• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.351-363
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Pilates exercise on the back pain index, pelvic tilt angle, and physical fitness of pregnant women with low back pain. Methods: All study participants, all of whom had pregnancy-induced back pain, were randomly assigned to either a Pilates exercise group (PG, n = 8) or control group (CG, n = 7). The PG performed a Pilates exercise for 50 minutes three times a week for eight weeks. The back pain scale and pelvic tilt angle were measured using a visual analogue scale and angulometer, respectively. Cardiopulmonary endurance, flexibility, and grip strength were measured to examine the physical fitness. The variables were analyzed using two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with the Holm-Sidak post hoc procedure. Results: Back pain in the PG significantly decreased from 4.69 ± 1.28 to 1.06 ± 0.94, whereas the CG showed significantly increased back pain from 2.63 ± 2.20 to 4.71 ± 2.56. The left pelvic angle in the PG showed a significant decrease from 13.94 ± 3.70° to 12.29 ± 2.95°, while the CG showed a non-significant difference from 13.07 ± 4.42° to 17.37 ± 3.13°. The right pelvic angle in the PG showed a significant decrease from 13.50 ± 4.47° to 10.34 ± 3.66°, while a non-significant difference in the CG from 44 ± 4.98° to 15.30 ± 3.61° was found. These results showed that the regular participation in Pilates exercise was effective in reducing the pelvic tilt angle. In terms of physical fitness, the PG showed a significant increase in cardiopulmonary endurance, flexibility, and grip strength. However, the CG showed any significance increase in those variables. Conclusion: Eight weeks of Pilates exercise was associated with a decrease in lower back pain, a maintained or reduced pelvic tilt angle, and increased cardiopulmonary endurance, grip strength, and flexibility in pregnant woman with lumbar pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.183-193
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of performing Pilates exercises for eight weeks on the isokinetic trunk strength and balance of female middle school students with lumbago. Methods: Twenty-four female students who met the test requirements were recruited and randomly divided into a control group (CG, n = 16) and a Pilates exercise group (Pilates group; PG, n = 8). The PG performed a Pilates program, which consisted of lumbar muscle strengthening exercises, for 60 minutes three times a week for eight weeks. Data analysis was conducted by two-way repeated ANOVA, and a Bonferroni test was carried out when significant differences appeared. The alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: Following the experimental treatment, the PG showed an increased trunk flexion peak torque of 17% and 13% at angular velocities of 180°/sec and 300°/sec, respectively. The intergroup comparison showed no significant difference at pre-measurement, while the PG increased about 31% (180°/sec) and 15% (300°/sec) higher than the control group at post-measurement. Following the experimental treatment, the PG showed an increased trunk extensor peak torque of approximately 29% and 21% at angular velocities of 180°/sec and 300°/sec, respectively. The intergroup comparison showed no significant difference at pre-measurement, while the PG increased approximately 27% (180°/sec) and 15% (300°/sec) higher than the control group at post-measurement. Both the CG and the PG showed a 20% and 50% decrease in pain index after the experimental treatment, respectively. After the experimental treatment, the PG had about 50% lower pain than the CG. The average error rate of static balance in the PG reduced by 19% from 3.28±0.45 to 2.65±0.36, confirming a significant improvement. Conclusion: Regular Pilates exercise for eight weeks improved the isokinetic trunk muscle strength of female middle school students with lumbago and relieved their pain. Pilates was also shown to be effective in improving balance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of applying mat Pilates and kinesio taping on the craniovertebral angle and muscle activity of adults in their 20s with a forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were 20 adults in their 20s with a forward head posture: 10 from the Mat Pilates group (MPG) and 10 from the Kinesio taping group (KTG). Each group received the intervention for four weeks. The craniovertebral angle and muscle activity were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis of this study was performed using SPSS Ver. 23.0 for Windows was used, and the statistical significance level was set to α = .05. RESULTS: The change in the craniovertebral angle within each group was decreased significantly after the intervention for both MPG and KTG (p < .05), but there was no significant difference in the comparison result of the difference in the amount of change between each group (p > .05). The change in muscle activity within each group did not show any significant change before and after the intervention in all the MPG and KTG muscles (p > .05), and there was no significant difference in all variables for the difference in the amount of change between each group (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Mat Pilates effectively reduced the CVA, but neither intervention significantly affected muscle activity.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.233-239
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• 2021

