Flexi-bar Exercise Research Articles

The immediate Effects of Flexi-bar Exercise on Plantar Pressure and Center of Pressure in Standing Position

The immediate Effects of Flexi-bar Exercise on Plantar Pressure and Center of Pressure in Standing Position

Evaluation of Trunk Muscle Activation During the Two Directions of Flexi-Bar Exercise in People with and without Low Back Pain

Introduction: The flexible-bar with a small amplitude of 5 Hz, which transmits vibrations to the trunk, enables the activation of the core muscles that can be used to rehabilitate subjects with low back pain. Two types of exercise direction that can affect trunk muscles of low back pain subjects similar control group are not known. This study aimed to evaluate and compare exercises with two directions of the oscillating flexible poles in people with and without low back pain (LBP).
 Materials and Methods: Twelve women with Mean±SD age of 28.75±2.92 years, and body mass index (BMI) of 22.31±2.10 kg/m2 and a history of low back pain, and 12 healthy subjects with Mean±SD age of 28.75±2.49 years and BMI of 21.59±1.50 kg/m2 voluntarily participated in this study. The electromyography (EMG) signals of trunk muscles were measured during two handheld oscillating flexible bars in two directions. The root means square (RMS) of signals for each muscle is normalized by the maximum RMS.
 Results: The results of comparing two types of exercise in two groups showed significant differences for left external oblique (P=0.017), right external internal oblique (0.002), and left internal oblique (0.008). Also, the difference in the interaction between group×exercise was significant only for left internal oblique (P=0.026).
 Conclusion: Muscle activity in the low back pain group appears different while performing exercises with a flexible-bar compared to the control group. This confirms motor control impairment in these populations and having different strategies for trunk co-activation during exercise.

Effect Of Flexi-bar Exercise Intervention On Cognitive Function Of Middle-aged And Elderly Women

BACKGROUND:Aerobic training (AT) can improve the ability of working memory and inhibitory control of healthy elderly. Flexi-Bar vibration exercise, as a special form of exercise has been confirmed to have a positive effect on the cognition. This study aimed to evaluate whether Flexi-Bar exercise can be used as an effective intervention to delay the decline of cognitive function caused by aging and its potential mechanism. METHODS:A total of 30 middle-aged and elderly sedentary women (aged 55.47 ± 5.45 years) were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group. Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and international physical activity questionnaire (iPAQ) were administered at baseline before randomization. The ability of inhibitory control was assessed via the Stroop task before and after the whole intervention. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to measure the oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) concentrations in the prefrontal area. The intervention group was given the Flexi-Bar exercise intervention 3 days/week for 8 weeks with an intensity of 50 ~ 65% HRmax for 1 hour/day, and the real-time heart rate monitoring was carried out during the intervention. The control group only maintained normal daily life. RESULT:(1) Compared with the control group, O2Hb in the left ventral dorsolateral prefrontal lobe in the exercise group significantly increased (p < 0.05, t = 2.46). (2) Compared with the pre-test of EX group, the brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) in the intervention group significantly increased after the intervention (p < 0.05, t = 2.304), but there was no significant difference in the control group (p > 0.05). (3) In terms of epigenetic miRNA, a total of 165 differentially expressed miRNAs were screened between the intervention group and the control group, of which 60 miRNAs were related to the cognitive function. In the intervention group, 4 miRNAs positively correlated with cognitive decline were down-regulated (all p < 0.01). The down-regulation of miR-126-5p and miR-21-5p was negatively correlated with the expression of BDNF. CONCLUSION:These findings supported our hypothesis by demonstration of a beneficial effect of Flexi-Bar exercise that can improve the cognitive function of middle-aged and elderly people.

Immediate Effects of Flexi-bar Exercise With Knee Push-up Plus on Shoulder Joint Position Sense and Muscle Activity in Subjects With Scapular Winging

Immediate Effects of Flexi-bar Exercise With Knee Push-up Plus on Shoulder Joint Position Sense and Muscle Activity in Subjects With Scapular Winging

Acute cardiovascular stress induced by shoulder vibratory exercise of different amplitudes.

