• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.156-160
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• 2021

Objective: Low back pain easily becomes chronic and has a high recurrence rate. Therefore, it is most important to prevent chronicity and reduce the risk of recurrence in the early stages of back pain or at the stage with mild pain. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare hip joint muscle strength, trunk muscle endurance, and pelvic alignment between subjects with mild low back pain and subjects without back pain. Design: Crossed-sectional study Methods: The study was conducted by recruiting 30 students in their twenties who are enrolled in K University in Gyeongsangnam-do, and classifying them into 15 patients with mild back pain and 15 patients with normal. The subjects who participated in the experiment were measured for hip flexor and extensor muscle strength, trunk flexion and extension muscle endurance, and pelvic alignment. To measure hip joint muscle strength, biodex was used, and muscle endurance of the trunk was recorded at the end range of the trunk flexion and extension. And pelvic alignment was measured using Formetric 4D. Results: There were no significant differences in hip joint muscle strength, pelvic alignment, and trunk extension muscle endurance. The retention time was found to be significantly shorter in the mild low back pain group than in the normal group for trunk flexion muscle endurance. Conclusions: In the early stages of back pain or in the mild pain stage, training to increase muscle endurance of the flexor muscles may be helpful.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.33-41
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• 2006

This study planed to analyze durability of effect and result that the Medx and Sling exercise gets to the strength of lumbar extensors. 15 patients who had enforce the minimal invasive lumbar surgery were executed 3 times per week for 8 weeks. The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of the mixed exercises of the Medx and Sling program on lumbar trunk muscles and to present basic data for the proper exercise prescription for lumbar patients. The results were as follows: 1) Left: Patients by lumbar hernia operation of trunk muscle strength by Sling-exercise: 0, 45, 90, 135, 180 (degree) treatment periods (P<0.05). 2) Right: Patients by lumbar hernia operation of trunk muscle strength by Sling-Exercise: 0, 45, 90, 135, 180 (degree) treatment periods (P<0.05). Medx treatment, a muscle strengthening lumbar extension exercise program, was now being used at local hospitals. In addition, Sling exercise, which is designed to develop lumbar muscle by way of reducing gravity in a new way so that it can accelerate the growth of muscles and ligaments in-depth in the patients, also has begun to be introduced gradually. In this study, therefore, the new mixed program (Sling and Medx training)can used as an exercise program that can reduce pain and increase lumbar muscles, not only for disk disease patients but also for all those who have undergone surgery or who haven't undergone surgery, who have chronic pain, and it also can be utilized as basic data for the new method of exercise.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isometric upper limb contraction on the trunk and lower extremity muscles during the sit-to-stand activity in elderly females. METHODS: Eighteen healthy elderly females performed three directional isometric upper extremity contractions (flexion, extension, and horizontal abduction movements) using an elastic band during sit-to-stand activity. Electromyography signals were collected from the internal oblique, erector spinae, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. RESULTS: Internal oblique activity was greater in bilateral shoulder flexion and bilateral shoulder horizontal abduction than in neutral position (p<.05). Erector spinae and rectus femoris muscle activities in bilateral shoulder flexion was greater than in neutral position and bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). Biceps femoris activity was significantly greater in bilateral shoulder flexion than in bilateral shoulder extension and horizontal abduction, and in neutral position compared to bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that incorporating isometric upper limb contraction may be beneficial for enhancing the contribution of trunk and lower extremity muscle activities to trunk stabilization during sit-to-stand activity. Therefore, isometric upper limb contraction during sit-to-stand tasks, especially in flexion, may be used to elicit contraction of the lumbopelvic region muscles within a tolerable range, for developing endurance and strength in the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.196-200
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the muscle activity of the trunk muscles during balance exercises on a stable and unstable surface in patients with stroke. Methods: Thirteen subjects (8 males, 5 females) with stroke were enrolled in the study. Muscle activity was recorded using surface EMG electrodes from the affected side of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles. The exercise was performed under three conditions. For the first condition for balance exercise, subjects were instructed to sit on an exercise mat with legs extended. The second condition was to sit with legs extended, with a balance pad under their buttocks. The third condition was to sit with legs extended, have a balance pad under the buttocks and a balance cushion under the lower legs. Results: This study showed significant differences in EMG activities during both arm lifting exercise and weight shifting exercise between conditions. This study showed that the EMG activities of the erector spinae, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles were significantly higher when the trunk exercise was performed using the balance pad with balance ball than when using the stable surface. Conclusion: In conclusion, performing balance exercises using an unstable surface is a useful method for facilitating trunk-muscle strength and hence trunk stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.11-19
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• 2012

This study aimed to investigate whether isometric lower limb exercise can activate contralateral trunk muscles and whether the magnitude of muscle activation is related to lower limb movement in sitting. This study included 25 healthy young subjects (20 males and 5 females). The magnitude of trunk muscle activation was measured using surface electromyography (EMG) during hip flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction, and a significant difference was observed in the activation levels of trunk muscles among the tests (p<.01). The EMG activity of the multifidus (MF) and erector spinae (ES) muscles on the contralateral side were significantly greater during hip extension. However, the activation levels of the contralateral internal oblique (IO) and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles were greatest during hip flexion. The MF : ES EMG ratio was significantly greater during hip isometric during hip isometric flexion and abduction compared to hip extension and adduction. There was no significantly difference in the IO : RA ratio during the isometric contractions toward different directions. These findings indicate that isometric lower limb exercise can elicit trunk muscle contraction on the contralateral side and may therefore be helped for developing contralateral trunk muscle strength in individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.63-71
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• 1998

