• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.293-302
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of plank exercises involving the contraction of the adductor muscle of the hip joint on core muscle thickness and to propose an effective plank exercise method. Methods: A total of 30 healthy young adults (17 males, 13 females) voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects were randomized to the prone plank exercise with hip adductor contraction (n=10), the prone plank exercise (n=10), and the supine plank exercise (n=10) groups. Muscle thickness measurements were taken prior to starting the exercise program and after completing the program at the end of a 4-week period. The muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF), external oblique (EO), internal oblique (IO), and transverse abdominis (TrA) muscles were measured using ultrasonography. Each group performed the stipulated plank exercise five times a week as follows: 5 sets of 20 seconds during the first week, 5 sets of 30 seconds in the second week, 5 sets of 40 seconds in the third week, and 5 sets of 40 seconds in the last week. Results: The three different types of plank exercises all showed significantly increased thickness of the RA, MF, EO, IO, and TrA (P<0.05). Furthermore, changes in the thickness of both the MF and TrA were statistically more significant in the groups that did the prone plank exercise with the hip adductor contraction and the supine plank exercise than in the prone plank exercise group (P<0.05). Conclusion: The study results suggest that the prone plank exercise with hip adductor contraction is a more effective method for overall activation of the RA, MF, EO, IO, and TrA than the prone plank exercise and the supine plank exercise.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : This study aims to examine effects of trunk strengthening exercise in three rigid cerebral palsy adolescents aged between 11 and 13 on their spinal segments and gait. Methods : 2A trunk strengthening program for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation was made focusing on improvement in their school life and mental and social activities during their school years, and then trunk strengthening exercise was applied to the three subjects for 30 minutes five times per week for four weeks. With the subjects in a static state, each group's gait analysis was made and maximum anterior flexion, maximum extension, maximum left and right lateral flexion, and cross rotation of the trunk were measured using Sonosens (Germany) prior to and after the intervention. Results : Assessment of spinal segment mobility with the subjects in a static state showed that the trunk muscle strengthening exercise increased their maximum joint movement angles from the right side to the center and rotational abilities of the cervical and lumbar spines. Gait analysis indicated increased movements in the thoracic and lumbar spines and relatively decreased anterior-posterior movement of the cervical spine. Conclusion : Trunk strengthening program is effective in enhancing spinal segment mobility and balance ability of cerebral palsy adolescents and considered able to be used together with diverse treatment interventions.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a coordinative locomotor training program on the functional movement screen (FMS) scores of badminton players. Methods: The participants consisted of 31 badminton players who were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=16), and engaged in exercise five times per week for six weeks. The experimental group engaged in coordinative locomotor training and the control group engaged in general exercise. An FMS kit (USA) was used to measure the following: FMS score, deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight leg raise, trunk stability push up, and rotary stability. Results: The FMS score, deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, active straight leg raise, and trunk stability push up showed significant improvement in the experimental group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The coordinative locomotor training program was able to produce confirmation that functional movement screen scores change in the case of effective exercise interventions in badminton players.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2014

