Earticle

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of backward gait training of body weight support treadmill combined with functional electric Stimulation (FES) on balance and gait ability in chronic stroke patients. Methods: Five traumatic brain injury (TBI) participants were participated in the study. Each participant received backward gait training of body weight support treadmill program combined with FES. An evaluation was performed before the training was commenced and again 8 weeks after the training was initiated. We measured balance ability, center of pressure (COP), limited of stability (LOS), berg balance scale (BBS), gait ability (Optogait) and 10-Meter walking test (10WT). Results: In balance and gait ability, participants showed a significant difference between pre- and postintervention (p<.05). Conclusion: The backward gait training of body weight support treadmill combined with FES resulted in significant improvements in balance and gait ability.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to measure the change in abdominal pressure depending on the speed of the horse riding training exercise equipment. Methods: 27 women with an average age of 21.5 years, height of 164.66 cm, weight 55.07 kg, and body mass index of 21.59 kg/m² were divided into 3 groups, 9 subjects in each group, of low, medium, and high-speed training groups. Each training group was given three times a week during 6 weeks using a horse riding equipment for 20 minutes a day. Abdominal pressure was measured using a stabilizer. Results: Each group trained at low, medium, and high speed showed an increase in abdominal pressure(p<.001). However, comparing the difference in abdominal pressure between groups, the increase in abdominal pressure was higher in the medium and the high speed group than in the low speed group(p<.001). Conclusion: In order to increase the abdominal pressure, it was found that the medium and the high speed horse riding exercise training were more effective than the low speed. This increase in abdominal pressure is thought to affect the increased thickness of the deep abdominal muscles, resulting on trunk stabilization.

Purpose: Pilates has become popular among patients as well as the general public as a way of strengthening the core. Core-strengthening exercises affect spinal stabilization, resulting in a change in body alignment, but there is limited research on this. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effects of a pilates core exercise program on the sagittal and forehead body alignment of 20 adult female participants with abnormal body alignment. Methods: participants completed a six-part pilates core exercise program for 60 minutes a day three times a week for a total of 16 weeks that included: 1) hundreds, 2) roll-up and -down, 3) leg circle, 4) breaststroke prep, 5) leg pull front with push-up plus position, and 6) half roll back. Results: When the body alignment was measured for the front, back, and side of the body using an exbody® analyzer to compare the results before versus after the intervention using the paired t-test, the measurements became closer to the ideal body alignment on the forehead and sagittal plane (p < 0.05), while the difference in left–right symmetry was also significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, we confirmed here that the pilates core exercise has a positive effect on body alignment.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of low back pain disability and balance after applying the abdominal drawing-in maneuver to the industrial workers with chronic back pain . Methods: Sixteen healthy industrial workers(42.68±4.15) with chronic back pain a participated in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups. Control group(n = 8) applied lumbar flexibility exercise. Abdominal drawing-in maneuver group(n = 8) applied lumbar stabilization exercise using abdominal drawing-in maneuver three times a week during 6weeks. All tests were completed pre and post the intervention. The low back pain disability was measured using Korean Oswestry Disability Index(KODI). The balance ability was measured by computerized balance measurement equipment. Results: There were significant improvements in the KODI and balance ability test of those who applied the abdominal drawing-in maneuver group(p<.05), while the control group showed no significant changes(p>.05). In addition, the abdominal drawing-in maneuver group had a statistically significant difference in KODI and balance ability compared to the control group(p<.05). Conclusion: The above results revealed that abdominal drawing-in maneuver is effective in improvement of the KODI and balance ability in industrial workers with chronic back pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors affecting pulmonary functions of physical characteristics in adults 20 to 23 years aged. Methods: Twenty-four subjects(22.25±1.48) participated in the experiment. The pulmonary functions; FVC(forced vital capacity), FEV1(forced expiratory volume in one second), FEV1/FVC was measured using a portable spirometer, the abdominal muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound during inspiration and expiration, muscle strength was measured using a handheld dynamometer. Results: Changes in abdominal muscle thickness during respiration, and muscle strength in the upper extremity and neck were positively correlated with pulmonary functions(p<.05). Conclusion: Abdominal, upper extremity and neck exercises can be recommended as an intervention for improving pulmonary functions.

Purpose: This study presents the effect of Gluteus Medius & Biceps Femoris EMG(electromyogram) evaluating TFL(Tensor Fasciae Latae) STM(soft Tissue mobilization) to improve college students. Methods: 30 college students were participated in this experiment. The subjects were received TFL STM in 30 minutes a day for 4 weeks. Results: The effects of TFL STM were evaluated by measurements of muscle activation on Gluteus Medius & Biceps Femoris(p<.05). The difference between pretest and posttest in G-med was significant(p<.05). The difference between pretest and posttest in Biceps Femoris was significant on the right side(p<.05). The difference between the left side and right side of G-med was not significant before TFL STM(p<.05). The difference between the left side and right side of G-med was not significant after TFL STM(p<.05). The difference between the left side and right side of Biceps Femoris was significant before TFL STM(p<.05). The difference between the left side and right side of Biceps Femoris was significant After TFL STM(p<.05). Conclusion: The result indicated that Gluteus Medius EMG with group help to improve TFL STM. The result indicated that Biceps Femoris EMG(right side) with group help to improve TFL STM. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of this new approach and provided a good guide in the treatment of Gluteus Medius & Biceps Femoris EMG.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) on pain intensity and functional strength in the elderly with chronic back pain. Methods: Sixteen elderly (72 ± 5.16 yrs) with chronic back pain participated in this randomized double-blinded crossover study. Each participant received both sham and 2-mA anodal currents over left dlPFC (cathode over the seventh cervical spinous process) for 20 min during 2 weeks for each current type with a washout period of 2 days between two different current stimulation periods. Pain intensity, functional lift strength, and the fear-avoidance response of all the participants were evaluated. Results: There were no significant differences in all pain-related variables between the 2mA stimulation period and the sham stimulation period. However, for results by within-group analysis in each stimulation period, we found significant improvements in pain intensity (p=.02), functional strength, (p=.006) and fear-avoidance response (p=.002) only after 2mA stimulation period, while there were no significant changes after sham stimulation. Conclusion: The current study demonstrated that anodal tDCS over dlPFC improve the painful feelings, followed by the functional strength for lifting task.