Trunk holding test (Sorensen test) appear to have more value than strength test in prediction the occurrence of low back pain. Electromyographic activity of trunk extensor muscles during these test may provide clues to the etiology of neuromuscular-based low back pain. This study investigated the difference in back muscle endurance between healthy adult men and women using surface electromyographic (EMG) power spectral analysis. Thirty hea1thy subjects (15 men and 15 women) performed an unsupported trunk holding test for 60 seconds. Recording surface electrodes were placed over the erector spinae medially and laterally at vertebral levels of $L_1$ and $L_5$. Slope of total frequency was evaluated using the MP100WSW Fast Fourier Transform spectrum analysis program. The slopes of all indices of back muscle fatigue, except right $L_5$, were significantly steeper in men than in women (p<0.05). Our results indicated that the trunk holding test using EMG power spectral analysis of erector spinae muscles is useful for the evaluation of fatigue rate of these muscles. Our results also showed a higher muscle endurance in healthy adult women than in men.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.253-258
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of internal abdominis pressure(normal, hollowing and bracing) on trunk muscle activity during one leg bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirteen healthy adults (9 men and 4 women) were instructed to perform Internal abdominal pressure(IAP) control(Normal, Hollowing, Bracing) during one leg bridge. Electromyography (EMG) data (% Maximum Voluntary Isometric Contraction, MVIC) were recorded three times on both sides of the participant's Internal Oblique(IO), Effector Spinae(ES), and Multifidus(MF) muscles and the average value was analyzed. Results: As a result, Abdominal bracing one leg bridge (BOLB) group and Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group showed significantly increased muscle activation of bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae and multifidus activation compared to the Normal one leg bridge (NOLB) group (p<0.05). Abdominal hollowing one leg bridge (HOLB) group had a significant difference in bilateral Internal oblique muscle activation in compared to the NOLB group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Bilateral internal oblique, erector spinae, and multifidus muscles activation in healthy adults at one leg bridge exercise showed greater activation at abdominal bracing. Therefore, in this study, IAP control can be used as an indicator of choice to the dysfunction with trunk muscle weakness and corrective exercise subject's situation when the goal is to activate the trunk muscles by performing one leg bridge.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.259-278
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• 1995

This study was done to investigate levels of physical fitness, self efficacy(SE), instrumental activities of daily living(IADL), and quality of life (QL), and their relationships among the elderly Data were collected from 47 noninstitutionalized elderly dwell-ing in their own homes and 43 institutionalized elderly living in homes for older people. The ages of the subjects were 65 years and over. The data were col lected from January 20th to February 20th, 1995. Physical fitness was measured with T.K. K dyna mometer, grip dynamometer, stop watch, and Purdue pegboard. Structured questionnaires developed by Kim by Lawton & Brody, and by Ro were adopted to measure SE, IADL, and QL, respectively. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficients. The results were as follows : 1. The noninstitutionalized elderly had higher scores in such measures of physical fitness as body weight, skinfold thickness, flexibility and coordination as compared to the institutionalized elderly. 2. On the following measures of physical fitness, men showed higher levels than women ; in height when standing, height when sitting, body weight, and muscle strength. Women had more trunk flexibility than men. 3. Muscle strength was positively correlated with height when standing, height when sitting, and body weight. The following measures of physical fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and coordi nation, were negatively correlated with "up and go”. 4. The noninstitutionalized elderly had higher scores in SE(t=2.28, p<0.05), IADL(t=2.24, p<0.05), and QL(t=2.41, p<0.05) as compared to the institutionalized elderly. 5. SE was positively correlated with both IADL(r=0.41, p<0.001) and QL(r=0.54, p<0.001), and the latter two variables were a positively correlated (r=0.30, p<0.001). 6. SE was positively correlated with the physical fitness measures of height when standing, body weight, strength of leg muscles, strength of back muscles, grip strength, and level of touching the floor, but negatively correlated with "up and go”. 7. Positive correlations were revealed between IADL and the physical fitness measures of height, strength of leg muscles, level of trunk muscle extension, level of touching the floor, and coordination. The IADL was negatively correlated with “up and go”. 8. QL was positively correlated with body weight (r=0.28, p<0.01) and skinfold thickness (r=0.26, p<0.05). 9. Age was negatively correlated with the physical fitness measures of height when standing, height when sitting, “up and go”, strength of leg muscles, strength of back muscles, grip strength, level of trunk muscle extension, and coordination. 10. Age was also negatively correlated with SE (r=-0.24, p<0.05) and IADL(r=-0.22, p<0.05). The above results suggest that caring elderly in their own homes were more effective and that nursing interventions to enhance physical fitness, SE, IADL, and QL especially for the institutionalized elderly are stressed.

• 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 Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.19-27
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a multi-modal exercise program for patients with chronic low back with respect to pain intensity, trunk muscle strength and Oswestry disability index. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic low back pain were recruited and divided equally into two groups. The multi-modal training program comprised a series of exercises such as warm-up, stabilization exercises, stretching, endurance exercises, and cool down whereas the control group performed only stabilization exercises. The both group spent an equal amount of time performing 60 minutes per day, three times per week, for five weeks. Results: The experimental group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in range of motion, trunk muscle strength, the visual analogue scale, and the Oswestry Disability Index (p<.05). Intergroup comparison showed a statistically significant difference in the range of motion of the lumbar spine and the degree of disability in the experimental group. Muscle strength and pain were statistically significant in both groups. Conclusion: The multi-modal exercise program is effective for patients with chronic low back pain, as it reduces lower back pain, increases trunk muscles strength, and decrease the potential for becoming disabled.