• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2018

Background: The continuous co-contraction of the trunk muscles through trunk stabilization exercises is important to patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, intentional abdominal muscle contraction (IAMC) for trunk stabilization has been used only for specific training in the treatment room. Objects: The purpose of this study was to provide feedback to adults with LSS to enable IAMC during activities of daily living (ADLs). Methods: The participants with spinal stenosis were divided into an experimental group of 15 adults and a control group of 16 adults. Electromyographic signals were measured while the subjects kept their both hands held up at $90^{\circ}$. The measured muscles were the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and erector spinae (ES). Pelvic tilt was measured using a digital pelvic inclinometer. The degree of pain was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and functional capacity was measured using the Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (KODI). Results: While the experimental group showed statistically significantly higher activities in the RA, EO, and IO after the intervention compared with the control group. Pelvic tilt was significantly decreased only in the experimental group. Both the experimental and control groups exhibited statistically significant declines in the VAS and KODI (p<.01). In terms of the levels of changes, the experimental group exhibited a statistically significant larger decline only in the VAS and the pelvic tilt when compared with the control group (p<.05). Conclusions: The subjects could stabilize their trunks, and relieve their pain and dysfunctions and reduce pelvic tilt by learning abdominal muscle contraction during ADLs. The combination of therapeutic exercises and IAMC may have greater effects on patients with LSS.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of different chair type (with backrest chair and without backrest chair) and pelvic position (anterior pelvic tilting and posterior pelvic tilting) on three abdominal muscles (upper rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique) and back extensor activation during lower extremity exercise. The four different conditions during bilateral knee extension exercise were: (1) leaning on backrest chair with anterior pelvic tilting, (2) leaning on backrest chair with posterior pelvic tilting, (3) anterior pelvic tilting without backrest chair, and (4) posterior pelvic tilting without backrest chair. Fifteen healthy male subjects with no history of neuromusculoskeletal disease voluntarily participated in this study. Electromyography (EMG) was used to collect muscle activation data, and muscle activation data was expressed as a percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC). One-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the statistical significance, and Bonferroni comparison was used as a post hoc test. The results of this study were the following: (1) Erector spinae activation was significantly lower in posterior pelvic tilting without backrest compared with that in leaning on backrest chair with anterior pelvic tilting. (2) Upper rectus abdominis activation was significantly lower than erector spinae in all four different chair type and pelvic tilting conditions.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2017

Objective: There are many types of exercises with upper and lower-limb action for activation of abdominal muscles for trunk stabilization. A comparison of the different exercise methods been very useful to enhance the result from the exercise for treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate through surface electromyography (EMG) the changes in abdominal muscle activity during the performance of three different dead-bug exercise methods performed at three different speeds. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The subjects were 30 healthy adults (13 males and 17 females). We instructed the subjects to perform three different dead-bug exercises. We also applied three different speeds to the dead-bug exercises; 60 bpm, 90 bpm, and 120 bpm with use of a metronome. The assessment of EMG was percentage of maximal voluntary isometric contraction on the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO). Results: EMG activation of the RA, EO and IO muscles was significantly greater at the higher speed (p<0.05). There was a significant increase in abdominal muscle activity during the dead-bug exercise performed with both the upper and lower extremities compared to that with only the upper extremity or the lower extremities (p<0.05). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that the performance of the dead-bug exercise with both the upper and lower extremities combined at a high speed is more effective compared to other exercises. Therefore, it is suggested that more favourable and effective outcomes may occur when the type and speed of the exercise is chosen appropriately.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.103-109
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.454-464
• /
• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of conscious abdominal contraction during push-up plus exercise, abdominal contraction through verbal encouragement. Design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: Muscle activity was measured by dividing push-up plus exercise into 4 conditions in 23 healthy adult men and women. The four conditions were push-up plus exercise without abdominal contraction, push-up plus exercise with conscious abdominal contraction, push-up plus exercise with abdominal contraction with verbal encouragement, and consciously relax the abdomen during push-up plus exercise combined with abdominal contraction techniques for 30 seconds. Results: When performing the basic movement of the push-up plus exercise without abdominal contraction, significantly higher muscle activity was shown in the serratus anterior muscle than when both conscious abdominal contraction and abdominal contraction through verbal encouragement were performed (p<0.05), and the external and internal oblique muscles showed the highest muscle activity during abdominal contraction through verbal encouragement (p<0.05). When the abdomen was consciously relaxed during the push-up plus exercise combined with the abdominal contraction technique for 30 seconds, the muscle activity of the serratus anterior muscle was significantly higher than when the abdominal contraction technique was combined (p<0.05). Conclusions: Through this study, it was confirmed that the contraction of the abdominal muscles was not involved in the increase in the muscle activity of the serratus anterior muscle, but rather increased when the abdomen was relaxed. Based on these results, it will be possible to suggest an appropriate exercise method when applying the push-up plus exercise in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.755-761
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of balance board and whole-body vibration stimulator application on body muscle activities during static squat motion. Twenty adult males(age, 21.90±0.36 years; height, 174.30±1.09 cm; body mass, 66.50±1.00 kg; and BMI, 21.90±0.31 kg/㎡) were participated in this study as subjects. Three types' static squat motions were performed(basic static squat motion, BSSM; static squat motion with balance board, SSBB; static squat motion with whole-body vibration stimulator, SSVS). We measured the right side's body muscle activities of the rectus abdominis(RA), internal oblique(IO), external oblique(EO), rectus femoris(RF), vastus lateralis(VL), and vastus medialis(VM). The research findings were as follows. There was a significant higher RA, IO, and EO muscle activity of SSBB and SSVS(p=.001, p=.004, p=.000). And RF, VL, and VM muscle activities were greatest during SSVS(p=.000). These findings are expected to serve as references for static squat motion applications in training programs for body muscle strengthening.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.16-25
• /
• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the muscle activity of the abdominalis and erector spinae during bridging and unilateral bridging exercises on the firm surface, the sir-fit, and the foam roll. Eighteen healthy young subjects were recruited for this study. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded from the both sides of the rectus abdominalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and erector spinae muscles during bridging and unilateral bridging-exercises. A one-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the EMG activity of each muscle according to the support surface condition. Differences in the EMG activities between the bridging and unilateral bridging exercises, and between the right and left side were assessed using a paired t-test. The study showed that the EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher when the bridging exercise was performed using the foam roll or sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of the right rectus abdominis, right external obliques, the right internal oblique, and both erector spinae were significantly higher during unilateral bridging ex exercise using the foam roll or the sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher during the unilateral bridging exercise than during the bridging exercise. Based on these finding, performing the unilateral bridging exercise using the sit-fit or the foam roll is a useful method for facilitating trunk muscle strength and lumbar stability.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.523-531
• /
• 2013

