• 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.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1642-1650
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching exercise and joint mobilization on ankle joint range of motion (ROM), plantar pressure, and balance in subjects with stroke. Thirty patients (n=30) were organized into three groups, each of which received different treatments: PNF stretching (n=10), joint mobilization (n=10), and joint mobilization and PNF stretching combined (n=10). Each group received three exercise sessions per week for four weeks. The ankle ROM was measured using a goniometer, and plantar pressure and balance ability were measured using BioResque static posturography. In comparison within each group, the joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group showed significant improvements in ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability (p<.05). In comparison between the groups, a statistically significant difference was found in SECS change between the PNF stretching group, joint mobilization group and the joint mobilization with PNF stretching group. This study found demonstrates that the joint mobilization and joint mobilization with the PNF stretching methods were effective in improving ankle ROM, plantar pressure, and balance ability in stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.35-44
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of heat therapy, stretching exercise and to verify which method was most effective for lumbar flexibility improvement. Subjects were 20 apparantly healthy person(male10, female10) who did not have any medical problem. They were randomly divided and assigned into 2 groups: heat therapy, stretching exercise. For testing flexibility, trunk flexion, bunk extension, and Schober-test were performed. Pre-test was done prior to the each group's treatment. Test was done at 2nd week, 4th week and 6th week. There were no significant difference in improvement of trunk flexion and trunk extension after 6 weeks treatment among 2 methods. However in all 2 groups, there were statically significant improvement in flexibility as time go on. The rate of improvement was highest at 2nd week, while this was attenuated afterwards. The Schober-test score changed significantly from pre-test to the mid-test and to the post-test, while there were no significant difference among 2 methods of treatment. With the results above, it was concluded that heat therapy, stretching-exercise were all effective for improving flexibility without any significant priorities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.19-27
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined which stretching exercise had the most positive effect on increasing the range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint in healthy people and whether there was a difference between continuous stretching and intermittent stretching. METHODS: This study included 30 healthy university students from OOO University. The subjects were asked to sit on a mat and perform hamstring-stretching exercise during which the ROM and muscle tone were measured with pre and post-tests. Each subject was assigned randomly to a continuous stretching group (stretching without relaxation time group, n=10, G1) or intermittent stretching group (stretching with 10s relaxing time group, n=10, G2; and stretching with 20s relaxing time group, n=10, G3). The participants conducted hamstring stretching exercises with a sit-and-reach box at three different rest times (0s, 10s, and 20s). Subsequently, they underwent passive knee extension (PKE) tests, in which the ROM of the knee joint was measured with a goniometer, and the muscle tone was evaluated using a MyotonPro. RESULTS: Significant differences in muscle tone, stiffness, and ROM were observed between pre-test and post-test in each groups (p<.05). Although the post hoc tests indicated no significant differences in muscle tone and ROM between the continuous stretching group and intermittent stretching group (p>.05), the rate of change of the ROM showed that the intermittent stretching group developed more effective maintenance of the hamstring flexibility. CONCLUSION: No significant differences in the muscle tone of the hamstring and ROM of the knee joint were observed according to the hamstring stretching exercises with three different rest times. On the other hand, the rate of change of the ROM showed that intermittent stretching maintained the hamstring flexibility more effectively.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.245-249
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• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of local vibration using a massage gun on the triceps surae flexibility by measuring the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) compared to static stretching in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were instructed in this study. They were allocated randomly to two groups: local vibration (LV) and static stretching (SS). The ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured before and after the intervention in supine (open kinetic chain, OKC) and standing (closed kinetic chain, CKC). The LV group received local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on their triceps surae, and the SS group stood on the Q board with a dorsiflexed ankle for five minutes. The ROM between pre- and post-intervention and the change in ROM between two groups were analyzed. A paired t-test was used to compare the ROM between pre- and post-intervention, while an independent t-test was used to compare the change in ROM between the two groups. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention in the position of both the OKC and CKC. The change in ROM, however, was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on the triceps surae could improve its flexibility as much as the application of static stretching. A massage gun for the application of a local vibration stimulus may be effective, simple, portable, and comfortable.