• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyse the differences in core stability and muscle balance of the pilates Teaser motion according to the surfaces and skills. Methods : There were 10 subjects in this study with 5 being skilled and 5 that were not skilled. The independent variables were surfaces (high elastic & aluminum) and skills (skilled & unskilled). Dependent variables were core stability and muscle balance. Core stability was measured by Force Platform (9872, Switzerland), 3D Imagery (IBS-2000, EXYMA) was used to understand the muscle balance. In order to do the Teaser movement subjects had to lay flat on their back and then lean forward as much as possible and hold the position for 10 seconds. Afterwards, they would lay back down again. A camera (MHS-PM5K, SONY) was used to make 4 phases (take off, recoil forward, holding, recoil backward) during the teaser exercise to analyze movement. In this study quantitative and qualitative analysis was used. For the statistical analysis, 2X2 ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in movement time, X,Y,Z maximum force, center of pressure and angles according to different phases. 2X3 ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in muscle balance via SPSS 18.0. Results : Soft. Elastic mat had a longer holding time, lower Fx/ Fy/ Fz, shorter Fx trajectory, larger angle and shorter gaps in muscle balance than a hard surface in skilled subjects. This was because the mat can help to recruit and then sustain core fine muscles during holding time in the Teaser movement.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.17-24
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whole body vibration combined breathing resistance on lung capacity and respiratory muscle and to suggest a mediation method for improvement of respiratory function and lung function in the future. Methods: This study was a preliminary study design of two groups of 54 healthy young adults who were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=27) with core exercise combined with respiratory resistance and whole body vibration and a control group with respiratory resistance and core exercise (n=27). All interventions consisted of 6 core exercises every 40 seconds and rest for 20 seconds. To compare the effects of intervention, we measured spirometry and respiratory muscle strength. Results: Both the experimental group and the control group showed a significant increase in Forced vital capacity (FVC) and Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) (p<.05). However, FEV1 and FEV1% were significantly increase only in the experimental group (p<.05). FVC, FEV1%, Maximum Inspiratory Pressure (MIP), Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP) showed more significant increase in the experimental group than the control group. Conclusion: These findings indicate that whole-body vibration combined breathing resistance is an effective intervention for people, with FVC, FEV1%, MIP, MEP increase.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.27-36
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• 2018

Background: We developed a novel integrative lumbar stabilization technique that combines lumbar extension (LE) exercise with abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) to ameliorate low back pain (LBP) associated with neuromuscular imbalance and instability, based on the collective evidence of contemporary spinal rehabilitation. Objects: The specific aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of LE exercise with and without ADIM on core muscle strength, lumbar spinal instability, and pain, as well as functional characteristics in individuals with LBP using advanced radiographic imaging techniques. Methods: patients with mechanical LBP (N = 40, 6 males; $35.1{\pm}7.6years$) were recruited and randomly assigned either to the combined LE and ADIM (experimental group) or the LE alone (control group). Outcome measures included the visual analog scale, the modified Oswestry Disability Index, muscle strength imbalance (MSI), and radiographic imaging. The lumbar intervertebral displacement (LID), intervertebral (IV) and total lumbar extension (TLE) angles were calculated to evaluate the lumbar segmental instability. Results: The experimental group showed significant differences in the L3-L4, L5-S1 LIDs, L4-L5 and L5-S1 IV angles, and TLE angle as compared to the controls (p<.05). Immediate pain reduction and muscle strength imbalance ratio were significantly different between the groups (p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the addition of ADIM significantly increased lumbar spinal stabilization in individuals with LBP, thereby reducing pain associated with functional lumbar flexion during daily activities.