• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.10-20
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• 2017

Background: Patients with chronic stroke often shows decreased trunk muscle activity and trunk performance. To resolve these problems, many trunk stabilizing techniques including the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and the diaphragmatic breathing maneuver (DBM) are used to improve trunk muscle strength. Objects: To compare the effects of the ADIM and the DBM on abdominal muscle thickness, trunk control, and balance in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial. Nineteen patients were randomly allocated to the ADIM ($n_1=10$) and DBM ($n_2=9$) groups. The ADIM and DBM techniques were performed three times per week for 4 weeks. The thicknesses of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique muscle, and external oblique muscles on the paretic and non-paretic sides, Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS) score, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score were used to assess changes in motor development after 4 weeks of training. Results: After the training periods, the TrA thickness on the paretic side, TIS score, and BBS score improved significantly in both groups compared to baseline (p<.05). TIS score was significantly greater in the DBM group than in the ADIM group (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ADIM and DBM are beneficial for improving TrA muscle thickness in the paretic side, trunk control, and balance ability. Intergroup comparison revealed that TIS score was significantly improved in the DBM group versus the ADIM group. Thus, DBM may be an effective treatment for low trunk muscle activity and performance in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.91-98
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• 2018

Purpose : The aim of this study is to determine changes to the thickness of core muscles, e.g., transversus abdominis (TrA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO), after plank and Kegel exercises and to compare the effects of the two exercise methods. Method : The study divided men and women in their 20s into two groups, Kegel and plank, by randomly allocating 30 males and 30 females to the targeted groups. To achieve the purpose of this study, we examined the thickness of core muscles after the participants performed plank or Kegel exercises. Results : 1. In the Kegel group, abdominal muscle thickness increased with time, and there was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the TrA. 2. In the plank group, abdominal muscle thickness increased with time, and there was a statistically significant difference in the thickness of the TrA. 3. After the experiment, muscle thickness of the abdominal muscles in the plank exercise group were higher, but there was no significant difference between the Kegel exercise group and the plank exercise group. Conclusion : Both plank and Kegel exercises are recommended for core muscle stabilization, and based on the results of this study, Kegel exercise is either used as a core stabilizing exercise or as a plank exercise for the weaker patients or women.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.35-49
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• 2014

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the effects of the lumbar stabilization exercise and strength exercise on pain, ROM, strength, muscle thickness of low back pain(LBP) patients. Method : The subjects were consisted of twelve patients who had nonspecific LBP. All subjects randomly assigned to lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=6) and strength exercise group(N=6). We measured muscular strength, ROM by using Tergumed-extension, rotation and muscle thickness by using ultrasonography and pain score by using Visual analog scale(VAS). The lumbar stabilization exercise group received TOGU exercise, strength exercise group received Tergumed exercise. The data analyzed by repeated measure of Independent t-test, paired t-test, reliability test. Result : The results were as follows. The result which measured of the change of pain score was a significant decrease. The result which measured of the change of ROM and strength was a significant increase. The result which measured of the change of the Internal abdominal oblique, External abdominal oblique on muscle thickness was a significant increase. Stabilization exercise group and Strength exercise group showed the significant difference in muscle thickness on Transversus abdominis, Multifidus. Stabilization exercise group was more increased in muscle thickness. Conclusion : Therefore, we suggest that stabilization exercise is effective for non-specific low back pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2022

