• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle contraction onset time characteristics of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles at different knee flexion angles in individuals with shortened or over-lengthened hamstrings performing prone hip extension. Methods: Twenty-six participants were divided into a hamstring shortened group (n = 12) and hamstring lengthened group (n = 14). Wireless surface electromyography was used to verify the muscle onset time of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris when performing prone hip extension at different knee flexion angles. Results: There were significant differences in the muscle onset times of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris between the hamstring shortened group and hamstring lengthened group (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a significant difference in the muscle contraction onset times among of the gluteus maximus, semitendinosus, and biceps femoris muscles when performing prone hip extension at a knee flexion of 90° in the hamstring shortened group (p < 0.05) and a knee flexion angle of 0° in the hamstring lengthened group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In all groups, there was no effect on the onset time of the gluteus maximus muscle according based on the knee angle. In addition, the knee flexion angles affected the onset time of the muscle contraction of the gluteus maximus muscle in the hamstring shortened group and hamstring lengthened group with an abnormal length of the hamstring muscle.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-22
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• 2021

Background: This study was to investigate the effects of active stretching and stability exercise on piriformis muscle thickness and low back pain of male patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: 45 male patients participated in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned. Subjects divided into 15 who underwent contract relaxation (CR) of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) to their hip joints, 15 who underwent a combination of isotonic (CI) of the PNF, and the rest 15 who underwent the two techniques (CR+CI). Real-time diagnostic ultrasound was used to measure thickness of the piriformis muscles. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to measure degrees of low back pain. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the average values. The SPSS 24.0 was used as the statistical program, and the significance level was set at .05. Results: The CR and the CR+CI groups had more decreased thickness of piriformis muscle when compared to the CI group. The CR+CI group had more decreased pain when compared to the CR and the CI groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that combination of stretching and stability exercise was effective on male patients with chronic low back pain showing limited hip medial rotation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2022

Background: Muscle activities of gluteus maximus (GM) and hamstring (HAM) have important roles in the stability and mobility of the hip joint during various functional activities including bridge and prone hip extension exercises. Objects: The purpose of this study is to investigate muscle activities of GM, multifidus (MF) and HAM during three different bridge exercises in healthy individuals. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were participated. Electromyography device was used to measure muscle activities of GM, MF and HAM. Each subject was asked to perform three different bridge exercises with hip abduction (0°, 15°, 30°) in random order. One-way repeated measures analysis of the variance and a Bonferroni post hoc test were used. Statistical significance was set at α = 0.01. Results: The muscle activity of GM was significantly different among three conditions (hip abduction 0°, 15°, 30°) (adjusted p-value [Padj] < 0.01). The muscle activity of GM was significantly greater during bridge exercise with hip abduction 30° compared to 0° and 15° (Padj < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the muscle activity of MF and HAM muscle (Padj > 0.01). The ratio of muscle activity (ratio = GM/HAM) during bridge exercise with hip abduction 30° was significant greater compared to the hip abduction angles 0° and 15° (Padj < 0.01). Conclusion: Bridge exercise with hip abduction 30° can be recommended to selectively facilitate the muscle activity of GM and improve the ratio of muscle activity between GM and HAM.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.53-63
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the changes in the thickness of the abdominal muscles, including the transversus abdominis, according to the set pressure applied by a pressure biofeedback unit during contractions of the hip adductor muscles. METHODS: After randomizing 40 healthy adult males in their 20 s and 30 s, the participants were instructed to match the pressure gauge indication of the pressure biofeedback device to continue contracting the hip adductor while maintaining it at 10 mmHg (low), 40 mmHg (medium), or 70 mmHg (high). The measurement was taken over five seconds using an ultrasound device. RESULTS: According to the contractile pressure applied to the hip adductor muscle, there was a significant difference in the muscle thickness change of the transverse abdominis muscle between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. The muscle thickness ratio of the external oblique/abdominal muscle was significantly different between 10 mmHg and 70 mmHg and between 40 mmHg and 70 mmHg. CONCLUSION: Increased contraction pressure on the hip adductor muscle increases the muscle thickness of the abdominal transverse muscle. Interbody stability exercise with contractions of the hip adductor muscle is expected to help increase in the muscle thickness of the hip adductor muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.41-49
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• 2022

