• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of abdominal muscle strengthening exercises and back muscle stretching on the flexibility of spinal column. Methods: The subjects were consisted of healthy adults ( 28 of females, 32 males; mean aged 21.6) from 18 to 29. All subjects randomly assigned to the control group, back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group. back muscle stretching group received back muscles stretching for 20 minutes, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group received abdominal muscle strengthening exercises for 30 minutes per day and 3 times a week during 3 week period. Spine motion analyzer (Spinal Mouse) was used to measure the flexibility of spinal column. All measurement of each subjects were measured at pre-experiment, after 10 days, and after 21 days. Results: The results of this study were summarized below 1. The sacral tilt angle of the hip joint of control group, back muscle stretching group, abdominal strengthening exercises group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days(p>0.5), but differency of each group occurred at after 21 days(p<0.5). the sacral tilt angle significantly increased at the back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group, rather than the control group. 2. The thoracic vertebral tilt angle of the control group, back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment, after 10 days, after 21 days(p>0.5). 3. The lumbar vertebral tilt angle of the control group, back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment, after 10 days, after 21 days(p>0.5). 4. The spinal tilt angle of control group, back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days(p>0.5), but differency of each group occurred at after 21 days(p<0.5). the spinal tilt angle significantly increased at the back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group, rather than the control group(p<0.5). 5. The length of the spinal column of control group, back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group was no significantly differences at pre-experiment and after 10 days (p>0.5), but differency of each group occurred at after 21 days(p<0.5). the length of the spinal column significantly increased at the back muscle stretching group, abdominal muscle strengthening exercises group, rather than the control group(p<0.5). Conclusion: these data suggests that 3-week abdominal muscle strengthening exercises and back muscle stretching improved the flexibility of sacrum, spinal column, and also improved spinal column lengthening. Additional randomized controlled trials to more fully investigate treatment effects and factors that may mediate these effects are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the muscle activity of the lower trapezius (LT) during three different shoulder flexion exercises. Methods: Twenty-three subjects between 20 and 25 years of age were enrolled. The subjects were asked to perform three different shoulder flexion exercises: 1) shoulder flexion in prone (SFP), 2) shoulder flexion in push-up with a swiss ball (SFPUS) and 3) shoulder flexion in a quadruped position with a swiss ball (SFQPS) in random order. The muscle activity of LT during each shoulder flexion exercise was measured by using surface electromyography. The muscle activity of LT was compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc test among three different shoulder flexion exercises. The statistical significance level was set at α=0.01. Results: The muscle activity of LT was significantly different among three different shoulder flexion exercises (SFP, SFPUS, and SFQPS). The LT muscle activity with SFQPS exercise was greater than SFP and SFPUS exercises (p<0.01). There was no significant difference in LT muscle activity between SFP and SFPUS exercises (p>0.01). Conclusion: The LT muscle activity was greater during SFQPS than SFP and SFPUS. Therefore, SFQPS exercise can be recommended for selectively activation of LT muscle.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1717-1724
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• 2019

Background : Several studies have suggested different arguments for the effect of stretching exercises and core muscle exercises on flexibility and balance ability. Objective : To determine the effects of stretching exercises and core muscle exercise on flexibility and balance ability. Design : Quasi experimental research Method : The study applied exercise interventions (three sessions per week for 6 weeks) on 40 subjects. The subjects were divided into stretching and core muscle exerciseing groups to identify the change of flexibility and balance ability. Sit- and- reach test results and hip hyperextension were measured for identifying changes in flexibility, and the Romberg test and Pedalo stabilizer were used for changes in balance ability. Results : Both the stretching exercise and core muscle exercise groups showed a statistically significant increase in flexibility (p<.05). However, the stretching exercise group showed a statistically significant increase in balance ability (p<.05), whereas the core muscle exercise group showed partially statistically significant differences in this par t(p>.05). In the analysis of the differences in the amount of change in flexibility, based on the types of exercise, stretching exercises showed a significant difference (p<.05), whereas a significant difference was not found in the amount of change in balance ability (p>.05). Conclusions : These findings indicate that stretching exercises are the more effective intervention for improving and maintaining flexibility, whereas there is no difference between stretching and core muscle exercises with respect to improving balance ability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.299-307
