• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.253-258
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of internal abdominis pressure(normal, hollowing and bracing) on trunk muscle activity during one leg bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirteen healthy adults (9 men and 4 women) were instructed to perform Internal abdominal pressure(IAP) control(Normal, Hollowing, Bracing) during one leg bridge. Electromyography (EMG) data (% Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction, MVIC) were recorded three times on both sides of the participant's Internal Oblique(IO), Effector Spinae(ES), and Multifidus(MF) muscles and the average value was analyzed. Results: As a result, Abdominal bracing one leg bridge (BOLB) group and Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group showed significantly increased muscle activation of bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae and multifidus activation compared to the Normal one leg bridge (NOLB) group (p<0.05). Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group had a significant difference in bilateral Internal oblique muscle activation in compared to the NOLB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus muscles activation in healthy adults at one leg bridge exercise showed greater activation at abdominal bracing. Therefore, in this study, IAP control can be used as an indicator of choice to the dysfunction with trunk muscle weakness and corrective exercise subject's situation when the goal is to activate the trunk muscles by performing one leg bridge.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.167-174
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• 2021

Objective: Single leg bridge exercise (SLBE) improves trunk muscle activation and provides muscle stability by aligning joints related to posture. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the effects of SLBE on abdominal muscle activation in subacute stroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifteen subacute stroke patients (9 males, 6 females) voluntarily participated in this study. SLBE was performed on the affected side. Each individual patient performed an SLBE ten times in three sets and was asked to hold their position for 5 s. Muscles activity was recorded using a surface electromyography (EMG) system before and after the SLBE. A surface EMG system was used to analyze the muscle activity during general bridge exercise, including the rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) abdominal muscles. Results: Muscle activity of both EO and IO on the affected side significantly increased (p<0.05), whereas the muscle activity of the RA and the three muscles on the unaffected side did not show a significant difference. In addition, improvement in muscle asymmetry of the EO and IO showed a significant change after SLBE (p<0.05). Conclusions: SLBE is effective in activating the abdominal muscles of stroke patients on the affected side and is a helpful exercise intervention that activates the muscles to transform asymmetric abdominal muscles into symmetric patterns.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.270-274
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the abdominal muscles and to compare the activity ratios of the bilateral rectus abdominis (RA) to oblique abdominal muscles during shoulder abduction in opposite directions with single leg raising (SLR) performed in the supine position on a foam roller. Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited to the study. Each subject lay on the foam roller and performed left single leg raising with right or left shoulder $90^{\circ}$ abduction (Abd); performed in a random order. Surface EMG recordings of selected abdominal muscles (i.e., the RA, external oblique abdominis [EO], internal oblique abdominis [IO], and transverse abdominis [TrA]) were normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. EO/RA and IO and TrA/RA ratios were determined with surface EMG. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test. The statistical significance level was p<0.05. Results: The results were as follows: (1) the right RA, left EO, and right IO and TrA muscle activities increased significantly at the left SLR with left Abd compared to the left SLR with right Abd (p<0.05); and (2) the ratio of right EO/RA activity increased significantly at the left SLR with right Abd compared to left Abd (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that left SLR with left Abd on a foam roller is an appropriate exercise for activation of specific oblique abdominal muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.33-38
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• 2015

PURPOSE: Although the abdominal drawing-in maneuver is commonly used in clinical training for trunk stability, performing this procedure in stroke patients is difficult; instead, maximal expiration can be much easily performed in stroke patients. In the present study, we first aimed to demonstrate the effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and maximal expiration on trunk stability in stroke patients. Moreover, we compared the thickness of the transverse abdominal, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides. METHODS: We used ultrasonography to measure the change in the thickness of the transverse abdominal, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides at rest, while performing the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, and while performing maximal expiration in 23 stroke patients. The ratio of muscle thickness between different conditions was estimated and included in the data analysis (abdominal drawing-in maneuver / at rest and, maximal expiration / at rest). RESULTS: The ratio of the thickness of the transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique muscles during maximal expiration was significantly different on the paretic side (p < 0.05). The ratio of muscle thicknesses on the non-paretic side was greater during maximal expiration than during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver, although this difference was not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that maximal expiration more effectively increased the abdominal muscle thickness on the paretic side. Hence, we recommend the application of maximal expiration in clinical trunk stability training on the paretic side of stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to provide more effective interventions for elderly men with weak core muscles by measuring the thickness of the muscles according to the five core stabilization exercise and comparing the thickness differences in muscles in each posture. Methods : The study selected 29 elderly men aged 65 to 80 years old among outpatient patients at S Medical Center in B city, and measured the muscle thickness by exercise posture once. In order to find out the thickness of the external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) muscles were measured by using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) in five exercise conditions. Results : A significant change in the thickness of the EO muscles in each group was measured by the method of motion, followed by the abdominal crunches (1.67±0.15), the lower body rotations (1.54±0.07). As a result of measuring the thickness of the IO muscles of each group according to the exercise method, the bridge group (1.14±0.22) was the highest, followed by the abdominal drawing group (1.05±0.03). As a result of measuring the thickness of the TrA muscles of each group according to the exercise method, the abdominal crunches (0.98±1.00) were the highest, and the bridge group (0.57±0.05) were higher in order of magnitude. Conclusion : Consequently, the five core stabilization exercises all affect changes in abdominal thickness and are expected to continue to require training studies on muscle posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.513-523
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of the forced pulmonary function test effect and abdominal muscles activation by combined complex exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver training of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: 14 post stroke patients(10 males and 4 females) involved voluntary this study and we divided two groups into CEG(complex exercise group) and CEAG (complex exercise and abdominal drawing-in maneuver group).(n=7, per goup). Each groups implicated the 2 times, 30minute exercises for 6 weeks a day. The CEAG performed the complex exercise 15 minutes and 15 minutes of abdominal drawing-in maneuver. For data analysis, the mean and standard deviation were estimated; non-parametric independent t-test was carried out. RESULTS: According to the study, in the combined complex exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver group, FVC and activation of transversus abdominis/internal oblique were statistically significant difference compared to the complex exercise group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the combined complex with abdominal drawing-in maneuver was efficient in enhancing abdominal muscles activation and pulmonary function of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference of trunk muscles activity during abdominal hollowing and bracing contraction in various position. METHODS: This pilot test was carried out in a volunteer sample of normal adults(n=24) without a history of low back pain or injury. 24 subjects were randomly allocated to three groups(n=8) as a contraction method respectively. In hooklying position, trunk muscles activity of subjects was measured using EMG in various bridging position. RESULTS: Abdominal bracing contraction made to more great trunk deep and superficial muscles activity than hollowing contraction.(p<0.00) Especially, Multifidus activity was the biggest.(p<0.00) CONCLUSION: The result from this study showed that abdominal bracing contraction made to more balancing activity of trunk muscles than abdominal hollowing contraction. Thus, It will good for trunk muscles unbalanced LBP patient to improve lumbar stabilization.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2022