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the core muscle strength enhancement of the elderly on 8 weeks training using the core exercise equipment for the elderly on the ability to control the whole-body center of mass in posture stabilization. Method: 16 females (10 exercise group, 6 control group) participated in this study. Exercise group took part in the core strength training program for 8 weeks with total of 16 repetitions (2 repetitions per week) using a training device. External perturbation during standing as pulling force applied at the pelvic level in the anterior direction was provided to the subject. In a UCM model, the controller selects within the space of elemental variables a subspace (a manifold, UCM) corresponding to a value of a performance variable that needs to be stabilized. In the present study, we were interested in how movements of the individual segment center of mass (elemental variables) affect the whole-body center of mass (the performance variable) during balance control. Results: At the variance of task-irrelevant space, there was significant $test^*$ group interactions ($F_{1,16}=7.482$, p<.05). However, there were no significant main effect of the test ($F_{1,16}=.899$, p>.05) and group ($F_{1,16}=1.039$, p>.05). At the variance of task-relevant space, there was significant $test^*$ group interactions ($F_{1,16}=7.382$, p<.05). However, there were no significant main effect of the test ($F_{1,16}=.754$, p>.05) and group ($F_{1,16}=1.106$, p>.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the 8 weeks training through the core training equipment for the elderly showed a significant decrease in the $Vcm_{TIR}$ and $Vcm_{TR}$. This result indicates that the core strength training affects the trunk stiffness control strategy to maintain balance in the standing position by minimizing total variability of individual segment CMs.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was compare and analyze the flexibility and dynamic balance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and provide scientific basis for effectively treating idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 members of adolescences. To measure the flexibility of the spine, a left buckling instrument was used, and it was measured using a modified sit and reach test. They were randomly divided into core exercise with sling program group (n=10) and general exercise program group (n=10), each consisting 50 minutes each for 4 times per week for 8 weeks. Results: The results of the study are as follows. First, Both groups were increased statistically significantly in spinal flexibility but no significant differences have been found between the two groups after 8 weeks of exercise. Second, Both groups were increased statistically significantly in balance ability of dynamic foot pleasure ratio but no significant differences have been found between the two groups after 8 weeks of exercise. Conclusion: In summarizing the results of this study, sling exercise with core exercise was effective in the decrease of flexibility and stability than general scoliosis exercise in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. It is also believed to be applicable to spinal diseases caused by muscular weakness since it is effective in strengthening core muscle strength.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of additional isometric contraction of trunk, shoulder, and hip muscles during abdominal crunch exercise on abdominal muscle thickness and to identify the most effective intervention for core muscle activation. Methods : This study was conducted on 22 healthy male adults. Subjects performed three types of crunch exercises (abdominal crunches accompanied by internal and external isometric rotation of the hip, horizontal shoulder adduction and abduction, and rotation of the trunk). The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) were evaluated using ultrasonography. The collected data used one-way repeated ANOVA statistics. Wilcoxon signed-rank test of nonparametric statistics was used for post-test analysis. Results : The IO thickness was significantly lower than general abdominal crunch when shoulder adduction was added (p<.05). The crunch with shoulder abduction, hip external rotation, and ipsilateral trunk rotation was significantly higher than the abdominal crunch (p<.05). The EO thickness was significantly greater in the crunch with hip external rotation than in the abdominal crunch (p<.05). Conclusion : The level of contraction in abdominal muscles appears to vary when isometric contractions of the trunk, shoulder, and hip muscles are added to the abdominal crunch exercise. Therefore, the use of isometric contractions of other joints to selectively induce contraction of the abdominal muscles may be considered.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.7
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• pp.93-100
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to measure abdominal muscle thickness when Pelvic Floor contraction (PFC) and Abdominal Drawing-In Maneuver (ADIM) were separately applied and combined exercise was applied and to compare the effects of the exercise. After the pre-investigation, the subjects were given a explanation of the purpose and the method of the research and then an experiment was conducted targeting a total of 30 subjects, who voluntarily agreed with this. Thicknesses of internal oblique (IO), transverse abdominis (TrA) and external oblique (EO) were measured during a break and then three types of exercise. All the measured values of the experiment were processed using Repeated measure ANOVA, and Bonferroni method was applied. As a result, the three types of exercise showed significant differences in thicknesses of IO, TrA and EO. In conclusion, the subjects had the thickest muscles and muscular activity increased during PFC+ADIM, compared to PFC and ADIM.