Effects of Seated Exercise of Thoracic and Abdominal Muscles on Upper Extremity Function and Trunk Muscles Activity in Patients with Chronic Stroke

Shinjun Park,Sangduk Kim 국제물리치료연구학회 2020 Journal of International Academy of Physical Ther Vol.11 No.2

Background: Weakness of the abdominal and mid thoracic muscles the lead to thoracic kyphosis of stroke patients. The trunk muscles activity of stroke patients is significantly related to upper extremity. Objectives: To investigate the effect of seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles on upper extremity function and trunk muscles activity in stroke patients. Design: One-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: A total of 27 stroke patients were recruited. All stroke patient were given seated abdominal exercise (posterior pelvic tilt exercises) and thoracic exercise (postural-correction exercise). All exercises were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks. The manual function test (MFT) and electromyography (EMG) were measured, and EMG electrodes were attached to thoracic paraspinal muscles and lower rectus abdominal muscles. EMG signal is expressed as %RVC (reference voluntary contraction). Results: Experimental group showed significant increases in abdominal muscles, paraspinal muscles activity and MFT total score, items of arm motion (forward elevation of the upper extremity, lateral elevation of the upper extremity, touch the occiput with the palm) in MFT after four weeks. Conclusion: These results suggest that, in stroke patients, seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles contribute to improve trunk muscles activity and upper extremity function in stroke patients.

Comparison of Abdominal Muscle Activity Between the Abdominal Bracing Technique Emphasizing Inhalation and the General Bracing Technique and Hollowing Technique

Kyoungup Yun,Ki-Bum Jung,이용우 물리치료재활과학회 2022 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.11 No.2

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the abdominal muscle activity difference while performing the abdominal bracing technique focusing on inspiration (abdominal bracing group), the general abdominal bracing technique (general bracing group), and the abdominal hollowing technique (abdominal hallowing group)Design: A cross-sectional study design. Methods: Thirty-three healthy participants were recruited for this study. The participants were allocated to 3 different groups; Abdominal bracing group, general bracing group, and abdominal hallowing group. The surface electromyography was placed over the rectus abdominis, external oblique, and internal oblique muscles to collect the activation of abdominal muscles during the trial. Results: The muscle activity of the abdominal bracing group and general bracing groups was significantly higher in all abdominal muscles than in the abdominal hollowing group (p<0.05) Both rectus abdominis and external oblique muscles showed higher muscle activations in the abdominal bracing group over the general bracing group (p<0.05). However, the ratio of bilateral external obliques and rectus abdominis to bilateral internal obliques was highest when the hollowing technique was applied (p <0.06). Conclusions: The results of study showed the abdominal bracing technique that emphasized inhalation rather than the abdominal hollowing technique or general abdominal bracing technique increased the activity of the abdominal muscles. Therefore, this study is considered to be a data for effective training if the abdominal bracing technique that emphasizes inhalation is applied as a method to increase the activation of the abdominal muscles.

한방치료를 통한 복근군의 근막이완으로 호전된 만성기침환자 치험 2례

김유진 ( Eu Gene Kim ),차윤엽 ( Yun Yeop Cha ) 한방재활의학과학회 2009 한방재활의학과학회지 Vol.19 No.3

Objectives: We supposed that abdominal muscles are related to chronic cough, because abdominal pressure and respiratory muscles are influenced by abdominal muscle function. We have evaluated the effect of myofacial releasing of abdominal muscles with oriental medical treatment by experimenting two patients suffering from chronic cough. Methods: One patient was treated with acupuncture therapy and muscle stretching exercise for myofacial releasing of abdominal muscle. The other patient was treated with hot pack therapy and abdominal respiration training for myofacial releasing of abdominal muscle. Results and Conclusions: After oriental medical treatment of abdominal muscles in two cases, We figured out that the patients were on the mend. These results suggest that myofacial releasing of abdominal muscles using oriental medical treatment was effective in improving chronic cough.

Original Article : Correlation between lateral abdominal, rectus femoris, and triceps brachii muscle thickness and endurance during prone bridge exercise in healthy young adults

( Kyeong Bong Lee ),( Jong Geun Kim ),( Han Gi Park ),( Ji Eun Kim ),( Hye Sun Kim ),( Wan Hee Lee ) 물리치료재활과학회 2015 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.4 No.1

