• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) and taping interventions on balance ability, joint position sense, and ankle joint strength. Methods: Thirty subjects who had experienced an ankle sprain within the previous 3 months participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to a PNF group (n=15) or a taping group (n=15). Before and after the interventions, ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion strength, joint position error, and total center of pressure movements in one leg while in a standing position were measured. Results: Regardless of the group allocation, ankle dorsi-flexion and plantar-flexion strength significantly improved after the interventions (p<0.05). Compared to preintervention measurements, joint position errors were significantly reduced postintervention (p<0.05). The PNF intervention significantly decreased the total lateral movement of the center of pressure in the one leg standing condition (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both PNF and taping interventions improved joint position sense and ankle joint strength. In common with the findings of a previous study, the PNF intervention improved balance ability. Further study is required to investigate the effects of various PNF and taping interventions on ankle performance in subjects with chronic ankle sprains.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between strength balance and joint position sense related to the ankle joint in healthy women. Methods: Twenty-six healthy women were recruited. Isokinetic strength and joint position sense (JPS) were measured using a Biodex System 4 pro Dynamometer and a Biodex Advantage Software Package. Prior to measuring the JPS and isokinetic strength, the dominant foot was determined according to the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire. After the JPS test, isokinetic strength was evaluated in velocity $60^{\circ}s$, including practice trial ($90^{\circ}s$). Using the measured isokinetic strength, a Strength Balance Index (SBI) was calculated. Results: Relative to the SBI, the degree of imbalance was varied; but there were imbalances. For each starting position, JPS error showed no significant differences (p>0.05). The relationship between SBI and JPS was found during the inversion to eversion process, eversion to inversion, and dorsi flexion to plantar flexion. Conclusion: There are moderate to mild relationships between JPS and SBI during ankle movement. It is suggested that to prevent ankle injuries, strength balance should be considered along with the other potential factors including anatomical alignment, proprioception, and soft tissues problems.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• v.8 no.9
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• pp.1383-1389
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• 2013

This research was conducted to see the correlation between changes of ankle Joint Position Sense and Sway Area through Unstable Surface training. For the study, 48 healthy males and females were randomly divided into an unstable surface group(n=24) and a stable surface group(n=24). Then, they were asked to carry out the same exercise program three times a week for six weeks. The unstable surface group and stable surface group performed the exercise program on the balance exercise pad and on the hard ground, respectively. As a result, the unstable surface group displayed significantly reduced error of ankle joint position sense and sway area(p<.05). Moreover, a significant correlation between variances of ankle joint position sense and sway area was only found in the unstable surface group. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that there was a significant correlation between changes of ankle joint position sense and sway area through proprioceptive sense training on the unstable surface.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the differentiation of proprioception, invertor and evertor muscle strength, and time to peak torque at a velocity of $300^{\circ}/sec$ of the ankle joint in people with or without functional ankle instability (FAI). Nineteen subjects with a history of ankle sprain participated. All subjects were divided into FAI group ($n_1=9$, Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT)${\leq}24$) and a control group ($n_2=10$) based on their CAIT scores. Isokinetic dynamometer was used to measure the sense of active joint position of the ankle at mid-range and end-range of an inversion motion and invertor as well as the evertor muscle strength and time to peak torque at $300^{\circ}/s$. The FAI group showed a statistically reduction in invertor and evertor muscle strength and time to peak torque when compared to the control group (p<.05). Muscle strength and time to peak torque of the invertor and evertor, as well as the sense of active joint position at end-range were also lower in the FAI group than in the control (p<.05). Correlations between CAIT score and position sense at end-range (r=-.577) and invertor muscle strength (r=.554) were statistically significant (p<.05). Individuals with FAI showed reduction in invertor and evertor muscle strength and recruitment time as well as in proprioception of the ankle joint. Thus, proprioception and invertor and evertor muscle strength of the ankle joint at fast angular velocity may be investigated when examining and planning care for individuals with FAI.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2022

