The aim of this study was to determine the muscle activity of the abdominalis and erector spinae during bridging and unilateral bridging exercises on the firm surface, the sir-fit, and the foam roll. Eighteen healthy young subjects were recruited for this study. Surface electromyographic (EMG) activities were recorded from the both sides of the rectus abdominalis, external obliques, internal obliques, and erector spinae muscles during bridging and unilateral bridging-exercises. A one-way repeated analysis of variance was used to compare the EMG activity of each muscle according to the support surface condition. Differences in the EMG activities between the bridging and unilateral bridging exercises, and between the right and left side were assessed using a paired t-test. The study showed that the EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher when the bridging exercise was performed using the foam roll or sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of the right rectus abdominis, right external obliques, the right internal oblique, and both erector spinae were significantly higher during unilateral bridging ex exercise using the foam roll or the sit-fit than on the firm surface. The EMG activities of all of the muscles were significantly higher during the unilateral bridging exercise than during the bridging exercise. Based on these finding, performing the unilateral bridging exercise using the sit-fit or the foam roll is a useful method for facilitating trunk muscle strength and lumbar stability.

This study was designed to examine a 3-week modified constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) to the less-affected arm of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) would improve function of the more-affected arm in PD. The subjects were 6 institutional older adults with PD and clients of the social welfare facilities. The subjects (2 men, 4 women) ranged in age from 66 to 90 years (mean age 77.2 yrs). Three clinical tests were used to determine the improvement of functional activity between before and after modified CIMT. The tests included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). There were significantly differences after the modified CIMT for time performance in WMFT and pinch in ARAT (p<.05), No significant difference was noted after the modified CIMT for UPDRS and functional ability scale in WMFT. Therefore, the modified CIMT might improve time performance and is available to therapeutic program helping them improve functional ability for upper extremity in Parkinson's disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare the joint position sense at the knee joint at 3 different surface conditions by using the active knee joint angle reproduction test in the standing position. Twenty healthy volunteers (10 males and 10 females) age 20~29 years were recruited for this study. The knee joint position senses were assessed at three different surface conditions: on the floor (stable condition), TOGU (soft condition), and seat fit (unstable condition) in a closed kinetic chain. Testing orders were selected randomly. The absolute angle error was defined as the absolute difference between target angles (30°～45° knee flexion) and subject perceived angle of the knee flexion. One way ANOVA was used to compare the absolute angle of error among 3 different conditions. The Independent t-test was used to compare the absolute angle of error between male and female. The error angles were significantly different among surface conditions (1.3°±1.2° for the floor, 2.1°±0.9° for the TOGU, and 4.4°±1.8° for the seat fit, p<.05). There was no significant difference in error angle between male and female. In conclusion, the joint position sense of the knee joint in the closed kinetic chain decreased at unstable surface conditions. The result of this study indicates that surface conditions should be considered when assessing and training the joint position sense of the knee joint in clinical setting.