• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.264-268
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects on muscle thickness and balance ability after performing plank exercise on various surface types. Methods: In this study, there were thirty healthy participants. Participants were randomly distributed into three groups, a control group (n=10), sling group (n=10), and ball group (n=10). All participants performed plank exercises three times a week for four weeks. Plank exercises consisted of five sets of 30 seconds each with a one minute break between each set. Muscle thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) was measured using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and balance was measured using I-balance. Results: Evaluation of muscle thickness revealed that the IO and EO muscle of the ball group changed significantly relative to the control group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant changes in balance. Conclusion: The results revealed that performing plank exercise on a ball is more effective among various types of surfaces.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.33-40
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of stable and unstable surfaces on abdominal muscle thickness and changes in trunk muscle thickness in accordance with breathing methods during bridging exercises. METHODS: Bridging exercise on a stable surface, bridging exercise on an unstable surface, bridging exercise using a drawing-in maneuver on a stable surface, bridging exercise using a drawing-in maneuver on an unstable surface, bridging exercise using bracing on a stable surface, bridging exercise using bracing on an unstable surface. In sequence, the muscles' thickness was measured three times before and after each exercise, and the measured value was averaged. RESULTS: There were significant differences in internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles' thickness in the drawing-in maneuver in both stable and unstable surface (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in external oblique muscle's thickness in the bridging exercise in both stable and unstable surface. The type of surface did not have a significant influence on the abdominal muscles' thickness. CONCLUSION: As a result of the study, the drawing-in maneuver had a greater effect than bridging or bracing maneuver on muscle thickness. We suggest that drawing-in maneuver will be more effective in a person with a weak abdominal muscle.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.17 no.1_2
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• pp.23-32
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate trunk and gluteal muscle activation during one-leg standing or two-leg standing with lumbar stabilizing taping using non-elastic tape. Method: The subjects of this study were twenty subjects(man=11, women=9) who be in good physical health and have not problem to back muscle and one leg standing. The surface electromyographic(EMG) data were recorded on external oblique(EO), gluteus medius(GMed), gluteus maximus(GMax), quadratus lumborum(QL) while pre- and post-lumbar stabilizing taping in two-leg standing and one-leg standing. The analysis of data was performed using the paired samples t-test to compare the difference of EMG activity of pre and post lumbar stabilizing taping. Result: Contrast of pre-lumbar stabilizing taping the muscle activity of QL in post-lumbar stabilizing taping is significant decrease on two-leg standing posture(p<.05), and the muscle activity of GMed is significant increase on one-leg standing posture(p<.05). Thus, we suggest that lumbar stabilizing taping using by functional tape will be able to affect on lumbar stability and gluteal muscle retraining.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of flexible pole training combined with lumbar stabilization in improving trunk muscle activities and to investigate the difference according to posture in young adults. Methods: Twenty-five participants were enrolled in this study. The subjects were randomly allocated into either the flexible pole group or the rigid pole group. Participants performed lumbar stabilization exercises on quadruped and curl-up, with the flexible pole or rigid pole. Electromyography was used to assess the percent maximal voluntary isometric contracion (%MVIC) of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spine (ES) muscles. All participants completed one 30-minute session per day, 3 days per week, for 6 weeks. The evaluation was performed before and 6 weeks after the training, and follow-up. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and two-way repeated measure analysis of variance to determine the statistical significance. Results: The flexible pole in curl-up showed significant differences in EO and IO muscle activities compared with the rigid pole. The flexible pole in quadruped showed significant differences in IO and ES muscle activities compared with the rigid pole. The RA, EO, IO, and ES muscle activities of both groups were significantly higher after 6 weeks training. Conclusion: The flexible pole in curl-up and quadruped showed an improvement in trunk muscle activation. The flexible pole combined with lumbar stabilization will be useful as an exercise tool to improve activity of trunk muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.249-253
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of multi-directional dynamic stabilization exercise on the thickness of the external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and transversus abdominis. Methods: For the study subjects, 40 adults were taken and divided into two groups and stabilization exercise was performed for 6 weeks. Changes in muscle thickness during the pre-experimental period, and at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks were analyzed using repeated ANOVA. Results: The thickness of the external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and transversus abdominis in the multi-directional dynamic stabilization exercise group showed significant differences per period and an interaction was observed between period and group (p<0.01), while there were no significant differences in changes per group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The effects of multi-directional stabilization exercises on abdominal muscle thickness differed. The results presented herein can be utilized as basic data for future studies and in development of rehabilitation treatments.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-32