Purpose : Although many studies have explored the effect of seating side angles on the spinal curve and surrounding muscles during seating, only a few studies have investigated the effect of different seating face angles on different lower limb and deep trunk muscles. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of seating surface angles (0 degrees, 10 degree anterior, and 10 degree rear) on lower extremity and deep trunk muscles in healthy adults. Methods : Thirty people were asked to sit once on each seating surface three times during the day, and their muscle thicknesses were measured by ultrasound while sitting. The method of sitting was the same when sitting on the three seating surfaces. Results : From the comparison results of the muscle thicknesses according to the seating surface angles, a significant difference existed in the muscle thicknesses of the vastus medialis, vastus medialis oblique, vastus intermedius, soleus and gastrocnemius (p<.05). However, no significant difference was found in the transversus abdominis, internal obliques, rectus femoris and vastus lateralis (p>.05). Conclusion : Our findings revealed that the lower back load decreases, the leg load increases, and the legs specific muscles are affected as the body tilts forward when sitting on the seating surface inclined forward. Therefore, it is possible to suggest a forwardly inclined seating surface that reduces lower back loads and utilizes the posture-maintaining muscles of the legs when sitting in a person with a poor sitting posture or lower back pain at ordinary times.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.115-124
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to know influenced on the change of Oswestry back pain disability index(OBPDI), isometric muscle power(IMP), muscular activation with chronic low back pain(CLBP) patients after Trunk Stabilization Exercise. Intervention was provided 6 weeks(5 days a week). Muscular activation was measured during IMP(Muscles : transversus abdominis : TA, internal obliqus : IO, external obliqus : EO, rectus abdominis : RA and erector spinae: ES). The results were as follows. 1. OBPDI about the MBE and the SE groups had effective decrease pain and disability. 2. IMP of intervention after the MBE and the SE groups had effective improve muscle power. 3. Muscle activation during IMP of intervention after was : TA, IO, RA had increase in the MBE and the SE groups. EO muscle activation during IMP of intervention after had increase only MBE groups. This shows that the MBE and the SE groups had effective increase because it has effective improve muscle power. Therefore, this study shows ￡hat trunk stabilization exercise program influenced on the change of OBPDI, IMP, muscular activation with CLBP patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-16
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• 2015

Objective: Prone bridge exercise is one of the core strengthening exercise for improving abdominal, lower and upper extremity muscles. In addition, coactivation of the trunk muscles and extremities is important for treatment of low back pain. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the thickness, cross-sectional area of the target muscle, and endurance during prone bridge exercise. Our hypothesis was that an increase in muscle thickness is positively related to the hold time for the static prone bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fourteen healthy university students (8 men and 6 women) voluntarily participated in the study at Sahmyook University. Hold time for the prone bridge with one and both legs was measured. The resting and contracted thickness of the lateral abdominal, rectus femoris, and triceps muscles was measured using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging. The correlation between muscle thickness and endurance for maintenance time was evaluated. Results: The prone bridge with both legs and the contraction thickness of the triceps muscle showed a positive correlation (r=0.692, p<0.05); the prone bridge with one leg and the contraction thickness of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles showed a positive correlation (r=0.545, 0.574, p<0.05, 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Endurance for the prone bridge exercise with a stable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of arm muscles; the prone bridge exercise with an unstable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of the deep abdominal muscles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.72-83
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• 2023

Background: Normal-weight obese women have a normal weight with relatively low muscle mass resulting from high body fat. We aimed to investigate the effects of core exercise on body composition, abdominal muscle thickness, trunk muscular endurance, and psychological factors in normal-weight obese women. Design: One group pre-, mid-, and post-test design. Methods: A total of 20 normal-weight obese women were recruited voluntarily. Core exercises were performed for 30 minutes, three times a week for 4 weeks. InBody measurements, ultrasound imaging, and clinical tests were used to assess body composition, abdominal muscle thickness, trunk and core muscular endurance, and psychological condition(satisfaction with appearance and self-esteem). The dependent variables were measured three times: before the intervention (pre-test), 2 weeks after the intervention (mid-test), and 4 weeks after intervention (post-test). One-way repeated measures ANOVA and Friedman test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Although there was no change in the body composition (p>0.05), thickness of the transversus abdominis and internal and external oblique muscles, endurance of the trunk flexors and extensors and core muscles, and psychological condition showed significant differences after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings will help develop exercise programs for normal-weight obese individuals that utilize the beneficial effect of core exercises.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.7-12
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• 2010