Most patients with chronic low back pain experience functional disability of trunk muscle, and limitations in physical activity. While there are many types of exercise programs available, in recent years sling exercise has been emerging as the exercise program for spinal stabilization. It has been supported by a great amount of research with positive findings on its effectiveness. This research studies the effects of bridging exercise, conducted on a sling, on pain level and trunk muscle activation in supine, sidelying, and prone positions during a 4 weeks period. 10 healthy people(normal group, n=10) and 28 patients with low back pain participated in this study. 28 patients were divided into two groups; one group participated in exercise with the sling(experimental group, n=14) and the other group exercised without the sling(control group, n=14). They were asked to use the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) to answer to the level of their pain they felt (no pain: 0 point, severe pain: 10 points). During sling bridging exercises, the muscle activity level in each muscle measured in each position was standardized as three seconds of EMG signals during five seconds MVIC. In conclusion, the experimental group with four weeks of sling bridging exercise experienced a statistically significant reduction in the pain level(p<.05) and increase in the muscle activities of erector spinae when in supine position, internal oblique when in sidelying position, and rectus abdominis in prone position(p<.05). Regular sling bridging exercise reduces the low back pain and enhances other trunk muscle activation, thereby positively affect spinal stabilization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.119-124
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate activation of accessory respiratory muscles using electromyography during chest expansion upper extremity flexion, abduction, and external rotation exercises with an elastic band in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: The subjects were 10 children with cerebral palsy. The inclusion criterion for participation was a Gross Motor Function Classification System level of I to III. The subjects were instructed to perform upper extremity flexion, abduction, and external rotation exercises with inspiration, and extension, adduction, and internal rotation exercises with expiration while seated on a chair without a backrest. PM (Pectoralis major), SCM (sternocleidomastoid), RA (rectus abdominis), and EO (external oblique) muscle activities were measured using electromyography. RESULTS: All tested muscles showed a statistically significant increase in activity after elastic band exercise. There were significant differences in PM, SCM, RA, and EO results after chest expansion exercise using elastic band. SCM showed the largest increase in activity after use of elastic bands, at $52.37{\pm}45.88$%, followed by the RA ($50.56{\pm}79.31$), EO ($35.42{\pm}35.45$), and PM ($31.72{\pm}25.64$). The increase in the SCM was greatest, followed by increases in the RA, EO, and PM CONCLUSION: These finding suggest that activity of accessory respiratory muscles increases with use of elastic bands during chest expansion exercise in cerebral palsy.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.135-141
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study was to identify the anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) mechanism which is represented by the onset time of trunk muscles and the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) according to the different base of support (BOS) during upper extremity movement. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (14 males, 16 females) participated in this study. The movement was performed for 10 trials during each of various BOS (shoulder - width double leg stance, narrow base double leg stance, tandem stance, non-dominant single leg stance) at the 1.2 Hz frequency. Electromyography was used to measure muscle onset time and biorescue was used to measure characteristics of the displacement of COP. Surface bipolar electrodes were applied over the right deltoid anterior, right latissimus dorsi, both rectus abdominis, both internal oblique and both erector spinae. The data were analyzed by repeated one-way ANOVA and Duncan's post hoc test. Results: The study has revealed following. There were significant differences with muscle onset time in each BOS (p<0.01). There were significant differences in characteristics of the COP in each BOS (p<0.01). Conclusion: The study found that the more narrowed the basis requires the more rapid anticipatory postural control in contralateral postural muscle when the upper extremity movement is performed.