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of new exercises (combined cervical and thoracic extension exercises) with those of conventional cervical extensor strengthening exercises (sitting cervical extension exercises) and thoracic extensor strengthening exercises (prone thoracic extension exercises). Method: Fifteen healthy subjects performed sitting cervical extension exercises, prone thoracic extension exercises, and combined cervical and thoracic extension exercises. During each exercise, electromyography was used to measure muscle activity in the erector spinae with C4 and T4 levels. The measured data were analyzed using one-way repeated analysis of variance. Results: With different exercises, there were significant differences in activity in the erector spinae muscle (p < 0.05). The activity in the erector spinae muscle increased significantly during the combined cervical and thoracic extension exercises compared to the sitting cervical extension (p < 0.05) and prone thoracic extension exercises (p < 0.05). The sitting cervical extension exercises significantly increased activity in the cervical erector spinae muscle compared to the prone thoracic extension exercises (p < 0.05). Activity in the thoracic erector spinae muscles was significantly increased during the prone thoracic extension exercises compared to during the sitting cervical extension exercises (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the newer exercises effectively increase activity in the cervical and thoracic extensor muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.39-46
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of three types of therapeutic exercises by applying them to lower back pain patients. Methods : This program was conducted for 30 patients 30 to 55 years old, who visited a rehabilitation center due to lower back pain. We separated participants into three groups with different therapeutic exercises: one with lumbar stabilization exercises, another with stretching exercises, and the other with both exercises. Each exercise was held once a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. We analyzed the effect of these exercises by checking the change of lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Lumbar muscle strength was measured by AS-Med and pain strength was estimated by VAS. Results : The result of the programs was established according to the following list: 1) Lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises lead to higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief (p<0.05). 2) Lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group was significantly higher than the stretching exercise group (p<0.05). 3) Pain relief in the stretching exercise group was significantly higher than the lumbar stabilization exercise group (p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows all of the groups experienced higher lumbar muscle strength and pain relief. Specifically, there was higher lumbar muscle strength in the lumbar stabilization exercise group and higher pain relief in the stretching exercise group. Therefore the ideal intervention to improve lumbar muscle strength and pain relief for patients is to implement both lumbar stabilization exercises and stretching exercises.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.193-198
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of plank exercise combined with breathing and arm exercises on the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal muscle thickness. Methods: Thirty healthy adults consisting of 12 males and 18 females from K area were divided into a plank exercise combined with breathing and arm exercises group (n = 15) and a plank exercise only group (n=15). The changes in muscle thickness before the exercise and four and eight weeks after the exercise were analyzed using a two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Post-hoc t-tests were conducted to detect the interactions between the time and groups, and the significance level was set to ${\alpha}=0.01$. Results: According to the experimental results, the external oblique abdominal muscle showed significant differences over time (p<0.05). The internal oblique abdominal muscle also showed significant differences over time and in the interactions between the time and groups (p<0.05). The transverse abdominal muscle showed significant differences over time, in the interactions between time and groups, and in the changes between the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results indicated that plank exercise combined with breathing and arm movement exercises led to increases in the abdominal muscle thickness. These types of exercises may be useful in lumbar stabilization rehabilitation treatment.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.600-604
