• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.61-69
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Straight leg lifts (SLL) and double leg lowering (DLL) exercise on abdominal muscle activity, visual analog scale (VAS), and flexibility in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods : A total of 30 LBP patients were divided into two groups: those with SLL exercise group 15 (male=8, female=7) and those with DLL exercise group 15 (male=7, female=8). Before the intervention, the abdominal muscle activity, VAS, and flexibility were measured. After 4 weeks of intervention, the above variables were measured in the same way. The SLL exercise bends the leg $45^{\circ}$ in the supine position, and the DLL exercise was performed as opposed to SLL. At this time, the pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) was placed behind the lumbar to reduce the instability of the pelvis and muscles. The subjects were instructed to use the PBU to maintain the target pressure determined (40 mmHg) during the exercise. Results : The external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) were significantly different in the SLL and DLL group, and EO, IO, and TrA activity improved more significantly increased in the DLL than SLL group (p<.05). The results on the VAS and flexibility were significantly different both group (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion : SLL and DLL exercises in patients with LBP were able to confirm the increased activity of the abdominal muscles, decreased pain, and increased flexibility of the waist. In addition, DLL exercise is more effective in patients with LBP in terms of muscle activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 1970

Since the discovery of the muscle spindle by Hassall (1831), an intensive studies of its anatomical and physiological characteristics had been undertaken. Recent morphological studies of Boyd (1962) demonstrated that the muscle spindles have two different intrafusal muscle fibers, nuclear bag and nuclear chain fiber, and these intrafusal fibers are under independent motor innervation by ${\gamma}_1$ and ${\gamma}_2$ motor neurone. Neurophysiological studies of Hunt and Kuffler (1951) showed regulatory effect of ${\gamma}$ motor neurone upon the excitability of the spindle afferents. Harvey and Mathews (1961) observed the dynamic and static characteristics of the two different spindle afferents, the primary and secondary ending. Furthermore, Mathews (1962) postulated the functional existance of two kind of ${\gamma}$ motor neurones, namely, the dynamic and static fusimotor fiber. Recent report of Kim and Partridge(1969) pointed out that the descending vestibular signals had increased the slope of the length-tension relationship in stretch reflex; Kim (1967) demonstrated that the descending vestibular impulses act upon the stretch reflex loop through the ${\gamma}$ motor pathway. These experimental evidences from the morphological and neurophysiological studies on the muscle spindles support the concept that the stretch reflex action of the skeletal muscle operates as a negative feedback control system. The author had discussed the way by which the f system participates in the control of stretch relfex feed back system. that was taken for a prototype of posture and movement.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.149-151
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• 1995

Piriformis syndrome is a syndrome of low back and leg radiating pain thought to be due to a chronic contracture of the piriformis muscle that causes irritation of the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is a flat pyramidal muscle, an external rotator and abductor of the hip, originating from the front of the sacrum and inner aspect of the sacroiliac joint, then passes laterally out of the sciatic notch to attach posteriorly to the greater trochanter of the femur, the sciatic nerve passes between the two bellies of the muscle. Mechanical irritation of the sciatic nerve by an inflammatory reaction of the piriformis muscle and its fascia at this pelvic level causes pain to radiate in the dermatomal regions of the nerve roots similar to that disk entrapment. diagnosis of piriformis syndrome is made primary on the basis of history and clinical examination. The incidence is considerably higher in women, with the reported ratio of women to men of 6:1. These patients frequently present with associated symptoms of pelvic pain and/or dyspareunia. Symptoms are usually unilateral but occasionally be bilateral. We had a 42 year-old woman patient with low back and left leg radiating pain and dyspareunia treated by caudal steroid and local anesthetic.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.476-482
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• 2017

