• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Purpose: This study aimed to provide a scientific basis for effects of the push-up plus exercise program on scapular position and on muscle activity in individuals with rounded shoulder posture (RSP). Methods: The supine method was applied to 46 potential subjects, of which 30 with RSP were selected. Subjects with RSP were divided into two groups: a gender push-up plus group as the experimental group a pectoralis minor self.stretch group as the control group. RSP data after 4 weeks of each intervention were obtained and analyzed to measure the activities of the 3 muscles. Results: The two groups differed significantly with regard to EMG changes in the serratus anterior (p<0.05). The EMG results indicated a significant reduction in the activity of the upper trapezius in the experimental group (p<0.05). EMG results indicated a significant increase in the activity of the serratus anterior after the intervention (p<0.05). EMG results of the subjects in the control group indicated that the activity of the upper trapezius significantly decreased (p<0.05). The RSP values of the subjects in both groups were significantly decreased (p<0.00). Conclusion: An improvement in the strength of the serratus anterior, and in the stretch effectiveness of the pectoralis minor, as well as changes in the scapular position were observed after 4 weeks of push-up plus exercise by the subjects.

• Aerospace Engineering and Technology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.207-214
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of hypoxic exercise at head down tilt (HDT) on cardiovascular responses. Eight men ($23{\pm}2$ yrs, $176{\pm}4$ cm, and $75{\pm}8$ kg) underwent four separate exercise testing sessions; seated normoxia (SN), seated hypoxia (SH), HDT normoxia (HN), and HDT hypoxia (HH). Each participant performed the leg cycling at predetermined 40% of maximal aerobic capacity relevant to each posture for 15 min. Heart rate was higher in SH than SN and higher also in HH than SH (p<0.05). Blood oxygen saturation was lower in SH than SN (p<0.05). During resting, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in HDT than seated posture (p<0.05). No differences were found between conditions in hemoglobin and hematocrit and electrolytes including, sodium, potassium, and chloride. Lactate was higher in SH than SN. In conclusion, there was no effect for cardiovascular responses to duplicate stimuli both hypoxia and posture.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.925-932
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of Maitland orthopedic manipulative physiotherapy and stretching on pain, cervical range of motion, and muscle tone of adults with forward neck posture. A total 40 subjects were divided into a Maitland OMPT group(n=20) and a stretching group(n=20), performing joint mobilization exercise and stretching three times per week for six weeks. As for changes in pain, statistically significant decrease were found before and after the exercise within group comparison(p<.01), while no statistically significant difference was observed between-group comparison. In changes in cervical range of motion before and after the exercise, the Maitland OMPT group showed statistically significant increase(p<.01) in flexion, (left lateral flexion(p<.05), extension, left rotation, right rotation, and right lateral flexion, while the stretching group showed statistically significant increase(p<.05) in extension(p<.01), left rotation, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and right lateral flexion. However, no significant differences in between group comparison in flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right lateral flexion and left lateral flexion. The results of measuring muscle tone changes showed that the Maitland OMPT group and the stretching group did not show significance in within and between group comparison(p<.05). In conclusion, the Maitland OMPT and stretching were effective on improving pain and range of motion.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.17-26
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of visual electromyography (EMG) biofeedback on the EMG activity of the lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and upper trapezius (UT) muscles, the LT/UT and SA/UT EMG activity ratios, and the scapular upward rotation angle during scapular posterior tilting exercise (SPTE). Twenty-four subjects with round-shoulder posture participated in this study. The EMG activities of the LT, SA, and UT were collected during SPTE both without and with visual EMG biofeedback. The scapular upward rotation angle was measured at the baseline, after SPTE without visual EMG biofeedback, and after SPTE with visual EMG biofeedback. The LT, SA, and UT EMG activities, and the LT/UT and SA/UT EMG activity ratios were analyzed by paired t-test. The scapular upward rotation angle was statistically analyzed using one-way repeated analysis of variance. If a significant difference was found, a Bonferroni correction was performed (p=.05/3=.017). The EMG activities of LT and SA significantly increased, and the EMG activity of UT significantly decreased during SPTE with visual EMG biofeedback compared to SPTE without visual EMG biofeedback (p<.05). In addition, the LT/UT and SA/UT EMG activity ratios significantly increased during SPTE with visual EMG biofeedback compared to SPTE without visual EMG biofeedback (p<.05). Significant increases were found in the scapular upward rotation angle after SPTE without and with visual EMG biofeedback compared to baseline (p<.017), and no significant differences were observed in the scapular upward rotation angle between SPTE without and with visual EMG biofeedback. In conclusion, SPTE using visual EMG biofeedback may be an effective method for increasing LT and SA activities while reducing UT activity.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.72-84
