• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2022

Background: Task-oriented training on an unstable support surface is an effective intervention for improving the ankle joint stability and muscle strength in patients with ankle instability. This study examined the effects of balance training on an unstable support surface in patients with ankle sprains with ankle instability. Methods: Forty-four patients with ankle sprains participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to an experimental group, who performed task-oriented training on an unstable support surface (n=22), and a control group, who performed task-oriented training on a support surface (n=22) using a randomization program. All interventions were applied 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The numeric rating scale (NRS), cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT), balance ability, muscle activity, and muscle thickness were compared to evaluate the effects of the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in the NRS, CAIT, balance ability, and muscle activity between before and after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there were significant differences in balance ability, muscle activity, and muscle thickness between the experimental and control groups (p<.05). Conclusion: Task-oriented training on an unstable support surface is an effective intervention for improving the balance ability, muscle activity, and muscle thickness during contraction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.580-583
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of ankle balance training on unstable and stable surfaces to discover on which surface the proprioception, balance and muscle strength of obese middle aged women improves more. Method: 30 obese middle-aged women were randomly recruited and divided into two groups (training on an unstable surface, training on a stable surface). The subjects in each group participated in the training for six weeks, three times per week for 30 minutes each session. Proprioception was measured using Dualer IQ digital inclinometer; sway length (SL) and sway area (SA) of center of pressure, and limit of stability (LOS) were measured for balance; muscle strength before and after the training was measured using manual muscle testing. Results: There were significant improvements in the subscales of the proprioception, balance and muscle strength in those who participated in ankle balance training on the unstable surface, and in those who participated on the stable surface. Therefore, the training of participants on unstable and stable surfaces did not identify which ankle balance training technique was more effective. Conclusion: Unstable and stable surface ankle balance training are both effective in improving the proprioception, balance and muscle strength of obese middle-aged woman.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2017

Purpose : There is no validated method for measuring the toe flexor strength that can isolate the intrinsic muscles of the foot from the extrinsic muscles. This study compared the hallux flexion force (HFF) and muscle activity in the foot and ankle according to ankle position [plantarflexion (PF), neutral, and dorsiflexion (DF)]. Method : The study enrolled 17 subjects. In the sitting position, the HFF and activities of the abductor hallucis (AbdH), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles were measured using a digital dynamometer and a wireless electromyography system, respectively. Subjects were instructed to flex the great toe maximally in three different ankle positions. Three 5-second trials were performed to measure the HFF and muscle activities in each condition. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the variables and paired t-tests with the Bonferroni correction were used for post-hoc pair-wise comparisons. The significance level was set at .016. Result : The HFF in DF was significantly greater than in any other ankle position (p<.01). The TA activity was greatest in ankle DF and that of the GCM was greatest in PF (both p<.01). However, there was no significant difference in AbdH activity according to ankle position. Conclusion : These results suggest that selective strength measurement of the foot intrinsic muscles in HFF should be performed with the ankle in the neutral position.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.445-452
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• 2001

The purpose of this study to compare the muscle performances (peak torque (PT), relative strength (RS), average power (AP), and total work (TW)) between taping group and non-taping group after 1 hour extensive exercise. Twenty healthy male subjects were evaluated in this study. Each subject was divided with taping(n=10) and non-taping group (n=10) randomly. Muscle performances were measured at 60 degree/sec and 180 degree/sec on the Cybex 770. The PT, RS, AP, and TW were measured before and after 1 hour extensive exercise. The results showed that taping group demonstrated significantly higher PT, RS, AP, and TW during ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion at 60 degree/sec than those of non-taping group, except for total work during ankle plantar flexion. At the 180 degree/sec, PT and RS was significantly higher during ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion in taping group than in non-taping group. This results suggest that lower leg taping could be useful to maintain muscle performances during sport activities.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was an investigation of the effect of unstable supporting exercise in young adults with functional ankle instability. The study tested the use of a jumper and virtual reality (VR) training via a VR-head mounted display (HMD) system to provide functional improvement in proprioception, range of motion (ROM), ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance. Methods: The subjects comprised 61 young adults (in their twenties) with functional ankle instability to decide as less than 24 points using Cumberland ankle instability tool. The subjects were divided into three groups: VUS (VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 20), VSS (VR-HMD and stable supporting exercise, n = 19), and NUS (non-VR-HMD and unstable supporting exercise, n = 22). The exercise program was conducted three times per week for three weeks. VR training via a VR-HMD system and a VR application on a smart mobile device were used with the VUS and VSS groups, and unstable supporting exercise was used in the VUS and NUS groups for 30 minutes. Proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance were measured before and after training. Results: The VUS group showed significant differences in most results, including proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance to compare before and after, and the VSS and NUS groups partially. Moreover, the VUS group had significant differences in most results when compared with the other groups. Conclusion: Unstable supporting exercise and VR training via a VR-HMD system improved functional ankle instability in terms of proprioception, ROM, ankle muscle strength, agility, and balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.176-183
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the short term effects of ASEJ (ankle strengthening with emphasis on jumping) for 3weeks on strength, mechanical properties, and balance and to compare the balance with and without HH(high-heel) condition. Methods: ASEJ (a combined exercise of squat, heel raise up, and jumping) were performed for the subjects in 11 female ankle instability young females ($21.7{\pm}2.0yrs$ Cumberland ankle instability score $19{\pm}6.5$). To investigate the effect of ASEJ, investigator used dynamometer for measuring strength, MyotonPRO for measuring mechanical properties(tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the muscles), I-Balance test for static balance, and Y-balance test for dynamic balance between the condition with and without HH condition. All data were normally distributed and analyzed using the SPSS 22.0 statistical program. Comparing pre- and post-intervention and the condition with and without HH conditions data were examined using the paired t-test. The level of significance was chosen as 0.05 for all the analyses. Results: 3wks of ASEJ would strengthen leg muscles and increasing muscle tone and stiffness in most muscles however there was decreasing muscle elasticity of gastrocnemious. In addition, the ASEJ improves the static balance for ankle instability young females and increases the dynamic balance when wearing the heels especially. Conclusions: the ASEJ could recommend to improve the strength and balance for ankle instability young females. Also, measuring the balance with HH conditions well represents the risk of ankle damage in female.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.392-399
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• 2015

