• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Trunk muscle weakness in the children with cerebral palsy can lead to postural and alignment problems, breathing difficulties, and so on. Therefore, children with cerebral palsy can benefit from exercises that strengthen the muscles in their trunks. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk muscle strengthening exercise on functional gross movement and balance ability in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy. Methods: We used single group repeated measure design in 8 children(four males, four females; aged 6~12 years; mean 8.3 years) with diplegia. The functional gross motor outcome measured by using the GMFM and balance ability of all children was measured by pediatric balance scale. All participants were alternately received trunk strengthening exercise and neurodevelopment treatment for 40 minutes twice per week during 8 weeks. Results: Significant and clinical meaningful improvement in functional gross motor and balance ability were shown. Conclusion: The results indicate that trunk strengthening exercise has a positive effect on both functional gross motor and balance ability in children with spastic diaplegic cerebral palsy.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.336-341
• /
• 2017

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of virtual reality(VR) exercise using XBOX $Kinect^{TM}$ on the scoliometer angle and muscle activities of the trunk. The subjects of the study were 13 young adults who devided into a virtual reality-based exercise group(VREG, n = 7) and a traditional stabilization exercise group(TSEG, n = 6). The VREG received virtual reality game for 5 days a weeks, 30 minutes a day, for a 2 weeks and the TSEG received general trunk stabilization exercise for the same period and frequency. The subjects were measured and compared for muscle activities of trunk stabilization before and after the program. VREG tend to decrease more than TSEG in scoliometer angle. In addition, VREG showed a significant decrease in muscle activities of multifidus. This study presents the impact of virtual reality-based exercise program on trunk balance and stabilization. The following studies need customized programs for subjects that trunk balance and stabilization is required.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.433-439
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Visual information is one of the most important factors for postural balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visual deprivation on the lower extremities and trunk muscle activity on an unstable surface during quiet standing. Methods: Fifteen healthy males from a university population participated in this study. Surface electromyography of the rectus abdominis, the erector spinalis, the vastus femoris oblique, the semitendinosis, the tibialis anterior, and the medial gastrocnemius was measured using EMG equipment (Telemyo 2400, Noraxon, USA). The participants were asked to maintain postural balance on an unstable surface (Balance pad, Airex, USA) for 30 seconds with eyes open and with eyes closed during quiet standing. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the muscle activity of the lower extremities and the trunk between open and closed eyes on an unstable surface. Results: The muscle activity of the trunk and the lower extremities was increased more with eyes closed than with eyes open on the unstable surface during quiet standing. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that visual information could alter lower extremity and trunk muscle activity. Therefore, visual deprivation can be used as a method to improve postural balance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2015

