• 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.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.195-200
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• 2017

Purpose: This study attempts to identify the effects of stretching and core exercise using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on the pain and functional disability index of patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 20 patients with chronic lower back pain were randomly divided into either the experimental group (n=10), who received PNF stretching and core exercise, or the control group (n=10), who received conventional physiotherapy. Both interventions were applied three times a week for six weeks. The visible analogue scale (VAS) was measured in order to determine the level of pain, while the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to measure the change in the functional disability index. We conducted a paired t-test to compare the within-group change before and after the intervention. To compare the between-group difference, we used an independent t-test. The statistical significance level was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all the variables. Results: The experimental group showed a significant within-group change in both the VAS and the ODI (p<0.01). The control group also showed a significant change (p<0.01). A significant difference was observed between the experimental group and the control group with regard to the change in both the VAS and the ODI after the interventions (p<0.01). Conclusion: In this study, the application of stretching and core exercise using PNF for subjects who complain of chronic lower back pain proved effective in reducing both pain and functional disability. We therefore expect that this intervention can be applied in the future as a useful program for patients with chronic lower back pain.

• 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 Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2015

Background : The purpose of this study is to identify how the relaxation music listening during exercise influences body flexibility and stress. Methods : Twenty healthy adults 20s and 30s who lack of body flexibility were recruited and each subjects performed exercise during the relaxation music listening or no listening. Bach, aria of linear G was used as the relaxation music. The experiment was conducted for 4 weeks. In this study, PASW ver 18.0 was utilized to perform non-parametric tests for comparisons. Result : The result with respect to the dependent variables are as follows: When non-parametric tests were conducted to compare body flexibility at the test of the right ear touch behind head by left hand and the stretching hands test between the two groups after exercise, they showed significant differences in statistical terms (p<.05). Conclusion : From the above results of the study it was found that the application of the relaxation music during the exercise is effective, it improved the body flexibility of the right ear touch behind head by left hand and the stretching hands more than the exercise without the relaxation music did. The outcome of the experiment may provide basic data for developing an effective way to increase body flexibility.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.196-203
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• 2006

Objectives: This study was conducted to test whether stretching helps high school students recover from their fatigue and improve concentration. Method: The method of this study adopted a nonequivalent control group with pre-test and post-test designs. The period of data collection was from November to December in 2004. The 135 subjects were randomly selected from two high schools in Ulsan : one school as control group(n=66) and the other school as an experimental group(n=69). The experimental group had stretching for 10 minutes before the start of their fifth period class, five times a week(once a day) 4weeks of period, but the control group did not do. Result: After stretching, the students' level of fatigue in the experiment group was immensely reduced (t=4.75, p<.001). After the stretching, the concentration level of the experimental group increased vastly compared to the control group (t=3.35, p≤.005). Conclusion: Stretching is useful to reduce fatigue and improve concentration of high school students. This study recommended that stretching, which is not limited by high physical techniques, or specific time or spaces would help high school students' health, since they do not exercise regularly and are tired physically and mentally.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.61-67
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of exercise on the angle and distance between scapular stability and McKenzie stretch exercise. Method : 30 volunteers took part in this experiment and we divided into three groups(experimental group A, experimental group B, control group C). Experimental group A performed scapular stabilization exercise and experimental group B performed McKenzie neck stretching exercise and control group didn't perform any exercise. Experimental group(A, B) received a total of 12 exercise session over a 4 week period (three times per week). Posture and craniovertebral angle changes of the neck using GPS measurements reported. Result : The CVA and distance change after exercise were significantly reduced in the experimental group A and B. Conclusion : Therefore, we have confirmed through experiments reducing a CVA and distance between scapular stabilization and McKenzie neck stretching exercises, whereby we would also be helpful to ensure the treatment of forward head posture.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.24-31
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of self-stretching exercises for iliotibial band (ITB) (Side-lying; right hip and knee were flexed to support the pelvis while left hip was extended and adducted, Standing A; side-bending of the trunk on standing with crossed leg, Standing B; same as Standing A, except the hands were clasped overhead and shifted right side, and Standing C; same as Standing B, except moving the arms diagonally downward) to help determine the most effective self-stretching method to stretch ITB. Twenty-one healthy subjects who do not have ITB shortness from Yonsei University (14 men and 7 women) between the ages of 18 to 28 years voluntarily participated. Ultrasound was performed to measure the thickness of the ITB between the long axis of the ITB and the level parallel to the lateral femoral epicondyle during four self-stretching exercises. All data were found to approximate a normal distribution. We used a one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to compare the thickness of the ITB among all self-stretching exercises. The level of significance was set at ${\alpha}$=.05. The ANOVA was followed by Bonferroni's correction. The overall mean of ITB thickness was $1.14{\pm}.4$ mm (${\pm}$ standard deviation) in resting status. The change in the ITB thickness in percentages between the tested position of each self-stretching exercises and resting status was significant (p<.05) (Side-lying $26.62{\pm}10.18%$ with 95% confidence interval [CI]=21.99~31.25%; Standing A $29.46{\pm}16.19%$ with 95% CI=22.09~36.84%; Standing B $44.06{\pm}14.82%$ with 95% CI=37.31~50.81%; Standing C $53.76{\pm}12.1%$ with 95% CI=48.25~59.29%). Results indicated significant differences among four self-stretching exercises except Side-lying versus Standing A (p<.01). Based on these findings, the Standing C self-stretching exercise was the most effective in stretching the ITB thickness among four types of ITB self-stretching exercises. Additionally, the Side-lying self-stretching exercise using gravity to stretch the ITB is recommended as a low-load (low-intensity), long-duration stretch.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.53-65
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and analyse the change on muscular strength and exercise performance ability of university students participating in leisure sports by elastic-band exercise program. Method : The subjects(N=22) participating in leisure sports are recruited from K university located in Chungbuk. The subjects which are divided to 2 groups as experimental group(N=11) conducted elastic-band exercise program and control group(N=11) conducted stretching program. The muscular strength and exercise performance ability were measured before and after intervention. Result : There were no significant differences(p>.05) in sex, age, height, and weight among subjects. In the measurement of muscular strength, a significant difference(p<.05) was observed in each group, and there was also significant difference(p<.05) between two groups except gastrocnemius(p>.05). A significant difference(p<.05) in muscular volume was observed in each group, and there was also significant difference(p<.05) between two groups apart from gastrocnemius(p>.05). In exercise performance ability, there was significant difference(p<.05) in sergent jump and side-step in each group, and there was a significant difference(p<.05) between two groups in sergent jump, but there was no significant difference(p>0.5) in side-step. Conclusion : Based on this study, through a variety of age and various intervention period to apply more subjects conducting elastic-band exercise program should continue.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2015

