• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.221-229
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of bridging stabilization exercises of trunk muscles activity on a Swiss ball according to change of position. Methods：30 healthy university students volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required to complete following three exercise positions. Exercise position 1; Supine bridge with Swiss ball, Exercise position 2; Side bridge with Swiss ball, Exercise position 3; Prone bridge with Swiss ball. Surface electromyography from selected trunk muscles was normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Results : A repeated measures of ANOVA with Duncan's correction was used to determine the influence of exercise type on muscle activity for rectus abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae. The erector spinae of exercise position 1 showed significantly higher muscle activity than exercise position 2, 3(p<.05). The external oblique of exercise position 2, 3 showed significantly higher muscle activity than exercise position 1(p<.05). The rectus abdominis of exercise position 3 showed significantly higher muscle activity than exercise position 1, 2(p<.05) Conclusion： These results indicate that muscle activity can be influenced by addition of a Swiss ball in bridging exercises. It is recommend to use a Swiss ball for trunk stabilization exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.187-191
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of our study aimed to identify the effect of static and dynamic bridge exercise with gym ball using gym ball on muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb in healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 20 healthy adults participated in this study. The individuals performed general bridge exercise, static and dynamic bridge exercise using gym ball. During the three methods of bridge exercises, electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: Rectus abdominis activation showed significantly greater during dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise and dynamic bridge exercise. Erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were greater during static and dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise. Conclusion: Based on our results, bridge exercise using gym ball, particularly integrating lower-limb movement, could be a useful method to enhance muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb (rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius).

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.48-55
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• 2017

Purpose: this study was conducted on female university students in supine position and preformed the 2 bridge positions exercises, which are the bridge position exercise and the bridge exercise preformed with form rollers attached between their knees, in order to research the effects lumbar stabilization exercise has on lower extremity muscular strength. Method: In order for the participants to fully understand the topic and procedures of the experiment, they were given a 20 minutes of briefing and practice before the experiment. Result: Bridge exercise group and foam roller group were improved the knee flexion and extension strength. Conclusion: This research studied the difference of each lumbar stabilization positions and the effects they have on the fortification of the leg's flexion extension muscular strength, and by comparing which different exercise methods increase muscular strength the most works to plan a more optimal exercise method for lumbar stabilization.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in on static and dynamic balance in patients with stroke. Methods: Forty patients with stroke participated in this study. Participation was randomly assigned to the Bridge exercise group (n=20) and the Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in group (n=20). A bio-feedback device was used when patients performed the Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in. This training was performed without any motion on the patient's spine and upper belly part, and the pressure was held with the biofeedback device as 40-70 mmHg. Both groups received training 30 minutes per day, three times per week, for four weeks. Weight bearing, anterior limit of stability, and posterior limit of stability for static balance ability were measured, and Berg balance scale (BBS), Timed up and go test (TUG) for dynamic balance ability were also measured. Results: Participants showed significant differences between pre- and post-mediation in terms of weight bearing, anterior limit of stability, posterior limit of stability, Berg balance scale, and Timed up and go test (p<0.05). The Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in group showed a more significant increase (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, both exercises were effective for improving the static and dynamic balance ability. However we suggest that the Bridge exercise with abdominal drawing-in is more efficient for increasing balance ability in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to identify the effects of assuming different knee angles and hip abduction during bridge exercise and hip thrust exercise on lower body muscle activity. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Thirty-three healthy adults (18 men and 15 women) were instructed to perform the bridge and hip thrust exercises while randomly assuming 120°, 90° and 60° of knee flexion and 0° and 30° of hip abduction. EMG data (%maximum voluntary isometric contraction) were recorded three times from the erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles of participant's dominant side and the mean values were analyzed. Results: The results showed that, during the hip thrust compared to the bridge exercise, there was significantly greater gluteus maximus muscle activity in all hip conditions while the biceps femoris activity was significantly less, and the erector spinae muscle activity was significantly greater with 30° of hip abduction (p<0.05). With all exercises, the erector spinae and the biceps femoris exhibited significantly greater muscle activity with 60° of knee flexion compared to 90° and 120° of knee flexion (p<0.05), and significantly greater muscle activity with 90° compared to 120° of knee flexion (p<0.05). In the case of the gluteus maximus, greater muscle activity was exhibited with 120° compared to 60° of knee flexion with all hip abduction conditions (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was effective for muscle activation of main agonists such as the gluteus maximus and erector spinae during thrust exercise, and the change in knee flexion angle was effective for muscle activation of the gluteus maximus. Therefore, it is considered that this study can be used as a selective indicator of the target movement angle during hip strengthening exercise for specific muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.137-145
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of various bridge exercises on walking ability. Method: The subjects were 30 stroke patients. They were divided into a bridge exercise group on a stable support surface (Group I), a bridge exercise group on an unstable support surface (Group II), and a bridge exercise group combined with whole body vibrations (Group III). 10 subjects were randomly assigned into each group. The subjects of this study had 30 minutes of nervous system physical therapy including gait training and strength training. In addition, each group underwent a 30 minutes session five times a week for eight weeks. Before intervention, LUKOtronic was used to measure step width and step length, time was measured with a 10 m walking test, and time and number of steps were measured with the figure 8 walking test. After the intervention, remeasured and analysis was performed for each group. Results: As a result of comparing and analyzing the change of walking ability between groups, there was a statistically significant difference. As a result of the post hoc analysis according to the change of walking ability among groups, the change of walking ability was larger in Group III than in Group I and Group II. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is confirmed that the bridge exercise combined with whole body vibration was more effective for walking ability. Based on these findings, this study proposes an effective program for elite athletes as well as stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2024

