• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.32-41
• /
• 2019

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of manual facilitation and a stick on lumbar and hip joint flexion angles in subject with lumbar flexion syndrome during forward bending from a sitting position. Fifteen subjects with lumbar flexion syndrome were recruited for this study. As a pretest, all subjects performed three repetitions of bending the trunk forward until the tips of their fingers touched the target bar. After this pretest, the subjects practiced the forward bending of the trunk 10 times, using either manual facilitation or a stick. Then, as a posttest, all subjects repeated the pretest procedure. The flexion angles of lumbar spine and hip joint during forward bending in a sitting position were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. A paired t-test was used to determine the statistical differences between pre-test and post-test flexion angles and pre- and post-test flexion angle differences between forward bending with manual facilitation and forward bending with a stick. The level of statistical significance was set at p=.05. The results of the study showed that the angle of the lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the bilateral hip flexion angle increased significantly when performing forward bending with stick and manual facilitation. Furthermore, the angle of lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the angle of bilateral hip flexion increased significantly in forward bending with a stick compared to forward bending with manual facilitation. The findings of this study indicate that both forward bending with manual facilitation and sticks could be used to prevent excessive lumbar flexion and increase hip flexion, and that forward bending with a stick is more effective than forward bending with manual facilitation for inducing lumbar spine and hip joint angle changes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2017

Background: Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) was a term which refers to a sudden onset of myoelectric silence in the erector spinae muscles of the back during standing full forward flexion. Hamstring muscle length may be related to specific pelvic and trunk movements. Many studies have been done on the FRP of the erector spinae muscles. However, no studies have yet investigated the influence of hamstring muscle flexibility on the FRP of the hamstring muscle and lumbopelvic kinematics during forward bending. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the hamstring muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics and compare them during forward bending in subjects with different hamstring muscle flexibility. Methods: The subjects of two different groups were recruited using the active knee extension test. Group 1-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angle under $30^{\circ}$; Group 2-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angel above $50^{\circ}$. The kinematic parameters during the trunk bending task were recorded using a motion analysis system and the FRRs of the hamstring muscles were calculated. Differences between the groups were identified with an independent t-test. Results: The subjects with greater hamstring length had significantly less lumbar spine flexion movement and more pelvic flexion movement. The subjects with greater pelvic flexion movement had a higher rate of flexion relaxation during full trunk bending (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that differences in hamstring muscle flexibility might cause changes in people's hamstring muscle activity and lumbopelvic kinematics.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the effects of neck and trunk combined exercise program and single exercise on neck angle and neck and shoulder muscle activity. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: In the single exercise group, the basic stretching, head bending and neck bending exercises were performed. The neck and trunk combined exercise group performed torso strength and trunk stability exercises to stabilize the trunk, and then performed the same neck exercise as the single exercise group. The exercise program was conducted 5 days per week for 2 weeks. One-way repeated ANOVA was used to investigate the statistical analysis of neck angle, neck and upper and middle trapezius muscle activity. Results: 1) There was no significant difference in neck angle degree after exercise in neck single exercise group. 2) In the neck and trunk combined exercise, the neck angle degree decreased continuously with the increase of the experimental period and showed a significant difference. 3) In the single exercise group, the muscles which showed significant difference compared to the post-exercise were the right upper, left and right middle trapezius. 4) In the neck and trunk combined exercise group, the right neck muscles showed significant difference after the exercise before the experiment. Conclusion: It was found that the neck and trunk combined exercise was more effective in reducing neck angle and the muscle activity of the subjects with forward head posture was decreased and increased. However, both exercises showed positive effects.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.413-420
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine differences of balance performance to upright standing, forward bending posture, and sudden load during forward bending posture in subjects with and without a history of low back pain. A study was conducted on 8 subjects with low back pain and 13 healthy subjects. Dynamic Balance System was used to measure the postural sway index, left-right sway index, and anterior-posterior sway index on balance performance. There were no differences between subject groups on balance performance during upright standing. Balance performance was increased in forward bending posture and decreased in sudden load during forward bending posture in subjects with low back pain. These results suggest that subjects with low back pain demonstrated increased activity and decreased reaction times of trunk muscles.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.29 no.3 s.54
• /
• pp.679-692
• /
• 1996