Objective: Prone bridge exercise is one of the core strengthening exercise for improving abdominal, lower and upper extremity muscles. In addition, coactivation of the trunk muscles and extremities is important for treatment of low back pain. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the thickness, cross-sectional area of the target muscle, and endurance during prone bridge exercise. Our hypothesis was that an increase in muscle thickness is positively related to the hold time for the static prone bridge exercise. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fourteen healthy university students (8 men and 6 women) voluntarily participated in the study at Sahmyook University. Hold time for the prone bridge with one and both legs was measured. The resting and contracted thickness of the lateral abdominal, rectus femoris, and triceps muscles was measured using rehabilitative ultrasound imaging. The correlation between muscle thickness and endurance for maintenance time was evaluated. Results: The prone bridge with both legs and the contraction thickness of the triceps muscle showed a positive correlation (r=0.692, p<0.05); the prone bridge with one leg and the contraction thickness of the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles showed a positive correlation (r=0.545, 0.574, p<0.05, 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: Endurance for the prone bridge exercise with a stable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of arm muscles; the prone bridge exercise with an unstable support surface is correlated with the contraction thickness of the deep abdominal muscles.

Comparison of abdominal muscle activity with various verbal instructions and onset activity analysis during draw-in maneuver

Tsuyoshi Morito,Hiroshi Akuzawa,Yu Okubo,Gen Adachi,Tomoki Oshikawa,Koji Kaneoka 한국운동재활학회 2022 JER Vol.18 No.4

Draw-in is a promising intervention for regaining isolated control of the transverse abdominis (TrA). Exercises to stimulate isolated contractions are needed; however, the appropriate methods are unclear. The objectives of this study were to examine how the muscle activity and muscle activity ratio of abdominal muscles change with various verbal instructions and to determine the onset of the abdominal muscles during drawin. The participants were 21 healthy men. TrA electromyography was performed using fine-wire electrodes, and the internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA) were determined using surface electrodes. The participants performed seven abdominal exercises according to verbal instructions and isolated voluntary contraction of the TrA for more than 5 sec. The TrA showed higher activity in bracing. IO and EO activities were highest in bracing, whereas RA showed the highest activity in maximum bracing. TrA/IO and TrA/EO were not significantly different between conditions. The results of the onset activity analysis of the abdominal muscles during the draw-in maneuver showed that the TrA was significantly earlier than the other muscles. The activity ratios of TrA to IO and EO were highly individualized and did not differ according to the verbal instruction. Maximum draw-in showed more significant IO activity, and bracing showed co-contraction of the superficial and deep abdominal muscles. During draw-in, the TrA initiated the earliest activity among the abdominal muscles and then isolated activity for 1.1 sec.

Comparison Between Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation to Abdominal and Back Muscles on Postural Balance in Post-stroke Hemiplegic Patients

박민근,석현,김상현,노규동,이승열 대한재활의학회 2018 Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine Vol.42 No.5

Objective To compare the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to abdominal muscles and back muscles on postural balance in post-stroke hemiplegic patients.Methods Thirty post-stroke hemiplegic patients were prospectively enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the three groups: core muscle-strengthening exercise (CME) with NMES to abdominal muscles (group A), CME with NMES to back muscles (group B), and CME alone (group C). All subjects underwent their targeted interventions for 30 minutes each day, 5 days per week for 3 weeks under a conventional stroke rehabilitation program. Subjects were evaluated using Korean version of Berg Balance Scale (K-BBS), Trunk Impairment Scale (TIS), Korean version of Modified Barthel Index (K-MBI), Weight Distribution Index (WDI), and Stability Index (SI) just before and 3 weeks after intervention.Results Changes in K-BBS (p<0.05) and TIS (p<0.05) were significantly higher in group A (18.5±8.10, 6.6±1.90) and group B (19.9±5.44, 7.0±2.26) than in group C (8.4±4.14, 3.1±0.99). However, K-MBI, WDI, and SI failed to show any significant difference. No significant difference in all outcomes was observed between groups A and B.Conclusion The effect of NMES to the abdominal muscles was similar to the effect on back muscles in terms of postural balance. This finding indicated that the NMES to the abdominal muscles may be an alternative for post-stroke hemiplegic patients contraindicated for NMES to the back muscles. Additional studies investigating the effects of NMES on abdominal and back muscles are needed.

The Immediate Effects of Single Leg Bridge Exercise on Abdominal Muscle Activity in Subacute Stroke Patients : a Preliminary Study

김호영(Hoyoung Kim),박찬범(Chanbum Park),방수용(Sooyong Bang),장호영(Hoyoung Jang),김용주(Yongju Kim),이석민(Sukmin Lee) 물리치료재활과학회 2021 Physical therapy rehabilitation science Vol.10 No.2

