• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation on the flexibility of hip extension and gait capacity in subjects with limited hip extension flexibility. Methods: Twenty-six subjects with limited hip extension flexibility were divided into two groups: a hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group (n = 13) and a hip flexor stretching without pelvic fixation group (n = 13). The subjects were assessed based on flexibility of hip extension, stride, and gait velocity after applying hip flexor stretching. Results: The hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group showed significantly improved flexibility of hip extension, stride, and gait velocity compared with hip flexor stretching without pelvic fixation group (p <0.05). The flexibility of hip extension was significantly improved after application of hip flexor stretching in both groups; however, stride and gait velocity were significantly improved only in the hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group. Conclusion: Hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation is an effective intervention for improving the flexibility of hip extension and gait capacity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.335-340
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the influence of the condition with and without external support on the strength of hip flexor in supine position in subjects without core stabilization. Hip flexor muscles are very functional in the hip joint structures. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the strength of hip flexor in a clinical and precise way. Methods: Twenty subjects participated in this study. The double bent leg-lower test was used to evaluate subjects without core stabilization. The strength of hip flexor muscles was evaluated in supine position, both with and without external support condition. The paired t-test was used to compare the strength of hip flexor muscles according to external support. The level of statistical significance was at α=0.05. The intra-rater reliability of the repeated measures of hip flexor strength was estimated by calculating the intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: In subjects without core stabilization, the strength of hip flexor in supine was greater with external support than that without external support (p<0.05). In addition, the intra-rater reliability with an ICC (3, 1) of the strength measurement of hip flexor with external support was higher than that without external support. Conclusion: In subjects without core stabilization, the condition with external support can contribute to the strength of hip flexor in supine position and the strength measurement of hip flexor should be considered with the condition with and without external support.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2021

Background: Hip flexor muscles are very important in the hip joint structure as a mover and stabilizer. In addition, isometric hip flexor strength in the supine position needs to be considered with isometric core strength (WICS) to measure a precise strength in a clinical way. Objects: We compared isometric hip flexor strength in the supine position in subjects with and without WICS (between factors) and conditions with and without an external support (within factors). Methods: A total of 34 subjects (16 with WICS, 18 without WICS) participated in this study. We used the double-bent leg-lowering test to divide the subjects in two groups according to the presence of WICS. Isometric hip flexor strength was evaluated in the supine position both with and without an external support condition. The two-way mixed analysis of variance was applied to identify significant differences between groups (with vs. without WICS: between factors) and conditions (with vs. without an external support: within factors). Statistical significance was set at α = 0.05. Results: In subjects with WICS, isometric hip flexor strength was greater with an external support than without it (p = 0.0064). In subjects without WICS, there were no significant differences in isometric hip flexor strength in the presence or absence of an external support (p = 0.075). The isometric hip flexor strength was significantly greater with an external support condition in particular in subjects with WICS. Conclusion: The findings of this study reported that an external support condition in individuals with WICS may contribute to the improvement of isometric hip flexion strength in the supine position. Therefore, isometric core strength should be evaluated to distinguish the weakness between core region and hip flexors.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.117-123
