• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.10-15
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• 2021

Objective: Limited ankle dorsiflexion is related to ankle injuries. There are various exercises to increase the flexibility of the gastrocnemius for improving the passive range of motion in ankle dorsiflexion. However, to performances in daily activities and athletic sports and higher efficiency of walking and running, both ankle dorsiflexion passive and active range of motion are needed. To investigate the effects of combined gastrocnemius stretching and tibialis anterior resistance exercise on ankle kinematics (passive and active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion) and tibialis anterior muscle activity in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion. Design: Cross-sectional single-group repeated measures design. Methods: Fourteen subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion were recruited (in the right ankle in 7 and the left ankle in 7). All subjects performed gastrocnemius stretching alone and tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching. The passive and active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion were measured after interventions immediately. The tibialis anterior activity was measured during active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion measurement. Results: There was no significant difference of ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion between gastrocnemius stretching alone and the tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching. The tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching significantly increased active range of motion of ankle dorsiflexion compared to gastrocnemius stretching alone (p<0.05). The tibialis anterior resistance exercise after gastrocnemius stretching significantly increased tibialis anterior activity better than did gastrocnemius stretching alone. Conclusions: Thus, subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion should be encouraged to perform tibialis anterior resistance exercises.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.201-211
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Muscle Energy Technique(MET) on the Hamstring flexibility of healthy adults by comparing stretching exercise. Methods : The subjects were consisted of healthy adults(54 male, 42 female). All subject randomly assigned to the Control group, Stretching group, MET group. stretching group received hamstring stretching for 75 seconds and MET group received Hamstring MET for 75 seconds. Then subject did the sit and reach test at before treatment, right after treatment and after 10 minutes treatment. Results : 1. Result of sit and reach test according to measurement time changed, three groups were all improved and significant difference(p<0.01) was observed among three groups. 2. Compared to before treatment and right after treatment result, MET group was more significant improved(p<0.01) than stretching group. 3. Compared to before treatment and after 10 minutes result, MET group was more significant improved(p<0.01) than stretching group. Conclusions : According to above results, improvement of hamstring flexibility, MET was more effect than stretching exercise.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.54-63
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• 2022

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

Purpose: Stretching exercises are commonly used in conjunction with sports and rehabilitation. Weassessed the immediate effects of stretching on passive stiffness of the hamstring muscles and knee range of motion (ROM) using three stretching techniques. Methods: A total of 45 participants were recruited. Isokinetic equipment was used to measure the passive stiffness of hamstring muscles and an inclinometer was used to measure active and passive ROM of the knee joint pre and post stretching. Stiffness was then calculated based on the incline of the torque-angle relationship. The test conditions for Group I were $3{\times}30$ seconds of static stretches using the hamstring muscle, Group II were $3{\times}30$ seconds of static stretches using the hamstring muscle with ankle dorsiflexion, and Group IIII had $3{\times}30$ seconds of active stretching. Results: Group II had significantly higher excursion of active ROM and Group IIIhad significantly higher excursion of passive muscle stiffness. All of the groups had significantly higher active and passive ROM and significantly lower muscle stiffness after stretching. The participants showed no change in hamstring muscle stiffness on the following day. Conclusion: Stretching has significant acute effects on ROM and muscle stiffness and canbe used in warm-up protocols for reducing muscle stiffness before a variety of exercise programs.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-68
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• 2007

Purpose: The present study analyzed the contents of exercise programs for the elderly in Korean and foreign articles. Method: This study analyzed 27 Korean and 20 foreign exercise-related articles selected from Web DBs using keywords 'exercise', 'exercise program' and 'exercise effect'. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5 through descriptive statistics, $x^2$ test and Fisher's exact test. Results: In the description of population, random sampling and informed consents, foreign articles were higher than Korean articles. In research design, foreign articles randomized controlled trials (RCTs) higher than Korean articles. The contents of exercise programs in the Korean and foreign articles were aerobic, walking and stretching. On the effects of exercise programs in the Korean articles, walking showed the highest frequency in the physical strength as well as muscle strength, balance and flexibility. In the foreign articles, walking and stretching showed high frequency in physical strength. Conclusion: Contents significant in exercise programs for the elderly were walking and stretching. In addition, regular exercise had a positive effect on muscle strength, flexibility and balance in the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.29-38
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• 2009