Purpose: This study investigated changes in the thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal abdominal oblique (IO), and external abdominal oblique (EO) muscles between crook lying and wall support standing positions during abdominal hollowing (AH), using ultrasound imaging. Methods: Experiments were conducted on 20 healthy male adults (mean age=$22.45{\pm}4.08$ years) who voluntarily agreed to participate in the experiments. The changes in the thickness of the subjects' abdominal muscles were measured during AH in crook lying and wall support standing positions. Results: The difference in the thickness of TrA between the two positions during AH was statistically significant, but the differences in the thicknesses of IO and EO were not significant. Conclusion: Activity of the TrA, which is a deep muscle, was stimulated in the standing position, which is, therefore, more functional than the crook position, but the activities of IO and EO muscles did not decrease. Therefore, various methods to induce the activity of TrA while decreasing the activities of IO and EO, in the functional standing position that can stimulate deep muscles, need to be designed.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.210-214
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the muscle architectural parameters of abdominal muscles in healthy individuals by rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI) and to investigate their changes after bridging exercise in various environments. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The study included 40 healthy participants (19 men, 21 women). Subjects were randomly allocated to a stable surface group (SG, n=20) or an unstable surface group (UG, n=20). The participants assumed three positions in rest, bridging exercise with knee flexion $60^{\circ}$, and bridging exercise with knee flexion $90^{\circ}$ for the measurement of abdominal muscle thickness by RUSI. For the resting position, the participants held the head neutral in a hook-lying position and the dominant side was measured. For contraction, the participants performed the bridging exercise with the knee joint in $60^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ of flexion for 10 seconds each. Results: For transversus abdominis, external oblique muscle thickness, within the stable surface group and the unstable surface group, no significant contraction difference was observed in both the $60^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$ bridge exercise conditions. Contraction difference of internal oblique muscle was significantly larger at $90^{\circ}$ than at $60^{\circ}$ within the SG (p<0.05). But within the UG, no significant contraction difference was shown. There was no significant contraction difference between the surface group and the unstable SG at $60^{\circ}$ condition and at $90^{\circ}$ condition in all measured muscles. Conclusions: The contraction difference is different for each muscle during bridge exercise with knee flexion $60^{\circ}$ and bridging exercise with knee flexion $90^{\circ}$. Muscle contraction difference is generally large when exercised on an unstable surface than a stable surface, but these are not statistically significant when bridging exercise is performed using dynamic air cushion for unstable surface.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.107-112
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• 2015

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of lower limb and trunk muscles activation on seat angle and height during sit to stand and stand to sit. METHODS: Subjects were instructed to sit and stand on different angles and heights; $0^{\circ}$(43cm), $5^{\circ}$(48cm), $10^{\circ}$(51cm) and $15^{\circ}$(58cm). Measurements were conducted from sit to stand and stand to sit for external oblique, transversus abdominis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle activation by surface EMG. The muscle activation was measured three times for five seconds in each posture, and the %RVC value was calculated after the exclusion of one second before and after this measurement. This calculation standardized the data from each participant so it could be comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: The external oblique, tibialis anterior, and erector spinae muscles showed significant difference in $10^{\circ}$(51cm), $15^{\circ}$(58cm) and $0^{\circ}$(43cm), rectus femoris, in $15^{\circ}$(58cm) and $0^{\circ}$(43cm)(p<.05) during sit to stand. The external oblique, tibialis anterior, and rectus femoris muscles showed significant difference in $0^{\circ}$(43cm) and $15^{\circ}$(58cm), erector spinae and vastus medialis muscles showed significant difference in $10^{\circ}$(51cm), $15^{\circ}$(58cm) and $0^{\circ}$(43cm)(P<.05) during stand to sit. CONCLUSION: The present study findings indicate that the toilet seat angle and height could affect muscle activities of the lower limb and trunk.