• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.245-252
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the abdominal muscle activity difference while performing the abdominal bracing technique focusing on inspiration (abdominal bracing group), the general abdominal bracing technique (general bracing group), and the abdominal hollowing technique (abdominal hallowing group) Design: A cross-sectional study design. Methods: Thirty-three healthy participants were recruited for this study. The participants were allocated to 3 different groups; Abdominal bracing group, general bracing group, and abdominal hallowing group. The surface electromyography was placed over the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles to collect the activation of abdominal muscles during the trial. Results: The muscle activity of the abdominal bracing group and general bracing groups was significantly higher in all abdominal muscles than in the abdominal hollowing group (p<0.05) Both rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles showed higher muscle activations in the abdominal bracing group over the general bracing group (p<0.05). However, the ratio of bilateral external obliques and rectus abdominis to bilateral internal obliques was highest when the hollowing technique was applied (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of study showed the abdominal bracing technique that emphasized inhalation rather than the abdominal hollowing technique or general abdominal bracing technique increased the activity of the abdominal muscles. Therefore, this study is considered to be a data for effective training if the abdominal bracing technique that emphasizes inhalation is applied as a method to increase the activation of the abdominal muscles.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.215-222
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate abdominal local muscle activity during modified bridge exercise. 17 subjects participated in this study. Abdominal muscles measured. External oblique abdominis (EO), internal oblique abdominis (IO), transvers abdominis (TrA), and rectus abdominis (RA) during general bridge exercise and modified bridge exercise, respectively. Electromyogram (EMG) and real-time ultrasound were used to verify alteration of muscles. Activation of RA and EO muscles of non-dominant foot was significantly difference in general bridge exercise group, not modifiedl bridge exercise group. In the modified bridge exercise group, thickness of IO and TrA muscle of non-dominant foot was significantly difference in modified bridge exercise group than general bridge exercise group. Therefore, modified bridge exercise may be apply as more effective exercise for local muscle activity than global muscle.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.23-36
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Plank exercise on unstable support surfaces on flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain in patients with chronic back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study was performed on 16 patients with chronic back pain of ◯◯ military unit. Sixteen subjects were randomly assigned into two groups, an upper extremity trainer group (group I, n=8) and a lower extremity trainer group (group II, n=8). The subjects in group I carried out Flank exercise applying the stability trainer to their upper extremities and ones in group II carried out the same exercise applying the stability trainer to their lower extremities for 4 weeks. In order to ascertain the difference between two groups, flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain were measured before and after the exercise. The flexibility was measured by sit and reach test, the thickness of the abdominal muscle was measured by using ultrasonic imaging equipment, and the pain was measured by the visual analogue scale. A paired t-test was utilized to compare changes in pain, abdominal muscle thickness and flexibility before and after flank exercise on unstable support surfaces. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was performed for ascertaining the significant differences between groups. The significance level was set by α=.05. Results: 1) The flexibilities of two groups were increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 2) In both groups, the thicknesses of rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and transverse abdominis were all increased after the exercise (p<0.05). 3) The pains in both groups were decreased after the exercise (p<0.05). 4) In the comparisons of two groups, there were no differences in the flexibility, thickness of external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis and transverse abdominis and pain (p>0.05). Whereas only thickness of Rectus abdominis was larger in the group I than in the group II (p<0.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise on the unstable support surface for 4 weeks resulted in increased flexibility, abdominal muscle thickness and pain reduction in patients with chronic back pain. Therefore, it is considered that performing flank exercise on the unstable supporting surface is suitable for the reduction of the pain in patients with chronic back pain. However, in this study, it is considered that continuous and diverse studies are needed because there was not a large difference between the groups when the upper or lower limbs are provided unstable support surfaces.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.295-300
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether the abdominal muscles, which are the major lumbar stabilizers along with the respiratory muscles, are affected by smoking. We compared abdominal muscle activity between smokers and non-smokers during the sit-to-stand movement. Methods: A total of 28 healthy adult males (14 smokers and 14 non-smokers) in their 20s-30s voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects performed the sit-to-stand movement, and then their abdominal muscle activity was measured. The surface electromyography system was employed to measure the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values of the subjects' rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, internal oblique abdominal, and transversus abdominis muscles. Then, the values were quantified into %MVIC. Results: The activity of the rectus abdominis muscle was higher in the smokers than in the non-smokers. Conversely, the activity of the internal oblique abdominal and transversus abdominis muscles, which are deep abdominal muscles, was higher in non-smokers than in smokers, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Smoking can inhibit the activity of smokers' deep abdominal muscles and increase the activity of their superficial muscles, thus making it detrimental to their musculoskeletal system.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of applied pressure to abdomen on lumbar and abdominal muscle activation during upper limb exercise. The experimental group consisted of twenty-seven healthy male subjects (mean age=$22.40{\pm}2.19years$, mean height=$175.30{\pm}2.19cm$, mean weight= $67.67{\pm}7.44kg$, RM=$8.43{\pm}2.76kg$). In each different pressure condition (OmmHg, 30mmHg, 70mmHg, 100mmHg), upper limb exercise was performed in total of 10 trials with 10 RM dumb-bell exercise. Lumbar and abdominal muscle activity was measured using surface bipolar electrode electromyography(EMG). EMG activity was measured from upper rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and elector spinae. The raw EMG signal was processed into the root mean square(RMS). All RMS EMG data were normalized and express as a percentage of the EMG(%EMG). Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS/PC Ver 10.0 using two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures($4{\pm}3$) and Bonferroni post hoc, test. Lumbar and abdominal muscle activation was significantly increased when 100 mmHg was applied(p<.05). Upper rectus abdominis activation was significantly increased compared as other muscles activation(p<.05). However, there were no interaction between pressure and muscles(p>.05). The findings of this study can be used as a fundamental data when lumbar orthosis is applied and external pressure can be used as a therapeutic tool.

