• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2020

Background: This study examined the effects of myofascial release exercise using an inflatable compression therapy ball on spinal flexibility in adults to present basic data to improve spinal flexibility. Methods: The participants were assigned randomly to two groups: the myofascial release exercise group (MRE, n=60) and the stretching exercise group (SE, n=60). The MRE group performed myofascial release exercise for the erector spine muscles using an inflatable compression therapy ball. The SE group performed stretching exercises of the erector spine muscles. Each exercise was performed in 3 sets of 10 repetition daily for one week. Results: The within-group comparison revealed a statistically significant difference between the pre-intervention and post-intervention measurements in only MRE group (p<.05). On the other hand, the between-group comparison revealed the MRE group to show statistically significant improvement in spinal flexibility (p<.05). In effect size, the MRE group was -1.82 (95% CI= -2.24~-1.39), and the SE group was -.7 (95% CI= -1.15~-.41). Conclusion: Myofascial release exercise for the erector spine muscles using an inflatable compression therapy ball was more effective in improving spinal flexibility than stretching exercises for the erector spinae muscles. However, although myofascial release exercise using inflatable compression therapy ball is more effective than stretching exercise, it is insignificant, and research is also insignificant. It is believed that more diverse studies using props will be needed in the future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2006

The term thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is used to describe patients with compressed subclavian arteries, veins, and brachial plexuses in the region of the thoracic outlet. The objective of this study was to evaluate a scalenus stretching exercise that aims to restore normal function to patients with TOS. This study consisted of 60 patients with symptoms of TOS, and divided the patients into 3 groups: one that received manual therapy, one that practiced self stretching, and a control group. Each group consisted of 20 patients. This study assessed the efficacy of scalenus stretching exercise by examining the resting pain, tenderness, spherical grip power, and pinch grip power of patients. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Scheffe post hoc test, and independent t-test. The results showed that resting pain was statistically significant within the manual therapy and self stretching groups (p<.05), and that the resting pain of the manual therapy group was more statistically significant than that of the self stretching group (p<.05). Tenderness, spherical grip power, and pinch grip were statistically significant within the manual therapy and self stretching groups (p<.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>.05). Finally I could see that there were no statistical differences between manual therapy and self stretching to improve the symptoms of the patients with TOS. These results imply that self stretching by patients is as important as manual therapy by a physical therapist.

• 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.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.356-363
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• 2012

This study was carried out to identify how a self-stretching exercise program affects pain for each body area, pain relief and job satisfaction for care workers. 20 of 40 care workers with musculoskeletal symptom were randomly selected and participated a self-stretching exercise program consisting of 15 motions. The intervention was done five times or more per weeks for 8 weeks and 1 session lasted within 15 minutes. 'Musculoskeletal symptom survey table' of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) and JDI(Job Descriptive Index) was used for pain on the musculoskeletal symptom and job satisfaction. Survey were done twice before and after the program. The result of this study showed that self-stretching exercise program group(SSPG) relieved from pain significantly in the shoulders(p<.01) and lumbar(p<.05), comparing to the non self-stretching exercise program group(NSPG). Although no significant difference on variations in the JDI appeared in SSPG, the significant reduction appeared from the colleague relationship and organization in NSPG(p<.05). SSPG showed the significant increase on variations in JDI from the job and organization comparing to NSPG. Especially, the improvement on satisfaction for the organization was shown(p<.05). Accordingly, the self-stretching exercise program for care workers can be said to positively affect the overall pain relief and increase on the JDI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to research the effect of self-Stretching Exercise on musculoskeletal Symptom and job Stress for care helpers who work at geriatric hospital and come up to NIOSH standard. METHODS: The effect of self-Stretching Exercise was measured using 'musculoskeletal symptom survey table' and 'Job stress measurement scale for korean' from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) for 40 care helpers. The paired t-test and independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The pracitce of Self-Stretching Exercise was showed significant effect reducing the stress for care helper's total job Stress and inappropriate compensation, job instability, job requirement, relationship conflict, physical environment(p<.05), and significant difference for their total score, relationship conflict, structure and organization, physical environment, inappropriate compensation improvement on variations on job stress in groups(p<.05). However, self-Stretching Exercis was showed no significant effect on physcial burden. CONCLUSION: The self-Stretching Exercise was the most effect way to reduce Musculoskeletal Symptom and job Stress for a care helpers through the guidance of physical therapist.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2019

