• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.905-913
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the difference of muscle activity according to application of a foam roller during pilates. The 8 male subjects were selected and quadruped position, bridge, and core control movement of pilates were randomly assigned to 9 movements on a static mat motion, static foam-roller motion, and dynamic foam-roller actions. This program was conducted once at intervals of 1 week. The muscle activity of erector spinae, rectus abdominis, external oblique, gluteus medius, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris were measured and the collected data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA. First, in the quadruped, the rectus abdominis and external oblique, rectus femoris of the dynamic foam-roller actions showed higher muscle activity than the static mat motion and the static foam-roller motion(p <.001), gluteus medius muscle activity was also significantly higher (p <.05). biceps femoris were significantly higher in static foam-roller motions than in static mat-motion and dynamic foam-roller actions(p <.05). Second, biceps femoris muscle activity was highest in dynamic foam-roller actions than static mat-motion and static foam-roller motions during bridge(p <.001). Third, in the sitting core control, the rectus abdominis and gluteus medius of the dynamic foam-roller actions showed higher muscle activity than the static mat motion and the static foam-roller motion(p <.001). and activity of erector spinae muscle was also significantly higher (p <.01). external oblique were significantly higher in static mat-motion than in static foam-roller motions and dynamic foam-roller actions(p <.05). Considering the muscle activity during pilates exercise, it would be more effective to apply the method and difficulty.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study compared the activities of the trunk muscles during crutch walking to determine which of the crutch length measurements is most beneficial. METHODS: Twenty young women volunteered to participate in this study. After adjusting crutch length, the participants performed a three-point walking with nondominant leg limited in weight bearing. This study used six crutch length measurements: (1) Height-40.6cm, (2) Height'.77, (3) Olecranon-to-finger length, (4) Axillary-toheel length, (5) Arm-span length-40.6cm, and (6) Arm-span length'.77. The EMG activities of the internal oblique (IO), rectus abdominis (RA), multifidus (MF), and erector spinae (ES), muscles on the weight bearing side were monitored using wireless surface EMG. RESULTS: The EMG activities of the RA and ES appeared to be significantly different among the crutch length measurements (p<.05). The post-hoc test showed that the 'Arm-span length-40.6cm' was significantly greater in the RA activity when compared to the 'Height'.77' and 'Axillary-to-heel length' measurements, and in the ES activity when compared to 'Height'.77' measurements. Furthermore, IO/RA and MF/ES ratios showed significant differences among the crutch length measurements (p<.05). In the post-hoc test, significant difference was observed between 'Olecranon-to-finger length' and 'Arm-span length-40.6cm' for the IO/RA ratio, and between 'Height'.77' and 'Olecranon-to-finger length' and between 'Height'.77' and 'Arm-span length-40.6cm' measurement for the MF/ES ratio. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the 'Height'.77' measurement is relatively advantageous to optimize the activities of trunk muscles during the crutch walking, and allow simple measurements of the crutch length.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to verify the most effective spinal stabilization exercises program by comparing the activities of muscles contributing to spinal stabilization during four types of exercises using a sling and a mat. Twenty healthy males were recruited and each subjects performed four types of exercises. Exercise 1 was performed in a quadruped position with the subjects lifting the left arm and the opposite leg on the mat. Exercise 2 was performed in a prone position while holding a sling with the right hand and the left knee was fully extended while lifting the left arm and right leg. Exercise 3 was performed in quadruped position while holding a sling with one the right hand and lifting the opposite arm and leg. In exercise 4, subjects were instructed to maintain a balance push-up position while holding slings with both hands in 10 cm forward reaching with extended elbows. Electromyographic(EMG) activities were recorded from the multifidus, external oblique, internal oblique, abdominal rectus, and erector spinalis muscles during the exercises. The EMG amplitude of each muscle was normalized to the amplitude in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of each muscle. Repeated ANOVA and Bonferroni's tests were used to compare the differences in the muscle activity according to the types of exercise. The EMG amplitudes of all the muscles were significantly different according to the types of exercises (p<.05). The highest EMG activities of each muscle was as follow; multifidus was 73.38%MVIC in exercise 3, the erector spinalis was 40.03%MVIC in exercise 3, the external oblique was 135.88%MVIC in exercise 4, the internal oblique was 128.60%MVIC in exercise 4, and the rectus abdominalis was 95.24%MVIC in Exercise 4. The types of exercises showed a significant difference in composition rate of EMG amplitudes of each muscle (p<.05). EMG composition rate of the multifidus was high in exercise 1 and 3. However, EMG composition rates of the external oblique, internal oblique, and the rectus abdominals were high in exercise 2 and 4. These results showed differences in EMG activities of muscles contributing to trunk stabilization during different therapeutic exercises. Therefore, the type of exercise should be carefully selected to effectively strengthen a specific trunk stabilizer.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.7
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• pp.411-418
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• 2014

