• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.203-217
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• 2020

Purpose : This study aimed to determine whether task-oriented trunk training can improve muscle strength, muscle activity, balance, and gait in stroke patients. Methods : A total of 27 stroke patients who agreed to participate in the study were randomly divided into the following two groups: (1) experimental group 1, task-oriented training applied to the proximal part (n=14) and (2) experimental group 2, task-oriented training applied to the distal part (n=13). Thereafter, task-oriented trunk training was accordingly applied in each group for 60 minutes per session, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Muscle power, muscle activity, balance, and gait were assessed using a digital dynamometer, surface electromyograph, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and gait analyzer (G-WALK), respectively, before and after training. Results : Trunk muscle strength significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05). and there was a significant difference between the groups. Muscle activity in the stance phase during gait significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. Muscle activity in the swing phase during gait significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. The TUG test values significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. Gait significantly increased in both groups after training (p<.05), and there was a significant difference between the groups. Conclusion : The results of this study show that task-oriented training can improve trunk muscle strength, muscle activity, balance, and gait in stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2323-2330
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• 2021

Background: Stroke patients have weak trunk muscle strength due to brain injury, so a single type of exercise is advised for restoring functionality. However, even after intervention, the problem still lies and it is suggested that another intervention method should be applied with exercise in order to deal with such problem. Objectives: To Investigate the effect of bridge exercise combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on trunk muscle activity and balance in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: From July to August 2020, twenty stroke patients was sampled, ten patients who mediated bridge exercises combined with functional electrical stimulation were assigned to experiment group I, and ten patients who mediated general bridge exercises were assigned to experiment groupII. For the pre-test, using surface EMG were measured paralyzed rectus abdominis, erector spinae, transverse abdominis/internal oblique muscle activity, and using trunk impairment scale were measured balance. In order to find out immediate effect after intervention, post-test was measured immediately same way pre-test. Results: Change in balance didn't show significant difference within and between groups, but muscle activity of trunk was significant difference rectus abdominis and erector spinae within groups I (P<.01), also between groups was significant difference (P<.05). Conclusion: Bridge exercise combined with FES could improve trunk function more effectively than general bridge exercise due to physiological effect of functional electrical stimulation.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.70-73
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Kinesio taping(KT) on the maximal power and muscle activity of erector spinae. 30 male subjects were allocated in this study and randomly divided into experimental and control groups. All subjects were measured for maximal power of trunk extensors and muscle activities of iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus, and multifidus between pre and post experiment. Maximal power was calculated using a dynamometer(Power Track II, JTECH medical, USA), and muscle activities were calculated using a surface EMG(MP150 BIOPAC System Inc. CA. USA). Maximal power of trunk extensor showed no significant difference between pre and post intervention in both groups(p>0.05). Muscle activity of iliocostalis lumborum, longissimus, and multifidus showed no significant difference between pre and post intervention(p>0.05). Finally, there was no significant difference between Experimental and control group in maximal power and muscle activity of trunk extensor. These study results suggested that KT did not affect increase or decrease in maximal power and muscle activities of trunk extensor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the trunk muscle activity according to the direction of upper extremity lifting using elastic band. METHODS: Thirty three healthy individuals participated in this study. Each subject performed upper extremity lifting using elastic band on two different directions (straight and diagonal). And then we compared the muscle activity of respective trunk muscles of both directions. In order to examine the muscle activity of trunk muscle, we used the electromyogram to measure peak and mean torque in shoulder 90 degree flexion with sitting position. Electromyographic activities were recorded from the external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, and erector spine muscles during upper extremity lifting. RESULTS: As a result, first, there was significant difference between two directions. The muscle activity of ipsilateral external oblique and contralateral internal oblique is significantly increased in both straight and diagonal directions (p<0.05). Second, the muscle activities of external oblique and internal oblique of both side showed significant difference in diagonal direction (p<0.05). Third, the muscle activity of erector spine of both side showed significant difference in straight direction (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Through this study, it is important that implement diagonal direction exercise at sitting positions to help increasing muscle activity of ipsilateral external oblique and contralateral internal oblique on patients when activating the trunk muscle or stabilizing the trunk.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between trunk stabilization muscle activation and the parameters of gait analysis in healthy individuals. Methods: Thirty healthy adults (15 male, 15 female) with no history of lower back pain (LBP) or current musculoskeletal and neurological injuries were studied. Trunk stabilization muscle activation (e.g., external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, erector spinae) were assessed using surface electromyography. To analyze gait, we measured temporal parameters (e.g., gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase) and a spatial parameter (e.g., H-H base of support). Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between the internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and erector spinae muscle activity and gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase. No statistically significant correlation was found between the external oblique muscle activity and the gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase. No statistically significant correlation was found between the external oblique, internal oblique, transverse abdominis, and erector spinae muscle activity and the spatial parameter. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a relationship exists between trunk stabilization muscle activation and temporal parameter (i.e., gait velocity, single support phase, double support phase, swing phase, and stance phase) during gait analysis. Therefore, the trunk's stabilizer muscles play an important role in the gait of healthy individuals.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.340-345
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thoracic spine and ankle joint alignment on trunk and upper limb muscle activity during trunk forward lean exercise using a sling. Methods: 25 subjects participated in this study. All subjects performed trunk forward lean exercise using a sling under four conditions according to the alignment of the thoracic spine and ankle joints. Trials were performed 3 times in each condition. Muscle activity of the trunk and upper extremity was measured using electromyography. Results: In the dorsiflexion, the thoracic kyphosis condition showed significantly higher muscle activity in the pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, latissimus dorsi, transverse abdominis than dorsiflexion(p<0.05). In the plantar flexion, thoracic kyphosis condition showed significantly higher muscle activity in pectoralis major, transverse abdominis, latissimus dorsi muscle activity than dorsiflexion(p<0.05). Conclusions: Regardless of ankle alignment, thoracic kyphosis condition increased the activity of the pectoralis major, transverse abdominis, latissimus dorsi. Therefore, regardless of the alignment of the ankle, it is recommended to perform the trunk forward lean exercise using a sling in thoracic kyphosis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.91-94
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of trunk muscle activity with power grasping during one leg stance. Methods: Twenty-eight subjects participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two groups, one that performed power grasping, and another that did not. An investigator measured the activities of a subject's trunk muscle such as internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), erector spinae (ES), and gluteus medius (GM) while a subject was doing one leg stance. Results: An independent t-test was used to analyze trunk muscle activities with power grasping during one leg stance between the experimental group and the control group. Only the EO activity differed significantly between groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that one leg stance with power grasping affected trunk muscle activity. Therefore, this is a useful method for providing lumbar spine stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.80-86
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• 2008

