Effectiveness of Combined Stretching and Strengthening Exercise Using Rehabilitation Exercise System with a Linear Actuator and MR Damper on Static and Dynamic Sitting Postural Balance: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Postural imbalance induced by prolonged sitting can be improved by exercise therapy. The aim of study was to evaluate the influence of combined stretching and strengthening exercise using rehabilitation exercise system with a linear actuator and MR damper on static and dynamic sitting postural balance. Twelve subjects who sit almost 10 h a day participated in this study. The rehabilitation exercise system with a linear actuator and MR damper was manufactured to provide stretching and strengthening exercise. All subjects were asked to perform an exercise program that was designed to enhance postural balance by stretching the tight muscle and strengthening the weakened muscle. Body pressure distributions were analyzed for mean force and mean pressure using a seat sensor system. Trunk muscle activities were measured by attaching surface electrodes to the thoracic erector spinae, lumbar erector spinae, and lumbar multifidus muscle. All data were divided into two regions (dominant and non-dominant side) under four conditions: no pelvic tilt, lateral pelvic tilt, anterior pelvic tilt, and posterior pelvic tilt. Body pressure distributions and trunk muscle activities were compared between before and after performing exercise under static and dynamic sitting conditions. Both in static and dynamic sitting conditions, there were significant differences in body pressure distributions and trunk muscle activities between the DS and NDS before performing the exercise (p < 0.01). After performing exercise, the body pressure distributions increased on the dominant side while those decreased on the non-dominant side significantly (p < 0.01). In addition, the activities of all trunk muscles on the non-predominant side increased significantly (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05). These results showed that postural balance was improved by decreasing the differences in body pressure distribution and trunk muscle activity between the dominant and non-dominant side after performing exercise. From the results of this study, we concluded that the rehabilitation exercise system with a linear actuator and MR damper is suitable for providing combined stretching and strengthening exercise, and it could be helpful to maintain correct posture by enhancing postural balance during sitting.

Stretching and Eccentric Exercises Normalize Gait Parameters in Gastrocnemius Tightness Subjects

“…The reduction in knee flexion during gait observed in our study participants after the Stanish protocol indicates a potential corrective mechanism that aligns with the protocol's objectives. Increased knee flexion might be a compensatory strategy to alleviate excessive pressure on the forefoot in individuals with IGT [15,29]. By targeting the gastrocnemius muscle, the Stanish protocol appears to mitigate the need for this compensatory knee flexion, resulting in a more normalized gait pattern.…”

Effects of Eccentric Training of Trunk Muscles on Muscle Activation and Balance in Patients with Stroke

“…이와 같은 편심성 근 활성과 관련된 선행연구들의 결과를 바탕으로 편심성훈련은 뇌졸중 환자의 기능회복을 지원하는데 유용한 중재방법 중 하 나로 간주되고 있다. 18,19) 선행연구는 몸통근의 편심성 근활성의 중요성을 강조하였 고, 20,21) 신경근 체계에 문제를 일으키는 신경학적 질환자에게 편심성훈련을 적용한 연구가 더욱 필요하다고 하였다. 22,23) 뇌 졸중 환자를 대상으로 편심성훈련을 적용하였을 때 근활성도 와 균형 향상에 유의한 상관관계가 있다고 하였다.…”

“…24,25) 하지 만 선행연구들은 건강한 성인에게 적용하거나 다리에 적용한 사례가 대부분이었다. 신경학적 질환이 없는 성인을 대상으로 진행된 편심성 운동을 활용한 훈련에서 근활성도가 향상됨을 보고한 선행연구가 있었으며 21) , 따라서 본 연구는 뇌졸중 환 자에게 몸통근 편심성훈련을 중재하여 근활성도와 균형에 미 치는 영향을 알아보고, 뇌졸중 환자를 대상으로 중재하는 신 경물리치료의 기초자료로 사용하고자 한다. 측정하기 위한 근육은 넓은등근, 배바깥빗근, 배속빗근, 허 리부위 척추세움근이다.…”