• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2016

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify determine the effect of the strap height on muscular activity of trunk and lower limbs muscles during bridging exercise with a sling. Methods: The subjects of the study were 17 healthy male adults. In order to For measurement of muscular activity, body surfaces electrodes were placed on areas including erector spinae, multifidus muscles, gluteus maximus, and hamstring and the results was were recorded based on three different heights of strap, which are Levels 1, 2, and 3. Results: The muscular activities in erector spinae, multifidus muscle, and gluteus maximus were significantly different in at all three heights (p<0.05)., Level 3 showed the highest the compared to Levels 1 and 2. In hamstring muscle, there was significant difference in levels 1 and 2, also and levels 1 and 3 (p<0.05),. Bbut there was no significant difference between 2 and 3. The ration of muscular activities in multifidus muscles/erector spinae and gluteus maximus/hamstrings were significantly different for all three strap heights (p<0.05). Also, Level 3 showed higher than 1 or 2. Conclusion: The results of this study suggests to adjustment of the level III, that which has high activity level of multifidus and gluteus maximus affecting trunk stability during bridging exercise using a sling.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.1818-1822
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• 2019

Background: Ipsilateral pelvic elevation has been reported as a common compensatory movement during side-lying hip abduction. It has been reported that pelvic elevation inhibits sufficient contraction of gluteus medius. However, few studies have identified the effects of controlled pelvic elevation on the trunk and hip muscles. Objective: To examine the effects of controlled pelvic elevation using visual biofeedback on the muscle activity of the trunk and hip muscles. Design: Crossover study. Methods: Twelve healthy males performed side-lying hip abduction exercises with and without visual biofeedback for pelvic elevation. Electromyography (EMG) activities of the gluteus medius, quadratus lumborum, and multifidus were analyzed using a wireless EMG system while the ipsilateral pelvic elevation angle was measured using a motion sensor during side-lying hip abduction exercises. Results: EMG activities of the gluteus medius (p = .002), quadratus lumborum (p = .022), and multifidus (p = .020) were significantly increased and ipsilateral pelvic elevation was significantly decreased (p = .001) during side-lying hip abduction with visual biofeedback compared to without visual biofeedback. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the application of biofeedback for pelvic motion could improve the trunk and hip muscle activation pattern and decrease compensatory pelvic motion during side-lying hip abduction exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2023

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to find out which exercise is more effective for the activation of the trunk, when the suspension plank and modified bridge exercise are performed. Weakening of the trunk muscles can lead to secondary injuries such as back injuries. In order to prevent injury, trunk muscles must be strengthened, and representative trunk strengthening exercises include planks and bridges. Each has been developed with a modified method, but since there is no paper comparing which exercise is more effective for trunk muscle strength, it was written to compare the two exercises. METHODS: The subjects were a random sample of 30 healthy men who agreed to participate in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups of 15 people each, and the suspension plank and the modified bridge exercise were performed for six weeks. The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA), internal abdominal oblique (IO), external abdominal oblique (EO), rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF) was measured before and after the exercise. The two groups were analyzed using an independent t-test and paired t-test to compare the muscle thickness and the difference before and after exercise. RESULTS: The trunk muscle thickness was increased in both groups with suspension plank and modified bridge exercise, and there was a statistically significant difference. When comparing the two groups, the suspension plank group also showed a significant difference in RA (p<.05). CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, suspension plank exercise can have a positive effect on activating the trunk muscles and strengthening the strength of RA. Therefore, it is considered that suspension plank exercise is a more effective intervention to strengthen trunk muscle than modified bridge exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.316-321
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• 2013

