• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.162-169
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the conditions for the application of various plank exercises to people who require trunk stabilization by comparing trunk muscle activity according to the degree of hip abduction in the plank exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty healthy participants voluntarily participated in this study and the plank exercise was performed under 5 conditions (two-legged support plank [TSP] with hip abduction, TSP with hip abduction of 15 degrees, TSP with hip abduction of 30, one-legged support plank [OSP] with hip abduction of 15 degrees, OSP with hip abduction of 30 degrees). In order to measure the trunk muscle activity according to the 5 conditions, surface electromyography was used. The electrical activities of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) muscles were measured during the 5 plank exercises. Subjects practiced each of the 5 conditions three times in random order and the average values were obtained. Results: In the OSP condition with 15/30 degrees of hip abduction, activities of the RA, EO, and IO were significantly greater than during the TSP (p<0.05). In the OSP with 30 degrees of hip abduction condition, activities of the left EO, IO were significantly greater than other plank exercise conditions (p<0.05). Conclusions: The plank exercise with hip abduction of 30 degrees and the OSP exercise can be suggested as an effective method to enhance the activity of the trunk oblique muscles.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.151-159
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the activation of the contralateral upper and lower extremities and trunk muscle during ipsilateral upper extremity diagonal isokinetic exercise. Methods: Twenty-one healthy male subjects with no history of shoulder injury undertook ipsilateral diagonal isokinetic exercise at 60, 120, and $180^{\circ}/sec$, utilizing a standard Biodex protocol. Muscle activation amplitudes were measured in the upper trapezius, pectoralis major, biceps brachii, rectus abdominis, external oblique, rectus femoris, adductor longus, and biceps femoris muscles using electromyography. A one-way analysis of variance and paired t-tests were conducted, and the data were analyzed using SPSS, version 21.0. Results: The results revealed no statistically significant interaction between motion and angular velocity and no statistically significant contralateral muscle activation according to angular velocity (p>0.05). However, they revealed statistically significant contralateral muscle activation according to motion (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that the movements involved in contralateral upper extremity diagonal isokinetic exercise can enhance muscle strength in patients affected by stroke, fracture, burns, or arthritis.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.263-269
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects lumbar stabilization exercise with kinesio taping on pain, muscle strength, and oswestry disability index (ODI) in patients with chronic low back pain. Design: Two groups pre-post randomized controlled design Methods: Thirty-two subjects were randomly divided in two groups; 1) lumbar stabilization exercise with kinesio taping group (Experimental group, n=16), 2) lumbar stabilization exercise with sham kinesio taping group (Control group, n=16). The intervention was conducted in each group for thirty minutes a day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. Both group did 30 minutes of lumbar stabilization application. Evaluations were performed before the commencement of training and again 4 weeks after training was initiated. Visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain level of patients with chronic low back pain. Distal muscle test was used to evaluate muscle strength of trunk extension. In addition, ODI was used to evaluate activity daily life of low back pain. Results: After training, the VAS, muscle strength of trunk extension and ODI were significantly more improvement in Experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: We confirmed that the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise with kinesio taping group on pain, muscle strength, and ODI in patients with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.75-85
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensively complex physical therapy program on pain, range of motion (ROM) and muscle function in traumatic low back injury by industrial accident. Design: Prospective study Methods: Eight patients with traumatic low back injury by industrial accident participated in this study. They were treated the intensively complex physical therapy program including daily 60 minutes therapist supervised physical therapy at 5 times a week and 30 minutes manual therapy at 5 times a week in 12 weeks. Evaluation was performed before the commencement of the training and again 4, 8 and 12 weeks. There were measured Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for evaluating pain, ROM of trunk, and isometric muscle strength of trunk, core muscle endurance, neuromuscular control ability for evaluating muscle function. Results: NRS was significantly improved according to time (p<0.05). ROM of extension and rotation, isometric muscle strength of trunk and hip, core muscle endurance and neuromuscular control ability were significantly improved according to time (p<0.05). Conclusion: We could confirm the superiority effect of intensively complex physical therapy program on pain, ROM of trunk and muscle function in traumatic low back pain with industrial accident.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.7-18
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• 2014

Purpose: We aimed to investigate trunk angle and muscle activation of the extremity and back to evaluate the effect of chest compression on work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 119 emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Methods: Eighteen 119 EMTs performed 2-minute chest compression without interruption on a cardiopulmonary resuscitation manikin, during which we measured changes in the trunk and shoulder joint angles, muscle activation (triceps brachii, biceps brachii, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, and rectus femoris) and chest compression accuracy. Results: The decrease in trunk angle by trunk muscle activation was the highest in event 2, the major direction of chest compression. Both shoulder joint angles had no significant difference. Muscle activation of the triceps brachii (p < .01), biceps brachii (p < .05), rectus abdominis (p < .05) and rectus femoris (p < .01) significantly increased during the compression phase compared with the decompression phase, with the rectus femoris showing an increase of 19%. Muscle activation of the erector spinae significantly increased in the decompression phase compared with the compression phase (p < .01). Conclusion: 119 EMTs mainly use the triceps brachii, biceps brachii and pectoralis major muscles during chest compression.