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of whole-body vibration stimulation training on the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle and the balance of sitting posture in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Design: Single-subject design(A-B-A-B). Methods: The subjects of this study were 9 children with spastic cerebral palsy. The study period was 12 weeks in total, and the baseline period and the intervention period were each assigned 3 weeks. Intervention was conducted twice a week for 30 minutes. During the baseline period, trunk stabilization exercise was performed, and during the intervention period, trunk stabilization exercise and whole-body vibration stimulation training were performed. Measurements were carried out at before the experiment, baseline 1, intervention 1, baseline 2, intervention 2 and the total number of measurements was 5 times. Repeated ANOVA was performed to compare the effects of exercise according to the intervention method. Results: The thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle and the balance of the sitting posture were statistically significantly increased compared to the baseline during whole-body vibration stimulation training (p<.05). Conclusion: Therefore, it was confirmed that whole-body vibration stimulation training improved the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle in children with spastic cerebral palsy and was an effective intervention method for improving sitting posture balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.372-377
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of applying clam exercise on improving trunk control and balance ability in stroke patients. Based on this, we tried to provide clinical information. Methods: In this study, 18 patients with chronic stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: a clam exercise group (9 patients) and a control group (9 patients). After 30 minutes of neuro-development therapy, they performed clam exercise or bridge exercise for 3 weeks, 5 times a week for 30 minutes. A trunk impairment scale (TIS) and a postural assessment scale for stroke patients-trunk control (PASS-TC) were performed to evaluate the subjects' ability to control trunk before and after intervention. Balance ability was measured by Balancia before and after intervention. Results: After the training periods, area 95% COP and weight distribution of the affected side were significantly different from the clam exercise group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, in can be seen that the clam exercise is effective in improving the balance ability compared to the bridge exercise. Maintaining the standing posture requires muscle strength of the hip abduction and extension, which is the result of the clam exercise selectively strengthening these muscles. Therefore, if you want to provide intervention to improve the balance of stroke patients, it is recommended to perform a clam exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined effects of the untact trunk stabilization exercise program on muscle thickness, trunk strength, maximal expiratory flow, and static balance. METHODS: The subjects were 20 normal adults divided into 10 in the contact exercise group and 10 in the untact exercise group. The trunk stabilization exercise program was conducted for four weeks. The muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. The maximal expiratory flow was measured using Personal Best Full Range Peak Flow Meter. The static balance was measured through Bio-rescue; and the trunk muscle strength was measured by bending the upper body forward and measuring the time for maintaining the posture. RESULTS: Both contact and untact exercise groups showed significant differences in muscle thickness, muscle strength, maximal expiratory flow, and static balance (p < .05). A significant difference in muscle thickness on ultrasound was observed between the contact and untact exercise groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Activation of the transverse abdominal muscle requires accurate instructions of the contact exercise, but despite environmental constraints, the untact exercise program is as effective as the contact exercise for improving muscle strength, maximum expiratory flow, and static balance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect of posture correction & stabilization according to horse rider's(n=10) skill levels of novice(0wk), mid-skill(12wk) & skill(24wk) in