• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2017

Background: Muscle weakness and impaired trunk muscle control are common in stroke patients. The bridging exercise (BE) is generally used for trunk stabilization and improving the overall function of stroke patients. The effectiveness of the BE with hip adductor contraction (BEHA) in facilitating trunk muscle activation has been well studied in healthy adults. However, the impact of BEHA in sub-acute stroke patients has not yet been investigated. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of BEHA on the electromyography (EMG) activities and the asymmetry of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO) abdominal muscles. Methods: Twenty participants with sub-acute stroke (11 males and 9 females) were recruited. Each participant was asked to perform bridging exercises for five seconds under three different conditions: BE in a neutral position (BEN), BEHA with a large ball (BEHAL) and BEHA with a small ball (BEHAS). The EMG amplitudes of the bilateral RA, EO and IO and the asymmetry of the EMG activity between the sound and affected sides were compared among the conditions. The significance level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The EMG activities of RA, EO and IO were significantly greater during BEHAL and BEHAS than during BEN (p<.05); the asymmetry of the RA, EO and IO decreased significantly during BEHAL and BEHAS compared to BEN (p<.05). However, no measured variables showed any significant differences between BEHAL and BEHAS (p>.05). Conclusion: This study compared the EMG activities of the RA, EO and IO on both sides and the asymmetry of the RA, EO and IO during BEN, BEHAL and BEHAS. Our findings suggest that BEHA was more effective for individuals with hemiplegic stroke at facilitating and normalizing abdominal muscle control than BEN.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.162-169
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the conditions for the application of various plank exercises to people who require trunk stabilization by comparing trunk muscle activity according to the degree of hip abduction in the plank exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty healthy participants voluntarily participated in this study and the plank exercise was performed under 5 conditions (two-legged support plank [TSP] with hip abduction, TSP with hip abduction of 15 degrees, TSP with hip abduction of 30, one-legged support plank [OSP] with hip abduction of 15 degrees, OSP with hip abduction of 30 degrees). In order to measure the trunk muscle activity according to the 5 conditions, surface electromyography was used. The electrical activities of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) muscles were measured during the 5 plank exercises. Subjects practiced each of the 5 conditions three times in random order and the average values were obtained. Results: In the OSP condition with 15/30 degrees of hip abduction, activities of the RA, EO, and IO were significantly greater than during the TSP (p<0.05). In the OSP with 30 degrees of hip abduction condition, activities of the left EO, IO were significantly greater than other plank exercise conditions (p<0.05). Conclusions: The plank exercise with hip abduction of 30 degrees and the OSP exercise can be suggested as an effective method to enhance the activity of the trunk oblique muscles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.72-84
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whole-body vibration stimulation training on the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle and the balance of sitting posture in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Design: Single-subject design(A-B-A-B). Methods: The subjects of this study were 9 children with spastic cerebral palsy. The study period was 12 weeks in total, and the baseline period and the intervention period were each assigned 3 weeks. Intervention was conducted twice a week for 30 minutes. During the baseline period, trunk stabilization exercise was performed, and during the intervention period, trunk stabilization exercise and whole-body vibration stimulation training were performed. Measurements were carried out at before the experiment, baseline 1, intervention 1, baseline 2, intervention 2 and the total number of measurements was 5 times. Repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the effects of exercise according to the intervention method. Results: The thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle and the balance of the sitting posture were statistically significantly increased compared to the baseline during whole-body vibration stimulation training (p<.05). Conclusion: Therefore, it was confirmed that whole-body vibration stimulation training improved the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle in children with spastic cerebral palsy and was an effective intervention method for improving sitting posture balance.

• 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.

• Archives of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.55-64
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• 2018

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the sprinter and skater combined patterns on muscle contraction onset time and muscle activation of body stabilizing muscles. Method : Our study included young and healthy men in their 20s. The participants used the sprinter and skater combined patterns of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) methods to measure muscle activation and muscle contraction onset time of the trunk muscles. To measure muscle contraction onset time and muscle activation, electrodes were attached to the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spinalis (ES) regions. Significant differences were identified using a paired t-test and a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis. Result : In the sprinter combined pattern, the muscle with the fastest onset time of contraction was the RES, and that with the slowest was the RRA (p<.001). In the skater combined pattern, the muscle with the fastest onset time of contraction was the LES, and that with the slowest was the LRA (p<.001). In the sprinter combined pattern, the REO and LIO presented medium muscle contraction onset times (p<.001). In the skater combined pattern, the LEO and RIO presented medium muscle contraction onset times (p<.001). Conclusions: Based on these results, these patterns could be used as exercise methods for the elderly with delayed proactive response speeds of the body stabilization methods due to imbalances in body stabilizing muscles or limbs movement.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.156-164
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• 2022

