• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.523-531
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• 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 Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.17 no.3_4
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• pp.29-39
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of foot position and lifting an object on muscle activity and foot pressure during sit to stand(STS) in hemiparetic patients. Methods: Fourteen patients participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to collect muscle activity and foot pressure measurement system was used to analyze foot pressure in hemiparetic side. Three different foot position was assumed(anterior, neutral, posterior) in hemiparetic side. The repeated two-way analysis of variance and multiple comparisons were conducted to determine statistical significance with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results were as follows. 1) Lower extremity muscle activity was significantly higher(p<0.05) in biceps femoris and tibialis anterior muscle during STS without holding an object. With changing positions of the affected foot, muscle activity was significantly increased (p<0.05) in vastus medialis and lateral gastrocnemius when the foot was positioned in posterior. 2) There was no significant difference(p>0.05) in foot pressure during STS with object holding and foot positioning. Conclusion: Muscle activity showed a significant increase when the foot was positioned in posterior in comparison to the muscle activity when the foot was in neutral or anterior position.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.533-548
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of balancing interference on the mandibular movement and masticatory muscle activity. 5 subjects(male. average age of 24.3) without dysfuction in masticatory system were selected. The balancing interference was provided by construction of cast metal crown and onlay on the upper and lower first molars. Clinical examination, changes displacement and velocity, and muscle activity were recorded and analyzed by means of BioPak system(Bioresearch Inc., Milwaukee Wisconsin. USA). The results were as follows ; 1. In clinical examination, various symptoms were reported by all subjects after application of interference. Almost symptoms were subsided after elimination of interference. 2. In the border movements in frontal plane, lateral border movement toward non-interference side was changed according to the interference after application of interference. Immediately after removal of interference, border movements' pattern was recovered as same as before experiment. 3. During gum chewing on the non-interference side, horizontal movement was decreased immediately after application of interference(p<0.05). 1 week after application of interference, horizontal movement was more decreased in 3 subjects and showed a chopping type masticatory stroke. But in 2subjects, horizontal movement was increased to avoid interference. 4. In EMG of the mandibular rest position, no significant changes were showed in the experiment period(p>0.05). 5. During gum chewing on the interference side, the activity of opposite temporal muscle was increased immediately after application of interference(p<0.05). 1 week after application of interference. The activity of ipsilateral temporal muscle and left and right masseter muscles was increased (p<0.05). 1 week after elimination of interference, increased muscle activity was recovered about the same level as before experiment. 6. During gum chewing on the non-interference side, 1 week after application of interference, the activity of ipsilateral temporal muscle was increased (p<0.05). 1 week after elimination of interference. increased muscle activity was returned about the same level as before experiment.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.229-236
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• 2013

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of wearing spandex underwear on the muscle activity and heart rate during flexion and extension of trunk and knee joint. Background: Back pain continues to be the leading overall cause of physical illness and lowering productivity in workplace. Recently, the utility of assistive garment or back belt have been discussed to lessen the back pain as well as to preserve the right posture. Method: Ten males and ten females participated in the experiment. Gender, wearing spandex underwear and postures were used for independent variables, and muscle activity, the level of asymmetry of muscle activity and variation of heart rate were used as dependent variables. Muscle activity and heart rate were measured during flexion and extension of trunk and knee joint. Results: When wearing spandex underwear, the muscle activity was relatively low compared to the condition not wearing the spandex underwear. The symmetry of muscle activity and the variation of heart rate were statistically significant at the 0.05 significance level. In particular, it was found that the symmetry of muscle activity increased while wearing spandex underwear. Conclusion: Spandex underwear has an effect that can reduce asymmetry of right and left muscles which are relevant to leg because spandex underwear equally supports right and left low-back muscles. Application: The spandex underwear used in this study can apply to the rehabilitation as an useful assistive device.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.21-28
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare different standing postures with the use of standing aids for lumbar spine posture and muscle activity, and to identify the most desirable standing posture. METHODS: The lumbopelvic angle was assessed based on static radiographic measurement on the sagittal plane. Lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral lordosis, and the intervertebral joint angle at L1/L5 and L5/S1 were measured using radiography in three standing postures (standing on level ground, standing with one foot on a platform, and standing on a sloped surface). In addition, muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography to examine the co-contraction of the lumbar and hip muscles. RESULTS: Lumbar lordosis, lumbosacral lordosis, and L5/S1 intervertebral joint flexion occurred with one foot on the platform. No significant differences were found between standing on a sloped surface and standing on level ground. However, muscle co-contraction was reduced with the use of standing aids. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that standing with a foot on a platform induced lumbar lordosis, but that there was no significant difference between standing on a sloped surface and standing on level ground. However, muscle co-contraction was reduced with the use of standing aids. Based on the motor control pattern as a predictor of LBP, the use of standing aids would help workers during prolonged standing.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.321-327
