• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.173-180
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effects of sling exercise therapy on vertebral alignment, VAS, muscle activity, and multifidus of patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: Simple random sampling was used to divide the patients (n=116) into the sling exercise therapy group (SETG) and conservative physical therapy group (CPTG), with each group provided a intervention program in 3 sessions a week for 12 weeks. The lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), lumbar intervertebral disc angle (LIVDA) for vertebral alignment, lumbar muscle activity, and multifidus atrophy were measured before and after the intervention. Results: SETG showed significant changes in LLA, LIVDA of rate of change (delta score), and in relieving pain. The right-left balance gap for the lumbar dynamic muscle activity decreased after the intervention. The SETG showed significant changes in the grade of lumbar multifidus atrophy. Conclusion: The sling exercise therapy program is an effective exercise therapy method on vertebral alignment, muscle activity, recovery from multifidus atrophy, and pain relief for patients with chronic low back pain.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.80-86
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• 2016

Background: Prone hip extension (PHE) can be performed to measure the lumbopelvic motor patterns and motions. Imbalances in lumbopelvic muscle activity and muscle weakness can result in instability including pain in lumbopelvic region. The posterior oblique sling (POS) muscles contribute to dynamic lumbopelvic stability. In addition, POS are anatomically aligned with the trapezius muscle group according to shoulder positions. Objects: This study compared the electromyography (EMG) activity of POS and pelvic compensations during PHE with and without pre-activation of lower trapezius muscle (lowT). Methods: Sixteen healthy males were recruited. PHE was performed in randomized order: PHE with and without lowT pre-activation. Surface EMG signals were recorded for biceps femoris (BF), gluteus maximus (GM) (ipsilateral), lumbar multifidus (MF) (bilateral), and the lowT (contralateral). An electromagnetic tracking motion analysis was used to measure the angle of pelvic rotation and anterior tilting. Results: The ipsilateral GM and bilateral MF EMG amplitudes were greater during PHE with lowT pre-activation compared to PHE without lowT pre-activation (p<.05). The BF amplitude during PHE without lowT pre-activation was significantly greater than that during PHE with lowT pre-activation (p<.05). The angles of pelvic rotation and anterior tilting during PHE with lowT pre-activation were significantly smaller compared to PHE without lowT pre-activation (p<.05). Conclusion: PHE with lowT pre-activation, which is aligned with the POS, showed more increased MF and GM muscular activity with smaller lumbopelvic compensations in rotation and anterior tilting compared to PHE without lowT pre-activation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.411-422
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between major satisfaction and university life adaptation according to the amount of physical activity for university students. This study implement survey to the 201 university students. Descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, one-way ANOVA and pearson's correlation analysis were conducted for data analyses. The results are as follows. First, university students' major satisfaction with the amount of physical activity is statistically significantly higher than that of low-intensity physical activity groups (p<.05). Second, university life adaptation according to the amount of physical activity was found to be statistically significantly higher in high-intensity physical activity groups than in medium-intensity physical activity groups and low-intensity physical activity groups (p<.05). Lastly, according to the relationship between physical activity, major satisfaction, and university life adaptation of university students, male students have a static correlation between physical activity, major satisfaction (general satisfaction), and university life adaptation (personal emotion adaptation) and female students have a static correlation between physical activity and university life adaptation(social adaptation) (p<.05). This study confirmed that the amount of physical activity of university students is related to their major satisfaction and adaptation to university life. Based on this conclusion, it is expected that university students will be able to manage their university life through physical activities.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the surface electromyography(EMG) activity of trunk region muscle between normal subjects and chronic low back pain(CLBP) patients during one leg stance. Methods : The subjects were 27 people, were consisted of 12 subjects who don't have low back pain and 15 subjects who have low back pain from 19 to 28 year of age(mean age 22.22). We used surface EMG to evaluate the activity of the Rectus abdominis, External abdominal oblique, Quadratus lumborum, Gluteus medius muscle. We used independent two samples t-test for statistical data. Results : The result of this study showed that the maximal voluntary isometric contraction(%MVIC) ratio of the trunk muscles was higher in patients with CLBP than in normal subject. But there were no statistically significant differences. There were statistically significant differences of the activity of the Quadratus lumborum, Gluteus medius muscle(p<0.05).

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.319-330
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine if physical activity levels relieve the risk of development of metabolic syndrome (Mets) according to smoking intensity among smoking men. Methods: Secondary data from the 2010-2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used for this cross sectional study. A total of 3,027 men over the age of 19 were included for data analysis. Complex samples logistic regression was used to analyze the combined effects of smoking and physical activity on Mets. Smoking intensity was categorized as light (${\leq}20cigarettes/day$) or heavy (> 20 cigarettes/day), while physical activity was categorized as light (< 600 metabolic equivalent [MET]-min/week), moderate (600-3,000 MET-min/week), and vigorous (${\geq}3,000MET-min/week$). Results: Mets was less prevalent among light smokers with vigorous physical activity (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.632, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.475-0.840) compared to those with light physical activity. Among heavy smokers, physical activity level was not significantly associated with Mets. Conclusion: Only vigorous physical activity exerted protective effects against development of Mets among low intensity smokers. For high intensity smokers, lowering smoking intensity and smoking cessation are also necessary to prevent development of Mets.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-96
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate arterial stiffness index, physical activity, and food and nutrient intake in middle-aged adults over 40 years when the incidence of cardiovascular disease begins to increase. Methods: This study included 106 subjects (48 males and 58 females) aged between 40 and 64 years. The arterial stiffness index (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV], and ankle-brachial index [ABI]) were measured using a blood pressure pulse wave testing device. Physical activity was assessed using the Korean version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and food and nutrient intake was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 54.4 years. Although the ABI of the subjects was within the normal range, they were divided into tertiles to compare physical activity and food and nutrient intake. In males, the time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly higher in T3 (600.6 min/week) than in T1 (304.4 min/week). In females, the time spent in sedentary behavior was significantly lower in T3 (294.5 min/week) than in T1 (472.1 min/week). In addition, the frequency of fish consumption was significantly higher in T3 (1.27 frequency/day) than in T1 (0.64 frequency/day) in females. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and ω-3 fatty acid intake, adjusted for energy intake, were significantly positively correlated with ABI (r = 0.200 and r = 0.218, respectively). Conclusions: High MVPA (in males), low sedentary behavior (in females), and PUFA and ω-3 fatty acid intake through fish consumption may be associated with low peripheral artery stiffness. Therefore, arteriosclerosis can be prevented through physical activity and proper dietary therapy.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2003