Recently, the COVID-19 virus has caused people to stay indoors longer without going out. As a result of this, people's activity decreased sharply, and their weight gained. So people became more interested in health. Home training can be an alternative method to solve this problem. Accordingly, To find out the trends of home training, we collected articles from December 1, 2019, to November 30, 2020, using the news provided by BIG KINDS, a news analysis system. We analyzed frequency analysis, relational analysis according to weighting, and related word analysis with the program using the algorithm developed by BIG KINDS. In conclusion, first, it was found that home training is led by technology and the emergence of artificial intelligence. Second, it can be assumed that people mainly do home training using content and video services related to mobile carriers. Third, people had a high preference for Pilates in the sports category. It can be seen that the number of patent applications increased as the demand for exercise products related to Pilates increased. In the next study, we expect that this study will be used as primary data for various big data studies by supplementing the research methodology and conducting various analyses.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.187-197
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in the muscle activity of the trunk stabilizer muscles before and after incorporating Pilates breathing during three types of Pilates chair exercises. Methods: This study included 33 healthy men and women in their 20's; they were recruited according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. sEMG was used to measure the changes in the muscle activity in the internal oblique/transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae during the three types of Pilates chair movements (footwork, twist footwork, and bridging) without and with the Pilates breathing integration. The muscle activities of the trunk stabilizers between without and with Pilates breathing were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: The internal oblique/transverse abdominis showed an increase and a significant difference in the muscle activity in all three movements of footwork, twist footwork, and bridging after the Pilates breathing integration (p<.001). The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (p<.05) and the erector spinae (p<.05) also increased and showed a significant difference after the Pilates breathing incorporation, except in the bridging movement for the erector spinae. The increase in the rate after integrating Pilates breathing was relatively greater in internal oblique/transverse abdominis than in other muscles. Conclusion: When Pilates breathing was applied, the activities of the trunk stabilizer muscles increased significantly and immediately in all three movements of Pilates chair footwork, twist footwork, and bridging. This means that the use of breathing is expected to have a positive and immediate effect on the activation of trunk stabilizers, thus indicating that it can possibly be an effective re-enforcing tool to promote trunk stability when it is integrated to the Pilates chair exercise. Incorporating Pilates breathing also seemed to have a tendency to activate the deep trunk stabilizer muscles more than the superficial stabilizer muscles.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.275-288
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of breathing techniques on trunk muscle activity and balance during Pilates reformer footwork exercises, comparing results both within and between groups before and after the intervention. Methods: Thirty-one adult women over the age of 20 were selected as subjects for this study. They were divided into a Pilates breathing group (n = 15) and a general breathing group (n = 16) using a randomized control group study design. A surface electromyogram was used to measure muscle activity within and between the groups before and after the reformer footwork exercise. Static balance measurements were taken while standing on two legs, and dynamic balance measurements were taken while standing on one leg. All measurements were taken three times, and the average values were used for analysis. Results: The results of the study showed that muscle activity increased with significant differences in the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles after exercise in the pre-post comparison within the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the between-group comparison, there was a significant difference in the increase in muscle activity of the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles in the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the pre-post comparison of static and dynamic balance within the Pilates breathing group, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) after exercise. The Pilates breathing group also showed a significant increase even in the between-group comparison (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing has positive effects on muscle activity and static balance ability of trunk muscles in adult women. Therefore, reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing can be presented as an effective exercise method to increase trunk stability and balance ability through the simultaneous activity of the trunk muscles.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.108-118
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of occupational stress factors on the level of stress and depression of entertainment program producers and entertainment program writers. Methods: This study was based on analysis of a survey collected by 65 respondents out of 224 questionnaires who are entertainment program PDs and entertainment program writers. The survey was conducted from December 20, 2017 to February 20, 2018. Results: In the logistic regression analysis conducted to investigate the factors affecting the stress level in the job-related characteristics of a) higher total career, b) shorter working period in the current firm, c) longer weekly working hours and d) more count of weekend work, the results found higher stress levels. In the sub-factors of job stress, the stress level encountered by respondents was significantly higher for those with a) higher job demand, b) lower insufficient job control and c) higher job instability. In the logistic regression analysis conducted to investigate the factors affecting depression, the depression level in entertainment PD was higher than the entertainment writer in the sociodemographic characteristics. In the sub-factors of job stress, the stress level was significantly higher for those with higher job demand, lower insufficient job control, and higher job instability. For job-related characteristics, depression was significantly higher for longer weekly working hours. Conclusions: Entertainment program producers and entertainment program writers suffer from psychosocial stress and depression which are caused by excessive job demands, lack of job autonomy and job instabilities. Those factors must be managed and also their workweek should be shortened.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2022

