• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.8-16
• /
• 2008

The range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion in older women was associated with gait abnormalities and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-stretching exercise on the flexibility of the plantar flexors of the ankle and the characteristics of gait in healthy elderly women. Fifteen participants were assigned randomly into an exercise (n=8) or control (n=7) group. The exercise group attended a self-stretching program approximately 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The active ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gait measurements were taken prior to beginning the stretching program and 1 day after the last stretching day. Results showed that the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group after the stretching program (p<.05). However, gait parameters, including gait speed, cadence, and stride length were not significantly different between the two groups (p>.05). The results suggest that a 4-week self-stretching program is capable of provoking a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM in elderly, community-dwelling women. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of gait-specific exercise combined with stretching exercise on gait ability.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.25-34
• /
• 2004

This was one experimental study, conducted to identify the effects of stretching exercise included health education on physical health index, self-reported symptoms, and self-efficacy of exercise in Elderly. Subjects included 28 women elderly who were residents of H Dong, Dondae moon-Gu, Seoul. The treatment intervention was applied during total 8 weeks as 5 times/week for stretching exercise with 2 times/weeks for health education. Data collection were from February to April, 2004. SPSS Window program was used by aims of this study for data analysis. The results were as following: 1. 75 old age above (39.3%) was the most of age in subjects. None education (42.9%) was the most of subjects in this study. Perceived health state was the most as 71.4% in moderate and good health state. 2. Stretching exercise included health education, significantly effected on the total Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (p=.009*; p=.043*; p=.006*). However, the body fat weight was no significantly on the effect of stretching exercise included health education (p=.991). Also, stretching exercise included health education, significantly effected on total self-reported symptoms (p=.001*) with joint pain, joint rigidity, fatigue, indigestion, elimination disorder, and sleep disturbance. However, indigestion (p=.129) was no significantly on the effect of stretching exercise included health education. Self efficacy of exercise (p=.000*) was significantly on the effect. As according to this results, physical health index (total Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride) and self-reported symptoms (joint pain, joint rigidity, fatigue, elimination disorder, and sleep disturbance) were reduced through stretching exercise included health education. Self efficacy was improved by this exercise program. Therefore, it is confirmed that stretching exercise included health education is an effective nursing intervention for physical, mental, and psychological health management in elderly. Accordingly, authors are proposing that variously effective health management exercise programs must be developed for elderly, at the same time, the application and following up on the programs will be more important in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.51-59
• /
• 2020

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to provide clinical basic data to reduce pain and improve function by comparing neck muscle activity and neck alignment using self-stretching and passive stretching exercises for chronic neck pain caused by forward head posture. METHODS: The subjects were divided into 15 subjects assigned to perform self-stretching exercise and 15 subjects assigned to perform passive stretching exercise. The intervention was conducted for a total of 4 weeks. The muscle activity in the neck was measured by surface electromyography (EMG) before intervention, and craniovertebral and cranial rotation angles were measured by X-ray. The 4-week intervention was conducted and the above items re-measured in the same manner and analyzed. RESULTS: Muscle activity within both groups after intervention using self-stretching or passive stretching exercise was significantly different (p < .05)(p < .01). Neck alignment of both groups was significantly different (p < .001)(p < .01). Further, muscle activities of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis muscles showed significant differences (p<.05). Lastly, neck alignment showed statistically significant difference (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-stretching exercise activated motor nerves as a posture correction exercise, thereby improving inhibition of muscle activity, muscle contraction delay, and pathological conditions of the muscle. For future research, interventions of self-stretching exercise will be needed for patients with chronic back pain accompanied by forward head posture, and various clinical studies on postural improvement of forward head posture by maintaining a normal muscle tone state are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.77-87
• /
• 2023

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the flexibility and elasticity of the muscles when the hamstrings were stretched in one direction and when they were stretched in three directions. METHODS: In this study the subjects were divided into two groups, namely the 'one-direction stretching exercise of the hamstring muscle in the neutral position' group (female: 14 people, male: 14 people) and the 'three-way stretching exercise' group (female: 12 people, male: 14 people) considering the positions of the three hamstring muscles. The elasticity and flexibility of the hamstring muscles were measured before and after the self-extension exercise, and the average value of two measurements was noted. To evaluate the flexibility of the hamstring muscle, a 'sit and reach' test was performed, and muscle elasticity was measured using the MyotonPRO® device. RESULTS: After the stretching exercise, flexibility increased in both groups. In terms of muscle elasticity, the body dynamic strength and resonance frequency of the stretching one-direction stretching group decreased after the stretching exercise. CONCLUSION: To alter the muscle characteristics and increase the flexibility when performing a stretching exercise, selecting and stretching only one muscle with the lowest range of motion yields effective results. The ideal technique to be employed appears to be to stretch the entire hamstring muscle in one direction from the neutral position.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.130-139
• /
• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of stretching exercise education on female workers' behavior for preventing musculoskeletal diseases. Method: This study educated occupational health nurses working in Seoul and Kyunggi area for stretching exercise methods and then had them educate female workers in each workplace for the stretching exercise methods. The subjects of this study were 205 female workers and the research period was from June to October 2003. Results: The female workers' self-efficacy on stretching exercise increased significantly. The female workers' perceived susceptibility on stretching exercise increased significantly. As for change in practical intention on preventive behavior for musculoskeletal diseases, those who replied to have a plan to exercise regularly and to want to participate in stretching exercise class increased significantly. According to whether to have subjective musculoskeletal symptoms or not, self-efficacy increased significantly after education in both workers with such symptoms and those without, and perceived susceptibility and cue to action increased significantly after education in workers without such symptoms. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop programs to increase self-efficacy and health belief and to apply them to female workers to prevent musculoskeletal diseases. In addition, it is necessary to provide repeated education for female workers' steady practice of preventive behavior.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.1739-1745
• /
• 2019

