• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.244-250
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sprinter pattern bridging exercise using theraband on activation of lower extremity and abdominal muscle and to find out postures that can effectively improve abdominal and lower extremity muscle strength and increase abdominal stability. Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional study. The following research was done with applicants attending S university in Seoul to compare the difference in muscle activity between one-leg-Support bridging exercise and sprinter-pattern bridging exercise using theraband. For 48 study participants, we first measured their MVC. Then, we applied one-leg-support bridging exercise and sprinter-pattern bridging exercise at random order. These data were expressed as the percentage of maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC).Electromyography analysis was performed by measuring the external obliques, internal obliques, biceps femoris, and gluteus maximus. Results: There was a statistically significant increment of muscle activity in external and internal oblique muscle(p<0.001)by sprinter-pattern bridging exercise using theraband. On the lower body, statistically significant increment of muscle activity in biceps femoris and gluteus maximus was found(p<0.05). On the other hand, on erector spinae, there was statistically significant decrease in muscle activity(p<0.05). Conclusions: Efficient treatment is expected when sprinter-pattern bridging exercise using theraband is applied clinically.For patients with chronic knee and ankle pain who have difficulty bearing weight, including low back pain and internal rotation of the femur, starting with a low weight bearing, we think it will be helpful in planning systematic training aimed at progressively strengthening the lower extremities.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of the lower trunk stabilization exercise using neurodevelopmental technique (NDT) on muscle activity in lumbar region and balance in the patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fifteen participants were allocated in two groups: NDT group (n=8) or control group (n=7). NDT group performed NDT exercise program, while control group conducted walking exercise. Both interventions were given for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. To measure the muscle activity in rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO), electromyography (EMG) was used. And, Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg-Balance Scale (BBS) were performed to assess balance before and after intervention. Results: NDT group showed a significant improvement of muscle activity in RA and EO, while control group did not show significant changes in three muscles. Also, there was a significant difference in muscle activity of RA and EO between two groups. In BBS and TUG test, participants in two groups showed significant improvements after intervention. Especially, significant difference was observed in TUG test between two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NDT exercise is an effective intervention to improve the muscle activity in trunk region and to increase balance in patients with stroke. Thus, we suggested that NDT exercise program would be a treatment intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.10-20
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• 2017

Background: Patients with chronic stroke often shows decreased trunk muscle activity and trunk performance. To resolve these problems, many trunk stabilizing techniques including the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and the diaphragmatic breathing maneuver (DBM) are used to improve trunk muscle strength. Objects: To compare the effects of the ADIM and the DBM on abdominal muscle thickness, trunk control, and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to the ADIM ($n_1=10$) and DBM ($n_2=9$) groups. The ADIM and DBM techniques were performed three times per week for 4 weeks. The thicknesses of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique muscle, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides, Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score were used to assess changes in motor development after 4 weeks of training. Results: After the training periods, the TrA thickness on the paretic side, TIS score, and BBS score improved significantly in both groups compared to baseline (p<.05). TIS score was significantly greater in the DBM group than in the ADIM group (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ADIM and DBM are beneficial for improving TrA muscle thickness in the paretic side, trunk control, and balance ability. Intergroup comparison revealed that TIS score was significantly improved in the DBM group versus the ADIM group. Thus, DBM may be an effective treatment for low trunk muscle activity and performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Purpose : The aim of this study is to determine changes to the thickness of core muscles, e.g., transversus abdominis (TrA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO), after plank and Kegel exercises and to compare the effects of the two exercise methods. Method : The study divided men and women in their 20s into two groups, Kegel and plank, by randomly allocating 30 males and 30 females to the targeted groups. To achieve the purpose of this study, we examined the thickness of core muscles after the participants performed plank or Kegel exercises. Results : 1. In the Kegel group, abdominal muscle thickness increased with time, and there was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the TrA. 2. In the plank group, abdominal muscle thickness increased with time, and there was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the TrA. 3. After the experiment, muscle thickness of the abdominal muscles in the plank exercise group were higher, but there was no significant difference between the Kegel exercise group and the plank exercise group. Conclusion : Both plank and Kegel exercises are recommended for core muscle stabilization, and based on the results of this study, Kegel exercise is either used as a core stabilizing exercise or as a plank exercise for the weaker patients or women.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.32-39
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• 2013