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles on ankle range of motion, static and dynamic balance, and gait speed in chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants were 20 chronic stroke patients, divided into two groups, 10 in the ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles group and 10 in the slant board exercise group. Both groups performed their respective interventions once daily, with three sets per session, five times a week for four weeks. Ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed were measured before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to compare the results between the two groups before and after the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant improvements in ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed after the intervention (p < .05). The ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles group showed more significant improvements in ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and gait speed after the intervention compared to the slant board group (p < .05). These results suggest that ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles may be more effective than the slant board for certain outcomes. Conclusion: Ankle stretching with intrinsic muscles is effective in improving ankle range of motion, dynamic and static balance, and walking speed.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1644-1653
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kinesio taping application on static and dynamic balance during ankle stabilization exercise. Method: H University in Gunsan is recruiting subjects with unstable ankles (N=12). The 12 subjects were randomly divided into groups (n=6) that performed ankle stabilization exercises by applying kinesio taping and groups that performed ankle stabilization exercises only (N=6). Exercise was done twice a week for 4 weeks. All groups conducted the same exercise program, including stretching, for 40 minutes. The exercise program was conducted in the following order. It was conducted in the order of 5 minutes of stretching, 30 minutes of exercise program, and 5 minutes of finishing stretching. To measure the change in static and dynamic balance, the experimenter and control group measured the change by conducting the Cumberland ankle instability tool, the Y-balance test, and the Stork balance standing test (SBST). Results: There was a statistically significant difference in static and dynamic balance between the group with kinesio taping (experimental group) and the group without kinesio taping (control group) in patients with chronic ankle instability. However, there was no statistically significant difference in static and dynamic balance before and after intervention between groups. Conclusion: These results were expected to help improve dynamic and static balance in ankle instability when applying kinesio taping and balance exercises, but there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group because the experiment period was short.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.206-212
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the lasting effects of the flossing band technique, dynamic and static stretching on hamstring on range of motion (ROM), muscle activity, and proprioception to identify the most effective pre-exercise method for preventing injuries. Methods: Thirty participants were randomly assigned to the flossing band (FB), dynamic stretching (DS), and static stretching (SS) groups, with 10 subjects in each. Measurements included muscle activity of the biceps femoris vis surface electromyography, knee ROM and proprioception during active knee extension and flexion using a smart joint goniometer. Assessments were conducted before, immediately after, 15, and 30 minutes after each intervention. Results: Proprioception showed no significant differences among groups at any time point. Significant differences in knee ROM were observed in the FB group (except between 15 and 30 minutes after), DS group (except between immediately after and 15 minutes after, and between 15 and 30 minutes after), and SS group (except between before and 15 minutes after, and between before and 30 minutes after). Muscle activity in the FB (except between before and 30 minutes after, and between 15 and 30 minutes after) and SS (between before and immediately after, between immediately after and 30 minutes after, and between 15 and 30 minutes after) groups showed significant differences, while the DS group exhibited no significant changes. Conclusion: Although direct comparisons did not establish superiority, within-group analyses indicated that the flossing band technique exhibited longer-lasting effects than dynamic and static stretching, providing valuable insights for injury prevention program design.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which method is efficient to enhance the flexibility of lower back between PNF(Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), static and dynamic stretching. Methods : Subjects were 30 young people between the ages 17 and 19. They were randomly divided into three groups; static group(n=10) performed a static stretching, dynamic group(n=10) performed a dynamic stretching, and PNF group(n=10) performed a PNF stretching. Intervention was provided 5 days per week for 4 weeks. For each case, Trunk flexion forward, trunk flexion backward, trunk left lateral bending, trunk right lateral bending, trunk flexion forward a measuring instrument and tapeline were performed to measured the flexibility of lower back at different times(before starting the exercise, after 4 weeks). Results : The results of the study reveal that the lower back flexibility was a statistically significant difference in all groups(p<.05). There was statistically significant difference between PNF group and static group, PNF group and dynamic group. Conclusion : The finding indicated that PNF may be preferred technique for improving flexibility, and that flexibility training results in an increased consistency of flexibility scores.