The purpose of this study is to analyze the body type characteristics of tall adult men aged 20 to 69 years to present base material on body dimensions for men’s clothing companies. The research method comprised statistical analysis of 3D measurements after selecting items from the 8th Korean human body size survey related to the torso body types of 495 adult men who were at least 178cm tall. As a result, six factors were extracted, and the total explanatory variable of the entire factor was shown to be 80.499%. As a result of cluster analysis using this as an independent variable, three types were derived: Type 1, “a normal body type with an oval cross-sectional shape” (37.6%), with a larger vertical size and an oval chest cross-sectional shape compared to other types; Type 2: a “cylindrical thick body shape” (31.1%), which is the first stage of BMI obesity, with narrow shoulders and a cylindrical shape with a round cross-section; Type 3, “a body shape with broad shoulders and developed chest parts” (31.3%), with a horizontal size similar to Type 2 above the waist, but similar to Type 1 below. The results of this study are expected to be used as a basis for a clothing dimension system and clothing development for tall men reflecting the characteristics of the torso.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a representative disease, and LBP is characterized by muscle dysfunction that provides stability to the lumbar spine. This causes physical functional problems such as decreased posture control ability by reducing the muscular endurance and balance of the lumbar spine. Pelvic compression using instruments, which has been used during recent stabilization exercises, focuses on the anterior superior iliac spine of the pelvis and puts pressure on the sacroiliac joint during exercise, making the pelvis more symmetrical and stable. Currently, research has been actively conducted on the use of pelvic compression belts and non-elastic pelvic belts; however, few studies have conducted research on the application effect of pelvic compression using instruments. Objects: This study aimed to investigate whether there is a difference in trunk muscular endurance and dynamic and static balance ability levels by applying pelvic stabilization through a pelvic compression device between the LBP group and the non-LBP group. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects currently enrolled in Daejeon University were divided into 20 subjects with LBP group and 19 subjects without LBP (NLBP group), and the groups were compared with and without pelvic compression. The trunk muscular endurance test was performed with 4 movements, the dynamic balance test was performed using a Y-balance test, and the static balance test was performed using a Wii balance board. Results: There was a significant difference the LBP group and the NLBP group after pelvic compression was applied to all tests (p < 0.05). In the static and dynamic balance ability test after pelvic compression was applied, there was a significant difference in the LBP group than in the NLBP group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results show that pelvic compression using instruments has a positive effect on both those with and without LBP and that it has a greater impact on balance ability when applied to those with LBP.

Background: Low back and neck pain are two of the most common medical problems in the adult population. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% adults experience an episode of low back pain at least once during their lifetime. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of various stretching exercises and muscle energy techniques used for treatment of iliopsoas, quadratus lumborum, and hamstrings of patients with low back pain. Methods: A total of 52 subjects were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 17), the muscle energy technology group (METG, n = 19), and the stretching exercise group (SEG, n = 16). Interventions were performed twice a week for 4 weeks. Outcomes were measured before and after 4 weeks of treatment in the three groups, using the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Fear Avoidance Belief Questionnaire (FABQ), the Finger to Floor test (FTF), the Modified-Modified Schober Test (MMS), and the Trunk Flexion Range of Motion test. Results: This study showed significant reduction in the pre-test and post-test KODI, VAS, and FABQ scores in all the three groups (p < 0.05). The KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF assessed in this study showed interactions between the groups and the measurement time point (p < 0.01). After intervention, the KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF in the SEG and METG were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and there was no difference between the METG and SEG. MMS and HFROM test showed no difference between the three groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: KODI, VAS, FABQ and FTF showed significant improvement after basic physical therapy, muscle energy technique, and stretching exercise intervention. And there was no significant difference in the intervention effect between the muscle energy group and the stretching exercise group.

