• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2013

Purpose : This research was carried out to find how neck exercise program combined with self stretching and muscle strengthening program influences on smart phone addicts with forward head posture. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 smart phone-addicts with forward head posture and we divided them into 2 groups. The experimental group(10 people) participated in neck exercise program as a intervention for 3 months and the control group(the other 10 people) didn't participate in neck exercise program. Neck exercise program were composed of self stretching and muscle strengthening program. Then we measured cervical alignment with GPS(Global Posture System) and evaluated balance ability with Balance Master ver 7.0 systems. Results : The result were as follows. 1. After the intervention, experimental group were significantly more closed to normal cervical alignment than control group. 2. After the intervention, experimental group increased in dynamic balance ability a little more than control group. Conclusion : Neck exercise program seems to get cervical alignment better and improve balance ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.296-301
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strengthening exercises of hip abductors on muscle strength and ambulation for patients with ACL reconstruction. Methods: The subjects were randomly assigned to the intervention group (general exercise plus strengthening of hip abductors) or the control group (general exercise without the strengthening of hip abductors). Both groups participated in a six-week exercise protocol after the surgery for ACL reconstruction. The knee strength test (quadriceps, hamstring, hip abductor) and gait analysis were performed in pretest and post-test. Results: Muscle strength was measured using the Biodex system III model (Biodex Medical System, Inc, NY, US). The results showed no significant difference in knee strength (quadriceps, hamstring) between the two groups (p>0.05), however, there was a significant difference in hip abductors (p<0.05). The gait analysis was measured with Gaitrite system (CIR System Inc, US). Results of comparison between groups showed a significant increase in the step length of both groups. (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference in the affected leg of the intervention group(p<0.05). Conclusion: Exercise of hip abductors for patients with ACL reconstruction provides significant benefits with respect to improvement of muscle strength in hip abductors, increasing the stride. This result indicates that a training program designed for ACL reconstruction patients should include strengthening of the hip abductor. We think that further study is needed to determine the relationship of hip muscles and knee joint for patients with ACL reconstruction.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2015

This study was to verify effect on muscle strength of trunk and body composition for elderly according to spinal stability exercise with three dimension. We recruited forty elderly participants(twenties as training group, the other twenties as control group) over sixty five aged. The participant performed muscle strength estimation to exercise of eight direction using spinal stability training system. Also, we estimated body composition in participants using inbody 720. Trining group performed direction exercise(F, FOR, R, BOR, B, BOL, L, FOL) and multiple exercise with band exercise, strengthening gym and walking during thirty minute. But control group only performed multiple exercise without direction exercise. All training progressed three days a week for eight weeks. The results showed that muscle strength of trunk in training group increased significantly from 79.9 point to 85.6 point with reducement of body weight, body fat and BMI. However, control group showed a few exercise effect with increasement of amount of muscles and reducement of body fat without muscle strength of trunk. These results means that spinal stability exercise could be helped to prevent obey and fall of elderly caused by muscle strengthening and improving body composition. This could be applied to develop rehabilitation program efficiently based these data.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2022

Background: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a physical modality used to activate skeletal muscles for strengthening. While voluntary muscle contraction (VMC) follows the progressive recruitment of motor units in order of size from small to large, NMES-induced muscle contraction occurs in a nonselective and synchronous pattern. Therefore, the outcome of muscle strengthening training using NMES-induced versus voluntary contraction might be different, which might affect balance performance. Objects: We examined how the NMES training affected balance and proprioception. Methods: Forty-four young adults were randomly assigned to NMES and VMC group. All participants performed one-leg standing on a force plate and sat on the Biodex (Biodex R Corp.) to measure balance and ankle proprioception, respectively. All measures were conducted before and after a training session. In NMES group, electric pads were placed on the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles for 20 minutes. In VMC group, co-contraction of the three muscles was conducted. Outcome variables included mean distance, root mean square distance, total excursion, mean velocity, 95% confidence circle area acquired from the center of pressure data, and absolute error of dorsi/plantarflexion. Results: None of outcome variables were associated with group (p > 0.35). However, all but plantarflexion error was associated with time (p < 0.02), and the area and mean velocity were 37.0% and 18.6% lower in post than pre in NMES group, respectively, and 48.9% and 16.7% lower in post than pre in VMC group, respectively. Conclusion: Despite different physiology underlying the NMES-induced versus VMC, both training methods improved balance and ankle joint proprioception.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2017

