• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.809-814
• /
• 2015

This study was conducted to identify how a flexi-bar exercise influences body alignment and balance in adults who have asymmetry in their right or left body. In total, 20 participants were separated into the experimental group and the comparison group. Those in the experimental group participated in a flexi-bar exercise for 6 weeks and based on the coronal plane before and after exercise, their body alignment and balance were measured behind the body. The result was those who had participated in a flexi-bar exercise significantly improved their angle of acromion on both sides, the difference in the angle and height of the posterior superior iliac spine on both sides(p<.05), and the balance of the center sagittal plane(p<.05). Through this study, it could be said that participating in a flexi-bar exercise would improve postural alignment and balance of the shoulder and pelvis in adults with asymmetric posture.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2024

Background: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of Flexi-bar exercise on plantar pressure and Center of Pressure in a standing position. Design: Single group pre-post test design Methods: Thirty healthy adult participants aged 20 to 35 years old and no recent musculoskeletal injuries were included in this single-group pre-post design study. Plantar pressure and COP data were collected using the WinTrack system before and after Flexi-bar exercise. Participants performed Flexi-bar exercises in both anterior-posterior and lateral directions for 30 seconds each. Results: The results revealed significant changes in plantar pressure and COP after Flexi-bar exercise. The support area of the left foot significantly increased (p<0.05), and a significant decrease in mean pressure was observed in the right foot (p<0.05). The total COP path length and area significantly decreased (p<0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in COP velocity along the X and Y axes (p<0.05). These findings suggest that Flexi-bar exercise can enhance plantar pressure distribution and COP movement patterns, contributing to improved balance ability. Conclusion: Flexi-bar exercise, performed in a standing position, has the potential to improve plantar pressure and COP characteristics. This exercise may serve as a valuable tool for enhancing balance ability. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and sustainability of these improvements.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.1975-1980
• /
• 2020

Background: It has been argued that changes in muscle activity in the upper trapezius and serratus anterior may or may not cause shoulder joint pain and dysfunction. Objective: To investigate the effects of active vibration exercise on muscle activity regarding scapular stabilization using a flexi-bar. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: A total of 24 subjects were randomly assigned to a flexi-bar group with active vibration and general stick group with non-active vibration. Both groups performed the same four action programs for 6 weeks, three times a week for 30 minutes at a time. The upper trapezius muscle, middle trapezius muscle, lower trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle of the dominant side was measured by electromyography before and after the 6 weeks of exercise. The independent t-test and paired t-test were used to analyze data. Results: There was a significant difference between groups in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity after exercise (P<.05). Also, there was a significant difference in upper trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle activity before and after exercise in the flexi-bar group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that active vibration exercise using a flexi-Bar contribute to reduce the activity of the upper trapezius muscle and promote the activity of the serratus anterior muscle.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.45-54
• /
• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexi-bar exercise on shoulder pain, dysfunction, quality of life, and range of motion of women with breast cancer surgery. Methods: A total of 42 female patients who had breast cancer were included in this study. By drawing lots, subjects were divided into a flexi-bar exercise group (FBG, n=21) and a general breast cancer group (GBG, n=18). The effects of flexi-bar exercise on patients were evaluated in terms of the visual analogue scale (VAS), the shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI), the European organization for the research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), the breast cancer specific EORTC quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-BR23), and range of motion (ROM), all of which were measured pre- and post- intervention followed by evaluation. Results: A significant increase was pain, functional disability level, quality of life, ROM within the two groups (p<.01). There were pain, functional disability level, quality of life, ROM post test then invention were significant between the two groups(p<.01). Conclusion: The flexi-bar exercise has a positive treatment effect on breast cancer patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.58-65
• /
• 2017

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have impaired postural control, but critically require the control of stability. Consequently, therapeutic interventions for enhancing postural control in children with CP have undergone extensive research. One intervention is sensorimotor training (SMT) using a Flexi-bar, but this has not previously been studied with respect to targeting trunk control in children with CP. Objects: This study was conducted to determine the effect of SMT using a Flexi-bar on postural balance and gait performance in children with CP. Methods: Three children with ambulatory spastic diplegia (SD) participated in the SMT program by using a Flexi-bar for forty minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks. Outcome variables included the pediatric balance scale (PBS), trunk control movement scale (TCMS), 10 meter walking test (10MWT), and 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. Results: The SMT provided no statistically significant improvement in PBS, TCMS, 10MWT, or 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. However, positive changes were observed in individual outcomes, as balance and trunk control movement were improved. Conclusion: SMT using a Flexi-bar may be considered by clinicians as a potential intervention for increasing postural balance and performance in children with SD. Future studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of Flexi-bar exercise in improving the functional activity of subjects with SD.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.6543-6550
• /
• 2015

