• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.29-37
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• 2017

Background: The serratus anterior (SA) muscle is one of the important muscles in the upward rotation of the scapula when the arm is raised. Insufficient muscle activity of the SA can cause deformation of the shoulder rhythm resulting in shoulder pathology. Objects: This study intends to compare SA and upper trapezius (UT) activity during the conventional wall-slide and push-up plus exercises for SA muscle strengthening and the scapular upward rotation (SUR) exercise. Methods: A total of 30 subjects participated in this study, and we measured the muscle activity of the SA and UT muscles during the wall-slide, push-up plus and SUR exercises. The one-way repeated ANOVA was used to compare SA and UT muscle activities during the 3 exercises. Results: During the SUR exercise, SA muscle activity was 79.88% maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), which was significantly higher than its activity during the other 2 exercises. The UT muscle activity was 47.53 %MVIC during the SUR exercise, indicating a significantly higher UT muscle activity than during the other 2 exercises. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the SUR exercise can maximize SA muscle activity to strengthen the SA while keeping UT muscle activity at an appropriate level.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.250-256
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• 2020

Background: Unstable surface-based core training can significantly enhance core strength, but no studies have compared the effects of balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises. Objects: To study the effects of unstable surface-based balance pad- and sling-assisted core strength exercises on muscle activity. Methods: Twenty male students aged 20-25 years participated in this study. The effects of three types of core strength exercises, performed with a sling or balance pad, on the activities of three muscles, i.e., the right musculus obliquus externus abdominis (EO), right erector spinae (ES), and right gluteus maximus (GM), were examined. Results: 1) In the glute bridge exercise, the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction of the EO, ES, and GM were significantly different between the balance pad- and sling-assisted exercises. The relative contribution of the ES and GM activities to all muscle activity were not significantly different between the two training types, whereas that for EO showed a significant difference. 2) There was no significant difference in the percentage value of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC) among the EO, ES, and GM during the "leg-lifting with flat support" exercise, and there were no significant difference in the relative contributions between the two training types. 3) In the "side bridge leg separation exercise", the %MVC of the ES, EO, and GM were significantly different between the two training types. Conclusion: Sling training for core muscles was generally better than balance pad assist training. The majority of physiotherapy patients require core training. Our results could guide physiotherapists in the choice of targeted exercises for these patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of core and abdominal muscle-strengthening exercises on muscle activity in the lower extremity on unexpected perturbation. Methods: Twenty subjects were randomly divided into the core exercise group (n=10) or the abdominal muscles strengthening group (n=10). The two groups performed their exercises during three sessions a week for a total of four weeks. The muscle activity in the lower muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) was assessed using surface electromyography (EMG) and normalized maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) before and after the exercises. Results: An increase in the tibialis anterior activity after the core and abdominal muscles strengthening exercises was found after four weeks. A significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise was found. The gastrocnemius muscle activity increased in the core exercise group more than the abdominal muscles strengthening group. However, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the core and abdominal muscles strengthening exercises increased the tibialis anterior muscle activity. It is expected to help make more balance ability that affect who has abdominal muscles weakness.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of life of people aged 65 and over by reducing musculoskeletal pain and increasing balance and muscular strength in their lower-extremities through aerobic exercises and the use of Thera-Bands and gym balls. Method : Fifteen out of 30 women who used a welfare center for the elderly in C City performed exercises using Thera-Bands and gym balls, and the remaining 15 elderly women did aerobic exercises. Both groups performed their respective exercises three times a week over a four-week period, for 50 minutes each time. Pain (VAS), balance (TUG), and lower extremity muscular strength were measured as evaluation tools. The data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 18.0 for Windows. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare the differences within each group, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups in terms of their differences both before and after the participants' respective exercise programs. Results : No differences were found between the two groups, although there were some differences within each group in terms of levels of pain, muscular strength, and balance. Conclusion : The aerobic and muscle strength exercise programs had positive effects on all variables, including pain, balance, and muscular strength in the lower extremities. Therefore, the combination of aerobic and muscle strength exercises may be effective in improving the quality of life of elderly people.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2015