The purposes of this study was to evaluate the effect of low power GaAsAl laser on tissue contraction in a linear incision wound on rat skin. The linear incision wound was made on the midline of the backside in the experimental animals. Low power laser applications with different intensities such as 3, 6, or 10 mW were applied to the experimental animals twice a day for 10 days. On either the seventh or tenth postoperative day, the quantitative analysis of the inflammatory reaction surrounding the linear incision wounds on the rats were performed using enzymatical analysis of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. The number of neutrophil was $.07-1.0{\times}106/m{\ell}$ from a normal blood sample that was obtained from the normal experimental animals. Each concentration of neutrophil showed .04-.62 unit activity of MPO. Therefore, the 6 unit activity of MPO per neutrophil was $.57{\pm}.014{\times}10^{-6}$ unit. On the 7th and 10th post operative day, non treated tissues demonstrated increased MPO activity as compared to that of normal tissue. These data indicated that the inflammatory reaction of tissue was induced after wound induction and the MPO activity were increased in the inflammed tissues. While both 3 mW or 6 mW intensity of laser treatments did not affect the tissue MPO activity, 10 mW intensity of laser treatment significantly decreased the tissue MPO activity on the 7th and 10th post operative day. These data demonstrated that only 10 mW intensity of laser treatment successfully suppressed tissue inflammatory reaction after wound induction. In conclusion, these findings suggested that 10 mW of GaAIAs laser treatments effectively suppressed the inflammatory reaction of tissue that was induced during the wound healing process.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.472-481
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• 2006

Purpose: Hypertension tends to increase after the age of 65. Proper hypertension management requires physical activities such as habitual activities and exercise. However. it is reported that many elders do not have regular physical activities. This study was to identify physical activity patterns and blood pressure according to physical activity in the elderly with hypertension. Methods: This study assessed physical activity frequency, amount, type during the latest one week, and blood pressure and BMI. The subjects were 53 elders aged over 65 years. Collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, $x^2-test$, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS 12.0. Results: It was found that most of the subjects had not been participating in regular physical activities. The most frequent physical activity patterns were walking and home activity at a low or moderate intensity. The elderly who met the normal hypertension and pre-hypertension criteria involved significantly more regular physical activities. Conclusion: This study suggested that regular participation in physical activities should be recommended for elders in order to optimize the state of their blood pressure.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.205-211
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of an intervention that combined the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and frequency-specific neuromuscular electrical stimulation on changes in trunk muscle activity, muscle fatigue, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Fifteen subjects were assigned to group I which performed the abdominal drawing-in maneuver combined with low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation and the other 15 subjects to group II where the abdominal drawing-in maneuver was combined with high-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation. Muscle activity and fatigue were measured using surface electromyography before the intervention. Balance was measured using the Trunk Impairment Scale and re-measured after six weeks of intervention for comparative analysis. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in muscle activity and balance (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). In the changes in muscle fatigue, only the experimental group II showed a significant increase in muscle fatigue (p<0.05). The difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It was confirmed that among stroke patients, the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and low-frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation was more effective in changing the muscle activity and balance of the trunk by minimizing the occurrence of muscle fatigue compared to the combination of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver and high-frequency stimulation. These results can be used as basic data for clinical trunk stabilization training.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2253-2260
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• 2020

Background: Patients with low back pain (LBP) experience misalignments in the center of pressure (COP) and muscle imbalances due to frequent onesided posture adjustments to avoid pain. Objectives: To identify the effects of Squat Exercises with Vertical Whole-Body Vibration on the Center of Pressure and Trunk Muscle Activity. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty LBP patients with an imbalance in the COP were sampled and randomly assigned to an experimental group of 15 patients who under went an intervention involving squat exercises with vertical WBV and a control group of 15 patients who were treated via a walking intervention. As pretests before the interventions, the subjects' COP was identified by measuring their stability index (ST), and erector spinae, rectus abdominis, transverse abdominis, gluteus medius muscle activity was analyzed by determining the % reference voluntary contraction (%RVC) value using surface electromyography while sit to stand. After four weeks, a post test was conducted to remeasure the same variables using the same methods. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in the ST (P<.01) and trunk muscle (P<.05, P<.001) in the experimental group before and after the intervention. In terms of the differences between the left- and right-side (RL) muscle activity, only the transverse abdominis (TrA) and gluteus medius (GM) exhibited statistically significant increase (P<.05). A comparison of the groups showed statistically significant differences in the TrA with respect to muscle activity (P<.05) and in the RLTrA and RLGM in terms ofthe difference between left- and right-side muscle activity (P<.01). Conclusion: Squat exercises with vertical WBV produced effective changes in the COP of patients with LBP by reducing muscle imbalances through the delivery of a uniform force. In particular, strengthening the TrA and reducing an imbalance in the GM were determined to be important factors in improving the COP.