Background: Stroke patients have reduced trunk control compared to normal people. The ability to control the trunk of a stroke patient is important for gait and balance. However, there is still a lack of research methods for the characteristics of stroke control in stroke patients. Objects: The aim of this research was to determine whether trunk position sense has any relation with balance and gait. Methods: This study assessed trunk performance by measuring position sense. Trunk position sense was assessed using the David back concept to determine trunk repositioning error in 20 stroke patients and 20 healthy subjects. Four trunk movements (flexion, extension, lateral flexion, rotation) were tested for repositioning error and the measurement was carried out 6 times per move; these parameters were used to compare the mean values obtained. Subjects with stroke were also evaluated with clinical measures of balance and gait. Results: There were significant differences in trunk repositioning error between the stroke group and the control group in flexion, lateral flexion to the affected side, lateral flexion to the unaffected side, rotation to the affected side, and rotation to the unaffected side. Mean flexion error: post-stroke: 7.95 ± 6.76 degrees, control: 3.32 ± 2.27; mean lateral flexion error to the affected side: 6.13 ± 3.79, to the unaffected side: 5.32 ± 3.15, control: 3.57 ± 1.92; mean rotation error to the affected side: 8.25 ± 3.09, to the unaffected side: 9.24 ± 3.94, control: 5.41 ± 1.82. There was an only significant negative correlation between the repositioning error of lateral flexion and the Berg balance scale score to the affected side (–0.483) and to the unaffected side (–0.497). A strong correlation between balance and gait was found. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that stroke patients exhibit greater trunk repositioning error than age-matched controls on all planes of movement except for extension. And lateral flexion has correlation with balance and gait.

본 연구는 6주간의 고강도 복합 훈련 프로그램을 통해 카누 선수의 심폐기능(Cardiorespiratory Function), 체간 등속성 근력(Isokinetic Trunk Strength) 그리고 무산소성 파워(Anaerobic Power)에 미치는 영향을 확인하는데 있다. 이를 위해 고등학교 카누 선수 9명을 대상으로 고강도 복합 훈련 프로그램을 적용하였으며, 고강도 훈련 프로그램은 주 2회의 유산소 운동(화, 목), 주 3회의 무산소 운동(월, 수, 금) 그리고 주 5회의 유연성 운동을 실시하였다. 고강도 복합 훈련 프로그램의 핵심은 무산소성 훈련 프로그램으 로 기존 1RM의 퍼센트(%)를 나누어 훈련하던 방식과는 달리 횟수에 대한 100%의 중량을 가지고 하는 훈련이며, 유산소성 운동과 짐볼운동은 보조적인 개념으로 실시하였다. 연구결과, 고강도 복합 훈련 프로그램에 따른 신체구성에서 신장과 근육량은 통계적으로 의한 차이가 있었으며, 체중, 체지방율, BMI는 통계적으로 유의한 차이는 없는 것으로 나타났다. 심폐기능의 경우, 최대산소섭취량과 총 운동시간은 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 체간 등속성 근력의 경우, 각속도 30°/sec에서는 Flexors 운동시 Peak Torque 항목에서만 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 각속도 120°/sec에서는 Extensors 운동시 Total Work 항목에서만 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다. 무산소성 파워의 경우, Peak Power, Average Power, Peak Drop의 모든 항목에서 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 종합해보면 심폐기능에서는 유의한 개선효과가 있었지만 체간 등속성 근력과 무산소성 파워 항목에서 증가하는 경향은 있었지만 통계적인 차이는 없는 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 선수 개개인의 근력과 파워가 개선되는 경향이 나타난 것을 고려하면 훈련기간을 6주 이상으로 구성하고 사례수가 보강된다면 체계적인 결과를 얻을 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. 본 연구에서 적용한 고강도 복합 훈련 프로그램은 카누 선수들의 경기력 향상 효과를 기대할 수 있는 훈련 프로그램으로 적용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.

본 연구의 목적은 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작 시 슬링과 진동기 적용이 체간 근육의 근활성도 변화에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보는 것이었다. 본 연구의 대상자는 신체 건강한 20대 남성 10명을 대상으로 실시하였고(연령, 23.00±0.45 세; 신장, 176.60±1.64 cm; 체중, 67.50±1.22 kg; 신체질량지수, 21.65±0.34 kg/m2), 3가지의 기본 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작, 슬링을 적용한 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작, 및 진동기를 적용한 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작을 수행하였으며, 표면전극 부착 부위는 체간 근육의 오른쪽 상부 승모근, 대흉근, 전거근, 복직근, 및 외복사근으로 설정하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 승모근, 대흉근, 전거근, 복직근, 및 외복사근의 근활성도는 진동기를 적용한 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작 시 통계적으 로 가장 높게 나타났다(p<.001). 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 향후 무릎 푸시업 플러스 동작 적용 시 효과적인 체간 근육을 강화시키기 위한 트레이닝 프로그램의 기초자료가 될 것으로 기대된다.