This study, in order to establish the effect of three exercise groups on the static and dynamic balancing abilities and the muscular activity, targeting adult males aged 20-29, assigned 15 men to each aquatic exercise group, trunk stabilization exercise group, and balance exercise group. The study was conducted from June, 2013 to August, 2013, and measured and compared the balancing ability and the muscle activity(tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle) of the participants after performing intervention for 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. As a result, on the comparison between before and after the intervention, there were significant differences in changes of the surface area and the whole path length in all the three groups(p<.05)(p<.01), and also on the dynamic balance, there was a significant difference in change of limited of stability(p<.05)(p<.01). On change of the muscle activity of tibialis anterior, both left and right sides showed statistically significant differences in all the three groups(p<.05)(p<.01), and gastrocnemius muscle showed a statistically significant difference in all the three groups except for the left side of the trunk stabilization exercise group(p<.05)(p<.01). It could be established that aquatic exercise is effective for improvement of the balancing ability and increase of the muscular activity, and we intend to propose specific aquatic exercise program development by conducting a study to determine the objective effect of aquatic exercise on the elderly or patients who have a poor balancing ability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2023

Background: The gluteus maximus (GM) muscle comprise the lumbo-pelvic complex and is an important stabilizing muscle during leg extension. In patients with low back pain (LBP) with weakness of the GM, spine leads to compensatory muscle activities such as instantaneous increase of the erector spinae (ES) muscle activity. Four-point kneeling arm and leg lift (FKALL) is most common types of lumbopelvic and GM muscles strengthening exercise. We assumed that altered hip position during FKALL may increase thoraco-lumbar stabilizer like GM activity more effectively method. Objects: The purpose of this study was investigated that effects of the three exercise postures on the right-sided GM, internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and multifidus (MF) muscle activities and pelvic kinematic during FKALL. Methods: Twenty eight healthy individuals participated in this study. The exercises were performed three conditions of FKALL (pure FKALL, FKALL with 120° hip flexion of the supporting leg, FKALL with 30° hip abduction of the lifted leg). Participants performed FKALL exercises three times each condition, and motion sensor used to measure pelvic tilt and rotation angle. Results: This study demonstrated that no significant change in pelvic angle during hip movement in the FKALL (p > 0.05). However, the MF and GM muscle activities in FKALL with hip flexion and hip abduction is greater than pure FKALL position (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our finding suggests that change the posture of the hip joint to facilitate GM muscle activation during trunk stabilization exercises such as the FKALL.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated the coordination and contribution of body segments during functioning. Methods: The relevant literature related to body segments and function were reviewed. Results: Efficient control of function is considered with regard to a participant's ability to perform a sequence of movements in body segments, which progresses from the head to the arm, trunk, pelvis, and leg segments. Each segment performs a specific role, which environment explorer using visual information for the head, reaching and grasping for the arms, a stabilizer for the trunk, and the distribution of COM in the pelvis and leg. Conclusion: During any of the movements, the momentum generated by the proximal segments is transferred to the adjacent distal segments in an appropriate sequence. In assessing function for clinical intervention strategies, the segment coordination, segment sequence, transfer of the center of body mass, asymmetrical ratio, muscle activity, and compensatory strategies should be considered.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.821-831
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• 2001

Motor ability were hypothesized to be major factors that may have an influence on IADL(instrumental activities of daily living). The purpose of this study was to investi gate the effect of motor ability of elderly on IADL. This study consisted of forty eight elder male and ninety elder female. The subjects were selected from L, S, Y-institution in kyoung ki do. The average age of elder male and female was 73.81, 71.38 years. The data were analyzed with t-test, repeated measurement, correlation test, regression test, using SPSS PC+ and MINITAB program. The measurement item of motor ability was muscle strength(left, right- grip strength), flexibility(sitting trunk flexion, trunk extension, leg raising while in a standing position), agility(whole body reaction test, standing up), power(sargent jump), balance (stork stand). IADL was measured with Philadelphia Geriatric Center IADL. The result of this study were the following : 1. The factor of significant difference of between elder male and female was muscle strength, flexibility, power but no significant difference was agility, balance. 2. Between IADL of elder male and female was no significant difference. 3. Correlation of IADL and Motor ability of elder male had effect on muscle strength and power, agility. Correlation of Body composition and Motor ability of elder female had effect on muscle strength and power, agility. As a result of this study, optimal motor ability of elder male and female had improved IADL. In addition to, this result of this study, it can suggested the consideration of the Health promotion program for elderly.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2016