Background: In patients with forward head posture (FHP), the head is positioned forward, causing increased tension in the muscles and structures of the head, neck, and shoulders. This can result in joint dysfunction that may lead to abnormal afferent information. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect on foot pressure through the isometric hip abduction (IHA) bridge exercise using elastic bands in patients with FHP. Methods: Twenty patients with FHP were randomly assigned to a study group that applied joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization, a deep neck flexor strengthening exercise, and the IHA bridge exercise using an elastic band. A control group was also constituted, and members were given joint mobilization, soft tissue mobilization therapies, and the deep neck flexor strengthening exercise. Ten patients were assigned to each group. The static foot pressure and dynamic foot pressure of each patient were measured before and after the intervention, and the interventions for each group were applied twice a week for 4 weeks. Results: Both the study group and the control group showed significant differences in static and dynamic foot pressure before and after the interventions (p<.05). There were no significant differences in foot pressure between the study and control groups. Conclusion: : The results of this study revealed that there were no significant differences between the group doing the IHA bridge exercise using the elastic band and the control group. However, the intervention methods applied to both the groups were effective in improving the body center control of FHP patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.341-349
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle activity of the hip abductors and the ratio between the hip abductor muscle group according to the range of hip abduction during the clam exercise. Methods: This study was conducted on 18 healthy men in their aged 20 to 29 who had not been diagnosed with spine-related diseases. The subjects performed a clam exercise without rotation of the pelvis in a state of 60° hip flexion and 90° knee joint flexion in the side-lying position. Using Myomotion equipment and EMG, the muscle activity of the hip abductor muscles and the activity ratio between the hip abductor muscle group were measured during the clam exercise by dividing the range into initial, mid-range, and terminal sections. Repeated measures analysis of variants was employed to compare the activity and use of hip abductor muscles according to range of motion during the clam exercise. Results: Gluteus medius muscle activation was significantly increased in the comparison of muscle activity in the initial, mid-range, and terminal sections of hip abduction. Tensor fasciae latae muscle activation was significantly increased in the comparison of muscle activity in all range of motion sections as well. The gluteus medius-tensor fasciae latae muscle activation ratio was significantly increased in the terminal section compared to the initial section. Conclusion: The gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae had higher muscle activities as they approached the terminal section during the clam exercise, and the hip abduction activity ratio of the gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae was higher as the range of motion approached the terminal section.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.64-69
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• 2022

Background: Gluteus medius muscle is important for the stability of hip joint. The sufficient core stability can be contributed to the performance of gluteus medius muscle in standing position. In addition, the external support may affect core stability in standing position. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigated the effectiveness of the external support on the strength and muscle activity of hip abductor muscle during hip abduction in standing position in subjects without core stability. Methods: Fifteen subjects participated in this study. The subjects were evaluated by using the double-leg lowering with bent knees to measure the core stability. The strength and muscle activity of hip abductors was measured in standing position with the condition with and without external support using the tensiometer sensor and the surface electromyography. The paired t-test was used to investigate the difference between hip abductor strength and activity according to external support. The level of statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: The hip abductor strength and muscle activity of gluteus medius muscle with external support were significantly greater than those without external support during hip abduction in standing position (p < 0.05). Conclusion: During hip abduction in standing position, the external support may be contributed to the improvement of the hip abductor strength and muscle activity of gluteus medius especially in the subjects without core stability.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pain, static balance, and dynamic balance abilities of women with chronic low back pain by performing thoracic and hip joint mobility exercises and lumbar stability exercises. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 adult women with low back pain who lived in C city for more than 12 weeks. The experimental group performed the thoracic and hip mobility exercises with lumbar stability exercises and the control group performed the lumbar stability exercise with general exercise program. Both groups participated in the exercise program three times a week for six weeks, from December 20, 2022 to March 7, 2023. The balance ability were measured using BT4, and pain was measured using visual analog scale (VAS). The collected data were analyzed by independent sample t-test and paired t-test using SPSS version 23.0 program. Results: After 6 weeks of intervention, there was a significant change in VAS between the experimental group and the control group, and there was no difference between the two groups (p>.05). In the case of balance ability, there was a no significant increase in the experimental group (p>.05). Conclusion: Thoracic and hip joint mobility exercises and lumbar stability exercises for adult female patients with chronic low back pain may be partially effective in static balance and dynamic balance.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2023

Background: There is still controversy as to whether hip external rotation and dorsiflexion selectively activate the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) during straight leg raise exercise. Due to the anatomical characteristics, hip adduction must be preceded to activate the VMO. In this study, the activities of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), VMO were measured by adding the hip adduction movement to the straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and dorsiflexion. Through this, we want to find out whether the VMO is selectively activated. Methods: Thirteen healthy participants performed straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and dorsiflexion, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and adduction, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and adduction and dorsiflexion was randomly performed. Through this, EMG data of the RF, VL, VMO were collected. Results: During the straight leg raise exercise, hip adduction increased the activity of the VMO and VL, no significant difference was found(p>.05). However, in the VMO/VL ratio, straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation and adduction and dorsiflexion activated the VMO and the VL at a ratio of about 1:1, It showed a significantly higher rate than straight leg raise exercise with hip 45° external rotation(p<.05). Conclusion: During the straight leg raise exercise, hip adduction is considered to be an important movement that can selectively induce the activity of the VMO. Therefore, follow-up studies on this should be conducted.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.337-344
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in the lower extremity kinematics of subjects with dynamic knee valgus after we applied non-elastic tape while they performed overhead squat. Methods: Twenty-five subjects (12 females, 13 males) with dynamic knee valgus participated in this study. Hip and knee joint kinematics and medial knee displacement were measured during overhead squat with and without hip correction taping. Results: Hip joint internal rotation, knee valgus, and medial knee displacement were significantly lower during overhead squat with hip correction taping than without hip correction taping, but there was no significant difference in hip joint flexion and abduction. Conclusion: Hip joint correction using non-elastic taping is recommended to subjects with dynamic knee valgus to improve their lower extremity movement and alignment during overhead squat.