Abdominal curl-up exercise may excessively increased superficial neck flexor such as sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle. Also, the muscle activity of the abdominal muscles haven't investigated during abdominal curl-up with craniocervical flexion (CCF). Therefore, the purpose of our study was to determine the effect of CCF on the muscle activity of the abdominal and SCM muscles during abdominal curl-up. Twelve healthy subjects (six men and six women) with no history of abdominal or lower back pain within 6 weeks were recruited. Surface electromyographic signals were collected on SCM, rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles bilaterally during performing the traditional abdominal curl-up and the abdominal curl-up with CCF. Paired t-tests were used to compare the differences in the muscle activity of the bilateral SCM, RA, EO, and IO muscles between the traditional abdominal curl-up and the abdominal curl-up with CCF (p<.05). There was significantly lower electromyogram (EMG) activity of the both SCMs during the abdominal curl-up with CCF (Right SCM, $39.50{\pm}15.29%MVIC$; Left SCM, $38.24{\pm}17.31%MVIC$) than with the traditional abdominal curl-up (Right SCM, $54.85{\pm}20.05%MVIC$; Left SCM, $53.18{\pm}26.72%MVIC$) (p<.05). The activity of abdominal muscles were not significantly different between the traditional abdominal curl-up and the abdominal curl-up with CCF. The abdominal curl-up with CCF requires significantly less muscle activity of SCM. Consequently, the abdominal curl-up with CCF is recommended to prevent excessive activation of superficial cervical flexors during abdominal curl-up exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare ultrasound images of trunk muscles according to gender in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty six subjects(13 males and 13 females) were enrolled in this study. The thickness of trunk muscles was measured for transverse abdominis (TrA), external oblique abdominis (EOA), internal oblique abdominis (IOA), and multifidus (MF) using ultrasound. The thickness of the muscles was measured for the length of cross-section except for fascia. The muscle thickness wasmeasured at the both side, then the mean value was calculated. Also, each of trunk muscle wasanalysed by echodensity, white area index. RESULTS: As a results, there was significant difference in muscle thickness of EOA, IOA according to gender (p<0.05). The male was significant increase than female of EOA, IOA in muscle thickness. There was significant difference in echo intensity of TrA, MF according to gender(p<0.05). The female was significant increase than male of TrA, MF in echo intensity. There was significant difference in white area index of EOA according to gender(p<0.05). The female was significant increase than male of EOA in white area index. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that healthy male have a greater EOA, IOA trunk muscle thickness than female. However, the difference of muscle quality between male and female was showed through thisexperiment. Therefore, the ultrasonography images will be useful tool for seeing quantitative and qualitative difference of trunk muscles according to gender.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-49
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the effects of the lumbar stabilization exercise and strength exercise on pain, ROM, strength, muscle thickness of low back pain(LBP) patients. Method : The subjects were consisted of twelve patients who had nonspecific LBP. All subjects randomly assigned to lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=6) and strength exercise group(N=6). We measured muscular strength, ROM by using Tergumed-extension, rotation and muscle thickness by using ultrasonography and pain score by using Visual analog scale(VAS). The lumbar stabilization exercise group received TOGU exercise, strength exercise group received Tergumed exercise. The data analyzed by repeated measure of Independent t-test, paired t-test, reliability test. Result : The results were as follows. The result which measured of the change of pain score was a significant decrease. The result which measured of the change of ROM and strength was a significant increase. The result which measured of the change of the Internal abdominal oblique, External abdominal oblique on muscle thickness was a significant increase. Stabilization exercise group and Strength exercise group showed the significant difference in muscle thickness on Transversus abdominis, Multifidus. Stabilization exercise group was more increased in muscle thickness. Conclusion : Therefore, we suggest that stabilization exercise is effective for non-specific low back pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.293-302
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plank exercises involving the contraction of the adductor muscle of the hip joint on core muscle thickness and to propose an effective plank exercise method. Methods: A total of 30 healthy young adults (17 males, 13 females) voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects were randomized to the prone plank exercise with hip adductor contraction (n=10), the prone plank exercise (n=10), and the supine plank exercise (n=10) groups. Muscle thickness measurements were taken prior to starting the exercise program and after completing the program at the end of a 4-week period. The muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) muscles were measured using ultrasonography. Each group performed the stipulated plank exercise five times a week as follows: 5 sets of 20 seconds during the first week, 5 sets of 30 seconds in the second week, 5 sets of 40 seconds in the third week, and 5 sets of 40 seconds in the last week. Results: The three different types of plank exercises all showed significantly increased thickness of the RA, MF, EO, IO, and TrA (P<0.05). Furthermore, changes in the thickness of both the MF and TrA were statistically more significant in the groups that did the prone plank exercise with the hip adductor contraction and the supine plank exercise than in the prone plank exercise group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study results suggest that the prone plank exercise with hip adductor contraction is a more effective method for overall activation of the RA, MF, EO, IO, and TrA than the prone plank exercise and the supine plank exercise.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.415-424
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to compare changes in abdominal muscle thickness in different standing postures with a handheld load between subjects with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP). Methods: Twenty subjects with CLBP and 20 controls participated in this study. Ultrasound imaging was used to assess the changes in the thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) muscles. Muscle thickness in three different standing postures (standing at rest, standing with loads, standing with lifting loads) was compared with the muscle thickness at rest in the supine position and was expressed as a percentage of change in the thickness of the muscle. Results: While standing with loads, the change in IO muscle thickness in the CLBP patients increased more significantly than in the pain-free controls (p < 0.05). The standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant increase in the change in thickness of the TrA compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). In addition, the standing with lifting loads posture showed a significant decrease in the change in the thickness of the EO when compared with the standing with loads posture (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The automatic activity of the IO muscle in subjects with CLBP increased more than that of the pain-free controls in the standing with loads posture. These findings suggest that IO muscle function may be altered in those with CLBP while standing with loads. Additionally, TrA the activation level was found to be associated with increased postural demand caused by an elevated center of mass.

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