• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.81-88
• /
• 2019

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine if there is any correlation between pelvic tilt angle and trunk motion and trunk extensor during trunk forward flexion and to measure trunk motion, onset time of trunk motion, and onset time of trunk extensor activation. Methods : The subjects of this study were 42 healthy adults. The subjects had no back pain due to neurological disease and no experience of back surgery. After pelvic tilt angle was measured, each trunk forward flexion was performed three times. Trunk motion and onset time of trunk motion were measured using Myomotion. Four sensors were used, with one located at the upper thoracic (below $C_7$), the lower thoracic ($T_{12}-L_1$), the sacrum ($S_1$), and at the center of the anterior femur. Onset time of trunk extensors (spinalis, longissimus, gluteus medius, gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius) activation was measured using a wireless surface EMG. The EMG amplitude was normalized by using the reference voluntary contraction (RVC). The statistical significance of the results were evaluated using Pearson's correlation test. Results : The correlation between pelvic tilt angle and lumbar motion, onset time of pelvis motion, and onset time of gluteus medius activation was statistically significant in a positive direction (p<.05). The correlation between pelvic tilt angle with pelvis motion, onset time of lumbar motion, and onset time of longissimus activation showed a statistically significant negative correlation (p<.05). Conclusion : The study results provide a significant contribution to our understanding of the lumbar load at the initial stage of trunk flexion. Therefore, it may be possible to provide basic data for evaluation and treatment, such as orthodontic treatment for alignment of the spine and back pain. In addition, it is necessary to focus on normal exercise pattern reeducation as well as pelvic correction during exercise in daily life or in industrial fields.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2016

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects on flexibility of bridge and plank exercises using sling suspension on an unstable surface. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 20 healthy adults in their 20s (plank=10, bridge=10). Both types of exercise were performed three times per week for a period of four weeks. Each exercise was performed in the front and side direction. Exercise intensity was altered through the use of a sling, which was placed at the knee and ankle. Flexibility at trunk forward flexion and backward extension was measured. The trunk forward flexion was measured at sitting position. The trunk backward extension was measured at prone position. The data were analyzed by Two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the pre- and post-test for both the bridge and plank exercise groups. In the bridge exercise, significant differences were shown in the trunk forward flexion and the trunk backward extension (p<.05). In the plank exercise, a significant difference was shown in the trunk backward extension (p<.05). No significant differences were noted in interaction effect or the main effects in either group. CONCLUSION: Bridge and plank exercises on an unstable surface improve flexibility. The bridge exercise improves the flexibility of the forward and backward muscles of the trunk. The plank exercise improves the flexibility of the forward muscles of the trunk. This information would be useful in the development of exercise programs including bridge and plank exercises for improving flexibility and core stability.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.32-41
• /
• 2019

