Chan-Woo Nam

The effects of gluteus muscle strengthening exercise and lumbar stabilization exercise on lumbar muscle strength and balance in chronic low back pain patients.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to examine the effects of exercise to strengthen the muscles of the hip together with lumbar segmental stabilization exercise on the lumbar disability index, lumbar muscle strength, and balance. [Subjects and Methods] This study randomly and equally assigned 40 participants who provided written consent to participate in this study to a lumbar segmental stabilization exercise plus exercise to strengthen the muscles of the gluteus group (SMG + LES group) and a lumbar segmental stabilization exercise group. [Results] Each evaluation item showed a statistically significant effect. [Conclusion] Clinical application of exercise in this study showed that lumbar segmental stabilization exercise plus exercise to strengthen the muscles of the gluteus resulted in a greater decrease in low back pain disability index and increase in lumbar muscle strength and balance ability than lumbar segmental stabilization exercise in chronic low back pain patients receiving the exercise treatments during the same period.

The Influence of Exercise on an Unstable Surface on the Physical Function and Muscle Strength of Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

[Purpose] This study investigated the influence of exercise on an unstable surface on ROM of the knee, muscle strength and the physical function of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. [Subjects] The subjects were 30 patients diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee, they were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). [Methods] The experimental group performed exercise using an aero step XL (TOGU, Germany) 3 times a week, for 6 weeks. A control group performed the same exercise on a stable surface and without aero step XL. [Results] After the intervention, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in active knee flexion, knee joint manual muscle test (MMT), knee joint MMT hamstring and WOMAC score. [Conclusion] Exercise on the unstable surface improved the symptoms of patient with osteoarthritis. Exercise on an unstable surface might be helpful for improving the muscle strength and alignment of lower extremities as well as improving physical function related to the knee joint.

The effect of lumbar stabilization exercises and thoracic mobilization and exercises on chronic low back pain patients.

[Purpose] To investigate whether pain, balance, and stabilization of the lumbar region can be improved through thoracic mobilization in addition to lumbar stabilizaing exercises. [Subjects and Methods] This study recruited 36 subjects with chronic low back pain lasting more than 12 weeks. The subjects recruited for this study participated voluntarily, and provided their signed consent to participation. [Results] Improvement in balance was largest in the lumbar stabilization exercise group, followed by the thoracic mobilization and exercise group, and the traditional physical therapy group, in decreasing order of effect. [Conclusion] In conclusion, lumbar stabilization exercises combined with thoracic mobilization had greater effects on stabilization of the lumbar region pain relief, and improvement of the function of the patients with chronic low back pain.

The effect of non-elastic taping on balance and gait function in patients with stroke.

[Purpose] This study investigated the influence of exercise on balance ability and gait function in stroke patients after applying non-elastic tape, which can stabilize muscles and joints, to the lower extremities of the affected side. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 30 patients diagnosed with stroke. They were divided into an experimental group (n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The experimental group performed mat and treadmill exercises three times a week for six weeks with non-elastic tape applied to the lower extremities of the affected side. The control group performed the same exercises but without taping. [Results] The intervention significantly improved Berg balance scale scores and timed up and go (TUG) test scores as well as reduced stance duration and stride duration in the experimental group. In the control group, statistically significant improvements were observed in TUG test scores. [Conclusion] Although some differences did not reach the level of statistical significance, the application of non-elastic tape stabilized the joints of the lower extremities, thereby increasing balance and reducing stance duration and one step duration, which resulted in a reduction of overall gait duration.

Comparison of physical function according to the lumbar movement method of stabilizing a patient with chronic low back pain.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the changes caused by lumbar stabilization exercises in chronic low back pain patients. [Subjects and Methods] Swiss ball exercise regimen group and sling exercise regimen group exercised for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 12 weeks. The control group was to continue performing their usual daily living activities. [Results] We obtained significant results in both the Swiss ball and sling exercise groups, but not in the control group. The best effect was obtained in the sling exercise group. [Conclusion] The Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Index and visual pain scale scores of the patients with low back pain decreased in both the Swiss ball exercise group and the sling exercise group, and these patients experienced an increase in waist isometric muscular strength after 12 weeks of exercise compared with those doing no exercise (the control group).