Vibration exercise has been investigated to enhance muscle activation, however, the effect of different amplitude vibratory exercises on cardiovascular stress is less understood. Our study aims to explore the acute effect of shoulder vibratory exercises with different postures and amplitudes on the cardiovascular response in healthy adults. Using a repeated measures randomized design, 36 subjects performed three different sessions with FLEXI-BAR exercise (FBE): (1) zero-amplitude, (2) small-amplitude, (3) large-amplitude. Each session included three different shoulder positions: 45-, 90- and 180-degree flexion. Heart rate variability (HRV), heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored continuously, while systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and rate-pressure product (RPP) were measured before and after each exercise session. Compared with zero-amplitude, both small- and large-amplitude FBE protocols induced higher SBP. By contrast, DBP decreased with small- and large-amplitude. The RPP immediately after the exercise session were higher than at baseline. For high frequency, low frequency of HRV and HR there was a main effect of amplitude. Small- and large-amplitude FBE increased significantly SBP, RPE, HRV, HR and induced lower DBP, but the changes were modest, suggesting that FBE impose no extra threats to cardiovascular stress.

The effect of actively induced vibration using shoulder joint on pain and dysfunction in patients with low back pain.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effect of a Flexi-Bar exercise program with vibration stimulation on pain and dysfunction in patients with low back pain. [Subjects and Methods] This study included 30 patients with low back pain. The participants were divided into a control (n=15) group and an experimental group (n=15). General physical therapy was used in both groups. A Flexi-Bar exercise program with vibration stimulation was used in the experimental group. The Visual Analog Scale was used to measure pain severity. The Oswestry Disability Index was used to measure the extent of dysfunction due to low back pain. [Results] The VAS and ODI of the experimental group showed a significant difference compared to that of the control group. [Conclusion] The results show that a Flexi-Bar exercise program with vibration stimulation is effective in alleviating pain and dysfunction in patients with low back pain.

Effect of Sensorimotor Training Using a Flexi-bar on Postural Balance and Gait Performance for Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Preliminary Study

Background:Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have impaired postural control, but critically require the control of stability. Consequently, therapeutic interventions for enhancing postural control in children with CP have undergone extensive research. One intervention is sensorimotor training (SMT) using a Flexi-bar, but this has not previously been studied with respect to targeting trunk control in children with CP.Objects:This study was conducted to determine the effect of SMT using a Flexi-bar on postural balance and gait performance in children with CP.Methods:Three children with ambulatory spastic diplegia (SD) participated in the SMT program by using a Flexi-bar for forty minutes per day, three times a week, for six weeks. Outcome variables included the pediatric balance scale (PBS), trunk control movement scale (TCMS), 10 meter walking test (10MWT), and 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement.Results:The SMT provided no statistically significant improvement in PBS, TCMS, 10MWT, or 3-dimensional movement coordination measurement. However, positive changes were observed in individual outcomes, as balance and trunk control movement were improved.Conclusion:SMT using a Flexi-bar may be considered by clinicians as a potential intervention for increasing postural balance and performance in children with SD. Future studies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of Flexi-bar exercise in improving the functional activity of subjects with SD.

A model for flexi-bar to evaluate intervertebral disc and muscle forces in exercises

This study developed and validated a lumped parameter model for the FLEXI-BAR, a popular training instrument that provides vibration stimulation. The model which can be used in conjunction with musculoskeletal-modeling software for quantitative biomechanical analyses, consists of 3 rigid segments, 2 torsional springs, and 2 torsional dashpots. Two different sets of experiments were conducted to determine the model's key parameters including the stiffness of the springs and the damping ratio of the dashpots. In the first set of experiments, the free vibration of the FLEXI-BAR with an initial displacement at its end was considered, while in the second set, forced oscillations of the bar were studied. The properties of the mechanical elements in the lumped parameter model were derived utilizing a non-linear optimization algorithm which minimized the difference between the model's prediction and the experimental data. The results showed that the model is valid (8% error) and can be used for simulating exercises with the FLEXI-BAR for excitations in the range of the natural frequency. The model was then validated in combination with AnyBody musculoskeletal modeling software, where various lumbar disc, spinal muscles and hand muscles forces were determined during different FLEXI-BAR exercise simulations.