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a representative disease, and LBP is characterized by muscle dysfunction that provides stability to the lumbar spine. This causes physical functional problems such as decreased posture control ability by reducing the muscular endurance and balance of the lumbar spine. Pelvic compression using instruments, which has been used during recent stabilization exercises, focuses on the anterior superior iliac spine of the pelvis and puts pressure on the sacroiliac joint during exercise, making the pelvis more symmetrical and stable. Currently, research has been actively conducted on the use of pelvic compression belts and non-elastic pelvic belts; however, few studies have conducted research on the application effect of pelvic compression using instruments. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in trunk muscular endurance and dynamic and static balance ability levels by applying pelvic stabilization through a pelvic compression device between the LBP group and the non-LBP group. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects currently enrolled in Daejeon University were divided into 20 subjects with LBP group and 19 subjects without LBP (NLBP group), and the groups were compared with and without pelvic compression. The trunk muscular endurance test was performed with 4 movements, the dynamic balance test was performed using a Y-balance test, and the static balance test was performed using a Wii balance board. Results: There was a significant difference the LBP group and the NLBP group after pelvic compression was applied to all tests (p < 0.05). In the static and dynamic balance ability test after pelvic compression was applied, there was a significant difference in the LBP group than in the NLBP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that pelvic compression using instruments has a positive effect on both those with and without LBP and that it has a greater impact on balance ability when applied to those with LBP.

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

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.19-29
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• 2004

Many muscles of the trunk and hip are capable of contributing to the stabilization and protection of the lumbar spine. To have optimal effectiveness, a training program should include dynamic back/stomach/hip exercises. This study was designed to assess the L5 level paraspinal, external abdominal oblique, and gluteus maximus muscle activities during various low back stabilization exercises. Participants were 26 healthy adults (13 males, 13 Females), aged 21 to 28 years. The surface electromyography (EMG) was recorded from the L5 level paraspinal, external abdominal oblique, and gluteus maximus muscles. The recorded signal was averaged and normalized to the maximal electromyographic amplitude obtained during the maximal voluntary contraction. The measurements were taken during 3 low back stabilization exercises. One-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to examine the difference, and a post hoc test was performed with least significant difference. A level of significance was set at p<.05. The significance of difference between men and women, and between the electromyographic recording sites was evaluated by an independent t-test. The EMG activity for the externus oblique and gluteus maximus muscles had significant differences among 3 exercises (p<.05). In males, the EMG activity for the external abdominal oblique muscle had significantly increased differences during exercises 1 and exercise 2 (p<.05). The gluteus maximus muscle had significantly increased differences during exercise 2 and exercise 3 (p<.05). In females, the multifidus muscle had significantly increased difference during exercise 3 (p<.05), the external abdominal oblique muscle had significantly increased difference during exercise 1 (p<.05). and the gluteus maximus muscle had significantly decreased difference during exercise 3 (p<.05). The results were that the external abdominal oblique muscle was apparently activated during the curl-up exercise in females and males, and the multifidus muscle was apparently activated during the bridging exercise in females and during the sling exercise in males and females.1)In comparison of the %MVC between males and females, exercise 2 and exercise 3 apparently activated of the multifidus and gluteus maximus muscles in both males and females (p<.05). The EMG activity of the gluteus maximus muscle of the males significantly increased during exercise 2 and exercise 3 (p<.05). The EMG activity the multifidus muscle of the females was significantly increased during exercise 2 and exercise 3 (p<.05). More research is needed to understand the nature of motor control problems in the deep muscles in patients with low back pain.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2314-2322
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• 2021

Background: Back pain is associated with a high risk of recurrence. Various physical therapy techniques for back pain have been studied, including reprogramming the central nervous system by integrating sensation and motion with sensory exercise training. Objectives: To aimed verify the effectiveness of sensorimotor training in improving postural stability and pain levels. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: The study population was randomized into a sensory exercise training group and trunk stabilization training group and treated three times a week for 4 weeks. Each group took part in sensorimotor training for 15 minutes or lumbar stabilization exercise for 15 minutes. Results: After the intervention both groups showed Improvements in the variables. There was a significant difference in the dynamic postural stability, limit of stability, and modified visual analog scale scores in the sensorimotor training group compared to the lumbar stabilization exercise group (P<.05). Conclusion: Sensorimotor training appears to be an effective physical therapy exercise program that can be applied in patients with low back pain to improve muscle control ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2018

Background: Lumbopelvic stability is highly important for exercise therapy for patients with low back pain and shoulder dysfunction. It can be attained using a pelvic compression belt. Previous studies showed that external pelvic compression (EPC) enhances form closure by reducing sacroiliac joint laxity and selectively strengthens force closure and motor control by reducing the compensatory activity of the stabilizer. In addition, when the pelvic compression belt was placed directly on the anterior superior iliac spine, the laxity of the sacroiliac cephalic joint could be significantly reduced. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of EPC on lumbopelvic and shoulder muscle surface electromyography (EMG) activities during push-up plus (PUP) and deadlift (DL) exercise, trunk extensor strength during DL exercise. Methods: Thirty-eight subjects (21 men and 17 women) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform PUP and DL with and without the EPC. EMG data were collect from serratus anterior (SA), pectoralis major (PM), erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF). Trunk extensor strength were tested in DL exercise. The data were collected during 3 repetitions of all exercise and the mean of root mean square was used for analysis. Results: The EMG activities of the SA and PM were significantly increased in PUP with pelvic compression as compared with PUP without pelvic compression (p<.05). In DL exercise, a significant improvement in trunk extensor strength was observed during DL exercise with pelvic compression (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that lumbopelvic stabilization reinforced with external pelvic compression may be propitious to strengthen PUP in more-active SA and PM muscles. Applying EPC can improve the trunk extensor strength during DL exercise. Our study shows that EPC was beneficial to improve the PUP and DL exercise efficiency.