Background: Interventions for acute low back pain include exercise therapy such as stretching, aerobic exercise, and sling exercise. Another treatment method for back pain is soft tissue release. Soft tissue release is a relaxation method that improves balance while allowing tension tissues to relax as much as possible. Objectives: To investigated the effect of acute low back pain on the massage ball exercise. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The twenty-eight subjects were randomly allocated to the Massage ball exercise with TENS group (MBETG, n=14) and the transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation group (TG, n=14). For MBETG, massage ball exercise (BALLance Dr. Tanja Kühne method) was applied for 25 minutes followed by TENS for 15 minutes. The TG group applied TENS for 40 minutes. Each group conducted the intervention three sessions. The results were analyzed by measuring the numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), surface electromyography (%MVIC), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) before and after the intervention in each group. Results: Significant reduction was observed for NPRS and ODI in the MBETG (P<.05). And Significant higher was observed for %MVIC of the Erector spinae in the MBETG (P<.05). The NPRS and ODI in the MBETG were decreaed than the TG (P<.05). Conclusion: Massage ball exercise to patients with acute back pain will be effective in reducing pain, increasing muscle activity, and improving functional disability.

이 연구의 목적은 코어 저항 운동이 농업 여성노인들의 근감소증 지표에 미치는 영향을 보고자 하였다. 이 연구에 참여한 피검자는 65세 이상의 천안시 거주 농업 여성노인 15명과 통제군 여성 15명으로 하였다. 코어 운동군은 주 2회 60분간 코어 강화 운동을 실시하였고, 종속변인인 근감소증 지표로는 악력, 의자 앉았다 일어서기, 근육의 면적과 단기운동수행력으로 4m 보행, 2.44m 걷기 및 400m 걷기를 실시하였다. 코어 저항 운동 결과 의자 앉았다 일어서기의 유의한 개선을 보였으나 근단 면적에서는 집단 간에 유의한 차이를 보였다. 또한 단기운동수행 능력 중 4m 보행속도에서 유의한 상호 작용과 2.44m 왕복걷기와 400m 걷기에서는 유의한 개선을 보이는 것으로 나타났다. 이상과 같이 코어 저항 운동은 근육의 활성화로 인해 하체근육 및 단기 운동수행능력을 개선을 가져오는 것으로 판명되었다.

본 연구의 목적은 새롭게 개발된 Nurida-ball 공차기 운동기구의 효율성을 검증하기 위해 중년 남성을 대상으로 일회성 운동에 의한 운동 강도 측정과 장기간 운동에 의한 건강 관련 지표들을 확인하는 데 있다. 첫 번째 연구에서는 Nurida-ball의 운동 강도를 측정하기 위해 8명의 중년 남성을 대상으로 30분 간 Nurida-ball 운동을 실시하고 이를 트레드밀 운동부하검사에서(graded treadmill exercise test: GXT) 측정된 최대치와 상대적으로 비교 분석하였다. 두 번째 연구에서는 12명의 중년 남성을 Nurida-ball 운동 그룹(NB, n=6)과 대조군 그룹(CON, n=6)으로 구분하고 NB 그룹은 8주간 운동을 실시하였다 (30min/day, 3 days/week). 이후 운동의 효율성을 검증하기 위해 신체구성, 심폐기능, 혈액 지질 성분 및 근 손상 지표를 확인하였다. 먼저 일회성 Nurida-ball 운동 시 나타난 운동 강도는 GXT-HRpeak (55~85%)과 GXT-VO2peak(23~61%)으로 각각 나타났다. 8주간 장기간 운동을 실시한 연구에서는 CON 그룹과 비교하여 NB 그룹에서 체중, 체지방, 체지방율, 체질량지수의 변화량이(사후-사전) 통계적으로 유의하게 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 또한 NB 집단에서 운동 전과 비교하여 운동 후에 TC와 LDL는 감소되고 BMC는 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. GXT의 최대 환기당량과 수행시간의 변화량이(사후-사전) CON 그룹과 비교하여 NB 그룹에서 유의하게 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 특히 GXT의 운동수행시간은 NB 집단에서만 운동 전과 비교하여 운동 후에 유의하게 증가된 것으로 나타났다. 이를 종합해 보면 Nurida-ball 운동기구는 신체구성과 심폐기능에 긍정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있는 운동 기구로써 중년 남성 들에게 나타나는 대사성 질환들을 완화시킬 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

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 selfstretching 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 selfstretching are beneficial for improving hamstring's temperature, ROM and muscle strength.

