• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.44-57
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• 2005

The objectives of this study were to examine the relative efficacy of three active exercise programs for work-related, chronic low back pain, and to observe to what extent the programs affected the mechanical stability of the lumbar region. The subjects were 64 employees who were randomly divided into three groups to match the three active exercise programs which were performed 3 times a week for 6 months. All subjects were assessed with the same measurements at a pre-study examination, and then were reassessed at 2 weeks, 3months and 6 months after the study. The pain intensity didn't show any significant difference among the three groups. However, the Oswestry Disability Index showed significant differences among the three groups at 6 months and the lumbar and thoracic exercise groups showed significant decreases compared to the general physiotherapy group (p<.05). Maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed a significant difference among the three groups at 3 months and 6 months, and the thoracic exercise group at 6 months showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). The group that performed maximal stretching with both hands in the overhead direction showed the most significant among the 3 months and 6 months. At 6 months, the thoracic exercise group showed a significant increase in overhead stretching compared to the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). The lumbar region angle of inclination showed significant differences among the three groups at 2 weeks 3 months, and 6 months, with the thoracic exercise group being decreased more significantly at 6 months than the lumbar exercise and general physiotherapy groups (p<.05). Exercise aimed at increasing thoracic mobility has an effect on lumbar stability. Furthermore, it is far more effective for lumbar stabilization than general physiotherapy and deep muscle strengthening lumbar exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.559-567
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• 2005

The purpose of this research is to study how the stretching exercise along with heat and electric therapy can effect on Angle of Lumbar Flexion and Reduction of Pain against the Hamstring Construction Symptom that can be found in the Chronic Low Back Patients. The target of research was 28 person selected out of the patients diagnosed as Lumbar Sprain and Lumbar Syndrome, who have positive from the active test of Hamstring construction and passive test. Their age range is 20 to 60 years old, 14 male and 14 female. As a research method, simple heat and electric therapy was applied to counter part while Hamstring Stretching Exercise including simple heat and electric therapy was applied to the experimental part. After 6 weeks treatment for each part, the results of effect on Angle of Lumbar Flexion and Pain Reduction was compared and analysed on the basis of the gravity angle meter and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The outcome of research is as follows: 1. Angle of Lumbar Flextion increased effectively not in the conventional counter group but the experimental group to which Hamstring Stretching was applied simultaneously. 2. remarkable effect was shown in the experimental part applied Hamstring Stretching. Consequently from the results of this study, we could find out the fact that the therapy combined preserve treatment and hamstring stretching not only produced increasing Lumbar Flexion Angle but also was more effective on reducing pain of the patients according to it than the conventional or preserve therapy.

• 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.

