• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.49-60
• /
• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify whether gym-ball exercise in standing position was an effective intervention for improving muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients were randomized into three groups: experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8), and control group (n=8). Experimental groups 1, 2 and the control group performed the gym-ball exercise in standing position, same exercise without a gym-ball, and general physical therapy for 4 weeks, five times a week in 30-minute sessions. Muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were assessed using a handheld dynamometer, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the wearable BTS G-WALK® sensor, and the Korean version of the Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES), before and after training, respectively. Comparisons within and between groups were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kruskal Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Bonferroni correction was performed when significant differences between groups were identified (p<.017, .05/3). Results : Regarding muscle strength, BBS score, cadence and FES-K were significantly improved after intervention in all three groups. The weight bearing rate, gait speed and step length in experimental group 1 and 2 were significantly improved after the intervention. The stride length in experimental group 1 were significantly improved after the intervention. Experimental group 1 had significantly improved BBS score and stride length after intervention than experimental group 2 and control group. Experimental group 1 and 2 improved muscle strength, weight bearing rate, and FES-K score more than the control group. Experimental group 1 showed significant improvement in cadence, gait speed, and step length after the intervention than control group. Conclusion : This study showed that exercise with gym-ball in standing position can be an effective intervention to improve balance and gait in stroke patients than the same exercise without gym-ball.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.5
• /
• pp.345-350
• /
• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the effects of ankle joint position during closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on knee extensor strength and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group (n=8) and ankle joint neutral group (n=8) during CKC exercise. All participants underwent conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes. In addition, the experimental group ($15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion group) and control group (ankle joint neutral group) participated in a 20-minute CKC exercise program. In both groups exercise was performed three times a week for four weeks. Outcomes including knee extensor strength and balance ability (Five times sit-to-stand test, Timed up and go test, and Balancia) were measured before and after exercise. Results: Significant differences in knee extensor strength and balance ability were observed between pre- and post-exercise in all groups (p<0.05). The improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that $15^{\circ}$ ankle joint plantar flexion during closed kinetic chain exercise is effective in improvement of knee extensor strength and dynamic balance in patients with chronic stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.63-68
• /
• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of unstable bridge exercise on the posture of female university students. Methods: The subjects of this study were 30 female university students who were equally and randomly allocated to a unstable bridge exercise group, an experimental group, and a stable bridge exercise group, a control group. Both did so for 30 minutes three times per week over a six-week period. Using BackMapper, their trunk inclination (TIN), trunk imbalance (TIM), pelvic position (PPO), pelvic torsion (PTO), pelvic rotation (PRO), and the position of their scapulae (PSA) were evaluated. Results: The unstable bridge exercise group obtained significant results in TIN, TIM, PPO, PTO and PSA, while the stable bridge exercise group obtained significant results in TIN, PPO. Conclusion: unstable bridge exercise may be applied as a method to correct the posture of average adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2017

PURPOSE: This study was to evaluate the muscle activity of gluteus medius, tensor fascia latae, and quadratus lumborum during side-lying abduction exercise in various pelvic tilting positions. METHODS: We measured the activity of three muscles in three pelvic tilt positions for 17 normal subjects with performing the side-lying hip abduction. Three pelvic tilt positions were posterior tilt, neutral tilt and anterior tilt. We used the mean value after participants performed the hip abduction three times each position. RESULTS: The activity of gluteus medius within three pelvic positions showed the highest activity in pelvic posterior tilt position and the lowest in pelvic neutral tilt position (p = .04). The activity of tensor fascia latae showed the lowest in pelvic posterior tilt position and the highest in pelvic posterior tilt position (p = .00). The activity of quadratus lumborum revealed the lowest activity in pelvic neutral tilt position and the highest in pelvic anterior tilt position (p = .00). The activity of selective gluteus medius activation according to pelvic displacement showed the highest activity in pelvic neutral tilt position and lowest in pelvic anterior tilt position (p = .00). CONCLUSION: Hip abduction with Pelvic posterior tilt position may be effective in increasing gluteus medius and may be effective in strengthening exercise program for the gluteus medius. In addition, Hip abduction with pelvic neutral position may have an effect on the selective gluteus medius, which is considered to be effective in the exercise program for muscle reeducation training of the gluteus medius.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.663-682
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify the superior exercise on the reduction of low back pain, between the Mckenzie exercise and the williams exercise. 24 chronic low back pain patients were randomly divided into 3 groups (Mckenzie exercise group = 8, williams exercise group = 8, control group = 8). Each group examined using the Borg scale in a reduction of low back pain, the EMG amplitude in a stationary sit-up position and in a stationary 1000 back extension position. The Results are as follow. 1. After the training period, the Mckenzie exercise group and the williams exercise group revealed reduction of low back pain, but the control group does not revealed it. 2. After the training period, there were no significant differences on the reduction of low back pain between the Mckenzie exercise group and the williams exercise group. 3. After the training period, no groups decreased on the abdominal muscle EMG amplitude. 4. After the training period, all groups revealed no significant differences on the abdominal muscle EMG amplitude. 5. After the training period, all groups decreased on the low back muscle EMG amplitude. 6. After the training period, all groups revealed no significant differences on the low back muscle EMG amplitude. Overall, the study suggested that the Mckenzie exercise and the williams exercise achieve the same effect on the reduction of low back pain, and the fact seems to be influenced by other factors without muscular adaptation.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2021

