• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isometric upper limb contraction on the trunk and lower extremity muscles during the sit-to-stand activity in elderly females. METHODS: Eighteen healthy elderly females performed three directional isometric upper extremity contractions (flexion, extension, and horizontal abduction movements) using an elastic band during sit-to-stand activity. Electromyography signals were collected from the internal oblique, erector spinae, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. RESULTS: Internal oblique activity was greater in bilateral shoulder flexion and bilateral shoulder horizontal abduction than in neutral position (p<.05). Erector spinae and rectus femoris muscle activities in bilateral shoulder flexion was greater than in neutral position and bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). Biceps femoris activity was significantly greater in bilateral shoulder flexion than in bilateral shoulder extension and horizontal abduction, and in neutral position compared to bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that incorporating isometric upper limb contraction may be beneficial for enhancing the contribution of trunk and lower extremity muscle activities to trunk stabilization during sit-to-stand activity. Therefore, isometric upper limb contraction during sit-to-stand tasks, especially in flexion, may be used to elicit contraction of the lumbopelvic region muscles within a tolerable range, for developing endurance and strength in the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2010

Purpose : To identify whether isometric shoulder horizontal extension (ISHE) exercise could sufficiently activate the lumbar multifidus muscle, and to determine appropriate exercise intensity to increase muscle strength. Methods : Twenty healthy volunteers (10 males and 10 females) participated in this study. ISHE exercises on the dominant side were performed with $90^{\circ}$ shoulder abduction held in $90^{\circ}$ elbow flexion so that their arms were in the horizontal plane. Electromyographic (EMG) measurements of multifidus activation were performed in standing and supine positions, and were taken under four strength conditions: 75%, 50% and 25% of maximum shoulder horizontal extension strength, and maximum strength. Results : The EMG activations of both lumbar multifidus increased significantly with ISHE exercises of larger % strength (p<.05). In their multifidus EMG data measured in standing and supine positions, men differed significantly in their 75%, 50% and 25% strength for both sides (p<.05), and women differed significantly in their 75%, 50% and 25% strength on their 5th lumbar vertebrae's left side, but 75% only for their 5th lumbar vertebrae's right side (p<.05). The EMG data of 5th lumbar vertebrae's left and 5th lumbar vertebrae's right sides appeared to differ significantly at all strength levels for men while standing, but only at the 25% level for women in the supine position (p<.05). These findings indicate that ISHE exercises can be considered a beneficial method to enhance the multifidus strength. Conclusion : This study provides useful information for further study in this field.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.85-94
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of therapeutic exercise on range of motion (ROM), the manual muscle test (MMT), functional movement screen (FMS) and radiological evaluation in a youth football player with football-specific anterior pelvic tilt (APT). METHODS: The subject of this case report was a 12-year-old youth football player, who presented with football-specific APT. Therapeutic exercise consisted of hamstring stretch, prone hip extension, abdominal crunch, bridging with isometric hip abduction, plank exercise with posterior tilt and posterior pelvic tilting exercise using a swiss-ball for 40 min/day, twice a week for 8-weeks. ROM, MMT, FMS (deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, rotary stability and trunk stability push-up) and radiographs (lumbar lordotic and sacral horizontal angle) were analyzed before and after week 8 of therapeutic exercise. RESULTS: The ROM, MMT, and FMS increased and the lumbar lordotic angle and sacral horizontal angle improved after 8-weeks of therapeutic exercise. CONCLUSION: The results of this case report suggest that therapeutic exercise improves ROM, MMT and radiography associated parameters in youth football players with football-specific APT. These findings have clinical implications for therapeutic exercise in youth football players with football-specific APT.