• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance (DSB), biomechanical characteristics, and physical characteristics in spinal cord injuries (SCI) patients. Background: Virtual ski training systems, ski equipment, and training protocols for disabled skiers are being studied to spread awareness. However, few studies have been reported on the sitting balance ability associated with chair mono skiing. Method: A dynamic sitting balance border system was built to investigate the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance in SCI patients. Trunk muscle activity was evaluated by electromyogram while conducting dynamic sitting balance tests. The trunk muscle strength was tested with a portable handheld dynamometer. Physical activity scores were measured with the physical activity recall assessment. Results: There were high levels of correlation between the ability to maintain DSB and trunk flexor strength, extensor strength, rotator strength, and physical activity score. However, height, weight, and injury level in SCI patients were not correlated with the ability to maintain DSB. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between muscle activities of the external oblique and lumbar erector spinae muscles and the ability to perform the backward tilt test. Trunk extensor muscle activity during the ball lifting test was significantly higher than in other tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that improving trunk muscle strength and physical activity can increase the ability to maintain DSB. Application: The findings of a close relationship between trunk strength, physical activity, and the ability to maintain DSB need to be reflected in the chair mono ski training program.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.171-181
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• 2020

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curl-up and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) neck flexion exercises on stroke patients' trunk muscle activity, ability to control the trunk, and balance by comparing two exercise methods. Methods : The study involved patients who had been diagnosed with stroke based on the results of computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging at O Hospital in Daegu, South Korea, between January and July 2020. In total, 30 subjects were selected and by flipping a coin, randomly assigned to an experimental group (n=15) that performed PNF neck flexion exercises and a control group (n=15) that performed curl-up exercises. Both groups received traditional rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes a day five times a week for a six-week period. In addition, the experimental group performed PNF neck flexion exercises and the control group curl-up exercises for 15 minutes a day five times a week over the same period. The subjects' muscle activity in the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), and internal oblique (IO) were measured before and after the experiment. The subjects' trunk impairment scale (TIS) and Berg balance scale (BBS) scores were also assessed. Paired t test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change before and after intervention in both groups. An independent sample T test was performed to measure the amount of statistical change between the two groups. Results : Both groups experienced statistically significant increases in their RA, IO and EO muscle activity, total TIS scores, and total BBS scores after the intervention. No statistically significant differences in the changes before and after the intervention were found for any of the resulting values between the two groups. Conclusion : A comprehensive review of the study's results suggested that neck flexion exercises using the PNF irradiation concept and curl-up exercise are effective in increasing stroke patients' abdominal muscle activity and improving trunk control ability and balance in chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on balance ability in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: This study was one group pretest-posttest design. Twenty young idiopathic scoliosis patients were recruited for this study. They had the lumbar stabilization exercise program for 40 minutes a day, three times per week for 3 weeks. The lumbar trunk muscle endurance test and clinical balance tests (functional forward reach, functional lateral reach, Fukuda 50-stepping, one leg standing with eyes open and eyes closed) were measured before and after the lumbar stabilization exercise. Results: There were significant differences between pre-and post-test in absolute value of the difference between right and left lateral reach, distance of Fukud 50-stepping and one leg standing on the each side with eyes closed(p<.05). The results showed that the lumbar trunk muscle endurance significantly increased(p<.05). Conclusion: In this study indicated that the lumbar stabilization exercise was effective on balance ability and lumbar trunk muscle endurance in patients with young idiopathic scoliosis.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Purpose : This study aimed to examine the Influence of muscle strengthening exercise and stretching exercise of trunk extensor muscles on muscular strength and flexibility in adolescent of the twenties. Methods : Muscle strengthening exercise group(n=10), stretching exercise group(n=10) and strengthening and stretching exercise group(n=10) were measured muscular strength by digital back and leg dynamometer and flexibility by sit and reach test and trunk extension test at pre-intervention and post-intervention in 4weeks. Results : The flexibility 1, flexibility 2 and muscular strength of muscle strengthening exercise group were significantly increased within the intervention period(p<.05). The flexibility 2 and muscular strength of stretching exercise group were significantly increased within the intervention period(p<.05). but flexibility 1 was not significantly different at in 4 weeks(p>.05). The flexibility 1, flexibility 2 and muscular strength of muscle strengthening and stretching exercise group were significantly increased within the intervention period(p<.05). Conclusion : We were found that muscle strengthening exercise and stretching exercise of trunk extensor muscles could improve muscular strength and flexibility for adolescent of the twenties.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of PNF lower extremity flexion pattern on the eletromyographic (EMG) activity in rectus abdominis, internal oblique abdominal, external oblique abdominal, erector spinae. Methods : Twenty-six healthy adults volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were required complete following two PNF lower extremity patterns; flexion-adduction-external rotation with knee flexion (D1) and flexion-abduction-internal rotation with knee flexion (D2). A paired t-test was used to determine the influence of the PNF two patterns on muscle activity for each muscle and descriptive statistics was used to determine local/global muscle ratio. Results : The D1 pattern was showed significant rectus abdominis (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 2.23 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.53. The D2 pattern showed significant erector spinae (p<.05) and Median of internal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio was 3.06 and internal oblique/external oblique ratio was 1.72. Conclusion : The D1 pattern made rectus abdominis activation increase. The D2 pattern made erector spinae activation increase. As compared D1 and D2 pattern on trunk muscle activation, it's will be useful decision making for the trunk muscle strength and stabilization.