목적 : 본 연구는 급성기 뇌졸중 환자에서 동작관찰 체간훈련이 체간조절능력, 균형, 일상생활수행능력에 미치는 효과를 알아보고자 실시하였다. 연구방법 : 2017년 7월 3일부터 2018년 4월 30일까지 전북 익산 소재의 W 대학병원에 입원한 급성기 뇌졸중 환자 14명을 실험군과 대조군으로 무작위 할당하였다. 두 군 모두 일반적인 물리·작업치료를 실시하였다. 추가적으로 실험군에는 동작관찰 체간훈련을, 대조군은 풍경관찰 체간훈련을 각 1일 1회 30 분, 주 5회, 총 3주간 실시하였다. 치료 중재 전·후 체간조절능력을 측정하기 위해 체간 손상 척도 (Trunk Impairment Scale; TIS), 균형능력을 측정하기 위해 수정된 기능적 팔 뻗기 검사(Modified Functional Reach Test; M-FRT)와 버그균형척도(Berg Balance Scale; BBS)를 사용하였고, 일상생활활동 수행능력을 평가하기 위해 한국판 수정된 바델 지수(Korean version of Modified Barthel Index; K-MBI)을 사용하였다. 결과 : 3주 중재 후, 두 그룹에서 중재 전·후 체간조절능력, 균형, 일상생활수행능력에서 유의한 차이가 나타났으며 (p<.05), 중재 후 두 그룹 간 변화량의 차이는 TIS와 M-FRT에서 유의한 차이가 나타났다(p<.05). 결론 : 본 연구 결과 동작관찰 체간훈련이 급성기 뇌줄중 환자의 체간조절능력, 균형, 일상생활수행능력을 향상시킬 수 있는 중재 방법으로 나타났다. 따라서 기립 훈련기에서 동작관찰 체간훈련은 급성기 뇌졸중 환자에게 능동적이고 동적인 체간훈련을 제공할 수 있는 새로운 중재 방법으로 사용될 수 있을 것이다.

Background: Lumbopelvic stability is highly important for exercise therapy for patients with low back pain and shoulder dysfunction. It can be attained using a pelvic compression belt. Previous studies showed that external pelvic compression (EPC) enhances form closure by reducing sacroiliac joint laxity and selectively strengthens force closure and motor control by reducing the compensatory activity of the stabilizer. In addition, when the pelvic compression belt was placed directly on the anterior superior iliac spine, the laxity of the sacroiliac cephalic joint could be significantly reduced. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of EPC on lumbopelvic and shoulder muscle surface electromyography (EMG) activities during push-up plus (PUP) and deadlift (DL) exercise, trunk extensor strength during DL exercise. Methods: Thirty-eight subjects (21 men and 17 women) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were instructed to perform PUP and DL with and without the EPC. EMG data were collect from serratus anterior (SA), pectoralis major (PM), erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF). Trunk extensor strength were tested in DL exercise. The data were collected during 3 repetitions of all exercise and the mean of root mean square was used for analysis. Results: The EMG activities of the SA and PM were significantly increased in PUP with pelvic compression as compared with PUP without pelvic compression (p<.05). In DL exercise, a significant improvement in trunk extensor strength was observed during DL exercise with pelvic compression (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that lumbopelvic stabilization reinforced with external pelvic compression may be propitious to strengthen PUP in more-active SA and PM muscles. Applying EPC can improve the trunk extensor strength during DL exercise. Our study shows that EPC was beneficial to improve the PUP and DL exercise efficiency.