Purpose: The aimed of this study was to investigate muscle activation related to postural stability according to different frequency of whole body vibration during quiet standing, to identify the most effective training conditions that cause the highest neuromuscular responses, and to evaluate the difference of EMG activation according to the anatomical position of the muscle - proximal or distal from the vibration platform. Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects voluntarily participated in this single-group, repeated-measures study in which EMG data from upper trapezius, rectus abdominalis, external oblique abdominalis, elector spinae, gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, and gastrocnemius were collected over different frequencies (0-5-10-15-20-25Hz) for each subject during quiet standing. Results: We observed a statistically significant difference in the mean values of %RVC of muscular activation according to different frequencies of whole body vibration during quiet standing in all muscles (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that lower frequencies of vibration result in low muscular activation, and higher frequencies elicit high muscular activation. However, the most effective training condition that caused the highest activation was 20 Hz. In addition, the proximally located lower extremity muscles (GCM, RF, ST, GM) showed higher activation than the distally located trunk and neck muscles (ES, EO, RA, UT) together with increasing frequency.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.44-57
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• 2007

Purpose: The objective of this study is to analyze the activities of muscles importantly functioning when walking with different inclinations and speeds of a treadmill, in order to provide basic data on walking exercise using a treadmill. Method: The selected subjects of this study were 16 men and women who had lower extremity injury. A treadmill was used to provide the activation of muscle, and the electromyography was used to analyze the muscle activity variables. The Biodex was used to measure the value of maximum isometric contraction. The inclinations of the treadmill were 0%, 5% and 10%, respectively, and its speeds were 2Km/h. 3Km/h, 4Km/h, 5Km/h, and 6Km/h, respectively. Result: For quadriceps femoris muscle and trunk muscle, there were significant differences in muscle activity when different speeds were applied at 0%, 5% and 10% inclinations.(p<0.05) The activity of vastus medialis muscle was 9.78% at 0% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 9.32% at 0% inclination and 3km/h, which was slightly lower. The activity of erector spinae muscle was 24.93% at 0% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 24.84% at 0% inclination and 3km/h, whereas it was 23.99% at 0% inclination and 4km/h, which was slightly lower. The activity of vastus medialis muscle was 11.89% at 10% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 10.65% at 10% inclination and 3km/h, which was slightly lower. The activity of rectus femoris muscle was 10.26% at 10% inclination and 2km/h speed, whereas it was 9.77% at 10% inclination and 3km/h, which was slightly lower. Conclusion: It was found that the activities of trunk muscle and quadriceps femoris muscle increase as the inclination and the speed of a treadmill increase during treadmill walking.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.311-327
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of diaphragmatic breathing on activation of trunk muscles of patients with low back pain. Diaphragmatic breathing may affect activation of trunk muscles. The assumptions are as follows: the crural diaphragm attatches to the lumbar vertebrae from L1 to L3, the voluntary downward pressurization of the diaphragm increases intra-abdominal pressure, and this increases the stiffness of the spine. Diaphragmatic breathing increases intra-abdominal pressure and the increased intra-abdominal pressure may contribute to the lumbar stability. Sixty patients with low back pain were randomly divided into two groups. Experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise with six breathing positions and control group performed only the breathing positions for five times per week during six weeks. % maximal voluntary contraction(% MVC) of trunk muscles on six breathing positions of experimental and control group was measured according to testing period of pre test, three weeks, and six weeks. The repeated measures of one-way ANOVA were used to analyze % MVC on trunk muscles of experimental and control group according to testing period. The results of this study were as follows: First, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in the right leg extension position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Second, % MVC of right and left erector spinae in all-four positions indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Third, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the sitting position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fourth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the standing position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Fifth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the supine position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). Sixth, % MVC of right and left erector spinae, external oblique in the lying on prone position indicated the statistically significant difference in experimental group which performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise rather than control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, as experimental group performed diaphragmatic breathing exercise according to the period of pre-test, post three weeks, and post six weeks, experimental group showed the greater significant effect on the activation of right, left erector spinae, and external oblique muscle. Diaphragmatic breathing exercise which resulted in activation of trunk muscles can be effective for managing the patients with back pain and should be utilized as the new therapeutic intervention.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.741-747
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• 2012