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of the crocodile breathing exercise on the muscle activity of the erector spinae muscle in patients with low back pain. Methods: The study subjects included 36 patients with low back pain. The patients were divided equally into the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). The EG performed the crocodile breathing exercise, and the CG performed a chest expansion breathing exercise. The intervention was conducted for 10 minutes each day for a total of eight weeks. Measurements of muscle activity were conducted using an MP150 system. An electrode was attached 2 cm to the side of the spinous process at the L4-L5 level. The muscle activity value used was %MVIC, and the statistical significance was 0.05. The paired t-test was the statistical method used to determine the pre- and post-average value of each breathing exercise, while the independent t-test was used to assess the delta value of muscle activity in the pre-post test. Results: Inspiration muscle activity showed a significant increase in both the EG and the CG, while expiration muscle activity decreased significantly in both groups. The delta value of muscle activity showed a significant difference in inspiration (p<0.05), but for expiration, there was no significant difference in muscle activity (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that crocodile breathing is a good method for improving muscle activity in patients with low back pain.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.173-177
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to discern the critical point in skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation by changing plasma free fatty acids (FFA) level in rat. In the study, 3 key steps in lipid oxidation were examined after changing plasma FFA level by acipimox. The rates of both palmitate and palmitoylcarnitine oxidation were decreased by decrease of plasma FFA level, however, carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT) 1 activity was not changed, suggesting CPT1 activity may not be involved in the fatty acid oxidation at the early phase of plasma FFA change. In the fasted rats, ${\beta}-hydroxy$ acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (${\beta}$-HAD) activity was depressed to a similar extent as palmitate oxidation by a decrease of plasma FFA level. This suggested that ${\beta}-oxidation$ might be an important process to regulate fatty acid oxidation at the early period of plasma FFA change. Citrate synthase activity was not altered by the change of plasma FFA level. In conclusion, the critical step in fatty acids oxidation of skeletal muscles by the change of plasma FFA level by acipimox in fasting rats might be the ${\beta}-oxidation$ step rather than CPT1 and TCA cycle pathways.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.209-215
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• 2014

Purpose: This study aims to understand the effect of balance training on ankle muscle activity and static balance in stroke patients. Methods: The subjects were composed of 12 patients who were admitted with chronic stroke in H, K, and R hospitals located in Gangwon-do from August to October 2014. This study conducted balance training on the subjects for 20 min a session, twice a day, five times a week for six weeks. This study measured the surface electromyogram (EMG) of the paretic side's tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius for muscle activity. Static balance was measured as a TETRAX stability index. The measurements were conducted before the experiment and six weeks after. The result was statistically analyzed using paired t-test at the significance level of 0.05. Result: Muscle activity of the paretic side's tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius did not show a significant difference in the comparison between pre- and post-balancing training. However, the stability index showed a significant difference (p<0.05) between standing with eyes open (NO) and standing on a sponge with eyes open (PO). Conclusion: Although balance training did not affect the muscle activity of chronic stroke patients, it had an effective influence on the stability index. That is, balance training was effective at the functional level, but it did not change the structure level in terms of the ICF evaluation standard. Balance training becomes more effective when it is applied in relation to task.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.319-326
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of modified ankle movement patterns on participants' active dorsiflexion range of motion and leg muscle activity. Methods: This study recruited twenty-five participants, all of whom were healthy individuals with no abnormalities in the ankle or knee joints. The research methodology involved measuring the active dorsiflexion range of motion and muscle activity in each person's legs based on the presence or absence of toe extension while the subjects were in a comfortable, supine position. A statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0, and a paired samples t-test was employed. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: When the participants demonstrated the modified ankle movement pattern with a controlled toe grip, there was an increase in their active dorsiflexion angle. However, during the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique without a controlled toe grip, a higher level of activity was observed in the leg muscles. Conclusion: The results of this study could be used as foundational data for establishing a rehabilitation exercise program designed to enhance range of motion and muscle activation in the ankle joint.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.400-406
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine joint position senses and muscle activity in subjects with and without chronic low back pain and to determine the effects of different types of bridge exercises on their trunk muscle activity. Methods: Thrity-eight subjects with chronic low back pain and thrity healthy controls participated in the experiment. Joint position senses and trunk muscle activity levels were measured during the different bridge exercise methods. Results: The joint position senses of the healthy group and chronic low back pain group showed significant differences during lumbar flexion, lumbar extension, lumbar lateral flexion, and lumbar rotation. The muscle activity levels of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) were highest in the prone bridge exercise (PBE) group, followed by the supine bridge swiss ball exercise (SBSE) group and supine bridge exercise (SBE) group in order of precedence. The muscle activity level of the erector spinae (ES) was highest in the SBSE group, followed by the SBE and PBE groups in order of precedence. Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that chronic low back pain is associated with declines in joint position senses and that PBEs increase trunk muscle activity more than conventional bridge exercises.