trunk flexion test and trunk lifting was increased, and the waist and hip circumferences were increased after the 6 weeks Swiss ball exercise program. These findings indicate that Isometric exercise using Swiss ball could be beneficial to the low back pain patients due to the effect of increasing strength and flexibility of the patients.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.99-107
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated scoliosis muscle activity after the trunk side shift exercise. Methods: Fifty-eight subjects (control group=30, scoliosis group=28) participated in this study. The patients with idiopathic scoliosis were randomly divided into two groups: the side shift exercise (SSE) group and the trunk stabilization exercise (TSE) group. The SSE group performed SSE with chair training for eight weeks. A one-way ANOVA test was carried out to compare the results within the idiopathic scoliosis patient group prior to and after different exercise methods. Result: The muscle activity differences of the TPS, LPS, and latissimus dorsi muscles significantly decreased in all idiopathic scoliosis exercises groups after training. According to the exercise method, the TPS differed between the control group (CG) and TSE group and between the SSC and TSE groups. The LPS and latissimus dorsi muscles showed differences between the CG and TSE groups. Conclusions: This study found that the side shift exercise effectively improve spine muscles. The side shift exercise was performed using chairs that were designed for this study. Thus, this method is easily accessible for busy students who are exposed to scoliosis or spinal disorders that are caused by a pattern of inactivity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.4
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selective thoracic extensor strengthening exercises in the sitting position using a foam-roller by investigating the electromyographic(EMG) activities of the thoracic and lumbar extensors. Methods : Eighteen healthy subjects with no medical history of back pain were recruited. EMG activity was recorded from thoracic extensor(TE) and lumbar extensor(LE) while subjects performed three thoracic extension exercises: prone thoracic extension(PTE), prone thoracic extension with abdominal draw-in maneuver(PTE-ADIM), and sitting thoracic extension using a foam-roller(STE). TE and LE EMG activity, and TE/LE EMG activity ratio were analyzed by one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance(ANOVA). Where a significant difference was identified, a Bonferroni correction was performed(p<.017, .05/3). Results : TE and LE EMG activity, and TE/LE EMG activity ratio differed significantly among the three exercises(p<.05). Post hoc pair-wise comparison with Bonferroni correction showed that TE muscle activity in the STE exercise was significantly different from PTE and PTE-ADIM exercises(p<.017). There was no significant difference between TE muscle activity for PTE and PTE-ADIM exercises(p>.017). LE muscle activity and TE/LE ratios were significantly different among the three exercises p<.017). Conclusion : TE/LE ratio showed superior selective thoracic extensor strengthening for the STE exercise than PTE and PTE-ADIM exercises. Therefore, we recommend STE exercise for selective thoracic extensor strengthening.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.131-139
• /
• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of virtual reality (VR)-based core stabilization exercise on upper extremity function, postural control, and depression among persons with stroke with hemiplegia. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was conducted with the inclusion of 24 participants and were randomly assigned to either the VR-based trunk stability exercise group (n=12) or control group (n=12). The VR-based trunk stability exercise group performed core stabilization exercises in a VR environment for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the control group conducted general core stabilization exercises for 30 minutes. The participants trained 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The manual functional test (MFT), Box and Block Test (BBT), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were used to assess all participants before and after the intervention. Results: The VR-based core stabilization exercise group had a significant improvement in upper extremity function (MFT, BBT) and postural control (BBS) compared with the control group (p<0.05). The VR-based core stabilization exercise showed a significant difference after intervention in the TIS and GDS scores (p<0.05), but they did not significantly differ between the two groups. Conclusions: The result showed that VR-based core stabilization exercise can be effective in improving upper extremity function and postural control among patients with stroke more than the sole application of general physical therapy.