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to implement a program of combined muscle stregth and proprioceptive exercises and to examine the impacts of these exercises on functional ankle instability(FAI). Experiments were conducted with 30 adult males and females in their 20s, and the exercise programs were implemented three days per week for four weeks. FAI was defined as a feeling of giving way after an ankle sprain and having a Cumberland ankle instability tool score of 24 points or less. The study subjects were randomly assigned to either a control group, a muscle-strengthening exercise group, or a combined muscle-strengthening and proprioceptive exercise group consisting of 10 subjects each. A Biodex isokinetic dynamometer was used to assess the subjects'ankle strength at selected speeds of $60^{\circ}/sec$ and $120^{\circ}/sec$. The peak torque % body weight showed significant differences in plantar flexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion. There were also significant differences in proprioception. The results suggest that applying combined muscle-strength and proprioceptive exercises to subjects with FAI is a more effective intervention than applying only muscle-strengthening exercises.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1695-1699
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• 2019

Background : Although plank exercises is reported to the changes in muscle activity of the deep muscles and superficial muscles among the core muscles. However, no study has examined the effects of forearm plank exercise on tone and stiffness in the superficial back line muscle. Objective: To compare the effects of sling forearm plank exercises and mat forearm plank exercises on the superficial back line muscle tone and stiffness. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind) Methods: The subjects were randomized to sling forearm plank exercise group (N = 8) or mat forearm plank exercise group (N = 8). The measurements were taken for each research group following exercises: the muscle tone and stiffness of upper lumbar muscles, lower lumbar muscles, long head of biceps femoris, and medial part of gastrocnemius among the superficial back line muscles. Results: Sling forearm plank exercise group Indicated statistically significant increases in stiffness of medial part of gastrocnemius (p<.05). However, mat forearm plank exercise group reported no statistically significant in muscle tone and stiffness of all measured muscles. No significant differences in measured variables were found between the groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that the forearm plank exercise performed with an unstable surface in the defined sling can increase the stiffness of calf muscle, but it is unlikely to achieve increases in muscle tone and stiffness of the overall superficial back line muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of plank exercises with resistance of one-sided hip adduction on abdominal muscle thickness. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into a group that underwent plank exercises with one-sided hip adduction resistance (n=15) and a group that underwent plank exercises only (n=15). Their changes in abdominal muscle thickness before the experiment (n=15) and three and six weeks after the experiment were analyzed using a two-way repeated analysis of variance at a statistical significance level of ${\alpha}=0.05$. When there was any interaction between the time of measurement and each group, post hoc t-tests were conducted at a statistical significance level of ${\alpha}=0.01$. Results: The results of the experiment showed statistically significant differences in the thickness of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique muscle, and transversus abdominis, depending on the time of measurement and the interaction between the time of measurement and each group (p<0.05). Statistically significant differences were observed in the thickness of the external oblique, depending on the time of measurement, the interaction between the time of measurement and each group, and variances between the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that plank exercises with resistance of one-sided adduction are effective for increasing abdominal muscle thickness. The study's overall findings will likely be used as basic data for lumbar stabilization exercises and rehabilitation treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.128-134
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of healthy persons performing a plank exercise with hip abduction and use of sling on trunk muscle activity. Methods: Twenty-three subjects participated in this study. Muscle activities of the multifidus, rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique were assessed with electromyography (EMG) while the subjects performed 6 various types of plank exercises in random order. Results: There was a significant difference in multifidus and internal oblique on the supported side and the multifidus, external oblique, and internal oblique on the elevated side (p<0.05), and differences in plank methods were significantly higher in the multifidus, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique of the supported side and the rectus abdominis, external oblique and internal oblique on the elevated side (p<0.05). In addition, post-hoc analysis of the various plank methods showed that muscle activity was significantly higher during the general plank exercise compared with the knee-supported-in-sling plank exercises (p<0.05), and was significantly higher with the ankle-supported-in-sling plank exercises compared with the general plank exercise. Conclusion: There was greater trunk muscle activity with plank exercises performed with the ankle-supported-in-sling and hip abduction plank exercises compared with the general or knee-supported-in-sling plank exercises. Through this study, various plank exercises have been discovered that can be selected at different intensities for core muscle training purposes based on trunk muscle strength.