Changes in cardiopulmonary function in normal adults after the Rockport 1 mile walking test: a preliminary study.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of cardiopulmonary function in normal adults after the Rockport 1 mile walking test. [Subjects and Methods] University students (13 males and 27 females) participated in this study. Before and after the Rockport 1 mile walking test, pulmonary function, respiratory pressure, and maximal oxygen uptake were measured. [Results] Significant improvements in forced vital capacity and maximal inspiratory pressure were observed after the Rockport 1 mile walking test in males, and significant improvements in forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at 1 s, maximal inspiratory pressure, and maximal expiratory pressure were observed after the Rockport 1 mile walking test in females. However, the maximal oxygen uptake was not significantly different. [Conclusion] Our findings indicate that the Rockport 1 mile walking test changes cardiopulmonary function in males and females, and that it may improve cardiopulmonary function in middle-aged and older adults and provide basic data on cardiopulmonary endurance.

The effects of self-mobilization techniques for the sciatic nerves on physical functions and health of low back pain patients with lower limb radiating pain

[Purpose] This study aimed to examine the effects of self-mobilization techniques for the sciatic nerves on the quality of life in patients with chronic low back pain in the lower limbs accompanied by radiating pain. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were divided into two groups: a group receiving of lumbar segmental stabilization exercise training including sciatic nerve mobilization techniques, which included 8 males and 7 females, and a group receiving lumbar segmental stabilization exercise training, which included 8 males and 7 females. [Results] There were statistically significant differences in comparison of measurement results between the groups before and after the intervention. [Conclusion] Application of mobilization techniques for the sciatic nerves may promote healing of the soft tissues by stimulating the functions of the nervous system to improve nervous system adaptability and decrease sensitivity, helping to alleviate the symptoms.

The effect of changing condition of walking speed on the knee angle of rats with osteoarthritis

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the positive effect of exercise on knee osteoarthritis in rats with osteoarthritis induced by applying effective walking speed when changing speed conditions during walking. [Subjects and Methods] The rats used in this study were male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 300 g and 7 weeks old, and 20 rats were used. The Osteoarthritis (OA) rats model was induced by MIA (monoiodoacetate). The rats was randomly divided into experimental group (MIA injection group) and control group (normal cell line injection group). Treadmill exercise was provided two groups for 2 weeks, 4 days per week. The knee joint angle of the stance was divided into pre-test and post-test, and each group was subjected to paired sample test. Independent sample t-test was conducted to examine the difference between experimental group and control group. [Results] There were statistically significant changes in the control and experimental groups. The knee angle was changed from 99.70 ± 2.40 to 85.60 ± 2.67 in the control group. The knee angle was changed from 100.96 ± 1.36 to 87.71 ± 1.57 in the experimental group. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the angle of the knee gradually decreases. It is considered a characteristic of progressive osteoarthritis. The change of knee angle was less in the experimental group than in the control group. This means that the stiffness of the joints during the walking exercise was less progressed in the experimental group than in the control group.

Effects of treadmill speed on the knee angle and stance time of white rats with knee osteoarthritis according to the treadmill speed

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify whether walking on a treadmill at an adjusted speed is suitable for humans by examining the effects of exercise on the joint functions of white rats with induced knee osteoarthritis. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 20 Sprague-Dawley white rats, aged eight weeks, weighing 250 to 300 g. The moderate-speed exercise group performed their exercise at a gradient of 0% and a speed of 15 m/min, and the high-speed exercise group performed their exercise at a gradient of 0% and a speed of 26 m/min. [Results] Statistically significant changes were elicited by the moderate-speed and high-speed exercises. [Conclusion] In conclusion, the results of the present study present the importance of walking exercise. In particular, they demonstrate that changes in knee ROM and stance time are elicited by changes in walking speed.

Multicenter survey analysis of satisfaction according to actual utilization of rehabilitation services.

[Purpose] Most such studies have been limited to evaluating the muscle activity patterns of lower extremity muscles using surface electromyograms, but studies of muscle activity patterns according to chair types are lacking. [Subjects and Methods] In the present study, 52 university students in their 20s (26 males, 26 females) were selected in order to analyze the activity of five lower extremity muscles (vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius). The selected subjects had sufficient muscle strength for the experiment and normal joint range of motion. [Results] To examine the sociodemographic variables of the study subjects, the frequencies and percentages of individual items were presented as follows Table 3. [Conclusion] Differences in lower extremity muscle activity levels during standing and sitting were identified, and differences between genders were also seen. There was no significant difference in lower extremity muscle activity levels between use of fixed and wheeled chairs.