Background: There have been many studies on self-myofascial release (SMR) stretching, but there are few comparative studies on the effects of massages using a release ball, which is a type of the SMR method. Objective: To investigate the immediate effects of release ball massage and self-stretching on proprioceptive sensory, hamstring's temperature, range of motion (ROM) muscle strength,. Design: Crossover study. Methods: Thirty women in 20's at S University in Busan voluntarily participated in the study. Participants were random to release ball group (n=15) or self-stretching group (n=15). Both groups performed 3 sets of exercises, stretching for 30 seconds and resting for 15 seconds in each position. The proprioceptive sensory, temperature of the hamstring muscle, ROM, and strength were measured before exercise, 5 minutes after exercise, and 30 minutes after exercise. Results: Release ball group showed significant differences in muscle length and temperature over time (p<.05). The comparison between two group over time showed significant differences in muscle length, temperature, and muscle strength (p<.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that release ball massage and self-stretching are beneficial for improving hamstring's temperature, ROM and muscle strength.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.43-51
• /
• 2006

The term thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is used to describe patients with compressed subclavian arteries, veins, and brachial plexuses in the region of the thoracic outlet. The objective of this study was to evaluate a scalenus stretching exercise that aims to restore normal function to patients with TOS. This study consisted of 60 patients with symptoms of TOS, and divided the patients into 3 groups: one that received manual therapy, one that practiced self stretching, and a control group. Each group consisted of 20 patients. This study assessed the efficacy of scalenus stretching exercise by examining the resting pain, tenderness, spherical grip power, and pinch grip power of patients. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Scheffe post hoc test, and independent t-test. The results showed that resting pain was statistically significant within the manual therapy and self stretching groups (p<.05), and that the resting pain of the manual therapy group was more statistically significant than that of the self stretching group (p<.05). Tenderness, spherical grip power, and pinch grip were statistically significant within the manual therapy and self stretching groups (p<.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (p>.05). Finally I could see that there were no statistical differences between manual therapy and self stretching to improve the symptoms of the patients with TOS. These results imply that self stretching by patients is as important as manual therapy by a physical therapist.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.356-363
• /
• 2012

This study was carried out to identify how a self-stretching exercise program affects pain for each body area, pain relief and job satisfaction for care workers. 20 of 40 care workers with musculoskeletal symptom were randomly selected and participated a self-stretching exercise program consisting of 15 motions. The intervention was done five times or more per weeks for 8 weeks and 1 session lasted within 15 minutes. 'Musculoskeletal symptom survey table' of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) and JDI(Job Descriptive Index) was used for pain on the musculoskeletal symptom and job satisfaction. Survey were done twice before and after the program. The result of this study showed that self-stretching exercise program group(SSPG) relieved from pain significantly in the shoulders(p<.01) and lumbar(p<.05), comparing to the non self-stretching exercise program group(NSPG). Although no significant difference on variations in the JDI appeared in SSPG, the significant reduction appeared from the colleague relationship and organization in NSPG(p<.05). SSPG showed the significant increase on variations in JDI from the job and organization comparing to NSPG. Especially, the improvement on satisfaction for the organization was shown(p<.05). Accordingly, the self-stretching exercise program for care workers can be said to positively affect the overall pain relief and increase on the JDI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.183-192
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to research the effect of self-Stretching Exercise on musculoskeletal Symptom and job Stress for care helpers who work at geriatric hospital and come up to NIOSH standard. METHODS: The effect of self-Stretching Exercise was measured using 'musculoskeletal symptom survey table' and 'Job stress measurement scale for korean' from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency(KOSHA) for 40 care helpers. The paired t-test and independent t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The pracitce of Self-Stretching Exercise was showed significant effect reducing the stress for care helper's total job Stress and inappropriate compensation, job instability, job requirement, relationship conflict, physical environment(p<.05), and significant difference for their total score, relationship conflict, structure and organization, physical environment, inappropriate compensation improvement on variations on job stress in groups(p<.05). However, self-Stretching Exercis was showed no significant effect on physcial burden. CONCLUSION: The self-Stretching Exercise was the most effect way to reduce Musculoskeletal Symptom and job Stress for a care helpers through the guidance of physical therapist.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.61-69
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of tensor fasciae latae-iliotibial band (TFL-ITB) self-stretching exercise on the lumbopelvic movement patterns during active prone hip lateral rotation (HLR) in subjects with lumbar extension rotation syndrome accompanying TFL-ITB shortness. Eleven subjects (9 male and 2 female) were recruited for the two-week study. A three dimensional ultrasonic motion analysis system was used to measure the lumbopelvic movement patterns. The TFL-ITB length was measured using the modified Ober's test and was expressed as the hip horizontal adduction angle. The subjects were instructed how to perform TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise program at home. A paired t-test was performed to determine the significant difference in the angle of lumbopelvic rotation, movement onset time of lumbopelvic rotation, TFL-ITB length, and LBP intensity before and after the two-week period of performing the TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise. The results showed that after the intervention, the lumbopelvic rotation angle decreased significantly (p<.05), the movement onset time reduced significantly (p<.05), and LBP intensity decreased slightly but not significantly (p=.07). The hip horizontal adduction angle increased significantly (p<.05) after the intervention. These findings indicate that TFL-ITB stretching exercise increased TFL-ITB length, decreased lumbopelvic rotation angle, and delayed the movement onset time of lumbopelvic rotation after two-weeks. In conclusion, the TFL-ITB self-stretching exercise performed over a period of two weeks may be an effective approach for patients with lumbar extension rotation syndrome accompanying TFL-ITB shortness.