• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of core and abdominal muscle-strengthening exercises on muscle activity in the lower extremity on unexpected perturbation. Methods: Twenty subjects were randomly divided into the core exercise group (n=10) or the abdominal muscles strengthening group (n=10). The two groups performed their exercises during three sessions a week for a total of four weeks. The muscle activity in the lower muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) was assessed using surface electromyography (EMG) and normalized maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) before and after the exercises. Results: An increase in the tibialis anterior activity after the core and abdominal muscles strengthening exercises was found after four weeks. A significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise was found. The gastrocnemius muscle activity increased in the core exercise group more than the abdominal muscles strengthening group. However, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the core and abdominal muscles strengthening exercises increased the tibialis anterior muscle activity. It is expected to help make more balance ability that affect who has abdominal muscles weakness.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.329-338
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of stabilization, resistance exercise, and combined exercise for lumbar on balance and walking ability of elderly. This study selected 22 subjects of over 65 years old elderly women who satisfy the study condition from A, B and C Senior Citizen's Center, in Daegu. The subjects were divided into groups; 7 for resistance exercise group, 8 for stabilization exercise group, and 7 for combined exercise group(resistance and stabilization exercise). The exercises were conducted for 60min a day, three times a week for 12 weeks. Balance and walking ability were checked before the exercise, 6 weeks later, and 12 weeks later. First, all lumbar muscle strengthening exercises were effective for static balance which changed according to exercising period. In dynamic balance, the resistance exercise group showed significant improvement in sit to stand. Stabilization exercise group showed significant improvement in all factors. The combined exercise group showed significant improvement in sit to stand and timed up and go. There was no difference between the exercise types. Second, the resistance exercise group showed significant change in Cadence which changed according to exercising period. The combined exercise group showed significant improvement in all factors. Between the exercise types, combined exercise was a bit more effective than resistance exercise. According to the result of 12 weeks of lumbar muscle exercise, combined exercise is considered to be the most effective exercise to prevent fall as it helps balance and walking ability slightly more than other exercises. Therefore, this study can understand the risk factors for fall accidents that frequently occur among elderly and adopt the combined exercise to prevent fall which in turn will prevent secondary problems occur from fall accidents and improve quality of life of elderly.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.49-66
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• 2002

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise treatment program for the older women with stress incontinence. The researcher developed 8 weeks training program which was implemented at a social welfare center in Seoul. The exercise method followed the Kegel criteria. Verbal instructions were given to the subjects. Subjects were confirmed of the exercises and evaluated by description of the exercise method. Fourteen elderly women(mean age 75.7) with stress incontinence participated and completed this program. The training sessions were held twice a week and each session took 45 minutes ; 15 minutes for pelvic floor muscle strengthening program and 30 minutes for other physical therapy. Pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise program was applied using verbal instruction and practice at social welfare center, twice a week and daily home exercise program were given to each individual. The results were as follows ; 1. There was significant decrease of lower urinary symptoms in the subjects (p = 0.00) 2 But there was no significant change in the sexual matters (p = 0.44) and the life style (p = 0.41) In conclusion, further study with larger sample group is suggested in order to confirm the study result. Because of limited sample size, the study results were not conclusive. But the pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise treatment program could be a safe and effective program and is suggestive for the community residing older women with stress incontinence as a geriatric physical therapy intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.33-44
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• 2017

Background: Lumbar stabilization exercise and gluteal muscle strengthening exercises are widely used to treat for lower back pain patient. The present study aimed to compare the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise and gluteal muscle strengthening exercises on chronic lower back pain with lumbar spine instability, with regard to pain intensity, disability, and psychosocial factors. Methods: Among 53 patients with chronic lower back pain, those with spine instability were selected using 5 examination tests. The selected 28 patients were randomly assigned to lumbar stabilization exercise group (LSE, n=15) and gluteal strengthening exercise group (GSE, n=13). Each group performed the corresponding exercise for 40 minutes, twice a week for 4 weeks. To analyze and compare the effects, pain intensity, the level of low back disability, and psychosocial factors were assessed before and after intervention. Results: There was significant difference in lower back pain intensity between the two groups before and after intervention. The change in low back disability was significant in the GSE group alone following intervention (p<.05), but no other significant difference was found between the groups. Among psychosocial factors, the changes in the fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ)-physical activity and FABQ-total were significant in the LSE group alone following intervention (p<.05). However, no significant difference were found in these factors between the two groups before and after intervention. Conclusions: LSE and GSE for lower back pain with lumbar spine instability showed no significant difference for pain intensity, physical disability, or psychosocial functioning.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of foot strengthening exercise program and functional insoles on joint angle and plantar pressure in elderly women. Thirteen elderly women who were enrolled in a university senior citizens academy of a metropolitan city in 2017 were divided into two groups: exercise group with functional insole (n=7) and exercise group without functional insole (n=6). Method: Three-dimensional motion analysis and Pedar-X were performed to compute the joint angle and the foot plantar pressure, respectively. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA was conducted to compare dependent variables within and between groups. The significance level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The range of motion (ROM) of the ankle, knee, and hip joints in the exercise group with functional insole increased significantly more than the exercise group without functional insole. In both the experimental group and the comparison group, the maximum foot plantar pressure and the mean foot plantar pressure were decreased, but the comparison group without functional insole showed more decrease. Since the experimental group demonstrated greater pressure than the comparison group in the contact area (forefoot, midfoot), it was distributed over a greater area. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that participation in foot strengthening exercises and using a functional insole has more positive effects than foot strengthening exercises alone on the joint angle and plantar pressure in elderly women. Increased foot plantar pressure led to an increased contact area (forefoot, midfoot) for distribution of the foot plantar pressure, but the effect of reducing the maximum and average plantar pressures was incomplete. However, wearing functional insoles along with exercise, could help in improving the stability of the joints, by increasing the range of motion, and could help the elderly in movement of the muscles more effectively, leading to an improvement in gait function.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 2014