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, subjects with femoral anterior glide type were examined to investigate the effects of femoral head anterior glide fixation during active straight leg raise on the strength of the hip flexor in a supine position. Methods: Fifteen subjects participated in this study. All subjects were classified through an evaluation form for femoral anterior glide type (FAGT). The strength of the hip flexor was measured during active straight leg raise test (ASLR test), and compared with and without femoral anterior glide fixation in a supine position. The fixation of the femoral head was achieved as per the therapist's manual guidelines. Paired t-test was applied to compare changes in the strength of the hip flexor according to fixation conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at α=0.05. Results: The strength of the hip flexor was lesser during the ASLR test with fixation compared to without fixation (p=0.007). Conclusion: The strength of the hip flexor decreases with fixation. Results of this study revealed a difference between hip flexor strength, with and without femoral anterior glide fixation during ASLR, in subjects with femoral anterior glide type.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.35-42
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• 2008

Background : To assess the effect of a pelvic compression belt on the strength of hip flexor in healthy young individuals. Study design: Pre- and post-treatment measurement design on one factor was used. Methods : 30 healthy volunteers (male: 15, female: 15) participated in this study. Dynamometer was used to measure the strength of hip flexor, and measurements were performed before and after the application of the pelvic compression belt at neutral position of hip joint and at 30 cm raised position from floor with straight leg in supine. Results : After the application of the pelvic compression belt, the strengths of hip flexor measured at both positions were significantly increased when compared with before the application (p<.05). However, at neutral position of hip joint and at 30cm raised position from floor, there were significantly different in the changing patterns in the strengths of hip flexor between men and women (p>.05). Conclusion : The findings suggest that the pelvic compression belt is helpful in strengthening hip muscles. With easy application, it is sufficiently feasible for clinical use.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.10-17
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine the consequence of resistance strengthening exercise on the hip flexor and extensor performed to improve functional mobility in stroke patients more than six months post stroke. Seventeen patients were randomized into two groups. Both groups received conventional physical therapy for six weeks. In addition, the experimental group performed eccentric resistance strengthening exercise in the hip flexor and extensor using an isokinetic dynamometer. The hip flexor and extensor strength, stair up and down mobility, timed get up and go (TUG), 10 m gait velocity, and functional reach were repeatedly measured at baseline, three weeks, and six weeks after treatment. The results were as follows: 1. The experimental group improved more remarkably in the hip flexor and extensor strength, stair up and down mobility, and the 10 m gait velocity after three weeks and six weeks of treatment (p<.05), 2. The control group improved significantly in the hip flexor and extensor strength, and 10 m gait velocity after three weeks of treatment (p<.05), 3. At each three and six week point, the experimental group made greater gains in hip flexor and extensor strength, stair up and down mobility, and 10 m gait velocity than the control group (p<.05). In conclusion, it is desirable to perform resistance strengthening exercises combined with conventional physical therapy to improve functional mobility in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate examine how the kinematics and kinetics of lower limb joints were changed depending on the unstable shoes (US) during sit-to-stand task (SitTS). Methods: Nineteen healthy females were participated in this study. The subjects performed sit-to-stand task with US and barefoot. The experiment was repeated three times for each tasks with conditions. The kinematics and kinetics of lower limb joint were measured and analyzed using a 3-D motion analysis system. A paired t-test was utilised performed for to identificationy of changes in mean of angle, force, and moment between both the two conditions. Results: The results of this study showed kinematic differences in lower limb joints during SitTS based on the US. The hip, knee, and ankle angle showed statistically significant differences during SitTS. At the initial of SitTS, Tthe force and moment of the hip flexor, hip extensor, knee flexor, knee extensor, ankle flexor, and ankle extensor showed statistically significant differences. At the terminal of SitTS, Tthe force and moment of the hip flexor, hip extensor, knee flexor, knee extensor, ankle flexor, and ankle extensor showed statistically significant differences. At the maximum of SitTS, Tthe moment of the hip extensor showed statistically significant differences. The force and moment of the ankle flexor, extensor moment showed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Therefore, Wwearing US is considered to influence on the lower limb joints kinematics and kinetics during SitTS movements, and thus suggests the possibility that of reducing the risks of pain, and osteoarthritis caused by changes in the loading of lower limb joints.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2023