Background: Hemispatial neglect is defined as the failure to attend, report, respond, or orient toward meaningful stimuli provided in the contralateral side of a brain lesion. Objects: This study was conducted to find out the effect of dynamic trunk equilibirum exercise for stroke patients with hemi-spatial neglect. Methods: This study included 21 stroke subjects, randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The exercise program consisted of 5 sessions of 20 minutes per week during 4 weeks. The line-bisection test, the Albert test, the balance function score, the Berg balance scale, the postural assessment scale for stroke and the modified Barthel index were measured before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Between-group and within-group comparison was analyzed by using Independent t-test and Paired t-test respectively. Results: The results of study were as follows: There were significant differences between before and after intervention in both group (p<.05). There were significant differences in the line-bisection test, Albert test, balance function score, Berg balance scale, postural assessment scale for stroke and modified Barthel index between the experimental group and the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: Dynamic trunk equilibrium exercise had a positive effect on patients’ neglect, balance ability and activities of daily living. Further studies are required to generalize the results of this study.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and abdominal expansion maneuver (AEM) on trunk stabilization, as well as trunk muscle activities and differences in quadruple visual analogue scale, Korean Oswestry Disability Index, and Fear Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire scores, in patients with chronic low back pain and lumbar spine instability. To increase intra-abdominal pressure during the trunk stabilization exercise, the technique of pushing the abdomen out using diaphragmatic abdominal breathing suggested by Pavel Koral was used, which we termed the AEM. Fifty patients who tested positive on more than three of the five lumbar spine instability tests were separated from 138 patients with chronic low back pain of these patients, 16 were placed in the control group (trunk stabilization exercise), 17 were placed in the ADIM group (trunk stabilization exercise with ADIM), and 17 were placed in the AEM group (trunk stabilization exercise with AEM). Each group participated in the study for 30 minutes three times weekly for 4 weeks. Surface electromyography was used to measure the trunk muscle activities during the kneeling forward and supine bridging positions, and one-way repeated analysis of variance was used to determine the statistical significance of the trunk muscle activities in the rectus abdominis, internal oblique (IO), erector spinae, and multifidus (MF) muscles. The ADIM and AEM groups showed relatively larger improvements in psychosocial and functional disability level than control group. There were significant changes among the three groups, those from the measured values of the AEM group was significantly higher than the other two groups in changes in IO and MF trunk muscle activities (p＜05). This finding demonstrates that trunk stabilization exercises with AEM is more effective than ADIM for increasing trunk deep muscle activity of chronic low back pain patients with lumbar spine instability.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different postural correction in the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the trunk and hip muscles during bridging exercises. Twenty-four healthy subjects volunteered for this study. The muscle activity was recorded with surface electrodes over the erector spinae, multifidus, gluteus maximus (GM), and hamstring (Ham) muscles; it was measured by using surface EMG equipment under the following 3 experimental conditions: manual postural correction, verbal correction, and no correction. The maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) was determined for each muscle group in order to represent each exercise as a percentage of MVIC and allow for standardized comparison between subjects. A one-way analysis of variance was used to determine significant differences in the EMG activities of each muscle between the 3 experimental groups. During bridging exercises, the manual postural correction on normalized EMG activity of the GM muscle during manual guiding was significantly higher than during verbal guiding and without guiding (p<.05). Furthermore, the GM/Ham ratio was significantly higher during manual guiding than during verbal guiding and without guiding (p<.05). These findings suggest that the activities of the hip and trunk muscles may be favorably modified with manual guiding during bridging exercises.

목적 : 본 연구는 뇌졸중으로 인한 편마비 환자들을 대상으로 앉은 자세에서 지지면의 안정성 변화가 상지기능 수준과 체간근육의 활성도에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 연구방법 : D광역시 ○○재활병원에 내원중인 편마비 환자 15명(남 9명, 여 6명)을 대상으로 앉은 자세에서 양발지지, 손상측지지와 비손상측지지를 사용하여 지지면의 안정성 변화를 중재하였다. 상지기능 수준은 Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled (KEPAD) 다차원 상지기능 작업표본검사로 측정하였고 체간근육의 활성도는 표면근전도를 사용하여 측정하였다. 결과 : 앉은 자세에서 세 가지 지지방법 간에 상지기능 수준을 비교한 결과 양발지지가 손상측지지에 비해 상지기능에 유의한 차이를 보였으나 비손상측으로 지면을 지지한 경우와 비교에서는 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 체간근육의 활성도를 비교한 결과에서는 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결론 : 본 연구를 통해 임상에서 편마비 환자에게 앉은 자세로 작업수행을 할 경우 양발로 지면을 지지하는 것이 상지기능 수준에 긍정적인 영향을 미친다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 작업치료사는 환자에게 양발로 지면을 지지하도록하여 자세 안정성을 극대화시킨다면 기능적인 상지의 움직임을 촉진시킬 수 있을 것이다.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the pelvic compression belt (PCB) on the electromyography (EMG) activities of trunk muscles during sit-to-stand (SitTS), and stand-to-sit (StandTS) tasks. Twenty healthy subjects (7 men and 13 women) were recruited for this study. The subjects performed SitTS, and StandTS tasks, with and without a PCB. Surface EMG was used to record activity of the internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), rectus abdominis (RA), erector spinae (ES), and multifidus (MF) of the dominant limb. EMG activity significantly decreased in the RA (without the PCB, %maximal voluntary isometric contraction [%MVIC]; with the PCB, %MVIC), EO (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIC), MF (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIC), and ES (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIC) during the SitTS task and in the IO (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIlC), RA (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIC), EO (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIC), MF (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIC), and ES (without the PCB, %MVIC; with the PCB, %MVIC) during the StandTS task when a PCB was used (p<.05). In men the EMG activity of the MF significantly decreased during the SitTS task when a PCB was used (p<.05): in women, the EMG activity of the RA, EO, MF, and ES during the SitTS task and that of the EO, MF, and ES during the SitTS task significantly decreased when a PCB was used (p<.05). In addition, the rates of change in the EMG activity of each muscle differed significantly during the SitTS and StandTS tasks before and after the use of the PCB. However, the EMG activity did not significantly differ between the male and female subjects. These findings suggest that the PCB may contribute to the modification of activation patterns of the trunk muscles during SitTS, and StandTS tasks.