Purpose: Abdominal breathing exercises are recommended to activate the breathing muscles and the pelvic floor muscles, as well as to increase postural alignment during exhalation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of improving abdominal muscle strength on menstrual pain in women in their twenties using abdominal breathing exercises. Method: In this study, 32 female university students were included as the subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups based on the area of menstrual pain: lumbar pain (n=16) and lower abdomen pain (n=16). The abdominal breathing positions were divided into two positions, which included a hook lying position and hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the supine position. Exercises were used to strengthen the abdominal muscles during exhalation. Four sets of the exercises were completed three times a week over the course of eight weeks. The degree of pain was measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Muscle thickness was measured using an ultrasound. Result: The thickness of the transverse abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (IO) increased in the lower abdomen pain group. However, thickness of the external oblique (EO) did not increased following abdominal breathing. No significant difference in posture was identified in the lower abdomen group. TrA thickness increased significantly in the lumbar pain group. However, thickness did not increase significantly in the lumbar pain group. In addition, the lumbar pain group experienced no significant effects on posture. IO thickness increased following hip and knee flexions at $90^{\circ}$ in the lumbar pain group. Menstrual pain decreased following intervention in both groups. There was no significant difference in the degree of pain reduction between both groups. Conclusion: As examples of alternative medicine, abdominal breathing exercises may be effective in decreasing menstrual pain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.39-45
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• 2019

PURPOSE: We investigated the most effective way to activate the posterior oblique sling muscles by performing prone hip extension exercises. METHODS: An electromyography system was used to measure the activation of the posterior oblique sling muscles (latissimus dorsi, gluteus maximus, multifidus, and biceps femoris) in three different prone hip extension exercises of in 12 healthy individuals (6 men and 6 women): 1) prone hip extension, 2) prone hip extension with internal rotation and extension of the arm, and 3) prone hip extension with internal rotation and extension of the arm with a 1-Ib dumbbell. RESULTS: The overall muscular activation of the posterior oblique sling muscles was more increased when performing 1) prone hip extension with internal rotation and 2) prone hip extension with internal rotation and extension of the arm with a 1-Ib dumbbell as compared with that during prone hip extension except for the biceps femoris activation. There was a statistically significant difference in the activities of the contralateral multifidi among all three exercises; of the ipsilateral multifidi in PHE1) prone hip extension alone, PHE2) prone hip extension with internal rotation and extension of the arm and PHE3) prone hip extension with internal rotation and extension of the arm with 1-Ib dumbbell; and of the ipsilateral gluteus maximus among all the prone hip extension exercises. There was no significant difference in the activity of the biceps femoris among the three exercises. CONCLUSION: Prone hip extension with internal rotation and with internal rotation and extension of the arm with 1-Ib dumbbell can activate the posterior oblique sling muscles and so prevent back pain in healthy people.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Objectives: This study investigated the influence of oral exercise programs with whole-body exercises on the mental health of the elderly. Methods: Elderly individuals aged 65 years or older were assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Oral exercises with whole-body exercises were conducted in the experimental group for 40 minutes, twice weekly, during 5 weeks from May to June 2021. To evaluate the effectiveness of the program, the oral health related quality of life (OHIP-14, GOHAI), mental health, happiness, and social support of the elderly were explored both before and after the execution of the program in the experimental group. A paired sample t-test was performed to check the changes in the factors investigated, both before and after the execution of the program in the two groups. Results: The values of difference between the experimental and control group were compared in relation to the dependent variables, before and after the execution of the oral exercise program with the whole-body exercises. It was found that statistically significant differences in the OHIP-14 (p=0.163), GOHAI (p=0.156), and feelings of happiness in the elderly (p=0.280) were not evident in the experimental group. However, statistically significant differences emerged with regard to the mental health and provision of social support of the elderly (p<0.05). Conclusions: It was found that the oral exercise program with whole-body exercises executed in this study were effective in improving the mental health and social support of the elderly. However, no significant differences were shown in oral health relating to quality of life and feelings of happiness. It is considered that these findings need to be verified by means of future long-term studies.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.38-47
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the combined application of manipulation and stabilization exercises on pain and spinal curvature in patients with chronic back pain. Design: Randomized controlled trial Methods: The research subjects included 24 women in their 40s and 50s who have chronic back pain. The sample was evenly divided into an experimental group, which received the combined application of manipulation and stabilization exercises, and a control group, which received stabilization exercises only. The 30-minute intervention was applied five times a week for eight weeks. A bivariate repeated measures analysis of variances was conducted to identify the differences between the two groups before the experiment, after the fourth week, and at the end of the eight-week experiment. The level of statistical significance was set at.05. This analysis examined the within-group changes and the between-group changes using a paired t-test and an independent t-test, respectively. Results: Changes in pain differed significantly depending on the time of the measurement, the interaction between the time of the measurement and each group, and between the two groups (p<.05). Changes in the curvature of the bones of the neck, the bones of the back, and the lumbar vertebrae differed significantly depending on the time of the measurement and the interaction between the time of the measurement and each group (p<.05). Conclusion: The combined application of manipulation and stabilization exercises demonstrated a positive effect on changes in pain and spinal curvature, and the method is expected to be a useful intervention for reducing pain and improving spinal curvature in patients with back pain.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2020