Purpose: The study was undertaken to investigate the electromyographic activities of the gluteus maximus (GM), hamstring (HAM), and multifidus (MF) in three different sling locations during bridge exercise in the supine position. Methods: Twenty healthy male subjects participated. An electromyography device was used to measure the muscle activities of the GM, HAM, and MF muscles. Subjects were asked to perform bridge exercises with three different sling locations as follows: 1) Bridge exercise with an ankle sling; BEAS, 2) Bridge exercise with a calf sling; BECS, and 3) Bridge exercise with a knee sling; BEKS in random order. The analysis was conducted using one-way repeated ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc. Significance was set at α=0.01. Results: HAM muscle activity was significantly different in the three conditions (BEAS, BECS, BEKS) (adjusted p-value [p_adj]<0.01), and HAM muscle activity was significantly smaller during BEKS than during BEAS or BECS (p_adj<0.01). Muscle activity ratio (GM/HAM) during BEKS was significantly greater than muscle activity ratios during BEAS or BECS (p_adj<0.01). Conclusion: BEKS is recommended to inhibit HAM muscle activity and improve the GM/HAM muscle activity ratio.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2016

Purpose: This study investigated the influence of muscle activity of the trunk and lower limb during a bridge exercise using a unstable surface and during one-legged bridge hip abduction in healthy adults. Methods: Nineteen healthy participated in this study (12 males and 7 females, aged $29.0{\pm}5.0$). The participants were instructed to perform the bridge exercises under six different conditions. Trunk and lower limb muscle activation, such as the erector spinae (ES), gluteus maximus (GM), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO), was measured using surface electromyography. The six different bridge exercise conditions were conducted randomly. Data analysis was performed by using the mean scores after three trials of each condition. Results: On the ipsilateral side, muscle activity of the IO, EO, and ES during the hip abduction condition (Single-legged hip abduction bridge, Bridge with use of a ball and single-leg hip abduction, Bridge with use of a sling and single-leg hip abduction) was significantly higher than those during Unstable surface (Bridge with use of a ball, Bridge with use of a sling) and General bridging exercise (p<0.05). In the contralateral side, activities of the GM and EO during Single-legged hip abduction bridge, Bridge with use of a ball and single-leg hip abduction and Bridge with use of a sling and single-leg hip abduction was significantly higher than that during Bridge with use of a ball, Bridge with use of a sling and General bridging exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that performing a bridge exercise with use of a sling and single-leg hip abduction had an effect on trunk and gluteal muscle activation. The findings of this study suggest that this training method can be clinically effective for unilateral training and for patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2023

Background: The bridge exercise prevents repeated damage to the tissues around the spine by reducing stimulus transmission to the ligaments and joint capsules, thereby alleviating back pain. It also contributes to strengthening the muscles of the lower extremities. Design: A Single Subject experience design. Methods: This study was conducted on 28 healthy adults in their 20s to 30s and conducted at St. Mary's Hospital in C City from May to July 2021. Four types of bridge exercise were performed in this study: the normal bridge exercise and bridge exercises with 0.5%, 1%, or 1.5% body weight resistance applied on the pelvis through manual resistance during the bridge exercise and to determine the effect of resistance applied in the bridge exercise on the activation of the trunk and lower extremities muscles. Results:This study showed that the muscle activity of the trunk and lower extremities improved significantly in response to stronger resistance when manual resistance equivalent to 0.5%, 1%, or 1.5% of body weight was applied during the bridge exercise compared to when the normal bridge exercise was performed. Conclusion: This study shows that manual resistance can be applied as an effective method of bridge exercise since muscle activity in the trunk and lower extremities increases when manual resistance causing isometric contraction is applied.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.401-409
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the muscular activity of abdominal muscles during a variety of plank exercises following changes in the leg and head positions. Methods: Thirty healthy individuals participated in this study. They performed six variations of plank exercises, including three changes in head position and two changes in leg position. Each plank was defined as head neutral-leg neutral, head up-leg neutral, head down-leg neutral, head neutral-leg wide, head up-leg wide, and head down-leg wide. During the plank excises, the muscle activities of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, and upper trapezius were measured. Results: The head down position significantly increased the rectus abdominis activity compared to other head positions (p<0.05). On the other hand, the upper trapezius muscle activity was significantly higher with the head up position compared to other head positions (p<0.05). Regardless of head positions, both the rectus abdominis and internal oblique muscles were significantly activated with leg wide position compared to the leg neutral position (p<0.05). Conclusion: Head and leg positions could change the muscular activities of abdominal muscles during plank exercises. For example, the head down position is effective for activating the rectus abdominis while the leg wide position could be advantageous for enhancing the internal oblique and rectus abdominis.