Purpose: The strudy was done to determine the effect of an exercise program using the muscle strengthening flowchart on flexibility and hand strength and depression of rural elderly women. Methods: For 11 months, from January 9, to November 29, 2013, a survey was done of 37 voluntary participants who were elderly women living in rural areas. This study was a one group pretest-posttest Quasi-experimental research design to identify the effectiveness of self-directed programs. The Korean version of the depression measurement tool (Jo and Kim, 1993) was used. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, descriptive statistics, and paired t-test with SPSS /PC 17.0 program. Results: Comparison of before and after the self-directed program showed that flexibility (p <.001), left grip strength (p <.001), and right grip strength (p <.001) were significantly increased. Depression (p <.001) was significantly reduced. Conclusion: The results of the study show that the exercise program using the muscle strengthening flowchart resulted in of significant muscle strengthening and reduction in depression in rural elderly women. Future use of the muscle strengthening flowchart is recommended to provide long-term operational exercise programs.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.297-303
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• 2021

Purpose: The mass of facial muscles can be increased through exercise, as is also the case for muscles in the extremities. This systematic review was conducted to investigate the effect of facial exercises on facial muscle strengthening and facial rejuvenation, focusing on recent studies. Methods: A literature search was performed using the PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases. The quality of the trials was evaluated according to the PEDro scale. In total, 11 studies were included in this review: four studies on facial exercise for facial rejuvenation and seven studies on strengthening the muscles of the face. Results: Facial exercises for facial rejuvenation increased the mechanical properties and elasticity of the skin of the face and neck, the thickness and cross-sectional area of the facial muscles, and the fullness of the upper and lower cheeks. Conclusion: A study aimed at strengthening facial muscles showed improvements in labial closure strength and tongue elevation strength. Despite the positive results for facial rejuvenation and muscle strengthening, the level of evidence was low. Therefore, in future research, it will be necessary to investigate the effects of facial exercise in a thoroughly controlled experiment with a sufficient sample size to increase the level of evidence.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : This study aims to examine effects of trunk strengthening exercise in three rigid cerebral palsy adolescents aged between 11 and 13 on their spinal segments and gait. Methods : 2A trunk strengthening program for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was made focusing on improvement in their school life and mental and social activities during their school years, and then trunk strengthening exercise was applied to the three subjects for 30 minutes five times per week for four weeks. With the subjects in a static state, each group's gait analysis was made and maximum anterior flexion, maximum extension, maximum left and right lateral flexion, and cross rotation of the trunk were measured using Sonosens (Germany) prior to and after the intervention. Results : Assessment of spinal segment mobility with the subjects in a static state showed that the trunk muscle strengthening exercise increased their maximum joint movement angles from the right side to the center and rotational abilities of the cervical and lumbar spines. Gait analysis indicated increased movements in the thoracic and lumbar spines and relatively decreased anterior-posterior movement of the cervical spine. Conclusion : Trunk strengthening program is effective in enhancing spinal segment mobility and balance ability of cerebral palsy adolescents and considered able to be used together with diverse treatment interventions.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.27-35
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to compare the electromyographic (EMG) activity levels of the scapular upward rotators [upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA)] and other scapular muscles [posterior deltoid (PD), levator scapulae (LS), and infraspinatus (IS)] during isometric lower trapezius exercises. Twenty males with no medical history of shoulder pain or upper extremity disorders were recruited for this study. EMG activity was recorded from the UT, LT, SA, PD, LS, and IS while subjects performed three different exercises: Prone arm lift (PAL), Backward rocking diagonal arm lift (BRDAL), Modified Prone Cobra (MPC). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine any significant differences among the three exercises. A lower relative activation of UT, LT, and SA was seen with the MPC than with the other exercises (p<.05). The relatively lower activation of the UT identified, the MPC exercise as the preferred choice for preferential strengthening the LT (p<.05). However, a higher activation in the PD, LS, and IS occurred with the MPC than with the other exercises (p>.05). The recruitment pattern of synergist varied depending on the exercise posture. These findings suggest that exercise posture is an important factor in the selection of strengthening exercise for weak muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of stretching and strengthening exercises on the pain, pelvic tilt (PT), functional disability, and balance of patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). Methods: A total of 42 patients with CLBP were randomly divided randomly into either experimental group I (EG I, n=21), who received stretching exercise, or experimental group II (EG II, n=21), who received strengthening exercise. Both interventions were applied three times a week for eight weeks. Assessments were made with a visual analogue scale (VAS), PT, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Berg's balance scale (BBS) before and after the eight weeks intervention period. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group changes before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set to ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all variables. Results: The EG I and II showed significant within-group changes in the VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS (p<0.05). The changes in VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS were similar regardless of the exercise form. Conclusion: In this study, the application of stretching and strengthening exercise for subjects who complain of CLBP was effective in changing the level of pain, PT, functional disability, and balance.