Cross-legged sitting postures are commonly assumed during computer work. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of leg crossing on trunk muscle activity while typing at a computer. Trunk muscle activity was measured in three 8 different sitting postures, in random order. These posture were: normal sitting with a straight trunk and both feet on the floor (NS), upper leg crossing (ULC), and ankle on knee (AOK). The right leg was crossed onto the left leg in both cross-legged postures. Twenty able-bodied male volunteers participated in this study. Subjects typed on a computer keyboard for one minute. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to record bilateral muscle activity in the external oblique (EO). internal oblique (IO), and rectus abdominis (RA). The EMG activity of each muscle in the NS posture was used as a reference (100% EMG activity) in relation to the two cross-legged postures. Muscle activity in the right EO. right IO, and left IO was significantly lower in the ULC posture than in the NS posture. In contrast, muscle activity in the right RA was significantly higher in the ULC posture than in the NS posture. Muscle activity in the tight RA was significantly higher in the AOK posture, as compared to the NS posture, whereas activity in the left IO was significantly lower in the AOK posture, as compared to the NS posture. The right-left muscle activity ratios in the EO and IO showed significantly different patterns in the cross-legged postures, suggesting that asymmetrical right-left oblique muscle activity had occurred.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.146-150
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of active vibration exercise on trunk muscle activity, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty-four patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=12) or a control (n=12) group. The experimental group performed an active vibration exercise workout for 20 minutes a day five times a week for 4 weeks using a flexi-bar. Trunk muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Balance was measured using the Berg balance scale. Activities of daily living were measured using the functional independence measure. Results: The intragroup comparison showed significant differences in the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscle activity values, Berg balance scale score, and functional independence measurement values in the experimental group. The intergroup comparison showed that differences in the rectus abdominis and internal oblique external oblique muscle values, Berg balance scale score, and functional independence measurement value for the experimental group were significantly related to those in the control group. Conclusion: Based on these results, this study proved that the active vibration exercise effectively improved trunk muscle activity, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.189-196
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate electromyographic (EMG) activity of deep and superficial trunk muscles during trunk stabilization exercises with and without stabilization maneuvers. Methods: The relative muscle activity ratios and local muscle activities of 25 healthy males were measured using the 8 channel surface EMG system (Myosystem 1400A, Noraxon Inc., U.S.A). The surface EMG activities were tested during performing abdominal hollowing maneuver (AHM), abdominal bracing maneuver (ABM) and no stabilization maneuver (NSM) in random order. Data were analyzed using $1{\times}3$ repeated measures ANOVA. Results: During bridging exercises, the EMG activity ratio of transverse abdominis/internal oblique abdominis relative to rectus abdominis was significantly lower in NSM than in AHM and ABM. During bridging and kneeling exercises, the EMG activity ratio of multifidus relative to erector spinae was significantly higher in AHM than in NSM. Conclusion: The AHM can be clinically used by the physical therapist to activate selectively the trunk muscles when designing selective training programs for patients.