This study examined the effects of the seat height of a chair on the muscle activity of the erector spinae and rectus abdominis. Thirty healthy subjects were asked to sit on chairs at three different seat heights. The muscle activities of both the erector spinae and rectus abdominis were measured by surface electromyography. The data were analyzed by repeated one way ANOVA and the muscle activity was compared according to the seat height. The alpha level was set to 0.05. The results showed that the muscle activities of the erector spinae were not significantly different among the three seat heights. The muscle activities of the rectus abdominis were significantly different among the three seat heights. Both the rectus abdominis muscle activities were significantly greater in the low seat height than the other seat heights. These results showed that the seat height of the chair affects the muscle activities of the rectus abdominis muscle, leading to musculoskeletal pain, such as low back pain. Therefore, the seat height of a chair with a correct sitting position is important for preventing musculoskeletal pain.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.45-56
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• 2004

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to know the effects of the postoperative lumbar extensor strengthening exercise program on back muscles strength and volume, pain, and the time of return to work. METHODS: A prospective controlled trial of lumbar extensor exercise program in patients who underwent microdiscectomy or percutaneous endoscopic discectomy for prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc. Seventy-five patients were randomized into exercise group (20 male, 15 female) and non-exercise group (18 male, 22 female). Six weeks after surgery, patients in exercise group undertook a 12-week lumbar extension exercise (MedX) program. Assessment of spinal function was performed in all patients on postoperative 6 weeks, 18 weeks. The assessment included measures of lumbar extensor power, muscle mass of erector spinalis. All patients completed the visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluation of pain, and return to work. RESULTS: In muscle power, there were statistically significant improvements between pre and post test on muscle power in exercise group. But there were not statistically significant difference on muscle power in non-exercise group. In muscle mass, there were statistically significant difference between pre and post test on muscle mass in exercise group. But there were not statistically significant difference on muscle mass in non-exercise group. In the pain, there were statistically significant decrease between pre and post test on both group. But there were not statistically significant difference on fatty tissue and obesity in non-exercise group. The percentages of return to work in postoperative 4 months were significantly greater in the exercise group than in the non -exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative lumbar extensor strengthening exercise program appears to be more beneficial to the patients who underwent operation for prolapsed lumbar intervertbral disc.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.415-425
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• 2000

It is well known that the lifetime incidence of low back pain is extraordinarily high, but those who incur the majority of the cost, both personally and financially, are the chronic pain. Stabilization programmers attracted our interest, with their aims of using the muscle system to protect spinal joint structures from further repetitive microtrauma, recurrent pain and degerative change. In overviewing the stabilizing role of the trunk and back mucles our attention became focused on muscles which controlled the lumbar and lumbosacral joints rather than on muscles which span the spine from the thorax to pelvis. It was considered that muscles such as the lumbar multifidus, transversus abdominis, and possibly also parts of the obliquus internus abdominis, would most likely function to stabilize the segments of the lumbar spine. In order to check if these muscles were functioning in low back pain patients, it was necessary to devise specific muscle tests. The new concept involves exercises using only relatively low activity levels in the muscles. More emphasis is placed on a motor skill which has to be relearned, practised and then gradully incorporated back into functional movement.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.78-86
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• 1997

Back muscles play an important role in protecting the spine. Epidemiological studies have shown that loads imposed on the human spine during daily living play a significant role in the onset of low back pain. No previous study has attempted to correlate the response of the trunk musculature with the type of external load. The purpose of this study was to use surface electromyography (EMG) to quantify the relative demands placed on the back muscles while lifting loads in one hand. Forty asymptomatic, twenty year-old subjects stood while lifting loads of 10% of body weight(BW) unilaterally. All EMG data were normalized to a percentage of the EMG voltage produced during no-load standing(%EMG). Our major analysis involved a paired t-test for repeated measures. Of particular note was the fact that the ipsilateral 10% of BW condition produced statistically less % EMG change than did the contralateral 10% of the condition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.163-166
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• 2011

