• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.419-426
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• 2008

Physicochemical characteristics of gelatin extracted from abdominal skin of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), were investigated by comparing its proximate composition, pH, amino acid composition, viscoelastic properties, gel strength and SDS-PAGE patterns, with those of bovine and porcine gelatins. The effects of gelatin concentration, maturation time, heat and freeze treatments on the gel strength of yellowfin tuna abdominal skin gelatin were studied. Amounts of $\alpha$-chains, $\beta$- and $\gamma$-components of yellowfin tuna abdominal skin gelatin were higher than those of the two mammailan gelatins. Yellowfin tuna abdominal skin gelatin had the lowest imino acids (proline and hydroxyproline) content, which was consistent with that of other fishes. However, yellowfin tuna abdominal skin gelatin was highest in glycine, alanine, and lysine. The gel strengths of all gelatins were proportional to the concentration of gelatin, but yellowfin tuna abdominal skin gelatin exhibited the greatest gel strength at each concentration. Yellowfin tuna abdominal skin gelatin required a longer maturation time than the two mammalian gelatins to form a firm gel. Higher heating temperature decreased the gel strength of yellow fin tuna abdominal skin gelatin more than in the two mammalian gelatins. Freezing decreased the gel strength of bovine gelatin only slightly, but longer freezing times resulted in greater reductions in gel strength in the yellowfin tuna abdominal skin and porcine gelatins.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the difference in muscle activity of the trunk and legs during flat walking with or without an abdominal drawing-in maneuver. METHODS: This study was conducted on 15 healthy males and eight females who were attending D University in Busan. This experiment was conducted after 15 minutes of abdominal drawing-in training using a pressure biofeedback unit before the experiment, and the difference in the muscle activity of the trunk and legs during flat walking with or without an abdominal drawing-in technique was investigated. Surface electromyography was used, and the electrode attachment site was the right sternocleidomastoid muscle, splenius capitis muscle, rectus abdominis muscle, external abdominal oblique muscle, transverse abdominis muscle, erector spinae muscle, vastus medialis muscle, and vastus lateralis muscle (TM DTS, Noraxon, USA). The data were analyzed statistically using a paired t-test on SPSS version 18.0 (IBM). RESULTS: The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis muscle, external abdominal oblique muscle, transverse abdominis muscle, vastus medialis muscle were increased significantly and maintained more than walking without maintaining an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (p < .05). Moreover, muscle activity of the erector spinae muscle was decreased significantly and maintained more than walking without maintaining an abdominal drawing-in maneuver (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Maintaining an abdominal drawing-in maneuver during flat walking is more effective during walking training.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.998-1011
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• 2016

Objectives: This study measured the thickness of the abdominal wall at abdominal acupoints using ultrasonography and then investigated the correlations between the thickness of the abdominal wall and other characteristics of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Methods: Thirty patients with FD were enrolled in the study from September 2015 to March 2016. The thickness of the abdominal wall was measured at Shangwan (CV12), Zhongwan (CV13), and the left Liangmen (ST21). In addition, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), duration of FD, and the sternocostal angle were investigated. The severities of spleen qi deficiency and the dyspepsia symptoms were assessed by the Spleen Qi Deficiency Questionnaire (SQDQ) and the Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version (NDI-K). Results: The average thickness of the abdominal wall was $24.66{\pm}6.69mm$ at Shangwan, $21.17{\pm}5.83mm$ at Zhongwan, and $21.72{\pm}5.72mm$ at Linagmen, and there were significant differences between the thickness at Shangwan and Zhongwan (p=0.046). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the thickness of the abdominal wall at Zhongwan and the sternocostal angle (r=0.396, p=0.037). Conclusions: These findings indicate the possibility of estimating the thickness of the abdominal wall by looking at the characteristics of patients with FD, including the sternocostal angle.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.353-360
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• 2017

Purpose: This study aimed to measure static balance of low back pain patients while one-leg standing in abdominal compression belts. Methods: The study included 40 adult males and females at J university, divided into a low back pain patient group and a normal group through the Oswestry disability questionnaire (ODQ). The subjects were instructed to hold a one-leg standing posture for 15 seconds on a balance measurement plate while wearing an abdominal compression belt. Shifting distance (0.1 cm), mean velocity (cm/s), pressure, and contact area were analyzed using BioRescue (BioRescue, RMINGEIEIRIE, Rodez, France). The average value was used to measure the result 3 times for each condition. Results: Both normal and low back pain groups significantly decreased in the speed of sway while wearing the abdominal compression belt. Furthermore, the pressure of the center of motion significantly decreased in the low back pain groups while wearing abdominal compression belt. However, there were no significant differences in the speed of sway or the pressure of center of motion between groups after wearing the abdominal pressure belt. Conclusion: These results suggest that abdominal compression belts are one option for improving balance temporarily. However, balance after wearing abdominal compression vests depends on onset of back pain, age, and symptoms of pain in the groups with low back pain. Further research is needed to investigate muscle activity, dynamic balance, and the effect of the period of wearing abdominal compression belts in the variety of low back pain patients.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2010

Purpose: The liver is the second most common organ injured by blunt abdominal trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of liver transaminase in screening blunt abdominal trauma patients for traumatic liver injury. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 231 patients who sustained blunt trauma and were at risk for traumatic liver injury between June 2009 and August 2010. All of them underwent a focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) and abdominal computed tomography (CT). Based on the diagnosis of abdominal CT, patients were divided into two groups: group I with liver injury and group II without liver injury. We compared the two groups and calculated the sensitivity, the specificity and the predictive values of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by using multiple cutoff values. Results: Of 231 patients with no abdominal free fluid in the FAST, 33 had traumatic liver injury on abdominal CT. The mean AST and ALT levels in group I (311.6 IU/L and 228.1 IU/L, respectively) were significantly higher than the values in group II (48.4 IU/L and 35.6 IU/L, respectively). The cutoff to distinguish liver injury is 60 IU/L for AST and 58 IU/L for ALT, with 93.8% sensitivity and 79.8% specificity for AST, and 90.6% sensitivity and 87.4% specificity for ALT. Conclusion: We recommend that all patient with suspected blunt abdominal trauma be evaluated using serum liver transaminase as a screening test for liver injury even though no abdominal free fluid is shown on the FAST. If AST > 60 IU/L and/or ALT > 58 IU/L, abdominal CT was useful to confirm liver injury in this study.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2013