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was performed to understand the interrelation between 'Foot three yang meridian-muscle' and 'muscular system'. Methods : We have researched some of the literatures on Meridian-muscle theory, anatomical muscular system, myofascial pain syndrome and anatomy trains. And especially we have compared myofascial pain syndrome to anatomy trains and researched what kind of relationship is exist between them. Results : It is considered that Foot taeyang meridian-muscle includes Abductor digiti minimi m., Gastrocnemius m., Biceps femoris m., Longissimus m., Omohyoid m., Occipital m., Frontal m., Orbicularis oculi m., Trapezius m., Sternocleidomastoid m., Sternohyoid m., Zygomaticus m. Foot soyang meridian-muscle includes Dorsal interosseus m., Tendon of extensor digitorum longus m., Extensor digitorum longus m., Iliotibial band, Vastus lateralis m., Piriformis m., Tensor fasciae latae m., Internal abdominal oblique m., External abdominal oblique m,, Internal intercostal m., External intercostal m., Pectoralis major m., Sternocleidomastoid m., Posterior auricular m., Temporal m., Masseter m., Orbicularis oculi m. Foot yangmyung meridian-muscle includes Extensor digitorum longus m., Vastus lateralis m., Iliotibial band, Iliopsoas m., Anterior tibial m., Rectus femoris m., Sartorius m., Rectus abdominis m., Pectoralis major m., Internal intercostal m., External intercostal m., Sternocleidomastoid m., Masseter m., Levator labii superioris m., Zygomatic major m., Zygomatic minor m., Orbicularis oculi m., Buccinator m. and the symptoms of Foot three yang meridian-muscle are similar to the myofascial pain syndrome. Superficial back line in anatomy trains is similar to the pathway of Foot taeyang meridian-muscle. Lateral Line in anatomy trains is similar to the pathway of Foot soyang meridian-muscle. Superficial Front Arm Line in anatomy trains is similar to the pathway of Foot yangmyung meridian-muscle. Conclusions : There is some difference between myofascial pain syndrome and meridian-muscle theory in that the former explains each muscle individually, while the latter classifies muscular system in the view of integrated organism. More studies are needed in anatomy and physiology to support the integration of muscular system of Foot three yang meridian-muscle in aspect of anatomy trains.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.95-102
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined the muscle activity of the abdominal muscle when lifting with abdominal hollowing with visual feedback and lifting with a pelvic compression belt. This study suggests how to lift an object safely in the workplace for people who bend their backs repeatedly. METHODS: The study was conducted on healthy men in their 20s and 30s. When lifting a 7kg object, lifting with abdominal hollowing with visual feedback, and lifting an object with a pelvic compression belt were performed three times in random order. The muscle activities were measured rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique/transverse abdominis (IO/TrA) muscles, and abdominal hollowing exercises, and box lifting exercises were carried out in advance before the experiment. One-way ANOVA was used to compare muscle activities, and a Tukey HSD was used for post-analysis. The level of significance was set to .05. RESULTS: According to the study, there was no significant difference in muscle activity of the RA muscle depending on the lifting method (p > .05). There were significant differences between the EO and IO/TrA muscle (p < .05). The IO/TrA muscle activity showed the largest increase in lifting an abdominal hollowing with visual feedback (p < .05). The EO muscle activity increased in pelvic compression belt lifting (p < .05). The muscle activity was increased in RA, but there was no significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Abdominal hollowing lifting with visual feedback increases the muscle activity of the IO/TrA muscle, which is higher than normal, and affects the core stability of the body.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.107-117
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the immediate effects of weight-assisting methods on vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle activation, on the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio, and on muscle onset time in healthy subjects when ascending stairs. Methods: Healthy participants were randomly assigned to the belt group (n = 11), hand group (n = 11), and control group (n = 11). In the belt group, a belt was wrapped around the sacrum and pulled forward with both hands, moving the center of weight forward, while ascending stairs. The hand group grasped the hips with both hands and climbed stairs, assisting their weight from the rear and moving the center of weight backward, and the control group climbed the stairs without any intervention. Results: Muscle activation of the VMO decreased significantly after the intervention in the belt and hand groups, and activation of the VL muscle in both groups showed a greater decrease than that of the VMO muscle. Further, the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio increased significantly, with an improvement shown in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group, while muscle onset time also improved in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group. Conclusion: The belt group demonstrated the greatest effect across all dependent variables, confirming that in clinical practice, these two weight-assisting methods are more effective interventions during stair ascent for patients with knee joint instability, pain, and imbalance than no assistance.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 1995

Neuromuscular difference between normal subjects and low-back pain patients has been identified in terms of neural excitation signal measured by Electromyography (EMG) under the dynamic flexion/extension trunk motion. Ten healthy subjects and ten low-back pain patients were recruited for this study. New parameters and normalization technique were introduced to quantify the muscle excitation pattern among the flexor-extensor pairs of muscles : rectus abdominis (RA)-erector spinae (ES at L1 and L5 level), external oblique (EO)-internal oblique (IO), rectus femoris (quadricep : QUD)-biceps femoris( hamstring : HAM), and tibialis anterior (TA)-gastrocnemius (GAS). Results indicated that the temporal EMG pattern such as peak timing difference between the hip flexor (QUD) and extensor (HAM) and the duration of coexcitation between ES at L5 and RA muscle pairs showed a statistically significant difference between normal subjects and low-back pain patients. Improtantly, this study presented a new technique to identify the dynamic muscle excitation pattern that canb be least affected by EMG-length-velocity relationship. Further study can performed to validate this method for clinical application to quantitatively identify the low-back pain patients in the future.