[Purpose] The aim of the present study was to examine the impact of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM) on dynamic ventilation maneuvers. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 19 healthy female adults in their 20s who consented to participate in the present study. Electromyography (EMG) was used to examine respiratory muscle activity, and a spirometer was used to examine vital capacity before and during contraction of the PFM. [Results] There were statistically significant differences in the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) when the PFM was contracted. [Conclusion] Contraction of the PFM can be effective in promoting activation of the respiratory muscles and vital capacity. Therefore, the PFM should be considered to improve the effects of respiratory activity.

[Purpose] This study examines how difference in sandy ground between firm ground influences the effects of gait training in patients with chronic stroke. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 28 patients with chronic stroke were evenly divided into experimental and control groups. Initial evaluation of the subjects was conducted by Timed Up & Go (TUG) and 6-Minute Walking Test (6MWT). Each patient in both groups received daily, 30-minute gait training on sandy ground and firm ground, five times each week, for a total of six weeks, after which reevaluation was conducted. [Results] In TUG, both groups showed significant improvement after the intervention. In 6MWT, only the experimental group achieved significantly increased distance after the intervention. However, there was no between-group difference. Improvement in dynamic balancing ability depends on repeated gait training rather than differences in the ground environment. However, gait endurance showed a difference depending on the types of ground, regardless of repeated gait training. [Conclusion] This can be attributed to the fact that gait training on sand requires use of more diverse muscles. Hence, we can confirm the potential of sand as a new material for training ground when attempting to improve walking ability, particularly gait endurance, among patients with chronic stroke.

Background Low back pain caused lumbopelvic instability and the passive and active stabilizing system and neural control subsystem control lumbopelvic stability.

Subjects were divided into two groups, for sand or general surface training. The gait abilities of the patients were evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests and the 6-min walk test (6MWT). Muscle activity in the lower limbs was evaluated with surface electromyography obtained during general surface gait. Gait ability and muscle activity were re-evaluated after gait training for 6 weeks on a sand or general surface. The TUG test was performed 3 times, and an average of the three values was used for analysis. 6MWT was measured once under maximum effort. Electromyography was evaluated using average gait cycle values. In the TUG test, performance times decreased in both groups, while in the 6MWT, performance distance significantly increased only in the sand surface training group. Results from surface electromyography showed that activity of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and tibialis anterior muscles of the paretic side lower limb significantly decreased after the both interventions. When environments are similar, gait training is helpful for increasing dynamic stability; however, repeated training does not significantly improve gait endurance. Training on a continuously unstable bearing surface such as sand can improve gait endurance by utilizing diverse muscle groups and increasing joint motility. Sand surface training recruited the activity of more muscle groups than did general surface training, and sand-trained participants showed longer gait distances with lower muscle activity levels when they resumed general training than their general-surface-trained counterparts.

This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display on muscle activity and change of head position during overhead arm lift test in individuals with forward head posture. Methods: Fifteen subjects with forward head posture and fifteen normal subjects who volunteered were included in this study. During both groups performed the overhead arm lift test, the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, serratus anterior, sternocleidomastoid, and lower trapezius muscle were measured using electromyography, and head position change was measured using photographs. Then, forward head posture group was asked to perform overhead arm lift test again after posture correction and real-time visual feedback using a video display respectively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze four conditions: pre-test, posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and the control group. Results: The upper trapezius and lower trapezius muscle activity significantly decreased posture correction, real-time visual feedback, and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group (p< 0.05). The sternocleidomastoid muscle significantly decreased realtime visual feedback and control group than pre-test of forward head posture group. Head position change significantly decreased three conditions than pre-test of forward head posture group and real-time visual feedback and control group significantly decreased than posture correction. Conclusion: This study recommend for maintaining cervical stability during the overhead arm lift test, postural control using real-time visual feedback is more effective in subjects with forward head posture.