The effect of flexi-bar exercise with vibration on trunk muscle thickness and balance in university students in their twenties.

[Purpose] The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of Flexi-Bar exercise with vibration on trunk muscle thickness and balance in university students in their twenties. [Subjects and Methods] This research evaluated 26 university students in their twenties, equally and randomly divided into two groups. Both the experimental and control groups used an ordinary pole for exercise. In addition, the experimental group exercised by using a Flexi-Bar. Ultrasonic imaging was used to measure the changes in trunk muscle thickness. A balance measuring equipment was used to measure balance ability. [Results] The thickness of the transversus abdominis and the multifidus muscles in the experimental group increased, and the experimental group showed increased thickness in the transversus abdominis muscle compared to the control group. After 6 months of exercise, there was an improvement in the blind Romberg test and center of pressure moving distance with one-leg standing. [Conclusion] These results indicate that the Flexi-Bar exercise is effective in increasing trunk muscle thickness and improving balance.

플렉시-바 운동이 과체중 및 비만 여대생의 신체조성과 몸통근력에 미치는 효과

This study aimed to analyze the effect of flexi-bar exercise on in body composition and trunk muscle strength of female college students who are either overweight or obesity. The subjects were female college students divided into experimental group(N=15) and control group(N=15). The experimental group performed a flexi-bar exercise for of 30 minute sessions three days per week for five weeks, and the differences in body composition and trunk muscle strength before and after the experiment and between experimental group and control group were analyzed. The study results showed that the experimental group had a statistically significant improvement in the body fat mass and body fat percentage, body muscle mass, both arm muscle mass, trunk muscle mass, basal metabolic rate(p<.05). Changes in trunk muscle strength showed that the experimental group had statistically significant increased in changes in trunk muscle strength(p<.01). The study verified that flexi-bar exercise can be effective for improving the body composition and trunk muscle strength of overweight and obesity female college students.

플렉시-바 운동이 유소년 축구선수의 자세정렬과 균형에 미치는 효과

This study aimed to analyze the effect of flexi-bar exercise on changes in postural alignment and balance of juvenile soccer players. The subjects were juveniles soccer players divided into exercise and control groups of 10 players each. The exercise group performed a flexi-bar exercise for 30 minutes a day three times weekly for eight weeks, and the differences in postural alignment and balance before and after the experiment and between study groups were analyzed. The measurements before the subjects exercised revealed overall asymmetric postural alignments and balance toward the right and rear sides. The study results showed that the exercise group had a statistically significant improvement in the height and angle of both shoulder, scapula, pelvis and hands(p

Effect of Flexi-bar Exercise on Postural Alignment and Balance in Asymmetric Posture

【This study was conducted to identify how a flexi-bar exercise influences body alignment and balance in adults who have asymmetry in their right or left body. In total, 20 participants were separated into the experimental group and the comparison group. Those in the experimental group participated in a flexi-bar exercise for 6 weeks and based on the coronal plane before and after exercise, their body alignment and balance were measured behind the body. The result was those who had participated in a flexi-bar exercise significantly improved their angle of acromion on both sides, the difference in the angle and height of the posterior superior iliac spine on both sides(p】

The Correlation between Flexi-bar Exercise and Trunk Muscles Strength and Body Composition in Juvenile Soccer Players

The purpose of this study is to verify a correlation between flexi-bar exercise and improvement of trunk strength and body composition in juvenile soccer players. The subjects were 11 teenager juvenile soccer players who conducted flexi-bar exercise half an hour daily three times a week for eight weeks. They were tested for trunk muscles strength, body composition and correlation. The result showed that trunk muscles strength improved significantly(p<.01) and weight, Rt. arm muscle mass, Rt. leg muscle mass, and Lt. leg muscle mass(p<.05), Lt. arm muscle mass, trunk muscle mass, and body muscle mass(p<.01) improved significantly as well while Lt. arm fat mass, Rt. leg fat mass, and Lt. leg fat mass decreased significantly(p<.05). In the correlation analysis, the more trunk muscle mass and trunk muscles strength increased, the more muscle mass of body regions increased, which was a positive correlation whereas fat mass of body regions decreased, which was a negative correlation. It was verified that there was a correlation between flexi-bar exercise and improvement of trunk muscles strength and body composition for juvenile soccer players.