This study aimed to investigate whether isometric lower limb exercise can activate contralateral trunk muscles and whether the magnitude of muscle activation is related to lower limb movement in sitting. This study included 25 healthy young subjects (20 males and 5 females). The magnitude of trunk muscle activation was measured using surface electromyography (EMG) during hip flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction, and a significant difference was observed in the activation levels of trunk muscles among the tests (p<.01). The EMG activity of the multifidus (MF) and erector spinae (ES) muscles on the contralateral side were significantly greater during hip extension. However, the activation levels of the contralateral internal oblique (IO) and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles were greatest during hip flexion. The MF : ES EMG ratio was significantly greater during hip isometric during hip isometric flexion and abduction compared to hip extension and adduction. There was no significantly difference in the IO : RA ratio during the isometric contractions toward different directions. These findings indicate that isometric lower limb exercise can elicit trunk muscle contraction on the contralateral side and may therefore be helped for developing contralateral trunk muscle strength in individuals undergoing rehabilitation.

The aim of this study is to compare measurements of abdominal muscle thickness using ultrasonography imaging (USI) to those using a special transducer head device, during five different trunk stabilization exercises, ultimately to determine which exercise led to the greatest muscle thickness. Thirty eight healthy subjects participated in this cross-sectional study. The five types of trunk stabilization - i.e., a sit-up on the supine, an upper and lower extremity raise with quadruped on the prone, a leg raise in sitting on the ball, trunk rolling on the ball, and balance using sling on the prone position - were each performed with an abdominal draw. The thickness of the abdominal muscle - including the transverse abdominal (TrA), internal oblique (IO), and external oblique (EO) - was measured by USI with a special transducer head device, at rest and then at contraction in each position. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated ANOVA with the level of significance set at =.05. The results were as follows: 1) the TrA thickness was statistically significant (p<.05), whereas the IO and EO thicknesses were not (p>.05); 2) among the five types of trunk stabilization, TrA thickness significantly increased with the balance using a sling in the prone position, (p<.05), whereas no significant difference was noted for the four types of trunk stabilization (p>.05); 3) reliability data showed that there was a high degree of consistency among the measurements taken using the special transducer head device (ICC=.92). In conclusion, the balance using a sling in the prone position was more effective than any of the four other types of trunk stabilization in increasing TrA thickness in healthy subjects.

This study aimed to identify the asymmetry observed in the electromyography (EMG) activity patterns of selected trunk and thigh muscles between the affected and unaffected sides during the sit-to-stand movement in ambulatory patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. This study included 20 patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The differences between stroke fast walkers (, 11 subjects) and stroke slow walkers (<8 m/s, 9 subjects) were compared. The activation magnitude and onset time of the multifidus, lumbar erector spinae, hamstrings, and quadriceps during the sit-to-stand movement were recorded through surface EMG. Moreover, the EMG activation magnitude and onset time ratios of each bilateral corresponding muscle from the trunk and leg were measured by dividing the relevant values of the unaffected side by those of the affected side. In all the subjects, the activation magnitudes of the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps on the affected side significantly decreased compared to those on the unaffected side (p<.05). The onset time of muscle activity in the affected side was markedly delayed for the multifidus and quadriceps during the task (p<.05). The activation magnitude ratios of the quadriceps were markedly decreased in the stroke slow walkers as compared to those in the stroke fast walkers. These findings indicate that the asymmetry in the multifidus, hamstring, and quadriceps muscle activation patterns in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis may be due to the excessive muscle activation in the unaffected side to compensate for the weakened muscle activity in the affected side. Our findings may provide researchers and clinicians with information that can be useful in rehabilitation therapy.