Background: Squatting is one of the best functional exercises to strengthen the quadriceps muscle in independent gait and activities of daily living. Although the use of a gym ball during squat exercise is the most common way of strengthening the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle, published data on this subject are limited. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the sequential muscle activation of the VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles during squat exercise using a gym ball at different knee flexion angles. Methods: Forty healthy adults were randomly divided into experimental (squat exercise using a gym ball) and control (squat exercise alone) groups, in which squats were performed at 45° and 90° knee flexion. Electromyographic (EMG) activity data were collected over 10 seconds under the 2 angles of knee flexion (45° and 90°). Results: There was significant group and time interaction effect for VMO and VL muscle activation at 45° knee flexion. This was similarly demonstrated at 90° knee flexion. No significant group main effect and time main effect for VMO and VL muscle activation were noted at 45° knee flexion, respectively. In contrast, there was significant group main effect and time main effect for VMO and VL muscle activation at 90° knee flexion. These significant differences were demonstrated through two-way analysis of variance over repeated measurements, suggesting that the EMG activity of the VMO muscle during squatting with a gym ball showed remarkable improvement compared to that of the VL muscle. Conclusion: This research suggests that squat exercise using a gym ball may be more beneficial in improving the activity of VMO than of the VL muscle at both 45° and 90° of knee flexion, respectively. We highly recommend squat exercises with a gym ball for selective strengthening of the VMO muscle in knee rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of music therapy and ball exercise on women experiencing menstrual discomforts, thereby identifying the validity of these methods as interventions against menstrual discomforts, with a particular goal of presenting basic data for clinical use. Twenty university students in their 20s were assigned to two therapy groups in a sequence via simple random sampling; ten subjects attended a ball exercise combined with music therapy group and the other ten subjects attended a music therapy group. Ball exercises were conducted 3 times per week for a total of 12 times, starting from 3 weeks before the expected first day of the menstrual period and ending on the last day of the menstrual period. Similarly, the subjects participated in music therapy by listening to music for 35 minutes per session and 3 sessions per week, starting from 3 weeks before the expected first day of the menstrual period and ending on the last day of the menstrual period. Five out of six categories of menstrual discomforts were significantly decreased in both music therapy and ball exercise, the exception being changes in the autonomic nervous system, while those in the music therapy group showed a significant difference only in the category of behavioral changes. The results of the present study demonstrate that the ball exercise combined with music therapy more effective in improving menstrual discomforts than the music therapy group.

This study examined the effects of trunk stabilization exercise on balance and trunk control in children with spastic diplegia. Four children with ambulatory spastic diplegia participated in the trunk stabilization exercise program using a Both Sides Utilized (BOSU) ball, 30 minutes a day, two times a week for eight weeks. Outcome variables included the pediatric balance scale, trunk control movement scale and multifidus thickness using ultrasound image. After trunk stabilization exercise, there was statistically no significant improvement in pediatric balance scale, trunk control movement scale and multifidus thickness. However, individual outcomes were observed with some positive changes. Balance, trunk control movement, and thickness of multifidus were found to be improved. Trunk stabilization exercise using a BOSU ball could improve trunk control and increase the thickness of multifidus in children with spastic diplegia. Further investigation is needed to evaluate subjects according to type of cerebral palsy and to understand the relationship between postural control and gait.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the exercise on elderly balance ability by using hippotherapy and therapeutic ball exercise. 10 patients were assigned to the hippotherapy group and they got with 30 minutes of hippotherapy. Another 10 elderly were assigned to the therapeutic ball group and they got with 30 minutes of therapeutic ball exercise. All procedures were repeated 5 times a week for the total of four weeks. To investigate the participants balancing abilities, the Time“ Up & Go”(TUG) and One Leg Stand Test(OLST) were evaluated. The results of study were significant differences between pre-test and post-test of TUG and OLST(p<.05), and there were no significant differences between hippotherapy and therapeutic ball exercise(p>.05). The conclusion showed that both the hippotherapy and the therapeutic ball exercises were effective on elderly balancing ability. Consequently, it would be better to practice therapeutic ball than hippotherapy for elderly exercise because the more economical and there is less restriction of space than the hippotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of bridging stabilization exercise on balance ability and gait performance in elderly women. The subjects of this study were thirty-one elderly women over 65 years old in HongSung-Gun Senior Citizen Welfare Hall. The subjects were randomly assigned into one of three groups (trunk stabilization exercise on the mat, whole body vibration, and Swiss ball) and participated in each exercise program three times a week for 4 weeks. Each exercise began in the bridging position. The dynamic balance and gait were measured by limit of stability area using force plate, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). The results were as follows: 1) The limit of stability in three groups increased significantly in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral lean after 4-weeks intervention (p<.05). 2) There were no significant differences in the limit of stability among three groups after 4-weeks intervention (p>.05). 3) The BBS and TUG in three groups increased significantly after 4-weeks intervention (p<.05). 4) There were significant differences among three groups in BBS. Post-hoc test showed that Swiss ball exercise group was significantly higher than the mat and whole body vibration groups. 5) There were no significant differences TUG among three groups after 4-weeks intervention (p>.05). In conclusion, this study suggested that 4 weeks of the bridging stabilization exercises were effective on balance and gait in all three groups. Particularly Swiss ball exercise group showed higher improvement than two other exercise groups (mat, whole body vibration group).

