Earticle

Background: This study compared the effects of trunk stabilization exercise and hip joint exercises on the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity, and severity of disability in patients with chronic lower back pain. Methods: A total of 30 participants were enrolled and divided into group 1 (n=10), group 2 (n=10), and group 3 (n=10) were performed by each group thrice a week for a total of 8 weeks. Group 1 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization exercise (25 min), finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 2 performed warm-up exercise (15 min), hip exercise (25 mins, finish-up exercise (15mins). Group 3 warm-up exercise (15 min), trunk stabilization and hip exercise (25 min), Finish-up exercise (15 min). Participants were assessed for the range of motion of the lumbar spine, pain severity (visual analog scale score; VAS), and severity of disability (Oswestry disability index score; ODI) before and after the interventions. Results: All three groups showed a significant increase in the range of motion of the lumbar spine, but there was no significant difference among the groups. Moreover, the severity of pain and ODI were significantly decreased in all groups; however, the intergroup differences were non-significant. Conclusion: The results from this study confirmed the effectiveness of trunk stabilization and hip joint exercise in improving the lumbar range of motion, pain severity, and chronic lower back pain in patients. Thus, trunk and pelvic stabilization exercises and hip joint exercise can be used as clinical practices to treat and prevent chronic lower back pain.

Background: Bulgarian split squat (BSS) is beneficial to improve dynamic balance ability and muscle activity of lower extremities, however its effects have not been fully investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to compare changes in dynamic balance ability and muscle properties according to various modifications of BSS exercises. Methods: Thirty healthy male volunteers participated in this study, and they were randomly divided into three different groups. The subjects performed the BSS exercise either on a stable surface with the eyes opened (n=10) or eyes closed (n=10), and on an unstable support plane with eyes opened (n=10) conditions, respectively. Dynamic balance ability was measured via Biodex balance system under the eyes-opened and closed conditions. Additionally, muscle properties of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) were evaluated. Results: Dynamic balance ability did not show the significant differences among the groups that performed the BSS exercises. However, in the Unstable group, there were significant differences in the overall stability index and anterior posterior stability index under the eyes-closed condition between pre-exercise and post-exercise. In comparison of muscle properties according to the groups, RF muscle showed a significant difference in amount of change of elasticity (p=.038). Additionally, there were significant changes in post measurements of VM muscle tone (p=.016), stiffness (p=.012) and elasticity (p=.002). VL muscle, however had no significant differences in muscle properties. Conclusion: These results indicate that BSS exercises could induce the alteration of RF and VM muscle properties, in particular VM muscle which is susceptible to weakness. Thus, BSS could be applied in various ways as an effective rehabilitation exercise.

Background: The aim of this study is for the effects of upper trapezius (UT) inhibition on round shoulder posture (RSP) index, pectoralis minor index (PMI), UT activity and neck disability index (NDI) in adults with RSP. Methods: 30 male and female participants with RSP were included in this study. The participants were divided into two groups: experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). the EG received UT inhibition 3 days a week for 5 weeks those in the CG did not receive UT inhibition. Results: RSP index, PMI, UT activity and NDI were measured again, There was a significant difference within the EG at pre- result and post-results. Conclusion: These results suggest that UT inhibition with an RSP program was effective in decreasing the RSP index, UT activity, and NDI in adults with RSP.

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of shoulder and neck stabilization exercise using a gym ball for healthy women in their 20s with round shoulder and forward head posture, it is intended to try and find improvement for posture. Methods: The subjects of the study were 25 women who understood the purpose of the research and voluntarily agreed to participate in the experiment. They carried out the shoulder and neck stabilization exercise program using a gym ball, which was conducted for 35 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The position of the round shoulder and shoulder bones was measured using an tape measurement and were recorded in both at pre, 2 weeks, and post intervention. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) and craniorotational angle (CRA) was measured using an image J. Results: The round shoulder posture left was statistically significantly different within group (p<.05); however, the round shoulder posture right wasn’t statistically significantly different (p>.05). As a result of this contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post. The scapular position on the left and right were statistically significantly different within the group (p<.05). As a result of the contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post (p<.05). The CVA and CRA on the left and right were statistically significantly different within the group (p<.05). As a result of the contrast, test were significant different in both at pre, 2 weeks and post (p<.05). Conclusion: The gym ball exercises improved the posture of women in their 20s. Therefore, gym ball exercises can help improve the quality of life of those with shoulder and neck pain.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of cervical extension-traction exercise on cervical alignment, pain, and neck disability in patients with mild turtle syndrome. Methods: Thirty two outpatients with mild turtle neck syndrome were recruited and randomly divided into two groups. Participants in the experimental group was applied cervical extension-traction exercise (CETE, n=16) and in the control group applied cervical stabilization exercise (CSE, n=16) for three times a week for 4 weeks. Results: Cobb angle and Jochumsen depth were CETE showed significant difference within the group post test (p<.05). And the CETE was significantly higher than the CSE. In the pressure pain threshold, both CETE and CSE showed significant differences within post test (p<.05). And the CETE was significantly higher than the CSE. Neck disability index were significant (p<.05) in the CETE post test. There was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results of this study showed that applying cervical extension-traction exercise to patients with mild turtle syndrome improved cervical alignment, pain and neck dysfunction.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of pectoralis minor stretching, lower trapezius strengthening exercise with serratus anterior strengthening exercise to find an effective therapeutic exercise for alignment, shoulder range of motion, muscle imbalance of rounded shoulder patient. Methods: This study targeted on a total of 28 male subjects, aged 20s and 30s, and randomly divided the subjects into each group, with 14 subjects each. The experimental group performed pectoralis minor stretching, lower trapezius strengthening exercise, and serratus anterior strengthening exerci se, while the control group performed pectoralis minor stretching and lower trapezius strengthenin g exercise. Results: both group showed an increase in active range of motion for shoulder flexion, a muscle acti vity of the serratus anterior muscle and the lower trapezius muscle, a decrease in muscle activity of the upper trapezius muscle, and a significant improvement in scapular alignment after the inter vention. In the comparison between group, the experimental group showed greater increased shoul der joint flexion range of motion, serratus anterior muscle activity, and decreased upper trapezius muscle activity than the control group. Conclusion: Performing serratus anterior strengthening exercises with pectoralis minor stretching and lower trapezius strengthening exercises is effective for improving the active range of motion in sho ulder joint flexion and muscle imbalance