• 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.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2016

Background: Prolonged sitting leads to low back discomfort and lumbopelvic muscle fatigue. This study examined the characteristics of body perceived discomfort and trunk muscle fatigue during 1 hour of sitting in three postures in office workers. Methods: Thirty workers sat for 1 hour in one of three sitting postures (i.e., upright, slumped, and forward leaning postures). Body discomfort was assessed using the Body Perceived Discomfort scale at the beginning and after 1 hour of sitting. Electromyographic (EMG) signals were recorded from superficial lumbar multifidus, iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis, internal oblique (IO)/transversus abdominis (TrA), and rectus abdominis muscles during 1 hour of sitting. The median frequency (MDF) of the EMG power spectrum was calculated. Results: Regardless of the sitting posture, the Body Perceived Discomfort scores in the neck, shoulder, upper back, low back, and buttock significantly increased after 1 hour of sitting compared with baseline values ($t_{(9)}=-11.97$ to -2.69, p < 0.05). The MDF value of the EMG signal of rectus abdominis, iliocostalis lumborum pars thoracis, and multifidus muscles was unchanged over time in all three sitting postures. Only the right and left IO/TrA in the slumped sitting posture was significantly associated with decreased MDF over time (p = 0.019 to 0.041). Conclusion: Prolonged sitting led to increased body discomfort in the neck, shoulder, upper back, low back, and buttock. No sign of trunk muscle fatigue was detected over 1 hour of sitting in the upright and forward leaning postures. Prolonged slumped sitting may relate to IO/TrA muscle fatigue, which may compromise the stability of the spine, making it susceptible to injury.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.905-913
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference of muscle activity according to application of a foam roller during pilates. The 8 male subjects were selected and quadruped position, bridge, and core control movement of pilates were randomly assigned to 9 movements on a static mat motion, static foam-roller motion, and dynamic foam-roller actions. This program was conducted once at intervals of 1 week. The muscle activity of erector spinae, rectus abdominis, external oblique, gluteus medius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris were measured and the collected data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA. First, in the quadruped, the rectus abdominis and external oblique, rectus femoris of the dynamic foam-roller actions showed higher muscle activity than the static mat motion and the static foam-roller motion(p <.001), gluteus medius muscle activity was also significantly higher (p <.05). biceps femoris were significantly higher in static foam-roller motions than in static mat-motion and dynamic foam-roller actions(p <.05). Second, biceps femoris muscle activity was highest in dynamic foam-roller actions than static mat-motion and static foam-roller motions during bridge(p <.001). Third, in the sitting core control, the rectus abdominis and gluteus medius of the dynamic foam-roller actions showed higher muscle activity than the static mat motion and the static foam-roller motion(p <.001). and activity of erector spinae muscle was also significantly higher (p <.01). external oblique were significantly higher in static mat-motion than in static foam-roller motions and dynamic foam-roller actions(p <.05). Considering the muscle activity during pilates exercise, it would be more effective to apply the method and difficulty.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2012

Background: The present study was conducted with 30 adult males in order to examine the muscle activity of the trunk and the lower extremities at diverse initial bending angles of the hip joint during bridge exercise on a stable surfaces and on an unstable surface that is widely performed for stabilization. Methods: The initial angles of the hip joint used were $0^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ and the subjects were divided into a matt experimental group and a balance training group. Results: In maximum values of muscle activity at different exercise methods and angles, the matt experimental group showed statistically significant differences in the muscle activity values of the rectus abdominis muscle, the erector spinae muscle, the rectus femoris muscle and the peroneus muscles between different angles while the balance training group showed significant differences only in the muscle activity values of the erector spinae muscle between different initial angles of the hip joint. The matt experimental group showed significant differences in muscle activity between initial angles $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$, between $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the rectus abdominis muscle, between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the erector spinae muscle, between $45^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the rectus femoris muscle and between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the peroneus muscles while the balance training group showed significant differences between $0^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ in the erector spinae muscle. Conclusions: Therefore, it is thought that bridge exercises should be applied to patients using diverse methods.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.71-74
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• 2010

Purpose: Nowadays spinal cord stimulator is frequently used for the patients diagnosed as complex regional pain syndrome. The lead is placed above the spinal cord and connected to the stimulation generator, which is mostly placed in the subcutaneous layer of the abdomen. When the complication occurs in the generator inserted site, such as infection or generator exposure, replacement of the new generator to another site or pocket of the abdomen would be the classical choice. The objective of our study is to present our experience of the effective replacement of the existing stimulation generator from subcutaneous layer to another layer in same site after the wound infection at inexpensive cost and avoidance of new scar formation. Methods: A 50-year-old man who was diagnosed as complex regional pain syndrome after traffic accident received spinal cord stimulator, Synergy$^{(R)}$ (Medtronic, Minneapolis, USA) insertion 1 month ago by anesthetist. The patient was referred to our department for wound infection management. The patient was presented with erythema, swelling, thick discharge and wound disruption in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. After surgical debridement of the capsule, the existing generator replacement beneath the anterior layer of rectus sheath was performed after sterilization by alcohol. Results: Patient's postoperative course was uneventful without any complication and had no evidence of infection for 3 months follow-up period. Conclusion: Replacement of existing spinal cord stimulation generator after sterilization between the anterior layer of rectus sheath and rectus abdominis muscle in the abdomen will be an alternative treatment in wound infection of stimulator generator.