• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2022

Purpose: In this study, we provide a way to assess even a slight effect of exercise on trunk-muscle activity. Materials and Methods: Seven healthy male participants (mean age, 24.7 ± 3.2 years; height, 171.2 ± 9.8 cm; and weight, 63.8 ± 11.9 kg) performed 15 sets of an exercise with 20 repetitions of 90° hip and right-knee flexion while lying supine. The exercise intensity was measured using the 10-point Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale after the first and 15th sets of exercises. Although cross-sectional areas and functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-acquired muscle functional magnetic resonance imaging, fast-mfMRI) have been proposed for imaging to evaluate exercise-induced muscle activity in real time, no previous studies have reported on the evaluation of trunk-muscle activity using functional T2 mapping. As a method for assessing trunk-muscle activity, we compared functional T2 mapping using ultrafast imaging (fast-mfMRI) with cross-sectional areas. Results: Although the muscle cross-sectional areas were increased by the exercise, there was no significant difference at rest. On the other hand, for all sets, the changes in T2 were significant compared with those at rest (P < 0.01). These results demonstrate that T2, calculated from fast-mfMRI images can be used to detect even a small amount of muscle activity induced by acute exercise, which was impossible to do with cross-sectional areas. Conclusion: Fast-mfMRI, which can also display functional information with detailed forms, enabled non-invasive real-time imaging for identifying and evaluating the degree of deep trunk-muscle activity induced by exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.287-291
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the influence of inspiratory muscle exercise using visual biofeedback and inspiratory muscle exercise with diaphragm breathing retraining in stroke patients in regard to inspiratory muscle activity and respiratory function and to provide fundamental information on intervention for improvement of pulmonary function in stroke patients. Methods: The current study measured and analyzed inspiratory muscle activity and pulmonary function of 15 randomly selected subjects in a Biofeedback inspiratory muscle exercise (BIE) group that uses visual feedback and 15 subjects in the Diaphragm breathing exercise (DBE) group that uses breathing retraining before and after intervention. Intervention was performed for 30 minutes, 5 times a week, for 8 weeks. Subjects were measured for muscle activity of upper trapezius muscle and lattisimus dorsi muscle using a surface electromyography system and maximum inspiratory pressure was measured using a respiratory measurement device. For homogeneity test of subjects, independent t-test was performed and ANCOVA was performed for comparison of inspiratory muscle activity and pulmonary function between groups. Results: In the study results, the BIE group showed more significant muscle activity than the DBE group in upper trapezius muscle and lattisimus dorsi muscle (p<0.001). In addition, the BIE group showed more pressure than the DBE group in maximum inspiratory pressure (p<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the current study, performing biofeedback respiration exercise simultaneously with breathing retraining in stroke patients can provide more efficient respiratory physical therapy. In addition, it is considered that consistent study on the effectiveness is necessary to further improve clinical availability.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.260-266
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of meditation music with lumbar stabilization exercise on balance, concentration and muscle activation. Participants are divided into Group A and Group B. Group A listened to meditation music while doing 4 sets of lumbar stabilization exercise. Group B did not listen to meditation music while doing 4 sets of lumbar stabilization exercise. Surface EMG data was obtained rectus abdominis, external oblique, erector spinae, multifidus muscle during lumbar stabilization exercise. To examine the effect of before-after experiment for concentration and balance, paired t-test was adopted. Changes in EMG data of each muscles were analyzed by independence t-test. There were statistically significant increasing at concentration level and balance level in Group A. But significant difference was not shown in muscle activation. The clinical effect of the meditation music with lumbar stabilization exercise was investigated in this study with more excellent results in concentration and balance. In conclusion, these results suggest that meditation music and lumbar stabilization exercise may be useful in elderly people.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.49-55
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of bridging exercise and combined lifting pattern bridging exercise on the lower extremity muscle activity. Methods : Twenty-five healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required to complete following bridging exercises. Muscle activity was measured by QEMG-4 system(LXM 3204, Laxtha Korea). A paired t test was used to determine the influence of muscle activity for each exercise and descriptive statistics was used to characteristics of the subjects. Results : The biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius of combined lifting pattern bridging exercise showed significance excepted vastus medialis(p<.05). In the case of men, biceps femoris showed significance in the combined lifting pattern bridging exercise(p<.05). In the case of women, biceps femoris and tibialis anterior showed significance in the combined lifting pattern bridging exercise(p<.05). Conclusion : The combined lifting pattern bridging exercise was more increased than bridging in lower extremity muscle activation. This result will be used for knee joint stabilizing exercises and biceps femoris strength training.