This study aimed to analyze the effect of flexi-bar exercise on in body composition and trunk muscle strength of female college students who are either overweight or obesity. The subjects were female college students divided into experimental group(N=15) and control group(N=15). The experimental group performed a flexi-bar exercise for of 30 minute sessions three days per week for five weeks, and the differences in body composition and trunk muscle strength before and after the experiment and between experimental group and control group were analyzed. The study results showed that the experimental group had a statistically significant improvement in the body fat mass and body fat percentage, body muscle mass, both arm muscle mass, trunk muscle mass, basal metabolic rate(p<.05). Changes in trunk muscle strength showed that the experimental group had statistically significant increased in changes in trunk muscle strength(p<.01). The study verified that flexi-bar exercise can be effective for improving the body composition and trunk muscle strength of overweight and obesity female college students.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.781-787
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study is to verify a correlation between flexi-bar exercise and improvement of trunk strength and body composition in juvenile soccer players. The subjects were 11 teenager juvenile soccer players who conducted flexi-bar exercise half an hour daily three times a week for eight weeks. They were tested for trunk muscles strength, body composition and correlation. The result showed that trunk muscles strength improved significantly(p<.01) and weight, Rt. arm muscle mass, Rt. leg muscle mass, and Lt. leg muscle mass(p<.05), Lt. arm muscle mass, trunk muscle mass, and body muscle mass(p<.01) improved significantly as well while Lt. arm fat mass, Rt. leg fat mass, and Lt. leg fat mass decreased significantly(p<.05). In the correlation analysis, the more trunk muscle mass and trunk muscles strength increased, the more muscle mass of body regions increased, which was a positive correlation whereas fat mass of body regions decreased, which was a negative correlation. It was verified that there was a correlation between flexi-bar exercise and improvement of trunk muscles strength and body composition for juvenile soccer players.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.8
• /
• pp.5296-5303
• /
• 2015

This study aimed to analyze the effect of flexi-bar exercise on changes in postural alignment and balance of juvenile soccer players. The subjects were juveniles soccer players divided into exercise and control groups of 10 players each. The exercise group performed a flexi-bar exercise for 30 minutes a day three times weekly for eight weeks, and the differences in postural alignment and balance before and after the experiment and between study groups were analyzed. The measurements before the subjects exercised revealed overall asymmetric postural alignments and balance toward the right and rear sides. The study results showed that the exercise group had a statistically significant improvement in the height and angle of both shoulder, scapula, pelvis and hands(p<.05) after performing the exercise. Changes in balance showed that the exercise group had statistically significant reduction in changes in curve length(p<.05). The study verified that flexi-bar exercise can be effective for improving the postural alignment and balance of juvenile soccer players.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.256-265
• /
• 2021

Background: Individuals with scapular winging may have proprioceptive dysfunction which is important for motor control and causes shoulder instability. Reduced serratus anterior (SA) and lower trapezius (LT) muscle activity accompanied by over-active upper trapezius (UT), and pectoralis major (PM) may be contributing factors. Flexi-bar (FB) exercise may be used to increase joint position sense (JPS) and alter the target muscle activities. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of flexi-bar exercise prior to knee push-up plus (FPK) versus knee push-up plus (KPP) on JPS and muscle activity of SA, LT, UT, and PM in subjects with scapular winging. Methods: Eighteen subjects with scapular winging were recruited. JPS was investigated at baseline, after KPP and after FPK. Passive and active JPS errors were calculated by isokinetic equipment. Surface electromyography was used to record muscle activities during KPP and FPK. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance and post hoc analyses were used to analyze the JPS error measured at baseline, after KPP and after FPK. Paired t-tests were used to compare muscle activities between KPP and FPK. Results: Passive JPS error was significantly decreased after KPP (p = 0.005) and after FPK (p = 0.003) compared to the baseline. Active JPS error was also significantly decreased after KPP (p = 0.016) and after FPK (p = 0.012) compared to the baseline. There was no significant difference in the passive and active JPS errors between KPP and FPK. SA activity during FPK was significantly increased (p = 0.024), and LT activity during FPK was significantly increased (p = 0.006). There were no significant differences in the UT and PM activity. Conclusion: FB might be recommended to immediately improve passive and active JPS and to selectively increase SA and LT muscle activities during KPP in individuals with scapular winging.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effect of active vibration exercise on trunk muscle activity, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Twenty-four patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to an experimental (n=12) or a control (n=12) group. The experimental group performed an active vibration exercise workout for 20 minutes a day five times a week for 4 weeks using a flexi-bar. Trunk muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Balance was measured using the Berg balance scale. Activities of daily living were measured using the functional independence measure. Results: The intragroup comparison showed significant differences in the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscle activity values, Berg balance scale score, and functional independence measurement values in the experimental group. The intergroup comparison showed that differences in the rectus abdominis and internal oblique external oblique muscle values, Berg balance scale score, and functional independence measurement value for the experimental group were significantly related to those in the control group. Conclusion: Based on these results, this study proved that the active vibration exercise effectively improved trunk muscle activity, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with chronic stroke.