Purpose: The objective of this study was compare the effect of core muscle strengthening between core exercise on stable surface and core exercise on unstable surface. Methods: Thirty-nine adults participated in this study and were randomly allocated to three groups. The stable surface exercise group and unstable surface exercise groups practiced core muscle training for $3{\times}30minute$ sessions over a 4-week period. The control group did not received therapeutic intervention except pre and post test. The following clinical tools were used to assess core muscle strength and balance: Side Plank Test, Trunk Flexion Test, Balance Error Scoring Test, Core Muscle Stength & Stability Test. Results: The stable surface exercise group showed significant improvement in trunk muscle strength of anterolateral part as revealed by the Side Plank Test and Trunk flexion Test(p<.05). The unstable surface exercise group showed significant improvement in trunk muscle strength of anterolateral part and balance ability as revealed by the Balance Error Scoring Test and Core Muscle Strength & Stability Test(p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study, both core exercise on stable surface and core exercise on unstable surface induced core muscle strengthening and balance ability. Expecially core exercise on unstable surface more effective to core muscle strengthening and balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.115-131
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• 2002

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) training of the knee extensors is a useful way to rehabilitate the ability to stand and walk. However, training using FES has not been able to solve the problem of fatigue; clinical application of FES quickly produces muscle fatigue, due to the continuous activation of the muscles of the lower extremity. Therefore, reduction of muscle fatigue is an important factor in increasing the effectiveness of FES training in paraplegia. Intermittent high frequency alternating stimulation is a method that combines the advantages of high frequency (leading to strong muscle contractions) and alternating stimulation (reducing muscle fatigue), thereby continuously strengthening muscles. It is not known whether low frequency simultaneous stimulation results in stronger muscle contraction than high frequency alternating stimulation. This study compared the effectiveness of high frequency alternating stimulation with low frequency synchronized stimulation. Muscle power using FES on the quadriceps of 20 normal subjects were compared. Intermittent high frequency alternating stimulation did not produce more powerful muscle contraction than intermittent low frequency synchronized stimulation, because the muscle characteristics differed individually. Significant individual variation according to muscle characteristics was founded when applying FES. Accordingly, when physical therapists use FES to treat patients, they must be aware of individual variation in muscle characteristics.

• 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.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of change in the unstable support surface location during bridge exercise on the muscle activity of erector spinae and gluteus maximus. Research design, data and methodology: 12 healthy participants aged 23.32 ±1.02 were measured muscle activities of erector spinae and gluteus maximus during bridge exercise and compared between the exercise conditions; unstable support surface located on upper back and feet during bridge exercise. Paired t-test was performed to identify whether there was a significant difference in the muscle activities between the exercise conditions. Results: As a result, even though higher levels of the averaged muscle activities of both erector spinae and gluteus maximus during exercise in unstable support surface located on feet than upper back were observed, no significant differences were found. Conclusions: The change of unstable support surface location during bridge exercise for low back pain rehabilitation would be more appropriate to be used to increase levels of tension of muscle activities and train fine motor control rather than to strengthening muscle strength.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2015

This study aimed to determine the effect of lower trapezius muscle strengthening exercises on pain, neck disability index (NDI), cervical range of motion (ROM), and lower trapezius muscle strength in patients with unilateral neck pain. Following baseline measurements, the subjects (N=40) with unilateral neck pain were randomized into one of two 5 weeks exercise intervention groups: a experimental group (EG, $n_1=20$) that received strength training of the lower trapezius muscles or a control group (CG, $n_2=20$) that received routine physical therapy program. Each group participated in the intervention for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. All participants performed 2 repetitions of each intervention per day. The numeric pain rating scale for pain, NDI, ROM, and lower trapezius strength were recorded both pre- and post-intervention for both groups. Paired t-tests were used to determine significant changes post-intervention compared with pre-intervention and independent t-tests were used to analyze differences in the dependent variables between the 2 groups. After the 5-weeks intervention, both groups experienced significantly decreased pain and disability level (p<.05) and significantly increased cervical flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation ROM (p<.05). The EG that received strength training of the lower trapezius muscles showed greater improvements in pain and functional disability level, cervical rotation, and lower trapezius strength than the CG (p<.05). These results suggest that a lower trapezius strengthening exercises reduce neck pain and neck disability level and enhance cervical ROM and lower trapezius strength level in patients with unilateral neck pain.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.483-487
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• 2020

In this study, the effects of suspension training according to the types of ground. Fourteen healthy male college students measured for the characteristics of core muscle activity in suspension training on two different types of grounds, normal flat and unstable ground using a gym ball. EMG (Electromyography) was exploited to measure the activity of the core muscles according to the types of the ground. Muscle activity of the abdominal muscles, external oblique muscles, internal oblique muscles, and lower lumbar standing muscles was measured. The variables in analyses were measured by the means of % MVC method to standardize the EMG signal according to the ground type for each core muscle. In order to verify the differences in core muscles according to the type of ground the paired t-tests were performed at the significance level of 0.05 (p<.05). As a result of measuring the activity of the core muscles according to the various types of grounds, the difference between muscle characteristics obtained in two different grounds did not appear to be statistically significant. However, the result is an important clue to reconsider the notion that the training effect on the unstable ground is generally superior to the effect on the stable ground in the core muscle training. The type of ground in the core muscle training has been found not to significantly affect the muscle activation according to the results of this study. Regardless of the type of exercise program, hence, the difference in muscle activation will not be insignificant even with the standardized program strengthening core muscles.