This study was performed to find the prevalence and the associated risk factors with low back pain(LBP) of the staffs in a university at Kwang-ju city. The data were collected by a questionnaire including SDS(self - rating depression Scale) battery from September 1st to October 15th, 1996. The results were as follows; 1. The prevalence rate of LBP during lifetime was 73.1%, 53.1% for the last one year, and 23.6% for the last one week. 2. Statistically significant factors related to LBP during lifetime were sex and satisfaction with job. Sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, occupation, work posture, forward bending of trunk and satisfaction with job were selected as significant factors related to LBP during the last one year. The significant determinants related with LBP during the last one week were sex, smoking, alcohol drinking, occupation, forward bending of trunk and satisfaction with job. 3. Through the analysis of self - rating depression scores according to LBP, respondents with LBP had the significantly higher value of physiological disturbances and lower value of psychomotor activities than those without LBP. 4. Through the multivariate logistic regression, significantly associated factors with LBP during lifetime were selected to be female(OR=2.63, 95% CI : $1.08\sim6.40$), dissatisfaction with job(OR=2.16, 95% CI : $1.16\sim4.15$), those for the last one year were chosen to be female(OR=2.30, 95% CI : $1.03\sim5.12$), forward bending of trunk(OR=2.18, 95% CI : $1.26\sim3.79$), dissatisfaction with job(OR=1.84, 95% CI : $1.06\sim3.21$), and those for the last one week were female(OR=3.00, 95% CI : $1.17\sim7.69$), forward bending of trunk(OR=2.85, 95% CI : $1.38\sim5.88$). In conclusion, for effective prevention of the LBP at work site, appropriate improvement of work posture and various psychological factors should be considered.

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

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.73-81
• /
• 2021

PURPOSE: This study examined effects of the untact trunk stabilization exercise program on muscle thickness, trunk strength, maximal expiratory flow, and static balance. METHODS: The subjects were 20 normal adults divided into 10 in the contact exercise group and 10 in the untact exercise group. The trunk stabilization exercise program was conducted for four weeks. The muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound. The maximal expiratory flow was measured using Personal Best Full Range Peak Flow Meter. The static balance was measured through Bio-rescue; and the trunk muscle strength was measured by bending the upper body forward and measuring the time for maintaining the posture. RESULTS: Both contact and untact exercise groups showed significant differences in muscle thickness, muscle strength, maximal expiratory flow, and static balance (p < .05). A significant difference in muscle thickness on ultrasound was observed between the contact and untact exercise groups (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Activation of the transverse abdominal muscle requires accurate instructions of the contact exercise, but despite environmental constraints, the untact exercise program is as effective as the contact exercise for improving muscle strength, maximum expiratory flow, and static balance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.57-65
• /
• 2010

Korean traditional martial arts Taekkyon has a unique stepping method, Poombalbki. The purpose of this study was to investigate kinematic factors and ground reaction forces on two types of Poombalbki, one of which use knee bending and the other use chiefly hip bending. Six male taekkyoners who are the students of Y University participated in this study. Positions and velocities of CoM, the elapsed times of each phase, angles and angular velocities of low limb joints, and GRFs were analyzed for this study. The results were as follows; CoMs of whole body, trunk, and head were more posteriorly positioned in performing hip bending Poombalbki than knee bending one. Horizontal velocities of those were slower in performing hip bending Poombalbki. A player stayed more shortly within range of his opponent in performing hip bending Poombalbki. The vertical and horizontal components of GRF of forward-stepping foot were smaller in performing hip bending Poombalbki(p<.05). In conclusion hip bending is useful strategy, because A player is farther from his opponent, he stayed more shortly within range of his opponent, and the smaller weight is loaded on his front foot in performing hip bending Poombalbki than knee bending one.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.209-218
• /
• 2013

This study was to perform the kinetic analysis of forward $1\frac{1}{2}$ somersault on the platform diving. Six men's diving players of the Korea national reserve athletes participated in this study. The variables were analyzed response time, velocity, center of mass (COM), angle, center of pressure (COP) and ground reaction force (GRF) of motion. For measure and analysis of this study, used to synchronized to 4 camcorder and 1 force plate, used to the Kwon3D XP (Ver. 4.0, Visol, Korea) and Kwon GRF (Ver. 2.0, Visol, Korea) for analyzed of variables. The results were as follows; Time factor were observed in maximum knee flexion depending on the extent of use at phase 1 of take-off to execute the somersault. This enabled the subject to secure the highest possible body position in space at the moment of jumping to execute the somersault and prepare for the entry into the water with more ease. Regarding the displacement of COM, all subjects showed rightward movement in the lateral displacement during technical execution. Changes in forward and downward movements were observed in the horizontal and vertical displacements, respectively. In terms of angular shift, the shoulder joint angle tended to decrease on average, and the elbow joints showed gradually increasing angles. This finding can be explained by the shift of the coordinate points of body segments around the rotational axis in order to execute the half-bending movement that can be implemented by pulling the lower limb segments toward the trunk using the upper limb segments. The hip joint angles gradually decreased; this accelerated the rotational movement by narrowing the distance to the trunk. Movement-specific shifts in the COP occurred in the front of and vertical directions. Regarding the changes in GRF, which is influenced by the strong compressive load exerted by the supporting feet, efficient aerial movements were executed through a vertical jump, with no energy lost to the lateral GRF.