Objective : Both the paraspinal muscle sparing approach and percutaneous screw fixation are less traumatic procedures in comparison with the conventional midline approach. These techniques have been used with the goal of reducing muscle injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and to compare the safety and efficacy of the paraspinal muscle sparing technique and percutaneous screw fixation for the treatment of L5-S1 spondylolisthesis. Methods : Twenty patients who had undergone posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) at the L5-S1 segment for spondylolisthesis were prospectively studied. They were divided into two groups by screw fixation technique (Group I : paraspinal muscle sparing approach and Group II: percutaneous screw fixation). Clinical outcomes were assessed by Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain at different times after surgery. In addition, modified MacNab's grading criteria were used to assess subjective patients' outcomes 6 months after surgery. Postoperative midline surgical scarring, intraoperative blood loss, mean operation time, and procedure-related complications were analyzed. Results : Excellent or good results were observed in all patients in both groups 6 months after surgery. Patients in both groups showed marked improvement in terms of LBOSs all over time intervals. Postoperative midline surgical scarring and intraoperative blood loss were lower in Group II compared to Group I although these differences were not statistically significant. Low back pain (LBP) and leg pain in both groups also showed significant improvement when compared to preoperative scores. However, at 7 days and 1 month after surgery, patients in Group II had significantly better LBP scores compared to Group I. Conclusion : In terms of LBP during the early postoperative period, patients who underwent percutaneous screw fixation showed better results compared to ones who underwent screw fixation via the paraspinal muscle sparing approach. Our results indicate that the percutaneous screw fixation procedure is the preferable minimally invasive technique for reducing LBP associated with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.147-159
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• 2008

Objectives : In order to investigate the relation of body composition analysis and isokinetic trunk muscle strength for the screening test of low back pain. Methods : This study was carried out with the data from comprehensive medical testing. 75 subject aged 20-59 performed the segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis, isokinetic trunk muscle strength test and questionnaire. Then we analyzed the relationship of data. Results : Low back pain(LBP) prevalence in high obesity index(Body mass index(BMI), Percentage of Body Fat(PBF), Waist Hip Ratio(WHR)) group was higher than LBP prevalence in normal obesity index group(p<0.001). In LBP group, Extension Peak Torque(Ext.PT), Extension Peak Torque per Body Weight(Ext.PT/BW) were significantly lower than Non-LBP group(p<0.001). And 90% of LBP group indicated abnormal Extension-Flexion Ratio(E/F ratio)(1.0 < Normal E/F ratio <1.6). When it comes to analyze relation between obesity index and muscle strength, Ext.PT/BW was significantly decreased according to PBF, WHR score. And correlation coefficient in Flex.PT, Flex.PT/BW, Ext.PT, Ext.PT/BW and PBF showed decreasing function. Conclusions : Results from this investigation showed positive correlation between obesity and LBP prevalence. Decreased muscle strength and inbalanced E/F ratio were shown in LBP. Trunk muscle strength was changed according to body mass composition parameters. This results are expected to contribute to prevent and diagnose LBP by application the clinical index of body composition analysis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.5-14
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was done to analyze the effects of an exercise program on body composition and physical fitness of obese female college students. Method: Data was collected from September 29, 2003 to December, 29, 2003. The research design was arandomized control group pretest-posttest experimental design. The subjects were college nursing students at K University. Forty four students, 20 in the experimental group and 24 ina control group, with more than $30\%$ body fat were randomly assigned. The subjects in the experimental group participated in an exercise program for 12 weeks, sixty minutes per session, five times per week. Body composition and physical fitness was measured by a body composition analyzer, cardiovascular endurance, muscle endurance, muscle strength(grip strength, back strength), flexibility, balance, agility(whole body reaction time) and power(standing long jump). Result: Body weight(F=4.76, p=0.035), body fat(kg)(F=5.68, p=0.022) and body mass index(F=5.73, p=0.021) of the experimental group were significantly different from the control group, but there were no significant differences in body fat($\%$), lean body mass, muscle mass and WHR. Back strength(F=6.50, p=0.015), flexibility(F=14.62, p=0.000), muscle endurance(F=7.98, p=0.007), power(F=5.76, p=0.02l) and balance(F=2.46, p=0.018) of the experimental group were significantly different from the control group, but there were no significant differences in cardiovascular endurance, grip strength or agility. Conclusiton: The exercise program was effective in improving body weight, body fat(kg), body mass index, back strength, muscle endurance, flexibility, balance and power of obese female college students.