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to compare ultrasound images of trunk muscles according to gender in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty six subjects(13 males and 13 females) were enrolled in this study. The thickness of trunk muscles was measured for transverse abdominis (TrA), external oblique abdominis (EOA), internal oblique abdominis (IOA), and multifidus (MF) using ultrasound. The thickness of the muscles was measured for the length of cross-section except for fascia. The muscle thickness wasmeasured at the both side, then the mean value was calculated. Also, each of trunk muscle wasanalysed by echodensity, white area index. RESULTS: As a results, there was significant difference in muscle thickness of EOA, IOA according to gender (p<0.05). The male was significant increase than female of EOA, IOA in muscle thickness. There was significant difference in echo intensity of TrA, MF according to gender(p<0.05). The female was significant increase than male of TrA, MF in echo intensity. There was significant difference in white area index of EOA according to gender(p<0.05). The female was significant increase than male of EOA in white area index. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that healthy male have a greater EOA, IOA trunk muscle thickness than female. However, the difference of muscle quality between male and female was showed through thisexperiment. Therefore, the ultrasonography images will be useful tool for seeing quantitative and qualitative difference of trunk muscles according to gender.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.103-110
• /
• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate effect of core stabilization exercises on the erector spinae contractile properties and trunk isokinetic muscle function of middle age with low physical activity and sedentary lifestyle. Method: Twenty (female: n=10, male: n=10) middle-age subjects (age: 37.25 ± 6.08 years, height: 168.01 ± 6.84 cm, weight: 71.37 ± 11.75 kg) participated in this study. Tensiomyography was measured on the erector spinae, and the isokinetic trunk muscle function test was measured at an angular velocity of 60 °/s and 90 °/s. All subjects performed the core stabilization exercises for 60 min per day, 3 times a week, for 7 weeks. A paired t-test was performed with a significance level of 0.05. Results: Tensiomyography of the erector spinae revealed a significant post-exercise increase in the maximum radial displacement (p < .05) and velocity of contraction (p < .05), however, there wasn't a significant post-exercise change in the contraction time. Additionally, the isokinetic muscle function test of the trunk revealed a significant post-exercise increase in trunk extensor relative strength (p < .05) and strength ratio (p < .05). Conclusion: Our results indicated that core stabilization exercises reduced erector spinae muscle stiffness, increased the velocity of erector spinae contraction. Additionally, data showed the improvement in the trunk extensor strength help induce a more balanced development in trunk muscle.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.253-262
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of performing the half squat exercise with Kinesio taping (HSEKT) on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in general university students. Methods: The 32 participants were randomly assigned to either the HSEKT group (half squats with Kinesio taping) or the control group (half squats with sham Kinesio taping). Both groups performed half squats with either Kinesio taping (HSEKT group) or sham Kinesio taping (control group) for 30 min/day, 3 times/week for 6 weeks. The Noraxon mini direct transmission system (DTS) electromyography (EMG) system was used to evaluate trunk and lower extremity muscle activity. BioRescue equipment was used to measure the movement area of the center of pressure with eyes open and eyes closed. The muscle activity of the trunk and lower extremities and the balance ability of all participants were measured before and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to statistically analyze the pre- and post-intervention EMG and balance ability results. Results: The trunk and lower extremity muscle activity was found to have significantly improved in the HSEKT group and the control group after the intervention (p < 0.05). Also, the balance ability of the HSEKT group differed significantly after 6 weeks of training compared to that of the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study show that performing half squats with Kinesio taping had a positive effect on trunk and lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in general university students.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.123-128
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and horseback riding using a robotic device on the trunk muscle activity and gross motor function in children with spastic diplegia. Methods: Children with spastic diplegia were divided into two groups: an experimental group (NMES and horseback riding using a robotic device [n=10]) and a control group (placebo NMES and horseback riding using a robotic device [n=10]). Each group received general physical therapy and occupational therapy. Each intervention involved the administration of NMES for 15 minutes and horseback riding using robotic device therapy for 15 minutes three times a week for 4 weeks. The evaluation included both the rectus abdominis muscles (RA), external oblique muscles (EO), thoracic paraspinal muscles (TP), and lumbar paraspinal muscles (LP) activity and GMFM. Results: The RA, EO, TP, and LP muscle activity, GMFM C, D, and E were increased significantly in the experimental and control groups. A significant increase in both the TP muscle activity and GMFM D was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. Conclusion: This study showed that horseback riding using a robotic device is an effective intervention for trunk muscle activity and GMFM in children with spastic diplegia. However, if NMES is added to the back muscles, it is possible to further increase the thoracic paraspinal muscle activity and standing ability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.400-406
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine joint position senses and muscle activity in subjects with and without chronic low back pain and to determine the effects of different types of bridge exercises on their trunk muscle activity. Methods: Thrity-eight subjects with chronic low back pain and thrity healthy controls participated in the experiment. Joint position senses and trunk muscle activity levels were measured during the different bridge exercise methods. Results: The joint position senses of the healthy group and chronic low back pain group showed significant differences during lumbar flexion, lumbar extension, lumbar lateral flexion, and lumbar rotation. The muscle activity levels of the transversus abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) were highest in the prone bridge exercise (PBE) group, followed by the supine bridge swiss ball exercise (SBSE) group and supine bridge exercise (SBE) group in order of precedence. The muscle activity level of the erector spinae (ES) was highest in the SBSE group, followed by the SBE and PBE groups in order of precedence. Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that chronic low back pain is associated with declines in joint position senses and that PBEs increase trunk muscle activity more than conventional bridge exercises.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 2002

The purpose of study is to investigate the relationship between the trunk muscle fatigue and recovery time during repetitive extension by using a surface electromyogram(EMG). Ten healthy subjects particioated in a simulated lifting task with five levels of recovery time and three levels of sub-maximal contraction. EMG signals of the L1(Lumbar 1st Vertebrae) and L3(Lumbar 3rd Vertebrae) level of the erector spinae muscle were recorded. and analyzed in terms of MPF(mean power frequency) parameter to quantify the level of muscle fatigue. It was found that MPF significantly (p<0.05) decreased during repetitive extension task at 50% and 75% sub-maximal contractions. Then it took minutes for the trunk muscle to recover from fatigue during 50% sub-maximal contraction. and it took five minutes during 75% sub-maximal contraction. and it took five minutes during 75% sub-maximal contraction. The recovery time estimated by the maximum force needs to be re-evaluated for the trunk muscle to fully recover from fatigue. In conclusion. the work/rest cycle needs to be studied based upon the information of muscle fatigue in order to prevent workers from musculoskeletal injuries during repetitive lifting task.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.405-412
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of the trunk muscle activity on bridging exercise according to the knee joint angle. Methods : Twenty-five healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required to complete following four bridging exercises; knee joint flexion $120^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $45^{\circ}$. Surface electromyography from selected trunk muscles was normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Muscle activity was measured by QEMG-4 system(LXM 3204, Laxtha Korea). A repeated measures of one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Bonferroni's correction was used to determine the influence of bridging exercise on muscle activity for each muscle and descriptive statistics was used to determine local/global muscle ratio. Results : The internal oblique of bridging exercises $120^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$ showed significantly(p<.05). The erctor spinae of all bridging exercises showed significant excepted between $60^{\circ}$ and $45^{\circ}$(p<.05). Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio of $120^{\circ}$ was 4.41, $90^{\circ}$ was 3.94, $60^{\circ}$ was 3.58, $45^{\circ}$ was 3.39. Median of internal oblique/external oblique ratio of $120^{\circ}$ was 2.66, $90^{\circ}$ was 2.43, $60^{\circ}$ was 2.87, $45^{\circ}$ was 2.64. Conclusion : Angular motion decreasing with knee joint flexion made erector spinae activation increase. on the other hand, as decreasing abdomen muscle activation, the more performing motor learning is required for abdomen muscle strength and co-contraction for the trunk stabilization.