2025, Vol.20, No.4

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the therapeutic effects of three lumbar stabilization exercises—bridge, prone bridge (plank), and bird-dog—performed on unstable surfaces in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. The goal was to examine changes in pain, disability, and transversus abdominis muscle function, to support more individualized and effective rehabilitation strategies. METHODS: A total of 45 female outpatients aged 40 to 60 years who were receiving physical therapy for chronic low back pain were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 15 per group): the bridge exercise group, the prone bridge exercise group, and the bird-dog exercise group. All groups performed identical warm-up exercises, followed by interventions conducted twice weekly for four weeks on unstable support surfaces. Pain (Numerical Rating Scale, NRS), disability (Oswestry Disability Index, ODI), and transversus abdominis muscle performance (pressure biofeedback unit [PBU] holding time) were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: All three groups showed significant improvements in pain, disability, and transversus abdominis performance (p < .05). Between-group analysis revealed that the plank and bird-dog groups had significantly greater reductions in NRS and ODI scores compared to the bridge group (p < .05). The bird-dog group demonstrated the largest improvement in transversus abdominis function (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Lumbar stabilization exercises on unstable surfaces are effective in reducing pain and improving function in middle-aged women with chronic low back pain. Among the interventions, the bird-dog exercise showed the greatest potential benefits, particularly in enhancing deep core muscle endurance and relieving symptoms. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously given the short intervention period and the absence of direct physiological measurements. Further studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Effect of Muscle Activation of the Wrist and Shoulder Muscles According to the Forearm Support During Typing

Seung Muk Kang , In Seo Choi , Jin Myoung Hong and 2 other persons | 2025, 20(4) | pp.75~84 | number of Cited : 0

Identification of Potential Risk Factors for Age-related Loss of Skeletal Muscle Mass in Young Korean Women: Implications for Sedentary Office-Based Lifestyles

Jongseok Hwang

, JungHee Hwang | 2025, 20(4) | pp.85~94 | number of Cited : 0

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify potential risk factors for age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass (ALSMM) in young Korean women, who are highly engaged in their professional careers and often spend long hours seated in office environments. METHODS: Data were obtained from a nationally representative cross-sectional sample comprising 3,520 community-dwelling women aged 18–39 years. Complex sample analyses were performed using individual sampling weights provided by the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to account for its stratified, clustered, and multistage complex sampling design. Participants were screened for ALSMM, A comprehensive set of potential predictive indicators was examined, categorized into three domains: (1) somatometric isk factors, including age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI); (2) biochemical and blood pressure risk factors, encompassing fasting glucose, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol levels, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP); and (3) behavioral habits, including smoking and alcohol consumption status. RESULTS: Height, weight, BMI, WC, SMI, fasting glucose, and SBP were identified as significant predictors of ALSMM (p < .05). Conversely, total cholesterol, TG, DBP, smoking status, and alcohol consumption were not significantly associated with ALSMM (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The present findings identify key clinical and metabolic risk factors for ALSMM in community-dwelling young Korean women, highlighting the early factors that contribute to muscle decline and the need for targeted monitoring and prevention. They also emphasize the importance of organizational policies and environmental interventions to reduce the risks associated with prolonged sitting in office settings.

Effects of Visual Occlusion Wide Squats on Lower Extremity Muscle Activity in a Genu Valgum

Jae-Ik Lee , Dong-Hyun Kim

| 2025, 20(4) | pp.95~101 | number of Cited : 0

The Effects of Ai-Chi Aquatic Exercise on Obesity-Related Stress Index and Functional Movement in Obese Adults

Hyeok Kim , OneBin Lim , EunJeong Kim

| 2025, 20(4) | pp.103~116 | number of Cited : 0

Effects of Hold Support Surface Area Variation on Posterior Muscle Activity in Static Therapeutic Climbing Postures

Se-Hun Kim , Jeong-In Lee

| 2025, 20(4) | pp.117~124 | number of Cited : 0

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of differences in the foothold support surface area on the upper and lower limb muscle activity during therapeutic climbing to provide clinical evidence for designing balance training and adjusting exercise difficulty in rehabilitation. METHODS: This study recruited 25 healthy adult males. The participants had no prior climbing experience and were selected based on the foot size (260–265 mm) to maintain consistency in the foothold contact area. The experiment was conducted using a therapeutic climbing-specific wall (PRO ECO, Physioclimb, Germany). Surface electromyography (EMG) was measured while the participants stood on three foothold conditions differing in size: Hold 1 (120 mm), Hold 2 (90 mm), and Hold 3 (60 mm). The muscle activity was recorded using the BTS surface EMG system (Bioengineering, Italy) from six major muscles: upper trapezius, latissimus dorsi, multifidus, gluteus medius, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius. Each trial lasted 12 seconds, and the middle 10 seconds were analyzed. The data were processed using repeated-measures ANOVA with a Bonferroni post hoc correction. RESULTS: In the upper limb, the muscle activity of the upper trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and multifidus increased significantly as the foothold size decreased (p < .05). Significant differences were observed between Hold 2 and Hold 3 for the upper trapezius and latissimus dorsi, whereas the multifidus showed no such difference. In the lower limb, the gluteus medius, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius also showed significantly higher muscle activity with smaller foothold sizes, including a significant difference between Hold 2 and Hold 3 (p < .05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that reducing the support surface area increases upper and lower limb muscle activation during therapeutic climbing. This suggests that the support surface area is an important factor for selectively modulating muscle activity and should be considered when designing individualized exercise prescriptions and balance training programs in clinical practice.

The Impact of Walking Meditation on Gait Symmetry Index in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment

Su Bin Min , Han Suk Lee

, Hee Chang Seon | 2025, 20(4) | pp.125~134 | number of Cited : 0

Effects of an Ankle Strengthening Exercise Program and Grid Taping on Functional Outcomes in College Students with Ankle Instability

Ju-hyup Hyun

, Ki-won Nam | 2025, 20(4) | pp.135~142 | number of Cited : 0

Influence of Affective Context on the Brain-Body Regulatory Effects of Respiratory Intervention: An EEG and HRV Analysis

Kyung-Yoon Kim , Seahyun Bae

| 2025, 20(4) | pp.143~151 | number of Cited : 0

KJCKorea
Journal Central

Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine 2025 KCI Impact Factor : 1.09

2025, Vol.20, No.4