• 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 the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.601-608
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of distance between trunk and desk on forward head posture and muscle activity of neck and shoulder muscles during computer work. METHODS: Twenty subjects who have healthy conditions were asked to perform computer work in two conditions (distance between trunk and desk was 0 and 15 cm). Forward head angle was analyzed with a SIMI motion analysis system. Surface electromyography recorded the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles. The significance of differences in distance between trunk and desk (0cm and 15cm) was tested by paired t-test. The alpha level was set at .05. RESULTS: The results showed that the change of forward head angle was significantly higher during the computer work when the distance between trunk and desk was 15cm than 0cm. The muscle activity of upper trapezius and splenius capitis was also significantly higher during the computer work when the distance between trunk and desk was 15cm than 0cm. CONCLUSION: Our study suggest that the distance between trunk and desk was should minimized for prevention of forward head posture during computer work.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of general exercise after blood flow restriction on trunk muscles thickness in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: Twenty children with cerebral palsy were assigned randomly to an experimental (n = 10) or a control (n = 10) group. The experimental group performed general exercise after blood flow restriction, while the control group performed general exercise alone. The study used an ultrasonic instrument to measure trunk muscles thickness. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine differences before and after treatment, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences between treatment groups. Results: From a comparison within the groups, the experimental and control groups showed significant difference in trunk muscle thickness after the experiment (p < 0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in trunk muscle thickness than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, general exercise after blood flow restriction effectively improves trunk muscle thickness in children with cerebral palsy.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.523-531
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• 2013

Most patients with chronic low back pain experience functional disability of trunk muscle, and limitations in physical activity. While there are many types of exercise programs available, in recent years sling exercise has been emerging as the exercise program for spinal stabilization. It has been supported by a great amount of research with positive findings on its effectiveness. This research studies the effects of bridging exercise, conducted on a sling, on pain level and trunk muscle activation in supine, sidelying, and prone positions during a 4 weeks period. 10 healthy people(normal group, n=10) and 28 patients with low back pain participated in this study. 28 patients were divided into two groups; one group participated in exercise with the sling(experimental group, n=14) and the other group exercised without the sling(control group, n=14). They were asked to use the Numerical Rating Scale(NRS) to answer to the level of their pain they felt (no pain: 0 point, severe pain: 10 points). During sling bridging exercises, the muscle activity level in each muscle measured in each position was standardized as three seconds of EMG signals during five seconds MVIC. In conclusion, the experimental group with four weeks of sling bridging exercise experienced a statistically significant reduction in the pain level(p<.05) and increase in the muscle activities of erector spinae when in supine position, internal oblique when in sidelying position, and rectus abdominis in prone position(p<.05). Regular sling bridging exercise reduces the low back pain and enhances other trunk muscle activation, thereby positively affect spinal stabilization.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2009

Purpose: We determined the recruitment pattern of lumbar elector spinalis, gluteus maxims, inner and outer hamstring muscle during trunk flexion and extension. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects(male; 15, female; 15) without low back pain and other problems in lower extremities participated in this study. To measure the recruitment pattern, the onset times of electromyographic activity of the muscles were recorded during trunk flexion and return(extension) to standing position. Results: The medial and lateral hamstring muscle was activated first, next elector spinalis, the last, gluteus maximus in trunk flexion. In trunk extension to standing position, the order of recruitment was similar to trunk flexion although the frequency is different. There were different between male and female in flexion and extension movement. Conclusion: The recruitment order of lumbar extensor and hip extensors in trunk flexion and extension will provide database in evaluation and intervention of lower back pain and lumbo.pelvic rhythm disorder.