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of elastic band exercises and nutritional education, as well as to identify the factors influencing frailty, strength, and nutritional intake of elderly women. [Methods] The subjects in this study were 30 elderly women who were divided into four groups. All groups agreed to participate in four programs: health education only (HE), elastic band exercises only (EX), nutritional education only (NU), and elastic band exercises plus nutritional education (EX+NU). Frailty was evaluated by measuring the frailty factors according to Fried et al. Leg strength was measured using a leg-extension machine. Nutritional intake was assessed by the 24-hour recall method and food records. Nutritional intake was analyzed by CAN Pro 5.0 program. [Results] After three months, the prevalence of frailty significantly decreased in the EX+NU group (P=0.013) compared with that of the HE group (P=0.088). There was significant improvement in leg strength in both the EX (P=0.012) and EX+NU groups (P=0.003) compared with that of the HE group (EX, P=0.005; EX+NU, P=0.002). The nutritional intake significantly decreased in the EX group compared with that of the HE group (P<0.05, P<0.05). [Conclusion] The combination of elastic exercises and nutrition education had positive effects on frailty and leg strength, while having negative effects on total calories, carbohydrate, sodium, and iron intake in elderly women. Elastic exercises only had positive effects on leg strength while having negative effects on nutritional intake in elderly women.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pain, static balance, and dynamic balance abilities of women with chronic low back pain by performing thoracic and hip joint mobility exercises and lumbar stability exercises. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 adult women with low back pain who lived in C city for more than 12 weeks. The experimental group performed the thoracic and hip mobility exercises with lumbar stability exercises and the control group performed the lumbar stability exercise with general exercise program. Both groups participated in the exercise program three times a week for six weeks, from December 20, 2022 to March 7, 2023. The balance ability were measured using BT4, and pain was measured using visual analog scale (VAS). The collected data were analyzed by independent sample t-test and paired t-test using SPSS version 23.0 program. Results: After 6 weeks of intervention, there was a significant change in VAS between the experimental group and the control group, and there was no difference between the two groups (p>.05). In the case of balance ability, there was a no significant increase in the experimental group (p>.05). Conclusion: Thoracic and hip joint mobility exercises and lumbar stability exercises for adult female patients with chronic low back pain may be partially effective in static balance and dynamic balance.