Purpose : The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the phenol compound-cold therapy plus exercise therapy on the carrageenan(CAR)-induced muscle pain. Method : Mice were injected 0.1ml of 2% CAR into the gastrocmemius(GAS) muscle for the induction of muscle pain. After 4 hours from the injection of CAR, the cold therapy with 1% syringic acid was done to GAS muscle. After 2 hours from cold therapy, the exercise therapy such as muscle stretching, climing- and declining-movements was performed three times interval of 10 minutes in each experimental group. After 4, 10 and 24 hours from CAR-induced muscle pain, the measurements of muscle diameter, paw withdrawal latency(PWL) and, tail flick latency(TFL) were carried out. Results : In this study, the thickness of GAS muscle in CAR-induced muscle pain significantly increased compared with control. While, the thickness of GAS muscle adopted cold syringic acid-therapy with exercise-therapy group was significantly decreased than that of CAR-induced muscle pain. In the measurements of PWL and TFL, cold syringic acid-therapy with exercise-therapy group was remarkably increased than CAR-induced muscle pain group in PWL and TFL. All measurements were showed significantly different between the treated-group and the treated-time. Conclusions : From these results, it is suggested that the cold syringic acid-therapy with exercise-therapy such as muscle stretching, climing- and declining-movement was effective in the prevention of CAR-induced muscle pain by the decrease of muscle thickness and the increase of PWL and TFL.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.925-932
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of Maitland orthopedic manipulative physiotherapy and stretching on pain, cervical range of motion, and muscle tone of adults with forward neck posture. A total 40 subjects were divided into a Maitland OMPT group(n=20) and a stretching group(n=20), performing joint mobilization exercise and stretching three times per week for six weeks. As for changes in pain, statistically significant decrease were found before and after the exercise within group comparison(p<.01), while no statistically significant difference was observed between-group comparison. In changes in cervical range of motion before and after the exercise, the Maitland OMPT group showed statistically significant increase(p<.01) in flexion, (left lateral flexion(p<.05), extension, left rotation, right rotation, and right lateral flexion, while the stretching group showed statistically significant increase(p<.05) in extension(p<.01), left rotation, left lateral flexion, right rotation, and right lateral flexion. However, no significant differences in between group comparison in flexion, extension, right rotation, left rotation, right lateral flexion and left lateral flexion. The results of measuring muscle tone changes showed that the Maitland OMPT group and the stretching group did not show significance in within and between group comparison(p<.05). In conclusion, the Maitland OMPT and stretching were effective on improving pain and range of motion.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2015

Objective: Jump training helps increase the muscle power by improving the muscle strength and reaction time of the muscle in operation. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of strengthening, stretching exercise and meditation on electromyographic (EMG) onset timing of rectus femoris and gastrocnemius muscle during vertical jump performance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Ten healthy adults (5 male and 5 female) who were familiar with the vertical jumping task and had no lower extremity injuries or any bone or joint disorders, were recruited for this study. Muscle onset timing was measured by surface EMG. After EMG onset timing were measured during performing three baseline vertical jump trials, strengthening and stretching exercises of the rectus femoris and gastrocnemius, and meditation were performed in random order. EMG onset timing was measured during vertical jump after intervention, respectively. EMG value was averaged for the three trials and analyzed using one-way repeated ANOVA. Results: During vertical jump, EMG onset timing of gastrocnemius was a significant difference after intervention (p<0.05), and then there was significantly faster in strengthening exercise than meditation (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results indicate the potential positive effect of performing strengthening exercise of the gastrocnemius before a jumping event. Future research is required to identify the effects of intervention over a long period.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of exercise on the neck muscles activities between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise in the forward head posture subjects. Method : After measuring cervical alignment using the Global Posture System, 20 volunteers with forward head posture posture were selected and divided into two groups. The experimental group A(n=15) and Experimental group B(n=15) participated in respectively and McKenzie neck stretching exercise, three times per week for 4 weeks. The scapular stabilization exercise program was comprised middle and lower trapezius strength exercises and the stretching exercise program was comprised levator scapulae and upper trapezius stretching exercise. The activities of the muscles of the posterior neck was then measured using electromyography. Result : After the intervention, there was significant difference of a electromyography activity changes between the pre-test and post-test in the experimental group. Conclusion : This study showed that both scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises are more effective for reducing neck muscles activities.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2009

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of stretching and strengthening exercise on the static flexibility and pain intensity for the iliopsoas muscle, which is one of the main reasons for the chronic low back pain. Methods: The subjects of this study were 15 male adult patients with showed 6 score or higher in the visual analogue scale(VAS) and complained of low back pain over three months who visited department of the physical therapy, KIA motors Industrial Health Center, from October, 2008 through December, 2008. Fifteen subjects were trained stretching, mat exercises and sling exercises for iliopsoas muscle at 4-5 times a week for 4 weeks. I measured the changes on the extensibility of iliopsoas muscle, static flexibility of low back and VAS between pre- and post exercise treatment. Date were analyzed using the Wilcoxon's signed rank test considering the size of the samples. Results: 1. The angle of the hip joint that showed the extensibility of iliopsoas muscle was relieved, which was significant statistically (p<.05). 2. The static flexibility was statistically significantly improved in the trunk flexion test, trunk extension test and Schober-Test (p<.05). 3. The VAS showed decrease, which is significant statistically (p<.05). Conclusion: It is believed that the exercise treatment of iliopsoas muscle has the significant effects on the improvement of static flexibility and decrease of pain intensity for the chronic low back pain patients.