• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

This present study investigated the effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and chin tuck (CT) on middle thoracic erector spinae, lower thoracic erector spinae, and lumbar erector spinae muscle activity during three prone thoracic extension (PTE) exercises. Twelve healthy subjects performed preferred PTE, ADIM PTE, and ADIM-CT PTE. Surface electromyography was used to collect data on the muscle activity of dominant middle and lower thoracic erector spinae muscles and the lumbar erector spinae. Middle and lower thoracic erector spinae muscle activity significantly increased when ADIM and CT was performed (p<.05). However, lumbar erector spinae muscle activity significantly decreased in ADIM PTE compared to preferred PTE (p=.017) and significantly increased in ADIM-CT PTE compared to ADIM PTE (p=.004). In conclusion, ADIM-CT PTE effectively increased middle and lower thoracic erector spinae muscle activity, and ADIM PTE decreased lumbar erector spinae muscle activity. Hence, ADIM PTE could be a recommended exercise maneuver to strengthen thoracic erector spinae without over activation of lumbar erector spinae.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the onset times of muscle activities and the order of muscle firing in hamstring gluteus maximus, and lumbar erector spinae muscle during active hip extension between subjects with low back pain (LBP) and healthy subjects. Thirty subjects, 15 with LBP and 15 healthy subjects, participated in this study. Electromyographic activity was recorded during active hip extension in prone and standing position. Relative onset times of these muscle activities were determined. Similar muscle firing order in hamstring, gluteus maximus, and lumbar erector spinae muscle showed in both groups and positions. However, the onset time of gluteus maximus was significantly later in prone and standing active hip extension in subjects with LBP than in healthy subjects. The onset time of lumber erector spinae muscle activity was significantly delayed in subjects with LBP in standing active hip extension, The delayed onset times of gluteus maximus and lumbar erector spinae muscles' activities were probably related to LBP. Further studies are needed to identify whether the delayed onset times of gluteus maximus and lumbar erector spinae muscle activities are the contributing factors to LBP.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.299-307
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of new exercises (combined cervical and thoracic extension exercises) with those of conventional cervical extensor strengthening exercises (sitting cervical extension exercises) and thoracic extensor strengthening exercises (prone thoracic extension exercises). Method: Fifteen healthy subjects performed sitting cervical extension exercises, prone thoracic extension exercises, and combined cervical and thoracic extension exercises. During each exercise, electromyography was used to measure muscle activity in the erector spinae with C4 and T4 levels. The measured data were analyzed using one-way repeated analysis of variance. Results: With different exercises, there were significant differences in activity in the erector spinae muscle (p < 0.05). The activity in the erector spinae muscle increased significantly during the combined cervical and thoracic extension exercises compared to the sitting cervical extension (p < 0.05) and prone thoracic extension exercises (p < 0.05). The sitting cervical extension exercises significantly increased activity in the cervical erector spinae muscle compared to the prone thoracic extension exercises (p < 0.05). Activity in the thoracic erector spinae muscles was significantly increased during the prone thoracic extension exercises compared to during the sitting cervical extension exercises (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the newer exercises effectively increase activity in the cervical and thoracic extensor muscles.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.171-177
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• 2020

Background: The flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) refers to a sudden onset of activity in the erector spinae muscles that recedes or fades during full forward flexion of the trunk. Lumbar spine and hip flexion are associated with many daily physical activities that also impact trunk flexion. Shorter hamstring muscles result in a reduction of pelvic mobility that eventually culminates in low back pain (LBP). Many studies have explored the FRP in relation to LBP. However, few studies have investigated the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into three groups according to hamstring length measured through an active knee extension test. The 30 participants consisted of 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 20° or less (Group 1), 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 21°-39° (Group 2), and 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 40° or more (Group 3). A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the difference in muscle activity of the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Results: The subjects with a shorter hamstring length had significantly higher muscle activity in their erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion and full trunk flexion (p < 0.05). The subjects with a shorter hamstring length also had a significantly higher flexion-relaxation ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that differences in hamstring muscle length can influence the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles. This finding suggests that the shortening of the hamstring might be associated with LBP.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.308-315
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• 2014

The aims of this study are to analysis about surface muscle activity of lower and upper musculus erector spinae according to walkers form. The subjects of the current step is inconvenient to use a walker and five people over the age of 65 valid samples were selected as final. All the subjects were measured in three forms. Wireless EMG muscle activity is a measure of surface measurements were measured using a system, both musculus vastus lateralis, outside the erector spinae muscle, musculus biceps femoris, gastrocnemius muscle was attached to the channel electrodes. According to the results, First, gastrocnemius muscle activity showed significant differences by type of gait. Second, the muscle activity of the erector spinae muscle walking showed significant differences by type, side grip type showed the lowest muscle activity. Consequently, the present study is the efficient use of the four-wheel walker will provide the baseline data.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.417-424
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• 2013