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify effects of virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercise on lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients Methods : Subjects were assigned randomly either to VR+CKC exercise group (n=15) or the CKC exercise group (n=15). When the study began, both groups received conventional physical therapy five times per week. The VR+CKC exercise group received virtual reality programs and the CKC exercise group received close kinetic chain exercises. Each exercise program was performed for six weeks (5 times per weeks; 20 minutes per time). Participants were measured on lower extremity muscle activity using EMG. Results : There was a significant increase of muscle activity (%RVC) in vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. Conclusion : In this study, the virtual reality-based closed kinetic chain exercise program was an effective exercise for improving lower extremity muscle activity in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop an advanced aquatic exercise program for the patients with arthritis. Method: This study subjects were six aquatic exercise program instructors of Korean Society Muscle and Joint Health. They withheld several meeting to develop advanced aquatic exercise program. Results: The basic aquatic exercise program which were used since 1996 in Korea consisted of 9 units of ROM exercise in water. The advanced aquatic exercise program for the patients with arthritis consist of 12 units with complex and resistive exercise. Conclusion: This preliminary advanced aquatic exercise program for the patients with arthritis should be investigate for the effectiveness to build a more concrete evidence and utilization.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.72-77
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of general sling-bridge exercise (GSE) and sling-bridge exercise with rhythmic stabilization technique (SER) on trunk muscle endurance and flexibility in adolescents with low back pain (LBP). 30 adolescents who had complaints of LBP were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: the GSE group (n=15) and SER group (n=15). Subjects performed each exercise programs for 4 weeks with the aim of improving trunk muscle stability; GSE group trained general bridge exercise with sling, SER group trained rhythmic stabilization bridge exercise with sling. The static and dynamic trunk muscle endurance and flexibility were measured before and at the end of the exercise program. The static and dynamic trunk muscle endurance were significantly improved in both groups (p<.05) and the SER group showed significant difference from the GSE group after the exercise (p<.05). The trunk muscle flexibility was significantly improved in both groups (p<.05) and the SER group were significantly different from GSE group post-exercise (p<.05). The results of this study showed that sling bridge exercise with rhythmic stabilization technique may be appropriate for improving trunk muscle stability in adolescents with LBP.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.355-364
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study is to test the effects of elastic band exercise accompanied by Swiss ball exercise on lower limb muscle strength, balance and pain in middle-aged women with osteoarthritis. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-five participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=18), which performed elastic band exercise combined with Swiss ball exercise, and the control group (n=17), which performed elastic band exercise only. Both groups did a 30-minute session of exercise three times a week for eight weeks and were assessed for lower extremity muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, and pain levels before the first therapy session. All participating patients underwent outcome assessment after eight weeks of therapy without any additional treatment. Results: The experimental group made a significant increase in muscle strength of the lower extremities, static and dynamic balance ability, and pain level (p<0.05). The control group made a significant improvement in lower limb muscle strength, dynamic balance ability and pain level (p<0.05) with no such improvement in static balance ability. The exercise group made a significant increase in static and dynamic balance ability and pain level compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrated that both Swiss ball exercise and elastic band exercise were effective for middle-aged women with osteoarthritis and found that elastic band exercise combined with Swiss ball exercise produced more significant effects on their balance and pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.77-87
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• 2023

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles when the hamstrings were stretched in one direction and when they were stretched in three directions. METHODS: In this study the subjects were divided into two groups, namely the 'one-direction stretching exercise of the hamstring muscle in the neutral position' group (female: 14 people, male: 14 people) and the 'three-way stretching exercise' group (female: 12 people, male: 14 people) considering the positions of the three hamstring muscles. The elasticity and flexibility of the hamstring muscles were measured before and after the self-extension exercise, and the average value of two measurements was noted. To evaluate the flexibility of the hamstring muscle, a 'sit and reach' test was performed, and muscle elasticity was measured using the MyotonPRO® device. RESULTS: After the stretching exercise, flexibility increased in both groups. In terms of muscle elasticity, the body dynamic strength and resonance frequency of the stretching one-direction stretching group decreased after the stretching exercise. CONCLUSION: To alter the muscle characteristics and increase the flexibility when performing a stretching exercise, selecting and stretching only one muscle with the lowest range of motion yields effective results. The ideal technique to be employed appears to be to stretch the entire hamstring muscle in one direction from the neutral position.

• 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.