• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of change in the unstable support surface location during bridge exercise on the muscle activity of erector spinae and gluteus maximus. Research design, data and methodology: 12 healthy participants aged 23.32 ±1.02 were measured muscle activities of erector spinae and gluteus maximus during bridge exercise and compared between the exercise conditions; unstable support surface located on upper back and feet during bridge exercise. Paired t-test was performed to identify whether there was a significant difference in the muscle activities between the exercise conditions. Results: As a result, even though higher levels of the averaged muscle activities of both erector spinae and gluteus maximus during exercise in unstable support surface located on feet than upper back were observed, no significant differences were found. Conclusions: The change of unstable support surface location during bridge exercise for low back pain rehabilitation would be more appropriate to be used to increase levels of tension of muscle activities and train fine motor control rather than to strengthening muscle strength.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.483-487
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• 2020

In this study, the effects of suspension training according to the types of ground. Fourteen healthy male college students measured for the characteristics of core muscle activity in suspension training on two different types of grounds, normal flat and unstable ground using a gym ball. EMG (Electromyography) was exploited to measure the activity of the core muscles according to the types of the ground. Muscle activity of the abdominal muscles, external oblique muscles, internal oblique muscles, and lower lumbar standing muscles was measured. The variables in analyses were measured by the means of % MVC method to standardize the EMG signal according to the ground type for each core muscle. In order to verify the differences in core muscles according to the type of ground the paired t-tests were performed at the significance level of 0.05 (p<.05). As a result of measuring the activity of the core muscles according to the various types of grounds, the difference between muscle characteristics obtained in two different grounds did not appear to be statistically significant. However, the result is an important clue to reconsider the notion that the training effect on the unstable ground is generally superior to the effect on the stable ground in the core muscle training. The type of ground in the core muscle training has been found not to significantly affect the muscle activation according to the results of this study. Regardless of the type of exercise program, hence, the difference in muscle activation will not be insignificant even with the standardized program strengthening core muscles.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.197-204
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the plank exercise to strengthen the core muscles on the muscle thickness of external and internal obliques and transverse abdominis muscle depending on the form of the support surface. Methods: This study was randomized to 12 males and 12 females in their 20s and conducted three times a week for 4 weeks. The subjects were divided into the two groups and performed flank exercise on a stable surface (stable surface group) and an unstable surface (unstable surface group). A mat was used as a stable surface, and an TOGU used as a unstable surface. Results : In both stable and unstable surface, the thickness changes of the transverse abdominis and external and internal oblique muscle increased (p<.05). In the unstable surface, there was a greater increase in the thickness change of the transverse abdominis and external oblique muscles in the flank exercise than in the stable surface (p.<05). Among them, the greatest increase was found in the external abdominal muscle (p<.05). Conclusion : This study found that the flank exercise was more effective in strengthening the abdominal muscles on an unstable surface, when compared with the outcomes on a stable one. It is also thought to have the most effect on the muscle activity of the external oblique muscle on unstable surface.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was to examine lateral abdominal muscle activation during maximum expiration exercise between healthy and chronic low back pain(CLBP) patients. Methods: The subjects were 16 CLBP patients and 16 healthy people between the ages of 22 and 53. The thickness of the abdominal muscles was measured using ultrasonography(LOGIQ Book XP, GE, USA). We instructed the subjects how to perform the exercises and measured changes in thickness of the transversus abdominis(TrA) and internal oblique(IO) muscles during the maximum expiration. The main outcome variables were the ratios of the TrA and IO thickness during the exercise versus in the relaxed position(TrA and IO activation ratios). Results: There were significant differences between CLBP patients and healthy subjects for TrA in the relaxed position. However there was no difference in the ratio of change in the muscle activity(TrA, IO). Conclusion: These findings, CLBP patients exhibited atrophy of the TrA muscle, but voluntary TrA muscle activation was similar to that of the normal subjects. Therefore, this exercise could be used during core strengthening in CLBP patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.243-248
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• 2014

Purpose: The transverse abdominis and themultifidus muscle are located in the core. They surround one's trunk and help in body stabilization. Specifically, they control spine articulation to maintain posture and balance. Therefore, weakened deep muscle in the trunk may cause spinal malalignment. This study aims to compare the correlation between the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle and the spine alignment among college students in their 20s. Methods: This study measured the thickness of the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle of 42 healthy college students in their 20s using ultrasonic waves. The thickness of the muscle was measured for the length of the cross-section except for fascia. The thickness of the left and right muscles was measured, and the mean value was calculated. As the thickness of the transverse abdominis can increase because of pressure during exhalation, it was measured at the last moment of exhalation. Spinal alignment was measured by the kyphosis angle, lordosis angle, pelvic tilt, trunk inclination, lateral deviation, trunk imbalance, and surface rotation using Formetric III, which is a three-dimensional imaging equipment. They were measured for three times, and the mean values were calculated. The general characteristics of the subjects were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The correlations between each factor were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: The transverse abdominis showed asignificant correlation with trunk inclination (p<.05). The multifidus muscle showed a significant positive correlation with pelvic tilt and a negative correlation with surface rotation (p<.05). Conclusion: The thickness of transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle appears to influence spinal alignment. Specifically, the multifidus muscle, which plays an important role on the sagittal plane, influences surface rotation, thus making it an important muscle for scoliosis patients. Therefore, a strengthening training program for the transverse abdominis and the multifidus muscle is necessary according to specific purposes among adults with spinal malalignment.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.361-373
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• 2019

