• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.102-110
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• 2006

To improve trunk stability, various exercise protocols were introduced into the clinical field. Trunk and lumbar stability exercises on unstable surfaces are especially recommended to improve lumbar stability. The purpose of this study was to compare abdominal oblique muscle activity during leg raising in hook-lying position among 3 different type of surface conditions (on floor (F), vestibular board (VB), and foam roll (FR)). Sixteen able-bodied volunteers, who had no medical history of lower extremity or lumbar spine disease, were recruited for this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the internal and external oblique muscles of both sides. The normalized EMG activity was compared using a one-way repeated ANOVA. The results showed that the EMG activities of the internal oblique and external oblique of the lifted leg side during straight leg raising significantly increased under the FR condition when compared to the F condition. There was no significant difference of the EMG activity in abdominal oblique muscles between the VB and the FR conditions. The EMG activity of the internal oblique of supported leg side during the straight leg raising was significantly greater under the FR condition than the VB and F conditions (p<.05). The composition ratio of EMG activity of internal oblique muscles during straight leg raising was significantly increased under the FR condition. Therefore, straight leg raising exercise on foam roll in hook lying position could be beneficial to improve trunk and lumbar stability.

• 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 Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.117-122
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the active force of extraocular muscles on mono- and binocular movements for 62 healthy koreans (male: 29, female: 33). Methods: The force of adduction, abduction, elevation and depression, of right and left eye on monocular movement were tested with horizontal moving distance based on corneal limbus and the force of superior oblique muscle and inferior oblique muscle on binocular movement were measured with vertical moving distance between corneal limbus. The distances were obtained by high resolution digital image processing. Results: At monocular movements of tested subjects. the power of abduction, adduction, elevation and depression of right and left eye were (male) 9.35 nun, 9.75 mm, (female) 9.02 mm, 9.52 mm, (male) 10.23 mm, 10.16 mm, (female) 10.17 mm, 10.07 mm, (male) 7.01 mm,6.91 mm, (female) 6.98 mm, 6.64 mm, (male) 7.52 mm, 6.82 mm, (female) 7.52 mm, 6.67 mm, respectively. The active force of binocular movements were 54.8% hyperergasia and 45.1% hypergasia/67.7% hyperergasia and 32.2% hypergasia with inferior oblique muscle, 64.5% hyperergasia and 35.5% hypergasia/58.1% hyperergasia and 41.9% hypergasia with superior oblique muscle, respectively. Conclusions: The force of horizontal movement was higher than vertical movement. The value of adduction was higher than abduction on horizontal movement, and the value of depression was higher than elevation on vertical movement. In the both of inferior and superior oblique muscle, the ratio of hyperergasia was higher than that of hypergasia.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the hip positions in frontal plane on abdominal muscle activities during bridging exercise. Twenty six subjects who have healthy conditions were asked to perform bridging exercise in three starting positions which are hip abduction, neutral and hip adduction. We used surface electromyography to compare the activities of both external oblique, internal oblique and rectus abdominis muscle. We analyzed the data by using repeated one way ANOVA, The alpha level was set at 0.05. The results showed that the muscle activities of both sides of external oblique, and internal oblique were significantly different among three starting positions. The activity of both sides of rectus abdominis were insignificantly different among three positions. The muscle activities of both sides of external oblique muscle and left internal oblique in bridging exercise with hip adduction position were significantly greater than hip neutral positions. The muscle activity of right internal oblique in bridging exercise with hip abduction positions. Our results suggest that bridging exercise with hip adduction position is recommended to lumbar stabilization exercise and the factor of hip position is important for controlling exercise intensity when designing bridging exercise program.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study assessed the effect of the pelvic compression belt on the electromyographic activity of erector spinae (ES), internal oblique (IO), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) after bridge exercise with pelvic belt compression in subjects with lumbar instability. METHODS: Forty subjects with lumbar instability volunteered for this study. We asked them to perform the bridge exercise while wearing a pelvic belt compression for 30 minutes five times weekly over a six week period. The pelvic compression belt was adjusted just below the anterior superior iliac spines with stabilizing pressure using elastic compression bands during bridge position. Surface electromyographic data were collected from the erector spinae (ES), internal oblique (IO), rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF). RESULTS: After the six week intervention, the experimental group improved significantly. Muscle activation significantly decreased in the erector spinae, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris, and increased in the internal oblique muscle in bridge position while wearing a PCB (P <.01). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the bridge exercise with pelvic belt compression is helpful to reduce activation in superficial muscles and lower extremity muscles such as erector spinae (ES), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF) and increase activation in deep trunk muscle such as the internal oblique (IO).

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.196-200
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle activity of the trunk muscles during balance exercises on a stable and unstable surface in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirteen subjects (8 males, 5 females) with stroke were enrolled in the study. Muscle activity was recorded using surface EMG electrodes from the affected side of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles. The exercise was performed under three conditions. For the first condition for balance exercise, subjects were instructed to sit on an exercise mat with legs extended. The second condition was to sit with legs extended, with a balance pad under their buttocks. The third condition was to sit with legs extended, have a balance pad under the buttocks and a balance cushion under the lower legs. Results: This study showed significant differences in EMG activities during both arm lifting exercise and weight shifting exercise between conditions. This study showed that the EMG activities of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles were significantly higher when the trunk exercise was performed using the balance pad with balance ball than when using the stable surface. Conclusion: In conclusion, performing balance exercises using an unstable surface is a useful method for facilitating trunk-muscle strength and hence trunk stability.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 1970