Background: Various functional tests such as upper quarter Y-balance test (UQYBT) are used to evaluate shoulder stability and mobility in clinical or sports fields. Previous studies have been conducted to determine the correlation between the scapular or trunk muscle and UQYBT. However, the correlation between UQYBT and hip flexor, which can be considered as a core muscle, has not been confirmed. Objects: To verify the relationship between the UQYBT and scapular muscle (scapular protractor and lower trapezius [LT]), trunk muscle, and hip flexor strengths in healthy male participants. Methods: A total of 37 healthy male participants were recruited and underwent UQYBT in the push-up posture. The isometric strength of the scapular protractor, LT, trunk flexor and extensor, and hip flexors were measured using a smart KEMA strength sensor (KOREATECH Inc.). Results: The superolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related to trunk extensor (r = 0.443, p < 0.01), scapular protractor (r = 0.412, p < 0.05), LT (r = 0.436, p < 0.01), and both sides of the hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.669, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.641, p < 0.01). The inferolateral direction of the UQYBT was moderately related to the scapular protractor (r = 0.429, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.511, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.481, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.521, p < 0.01). The medial direction of the UQYBT was moderately to strongly related with the scapular protractor (r = 0.522, p < 0.01), LT (r = 0.541, p < 0.01), and both sides of hip flexors (supporting-side: r = 0.605, p < 0.01; non-supporting-side: r = 0.561, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study showed that the strength of the scapular muscles, trunk muscles, and hip flexor muscles correlated to the UQYBT. Therefore, the strength of not only the scapular and trunk muscles but also the hip flexor muscles should be considered to improve the UQYBT.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.275-283
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect pf flexibility of hip flexor muscles on a conventional deadlift movement. Method: Eighteen healthy male were participated in this study and were divided into normal group (NG: age: 24.0±1.8 yrs, height: 174.5±2.37 cm, body mass: 74.4±5.5 kg, 1RM: 138.0±23.8 kg) and restricted group (RG: age: 24.6±1.7 yrs, height: 171.5±5.3 cm, body mass: 74.0±5.7 kg, 1RM: 137.5±18.3 kg) by Thomas test, which measure flexibility of hip flexor muscles. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 8 infrared cameras and 3 channels of EMG was performed in this study. A two-way ANOVA (group x load) with repeated measure was used for statistical verification. The significant level was set at α=.05. Results: RG revealed significantly increased muscle activation in erector spinae on 70% and 90% of 1RM and decreased muscle activation in gluteus maximus on 90% of 1RM compared to NG (p<.05). For the muscle activation ratio for agonist to synergist, erector spinae showed the difference in 90% of 1RM while hamstring was observed differences in all loads (p<.05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that hip flexibility affects conventional deadlift movement. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the flexibility of the hip flexor muscles before performing the movement and, as needed, to train to address the lack of flexibility.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.477-485
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• 2010

Purpose : The clinical scale to assess spasticity of muscle was wildly used the modified Ashworth scale (MAS). But reliability of the MAS has been controverted for ambiguity among the grades. The purpose of this study was to establish the inter-rater reliability of the modified MAS (MMAS) translated into Korean in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-five patients (sixteen men and nine women) with hemiplegia (ten right and fifteen left) were measured by two raters who were physical therapist in the rehabilitation hospital. The raters assessed spasticity of shoulder adductor, elbow flexor, wrist flexor, hip adductor, knee extensor, and ankle plantar flexor in the same patients according to ratings criteria of the MAS and the MMAS. Results : For the inter-rater reliability of the MAS, two raters agreed on 57.3% and the Kappa values were moderate ($\kappa$=0.41) between two rater. The inter-rater reliability of the MAS was fair for the wrist flexor and the hip adductor and moderate for the other muscles. The intra-rater reliability was good for the shoulder adductor and the knee extensor and moderate for the other muscles. For the inter-rater reliability of the MMAS, two raters agreed on 84.7% and the Kappa values were good ($\kappa$=0.78) between two rater. The inter-rater reliability of the MMAS was moderate for the hip adductor, and good for the shoulder adductor and the wrist flexor, and very good for the other muscles. The intra-rater reliability was good for the wrist flexor and the hip adductor and very good for the other muscles. Conclusion : This study suggests that the MMAS translated into Korean is reliable test scale for the spasticity with stroke patients in the clinical field.