walk & trot. First, Mean posture of 3 times experiments; Anterior & posterior leaning posture of trunk showed rather unstable according to progress of the stages of TD1, TO, TD2 phase, and also shoulder & elbow angle, which effects to the distance from bit to rein, showed unstable riding posture. There was close relationship between shoulder and elbow Angle in walk and hip, knee & ankle angle in trot. Second, Posture correction & stabilization according to riding skill levels; Anterior & posterior leaning posture of trunk did not show significant difference statistically but showed approaching tendency to trunk's vertical line and showed significant difference(p<.05) according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot horse riding. Hip angle showed significant difference according to progress of the stages of TD1, TO, TD2 phase(p<.05) and showed tendency maintaining the larger thigh flexion according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot. Knee angle showed more stable posture by maintaining the larger flexion between thigh and shank according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot(p<.05). Ankle angle also showed tendency maintaining the larger plantar flexion of foot according to improvement of skill levels in walk & trot. When considering the above, regular horse riding program could be useful in posture correction & stabilization according to improvement of skill levels of novice(0wk), mid-skill(12wk) & skill(24wk) in walk & trot.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.171-180
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in motor cortical excitability during mental practice and action observation in subjects with forward head posture. Methods : This study was performed in two groups, a forward head posture group (n=17) and a normal posture group (n=17). Electroencephalography (EEG) was conducted to investigate cerebral cortex activity, and six electrodes were attached to Fp1, Fp2, C1, C2, C3, and C4 to measure the relative alpha power, relative beta power, relative gamma power, and mu rhythms. The subjects were requested to perform the four different conditions, which were eye opening, eye closing, mental practice, and action observation for 300 seconds. Results : The results showed that the relative alpha waves showed a significant difference between the normal and forward head posture groups in the C1, C2, C3, and C4 regions with the eyes open (p<.05). The relative beta waves also showed a significant difference between the two groups in the Fp1 and Fp2 regions during action observation (p<.05). The relative gamma waves were significantly different between the normal and forward head posture groups in the Fp1 and Fp2 regions during action observation (p<.05) in C1, C2, and C3 with eyes closed (p<.05) and in C1, C2, C3, and C4 with eyes open (p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that EEG change in the forward head posture group was different from that in the normal control group in action observation rather than in mental practice. Therefore, we are expected to provide a neurophysiological basis for applying action observation to motor skill learning during exercise for correcting forward head posture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2020

Background: Thoracic spine self-mobilization exercise is commonly used to manage patients with neck pain. However, no previous studies have investigated the effects of thoracic spine self-mobilization exercise alone in patients with chronic neck pain. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thoracic self-mobilization using a tool on cervical range of motion (ROM), disability level, upper body posture, pain and fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) in patients with chronic neck pain. Methods: The subjects were 49 patients (21 males, 28 females) with chronic neck pain. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 23) and control group (CG, n = 26). For the EG, thoracic self-mobilization was applied. We placed a tool (made with 2 tennis balls) under 3 different vertebral levels (T1-4, T5-8, T9-12) of the thoracic spine and the subjects performed crunches, which included thoracic flexion and extension in supine position. Five times × 3 sets for each levels, twice a week, for 4 weeks. Cervical pain, disability, upper body posture, FABQ results, and ROM were evaluated at baseline, after 4 weeks of intervention, and at 8 weeks of follow-up. Assessments included the quadruple visual analogue scale (QVAS); Northwick Park neck pain questionnaire (NPQ); craniovertebral angles (CVA), forward shoulder angle (FSA) and kyphosis angle (KA) measurements for upper body posture; FABQ and cervical ROM testing. Results: The EG showed a statistically significant improvement after intervention in the QVAS (-51.16%); NPQ (-53.46%); flexion (20.95%), extension (25.32%), left rotation (14.04%), and right rotation (25.32%) in the ROM of the cervical joint; KA (-7.14%); CVA (9.82%); and FSA (-4.12%). Conclusion: These results suggest that, for patients with chronic neck pain, thoracic self-mobilization exercise using a tool (tennis balls) is effective to improve neck pain, disability level, the ROM, and upper body posture.