• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2019

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) causes morphological changes in muscles, reduces muscle strength, endurance and flexibility, negatively affects lumbar stability, and limits functional activity. Plank exercise strengthens core muscles, activates abdominal muscles, and improves intra-abdominal pressure to stabilize the trunk in patients with CLBP. Objects: We investigated the effect of plank exercise on abdominal muscle thickness and disability in patients with CLBP. Methods: We classified 33 subjects into 2 groups: An experimental (n1=17) and a control group (n2=16). Patients in the experimental group participated in plank exercise and those in the control group participated in stretching exercise. Patients in both groups attended 20-minute exercise sessions thrice a week for 4 weeks. Abdominal muscle thickness in each subject was evaluated ultrasonographically, and disabilities were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: Four weeks later, abdominal muscle thickness showed a significant increase over baseline values in both groups (p<.05). Patients in the experimental group reported a more significant increase in the thickness of the external oblique muscle than that in the control group (p<.05). ODI scores in the experimental group were significantly lower after intervention than before intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise increases the thickness of the external oblique muscle and reduces disability secondary to mild CLBP. Therefore, plank exercise is needed to improve lumbar stability and functional activity in patients with mild CLBP.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of single limb stance exercise according to the support surface on dynamic balance ability and abdominal muscle thickness. Methods : We recruited 28 healthy subjects in this study. Subjects were assigned to 2 groups by matching method. The control group was 5 males and 9 females, and single limb stance exercise was performed on the stable support surface. The experimental group consisted of 6 males and 8 females, and trained to stand on the unstable support. During the single limb stance exercise, the dominant foot was set as the foot that appeared numerically through the exercise of the dynamic balance meter (Biorescue). Single limb stance exercise along the supporting surface was maintained for 15 seconds and then rested for 15 seconds. It was repeated 5 times. Particularly, the balance exercise on the unstable support surface was sufficiently practiced. Independent t test was performed for comparison between groups. Paired t test was performed to compare before and after each group. Results : There was no difference between the control group and the experimental group in the comparison of dynamic balance ability (p>.05). However, there were significant differences before and after exercise in both the control and experimental groups (p<.05). Similarly, in the comparison of abdominal muscle thickness, there was a significant difference within each group, especially internal oblique and transverse abdominis (p<.05), and no difference between groups (p>.05). Conclusion : Based on these results, although there was no difference between the groups, in the experimental group, numerical increase in dynamic balance ability and abdominal muscle thickness was confirmed. Therefore, single limb stance exercise on the unstable support surfaces activates core muscles and has a positive effect on dynamic balancing ability.

• Advanced Industrial SCIence
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.16-24
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was conducted to find out the immediate effect on dynamic balance through Abdominal hollowing exercise and Abdominal bracing exercise. Method: 90 healthy male and female students in their 20s were surveyed and measured using Y-balance test and Functional reach test. Result: In the dynamic balance Test between groups, there was a statistically significant difference between the group that performed Abdominal hollowing exercise and the control group. Conclusion: Although both representative spinal stabilization exercises Abdominal hollowing exercise and Abdominal bracing exercise are meaningful in increasing dynamic equilibrium, it is difficult to suggest that any method is more effective in terms of immediate effects.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.290-300
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• 2023

This study was understood the risk mechanism of falls in the elderly and reviewed previous research data to see if the principle of Pilates rehabilitation exercise could have a positive effect on balance ability and postural stabilization in the elderly, and the purpose of this study is to present literature-based data on the fall prevention effect of rehabilitation Pilates exercise. First, the rehabilitation Pilates exercise makes it available for strengthening the center of the body to stabilize the spine and pelvis and stimulates the nerve root, thereby having an effect on the balance and the joint stabilization. Second, a proprioceptive sensory impairment and a musculoskeletal degenerative disease due to aging increase the loss of balance ability and the instability in posture maintenance, thereby coming to raise the risk of a fall damage caused by the difficulty in performing motor functions and by the gait disturbance. Third, the rehabilitation Pilates exercise leads to improving the core muscle strength in older adults, resulting in being capable of expecting the betterment in the balance and the reaction time motor function. And there is a positive impact on the improvement in body imbalance and on the stability in movement involved in the fall prevention, resulting in being able to suggest the possibility of likely contributing to a reduction in a fall risk rate. In conclusion, the rehabilitation Pilates as the elderly exercise program showed effects on the improvement in the body's muscular strength, on the upgrade in a sense of balance, and on the stabilization of core. Thus, it was considered to diminish the risk factors for a fall damage caused by musculoskeletal degeneration and to be capable of preventing a serious disorder of activity due to a chronic senile disease.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.51-55
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• 2020

Background: A typical plank exercise (PE) strengthens the core muscles, stabilizes the spinal column, and provides stability around the pelvis and trunk when the trunk is aligned. However, because PE require that the hip joint be kept straight, they can activate the hamstring (HAM). Excessive HAM activation can induce tightness, which may cause low back pain. Therefore, it is necessary to explore PE methods that can minimize HAM activity while maximizing core muscle activity. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study included 30 healthy adults as subjects. We measured the activity of the HAM and the erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis (RA), and external oblique (EO) muscles using surface electromyography during three PEs (typical PE, PE with balance pad, and PE with sling). Results: The RA, EO, and ES showed the highest muscular activity during PE with balance pad and the lowest during PE with sling; however, the differences were not significant. The HAM showed lower activity during PE with sling than during the other two PEs; however, these differences were also not significant. Conclusion: Although HAM activation was not significantly difference among PE positions, we should recognize altering activation of core and hamstring muscle according to PE postures.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2014

