• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.61-69
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• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Straight leg lifts (SLL) and double leg lowering (DLL) exercise on abdominal muscle activity, visual analog scale (VAS), and flexibility in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods : A total of 30 LBP patients were divided into two groups: those with SLL exercise group 15 (male=8, female=7) and those with DLL exercise group 15 (male=7, female=8). Before the intervention, the abdominal muscle activity, VAS, and flexibility were measured. After 4 weeks of intervention, the above variables were measured in the same way. The SLL exercise bends the leg $45^{\circ}$ in the supine position, and the DLL exercise was performed as opposed to SLL. At this time, the pressure biofeedback unit (PBU) was placed behind the lumbar to reduce the instability of the pelvis and muscles. The subjects were instructed to use the PBU to maintain the target pressure determined (40 mmHg) during the exercise. Results : The external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) were significantly different in the SLL and DLL group, and EO, IO, and TrA activity improved more significantly increased in the DLL than SLL group (p<.05). The results on the VAS and flexibility were significantly different both group (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference between the groups (p>.05). Conclusion : SLL and DLL exercises in patients with LBP were able to confirm the increased activity of the abdominal muscles, decreased pain, and increased flexibility of the waist. In addition, DLL exercise is more effective in patients with LBP in terms of muscle activity.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.216-222
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• 2012

Purpose: Weight-bearing exercise is a type of physical exercise that is widely performed for rehabilitation after acquiring nervous-system diseases or sports-related injuries. It is one of the most commonly prescribed rehabilitation programs for strengthing of the lower extremities. Weight-bearing exercise is important for the conduct of such activity of daily living (ADLs) as walking, and up and down the stairs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the muscle activities during one-leg standing and one-leg squatting, the two most representative weight-bearing exercises. Methods: A total of 43 elderly (60~70 years old) males who could perform weight-bearing exercises were included in the study. During the one-leg standing and one-leg squatting, the electromyographic (EMG) signals were quantified as maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) using surface EMG, and then the muscle activities of the lower extremities during the two exercises were compared. For statistical analysis, an independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were performed. Results: The results of the study are as follows: (1) in the one-leg standing, the activity of the gluteus medius was the greatest among the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, bicep femoris, (2) in the one-leg squatting, the activity of the vastus medialis was the greatest; and (3) the activity was greater in the one-leg squatting than in the single-leg standing exercise. Conclusion: The one-leg standing and squatting exercises are suitable for strengthening the muscles for the prevention of and recovery from lower-extremity injury, and for functional ADL in elderly people. In addition, dynamic exercise was shown to be more effective than static exercise for strengthening the muscles.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.401-409
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the muscular activity of abdominal muscles during a variety of plank exercises following changes in the leg and head positions. Methods: Thirty healthy individuals participated in this study. They performed six variations of plank exercises, including three changes in head position and two changes in leg position. Each plank was defined as head neutral-leg neutral, head up-leg neutral, head down-leg neutral, head neutral-leg wide, head up-leg wide, and head down-leg wide. During the plank excises, the muscle activities of the rectus abdominis, internal oblique, erector spinae, and upper trapezius were measured. Results: The head down position significantly increased the rectus abdominis activity compared to other head positions (p<0.05). On the other hand, the upper trapezius muscle activity was significantly higher with the head up position compared to other head positions (p<0.05). Regardless of head positions, both the rectus abdominis and internal oblique muscles were significantly activated with leg wide position compared to the leg neutral position (p<0.05). Conclusion: Head and leg positions could change the muscular activities of abdominal muscles during plank exercises. For example, the head down position is effective for activating the rectus abdominis while the leg wide position could be advantageous for enhancing the internal oblique and rectus abdominis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate influence of therapeutic exercise on functional leg length inequality(LLI). Methods : The subjects were consisted of thirty patients who had Leg length inequality(LLI) of more than 10mm(l6 females. 14 males) from 20 to 35 years of age(mean aged 24.23). All subjects randomly assigned to contract-relax exercise of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation(PNF) group(n=15), control group(n=15). Contract-relax exercise group received contract-relax exercise about 10 minutes with therapeutic massage about 15 minutes for 3 times per week during 4 weeks period. Control group not received intervention during 4 weeks period. The tape measure method(TMM) was used to measure functional Leg length inequality. Biodex System 3 Pro was used to measure strength of Knee extension & flexion. All measurements of each subjects were measured at pre-test, 2weeks post-test and 4weeks post-test. Results : 1. The LLI of contract-relax exercise group was significantly reduced according to within treatment period(p<.05), most significantly reduced between pre-test and post-test(p<.05). Contract-relax exercise group significantly more reduced than control group(p<.05). 2. The knee extension strength of contract-relax exercise group was significantly increased according to within treatment period(p<.05), most significantly increased between pre-test and post-test(p<.05). Contract-relax exercise group significantly more increased than control group(p<.05). 3. The knee flexion strength of contract-relax exercise group was significantly increased according to within treatment period(p<.05), most significantly increased between pre-test and post-test(p<.05). Contract-relax exercise group significantly more increased than control group(p<.05). Conclusion : Contract-relax exercise applied with therapeutic massage can reduce LLI and increased lower extremity muscle strength.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-21
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• 2009