Purpose: This study is an investigation of the effects of long-term smart phone usage and of stretching on muscle stiffness, concentration, and visual acuity. Methods: Forty healthy young adults voluntarily participated in the study and were measured for muscle stiffness, concentration, and visual acuity before smartphone usage and after 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 90 minutes of smartphone usage. The participants were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=20) and the control group (n=20). Five minutes after the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, the participants were remeasured. Results: After long-term smartphone usage, increases in muscle stiffness and concentration were statistically significant (p<0.05), whereas decreases in visual acuity were statistically significant (p<0.05). After the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, muscle stiffness significantly decreased (p<0.05) and visual acuity significantly increased (p<0.05). Concentration, according to the stretching exercise and eye exercise intervention, showed no significant pre- or post-test difference. Conclusion: The results from this study indicate that long-term smartphone usage effectively improved concentration but increased muscle stiffness and decreased visual acuity. Appropriate stretching and eye movement during long-term smartphones usage should mitigate the effects on muscle stiffness and visual acuity. Furthermore, smartphones should be considered an effective tool for concentration training when coupled with the development of appropriate applications.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.4676-4685
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• 2012

We investigated to compare the effects of a low intensity eccentric exercise and dynamic stretching on symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The eighteen women who had not participated in a regular exercise programme for the lower extremities in the previous five months were randomly assigned to one of three experimental groups: control group, a low intensity eccentric exercise group and dynamic stretching group. We measured the joint range of motion (ROM), maximal voluntary isometric exercise (MVIC), muscle soreness rating scale and ultrasound image measurement before eccentric exercise inducing DOMS, and 24, 48, and 72 hours after an eccentric exercise inducing DOMS. The exercise programme in a low intensity eccentric exercise group and dynamic stretching group were respectively performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks before eccentric exercise inducing DOMS. There was significantly different between the groups in muscle soreness rating scale and MVIC (p<.05). However, there was not significantly different between groups in ultrasound image measurement and ROM (p<.05). These results suggest that a low intensity eccentric exercise group and dynamic stretching group effectively reduced muscle soreness rating scale out of the symptoms of DOMS. A low intensity eccentric exercise group may be an effective improvement than dynamic stretching group in muscle soreness rating scale.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.301-309
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine whether swiss ball exercise combined with taping would improve low back pain, disability and quality of life in women with pregnancy-related Low Back Pain (PR-LBP). Sixteen patients with PR-LBP were recruited and were randomly divided into two groups: taping and swiss ball exercise group (n=8) and taping and stretching group (n=8). The taping and swiss ball exercise group was treated with swiss ball exercise with kinesio taping, while the taping and stretching group received only taping. The taping and swiss ball exercise group performed swiss ball exercise for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week for 4weeks, while the taping and stretching group conducted stretching exercise for the same amount of time. VAS was used to assess pain level of low back. Disability was measured using a Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire(RMDQ). Quality of life were measured by SF-36. The pain intensity of low back in the taping and swiss ball exercise group improved significantly greater than the taping and stretching group (p<0.05). Significant improvement in the disability was observed in the taping and swiss ball exercise group compared to the taping and stretching group (p<0.05). The SF 36 in the taping and swiss ball exercise group improved significantly greater than the taping and stretching group (p<0.05). Our findings indicate that swiss ball exercise combined with taping is beneficial and effective to improve low back health and quality of life in women with PR-LBP.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.265-272
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to provide a foundation for the methods of stretching in sports activities. The subjects were normal adults, the applied exercise was dynamic and static stretching and the research methods were measuring the jump height and muscle activity during jumping with subsequent data comparison and analysis. Twenty normal adults were randomly divided into 2 groups, and each group performed dynamic or static stretching. Jump height and the vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius muscle activities were measured during jumping, which was performed immediately before and after stretching. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of covariance. The results indicated that dynamic stretching was more effective than static stretching with respect to both jump height (p<.05) and muscle activity of the vastus lateralis (p<.05). Consequently, it was believed that dynamic stretching should be applied as a warm-up exercise for athletes who need to build and maintain high muscle strength.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 2019

Purpose: The spasticity of stroke patients decreases the ankle range of motion and increases the gastrocnemius muscle tone. This study examined the effects of stretching exercise and far infrared irradiation on the ankle function in stroke patients with spasticity. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 stroke patients admitted to Jesaeng General Hospital, who were divided into a study group (stretching exercise with far infrared) and control group (stretching exercise only). The dorsiflexion range of motion was measured using a smartphone and the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness were measured using a Myoton pro. Results: With the exception of the non-paretic gastrocnemius muscle tone in the control group, the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness decreased significantly in both groups. In both groups, the dorsiflexion range of motion increased significantly. In addition, the experimental group had a significantly higher dorsiflexion range of motion than the control group. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the medial gastrocnemius muscle tone and stiffness. Conclusion: For stroke patients with spasticity, stretching exercises increased the ankle's range of motion and decreased the gastrocnemius muscle tone. The addition of heat therapy further increased the ankle's range of motion. On the other hand, as the sample size was small, future studies should include more subjects.