• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of applying self-myofascial release (SMR) to the plantar fascia using a foam roller on hamstring and lumbar spine superficial back line (SBL). Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-one healthy adults agreed to the method and purpose of the study. Selection and exclusion criteria were screened, and baseline measurements for the Toe Touch test and passive straight leg raise (PSLR) test were obtained. The participants were then randomly assigned to the SMR group or the sham group. After group assignment, the SMR group rolled the surface of the foot from the heel to the metatarsal head using a foam roller for 5 minutes. The sham group received passive mobilization of the ankle joint in the supine position. Afterwards, the Toe Touch test and the passive straight leg-raise test were re-assessed. Results: In the SMR group, the Toe Touch test results showed significant improvement (p<0.05). Left and right PSLR test results showed a significant increase (p<0.05). In the sham group, there was no significant difference between pre and post-test results. The SMR group showed a significant difference in the PSLR test and Toe Touch test compared to the sham group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that SMR on the plantar fascia was immediately effective for improving the flexibility of the SBL of the lumbar spine and hamstring.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1739-1745
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• 2019

Background: There have been many studies on self-myofascial release (SMR) stretching, but there are few comparative studies on the effects of massages using a release ball, which is a type of the SMR method. Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of release ball massage and self-stretching on proprioceptive sensory, hamstring's temperature, range of motion (ROM) muscle strength,. Design: Crossover study. Methods: Thirty women in 20's at S University in Busan voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were random to release ball group (n=15) or self-stretching group (n=15). Both groups performed 3 sets of exercises, stretching for 30 seconds and resting for 15 seconds in each position. The proprioceptive sensory, temperature of the hamstring muscle, ROM, and strength were measured before exercise, 5 minutes after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise. Results: Release ball group showed significant differences in muscle length and temperature over time (p<.05). The comparison between two group over time showed significant differences in muscle length, temperature, and muscle strength (p<.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that release ball massage and self-stretching are beneficial for improving hamstring's temperature, ROM and muscle strength.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.87-93
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• 2012

Background: Headaches arising from cervical musculoskeletal disorders are common. Conservative therapies are recommended as the choice of first treatment. Evidence to the effects of manual therapy is inconclusive and available only during the short term. There is no evidence to exercise, and no study has investigated the effect of combined therapies for cervicogenic headache. Methods: In this study, 30 participants who met the diagnostic criteria for cervicogenic headache were randomized into two groups: experimental group and control group. The experimental group was performed myofascial release (MFR), Mulligan technique and self stretching exercises. The control group was performed electrical therapy and self stretching exercises. Assessments were performed to 30 participants before and after 4 weeks therapy. The components of assessments were headache intensity(HI), headcahe duration (HD), neck pain (NP) and neck disability index (NDI). Results: After 4 weeks therapy, HI, HD, neck pain and NDI were significantly reduced in both groups (p<.01). The HI, HD, neck pain and NDI were significantly reduced in experimental group more than in the control group (p<.01). Conclusions: Manual therapy could reduce the symptoms of cervicogenic headache.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.207-211
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an 8-week SMR, stretching, and band program on lower limb alignment (distance between the knees, Q angle) and gait (gait speed, stride length, impulse, and peak pressure) in female in their 20s who have genu varum. Method: The participants, female in their 20s who had genu varum, were randomly divided into the SMR, Stretching, and Band group (SSB, n=9), Stretching and Band group (SB, n=9), and Control Group (CG, n=9). Experimental group A (SSB) performed 3 50-minute sessions of the program per week for 8 weeks while the experimental group B (SB) performed stretching and band correctional exercise in 3 40-minute sessions per week for 8 weeks. The control group had no correctional exercise program. Results: Only the SSB group showed a significant increase in gait velocity and stride length in this study. The SSB and SB group showed a significant decrease of impulse on the forefoot after exercise program suggests that SMR and elastic band exercise had a positive effect on the distribution of foot pressure. Conclusion: We concluded that 8-week genu varum correctional exercise program had beneficial effects on the gait parameters (gait velocity, stride length, impulse, peak pressure) in 20s women with genu varum.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of complex training on injury, flexibility, and muscle stiffness in high school male football players. Methods: A total of 60 football players were included in the study and were divided into three groups viz. the complex training group (CTG), 11+ training group (11+TG), and traditional training group (TTG). Injuries were recorded based on the prospective investigation method after starting the study, and the flexibility and muscle stiffness of the subjects were evaluated. Results: The research results showed that the injury rate per match was significantly lower in the CTG and 11+TG than the TTG. In the CTG, the flexibility of the hamstrings significantly increased and the stiffness of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and tensor fascia latae (TFL) muscles significantly decreased (p<0.05). In the 11+TG, the stiffness of the RF significantly decreased (p<0.05). In the TTG, the flexibility of the hamstrings significantly increased (p<0.05). Hamstring flexibility showed a significantly higher increase in the CTG and TTG compared to the 11+TG (p<0.05). Also, the stiffness of the RF and TFL muscles showed a significantly higher decrease in the CTG compared to the 11+TG and TTG (p<0.05). The stiffness of the BF muscles too showed a more significant decrease in the CTG compared to the TTG (p<0.05). Conclusion: The complex training method of the Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ and self-myofascial release (SMFR) as a warm-up program, prevent injuries, enhance flexibility, and lower muscle stiffness of football players in high school. Thus, it is necessary to ensure the widespread use of the complex training program by instructors and players under the supervision of the Korea Football Association (KFA), given its reliability in preventing injuries and improving the performance of football players.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2024

