• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.60-67
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• 2017

Background: Scapular downward rotation syndrome (SDRS) is a common scapular alignment impairment that causes insufficient upward rotation and muscle imbalance, shortened levator scapulae (LS) and rhomboid, and lengthened serratus anterior (SA) and trapezius. A modified shrug exercise (MSE), performing a shrug exercise with the shoulders at $150^{\circ}$ abduction, is known as an effective exercise to increase scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Previous studies revealed that scapular exercise are more effective when combined with trunk stabilization exercises in decreasing scapular winging and increasing scapular stabilizer muscle activation. Objects: The purpose of our study was to clarify the effect of MSE with or without trunk stabilization exercises in subjects with SDRS. Methods: Eighteen volunteer subjects (male=10, female=8) with SDRS were recruited for this experiment. All subjects performed MSE under 3 different conditions: (1) MSE, (2) MSE with an abdominal draw-in maneuver (ADIM), and (3) MSE with an abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM). The muscle thickness of the lower trapezius (LT) and the SA were measured using an ultrasonography in each condition. Electromyography (EMG) data were collected from the LT, LS, SA, and upper trapezius (UT) muscle activities. Data were statistically analysed using one-way repeated analysis of variance at a significance level of .05. Results: The muscle thickness of the LT and the SA were the significant different in the MSE, MSE with ADIM (MSE+ADIM) and MSE with AEM (MSE+AEM) conditions (p<.05) In both LT and SA, the order of thick muscle thickness was MSE+AEM, MSE+ADIM, and MSE alone. No significant differences were found in the EMG activities of the SA, UT, LS, and LT in all condition. Conclusion: In conclusion, MSE is more beneficial to people with SDRS when combined with trunk stabilization exercises by increased thickness of scapular stabilizer muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization on both trunk and lower limb muscle activity and center of pressure (COP) in single leg standing. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to collect muscle activity data, the mean velocity of COP was measured using a force plate, and a pressure biofeedback unit was used for lumbar stabilization training. The findings of this study are summarized as follows: 1) The EMG activity of the erector spinae decreased significantly and the activity of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, external oblique, gluteus maximus, and gluteus medius increased significantly with lumbar stabilization single leg standing. 2) No differences in activity in the tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, and medial hamstrings were found with single leg standing. 3) The mean velocity of COP in the antero-posterior and medio-lateral directions in the lumbar stabilization single leg standing decreased significantly compared with the preferred single leg standing. The findings of this study therefore indicate that lumbar stabilization can facilitate the co-activation of deep stabilization and global muscles that improve postural control capability during single leg standing.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2184-2190
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• 2020

Background: Although studies have been conducted on muscle thickness and balance in trunk stabilization exercise and exercise using vibration props, studies on trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration for spinal alignment are still insufficient to draw a conclusion. Objectives: To investigate the effect of trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration on the spinal alignment in adult females. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Twenty-six adult females were randomly assigned to the experimental group (active vibration) and 13 control groups (active non-vibrating) and exercised three times a week for 8 weeks. Each group was measured for spinal alignment before exercise and 8 weeks after exercise. Spinal alignment, trunk imbalance, pelvic tilt, and pelvic torsion were measured using a spinal alignment analyzer. Results: Trunk imbalance was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group and the control group (P<.05). Pelvic tilt was a significant difference between the groups (P<.05). Also, pelvic tilt was a significantly different depending on the time in the experimental group (P<.05), but the control group showed no significant difference (P>.05). Pelvic torsion was no significant difference in both groups (P>.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that trunk stabilization exercise using active vibration has a positive effect on the alignment of the spine.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the activities of the abdominal muscles according to trunk stabilization exercises using Swiss ball in normal individuals. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten healthy university students participated in this study. The subjects were required to complete the following three exercise positions: Exercise position 1, sitting on a Swiss ball and lifting the legs; Exercise position 2, pushing to a plank position from an ending position; and Exercise position 3, push-up posture with the legs on a Swiss ball. Changes in the trunk muscle activities were estimated using Biometric electromyography (EMG). Activities of the dominant side internal oblique muscle (IOM) and external oblique muscle (EOM) were estimated in all participants. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC %) was measured to standardize the EMG signals for the IOM and EOM during maximum resistance when sitting up with each shoulder pointing towards the contralateral pelvis with knees bent and both arms crossed on the chest for 5 seconds. Results: There was a significant difference in the activity of the internal and external oblique muscles between Exercises 1 and 2 and Exercises 1 and 3 (p<0.05). Furthermore, the IOM/EOM activity ratio was the greatest during Exercise 3 and the smallest during Exercise 1. IOM and EOM activities were the greatest during Exercise 2 with greater EOM activity. Conclusions: In future studies, it will be necessary to investigate muscle activities by supplementing the above-mentioned limitations during the stabilization exercise. The results of this study may be used as a basis for controlling the intensity and frequency of exercise while prescribing trunk stabilization exercises.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 2021

