• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 2017

Background: Scapular winging is a prominence of the entire scapular medial border, mainly caused by insufficient activity of the serratus anterior (SA) and imbalance of scapulothoracic muscles. Push-up plus (PUP) exercise has been commonly used to increase SA muscle activity. The facilitation of abdominal muscle may affect scapular muscle activity by myofascial connections. Thus, the sequential activation of the turnk muscles is suggested to facilitate the transition of proper force from upper limb and restore force couple of scapular muscles. The abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) has been effective in improving activation of the deep trunk muscles during movement. Objects: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ADIM on the activity of the upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and SA during PUP exercises in subjects with scapular winging. Methods: Fourteen men with scapular winging (determined as a of distance between the scapular medial border and thoracic wall over 3 cm) volunteered for our study. The subjects performed the PUP exercise with and without ADIM. Surface electromyography was used to collect the electromyography data of the UT, LT, and SA. A scapulometer was used to measure the amount of scapular winging. Results: SA activity was significantly greater and scapular winging significantly lower during the PUP exercise with ADIM than during those without ADIM. Conclusion: PUP exercise with ADIM can be used as an beneficial method to improve SA activation and to reduce the amount of scapular winging in subjects with scapular winging.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Purpose : The aim of this study is to determine changes to the thickness of core muscles, e.g., transversus abdominis (TrA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO), after plank and Kegel exercises and to compare the effects of the two exercise methods. Method : The study divided men and women in their 20s into two groups, Kegel and plank, by randomly allocating 30 males and 30 females to the targeted groups. To achieve the purpose of this study, we examined the thickness of core muscles after the participants performed plank or Kegel exercises. Results : 1. In the Kegel group, abdominal muscle thickness increased with time, and there was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the TrA. 2. In the plank group, abdominal muscle thickness increased with time, and there was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the TrA. 3. After the experiment, muscle thickness of the abdominal muscles in the plank exercise group were higher, but there was no significant difference between the Kegel exercise group and the plank exercise group. Conclusion : Both plank and Kegel exercises are recommended for core muscle stabilization, and based on the results of this study, Kegel exercise is either used as a core stabilizing exercise or as a plank exercise for the weaker patients or women.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the effects of the transverse abdominis/internal abdominal oblique (TrA/IO), multifidus (MF) muscles while stabilization exercise was performed in a four-point kneeling position on the unstable surface. Methods : Twenty healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Each subject was instructed regarding maximum voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) and stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling on the unstable surface. While MVIC and stabilization exercise of individual muscles were being performed, activation of the muscles was measured using surface electromyography (EMG). Activation of the muscles while performing stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling on the unstable surface was normalized to a percentages of the MVIC. Results : TrA/IO, MF muscles showed no significant differences among the surfaces. Conclusion : Activation of the trunk muscles while performing stabilization exercise in four-point kneeling does not effect on the surface.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.309-313
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• 2019

This study examined the response of the EMG of URA, LRA, IO, EO and RFM of various types of abdominal motion (crunch, spine V-up on ball, prone V-up on slide board, prone V-up on TRX, and prone V-up power wheel). The subjects performed anisometric contact of abs during these exercises. Tests have shown that there were no statistically significant differences between EO, URA and LRA between any movements. However, during the inspection of IO, the positive-wawed V-up motion showed significantly greater muscle activity than during the slide movement. Also, EMG activity during crunch was significantly lower than any other five exercises. These results indicate that in the implementation of equilateral absolutism, the equipment-free based exercise gives an impetus similar to equipment-based exercise. Abdominal muscle tissue is considered one of the five components that make up an individual's core. The abdominal muscles also ensure proper functioning of the lumbar spine. Although all abdominal muscles contribute to lumbar stabilization, TA & IO has been shown to perform major stabilizers.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.42-52
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• 2019

Background: Whole body-electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is widely used for the rehabilitation and recovery of patients with various neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Objects: To objectively measure changes in lower extremity and abdominal muscles after sit-to-stand dynamic movement training using WB-EMS. Methods: A total of 46 healthy adults (23 experimental and 23 control subjects) performed sit-to-stand exercise; the experimental group with WB-EMS, and the control group without WB-EMS. The muscle activity of the lower extremity, and the muscle thickness of the lower extremity and abdominal muscles were measured before and after the intervention. Results: In terms of electromyographic activity, there was a significant interaction effect for the rectus femoris (RF) muscle (F=30.212, p=.000). With regards to ultrasonographic imaging, the muscle thickness of the RF muscle had a significant interaction effect at the muscle contraction ratio (F=8.071, p=.007). The deep abdominal muscles, such as the transverse abdominal (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) muscles, also showed significant interaction effects at the muscle contraction ratio (F=5.474, p=.024, F=24.151, p=.000, respectively). Conclusion: These findings suggest that WB-EMS may help to improve the muscular activity of the RF muscle, and the muscle thickness of the RF muscle and deep muscles such as the TrA and IO muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-327
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on activation of trunk muscles of patients with low back pain. Diaphragmatic breathing may affect activation of trunk muscles. The assumptions are as follows: the crural diaphragm attatches to the lumbar vertebrae from L1 to L3, the voluntary downward pressurization of the diaphragm increases intra-abdominal pressure, and this increases the stiffness of the spine. Diaphragmatic breathing increases intra-abdominal pressure and the increased intra-abdominal pressure may contribute to the lumbar stability. Sixty patients with low back pain were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise with six breathing positions and control group performed only the breathing positions for five times per week during six weeks. % maximal voluntary contraction(% MVC) of trunk muscles on six breathing positions of experimental and control group was measured according to testing period of pre test, three weeks, and six weeks. The repeated measures of one-way ANOVA were used to analyze % MVC on trunk muscles of experimental and control group according to testing period. The results of this study were as follows: First, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in the right leg extension position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Second, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in all-four positions indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Third, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the sitting position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fourth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the standing position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fifth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the supine position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Sixth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the lying on prone position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, as experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise according to the period of pre-test, post three weeks, and post six weeks, experimental group showed the greater significant effect on the activation of right, left erector spinae, and external oblique muscle. Diaphragmatic breathing exercise which resulted in activation of trunk muscles can be effective for managing the patients with back pain and should be utilized as the new therapeutic intervention.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.552-556
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of feedback breathing exercise on respiratory muscle activity. Thirty stroke patients were randomly and equally assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received rehabilitation exercise treatment for 30 minutes and feedback respiratory exercise for 30 minutes and the control group received rehabilitation exercise treatment for 30 minutes and conducted motomed exercise for 30 minutes. All of them conducted exercises five times per week for four weeks. Respiratory muscles including the upper trapezius(UT), longissimus dorsi(LD), rectus abdominis(RA), external abdominal oblique(EAO) and, internal abdominal oblique(IAO) were measured using MP 150WSW prior to and after the experiment. Regarding pulmonary functions prior to and after the experiment, the experimental group showed significant differences in all sections but the control group did not show significant differences in any sections. As for in-between group differences after the experiment, there were significant differences in the UT, LD, RA, and IAO but no significant differences in the EAO. In conclusion, respiratory muscle activity was more effective for the experimental group than the control group. It is considered that feedback respiratory exercise may induce improvement in respiratory muscles in stroke patients through feedback breathing exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.270-274
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the abdominal muscles and to compare the activity ratios of the bilateral rectus abdominis (RA) to oblique abdominal muscles during shoulder abduction in opposite directions with single leg raising (SLR) performed in the supine position on a foam roller. Methods: Fifteen healthy subjects were recruited to the study. Each subject lay on the foam roller and performed left single leg raising with right or left shoulder $90^{\circ}$ abduction (Abd); performed in a random order. Surface EMG recordings of selected abdominal muscles (i.e., the RA, external oblique abdominis [EO], internal oblique abdominis [IO], and transverse abdominis [TrA]) were normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. EO/RA and IO and TrA/RA ratios were determined with surface EMG. Data were analyzed by Independent t-test. The statistical significance level was p<0.05. Results: The results were as follows: (1) the right RA, left EO, and right IO and TrA muscle activities increased significantly at the left SLR with left Abd compared to the left SLR with right Abd (p<0.05); and (2) the ratio of right EO/RA activity increased significantly at the left SLR with right Abd compared to left Abd (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that left SLR with left Abd on a foam roller is an appropriate exercise for activation of specific oblique abdominal muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.8-15
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• 2019

Background: Improvement of the lumbo-pelvic stability can reduce the compensatory action of the erector spinae (ES) during prone hip extension (PHE). Furthermore, the application of abdominal drawing-in (ADI) maneuver increases the action of gluteus maximus (GM) and decreases the action of ES during PHE by improving the lumbo-pelvic stability. However, the post-ADI exercise effects on PHE, not the real-time application of ADI maneuver, has not been studied. Objects: This study is aimed at investigating the post-ADI exercise effects on the muscle activities of GM and ES during PHE. Methods: A total of 24 female adults participated in the study, and they were divided into two groups: Those with normal abdominal muscles ($n_1=12$) and those with weak abdominal muscles (WA) ($n_2=12$). Before the intervention, the subjects' GM and ES muscle activities during PHE were measured. Subsequently, the two groups were asked to perform the ADI exercise for 10 minutes. After the ADI exercise, the GM and ES activities were equally measured during PHE. Results: The comparison result of the ES muscle activities before intervention shows a significant difference between the two groups (p<.05); the WA group showed higher muscle activities than the normal group. For the within-group comparison, the muscle activities of the ES in the WA group significantly decreased after the ADI exercise (p<.05). For the GM muscle activity, no significant difference was observed in all comparisons (p>.05). For the changes in muscle activities before and after the ADI exercise, a significant difference exists between the two groups only for the changes in ES activities (p<.05); WA group exhibits higher changes than the normal group. By contrast, no significant difference exists between the two groups for the changes in GM activities (p>.05). Conclusion: After the ADI exercise, the compensatory action of ES in the female adults with WC is implied to decrease during PHE.