In this paper, we design and implement KITNESS, a windows application that feeds back the accuracy of fitness motions based on Kinect sensors. The feature of this application is to use Kinect's camera and joint recognition sensor to give feedback to the user to exercise in the correct fitness position. At this time, the distance between the user and the Kinect is measured using Kinect's IR Emitter and IR Depth Sensor, and the joint, which is the user's joint position, and the Skeleton data of each joint are measured. Using this data, a certain distance is calculated for each joint position and posture of the user, and the accuracy of the posture is determined. And it is implemented so that users can check their posture through Kinect's RGB camera. That is, if the user's posture is correct, the skeleton information is displayed as a green line, and if it is not correct, the inaccurate part is displayed as a red line to inform intuitively. Through this application, the user receives feedback on the accuracy of the exercise position, so he can exercise himself in the correct position. This application classifies the exercise area into three areas: neck, waist, and leg, and increases the recognition rate of Kinect by excluding positions that Kinect does not recognize due to overlapping joints in the position of each exercise area. And at the end of the application, the last exercise is shown as an image for 5 seconds to inspire a sense of accomplishment and to continuously exercise.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.142-150
• /
• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine EMG activities and VMO/VL ratio of the vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris during squat exercise (knee angle: 15, 45, and 60 degrees; tibial rotation: internal rotation, neutral, and external rotation). Methods: Twelve subjects performed squat exercise at each knee angle and tibial rotation while electromyographic (EMG) activity was collected. Statistical analysis consisted of two-way repeated measures analysis of variance with post hoc analysis. Results: There were significant main effects of knee angles and foot positions and interaction effect on EMG activities of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis. VMO/VL ratios were significantly different by tibial rotations and there was an interaction effect. A neutral position produced significantly more VMO/VL activity ratio than that from internally rotated position and externally rotated position at 60 degrees. Conclusion: Considering the interaction effects for EMG activity across quadriceps muscles tested, the 60 degrees knee angle with a neutral foot position may provide the most effective condition for patients with acute patellofemoral syndrome.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2022

Background: Bird dog exercise (BDE) is one of the lumbar stabilization exercises that rehabilitate low back pain by co-contraction of the local and global muscles. Previous studies have reported the effect of various type of BDEs (for example, practicing the exercises on various surfaces and changing the limb movement) for muscle co-contraction. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of knee joint flexion position of the raised lower limb on abdominal and back muscle activity during BDE in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Thirteen males participated in this study (age: 32.54 ± 4.48 years, height: 177.38 ± 7.17 cm). Surface electromyographic (SEMG) data of the internal abdominal oblique (IO), external abdominal oblique (EO), lumbar multifidus (MF), and thoracic part of the iliocostalis lumborum (ICLT) were collected in two knee joint flexion positions (90° flexion versus 0° flexion) during BDE. The SEMG data were expressed as a percentage of root mean square mean values obtained in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction. Results: Greater muscle activity of the IO (p = 0.001), MF (p = 0.009), and ICLT (p = 0.021) of the raised lower limb side and the EO (p = 0.001) and MF (p = 0.009) of the contralateral side were demonstrated in the knee joint flexion position compared to the knee joint extension position. Greater local/global activity ratios of the abdominal muscle (i.e., IO and EO) of the raised lower limb (p = 0.002) and the back muscle (i.e., MF and ICLT) of the contralateral side (p = 0.028) were also noted in the knee joint flexion position. Conclusion: BDE with a knee joint flexion position might be recommended as an alternative lumbar stabilization exercise to enhance muscle activity in both the raised lower limb and the contralateral sides of the trunk for individuals with CLBP.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.39-51
• /
• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of neck and shoulder self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media on neck pain, postural alignment, and joint position error in women with chronic neck pain. Methods: The subjects included 20 women that gave consent to participate in the study voluntarily. They performed the self-stretching exercises using audiovisual media was carried out 20 minutes 5 times a week during 3 weeks. Neck disability index (NDI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to measure the functional disability and pain, A pressure pain threshold was measured using an algometer, and a cervical range of motion (CROM) measurement tool was used to measure the range of motion and error of proprioceptive position sense of the cervical spine. To assess posture alignment, forward head angle (FHA), forward shoulder angle (FSA) were measured using image J software. Results: The neck pain intensity was statistically significantly within group (p<.05). Neck and shoulder functional disability were a statistically significant difference within group (p<.05). Splenius capitis and upper trapezius pressure pain threshold were statistically significant difference in within group (p<.05). The postural alignment was statistically significantly within group (p<.05). The cervical range of motion in neck extension, right and left lateral flexion were statistically significantly within group (p<.05). The joint position error in neck flexion, extension, right and left lateral flexion decreased statistically significantly within group (p<.05). Conclusion: Self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media increased the mobility of the neck, decreased neck pain and joint position error, and improved posture alignment. As a result, there was a positive effect by applying the self-stretching exercise using audiovisual media to people with neck pain. Based on this, it is thought that it can be used as the basis for research related to home training programs for healthy self-management.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 2023

Objective: This study is designed to investigate the effect of ankle joint position on hip extensor muscle activity when bridging exercise in sagittal plane. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: The subjects were recruited from 20 healthy adult men. The subjects performed three types of bridging exercises (normal bridging, ankle dorsiflexion bridging, ankle plantar flexion bridging) three times for five seconds with a rest of 15 seconds between measurements and two minutes of rest between each motion. The target muscles were the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, soleus, and tibialis anterior. A surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activity of these muscles. Results: The results show there was no statistically significant difference between the three types of exercise in the gluteus maximus muscle activity. However, the biceps femoris showed a significant difference between the three types of exercises (p<0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, when the three different bridging exercises were performed by adding ankle motion to normal bridging exercise, there was a significant difference in the muscle activity of the gluteus maximus relative to the biceps femoris muscle activity in the order of the ankle dorsiflexion bridging, normal bridging, and ankle plantar flexion bridging exercise. Therefore, this could be an effective option for a bridging exercise if applied to patients with a weak gluteal muscle and shortening of the hamstring muscle in further studies.