Background: This study investigated the effect of erector spinae and quadratus lumbar kinesio taping and support surface conditions on abdominal muscle activity during plank exercise. Design: Within-Group design. Methods: A total of twenty-three healthy men and women participated in this study. Abdominal muscle (both external obliques and internal oblique muscle) contraction was analyzed through EMG measurement with the presence or absence of kinesio taping applied to the erector spinae muscle and quadratus lumborum muscle during plank exercise and the difference between the support surfaces (stable surface and unstable surface) as variables. Abdominal EMG was attached to the right external oblique, left external oblique, right internal oblique, and left internal oblique. Results: The results showed that Abdominal left and right external obliques and internal obliques showed significant increases in activity when kinesio taping was applied to the erector spinae and quadratus lumborum muscles and unstable ground (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, we confirmed that the activity of the abdominal muscles was significantly increased during the plank operation in the state where the kinesio tape was attached. In addition, it was confirmed that the activity of the abdominal muscles was significantly increased during the plank operation on the unstable surface. These results suggest that in the state of kinesio tape attached and instability, plank motion has a positive effect on abdominal muscle activity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.94-100
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the abdominal hollowing technique applied during plank exercises at different shoulder angles between the ground and the humerus on the abdominal muscle activity Methods: The subjects were 36 male volunteers. They were randomized to perform plank exercises or plank exercises using the hollowing technique at 80˚, 90˚, 100˚, and 110˚ between the ground and the humerus. The abdominis muscles were measured using a surface electromyogram. Independent t-tests examined the changes in the activity of these muscles according to the two exercise methods at each angle. The changes in muscle activity were examined according to the selected angles by one-way analysis of variance. Results: The activity of abdominal muscles was investigated according to the angle between the ground and the humerus during the plank exercise. As a result, the muscle activity increased significantly with decreasing angle in the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique·transverse abdominis muscles (p<0.05). In terms of the changes in abdominal muscle activity after hollowing plank exercises at the given angles between the ground and the humerus, an increase in angle resulted in a statistically significant increase in the rectus abdominis muscle activity (p<0.05). The activities of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique/transverse abdominis muscles after hollowing plank exercises showed statistically significant increases (p<0.05) compared to those after plank exercises. Conclusion: The hollowing technique and the increase in the angle between the ground and the humerus may be an effective exercise method for increasing the muscle activity of the abdominis muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of keeping contraction of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles on 3D pelvic stability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP) during normal speed walking. METHODS: The subjects were 20 adults with CLBP deformity and had moderate pain intensity of the visual analog scale. A three-dimensional camera capture system was used to collect kinematic pelvic motion data with and without contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles during gait. The subjects were asked to walk on a walkway in the lab room and they were attached 40 reflective markers to their pelvic segment and lower extremities. A Visual3D Professional V6 program and Vicon Nexus software were used to analyze 3D pelvic kinematic data. RESULTS: There were significant differences between with and without contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles of the pelvic depression and the total pelvic motion in coronal plane during gait (p < .05). However, there were no significant differences in any of the maximal motion of the pelvic segment in sagittal and transverse motion plane according to the different muscle contraction conditions (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that maintaining co-contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in individuals with CLBP increased pelvic stability and contributed to preventing excessive pelvic movements during gait.