The purpose of this study was to compare the trunk and lower extremity muscle activity induced by six different conditions floor, intensity 0, 1, 3, 5 of whole body vibration (WBV), and Swiss ball during bridging exercise. Surface electromyography (EMG) was used to measure trunk and lower extremity muscles activity. Ten elderly women were recruited from Hong-sung Senior Citizen Welfare Center. The collected EMG data were normalized using reference contraction (during floor bridging) and expressed as a percentage of reference voluntary contraction (%RVC). To analyze the differences in EMG data, the repeated one-way analysis of variance was used. A Bonferroni's correction was used for multiple comparisons. The study showed that EMG activity of the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscles were not significantly different between six different conditions of during bridging exercise (p>.05). However, there were significantly increased EMG activity of the rectus femoris (p=.034) in the WBV intensity 0, 1, 3, and 5 conditions compared with the floor bridging condition. EMG activity of the medial gastrocnemius were significantly increased in the WBV intensity 0, 1, 3, 5 and Swiss ball conditions compared with the floor bridging condition. Future studies are required the dynamic instability condition such as one leg lifting in bridging.

The use of a gym ball is becoming more popular for dynamic balance exercises. However, little is known about the effects of the dynamic ball exercises in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to compare balance and functional mobility after dynamic balance exercises using a gym ball to reduce the risk factorfor falls. All of the 15 subjects were women between the ages of 68 and 91 (mean age=79.9 yrs, SD=5.87) at anursing home in Wonju. Seven of fifteen subjects were placed in the experimental group and the others in the control group. Three clinical tests were used to determine the degree of balance and functional mobility before beginning the exercise program, after 4 weeks of gym ball exercise, and after 8 weeks of gym ball exercise. These three tests included Timed Up & Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Dynamic ball exercises training for 8 weeks (5 days per week) included side stretching, prone walking, bridging, marching and opposite arm and leg lifting. There were significant differences found before the gym ball exercise program began and after 4 weeks and then 8 weeks in the experimental group (p<.05). Significant differences between the groups were shown for TUG and BBS (p<.05). No significant difference was noted between the groups for FIM. Therefore, gym ball exercises can improve dynamic balance and may be recommended to include in a therapeutic program to help the elderly reduce their risk of a fall.

This study was designed 10 investigate the effects of therapeutic gymnastic ball exercise on pain, flexibility, lumbar disability level and daily activity levels in male patients of the armed forces medical hospital who complain of chronic low back pain. Twenty-three males were placed in the experimental group and twenty-nine males were placed in the control group. All of the subjects were chosen on the basis of availability among in-patients who were diagnosed with low back pain. The control patients were matched to the experimental group and they were selected considering gender, pain duration and age. Gymnastic ball exercise therapy was developed by the author with the assistance of a rehabilitation specialist. Gymnastic ball exercise therapy includes muscle relaxation, flexibility, muscle strength and posture development exercises. The gymnastic ball exercise therapy was carried out by the experimental group three times a week for eight weeks. Before and after the experiments, the intensity of pain, the lumbar joint mobility (flexibility), the lumbar disability levels, and the daily activity levels of the subjects were measured, respectively. The intensity of pain and the lumbar disability levels were measured by the Visual Analogue Scale, the level of flexibility by a measurement ruler, and the level of disability by the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Scale. Data were analysed using a t-test, a paired t-test and an unpaired t-test. The results were as follows: 1. The intensity of pain in the lumbar spine in the experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group during the 4th week and 8th week. 2. The flexibility of the lumbar spine in the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that of the control group during the 4th week and 8 week. 3. The level of pain caused by anterior, posterior, left lateral and right lateral bending and by rotation in experimental group was significantly decreased compared with that of the control group. 4. The Oswestry Disability score of the experimental group was significantly increased compared with that of control group. These findings indicate that gymnastic ball exercise therapy could be effective in decreasing pain and lumbar disability, and increasing the daily activity levels and lumbar flexibility in patients with chronic low back pain. The study also suggests that gymnastic ball exercise therapy could be an essential factor for effective nursing intervention for patients suffering from chronic low back pain.

본 연구의 목적은 Swiss ball 운동이 발달성 협응장애 아동(7~9세)의 체력 및 신체적 자기개념에 미치는 영향을 규명하여 발달성 협응장애 아동을 위한 운동 프로그램 제공을 목적으로 한다. 본 연구대상은 전라북도 K시 초등학교 1,2,3학년(7~9세) 중 Movement Assessment Battery for Children(M-ABC) 검사를 실시하여 발달성 협응장애로 인정된 남자 초등학생 20명(실험군 10명, 통제군 10명)을 연구대상으로 집단 간과 시행 간의 상호작용 효과를 분석하기 위하여 이원혼합분산분석(two-way mixed ANOVA)을 실시하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 첫째, 발달성 협응장애 아동은 순발력, 평형성, 유연성, 근지구력 체력요인에서 상호작용 효과가 있는 것으로 나타났고, 실험군이 통제군 보다 체력요인의 향상을 보인 것으로 나타났다. 둘째, 발달성 협응장애 아동은 신체적 자기개념의 외모, 유연성, 스포츠 자신감, 규칙적인 운동, 근력 요인에서 상호작용 효과에 의한 긍정적인 변화양상을 보여 각 집단의 시행 간에서 통계적으로 의미 있는 차이가 나타났으며, 건강, 체지방, 근지구력 요인 등은 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없는 것으로 나타났다.