• 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.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.123-131
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was aimed to identify the effects of a ten-week stretching exercise program on physiological, psychological functions, and activities of daily living(ADL) among elderly women. Methods: Using a quasi-experimental design, the experimental group received a ten-week stretching exercise program 3 times a week from March to May in 2002. They were divided into 22 persons in the experimental groups in 2 halls where the program was incorporated, and 22 persons in the control group in 2 halls, where the program wasnot incorporated. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, Fisher's Exact test, and ANCOVA was considered significant as a 2-tailed test. Results: There was a significant improvement in diastolic blood pressure(P=0.023), total cholesterol (P=0.019), triglycerides (P=0.002), spine ROM(P=0.000), trunk and hip-joint ROM(P=0.000), percent of body fat(P=0.039) as physiological functions, depression(P=0.041) as a psychological function, and activities of daily living(P=0.001) in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: A stretching exercise program showed good effects on improving physiological functions, psychological functions and activities of daily living among the elderly women in a city. Therefore, we recommend this program be utilized as a health promoting program for the elderly in the community.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of stretching and strengthening exercises on the pain, pelvic tilt (PT), functional disability, and balance of patients with chronic lower back pain (CLBP). Methods: A total of 42 patients with CLBP were randomly divided randomly into either experimental group I (EG I, n=21), who received stretching exercise, or experimental group II (EG II, n=21), who received strengthening exercise. Both interventions were applied three times a week for eight weeks. Assessments were made with a visual analogue scale (VAS), PT, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Berg's balance scale (BBS) before and after the eight weeks intervention period. A paired t-test was conducted to compare the within-group changes before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used compare the between-group difference. The statistical significance level was set to ${\alpha}=0.05$ for all variables. Results: The EG I and II showed significant within-group changes in the VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS (p<0.05). The changes in VAS, PT, ODI, and BBS were similar regardless of the exercise form. Conclusion: In this study, the application of stretching and strengthening exercise for subjects who complain of CLBP was effective in changing the level of pain, PT, functional disability, and balance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.61-69
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of tensor fasciae latae-iliotibial band (TFL-ITB) self-stretching exercise on the lumbopelvic movement patterns during active prone hip lateral rotation (HLR) in subjects with lumbar extension rotation syndrome accompanying TFL-ITB shortness. Eleven subjects (9 male and 2 female) were recruited for the two-week study. A three dimensional ultrasonic motion analysis system was used to measure the lumbopelvic movement patterns. The TFL-ITB length was measured using the modified Ober's test and was expressed as the hip horizontal adduction angle. The subjects were instructed how to perform TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise program at home. A paired t-test was performed to determine the significant difference in the angle of lumbopelvic rotation, movement onset time of lumbopelvic rotation, TFL-ITB length, and LBP intensity before and after the two-week period of performing the TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise. The results showed that after the intervention, the lumbopelvic rotation angle decreased significantly (p<.05), the movement onset time reduced significantly (p<.05), and LBP intensity decreased slightly but not significantly (p=.07). The hip horizontal adduction angle increased significantly (p<.05) after the intervention. These findings indicate that TFL-ITB stretching exercise increased TFL-ITB length, decreased lumbopelvic rotation angle, and delayed the movement onset time of lumbopelvic rotation after two-weeks. In conclusion, the TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise performed over a period of two weeks may be an effective approach for patients with lumbar extension rotation syndrome accompanying TFL-ITB shortness.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chest mobilization and stretching exercises on maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure in healthy adults who use computers for extended periods of time each day due to coronavirus disease 2019. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adults in their 20s and without respiratory disease (15 female, 10 male) took part in this study. Two types of thoracic mobilizing exercises using a Theraband and three types of stretching exercises using a foam roller were performed. Maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure were measured three times each before and after the interventions. In terms of statistical methods, the maximum inspiratory pressure due to chest mobility and stretching was compared with the maximum expiratory pressure using parametric paired t-test and non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Maximum inspiratory pressure (p = .012) and maximum expiratory pressure (p = .006) showed significant differences before and after chest mobilization exercise and stretching among the participants. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that chest mobilization and stretching exercises are effective exercise methods for improving maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure. They suggest that these exercises can prevent respiratory muscle weakness and improve aerobic fitness in healthy people as well as those in need of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.147-154
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• 2006

Purpose: To analyze the effectiveness of the treatment with the stretching exercise in the patients with iliotibial band (ITB) friction syndrome. Materials and Methods: 22 patients with ITB friction syndrome were treated with the stretching exercise of the ITB. The criterion for determining the good result is more than 75% recovery according to the classification of success of treatment. We analyzed the differences of the duration of treatment at which the good result it achieved according to sincerity of the stretching exercise. The sincerity of the exercise is defined at performing more than 50% of the exercise that we prescribed. Results: Of 22 patients, there were good results in 19 cases (87%) within 8 weeks after the treatment. Except for 3 cases who did not achieved good results, the average duration of the treatment is 28.1 days. In patients with good results there was no statistical significance for the relationship between the duration of symptoms before diagnosis (average 25.6 days) and the duration of the treatment (average 28.1 days). In comparison with the group who performed the exercise sincerely and the group who did not, the average duration of the treatment if 23 days and 32.7 days respectively and there was significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: The stretching exercise in ITB friction syndrome was helpful in reducing the duration of treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.35-43
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of passive stretching exercises of the scalene muscles known as respiratory accessory muscles, on forced vital capacity. METHODS: Ten of the participants were randomly selected as an experiment group to perform passive stretching exercises on the scalene muscles. Ten additional students were selected randomly as a control group. The forced vital capacity was assessed by using a digital spirometer (Pony FX, COSMED Inc, Italy) both before and after the passive stretching exercises were performed. Subsequently, passive stretching exercises of the scalene muscles were performed in the experimental group. There were no interventions to the control group. RESULTS: As for the forced vital capacity (FVC), the experiment group showed significant increase in items of forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 second/vital capacity ($FEV_1/VC$), and maximal expiratory flow 75%(MEF 75%) after the scalenemuscles passive stretching exercises were performed. The control group, however, showed no change. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that passive stretching exercises of the scalene muscles could be helpful for forced vital capacity improvement.