• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 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 Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2014

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance (DSB), biomechanical characteristics, and physical characteristics in spinal cord injuries (SCI) patients. Background: Virtual ski training systems, ski equipment, and training protocols for disabled skiers are being studied to spread awareness. However, few studies have been reported on the sitting balance ability associated with chair mono skiing. Method: A dynamic sitting balance border system was built to investigate the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance in SCI patients. Trunk muscle activity was evaluated by electromyogram while conducting dynamic sitting balance tests. The trunk muscle strength was tested with a portable handheld dynamometer. Physical activity scores were measured with the physical activity recall assessment. Results: There were high levels of correlation between the ability to maintain DSB and trunk flexor strength, extensor strength, rotator strength, and physical activity score. However, height, weight, and injury level in SCI patients were not correlated with the ability to maintain DSB. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between muscle activities of the external oblique and lumbar erector spinae muscles and the ability to perform the backward tilt test. Trunk extensor muscle activity during the ball lifting test was significantly higher than in other tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that improving trunk muscle strength and physical activity can increase the ability to maintain DSB. Application: The findings of a close relationship between trunk strength, physical activity, and the ability to maintain DSB need to be reflected in the chair mono ski training program.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.222-227
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the influence of longitudinal arch on the strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis in the standing position in subjects with and without navicular drop signs. Methods: A sample of 34 subjects with and without navicular drop signs between 22 and 28 years of age were enrolled in this study. The strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis was measured using a tensiometer. The Smart KEMA System and electromyography device was used on the subjects with and without navicular drop signs. Two groups were classified using the navicular drop test to identify the longitudinal arch of the foot. The strength of the abductor hallucis was evaluated in standing, both with and without an external arch support condition. The two-way mixed ANOVA was used. The level of statistical significance was set to ${\alpha}=0.05$. Results: The strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis in standing was significantly higher with external arch support than that without the external arch support in the group with navicular drop signs. There was no significant difference in the abductor hallucis strength and muscle activity with and without external arch support in the subjects without navicular drop signs. Conclusions: The strength and muscle activity of the abductor hallucis in standing can be influenced by the external arch support in the group with navicular drop signs. The strength measurement of the abductor hallucis in standing should be separately performed in conditions with and without longitudinal arch of foot.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.426-432
• /
• 2009

The overall purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of level of isoflavones supplementation on bone metabolism in osteoporosis rats. The effects of level of isoflavones supplementation on calcium and osteocalcin blood level, femur/body weight, bone mineral density(BMD) and bone strength were inspected in this study. This study classified 28 of 12 weeks-old male Sprague Dawley rats which have osteoporosis caused by ovariectomy into four groups of 7 rats and made the subjects medicated them isoflavone. Group I was non-treatment after osteoporosis(control); Group II was low-dose isoflavone(20 mg/kg) feeding after osteoporosis; Group III was middle-dose isoflavone(40 mg/kg) feeding after osteoporosis; Group IV was high-dose isoflavone(80 mg/kg) feeding after osteoporosis; In the calcium and osteocalcin level as one of bone formation indexes, there was a statistically significant difference between the group II, III, IV compared to group I. In respect to the femur/body weight, there was a statistically significant difference between the group II, III, IV compared to group I. In the bone mineral density and bone strength test, there was a statistically significant difference between the group II, III, IV compared to group I. The above results suggests that isoflavone medicated is effective to prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed in a stroke patient with genu recurvatum. Methods: The subject was a 52-year-old female diagnosed with stroke. Information on health was collected through client Interview based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF was used to identify connections between functional problems, and for diagnosis, and functional problems were described using ICF terms. For prognostic purposes, comprehensive goals for functional activity and participation level are presented as long- and short-term goals. Intervention was performed using an exercise program composed of techniques and principles based on PNF concepts for 50 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. Gait speed and lower limb strength before to after intervention differences were used as study outcomes. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function (3.6kg increase in knee extension strength, 1.4kg increase in knee flexion strength, 0.9kg increase in hip abduction). Gait speed, which was the patient's primary limitation, was improved by 0.2m/sec. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, application of the PNF concept would appear to improve gait speed and genu recurvatum in stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.43-53
• /
• 2022

Background: It is suggested that the decline in functional level due to aging influences the increase in traffic accidents among elderly drivers. Among the functions related to the driving behavior of older drivers, physical function is related to muscle strength and motor control, and aging causes deterioration of motor control and a defect in motor output variability. Method: Data Search The online databases used for literature search are PubMed, ProQuest(PML), NDSL, and literature searches were conducted from April 19 to April 26, 2022. For the search, 'aging', 'driving', and 'braking' were used in the investigation. Results: The physical functions related to the braking ability of elderly drivers were analyzed in muscle strength, reaction ability, motor control, and other related factors. In terms of muscle strength, 3 studies analyzed the above factors. 8 studies analyzed the above factors for response ability. For motor control, two studies analyzed the above factors. In addition, related factors were analyzed in one piece. Conclusion: As a result of the analysis, physical function for reaction ability showed the highest frequency, followed by the strength item with the highest frequency. This study suggests that factors that can increase physical function must be included in the development of a rehabilitation program for the driving ability of the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.787-796
• /
• 2012