Purpose: Deficits in upper-extremity function in individuals with tetraplegia are primarily due to the loss of motor pathways. The purpose of this case report is to describe the effect of closed kinetic chain exercise using PNF on hand function and ADL of patient with incomplete spinal cord injure. Methods: Patient was a 53-year-old man with C4 tetraplegia and hand and upper extremity impairment who participated in this training intervention for 10 weeks. Results: Patient demonstrated improvements in upper extremity strength, hand function and performance of ADL. Outcome measures(ASIA motor scale, Hand power, Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function test, SCIM) were measured before and after the training program. Conclusion: The results of this case suggests that an closed kinetic chain exercise program in incomplete spinal cord injury patient may induce Hand function and ADL.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.233-241
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of exercising on a stable and unstable surface for a period of six weeks on the arms of female university students in their twenties. Methods: The subjects consisted of 20 female university students. The experimental group consisted of ten individuals who exercised on an unstable surface, and the control group consisted of ten individuals who exercised on a stable surface. The exercise program was composed of aerobic exercises (i.e. Back and forth movements for clapping and raising cross with both arms) and muscle-strengthening exercises (i.e. Push-ups and raising arms). We measured the subjects before the experiment and after the exercise program using the following measurements tool: a ruler and T-scan plus. The same person measured changes in arm size with a ruler three times and calculated the average to minimize any errors in measurement. We controlled the subjects to measure the amount of arm muscle with a T-scan plus. Twelve hours before the measurements were taken subjects were not permitted to exercise, and four hours before the measurements were taken subjects were not permitted to eat anything. Results: The two groups had no significant difference, but each group felt the effect of the exercise program. Conclusion: There was no difference between the experimental group and the control group. However, it was determined that the exercise had a greater effect on an unstable surface than a stable surface.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of early ankle exercise with functional electrical stimulation(FES) on spasticity, strength and active range of motion of ankle in patients with stroke. Methods: This study included 21 patients with stroke, who were performed early ankle exercise combined FES. The exercise program comprised 5 sessions of 30 minutes per week for 4 weeks. The spasticity, strength and active range of motion of ankle were evaluated before and after training. The spasticity was measured by modified ashworth scale(MAS), strength of ankle was measured by hand-held dynamometer and active range of motion of ankle dorsi-flexion was measured by goniometer. All data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Results: Significant differences were observed the subjects for strength of ankle and active range of motion. The results of the study were as follow: strength of ankle was significantly increased subjects(p<.001) and active range of motion was significantly increased subjects(p<.001). Conclusion: Ankle is very important part of body in stroke patients. early ankle exercise with FES is effective for improvement of strength of ankle and active range of motion in patients with stroke. ealry ankle exercise with FES about stroke patient is very useful and effective. It is effective in clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.93-103
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of therapeutic exercise on pain, range of motion and strength, and balance ability in a patient with an anterior ankle impingement (AAI). METHODS: A-32-year-old male presented limited ankle motion and pain with forced dorsiflexion at both ankle joints. In response, a therapeutic exercise program consisted of ankle joint mobilization, strength exercises using an elastic band, and proprioceptive exercises including semi-squats and a one-legged standing exercise with open and closed eyes. The program was performed for 40 min/day, twice per week, for 8 weeks. Pain, range of motion (ROM), and muscle strength (ankle dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion), as well as a one-legged standing test of both ankles, were measured before and after 4 and 8 weeks of therapeutic exercise. RESULTS: VAS decreased in both ankles after 8 weeks of exercise, respectively, compared to baseline levels. Range of motion and strength increased in both ankles for dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion after 8 weeks of exercise compared to baseline levels. In addition, the ability to perform a one-legged standing test with eyes opened and closed improved in both legs after 8 week of exercise compared to baseline levels. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that therapeutic exercise improves pain, ROM, muscle strength, and balancing ability in patients with AAI.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2016

Purpose: This study seeks to examine the effect of a program with functional taping and CLT on the program on fall efficacy and balance of stroke patients with knee pain on the non-affected side, as well as to develop effective programs and training methods to improve the functions of such patients. Methods: The subjects included 31 patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 15), which participated in a program for functional taping and CLT, and a control group (n = 16), which participated in general exercise therapy. The control group underwent general exercise therapy for 30 minutes, three days per week for a six-week period. VAS, FES and TUG were conducted to evaluate changes in pain degree, fall efficacy, and balance. Results: After the intervention, significant differences (p < 0.05) were seen in the VAS, FES and TUG in both groups. The experimental group showed more significant improvement than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that the CLT program is extremely effective for improving fall efficacy and balance.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.247-252
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• 2017

Purpose: This study sought to examine the effect of coordinative locomotor training (CLT) program on the balance and gait of stroke patients and to develop effective programs and training methods to improve the functions of such patients. Methods: Subjects included 29 patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=14) that participated in CLT program and a control group (n=15) that participated in general exercise therapy. The experimental group underwent CLT program, while the control group underwent general exercise therapy, for 30 minutes, 3 days per week for a 6-week period. timed up and go test (TUG), four square step test (FSST), figure-of-8-walk test (F8WT), and 10m walking test (10MWT) were conducted to evaluate changes in balance and gait. Results: After the intervention, significant differences (p<0.05) were seen in the TUG, FSST, F8WT, and 10MWT in both groups. The experimental group showed more significant improvement than the control group(p<0.05). Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that a CLT program is extremely effective for improving the balance and gait in stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effects of a four-week scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique on scapular symmetry and range of flexion motion (ROM), pain, function, and quality of life (QOL) in post-mastectomy women with breast cancer. Methods: This study included 20 women divided into an experimental group (n = 10) and a control group (n = 10). All patients performed complex decongestive physiotherapy for 40 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. The experimental group performed the extra scapular stabilizing exercise program using the PNF technique for 50 min daily, five times per week for four weeks. Scapular symmetry, shoulder flexion ROM, pain and function, and QOL were subsequently assessed. For ROM measurement, the range of shoulder flexion was measured using a clinometer smart phone application; the pain of the shoulder was measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS); the scapular position was measured using a lateral scapular slide test (LSST); the level of pain and functional activity was measured using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI); and the QOL was measured using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast. Results: There were significant differences in shoulder flexion ROM, VAS, SPADI, and LSST 0˚ and 45˚ when the experimental group was compared with the control group (p < 0.05). After the intervention, there was an improved within-group change in the ROM, SPADI, LSST, and QOL in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a scapular stabilization exercise program using the PNF technique may be used as a possible treatment option for post-mastectomy women with breast cancer that aims to improve scapular position, shoulder ROM and function, and QOL.