Purpose : To know how much weight bearing on left and right leg on 14 different positions. The second is to know how about different the weight bearing ratio on same positions of ages group. Methods : The third is to know how about changes the weight bearing ration between exercise group and non exercise group. The group of age is divided 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, over the 60 years. The subjects are 93 males(44), females(49). Results : The ordering of ratio of weight bearing on one side leg is as follows: The position of the highest weight bearing ratio is one leg standing with the other leg on chair(right 0.82, left 0.81) and the position of lowest weight bearing ratio is hooklying with natural leg position(both legs 0.08). There are statistically significant difference between right and left leg of weight bearing ratio on the 6 positions among the 14 positions. As for the ages, there are statistically significant difference on 5 different positions of 20 ages body weight bearing ratio between right and left leg. But as for the 50 ages there are no statistically significant difference on all of 14 positions between right and left leg body weight bearing. As for the exercise group there are statistically significant difference on only one position of one leg standing with the other leg on chair between right and left weight bearing ratio. But as for non exercise group there are statistically significant difference on 4 positions between right and left weight bearing ratio. Conclusion : When the therapist exercise with patient's always considerate of patient's position and weight bearing ratio.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2019

Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of leg lift difference on the serratus anterior muscle and the upper trapezius muscle when a subject with winged scapula performs a scapula protraction exercise in a four-leg crawling posture. Method: Twenty normal adults and 20 subjects with winged scapula participated in the experiment. Surface EMG recordings were collected from serratus anterior muscle and back trapezius muscle during scapula protraction exercises. Scapular winging is measured with the lifting distance of scapula retraction to the back using an electronic digital caliper. In two groups of four-leg crawling posture, the two legs support, the dominant leg lifting, and the non-dominant leg lifting, including the scapula protraction, were performed. To examine the difference between groups in the variance analysis, the Bonferroni correction was used (significance level ${\alpha}=.017$). Statistical significance level ${\alpha}$ was .05. Results: There was a significant difference in serratus anterior muscle and upper trapezius muscle during push-up plus exercise in leg lifting in four-leg crawling posture, but there were no significant differences in muscle activity between serratus anterior muscle and upper trapezius muscle, and there was no significant difference according to the presence or absence of scapular winging. Conclusion: For the shoulder stability of the ipsilateral side with the serratus anterior muscle, the leg-lifting posture is effective in the four-leg crawling, and also when a subject with winged scapula chooses an exercise, lifting the ipsilateral side of leg with scapula protraction exercises at the same time may have a positive effect on scapula dysfunction.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.22-30
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• 2005