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) patterns on electromyography (EMG) activity in the rectus abdominis, internal abdominal oblique, external abdominal oblique, and erector spinae according to position changes. Methods: Ten healthy adults volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects were required to complete exercises that followed two PNF extremity patterns, namely, an upper extremity extension-adduction-internal rotation pattern and a lower extremity flexion-adduction-external rotation pattern. The exercises were applied in the supine, side-lying, and sitting positions. Repeated measure one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Bonferroni correction were used to determine the influence of the patterns on muscle activity for each muscle, and descriptive statistics were then used to determine the local/global muscle ratios. Results: The upper extremity pattern had a significant effect on the rectus abdominis and erector spinae in the supine position, and on the internal oblique and external oblique in the sitting position (p<0.05). The median value for the internal oblique/rectus abdominis showed a high ratio of 2.05, and a high ratio of 1.01 was shown for the internal oblique/external oblique in the sitting position. The lower extremity pattern had a significant effect on the rectus abdominis in the side-lying position and on the internal oblique, external oblique, and erector spinae in the sitting position (p<0.05). The median value for the internal oblique/rectus abdominis showed a high ratio of 2.83 in the sitting position and a high ratio of 1.30 for the internal oblique/external oblique in the side-lying position. Conclusion: The PNF pattern increases local muscle activation in an unstable position. Therefore, when the pattern is used for intervention purposes, trunk stability and varied position changes should be taken into account.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activation according to the four strap lengths in the TRX plank exercise to provide scientific and accurate data on effective training methods. Method: Twenty healthy men who had at least 6 months of weight training experience and could fully adjusted plank exercise, were participate in this study (age: 25.2 ± 3.7 yrs., height: 174.2 ± 3.9 cm., weight: 71.2 ± 9 kg). To pursue the study purpose, surface electrodes were attached to trunk muscles (pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi) and lower extramity muscles (gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius), and the muscle activity was measured using 11-channel electromyography equipment. In order to verify the muscle activation according to the four strap lengths during TRX plank exercise, an one-way ANOVA with repeated measure was used with statistical significance level set at as α=.05. Results: First, there were statistically significant differences in pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and erector spinae among TRX strap lengths. Second, there were statistically significant differences in gluteus maximus, rectus femoris, and gastrocnemius among TRX strap lengths. Third, even though no statistically significant difference found in latissimus dorsi, but increased muscle activation tendency was showed as the length of the strap increased. Conclusion: From the results of this study, it may be possible that TRX exercise prevent injuries and improve lower extremity muscle as well as trunk muscles by setting appropriate length of strap.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.71-77
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• 2021

The present study aimed to find out how the trunk muscles, which are mainly used in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, affect chest compression through plank exercise. Study subjects participated in a 12-week program, and subjects performed only chest compressions for 8 minutes. Regarding their change in a muscle mass by plank exercise, there was a statistically significant difference in the change from 4th to 8th week after the program(p<.01). The muscle activity change had a statistically significant difference from 3rd to 10th week(p<.01). The chest compression depth had a statistically significant difference from 4th to 8th week(p<.01). In addition, insufficient chest relaxation height after compression had a statistically significant difference from 4th to 10th week(p<.01). The chest compression maintenance time had a statistically significant difference from 2nd to 12th week(p<.01). The participants' muscle mass and muscle activity increased more after their participation in plank exercise program than before. All chest compression factors except for chest compression rate brought about positive results.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.159-163
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the interaction among the neck, trunk, and lower extremities on the non-paretic side in head rotation along with non-paretic-side weight shifting of stroke patients. To compare stroke patients' ability to control posture through muscle activity variation related to pertubation during head rotation along with the non-paretic limb. Methods: We tested 15 hemiplegic patients and 15 normal individuals. Each group's muscle activity was measured by electromyography in neutral head position and head rotation position. We compared each group's resu lt based on measured values in patients' non-paretic neck muscles, trunk muscles, and lower limbs muscles activation. Results: The study showed that muscle activity increased in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (102.26%, 53.00%), splenius capitis muscle (97.93%, 54.93%), erector spinae muscle (241.00%, 127.60%), external oblique abdominal muscle (256.66%, 152.00%), and internal oblique abdominal muscle (252.80%, 152.6%), peroneus longus muscle (117.53%, 137.13%) and gastrocnemius muscle (119.06%, 137.20%), while the results for the sternocleidomastoid muscle, splenius capitis muscle, erector spinae muscle, external oblique abdominal muscle, internal oblique abdominal muscle, peroneus longus muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is hard for stroke patients to engage in normal movement control under suggested conditions because of the insufficient movement against gravity on the stroke patient's non-paretic side and impaired cooperative patterns. To solve these problems, patients need their bodies to improve through effective movement, resulting in advanced control of their effective and functional activity.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.37-46
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on trunk stability and balance in elderly people with chronic low back pain. Subjects : Thirty-two elderly people ($73.78{\pm}8.49$ years of age) who had complaints of CLBP were randomly assigned to 2 groups: experimental group and control group. Methods : Subject trained with combination of isotonic and rhythmic stabilization in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation for 4weeks with aim of improving trunk stability and balance. Weight distribution, trunk muscle balance, static balance ability and dynamic balance ability were measured before, at the end of training. Results : Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. After the exercise programs, there were significant differences in the weight distribution, trunk muscle balance and dynamic balance ability between the experimental and control group. However there was no significant difference in the one leg stance test(p<.05). Conclusion : This study suggest that PNF programs may be appropriate for improving trunk stability and balance in elderly people with CLBP.