Purposed: This study was conducted to find out by ultrasonic waves the thickness change of the deep abdominal muscles, such as transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique when performing general bridge exercise on the stable surface (GBE), single-legged bridge exercise on the stable surface (BES), bridge exercise with a sling (SBE) and single-legged bridge exercise with a sling (SBS). Methods: The subject, 33 healthy adults(18 men and 15 women) in their 20s of V university in J city were subjected to take four postures of GBE, BES, SBE, and SBS. When performing each posture, the thickness of transverse abdominal, internal oblique and external oblique were measured by ultrasonic waves and analyzed by repeated measures of ANOVA. This significance level was set to be p<.05. Results: Muscle thickness was increased in the order of BES, SBE, and GBE in the external oblique, resulting in statistically significant differences(p<.001). The internal oblique was significantly thicker in SBE and SBS rather than in GBE, and was thicker in SBE and SBS rather than in BES (p<.01). The thickness of the transverse abdominal was significantly increased in SBS than in GBE (p<.01). Conclusion: As the result, it may be more effective for the trunk stabilization exercises to activate the internal oblique and transverse abdominal by applying both-legged or single-legged bridge exercise in slings.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.621-626
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• 2018

We introduced the physiological responses of aging, active aging and also suggest the impact of physical exercise on body health status and elderly immunity. In this purpose, we searched the Pub Med data base for the articles (include our experimental papers) and review papers having the terms 'Aging', 'Active aging' and 'Physical activity and elderly' in the title, published from 1999 until 2018. The results were as follows: Exercise training has been extensively studied about the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, disease, and aging in syndrome X patients and elderly. Combined and aerobic or resistance exercise training could reduce obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Exercise training has been extensively studied in cancer settings as part of prevention or treatment strategies. From this research, regular exercise has the potential to target tumor growth through regulation of inflammation and immune responses such as lactate clearance, NK cell activation (innate immunity), activation of cytotoxic immune cells, T cell activation (adaptive immunity), and immune surveillance. However, Endurance physical activity not only induces thermogenesis and diverse sports injuries but also elicits mobilization and functional enhancement of monocytes, neutrophils (which is caused by the cytokine changes such as TNF-alpha, IL-1) whereas it suppresses cell mediated immunity causing to increased susceptibility to inflammation and infections like cough and URTIs (upper respiratory track infections) in young and especially in elderly people. Therefore, Strategies to prevent physical fatigue, sports injuries include avoid overtraining, Adequate recovery and various type of rest during and after physical activity and assuring adequate nutrition supplementation such as glutamine, vitamin B, vitamin C, carbohydrate, ion or berry-contain sports beverages is helpful in physically active elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.771-785
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• 2021

This study was performed to provide detailed and comprehensive information on inflammation-related blood indicators, joint range of motion, pain scale, and psychological indicators by patient characteristics by performing a 12-week home-based exercise program for ankylosing spondylitis patients. For the purpose of this study, 10 patients with ankylosing spondylitis were selected by age (30s vs. 40s vs. 50s), gender (male vs. female), and duration (less than 5 years vs. 5 years or more). The home-based exercise program was a combination of aerobic exercise and Pilates-based resistance exercise, and was performed 4 times a week for 12 weeks at an intensity of 50-70% of maximal heart rate (MHR). As a result, after 12 weeks of home-based exercise intervention, the blood C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration of patients with ankylosing spondylitis decreased (-35.6%, p=.002), and the blood inflammation level was improved, and each joint (hip, lumbar, cervical) improved mobility (p<.05). In addition, the bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI) was decreased by -67% (p=.001) and the visual analogue scale (VAS) was decreased by -64.8% (p=.001), stiffness and pain has been alleviated. In particular, as the degree of depression decreased by -65.5% (p=.001) and the degree of anxiety by -55.2% (p=.003), 12 weeks of home-based exercise improved not only physical changes but also psychological factors. On the other hand, there was no difference in exercise effect according to age, gender, and disease duration in ankylosing spondylitis patients (p>.05). These results suggest that the 12-week home-based exercise applied in this study can be an effective exercise program that can be universally used for ankylosing spondylitis patients regardless of patient characteristics.