• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.177-195
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic variables of ankle joints and EMG signal of the lower limbs muscle activity for the different walking speed. The subjects were 6 males of twenties. It was classified into three different walking speed-0.75m/s, 1.25m/s, 1.75m/s. The walking performances were filmed by high speed video camera and EMG signal was gained by ME3000P8 Measurement Unit. Tibialis anterior(TA), Gastrocnemius medial head(GM), Gastrocnemius lateral head(GL), Ssoleus(SO) were selected for the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint. The result of this study were as follows: 1. In the gait cycle, The time parameters for the phases were showed significant difference without the terminal stance phase and terminal swing phase for the different walking speed. 2. The angle of ankle joint was no significant difference for each time point and MDF, MPF but increasing walking speed the angle had the increasing pattern slightly. 3. The angular velocity of ankle joint was showed the significant difference for LHC, RTO, RKC, LHU, MPF and MDF point along the walking speed. 4. TA was showed about 2-3 times muscle activity at the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s in some phases. And it was showed the similar muscle activity between the 0.75m/s and 1.25m/s but, showed a little much muscle activity in the 0.75m/s. GM was showed about 2-3 times muscle activity in the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s, and even much muscle activity at the 0.75m/s than 1.25m/s in some phases. GL was showed increasing pattern of muscle activity specially in the initial swing phase as the walking speed increased. SO was showed about 3 times muscle activity in the 1.75m/s than 1.25m/s during the plantarflexion of ankle joint. It was showed the similar muscle activity between the 0.75m/s and 1.25m/s but, showed a little much muscle activity in the 1.25m/s.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1756-1762
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• 2019

Background: Functional ankle instability (FAI) indicating a decrease in muscle strength, proprioception, neuromuscular control, balance and postural control function. Objective: To investigate the effect of jumping exercise on the supporting surface on the ankle muscle thickness, proprioceptive sensation, and balance in adults with FAI. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: Twenty young people with FAI were randomly assigned to the unstable supporting surface jump group (N=10) and the stable supporting surface jump group (N=10). The intervention was conducted three times a week for eight weeks, and for 30 minutes per session. Trampoline was used as an unstable support surface and the stable support surface was carried out on a regular floor. The thickness of the tibialis anterior muscle and medial gastrocnemius muscle was measured by ultrasonography, and the proprioception of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was measured using an electrogoniometer. The dynamic balance was also measured with a balance meter. Results: The the muscle thickness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle was significantly higher in the stable supporting surface jump group than in the unstable supporting surface jump group (p<.05). Furthermore, the plantar flexion proprioception and dynamic balance were significantly improved in the unstable supporting surface jump group than in the stable supporting surface jump group in the intergroup comparison (p<.05). Conclusions: The conclusion has been reached in this study that the jumping exercise on the unstable supporting surface could be a more effective in improving FAI than the regular surface.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was carried out to review the correlation between foot shape(supination foot, pronation foot) and low back pain, hip abduction muscle and ankle lateral sprain. Methods : By using internet, we research the PubMed, Science Direct, KISS, DBpia We selected the article between 1990 and 2007. Key words were supination foot, pronation foot, balance. Results : Normal control balance of human body needs a optimal anatomical alignment and function of musculoskeletal and central nerve system that control continuously to integrate. Especially ankle and foot complex play an important role in postural control because it is located distal part in human body. Supination foot brings to chronic ankle sprain or chronic ankle instability and range of motion limitation due to the weakness of lateral ankle muscle. Pronation foot brings to knee injury because of lower leg internal rotation force. Conclusion : Excessive supination and pronation foot happen to muscle imbalance. Especially weakness of hip abduction or injury of ankle lateral muscle or low back pain are due to abnormal balance and anatomical alignment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the correlations between muscle strength of the ankle and balance, walking in the elderly. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were selected from a population of female volunteers. Measurement of balance ability included evaluation of timed "up and go", functional reach, and a one leg standing test. Measurement of walking analysis included evaluation of cadence, stride length, step length, and walking speed. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the ankle muscle strength was measured by use of a dynamometer. Results: For balance, there were significant negative correlations between timed "up and go" and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. There were significant positive correlations between one leg standing with the eyes closed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. For walking, there were significant positive correlations between cadence, walking speed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. Conclusion: This study showed that there were close relationships between muscle strength of the ankle dorsiflexor and walking and balance in the elderly.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2036-2041
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• 2020

Background: Ankle sprain in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) is common in fencing athletes, and studies comparing the ankle range of motion (ROM) and strength of both legs are insufficient. Objectvies: To compare the ankle ROM and hip strength between two legs in fencing athletes who has ankle instability in the lead leg side. Design: Cross-sectional design. Methods: Seven fencing athletes with ankle instability participated in this study, and they randomly assigned into ankle in the Lead Leg Side (ALLS) and ankle in the Rear Leg Side (ARLS). Instability was determined by the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT), and then joint ROM and hip muscle strength were measured. Results: There were significant differences in dorsiflexion ROM, hip strength (extension and abduction) between the ALLS with ankle instability and ARLS (P<.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that the ankle ROM and hip muscle strength of ARLS are greater than ALLS in fencing athletes with ankle instability.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2011