Background: During postural control, older adults are more dependent on proprioception than are young adults. Ankle proprioception, which plays an important role in maintaining postural balance, decreases with age. Published studies are insufficient to establish a significant age difference in postural sway resulting from the known age-related decrease in ankle proprioception and do not examine various detailed test conditions. Objects: The present study aimed to compare ankle proprioception between older and younger groups along dimensions of position vs. force proprioception and dorsiflexion vs. plantarflexion. The present study also aimed to compare postural sway between young and older women during quiet standing under two sensory conditions. Methods: We recruited seven young women aged 21-24 and seven older women aged 60-63. Ankle proprioception was assessed as the accuracy of the joint position sense (JPS) and the force sense (FS). Postural sway was assessed using center-of-pressure measurements recorded during quiet standing under two sensory positions: eyes open and eyes closed with head tilted back. Results: Older women had lower JPS in dorsiflexion and lower FS in plantarflexion than did younger women. We found no significant age differences in JPS in plantarflexion or in FS in dorsiflexion. We observed a main effect of group on postural sway in two sway parameters out of three. We observed significant differences in JPS with dorsiflexion, and in FS with plantarflexion. Conclusion: Proprioception for ankle plantar flexor decreased more significantly with aging than did that for ankle dorsiflexor, accounting for the impaired postural balance observed in older women.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2022

Background: Older adults use different ankle muscle activation patterns during difficult static balance conditions. It has been suggested that this is related to a decline in proprioception with age, resulting in reduced postural balance. However, the association between proprioception and ankle muscle activity during quiet standing has not been directly assessed. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of age and sensory condition on ankle muscle activity and the association between ankle proprioception and ankle muscle activity. Methods: We recruited 10 young women and 9 older women. Ankle proprioception was evaluated using joint position sense (JPS) and force sense (FS) divided by dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles was collected during quiet standing. Results: Older women activated GCM muscle more than young during quiet standing and when performing difficult tasks. Older women had more errors in JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion than did young. The GCM muscle activity is related to JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion. Conclusion: Lower proprioception of the GCM with age leads to increased muscle activity, resulting in reduced postural balance. There was no difference in TA proprioception or muscle activity among older women with frequent physical activity.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.49-60
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• 2019

Background: After stroke, in order to improve gait function, it is necessary to increase the muscle strength and to enhance the propriocetive function of the lower extremity. Objects: This study aimed to compare the effects of open kinetic chain (OKC) versus closed kinetic chain (CKC) isokinetic exercise of the hemiparetic knee using the isokinetic equipment on lower extremity sensorimotor function and gait ability in patients with chronic stroke. Methods: Thirty participants with chronic hemiplegia (> 6 months post-stroke) were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: CKC group and OKC group. Patients from both groups attended conventional physiotherapy sessions 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Additionally, subjects from the CKC group performed isokinetic exercise using the CKC attachment, while those from the OKC group performed isokinetic exercise using the OKC attachment. The isokinetic knee and ankle muscles strength, position sense of the knee joint, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured before and after interventions. Results: The knee muscles peak torque/body weight (PT/BW) and hamstring/quadriceps (H/Q) ratio significantly increased in both groups (p<.01). In particular, ankle plantarflexors PT/BW, position sense of the knee, gait velocity, and spatial gait symmetry significantly improved in the CKC group (p<.01, p<.05, p<.01, and p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: CKC isokinetic exercise can be an effective therapeutic intervention for the improvement of sensorimotor function of the lower extremity and gait functions, such as gait velocity and symmetry. CKC position in isokinetic strength training is effective to improve functional ability in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.20-25
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• 1997

In the present paper the current clinical knowledge about proprioception is given for the shoulder, knee, ankle, elbow and the radiocarpal joint. Proprioceptive capabilities are decreased after knee joint injury such as anterior cruciate ligament. Joint position sense is significantly improved by cruciate reconstruction. Thus, we review of the articles for the proprioception of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint. The present information on proprioception will influence our clinical practice in the future. We should choose surgical procedures that not only reconstruct the anatomy, but also the neurophysiologic feed-back mechanism.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2021

Purpose : Chronic ankle instability can lead to problems in balance and gait due to weakness of the ankle muscles and decreased proprioceptive sensation. Balance training that stimulates proprioceptors is necessary to improve ankle stability. We aimed to compare the effects of unstable support balance exercises using whole body sonic vibration and an aero-step (TOGU) on proprioception and balance in individuals with unilateral functional ankle instability. Methods : Thirty-six participants with unilateral functional ankle instability were randomly recruited and divided into two groups (group 1 = sonic whole body vibration, group 2= TOGU). Individuals in each group participated in training for 5 weeks, 40 minutes per session, 5 times per week, and performed weight-bearing exercises in five postures on different unstable support surfaces. Proprioception was measured by digital inclinometer (Dualer IQ), and balance was measured by force platform (Biodex balance system). Results : Significant differences were observed in proprioception before and after intervention within both group (p<.05). Significant differences were also observed in the balance index before and after intervention within both groups (p<.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, it is suggested that for individuals with ankle instability, unstable support surface training using a whole body sonic vibrator and TOGU can have a positive effects on proprioception and balance ability.