Comparisons of shoulder stabilization muscle activities according to postural changes during flexi-bar exercise.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare shoulder stabilization muscle activities according to postural changes during flexi-bar exercise. [Subjects] The subjects included 18 students (10 males, 8 females) at B University. [Methods] The subjects performed the following flexi-bar exercises: 1) medio-lateral oscillation with the 90° shoulder abduction, with the hand in the neutral position; 2) dorso-ventral oscillation with 90° shoulder flexion, with the hand in the neutral position; 3) superior-inferior oscillation with 90° shoulder flexion, with the 80° hand pronation. [Results] The activity of the serratus anterior showed significant differences between each position; however, activities of the upper trapezius and middle trapezius were not significantly different. [Conclusion] The results of this study indicate that posture control is important for selective strengthening of the serratus anterior muscle during flexi-bar exercises.

A Comparison of Flexi-bar and General Lumbar Stabilizing Exercise Effects on Muscle Activity and Fatigue

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to compare the effects of flexi-bar training and general lumbar stabilization training on muscle activity and fatigue. [Methods] Twenty normal persons participated in this study. After warm up and a Maximum Voluntary Isomeric Contraction (MVIC) test, participants performed bridging exercise, quadruped lumbar stabilization exercise on quadruped and curl-up, with and without the flexi-bar training, each exercise lasting for 30 seconds. Electromyography was used for the assessment of the muscle activity and fatigue of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, external oblique and internal oblique muscles. [Results] The bridging and quadruped exercises with the flexi-bar elicited significant increases in the muscle activates of the muscle groups. The curl-up exercise with the flexi-bar showed significant differences in external oblique and internal oblique muscle activities compared to the exercise without the flexi-bar. Muscle fatigue showed different results depending on the exercise. [Conclusion] Generally, flexi-bar exercise induced greater muscle activation and fatigue. However, because there were differences of effect dependent on the posture, we should prescribe the appropriate exercise for the target muscles.

Acute Effects of Flexi-Bar vs. Sham-Bar Exercise on Muscle Electromyography Activity and Performance

This study was conducted to investigate whether the low-frequency (5-Hz) oscillatory vibration-like stimulus, purported to be delivered by exercising with Flexi-bar, acutely affects muscle activation and maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force. Nine healthy men participated in 2 trials, separated by at least 1 week, during which 4 x 30-second sets of exercise were performed with either the Flexi bar or a Sham bar. Maximal voluntary contraction force for elbow flexion, elbow extension, and knee extension were measured before and after the exercise. Root-mean-square amplitude and median frequency of electromyography (EMG) signal were calculated for the first and last 10 seconds of each exercise set and during the MVCs from biceps brachii (BB), triceps brachii (TB), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus lateralis (VL) for each trial. Electromyography amplitude was significantly higher for all studied muscles during Flexi-bar than Sham-bar exercise (32-203%, p < 0.05). Median frequency of EMG power spectrum was significantly lower in arm (TB: -40 +/- 13%, p < 0.0001; BB: -32 +/- 25%, p = 0.015) but not in leg (RF: -12 +/- 18%; VL: +6 +/- 32%; p > 0.05) muscles during Flexi-bar compared with Sham-bar exercise. Knee extension MVC force significantly decreased after Flexi-bar exercise (-3 +/- 7%, p = 0.048) in parallel with reduced RF EMG amplitude (-8 +/- 5%, p = 0.04), but there were no acute residual effects on elbow flexion/extension MVC or arm and VL EMG muscle activity. Using Flexi bar during exercise provoked acute alterations in arm- and leg-muscle EMG parameters and maximum force-generating capacity, indicating greater fatigue development than when exercising with the Sham bar. The results of this study indicate that Flexi bar may therefore be used to impose a stronger training stimulus on the muscle during submaximal exercise.