Background: Limitations in hip flexion caused by tight hamstrings lead to excessive lumbar flexion and low back pain. Accordingly, many studies have examined how to stretch the hamstring muscle. However, no study has focused on the effect of hamstring eccentric exercise for tight hamstrings on trunk forward bending. Objects: We compared the short-term effect of hamstring eccentric exercise (HEE) and hamstring static stretching (HSS) on trunk forward bending in individuals with tight hamstrings. Methods: Thirty individuals with tight hamstrings participated in the study. The subjects were randomly allocated to either a HEE or HSS group. To determine whether the hamstrings were tight, the active knee extension (AKE) test was performed, and the degree of hip flexion was measured. To assess trunk forward bending, subjects performed the fingertip to floor (FTF) and modified modified Schober tests, and the degree of trunk forward bending was measured using an inclinometer. We used paired t-tests to compare the values before and after exercise in each group and independent t-tests to compare the two groups on various measures Results: The FTF test results were improved significantly after the exercise in both groups, and AKE for both legs increased significantly in both groups. There was no significant difference in the hip angles, mmS test results, or degree of trunk forward bending between groups after the exercise. No test results differed significantly between the two groups at baseline or after the exercise. Both groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. Conclusion: HSS and the HEE groups increased hamstring flexibility and trunk forward bending. However, HEE has additional benefits, such as injury prevention and muscle strengthening.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.57-63
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of manual facilitation and a stick on lumbar and hip joint flexion angles in subject with lumbar flexion syndrome during forward bending from a sitting position. Fifteen subjects with lumbar flexion syndrome were recruited for this study. As a pretest, all subjects performed three repetitions of bending the trunk forward until the tips of their fingers touched the target bar. After this pretest, the subjects practiced the forward bending of the trunk 10 times, using either manual facilitation or a stick. Then, as a posttest, all subjects repeated the pretest procedure. The flexion angles of lumbar spine and hip joint during forward bending in a sitting position were measured using a three-dimensional motion analysis system. A paired t-test was used to determine the statistical differences between pre-test and post-test flexion angles and pre- and post-test flexion angle differences between forward bending with manual facilitation and forward bending with a stick. The level of statistical significance was set at p=.05. The results of the study showed that the angle of the lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the bilateral hip flexion angle increased significantly when performing forward bending with stick and manual facilitation. Furthermore, the angle of lumbar flexion decreased significantly and the angle of bilateral hip flexion increased significantly in forward bending with a stick compared to forward bending with manual facilitation. The findings of this study indicate that both forward bending with manual facilitation and sticks could be used to prevent excessive lumbar flexion and increase hip flexion, and that forward bending with a stick is more effective than forward bending with manual facilitation for inducing lumbar spine and hip joint angle changes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2017

Background: Flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) was a term which refers to a sudden onset of myoelectric silence in the erector spinae muscles of the back during standing full forward flexion. Hamstring muscle length may be related to specific pelvic and trunk movements. Many studies have been done on the FRP of the erector spinae muscles. However, no studies have yet investigated the influence of hamstring muscle flexibility on the FRP of the hamstring muscle and lumbopelvic kinematics during forward bending. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine the flexion-relaxation ratio (FRR) of the hamstring muscles and lumbopelvic kinematics and compare them during forward bending in subjects with different hamstring muscle flexibility. Methods: The subjects of two different groups were recruited using the active knee extension test. Group 1-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angle under $30^{\circ}$; Group 2-consisted of 13 subjects who had a popliteal angel above $50^{\circ}$. The kinematic parameters during the trunk bending task were recorded using a motion analysis system and the FRRs of the hamstring muscles were calculated. Differences between the groups were identified with an independent t-test. Results: The subjects with greater hamstring length had significantly less lumbar spine flexion movement and more pelvic flexion movement. The subjects with greater pelvic flexion movement had a higher rate of flexion relaxation during full trunk bending (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that differences in hamstring muscle flexibility might cause changes in people's hamstring muscle activity and lumbopelvic kinematics.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.171-177
• /
• 2020

Background: The flexion-relaxation phenomenon (FRP) refers to a sudden onset of activity in the erector spinae muscles that recedes or fades during full forward flexion of the trunk. Lumbar spine and hip flexion are associated with many daily physical activities that also impact trunk flexion. Shorter hamstring muscles result in a reduction of pelvic mobility that eventually culminates in low back pain (LBP). Many studies have explored the FRP in relation to LBP. However, few studies have investigated the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the influence of hamstring muscle length on the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Methods: Thirty subjects were divided into three groups according to hamstring length measured through an active knee extension test. The 30 participants consisted of 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 20° or less (Group 1), 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 21°-39° (Group 2), and 10 subjects who had a popliteal angle of 40° or more (Group 3). A one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the difference in muscle activity of the erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion. Results: The subjects with a shorter hamstring length had significantly higher muscle activity in their erector spinae muscles during trunk flexion and full trunk flexion (p < 0.05). The subjects with a shorter hamstring length also had a significantly higher flexion-relaxation ratio (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that differences in hamstring muscle length can influence the FRP in relation to the erector spinae muscles. This finding suggests that the shortening of the hamstring might be associated with LBP.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.2229-2236
• /
• 2020