Objective : The objective of this study is to develop a Qigong exercise program to reinforce musculoskeletal system of seniors appropriate for physical strength and conditions of seniors aged 65 years or above based on health Qigong exercise of oriental medicine. Method : Qigong exercise motions that can improve strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance of seniors were developed by primarily performing literature review of Qigong experts on the fields like oriental medicine, Qigong exercise, physical education and health science and secondarily using motion training for increased validity of motions. Results : The Qigong exercise program for musculoskeletal system of seniors was designed with 12 motions repeated 8 times and 20 minutes per session, including shoulder exercises (alternate turning of left and right shoulders, turning both arms back and forth, holding and lifting elbow to put it aside), waist exercises (wrapping the head with hands to bow, twisting waist while looking at the tip of hand, large spinning of ball, putting hands together to pull back), and knee exercises (going up a down while lifting a rock, balancing the body while lifting a knee, lifting and spreading knees while drawing circle with arms, raising both arms to the side while lifting heels, breathing). Conclusion : Once the effects of Qigong exercise for musculoskeletal system of seniors developed in this study are tested, the program is expected to contribute to development of Qigong exercise, a core part of oriental medicine health improvement project.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2015

Background: Heart attack is the most common cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Daily aspirin therapy is a preventative measure used to reduce the morbidity of heart attacks but may decrease the ability to dissipate heat by reducing skin blood flow. Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, firefighters were randomized to receive 14 days of therapy (81-mg aspirin or placebo) before performing treadmill exercise in thermal-protective clothing in a hot room [$38.8{\pm}2.1^{\circ}C$, $24.9{\pm}9.1%$ relative humidity (RH)]. Three weeks without therapy was provided before crossing to the other arm. Firefighters completed a baseline skin blood-flow assessment via laser Doppler flowmetry; skin was heated to $44^{\circ}C$ to achieve maximal cutaneous vasodilation. Skin blood flow was measured before and after exercise in a hot room, and at 0 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes of recovery under temperature conditions ($25.3{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$, $40.3{\pm}13.7%\;RH$). Platelet clotting time was assessed before drug administration, and before and after exercise. Results: Fifteen firefighters completed the study. Aspirin increased clotting time before and after exercise compared with placebo (p = 0.003). There were no differences in absolute skin blood flow between groups (p = 0.35). Following exercise, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was $85{\pm}42%$ of maximum in the aspirin and $76{\pm}37%$ in the placebo groups. The percentage of maximal CVC did not differ by treatment before or after recovery. Neither maximal core body temperature nor heart rate responses to exercise differed between trials. Conclusion: There were no differences in skin blood flow during uncompensable heat stress following exercise after aspirin or placebo therapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.238-245
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• 2017

This retrospective observational study was aimed to evaluate that Daoyin Exercise therapy improves the symptoms related to lumbar disc herniation. We analyzed the medical records of 7 patients, who satisfied with inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects of the study were the patients who were prescribed Daoyin Exercise Therapy and Korean medical treatments for lumbar intervertebral disc herniation at Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from July 25th, 2016 to March 31th, 2017. The effects of Daoyin Exercise Therapy was evaluated by comparing before and after taking Daoyin Exercise Therapy through 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale(NRS), Roland & Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ), Trunk Extension Flexion(TEF) Program, EuroQol five Demension Questionnaire(EQ-5D, EQVAS) of the symptoms including lower back pain. The Daoyin Exercise Therapy combined with Korean medicine treatment reduced NRS($3.357{\pm}3.038$) and RMDQ($9.50{\pm}6.364$), and improved Muscle endurance($44.429{\pm}45.136$), EQ-5D($0.09{\pm}0.12$) and EQVAS($6.571{\pm}19.260$) of the 7 patients without side effects. These results implied that Daoyin Exercise Therapy might helps to improve symptoms of patients with lumbar disc herniation by reducing the symptoms of lower back pain and improving muscle endurance, quality of life, strength enhancement and core muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.342-347
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the comparison of upper arm, trunk and core muscle activities according to different performance in high Plank exercise using weightless exercise equipment. Six males(age, 23.00±0.73 years; height, 172.95±2.05 cm; body mass, 66.83±2.75 kg; and BMI, 22.33±0.72 kg/m²) completed this study as the subjects. Four type's high Plank exercises using weightless exercise equipment were performed(high plank, HP; high plank with air walker, HPAW; high plank with surf board, HPSB; high plank with waist trainer, HPWT). For the EMG analysis, we measured the body muscle activities of right side on the deltoid(DT), triceps brachii(TB), latissimus dorsi(LD), and external oblique(EO). This research's results were as follows. DT, TB, LD, & EO muscle activities were greatest during HPSB(p=.000). Therefore, these results are expected to serve as basic data for high Plank exercise using weightless exercise equipment performance applications in effective exercise programs.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.2509-2515
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• 2009

This study compared the relative effectiveness of trunk stability exercise with general balance exercise on dynamic balance for patients with chronic patients. Thirty eight subjects were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. One group was trained trunk stability exercise and the other group was trained general balance exercise. This process was carried out three times a week for seven weeks. Dynamic balance was measured prior to commencement of the exercise programs, and again after seven weeks, when the programs were completed, in order to establish the effectiveness of both exercise programs. Both the trunk stability exercise and the general balance exercise increased BBS and TUG(p<.001). The trunk stability exercise was more effective at increasing BBS(p<.05). We suggest that trunk stability exercise is effective in the improvement of balance ability in the persons with chronic stroke. Therefore, the trunk stability exercise is considered to important when the stroke patients are trained. Further studies of effectiveness of trunk stability exercise should be carried out to increase our understanding of this area of study.