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the difference of abdominal skin temperature responses following moxibustion comparing stimulation method. Methods : Moxibustion was applied on the acupuncture points of $CV_4$, $CV_6$, $CV_{12}$. Thirty healthy men were randomly divided into two groups, one receiving a single moxibustion stimulation in three locations '$CV_4{\cdot}CV_6{\cdot}CV_{12}$'(n=15) and the other receiving triple moxibustion stimulations in one location '$CV_{12}$'(n=15) for 30 min. To obtain the skin temperature on abdominal region, a thermograph was used. Three arbitrary frames(the upper abdominal, lower abdominal, whole abdominal regions) were made to analyse skin temperature. Thermographic images were obtained at before and after the procedure of indirect moxibustion and 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 min afterwards. Results : An increase in skin temperature on the three abdominal regions was observed following both one point and three points moxibustion administrations. Significant increase in skin temperature of the whole abdominal region was observed at 30 min after the procedure of three points moxibustion compared with one point moxibustion stimulation. A tendency of skin temperature changes over time was observed. Conclusions : In this study, skin temperature of lower abdominal region does not increase after triple moxibustion stimulations on $CV_{12}$. Administration of single moxibustion on $CV_4$, $CV_6$, $CV_{12}$ makes greater changes in skin temperature on the whole abdominal region than triple moxibustion on $CV_{12}$.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2014

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the abdominal bracing (AB) and abdominal bracing combined with ankle dorsiflexion (ABDF) on abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Design: Two group pretest posttest design. Methods: Sixteen subjects were divided randomly into two group: ABDF group (n=8), and alone AB group (n=8). The ABDF group practiced AB exercise with additional ankle dorsiflexion. AB group practiced only AB exercises. Subjects in both groups received ABDF exercise and AB exercise for 40 min per day, three days per week during a period of three weeks, respectively. All the subjects were evaluated for abdominal muscle thickness and strength before and after intervention using ultrasonography and MedX machine. Results: The external oblique (EO), internal oblique, transverse abdominis (TrA) muscle thickness and the strength produced at $48^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $72^{\circ}$ showed a significant increase in the ABDF group after intervention, with a more significant improvement in EO and TrA muscle thickness in the ABDF group compared with the AB group (p<0.05). Also, the strength at $48^{\circ}$ strength showed a significant improvement in the ABDF group than the AB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The study results showed that abdominal muscle contraction exercises with AD in patients with LBP had an influence on abdominal muscle thickness and strength. Therefore, these findings suggest that ABDF may be useful approach for enhancement of abdominal muscle thickness and strength in patients with chronic low back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2015

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.39-47
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate a comparative study on the effects of maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and thickness of the abdominal muscles through two Kegel exercise postures. Methods : Twenty eight (male= 7, female= 21) subjects participated in this experiment. They performed Kegel exercise in sitting and hooklying. The order of exercise was conducted in the order chosen by the subjects to exclude the learning effect. The MVV was measured using a spirometer. The thickness of the abdominal muscles were measured by ultrasound. The MVV and thickness of the abdominal muscles were measured according to the manual in a sitting and hooklying position before the experiment. After each exercise, the MVV and thickness of the abdominal muscles were also measured in the same way. A one way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the MVV and thickness of the abdominal muscles according to two postures and post hoc analysis, Bonferroni was used. Results : As a result of this study, significant differences in the MVV were observed after exercise than before exercise (p<.05). However, as a result of post hoc analysis, there was no difference in the MVV according to the postures (p>.05). Significant differences in thickness of the abdominal muscles were observed after exercise than before exercise (p<.05). However, as a result of post hoc analysis, there was no difference in thickness of the abdominal muscles according to the postures (p>.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, the MVV and the thickness of the abdominal muscles were confirmed in the sitting and hooklying posture after Kegel exercise. However, further studies on vital capacity and abdominal muscles according to Kegel exercise postures should be conducted.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.136-144
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to identify the effect of pressure biofeedback applied in various postures that allow the application of abdominal drawing-in. Design: A cross sectional study. Methods: The study intended to compare changes in the thickness of abdominal muscles between different postures when abdominal drawing-in was performed using a pressure biofeedback unit in five postures and to compare differences in terms of measures such as the transverse abdominis's preferential activation ratio(PAR). Data measured from 30 healthy individuals were used for data analysis. A paired t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to compare the thickness of each abdominal muscle. Results: The transverse abdominis's and internal oblique's thickness showed statistically significant differences in all postures when abdominal drawing-in (p<0.05). In the comparison between the postures, statistically significant differences were observed between the positions of hook-lying and wall support standing and between supine and wall support standing and between hook-lying and sitting (p<0.05). In terms of the transverse abdominis's PAR in each posture, statistically significant differences were observed between hook-lying and quadruped, hook-lying and sitting, hook-lying and wall support standing, quadruped and supine, sitting and supine, as well as wall support standing and supine (p<0.05). Conclusions: When abdominal drawing-in using pressure biofeedback unit is performed for stabilization exercises, selecting and applying specific postures according to targeted muscles and the subject's functional ability will help provide a more efficient and accurate intervention.