Background: For the treatment of forward head posture (FHP) and forward shoulder posture, methods for strengthening scapular retractors and deep cervical flexors and stretching pectoralis and upper cervical extensors are generally used. No study has yet assessed whether suboccipital release (SR) followed by cranio-cervical flexion exercise (CCFE) (SR-CCFE) will result in a positive change in the shoulders and neck, showing a "downstream" effect. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of SR-CCFE on craniovertebral angle (CVA), shoulder abduction range of motion (ROM), shoulder pain, and muscle activities of upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), and serratus anterior (SA) and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction in subjects with FHP. Methods: In total, 19 subjects (7 males, 12 females) with FHP were recruited. The subject performed the fifth phase of CCFE immediately after receiving SR. CVA, shoulder abduction ROM, shoulder pain, muscle activities of UT, LT, and SA, and LT/UT and SA/UT muscle activity ratios during maximal shoulder abduction were measured immediately after SR-CCFE. A paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to determine the significance of differences in scores between pre- and post-intervention in the same group. Results: The CVA (p<.001) and shoulder abduction ROM (p<.001) were increased significantly post-versus pre-intervention. Shoulder pain was decreased significantly (p<.001), and LT (p<.05) and SA (p<.05) muscle activities were increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention. The LT/UT muscle activity ratio was increased significantly post- versus pre-intervention (p<.05). However, there was no significant change in UT muscle activity and SA/UT muscle activity ratio between pre- and post-intervention (p>.05). Conclusion: SR-CCFE was an effective intervention to improve FHP and induce downstream effect from the neck to the trunk and shoulders in subjects with FHP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of low frequency neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) training on abdominal obesity in middle-aged women through electromyography and ultrasound. METHODS: Twenty-two middle aged women with abdominal obesity participated in the study. A low-frequency NMES device was used on the abdomen and waist of each subject for 20 minutes each (a total of 40 minutes) three times a week for eight weeks. The waist-hip ratio (WHR), weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) were measured. Electromyography (EMG) and ultrasound measurements were performed three times in total (pre-intervention, four weeks into the intervention, and eight weeks post-intervention) to examine the effects of low-frequency NMES on the abdominal muscle activity, muscle thickness, and subcutaneous fat. RESULTS: The results indicated a difference in the WHR and waist circumference before and after intervention (p<.05). The external oblique muscle (EO) showed a significant increase in muscle activity during all measurements taken post-intervention (p<.05). The abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness also showed a significant decrease between each measurement (p<.05). The test results showed that the abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness values taken eight weeks post-intervention were significantly lower than those taken pre-intervention and four weeks into the intervention (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These findings show that low-frequency NMES device training can be applied to middle-aged women with abdominal obesity to improve their body shape and exercise performance.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 2019

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) causes morphological changes in muscles, reduces muscle strength, endurance and flexibility, negatively affects lumbar stability, and limits functional activity. Plank exercise strengthens core muscles, activates abdominal muscles, and improves intra-abdominal pressure to stabilize the trunk in patients with CLBP. Objects: We investigated the effect of plank exercise on abdominal muscle thickness and disability in patients with CLBP. Methods: We classified 33 subjects into 2 groups: An experimental (n1=17) and a control group (n2=16). Patients in the experimental group participated in plank exercise and those in the control group participated in stretching exercise. Patients in both groups attended 20-minute exercise sessions thrice a week for 4 weeks. Abdominal muscle thickness in each subject was evaluated ultrasonographically, and disabilities were assessed using the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: Four weeks later, abdominal muscle thickness showed a significant increase over baseline values in both groups (p<.05). Patients in the experimental group reported a more significant increase in the thickness of the external oblique muscle than that in the control group (p<.05). ODI scores in the experimental group were significantly lower after intervention than before intervention (p<.05). Conclusion: Plank exercise increases the thickness of the external oblique muscle and reduces disability secondary to mild CLBP. Therefore, plank exercise is needed to improve lumbar stability and functional activity in patients with mild CLBP.