Background: The purpose of this study was compare and analyze the flexibility and dynamic balance in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis and provide scientific basis for effectively treating idiopathic scoliosis. Methods: The subjects of this study were 20 members of adolescences. To measure the flexibility of the spine, a left buckling instrument was used, and it was measured using a modified sit and reach test. They were randomly divided into core exercise with sling program group (n=10) and general exercise program group (n=10), each consisting 50 minutes each for 4 times per week for 8 weeks. Results: The results of the study are as follows. First, Both groups were increased statistically significantly in spinal flexibility but no significant differences have been found between the two groups after 8 weeks of exercise. Second, Both groups were increased statistically significantly in balance ability of dynamic foot pleasure ratio but no significant differences have been found between the two groups after 8 weeks of exercise. Conclusion: In summarizing the results of this study, sling exercise with core exercise was effective in the decrease of flexibility and stability than general scoliosis exercise in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. It is also believed to be applicable to spinal diseases caused by muscular weakness since it is effective in strengthening core muscle strength.

Background: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ankle strengthening and proprioceptor exercise, including gluteus-medius strengthening exercise, on ankle strength, dynamic and static balance, ankle function, and quality of life in 24 adults without ankle instability. Methods: After randomly classifying 12 people per group into the experimental group and the control group, Home-exercise rehabilitation program was conducted for a total of 2 weeks. The control group performed ankle strengthening and proprioceptor exercise 5 times a week for 15 minutes, and the experimental group was performed by adding 15 minutes of gluteus-medius strengthning exercise to the exercise performed by the control group. The SPSS 27.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in the plantar flexion muscle strength, Y-Balance test, side hop test, quality of life. But, only experimental group showed statistically significant differences dorsi-flexion muscle strength and hip abduction muscle strength. There was no statistical difference in comparison of difference values between groups. Conclusion: These exercises can provide useful home rehabilitation programs for sports populations seeking to prevent injury in sports.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the unstable wall squat exercise and stable bridge exercise on posture in normal adults. Methods: The subjects of this study were 34 university students who were normal health adults, equally and randomly allocated to a unstable wall squat exercise group (male 7, female 10), an experimental group, and a stable bridge exercise group, a control group. Both did so for 30 minutes three times per week over a six-weeks period. Using Back Mapper, their trunk inclination (TIN), trunk imbalance (TIM), pelvic position (PPO), pelvic torsion (PTO), pelvic rotation (PRO) and the position of their scapula (PSA) were evaluated. Results: When the pre-test and post-test results of experimental group and control group were compared, statistically significant differences in TIN, PTO and PSA of experimental group were seen. Conclusion: Unstable wall squat exercise accompanied by abdominal drawing-in may be applied as a method to correct the posture in normal adults.

Background: This study aimed to determine the effects of training on breathing re-education on pain and dysfunction levels, posture, quality of life (QoL), and pulmonary function in patients. Methods: This study included 34 patients with chronic neck pain and upper thoracic breathing pattern were included. The participants were assigned to either the routine physical therapy program (RPTP) (CG; n=17) or RPTP and breathing pattern re-education training (EG; n=17). The CG and EG groups performed RPTP for 40 minutes, and only the EG groups performed breathing re-education training for 10 minutes. Exercises were performed thrice weekly for both groups. Level of pain and dysfunction, posture, QoL and pulmonary function status were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: After four weeks of intervention, numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), Korean version of neck disability index, cranio-vertebral angle, cranial rotation angle, and 12-item short form health survey-physical and mental component summaries had significant differences before and after intervention in both groups (p<.01). However, only NPRS, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1s, and maximum voluntary ventilation showed significant interactions between the two groups and measurement time (p<.01). Conclusion: Breathing re-education training and RPTP may be optimal for patients with chronic neck pain and may be more effective in improving neck pain and pulmonary function.