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the EMG activities of the trunk muscles when carrying a backpack with belts and without belts. Background: This research aimed to explore the influence of carrying a backpack with belts on the trunk muscles activity and to suggest a desirable method of wearing backpacks. Method: Seventy five adolescents participated in this study. The EMG activities of upper trapezious, cervical erector spinae and rectus abdominis were collected. One way ANOVA was used to analyze the collected data. LSD was used for post-hoc test. Results: The EMG data from treadmill walking showed significant differences between carrying a backpack with belts and without belts for the cervical erector spinae and upper trapezious(p<.05) in all group(A Group: no belt, B Group: lumbar belt, C Group: lumbar-chest belt). In descending walking, significant difference were found for the cervical erector spinae and rectus abdominis in all group. In ascending walking, there were no significant differences in all group. LSD showed that the muscle activity of the trunk muscles decreased significantly when the lumbar belt and lumbar-chest belt were worn. Conclusion: The trunk muscles activities were decreased when the subjects were wearing a backpack with belts, comparing with wearing a backpack without belts. Application: These results can be used to provide useful information on how wearing a backpack in adolescent.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.119-127
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to compare the activity of the trunk and leg muscles while performing fente (in fencing) wearing weighted and waterbag vests. Method: The electromyography test was used to measure and analyze the activation of the trunk and leg muscles. Eight active fencers from B University (age: 19.5 ± 0.66 years, height: 179.75 ± 5.93 cm, weight: 72 ± 6.32 kg) were selected for this study. Results: According to the EMG analysis results of the 4 muscles measured in this study, left-right differences were observed for rectus abdominis and external oblique abdominis, but left-right differences between the groups were not significant. The gluteus medius muscle was not significantly different from the adductor muscle, but there were significant differences between the groups. Conclusion: The electromyographic analysis of the four muscles measured in this study revealed no significant difference between the left and right recti abdominis and external obliques depending on the vests. However, significant differences were observed between the left and right gluteus medius and adductor longus. Our results can be interpreted as the effects of the inherent movements involved in the fente. Furthermore, our results indicate that the weight transfer while wearing a waterbag vest, which provides an unstable environment, increased the activity of leg muscles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different heel height on the electromyographic (EMG) activity in Rectus abdominis (RA) and Erector spinae (ES) during gait activity. Methods : A repeated measures design was used. 33 healthy females carried out a standardized gait activity under 3 conditions; with heel wedges of 1, 7, and 12cm in height. EMG activity was recorded from RA and ES during the activity. Data was analysed using the repeated one-way ANOVA. Results : First, as the shoe-heel height was getting higher, change of muscle activation indicated the statistically significant difference in rectus abdominis(p<0.05). Second, as the shoe-heel height was getting higher, change of muscle activation indicated the statistically significant difference in erector spinae(p<0.05). Conclusion : We found that as heel height increased, there was an increase in EMG activity in both RA and ES. This indicated that no RA : ES imbalance was elicited. This study provides information that will inform future research on how heel height affects muscle activity around the trunk.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.187-197
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in the muscle activity of the trunk stabilizer muscles before and after incorporating Pilates breathing during three types of Pilates chair exercises. Methods: This study included 33 healthy men and women in their 20's; they were recruited according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. sEMG was used to measure the changes in the muscle activity in the internal oblique/transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, and erector spinae during the three types of Pilates chair movements (footwork, twist footwork, and bridging) without and with the Pilates breathing integration. The muscle activities of the trunk stabilizers between without and with Pilates breathing were statistically analyzed and compared. Results: The internal oblique/transverse abdominis showed an increase and a significant difference in the muscle activity in all three movements of footwork, twist footwork, and bridging after the Pilates breathing integration (p<.001). The muscle activity of the rectus abdominis (p<.05) and the erector spinae (p<.05) also increased and showed a significant difference after the Pilates breathing incorporation, except in the bridging movement for the erector spinae. The increase in the rate after integrating Pilates breathing was relatively greater in internal oblique/transverse abdominis than in other muscles. Conclusion: When Pilates breathing was applied, the activities of the trunk stabilizer muscles increased significantly and immediately in all three movements of Pilates chair footwork, twist footwork, and bridging. This means that the use of breathing is expected to have a positive and immediate effect on the activation of trunk stabilizers, thus indicating that it can possibly be an effective re-enforcing tool to promote trunk stability when it is integrated to the Pilates chair exercise. Incorporating Pilates breathing also seemed to have a tendency to activate the deep trunk stabilizer muscles more than the superficial stabilizer muscles.