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between the segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise according to visual control. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 healthy students. An 8-channel electromyograph was used to measure muscle activities of the erector spinae by segment(cervical, thoracic and lumbar) during a core stability exercise according to visual control. The collected data were analyzed using the independent t-test and Pearson-test. RESULTS: The activity of the erector spinae for all segment was higher without the vision than with. The activity of right cervical erector spinae was significantly increased by increasing the activity of the left thoracic erector spinae during a core stability exercise with vision (r= .555). The activity of left thoracic erector spinae was significantly increased by increasing the activity of the left lumbar erector spinae during a core stability exercise without vision (r= .472). CONCLUSION: There was a positive correlation between the cervical and thoracic segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise with vision. There was a positive correlation between the thoracic and lumbar segment of erector spinae during a core stability exercise without vision.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.103-110
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate effect of core stabilization exercises on the erector spinae contractile properties and trunk isokinetic muscle function of middle age with low physical activity and sedentary lifestyle. Method: Twenty (female: n=10, male: n=10) middle-age subjects (age: 37.25 ± 6.08 years, height: 168.01 ± 6.84 cm, weight: 71.37 ± 11.75 kg) participated in this study. Tensiomyography was measured on the erector spinae, and the isokinetic trunk muscle function test was measured at an angular velocity of 60 °/s and 90 °/s. All subjects performed the core stabilization exercises for 60 min per day, 3 times a week, for 7 weeks. A paired t-test was performed with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Tensiomyography of the erector spinae revealed a significant post-exercise increase in the maximum radial displacement (p < .05) and velocity of contraction (p < .05), however, there wasn't a significant post-exercise change in the contraction time. Additionally, the isokinetic muscle function test of the trunk revealed a significant post-exercise increase in trunk extensor relative strength (p < .05) and strength ratio (p < .05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that core stabilization exercises reduced erector spinae muscle stiffness, increased the velocity of erector spinae contraction. Additionally, data showed the improvement in the trunk extensor strength help induce a more balanced development in trunk muscle.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.273-279
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• 2021

Background: Lunge exercises are lower extremity rehabilitation and strengthening exercises for patients and athletes. Most studies have shown the effectiveness of the forward and backward lunge exercises for treating patellofemoral pain and anterior cruciate ligament injuries (by increasing lower extremity muscle activity) and improving kinematics. Objects: However, it is not known how the two different lunge movements affect trunk muscle activities in healthy individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the electromyographic activity of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles during forward and backward lunge exercises in healthy participants. Methods: Twelve healthy participants were recruited. Electromyographic activity of the rectus abdominis and erector spinae was recorded using surface electrodes during forward and backward lunges, and subsequently normalized to the respective reference voluntary isometric contractions of each muscle. Results: Activity of the erector spinae was significantly higher than that of the rectus abdominis during all stages of the backward lunge (p < 0.05). The activity of the erector spinae was significantly greater during the backward than forward lunge at all stages (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Backward lunging is better able to enhance trunk motor control and activate the erector spinae muscles.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.193-202
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to examine inter-and intra-rater reliabilities of myotonometric measurements of tone, elasticity and stiffness for the erector spinae muscles of the young and the elderly populations. Methods : A total of 102 (69 young adults from K university and 33 older adults from the D community center in Daejeon) were enrolled in this study. The two different raters measured each side of the erector spinae muscles at prone position. After each rater performed first measurement for a subject, 30 minutes of rest was given. The same rater then repeated the second myometric measurement on the subject. The collected data on the tone, elasticity, and stiffness of the erector spinae were analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to determine inter- and intra- rater reliabilities. Results : The inter-and intra-rater reliabilities of the myotonometric measurement of the erector spinae for the total subjects were excellent (ICC > 0.9, p < 0.001). Within each of the elderly group and the young group, inter- and intra-rater reliabilities were also excellent (ICC > 0.8~0.9 / p < 0.001, ICC > 0.75~0.9 / p < 0.001, each). Conclusion : The measurement of muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness for the erector spinae muscles using the myotonometer had excellent reliability. It was confirmed that a highly reliable myometric measurement on the erector spinae can be obtained regardless of whether it is from young or elderly people. This suggests that the myotonometer can be a useful tool to measure muscular properties of the erector spinae of the young and old as an evaluative instrument.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Purpose : This study was assessed muscle activity and onset time in trunk and upper extremity on functional reaching. Methods : The participant was 18 female(young 10, old 8). As functional reaching, we collection data by using EMG(MP150) on transverse abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae, deltoid middle and serratus anterior. Results : 1) In functional reaching, transverse abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae and deltoid middle muscle activity was augmented on old female(p>.05). Serratus anterior was augmented on young female(p>.05). 2) In functional reaching, transverse abdominis and erector spinae muscle onset time is significantly faster old female than young female(p<.05). External oblique and serratus anterior muscle onset time is faster old female than young female(p>.05). 3) As increase of age muscle activity of external oblique was more increased that we found .511 a coefficient correlation and onset time more faster on transverse abdominis and erector spinae were each -.492 and -.554 coefficient correlation. Conclusion : The muscle activity and onset time was difference in functional reaching according to ageing and task context. It is necessary concentration and attention to old female than young female. Therefore, these results suggest that importance of anticipatory postural control and selective strategy of postural control.