Background: This study was conducted to apply active release techniques to male youth basketball players to help improve physical development and damage prevention and improve performance through improved balance and functional movement. Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: The subjects included 33 youth basketball players who were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=17) and the control group (n=16). For the experimental group, the active release technique was applied to the hip muscles, calf muscles, posterior thigh muscles based on the distribution of injuries surveyed in youth basketball players in the Korean Basksetball League. The Y-balance test and the functional reach test (FRT) were used to assess balance and the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) was used to assess functional movement. Interventions were conducted twice a week for 4 weeks at 40 minutes per session. The experimental group was the active release technique group, and static stretching, a common exercise therapy technique, and self-myofascial release using a foam roller were applied for 20 minutes. The control group received general exercise therapy and placebo active release technique. The placebo active release technique applies pressure only. results:The experimental group showed a greater improvement in balance, as evidenced by the FRT, compared to the control group, which received general exercise treatment. However, there was no statistically significant difference in improvement between the 2 groups. In the case of the experimental group, the difference in the Y balance test before and after the intervention was larger than that of the control group, but there was no statistically significant difference. Significant improvement was found in functional movement, as evidence by the FMS, for the trunk stability test (p < 0.05), in-line lunge test (p < 0.05), rotational stability test (p < 0.05), total score (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the active release technique improved the balance and functional movement of young basketball players more than general exercise therapy. The application of the active release technique is therefore expected to assist in physical development, prevent damage, and improve the performance of youth basketball players.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.13-25
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• 2022

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of combined cervical stabilization exercise (CSE) and stretching exercise (SE) on office workers with forward head posture (FHP). Methods : A total of 32 office workers with forward head posture were randomly assigned to experimental (n=16) and control (n=16) groups. The experimental group underwent combined CSE and SE, and the control group underwent cervical self-myofascial release and SE. Both groups performed exercises for 40 min per day, thrice per week for a total of 6 weeks. Craniovertebral angle (CVA), respiration, disability, and joint range of motion (ROM) before and 6 weeks after intervention were measured and compared. Results : There was no significant between-group difference in the general characteristics (p>.05). The intra-group comparison showed significant differences in the visual analog scale (VAS) and neck disability index (NDI) of both groups post-intervention (p<.05). CVA and forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds (FEV₁) were significantly improved post-intervention in the experimental group only (p<.05). In the experimental group, all ROM variables were significantly improved post-intervention. In contrast, in the control group, all ROM variables improved significantly post-intervention, except for extension (p<.05). The inter-group comparison showed significant differences in NDI, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, and left rotation between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusion : The combination of CSE and SE, which stabilizes the cervical spine, had positive effects on cranial rotation angle, respiration, disability, and joint ROM in office workers with forward head posture. Therefore, the combination of the two exercises may be an effective option to reduce symptoms and prevent postural problems in office workers with FHP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.29-40
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of an exercise program for the thoracic spine and scapula rather than the neck, which is the primary site of pain. METHODS: Thirty-two elementary school teachers with a forward head posture (FHP) were assigned randomly to either the experimental group (n = 16) or the control group (n = 16). The experimental group performed scapular stabilization exercise (SSE) and thoracic extension exercise (TEE), and the control group performed cervical self-myofascial release exercise and stretching exercise. The pulmonary functions, pain, craniovertebral angle (CVA), and cervical range of motion (CROM) were measured before the intervention and six weeks after. RESULTS: The within-group comparisons showed that the VAS and CROM (except for extension) in both groups were significantly different before and after the intervention (p < .05). The changes in the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 sec (FEV1), and CVA were significant only in the experimental group (p < .05). The between-group comparisons showed a significant difference in the FVC, FEV1, VAS, CVA, and left lateral flexion (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The combination of SSE and TEE in the experimental group was more effective in improving the FHP and breathing ability. Moreover, the experimental group and control combination appeared to be effective in reducing pain and improving the CROM. The combination of SSE and TEE, which are exercises that do not target the cervical spine directly, was effective in improving the posture, respiration, neck pain, and CROM in elementary school teachers with FHP.