Background: Few comparative studies have been conducted on strengthening the anterior and posterior muscles of the trunk via lumbar stabilization exercises. Objectives: To compare the effects of forward leaning exercise and supine bridging exercise in stability exercise. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind). Methods: Thirty subjects with spondylolisthesis were participated in this study. Fifteen subjects performed the bridging exercises and fifteen subjects performed the forward leaning exercises. Each exercise was held for ten seconds per repetition, and four repetitions were considered one sub-session. A total of four sub-sessions were performed in one full exercise session. The full exercise session required thirty minutes, including rest time. Trunk strength and range of motion and Oswestry disability index were measured. Results: Two weeks later, trunk flexion strength and trunk extension range of motion were significantly increased in the forward leaning exercise group than in the supine bridging group, trunk extension strength were significantly increased in the supine bridging exercise group than in the forward leaning group. After two weeks, the pain score was significantly lower in the forward leaning exercise group than in the supine bridging group. Conclusion: This study has shown that stabilization exercises are effective in increasing range of motion and strength in spondylolisthesis subjects. It was especially confirmed that the method of strengthening the anterior muscles of the trunk is more effective than the standard stabilization exercise method.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.245-257
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop a simple, valid, and reliable instrument for measuring forward flexion of trunk-hip joint. The subject included 44 females for sports major of volunteers at D. Women's University. In establishing the validity, objectivity the reliability of the new flexibility test(NF-test) for trunk-hip joint, Takei- flexometer(modified Leighton flexometer) was administered as the reference instrument, and test-retest method was utilized with the best scores. Intraclass correlation coefficient was obtained to use two way-mixed effect model and this value was average measure. The Pearson product correlation coefficient of L in this study were; the new flexibility test and Takei-flexometer as the reference tool correlated r = .962 in the first test, r = .960 in the second test. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the new flexibility test between in the initial test and in the retest were R = .994 for L, R =.993 for Y, and the intraclass correlation coefficient of the new flexibility test between L and Y were R =.985 in the initial test, and R =.986 in the retest. Based on the above findings, the following conclusions are presented. It was found the new flexibility test (NF test) was a valid, reliable, objective tool for measuring forward flexion of trunk-hip joint, and possible to be recommended as he test for measuring trunk-hip flexibility in the field.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.245-253
• /
• 2020

This study has conducted to investigate the changes in the mobility of the three thoraco-abdominal lines(TAMs) during breathing and in the thoracic and lumbar spine mobility(TSM, LSM) during trunk forward flexion, after breathing pattern correction. The 30 subjects with lumbar instability(LI) have divided into the breathing pattern correction exercise(BPC) group of 15 subjects and the lumbar stabilization exercise(LSE) group of 15 subjects and performed each exercise for 40 minutes at one session, and a total of 18 sessions were applied for 6 weeks. As a result, The BPC group during breathing showed a significant increase in all TAMs(p<.001) and in the TSM(p<.001) than the LSE group. Besides, had a more decrease in the LSM than the LSE group(p<.001). The BPC showed high positive correlations with TAMs(rest: r=.868, forced: r=.870) and the TSM(r=.672) and had a negative correlation with the LSM(r=-.420). Based on this result of the study, the authors believe that the BPC in LI people could decrease the lumbar flexion mobility when they have motion of trunk forward flexion with promotions in the thoracic spine and rib joint mobility by improvements in relative mobility of thoraco-abdominal lines.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.11-20
• /
• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to find out which method is efficient to enhance the flexibility of lower back between PNF(Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation), static and dynamic stretching. Methods : Subjects were 30 young people between the ages 17 and 19. They were randomly divided into three groups; static group(n=10) performed a static stretching, dynamic group(n=10) performed a dynamic stretching, and PNF group(n=10) performed a PNF stretching. Intervention was provided 5 days per week for 4 weeks. For each case, Trunk flexion forward, trunk flexion backward, trunk left lateral bending, trunk right lateral bending, trunk flexion forward a measuring instrument and tapeline were performed to measured the flexibility of lower back at different times(before starting the exercise, after 4 weeks). Results : The results of the study reveal that the lower back flexibility was a statistically significant difference in all groups(p<.05). There was statistically significant difference between PNF group and static group, PNF group and dynamic group. Conclusion : The finding indicated that PNF may be preferred technique for improving flexibility, and that flexibility training results in an increased consistency of flexibility scores.