Background: Although many of those who drive for a living are exposed to repetitive and awkward posture and whole body vibration which cause them cumulative trauma disorder, therapeutic studies related to the problems from the transport unit are still somewhat inadequate. The purpose of this case report is to identify the effect of combined exercise program on patients suffering chronic neck pain caused by long hour of intra-city bus driving. Method: A total of 4 subjects are selected as patients, all of whom have more than 10 years of experience in intra-city bus transportation services. These people have suffered from neck pain for years. We ran the combined exercise program 3 times a week for 4 weeks and respectively evaluated the results after the 2nd and 4th week. We implemented conventional physiotherapy for 40 minutes, another 40 minutes of combined exercise program, and then educated the patients to enable themselves to do active stretching program as a home program. The combined exercise program contained 3 different stages. 1st stage: active stretching program, 2nd stage combined stabilization exercise and strengthening exercise, 3rd stage: proprioceptive exercise Result: After 4 weeks of intervention, there was enhance in the range of motion. $12^{\circ}$ increase in flexion, $10^{\circ}$ in extension, $6^{\circ}$ in lateral flexion respectively, and $10^{\circ}$ in rotation on average. VAS(visual analgue scale) decreased by 33% on average, NDI(neck diability index) by 28% and fatigability by 23%. Conclusion: There were improved results in the range of motion, NDI, VAS, and in fatigability after applying combined exercise program to intra-city bus drivers exposed to whole body vibration and cumulative trauma disorder.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.38-48
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• 2004

The purpose of present study is to examine the relative efficacy of active exercise programs for work-related chronic low back pain and to figure out how much they affect mechanical stability of lumbar. Subjects are 43 employees with work-related chronic low hack pain, and they were randomly divided into two groups with general physiotherapy groups and thoracic exercise groups for increasing thoracic mobility. Active exercise programs were done 3 times a week, for 6 months, and the subjects were tested for Pain intensity(VAS), the Oswestry Disability Index, Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction and the lumbar region angle of inclination. All subjects were reassessed with same measurement with Pre-study and 6 months after study After applying active exercise programs, pain intensity didn't show any significant difference between two groups. The Oswestry Disability Index showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise groups decreased significantly compare to general physiotherapy group(p<0.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group increased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups(p<0.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant difference between two groups and thoracic exercise group decreased significantly more than general physiotherapy groups (p<0.05). According to the results above, exercise for increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. For the work-related chronic lower hack pain workers, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy.