• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.81-89
• /
• 2022

Purpose : Kegel exercises reported that it is effective in managing stress-related or complex urinary incontinence through contraction and relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles. In many previous studies, it was confirmed that Kegel exercise is involved in respiration as well as urinary system diseases. However, there is a lack of research on the effect of pelvic setting when performing Kegel exercises. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect on maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and abdominal muscle thickness through Kegel exercise after lumbar-pelvic motor control using pressure biofeedback unit (PBU). Methods : The subjects of this study were 10 healthy female students in their 20s. Subjects measured MVV with a spirometer. In hooklying, external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis of the dominant hand were measured using ultrasound. The measured value was an average of three times. After one week of intervention, measurements were made in the same manner. Before Kegel exercise, pelvic setting training was performed using PBU. In hooklying, PBU was placed in the waist and set to 40 mmHg, and it was adjusted to 60 mmHg through pelvic muscle contraction. For Kegel exercise, the pelvis was first set using PBU, and then the pelvic floor muscles were contracted for 8 seconds and relaxed for 8 seconds, 10 times, 1 set, and 3 sets. Results : In MVV, a significant difference was confirmed after exercise than before exercise (p<.05). There was also a significant difference in abdominal muscle thickness before and after exercise (p<.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, Kegel exercise using PBU had an effect on MVV and abdominal muscle thickness. However, since this study was conducted without a control group as a preliminary study, additional research should be conducted to supplement this.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.147-154
• /
• 2006

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect intentional contraction of abdominal muscles during lifting above shoulder on the muscles activities of the lower trunk and on the degree of lumbar extension. Fifteen healthy adult males were selected as test subjects. A 5kg weight was raised to the shoulder level, 20cm, and 40cm above the shoulder level. EMG activities of all muscles except the rectus abdominis were significantly greater when subjects were asked to contract their abdominal muscles intentionally during lifting(p<0.05). Degree of lumbar extension also significantly decreased with intentional abdominal contraction during the lifting. Also, degree of lumbar extension significantly increased with increase in lifting height(p<0.05). The results of this study show that intentional contraction of abdominal muscles during lifting above shoulder increases the EMG activities of external abdominis oblique, internal abdominis oblique, and erector spinae.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a supplementary shouting technique on abdominal muscle activation to the rectus abdominis (RA) and external oblique (EO) muscles during performance of crunch exercise in healthy subjects. Methods: Sixty-four subjects were randomly allocated to two groups, crunch exercise with shouting group (SG) and crunch exercise with non-shouting group (NSG), with 32 subjects in each group, respectively. The interventions were conducted over three trials in each group, and measurements were performed on each subject by one examiner in three trials. Muscle activation of RA and EO was evaluated using electromyography (EMG) during performance of crunch exercise with or without shouting. Results: Our results showed a significantly greater increase in the EMG patterns of the RA and EO muscles during performance of crunch exercise in the SG compared to the NSG (p<0.01). Conclusion: These findings suggest that addition of the shouting technique during performance of crunch exercise, at the same time, would suggest positive evidence for improving activation of abdominal muscles.

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

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the PNF stabilization technique for the hip joint and the bridging exercise on the trunk stabilizer muscles in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy adults were randomly allocated to either a PNF stabilization exercise group (n = 12) or a bridging exercise group (n = 16). The outcome measures included the contraction thickness ratio in the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO), and the TrA lateral slide was assessed during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver using b-mode ultrasound. The researcher measured the abdominal muscle thickness of each participant before the therapist began the intervention and at the moment that the intervention was applied. Between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. Results: The PNF intervention program showed a significant increase in the trunk stabilizer muscle. The percentage of change in the TrA thickness showed a significant interaction between intervention. However, there were no significant differences in the IO and EO between the two groups. Conclusion: The PNF stabilization technique for the hip joint can be used effectively to improve the IO and TrA muscles in healthy adults.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 2024

Background: The serratus anterior (SA) is a muscle that performs protraction of the scapulothoracic joint and plays a role in stabilizing the scapula. Imbalances or weaknesses in SA activation are associated with a variety of shoulder dysfunctions, making selective SA strengthening important for rehabilitation. Objects: We aimed to compare the muscle activation of the pectoralis major (PM), SA, external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) during the push-up plus (PUP) exercise with isometric hip adduction (HA) and abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM). Methods: Nineteen healthy male participants performed three PUP exercises: standard PUP, PUP with ADIM, and PUP with HA. Surface electromyography was used to measure and analyze the muscle activity for PM, SA, EO, and IO. Results: PUP with HA showed the lowest PM activity and highest SA activity, and no significant difference was observed between PUP and PUP with ADIM. PUP with ADIM showed significantly the highest EO and IO activity, followed by PUP with HA and PUP. Additionally, PUP with HA showed the lowest PM/SA ratio, and no significant difference was noted between PUP and PUP with ADIM. Conclusion: PUP with HA was able to show high SA muscle activity while reducing PM muscle activity. In addition, PUP with HA can lead to higher EO and IO muscle activity than standard PUP. This exercise could be used as a practical exercise method to selectively strengthen SA and improve scapular muscle stability during early shoulder rehabilitation.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.186-193
• /
• 2021