Purpose: This study was aimed to investigate the differences in the co-contraction index of ankle muscles’ activities and proposed the rehabilitation methods in terms of special physical education based on the clinical findings. Methods: A total of ten participants (5 stroke patients and 5 normal adults) were participated in this study. Their two ankle muscles (tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles) were measured by electromyography (EMG) during the gait cycle and then, the muscle activities were calculated as a co-contraction index (CCI). Finally, the indexes between stroke patients and normal adults were compared. Results: As a result, CCI during the stance phase in the gait cycle was significantly higher in stroke patients than normal adults (p=.047). In addition, each group showed a significant difference in CCI between the stance and swing phase through within-group analysis (p=.043). Conclusion: In this study, stroke patients showed a higher CCI during the gait cycle, especially, in the stance phase. In conclusion, when considering the higher CCI would provide double-sidedness; 1) a demerit is the higher CCI would decrease in the mobility of ankle joint, whereas, 2) a merit is to increase in the stability of the ankle joint to protect fall-down, I proposed that as a lower-extremity rehabilitation method, sports activity, and aerobic exercise, using an online virtual reality technology will be necessary to ensure the safety of sports game as well as the enjoyment to maximize the quality of post-stroke life. Therefore, professionals in the field of special physical education should actively enlarge their education and development skills to the field of new biotechnology.

Purpose: The purpose is to examine the influence of changes in body components due to the movement of core muscles on the unstable support surface and the stable support surface. Methods: The study consisted of 12 healthy adults. Two groups were randomly selected. The flank and bridge exercises were carried out on the unstable support surface and the stable support surface. Body-X balance tool was used to create an unstable support surface. The exercise intensity and time were progressively increased every week. Results: There was a significant difference in body weight of the group using the stable support surface (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference elsewhere. There was no significant difference in body weight, fat mass and skeletal muscle mass of the group using the unstable support surface (p>.05). There was a significant difference in body weight between the groups (p<.05). However, there was no significant difference in body fat mass and skeletal muscle mass between the two groups. Conclusion: According to the results, significant differences were found only in body weight after performing exercises on stable support ground while there was no significant differences in body weight, fat mass and skeletal muscle mass on unstable support. Although there was no significant changes in the body composition after conducting interventions, a decrease trend of body weight was found. Therefore, it will be necessary to study with more than three-week intervention periods in the future studies, related to core exercise and body composition.

Purpose: This study was aimed to report the rate of injury reoccurrence and basic data in college soccer players, questionnaire items were classified into injured numbers, body part or tissue, reoccurrence experience, etc. during competition and training. Methods: Fourth-four college male soccer players who are living as a player during more than 5 years were participated in the study. They were asked about their past injury experience during the whole training life through a self-reported questionnaire. Results: Among a total of 44 participants, 38 players (86.36%) answered the experience of sports injury and 12 players (27.58%) answered the experience of injury reoccurrence. Especially, the most frequent injury type was answered as an ankle sprain (28.36%) among the sports injury. Lastly, they answered that physical therapy (29.59%) was the most representative management method. Conclusion: In conclusion, I found that the introduction of a sports injury prevention management system preferentially to college soccer players is urgent to achieve the goal of a player as well as to develop athletic performance of a team.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of core muscle strengthening training and core exercise on unstable support on the balance and performance of a shooter. Methods: Fourteen athletes were randomly assigned to perform core muscle strength training for seven athletes, and seven athletes were exercised on an unstable surface. Two groups were conducted three times a week for 20 minutes. Static balance, dynamic balance, and shooting scores were measured before and after the experiment. Results: There was a statistically significant difference in static balance, dynamic balance in the group trained on the unstable support surface (p<.05). Conclusion: Based on this experiment, it can be seen that the balance training of the shooter on the unstable support surface is more effective than the balance of other methods.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find and compare the differences between muscle activity change and balance during unstable support and weight load during the squat exercise. Methods: The subjects were 36 normal adults (18 male and 18 female). It was randomly divided into a stable support group (control group), an unstable support group (experimental group 1), and an unstable support surface weighted group (experimental group 2), and the squat exercise was performed for 4 weeks. Togu jumper (TOGU, Germany) was applied as the unstable support surface, and 4 kg of Kettlebell (Schmidt, China) was applied for the weight load. The squat exercise was conducted three times a week and consisted of 10 minutes of warm-up, 20 minutes of the main exercise, and 10 minutes of down exercise. This exercise was repeated three sets of 15 squats. Results: The result is as follows. First, changes in muscle activity according to the experimental period increased in both the stable and unstable support groups and the unstable support and the largest increase in the weight load group (p<.05). Second, change in the balance ability according to the experiment period was most improved in the unstable support according to the experiment period in the change of Endpoint excursion (EPE) and the Directional control (DCL) than the other two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: Squat exercise is effective as an exercise to improve the strength and balance of leg muscles. As in previous studies, it was found that exercise is more effective on the unstable support than on the stable support and that it is most effective to give weight load on the unstable support.