Falls are a threat to the physical health of the elderly as well as to their overall quality of life. The purpose of this study was to identify which type of exercise is effective for improving the balance of the elderly, and to obtain the basic data for developing the falls prevention exercise intervention program for the elderly. We compared to the differential effects between rhythmic step exercise and core muscle strengthening exercise in terms of functional balance test and self-reported balance test. Women older than 65 years and under 80 years of age were assigned to one of the step exercise group(21), core muscle exercise group(20), and control group(21), and for 8 weeks, twice per week, 20-30 minutes of exercise were treated. All participants performed one foot static balance test with open and closed eyes. And they responded to self-reported balance test, such as Fall Efficacy Scale(FES) and Activities-specific Balance Confidence(ABC) Scale. The results of statistical analysis are summarized as follows. First, rhythmic stepping exercise was more effective in improving functional balance than core muscle strengthening exercise. In particular, the effect of step exercise was obvious in the one-foot static balance test with open eyes. Second, the self-reported balance test showed better step exercise than core muscle exercise. Specifically, rhythmic step exercise was more effective in enhancing fall efficacy than core muscle exercise. In conclusion, the rhythmic step exercise was more effective in improving the balance ability of the elderly than the core muscle exercise. The rhythmic step exercise is more related to the lower extremity muscles, and especially since the rhythmic step exercise is performed in various ground changes, it seems to have a high similarity to the fall occurrence situation. For future research, we recommended the development of task-oriented ankle proprioceptive exercise intervention program and exercise equipment based on the specific motion situation in which the fall accident occurs in the elderly.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.31-34
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review health-care program using the recent robotic horse-riding technology and its clinical effects for chronic low back pain. Research design, data and methodology: Recent clinical articles were determined under three inclusion criteria for in-depth review: 1) article that is published within 1 year, 2) article that includes the detailed explanation of health-care program using robotic horse-riding, 3) the article that deals with chronic low back pain during more than 6 months. Results: As a result, the finally-determined two articles demonstrated the clinical effects of robotic horse-riding statistically on pain intensity, low back muscle strength, spinal alignment, and fear-avoidance belief. Conclusions: After in-depth review, I concluded that health-care program using robotic horse-riding for chronic low back pain needs to be provided at low-intensity (e.g. less than 6km/h horse walking program) in the beginning of health-care for improving their motor control ability, then, at the increased intensity for strengthening core muscles.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

Objective: Prone bridge exercise is one of the core strengthening exercise for improving abdominal, lower and upper extremity muscles. In addition, coactivation of the trunk muscles and extremities is important for treatment of low back pain. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the thickness, cross-sectional area of the target muscle, and endurance during prone bridge exercise. Our hypothesis was that an increase in muscle thickness is positively related to the hold time for the static prone bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fourteen healthy university students (8 men and 6 women) voluntarily participated in the study at Sahmyook University. Hold time for the prone bridge with one and both legs was measured. The resting and contracted thickness of the lateral abdominal, rectus femoris, and triceps muscles was measured using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging. The correlation between muscle thickness and endurance for maintenance time was evaluated. Results: The prone bridge with both legs and the contraction thickness of the triceps muscle showed a positive correlation (r=0.692, p<0.05); the prone bridge with one leg and the contraction thickness of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles showed a positive correlation (r=0.545, 0.574, p<0.05, 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Endurance for the prone bridge exercise with a stable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of arm muscles; the prone bridge exercise with an unstable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of the deep abdominal muscles.

• 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.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.691-701
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• 2017

The barbell squat is a fundamental physical exercise for strengthening the lower body and core muscles. It is an integral part of training and conditioning programs in sports, rehabilitation, and fitness. In this paper, we proposed a virtual test framework for squat exercises using a Smith machine to simulate joint torques and muscle forces, based on an integrated product-human model and motion synthesis algorithms. We built a muscular skeletal human model with boundary conditions modeling the interactions between the human body and a machine or the ground. To validate the model, EMG, external forces, and squat motions were captured through physical experiments by varying the foot position. A regression-based motion synthesis algorithm was developed based on the captured squat motions to generate a new motion for a given foot position. The proposed approach is expected to reduce the need for physical experiments in the development of training programs.