Background: While the formal test has been used to provide a quantitative measurement of core stability, studies have reported inconsistent results regarding its test-retest and intraobserver reliabilities. Furthermore, the validity of the formal test has never been established. Objects: This study aimed to establish the concurrent validity and test-retest reliability of the formal test. Methods: Twenty-two young adults with and without core instability (23.1 ± 2.0 years) were recruited. Concurrent validity was determined by comparing the muscle thickness changes of the external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominal muscle to changes in core stability pressure during the formal test using ultrasound (US) imaging and pressure biofeedback, respectively. For the test-retest reliability, muscle thickness and pressure changes were repeatedly measured approximately 24 hours apart. Electromyography (EMG) was used to monitor trunk muscle activity during the formal test. Results: The Pearson's correlation analysis showed an excellent correlation between transverse abdominal thickness and pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) pressure as well as internal oblique thickness and PBU pressure, ranging from r = 0.856-0.980, p < 0.05. The test-retest reliability was good, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC1,2) = 0.876 for the core stability pressure measure and ICC1,2 = 0.939 to 0.989 for the abdominal muscle thickness measure. Conclusion: Our results provide clinical evidence that the formal test is valid and reliable, when concurrently incorporated into EMG and US measurements.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2023

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of pelvic floor muscle exercise (PFME) on an unstable support surface on maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), and abdominal muscle thickness as a method for effective PFME. Methods : This study was performed on 22 subjects. They were matched and divided into two groups based on body mass index; the experimental group (EG) performed PFME on a foam roller (n= 11), the control group (CG) performed PFME on a stable support surface (n= 11). Kegel exercise was performed with 10 seconds of contraction, 10 seconds of relaxation, and 4 sets of 10 reps per set. Both of group executed the exercise 3 times a week for 2 weeks. MIP and MEP was measured using a spirometer. Abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. The paired t-test was used to compare difference on each group and the comparison between groups was analyzed using the independent t-test. A significance level of α= .05 was used to verify statistical significance. Results : The EG showed a significant increase in the MEP (p<.05). The CG showed a significant increase in the MEP (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the two groups (p>.05). The EG showed a significant increase in the external oblique, internal oblique and transverse abdominis (p<.05). The CG showed a significant increase in the internal oblique (p<.05). There was no significant difference in the two groups (p>.05). Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, additional research should be conducted to correct the limitations of this study to confirm that PFME performed on a foam roller has a positive effect on respiratory muscle strength and abdominal muscle thickness.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2022

Background: Bird dog exercise (BDE) is one of the lumbar stabilization exercises that rehabilitate low back pain by co-contraction of the local and global muscles. Previous studies have reported the effect of various type of BDEs (for example, practicing the exercises on various surfaces and changing the limb movement) for muscle co-contraction. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of knee joint flexion position of the raised lower limb on abdominal and back muscle activity during BDE in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Thirteen males participated in this study (age: 32.54 ± 4.48 years, height: 177.38 ± 7.17 cm). Surface electromyographic (SEMG) data of the internal abdominal oblique (IO), external abdominal oblique (EO), lumbar multifidus (MF), and thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum (ICLT) were collected in two knee joint flexion positions (90° flexion versus 0° flexion) during BDE. The SEMG data were expressed as a percentage of root mean square mean values obtained in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results: Greater muscle activity of the IO (p = 0.001), MF (p = 0.009), and ICLT (p = 0.021) of the raised lower limb side and the EO (p = 0.001) and MF (p = 0.009) of the contralateral side were demonstrated in the knee joint flexion position compared to the knee joint extension position. Greater local/global activity ratios of the abdominal muscle (i.e., IO and EO) of the raised lower limb (p = 0.002) and the back muscle (i.e., MF and ICLT) of the contralateral side (p = 0.028) were also noted in the knee joint flexion position. Conclusion: BDE with a knee joint flexion position might be recommended as an alternative lumbar stabilization exercise to enhance muscle activity in both the raised lower limb and the contralateral sides of the trunk for individuals with CLBP.