In recent observations on vestibular eye movements in mammals, reported by several different workers, it was indicated that the pattern of reflex eye movement from semicircular canal nerve stimulation in rabbits was different from that observed in the other species such as cats and dogs. Observing the different anatomical features of the extraocular muscles of rabbits, Kim ascribed the different pattern of eye movement of rabbits to the functional difference of inferior and superior oblique muscles from those of other species. Present experiment was carried out to elucidate a physiological mechanism underlying in such particular pattern of reflex eye movement in rabbits. An individual canal nerve was selectively stimulated, under a dissecting microscope, by a fine electrode induced into an ampulla through a hole provided on the wall of corresponding osseous canal, and responses of the extraocular muscles were checked by recording the isotonic changes of muscle length. Following results were obtained. 1. Direct stimulation of the superior or inferior oblique muscles Produced upward or downward movement of the eye turning toward medial side respectively. 2. Stimulation of the unilateral canal nerve Produced a marked contraction of a main contracting ocular muscle and simultaneous relaxation of an antagonistic muscle in both eyes. Less potent contraction of an additional ocular muscle was observed and it appeared to augment the function of the main contracting muscle in the ipsilateral eye. 3. Stimulation of superior semicircular canal nerve caused a primary contraction of superior rectus, synergic contraction of superior oblique and relaxation of inferior rectus in ipsilateral eye. Contraction of inferior oblique and relaxation of superior oblique were observed in the contralateral eye. 4. Stimulation of lateral semicircular canal nerve produced a primary contraction of medial rectus, synergic contraction of superior oblique and relaxation of lateral rectus in the ipsilateral eye. Contraction of lateral rectus and relaxation of medial rectus were observed in the contralateral eye. 5. Stimulation of inferior semicircular canal nerve produced a primary contraction of superior oblique, synergic contraction of superior rectus and relaxation of inferior oblique in the ipsilateral eye. Contraction of. inferior rectus and relaxation of superior rectus were observed in the contralateral eye. 6. Upon stimulation of individual canal nerve, the pattern of eye movement in rabbits is different from those of cats, however, the responses of the extraocular muscles appear to be similar in two species. Therefore, it is concluded that the different Pattern of eye movement in both species are not due to the possible difference of vestibule-ocular reflex pathways but to the functional difference of superior and inferior oblique muslces.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in the dynamic balance and leg muscle activity of adults in their 20s with or without shoes. Methods: In this study, seven male and 11 female university students in their 20s were randomized to determine the order of being with or without shoes, and the dominant foot was supported on the central platform of dynamic balance according to the order procedure. Using the opposite foot, the distance of leg stretching in the anterior, posterior medial, and posterior lateral directions and the muscle activity of the supporting leg were measured. Muscle activity measurement sites were attached to the dominant vastus medialis oblique muscle, vastus lateral oblique muscle, tibialis anterior muscle, peroneus longus muscle, and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Results: As a result of this study, the distance of leg stretching was significantly increased in the anterior, posterior medial, and posterior lateral directions when barefoot rather than when wearing shoes (p < 0.05). The muscle activity of the vastus medial and lateral oblique muscles was significantly increased in all three directions when barefoot rather than when wearing shoes (p < 0.05). The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior was significantly increased in the anterior direction when barefoot (p < 0.05), the peroneus longus muscle was significantly increased when it was barefoot in the posterior medial direction (p < 0.05), and the lateral gastrocnemius muscle activity significantly increased when barefoot in the posterior direction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The movement of the legs is freed when barefoot as compared to when wearing shoes, and being barefoot can effectively activate muscle activity and improve balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.16-23
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a repetitive lifting task on the level of activation and median frequency of the paraspinal muscles, and to provide basic data of the maximal acceptable duration of the lifting task to avoid muscle fatigue. Ten healthy male subjects were recruited as participants and they repetitively (12 lifts/min) lifted a box ($46cm{\times}30cm{\times}30cm$, 15 kg) for 10 minutes. Electromyographic data (muscle activation and median frequency), heart rate, and Borg CR10 score were recorded at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 minutes after the lifting task. Electromyographic data was recorded from the elector spinalis, mutifidus, external oblique abdominis, and rectus abdominis for 1 minute. The results showed that as the repetitive lifting task progressed, the heart rate and Borg CR10 score significantly increased. In addition, activation of the muscles increased. The median frequency significantly decreased over time in the elector spinalis, mutifidus, and external oblique abdominis (right side), except for the external oblique abdominis (left side) and rectus abdominis. It is suggested that the median frequency recorded from a dynamic task is used to monitor muscle fatigue. Furthermore, the repetitive lifting task (15 kg, 12 lifts/min) should not continue for more than 3 minutes in order to avoid muscle fatigue.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.217-220
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was to investigate the differences abdominal muscles activities of according to hip adductor contraction levels 20% (mild), 50% (moderate), and 70% (strong) of MVIC on during bilateral lower extremity raising exercise on supine. Methods: The subjects of the study were a total of 39 persons including 23 healthy males and 16 females, who performed bilateral lower extremity raising exercise in 20%, 50%, 70% MVIC hip contraction. Muscle activities were measured by using S-EMG in RA (rectus abdominis), IO (internal oblique), and EO (external oblique). Results: Muscle activity of the internal oblique abdominal muscle and external oblique abdominal muscle, their activities were also greatest with the adductor contraction size at 70% and there was statistically significant difference when compared with the adductor contraction size at 20% and 50% (p<0.05). As for the rectus abdominis muscle according to the size of contraction of the adductor was greatest at 70%, without statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: bilateral lower extremity raising with strong hip joint adductor contraction was effective exercise to strengthen abdominal muscles. If subjects could not perform strong hip adductor contraction, moderate contraction is effective abdominal muscle contraction exercise. The contraction size of the adductor is small, weak contraction may trigger middle level contraction and therefore appropriate application of the exercise program of bilateral leg raising may result in great effect as a lumbar stabilization exercise.