The aim of this study is to closely examine the changes in their metabolic syndrome index and autonomic nerve systems after the 16-weeks's combined exercise program is carried out on low-level physical strength group (PAPS 4-5 level students). They were divided into two groups; exercise training group (15) and control group (15). This program consisted of five-times-a-week's warm-ups, main activities and warm-downs and it takes 50 minutes per trial. Through SPSS 19.0, all averages and standard deviations of dependent variables were calculated. We first performed Shapiro-Wilk's normality test of the variables. Before verifying the effect of combined exercise program, we tested the equality of means of the variables between combined-exercise-programmed-group and control group through a two-sample t-test and carried out a paired t-test to check if the changes in the variables of two groups before and after 16 weeks are statistically significant. Every statistical test is performed at a significance level of ${\alpha}$=.05. The results are as follows. When it came to metabolic syndrome index, there were statistically meaningful changes in waist measurement, triglyceride, glucose with empty stomach and HDL-C. Also, when it came to autonomic nerve system, there were meaningful changes in all variables. Consequently, it seems that the 16-weeks combined exercise program has positive effects on low level physical strength students.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.33 no.6
• /
• pp.292-296
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the exercise effect of two types of training with a recumbent cycle ergometer on ankle muscle strength (dorsiflexor strength, DFS; dorsiflexor strength/weight, DFS/kg; plantar flexor strength, PFS; and plantar flexor strength/weight, PFS/kg) in healthy male subjects. Methods: Twenty-three healthy males (27.91±8.66 yr) were randomly allocated into two groups (high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and aerobic exercise training (AET) after the first measurement. The subjects were trained for 24 sessions (40 min/rep, three times/week) and ankle strength was measured for a second time. Two-way mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify significant differences between changes in ankle muscle strength between before and after training (within factors) in the HIIT and AET groups (between factors). The statistical significance level was set at α=0.05. Results: In both HIIT and AET groups, all variables of ankle muscle strength were significantly increased after training compared to before training (p=0.001). However, there were no differences in all variables of ankle strength between the HIIT and AET group (p>0.05). Conclusion: Both types (HIIT and AET) of recumbent cycle exercise training could be effective training methods to increase ankle muscle strength in healthy individuals, and the HIIT type with high intensity and low frequency pedaling could be recommended more to strengthen ankle muscles.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.303-310
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between abdominal muscle strength and measures of respiratory function in stroke patients. Methods: The study participants comprised 17 (male: 12, female: 5) stroke patients hospitalized at W rehabilitation hospital in Busan, South Korea. Abdominal muscle strength was assessed using a digital manual dynamometer for 5 seconds contacting the sternal notch of the participants to bend the trunk. Respiratory function (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow) was assessed using a spirometer. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis, and the significance level was set 0.05. Results: A statistically significant correlation was found between abdominal muscle strength and forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, and peak expiratory flow. However, abdominal muscle strength and forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity were not significantly correlated. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that there is a relationship between abdominal muscle strength and respiratory function. Exercise programs to strengthen the abdominal muscles are therefore necessary to improve respiratory function in stroke patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.585-589
• /
• 2015

Physical inactivity may an important outcome in the prognosis of breast cancer. Physical activity levels decrease significantly for breast cancer patients following the treatment and remain low after oncology treatment is completed. The aim of this study was to determine physical activity levels and to examine associations among physical activity, comorbidity, functional capacity, peripheral muscle strength, and psychosocial status in breast cancer patients. Forty breast cancer survivors were included in this study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were recorded. Physical activity was assessed with a short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). We defined comorbid diseases according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Functional capacity was evaluated with a six-minute walk test (6MWT). Peripheral muscle strength was measured for quadriceps femoris muscle with a hand-held dynamometer. Psychosocial status was measured with the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS). Forty percent of patients were inactive. The IPAQ total score was significantly related with quadriceps muscle strength (r=0.492; p<0.001) and HADS depression score (r=0.341; p<0.05). Marked correlations were also observed between IPAQ walking score and quadriceps muscle strength (r=0.449; p<0.001), HADS depression score (r=0.341; p<0.05), and CCI (r=-0.433; p<0.001). The CCI score was also markedly associated with quadriceps muscle strength (r=-0.413; p<0.001). 6MWT distance was not significantly correlated with any of the parameters. Regression analyses revealed that psychosocial status and peripheral muscle strength were significant predictors of physical activity estimated with the IPAQ short form and when combined, they explained 35% of the variance. Comorbidities, peripheral muscle strength and psychosocial status partially explain the variability of physical activity level in breast cancer survivors. These results suggest that physical inactivity contributes to worsening health in breast cancer survivors.