Objective: Single leg bridge exercise (SLBE) improves trunk muscle activation and provides muscle stability by aligning jointsrelated to posture. This preliminary study aimed to investigate the effects of SLBE on abdominal muscle activation in subacutestroke patients. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Fifteen subacute stroke patients (9 males, 6 females) voluntarily participated in this study. SLBE was performed on theaffected side. Each individual patient performed an SLBE ten times in three sets and was asked to hold their position for 5 s. Muscles activity was recorded using a surface electromyography (EMG) system before and after the SLBE. A surface EMGsystem was used to analyze the muscle activity during general bridge exercise, including the rectus abdominis (RA), internaloblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) abdominal muscles. Results: Muscle activity of both EO and IO on the affected side significantly increased (p<0.05), whereas the muscle activity ofthe RA and the three muscles on the unaffected side did not show a significant difference. In addition, improvement in muscleasymmetry of the EO and IO showed a significant change after SLBE (p<0.05). Conclusions: SLBE is effective in activating the abdominal muscles of stroke patients on the affected side and is a helpfulexercise intervention that activates the muscles to transform asymmetric abdominal muscles into symmetric patterns.

코어운동과 복근강화운동이 비예측 동요 시 다리 근활성도에 미치는 영향

김도연,김유진,백지훈,신소희,이정민,이명희,Kim, Do-Yeon,Kim, Yu-Jin,Baek, Ji-Hun,Shin, So-Hui,Lee, Jung-Min,Lee, Myoung-Hee 대한고유수용성신경근촉진법학회 2017 PNF and Movement Vol.15 No.2

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of core and abdominal muscle-strengthening exercises on muscle activity in the lower extremity on unexpected perturbation. Methods: Twenty subjects were randomly divided into the core exercise group (n=10) or the abdominal muscles strengthening group (n=10). The two groups performed their exercises during three sessions a week for a total of four weeks. The muscle activity in the lower muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) was assessed using surface electromyography (EMG) and normalized maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) before and after the exercises. Results: An increase in the tibialis anterior activity after the core and abdominal muscles strengthening exercises was found after four weeks. A significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise was found. The gastrocnemius muscle activity increased in the core exercise group more than the abdominal muscles strengthening group. However, the difference was not significant. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the core and abdominal muscles strengthening exercises increased the tibialis anterior muscle activity. It is expected to help make more balance ability that affect who has abdominal muscles weakness.

흡연자와 비흡연자의 앉은 자세에서 일어서는 동작 시 배근육 활성도 차이

유종훈,이동률,이민형,김종순,Yoo, Jong-Hoon,Lee, Dong-Rour,Rhee, Min-Hyung,Kim, Jong-Soon 대한고유수용성신경근촉진법학회 2018 PNF and Movement Vol.16 No.2

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether the abdominal muscles, which are the major lumbar stabilizers along with the respiratory muscles, are affected by smoking. We compared abdominal muscle activity between smokers and non-smokers during the sit-to-stand movement. Methods: A total of 28 healthy adult males (14 smokers and 14 non-smokers) in their 20s-30s voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects performed the sit-to-stand movement, and then their abdominal muscle activity was measured. The surface electromyography system was employed to measure the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) values of the subjects' rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, internal oblique abdominal, and transversus abdominis muscles. Then, the values were quantified into %MVIC. Results: The activity of the rectus abdominis muscle was higher in the smokers than in the non-smokers. Conversely, the activity of the internal oblique abdominal and transversus abdominis muscles, which are deep abdominal muscles, was higher in non-smokers than in smokers, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Smoking can inhibit the activity of smokers' deep abdominal muscles and increase the activity of their superficial muscles, thus making it detrimental to their musculoskeletal system.

The Effects of Pilates based Breathing on Changes in the Thicknesses of the Abdominal Muscles

( Hae-yeon Kwon ),( Hyun-ju Moon ),( Moon-jeoung Kim ) 대한물리의학회 2016 대한물리의학회지 Vol.11 No.3

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study is to examine the effects of sole Pilates based breathing on the thicknesses of the abdominal muscles. METHODS: Twenty adults aged in their 20-30s were randomly selected. The selection criteria were those who had no medical history of pain due to musculoskeletal system, neurologic, or orthopedic diseases within six months before the selection. The thicknesses of the abdominal muscles (the transversus abdominis muscle, internal oblique abdominal muscle, and external oblique abdominal muscle) of the subjects were measured using ultrasonography before and after Pilates breathing. The study was approved by the research ethics committee of the Catholic University of Pusan. RESULTS: After Pilates based breathing, the thicknesses of the transversus abdominis muscle, the internal oblique abdominal muscle, and the external oblique abdominal muscle increased significantly. In particular, the thickness increase rate of the transversus abdominis muscle was shown to be the highest. CONCLUSION: Sole Pilates based breathing is expected to be effective for the improvement of trunk stability through strengthening of abdominal muscles, because it induces the coordinated contraction of the transversus abdominis muscle and other abdominal muscle. It will be need the Longitudinal study for identify to long term effects of Pilates based breathing.