Purpose : This study was conducted to find out the effect on the activity of trunk and lower limbs muscles during abdominal drawing-in bridging exercises by verbal cue on the unstable supporting surface after pelvic rearward sloping taping for trunk stabilization movement. Methods : The study subjects were recruited by using the on-campus bulletin boards for healthy adult males and females in their 20s attending K University in Changwon-city, South Gyeongsang Province. The subjects were 30 persons (15 males and 15 females) who agreed to the study purpose in accordance with the criteria for selection and exclusion. Results : The results were obtained by measuring the muscle activity of the trunk and lower limbs during abdominal drawing-in bridging exercises by verbal cue on the unstable supporting surface after pelvic fixed tapping. The effects on erector spinae and hamstring muscles was statistically significantly lower (p<.05), it was confirmed that there were no statistically significant differences between the multifidus and gluteus maximus muscle (p>.05). Conclusion : Through this study, it was found that the excessive flexion of the waist was significantly reduced from erector spinalis and hamstring muscle after abdominal drawing-in bridging exercises by verbal cue on the unstable supporting surface after pelvic rearward sloping tapping compared to the general bridging exercises.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.63-69
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF have on trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. Methods: This study included 20 stroke patients who performed trunk stability exercises combined with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF. The exercise program consisted of 30-minute sessions per week for six weeks. Trunk strength (BTE, Primus RS) and balance ability (Berg Balance Scale) were evaluated before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: Significant differences were observed the both groups for truck strength and balance ability. The results of the study were as follows: trunk strength was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between groups after the intervention (p<.05). Balance ability was significantly increased in both groups (p<.05) and it was also found to be significant between the groups after intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Trunk stability exercises with stabilizing reversal and rhythmic stabilization of PNF are effective for improving trunk strength and balance ability in stroke patients. For stroke patients, trunk stability exercises with PNF are very useful and effective and they areeffectiveinclinicalpractice.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.91-100
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• 2018

Purpose : The study investigated the effects of Pilates exercise on strengthening trunk muscles of females who perform such exercise for the purpose of comparing activation of trunk muscles that contact while performing Pilates motions between females with or without at least 8 weeks of Pilates experience. Methods : The study investigated 10 females with at least 8 weeks of Pilates experience in the past 6 months (experienced group) and 10 healthy females without Pilates experience (non-experienced group). The study used basic Pilates postures involving hip abduction, lift, and leg swing motions as the measurement postures in comparing the activation of muscles used for stabilization, such as the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, and transverse abdominis & internal oblique abdominal muscles. Surface electromyography was used for measuring muscle activation, and the measurements targeted activation of the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, transversus abdominis, and internal oblique abdominal muscles. Results : The study results showed that, as compared to the non-experienced group, the experienced group had significantly higher muscle activation in the transverse abdominis and internal oblique abdominal muscles during hip abduction (p<.05) and significantly higher muscle activation in the rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, and transverse abdominis & internal oblique abdominal muscles during lift and leg swing motions (p<.05). Conclusion : Pilates exercise performed over a long period can be recommended as an effective exercise method that can increase the activation of trunk muscle, and especially, repeated performance of highly difficult motions can increase muscle activation even more, which can help promote spinal stabilization, prevent pain, and improve performance of activities of daily living.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-42
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Swiss ball lumbar stabilization exercise on the strength and flexibility, balance for the subjects. 30 university students who aged an average $23.21{\pm}4.41$ years. Methods : The exercise program lasted for 4 weeks with a frequency of 3 times per week within 12 to RPE. The result was analyzed by case study were measured by sit-up for strength, and back muscle strength, and trunk flexion test and trunk extension lifting for flexibility, and also measured by balance test before and during, and after the Swiss ball exercise program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS/Win(15.0) version and t-test. Results : By the result of this study, we found that the number of performing sit-up strength was increased, and back muscle strength was increase, and trunk flexion test and trunk extension lifting was increased after the 4 weeks Swiss ball exercise program. Conclusion : These finding indicate that Swiss ball lumbar stabilization exercise using Swiss ball could be beneficial to the subjects. The effect of increasing strength and flexibility, balance was flexibility.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of the lower trunk stabilization exercise using neurodevelopmental technique (NDT) on muscle activity in lumbar region and balance in the patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fifteen participants were allocated in two groups: NDT group (n=8) or control group (n=7). NDT group performed NDT exercise program, while control group conducted walking exercise. Both interventions were given for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. To measure the muscle activity in rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO), electromyography (EMG) was used. And, Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg-Balance Scale (BBS) were performed to assess balance before and after intervention. Results: NDT group showed a significant improvement of muscle activity in RA and EO, while control group did not show significant changes in three muscles. Also, there was a significant difference in muscle activity of RA and EO between two groups. In BBS and TUG test, participants in two groups showed significant improvements after intervention. Especially, significant difference was observed in TUG test between two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NDT exercise is an effective intervention to improve the muscle activity in trunk region and to increase balance in patients with stroke. Thus, we suggested that NDT exercise program would be a treatment intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.523-531
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• 2013

Most patients with chronic low back pain experience functional disability of trunk muscle, and limitations in physical activity. While there are many types of exercise programs available, in recent years sling exercise has been emerging as the exercise program for spinal stabilization. It has been supported by a great amount of research with positive findings on its effectiveness. This research studies the effects of bridging exercise, conducted on a sling, on pain level and trunk muscle activation in supine, sidelying, and prone positions during a 4 weeks period. 10 healthy people(normal group, n=10) and 28 patients with low back pain participated in this study. 28 patients were divided into two groups; one group participated in exercise with the sling(experimental group, n=14) and the other group exercised without the sling(control group, n=14). They were asked to use the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) to answer to the level of their pain they felt (no pain: 0 point, severe pain: 10 points). During sling bridging exercises, the muscle activity level in each muscle measured in each position was standardized as three seconds of EMG signals during five seconds MVIC. In conclusion, the experimental group with four weeks of sling bridging exercise experienced a statistically significant reduction in the pain level(p<.05) and increase in the muscle activities of erector spinae when in supine position, internal oblique when in sidelying position, and rectus abdominis in prone position(p<.05). Regular sling bridging exercise reduces the low back pain and enhances other trunk muscle activation, thereby positively affect spinal stabilization.