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) patterns on electromyography (EMG) activity in the rectus abdominis, internal abdominal oblique, external abdominal oblique, and erector spinae according to position changes. Methods: Ten healthy adults volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects were required to complete exercises that followed two PNF extremity patterns, namely, an upper extremity extension-adduction-internal rotation pattern and a lower extremity flexion-adduction-external rotation pattern. The exercises were applied in the supine, side-lying, and sitting positions. Repeated measure one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni correction were used to determine the influence of the patterns on muscle activity for each muscle, and descriptive statistics were then used to determine the local/global muscle ratios. Results: The upper extremity pattern had a significant effect on the rectus abdominis and erector spinae in the supine position, and on the internal oblique and external oblique in the sitting position (p<0.05). The median value for the internal oblique/rectus abdominis showed a high ratio of 2.05, and a high ratio of 1.01 was shown for the internal oblique/external oblique in the sitting position. The lower extremity pattern had a significant effect on the rectus abdominis in the side-lying position and on the internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae in the sitting position (p<0.05). The median value for the internal oblique/rectus abdominis showed a high ratio of 2.83 in the sitting position and a high ratio of 1.30 for the internal oblique/external oblique in the side-lying position. Conclusion: The PNF pattern increases local muscle activation in an unstable position. Therefore, when the pattern is used for intervention purposes, trunk stability and varied position changes should be taken into account.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.121-134
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of different types of rehabilitation training program on the kinetic and kinematic parameters during sit-to-stand movement(STS) in chronic stroke patients. Two groups of hemiparetic patients, experimental and control, participated in the study. The experimental group participated in a 10-week training program (three sessions/wk, $1{\sim}1.5\;hr/session$) consisting of a warm-up, aerobic exercises, lower extremity strengthening. and a cool-down. The control group participated in an aerobic exercise. Three dimensional kinematic analysis and force platform; were used to analyze the duration of STS, lower extremity angle, and weight bearing ability. The experimental group which had more strength of lower extremity displayed decrease in duration of STS. However, the control group showed increases in duration during sit-to-stand movement. The control group flexed their trunk more than the group did Therefore, it took more time to extend their trunk during STS. The duration in sit-to-stand was affected by the strength of lower extremity and the angle of trunk movement. The angles of ankle and knee joint had an influenced on duration of STS. The post experimental group performed with their feet near the front leg of the chair during sit-to-stand, therefore the duration was decreased. The repetitive sit-to-stand movements as a resistance exercise was effective to hemiparetic patients in learning mechanism of sit-to-stand. The control group showed decreased differences in the vertical ground reaction forces between paretic and non-paretic limbs. Their training program included strengthening exercise that may help improving weight bearing ability. The control group showed increases in the center of pressure in the anteroposterior and mediolateral displacement. This means that the stability of movement was low in the control group. Their training program which combined aerobic and strengthening exercises that are more effective to improve the stability of movement.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 2021

Background : Prone hip extension (PHE) is commonly used for exercises and tests in patients with low back pain. Previous studies have shown that pelvic compression belts (PCB) and non-elastic taping (NET) contribute greatly to improvements in lumbopelvic stability. This study aimed to compare the effect of two lumbopelvic stability methods such as PCB and NET on the trunk and hip extensor muscle activities during PHE tests. Methods: Subjects who experienced low back pain (low back pain group, LBPG; n=20) and those who did not experience low back pain (non-LBPG; n=20) participated in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform PHE with and without a PCB and NET. PHE tests were performed in the condition wherein the two stabilization methods were applied, and the actions of the muscles at that time were measured using surface electromyography (EMG). EMG data were collected from the hamstring, gluteus maximus, erector spine (ES), and multifidus (MF) muscles. The data were collected three times for 5 s with a 1-min rest between each of the three sets. Results: In the LBPG, EMG of the ES muscle was significantly reduced when NET or a PCB was applied (p<.05). There was no difference in the change in the ES muscle activity when NET and a PCB were applied. The ratio of MF/ES muscleactivity showed a significant increase in the LBPG with NET (p<.05). Conclusion: Both NET and PCB applied to subjects who experienced low back pain significantly reduced the ES muscle activity during PHE exercises and helped control the balance of the superficial and deep trunk extensor muscles.