This study was designed to identify the effect of various decline boards and postures of lower extremities on surface electromyographic (EMG) activity of knee muscles during isometric single-leg decline squat exercises. The subjects were twenty young male adults who had not experienced any knee injury and their Q-angles were within a normal range. They were asked to perform single-leg decline squat exercises in five various conditions. The EMG activities of the gluteus maximus (GM), vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VMO), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles were recorded in five various single-leg decline squat exercises by surface electrodes and normalized by maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values. The normalized EMG activity levels were compared using one-way ANOVA with repeated measures. The results of this study were as follows: 1) Exercises 2 and 4 produced significantly greater EMG activity of VMO than did exercise 1 ($p_{adj}$<.05/10), 2) The VMO/VL ratio of EMG activity of exercise 4 was the highest, producing a significantly greater ratio than exercise 1 ($p_{adj}$<.05/10). These results show that single-leg lateral oblique decline squat exercise is the best exercise for selective strengthening of VMO, and the posture of the contralateral leg does also affect strengthening of VMO, but we'll need to research patellofemoral joint compression for clinical application of single-leg lateral oblique decline squat exercises.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.385-394
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• 2020

Purpose: This experimental study with nonequivalent control group and pre/post-tests aims to investigate the effects of a complex leg exercise program on severity of restless legs syndrome, sleep quality, depression, and physical performance in patients with maintenance hemodialysis. Methods: Patients in the experimental group were provided with the leg exercise program three times a week for eight weeks, a total of 24times, through watching videos during hemodialysis from August 1, 2017 to October 25. The experimental group and control group consisted of 22 people each. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, and independent t-test utilizing SPSS/WIN 22.0. Results: After providing with the leg exercise program, these were level of restless legs syndrome and depression were significantly decreased in the experimental group (t=2.79, p=.032; t=0.53, p=.036, respectively). However, sleep quality and physical performance did not have significant difference between the two groups (t=0.02, p=.947; t=1.74, p=.957, respectively). Conclusion: A complex leg exercise program appears to be beneficial in improving restless legs syndrome and depression in maintenance hemodialysis patients with restless legs syndrome.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to compare lung capacity measures (forced vital capacity; FVC, forced expiratory volume at 1 second; FEV1, and FEV1/FVC) and the activities of rectus femoris (RF) and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles between young adults prescribed aerobic exercise combined with lower limb strength exercise (complex exercise) and those prescribed only aerobic exercise. Methods : We randomly divided 22 young adults into 2 groups: the complex exercise group that combined the leg strengthening and aerobic exercises (n = 11) and the aerobic-exercise-only group (n=11). Before the intervention, the FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC values and the activities of RF and GCM muscles were measured. Measurements were in triplicates, and the average of the 3 measurements was used. The complex exercise group performed the treadmill exercise followed by squats and lunges, and the group performed only the treadmill exercise. Both groups were allocated the same time. Both groups performed the assigned exercise thrice a week for 3 weeks. After the intervention, the FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC values and the activities of RF and GCM muscles were measured again. Results : The FVC and FEV1 values increased significantly in both groups after the intervention (p<.05). RF activity increased significantly after the intervention in the complex exercise group (p<.05), and the magnitude of change in RF activity after the intervention was significantly higher in the complex exercise group than in the aerobic-exercise-only group (p<.05). GCM activity also significantly increased after the intervention in both groups (p<.05). Conclusion : On the basis of our results, we recommend combining leg strengthening and aerobic exercise to improve leg muscle activity along with lung function.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.13-21
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of closed kinematic chain exercise and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise on the static dynamic balance performance of hemiplegic patients in order to suggest them therapeutic intervention methods. Methods : The subjects of this study were 18 hemiplegic patients grouped into 2 subgroups according to the exercise program. one group of closed kinematic chain exercise carried out sit to stand, Hooklying with pelvic lift(bridging) and stair-up & down by a hemiplegic leg. The other group of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise carried out leg flexion-extension pattern in supine position, leg flexion pattern in standing and stabilizing reversal exercise in stating position. Each exercise was carried out over 3 sets of 10reps. Results : The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. For both groups, there were statistically significant changes in the static balance (FICSIT-4) performance after exercise program (p<.05). 2. For both groups, there were statistically significant changes in the dynamic balance (FSST, TUG, FRT) performance after exercise program (p<.05). 3. In the comparison between both groups, there was no statistically significant difference in the static dynamic balance performance (FICSIT-4, FSST, TUGT, ER) after exercise program. Conclusion : As the results of the study shows closed kinematic chain exercise and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise affect the improvement of hemiplegic patients'' static dynamic balance performance, it is supposed that these exercises could be therapeutic exercise program in clinical situations.