The pelvic compression belt (PCB) contributes to improving sacroiliac joint stability, and it has been used as an additional therapeutic option for patients with sacroiliac joint pain (SIJP). This study aimed to investigate whether the muscle activation patterns of the supporting leg was different between asymptomatic subjects and subjects with SIJP during one-leg standing, and how it changes with the PCB. 15 subjects with SIJP and 10 asymptomatic subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Surface electromyography (EMG) data (reaction time [RT] and muscle activation) were collected from the internal oblique, lumbar multifidius, gluteus maximus and biceps femoris muscles during one-leg standing with and without the PCB. Without the PCB condition, in the SIJP group, the biceps femoris muscle showed the fastest RT among all muscles (p<.05), whereas in the asymptomatic group, the RT of the internal oblique muscle was the most rapid (p<.05). In condition without the PCB, the biceps femoris EMG amplitudes in the SIJP group were significantly greater than that in the asymptomatic group (p<.05). After the application of the PCB, the RT of the biceps femoris muscle was significantly increased only in the SIJP group (p<.05). Moreover, the biceps femoris EMG amplitudes significantly decreased and the gluteus maximus EMG amplitudes significant increased only in the SIJP group by applying the PCB (p<.05). However, this had no such effect on the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris EMG patterns in the asymptomatic group (p>.05). Thus, this study supports the applying the PCB to patients with SIJP can be used as a helpful option to modify the activation patterns of the gluteus maximus and biceps femoris muscle.

This study was to investigate the positive effects of specially designed trunk-stabilization exercise program on lower extremity balance of elderly with history of leprosy. In this participants, lower extremity functions has been undermined by the development of damage in peripheral nerves. A total of 40 elderly with history of leprosy were divided into 2 groups of equal size (): a group that participated in the exercise program, and a control group that did not exercise but did continue to engage in normal daily activities (including walking). The exercise group exercised for 60 minutes 2 days a week for 12 weeks. Static balance ability was measured by asking study participants to a one leg standing test: dynamic balancing ability was measured with a tandem walking test and a timed up-and-go test. The participants in the exercise program and the control group were tested before and after completion of the exercise program for comparison, and then divided according to their ability to feel sensory in the soles of their feet into the categories of normal sensory group: group with sensory loss in one foot: and group with sensory loss in both feet. The participants in the exercise program showed a positive, statistically significant difference in static balance compared with the control group (p<.05) as measured using the one leg standing test. Similarly, the participants in dynamic balance (p<.05) as measured using the tandem walking and timed up-and-go tests. Finally, these improvements were related to the severity of sensory loss in the soles of the feet for all study participants.

The purpose of this study was to assess visual biofeedback's influence on trunk muscles' (EMG) activity and endurance holding time for correct position during whole-body tilt exercise. For the study, we recruited 14 volunteers who showed no symptom of lumbar disease during medical tests. We measured the EMG activity of their rectus abdominis, external abdominal oblique, internal abdominal oblique and erector spinae muscles, and their endurance holding time for correct position during anterior and posterior whole-body tilt under two conditions: whole-body tilt with and without visual biofeedback. Resistance with gravitational force on the trunk during whole-body tilt was applied by using a device that had a monitor on which the subjects could check their alignment and that sounded an alarm if a subject's alignment collapsed. The study showed an increase in the EMG activity of external abdominal oblique, internal abdominal oblique/rectus abdominis ratio and endurance holding time for correct position during both anterior and posterior whole-body tilt with visual biofeedback compared with without visual biofeedback (p<.05). We suggest that the whole-body tilt exercise with visual biofeedback could be a beneficial strategy for selectively strengthening the internal abdominal oblique muscle and minimizing the rectus abdominis muscle's activity while maintaining correct alignment during whole-body tilt exercise.