Purpose:This study was designed to investigate difference in isokinetic muscle strength in the knee extensor muscle and characteristic differences in muscle strength between males and females through the ankle joint angles. Methods: Seventy-four subjects participated in this study. There were two groups: 36 males and 38 females. The mean age of the men was 24.58 years and women was 23.74 years. Subjects were seated on a CON-TREX LP (leg press) lean to back of chair, and there bodies were fixed by straps with the hip joint at an angle of $130^{\circ}$. After randomly fixing the ankle joint at $0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, and $40^{\circ}$ of plantar flexion (PF) in range of full extension of knee joint. We studied force max average, force max average/kg, power average, and total work through the angle of the ankle joint when the knee joint was extended from $90^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$. Results: In the male group, all maximum measured value showed at the ankle joint $0^{\circ}$, all minimum measured value showed at $40^{\circ}$ PF (p<0.01). In the female group, all maximum measured value showed at the ankle joint $20^{\circ}$ PF, especially the power average increased significantly. All minimum measured value showed $40^{\circ}$ PF (p<0.01). Conclusion: There are differences between males and females in isokinetic muscle strength of the knee extensor through ankle joint angles in healthy adults. Males and Females have different characteristics of muscle strength through the ankle joint angles.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.340-345
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thoracic spine and ankle joint alignment on trunk and upper limb muscle activity during trunk forward lean exercise using a sling. Methods: 25 subjects participated in this study. All subjects performed trunk forward lean exercise using a sling under four conditions according to the alignment of the thoracic spine and ankle joints. Trials were performed 3 times in each condition. Muscle activity of the trunk and upper extremity was measured using electromyography. Results: In the dorsiflexion, the thoracic kyphosis condition showed significantly higher muscle activity in the pectoralis major, rectus abdominis, latissimus dorsi, transverse abdominis than dorsiflexion(p<0.05). In the plantar flexion, thoracic kyphosis condition showed significantly higher muscle activity in pectoralis major, transverse abdominis, latissimus dorsi muscle activity than dorsiflexion(p<0.05). Conclusions: Regardless of ankle alignment, thoracic kyphosis condition increased the activity of the pectoralis major, transverse abdominis, latissimus dorsi. Therefore, regardless of the alignment of the ankle, it is recommended to perform the trunk forward lean exercise using a sling in thoracic kyphosis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of cryotherapy on the ankle joint muscle strength and balance ability in stroke patients with ankle joint muscles. Methods: In this study, 20 patients with chronic stroke were recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. The patients were divided into two groups: a cryotherapy group (10 patients) and a control group (10 patients). The cryotherapy group performed sit-to-stand training for 15 minutes and then cryotherapy for the minutes. In the control group, after sit-to-stand training for 15 minutes, blocked cryotherapy was provided for three minutes. In both groups, the interventions were provided five times a week for three weeks. The strength of the ankle joint muscles was measured before and after the training using the Biodex systems 3. The static balance ability was measured using balancia software, and the dynamic balance ability was measured by performing the sit-to-stand test (FTSST) five times. Results: After the training periods, the cryotherapy group showed significant improvement in the ankle dorsiflexor strength, ankle plantarflexor strength, weight distribution of the affected side, and FTSST compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, cryotherapy could be considered an effective method to improve the strength of ankle joint muscles. Cryotherapy improves muscle strength as it increases the motor neuron excitability. Therefore, cryotherapy may be considered to improve the strength of the ankle joint muscles of stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.757-763
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of elasticity of taping on ankle muscles'activity and endurance after plyometric training that easily causes ankle injury, and provide baseline data for physical therapy intervention methods. The study subjects are 24 male students in their 20s who attend N University in Choongnam. They were divided into three groups; 8 subjects in the elastic taping group, 8 in the non-elastic taping group, and 8 in the non-taping group(control group). They had plyometric training for 6 weeks. After the training, this study measured their maximum voluntary isometric contraction(MVIC) and muscle endurance of the muscles around ankle joint. The experiment result is as follows. After the training, all three groups showed improvement in muscle strength and endurance. The elastic taping group showed insignificant improvement in muscle strength but significant increase in muscle endurance in plantarflexion. In dorsiflexion, both muscle strength and endurance increased significantly. The non-elastic taping group showed insignificant improvement in muscle strength but significant increase in muscle endurance in plantarflexion. Taping during plyometric training had a little or insignificant effect on muscle endurance and strength compared to the non-taping group.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze muscle function and EMG of the trunk and the lower extremity in short and long distance athletes and in order to determine difference in peak torque per unit weight, muscle power per unit weight, endurance ratio, and %MVIC classified by muscle. For that purpose, isokinetic muscle function tests for waist, knee, and ankle joints and EMG measurements for the trunk and the lower extremity muscle with running motion were conducted for 7 short and long distance high school athletes respectively. The study over muscle function of waist, knee, and ankle joints indicates that peak torque per unit weight of short distance athletes is higher than that of long distance athletes in extension and flexion of waist joint, plantar flexion of right ankle joint, and dorsi flexion of left ankle joint. In case of the muscle power per unit weight of short distance athletes is also higher than long distance athletes in waist, knee, and ankle joints. No difference in endurance ratio of waist, knee, and ankle joints between the two groups was founded. The results of the test over EMG of the trunk and the lower extremity show that %MVIC of erector spinae, rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and tibialis anterior is higher than that of long distance athletes in support phase. The above results proved to be the same in flight phase except for %MVIC of medial gastrocnemius. In other words, %MVIC of medial gastrocnemius for short distance athletes turned out to be higher than that of long distance athletes in flight phase.