Purpose: This study investigated whether the strength imbalance between two muscles can affect the score of EMG based biofeedback game, and whether the EMG based biofeedback game score can be used as predictable indicator of the degree of muscle balance alternating the conventional strength measuring equipment. Methods: 40 participated in this study. Biodex was used to measure the peak torque/weight in order to calculate the muscle strength balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor of ankle joint. And muscle balance index (MBI) was calculated. The EMG biofeedback game scores of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor were acquired, so that the EMG electrodes were attached at tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius. The relationship between the game score and the muscle balance index were analyzed. Results: There was negative correlation between the muscle balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor and the peak torque/weight of plantar flexor (r=-0.70). And there was negative correlation between the muscle balance index between plantar flexor and dorsiflexor and the game score of plantar flexor (r=-0.83). Conclusion: The EMG biofeedback game score had significant relationship with muscle imbalance at ankle joint, so it seems that the game score can be used for predicting the degree of muscle imbalance as a parameter.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2014

For professional drivers, there is a possibility to have musculoskeletal disorders on ankle joint due to repetitive pedaling operation. Therefore, this study have focused to examine ankle active range of motion (AROM), dorsiflexor strength, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of tibialis anterior muscle (TA) in taxi drivers compared to a age-matched control group. Thirty male taxi drivers with at least 10 years of driving experience and thirty male sedentary workers were evaluated for ankle AROM, dorsiflexor strength, and PPT of TA. Multiple independent t-tests were used to identify significant differences between two groups. For the results, taxi drivers had significantly less AROM in dorsiflexion and greater AROM in external tibial rotation compared to the control group. Also, dorsiflexor strength and PPT of TA in taxi drivers was significantly lower than in the control group. This study indicates that the repetitive ankle movements associated with driving have an effect on ankle AROM, dorsiflexor strength, and PPT of TA and may lead to work-related musculoskeletal disorders on ankle. Professional drivers may need to be educated to prevent a potential musculoskeletal disorders associated with repetitive movement.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.224-230
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the fascia distortion model (FDM), one of the fascia treatments, on unstable ankle subjects. This was done through the chronic ankle instability tool (CAIT) questionnaire on maximum isometric muscle strength, proprioception, dynamic balance, and maximum angle. Methods: An experiment was conducted using the chronic ankle instability tool questionnaire on males and females in their twenties who suffered from ankle instability. Before the experiment, maximum isometric strength, proprioceptive, dynamic balance, and maximum angle were measured. The fascia distortion model was applied and then measurements were taken again to compare and analyze the changes. Analysis was carried out using the paired t-test. Results: After applying the fascia distortion model, maximum isometric strength, proprioceptive, dynamic balance, and maximum angle significantly improved (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study found that the fascia distortion model method was effective in improving maximum isometric strength, proprioceptive, dynamic balance, and maximum angle. The results suggest that the fascia distortion model method is a new intervention that could be used for subjects with chronic ankle instability.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.307-315
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• 2020

The physique and health status of Chinese college students have received a generous concern in recent years. The physical condition of Chinese college students is not good and this phenomenon is especially obvious among female college students, which has been an disputable fact. This study starts from exercise intervention to study the concrete influence of taijiquan (a kind of traditional Chinese shadow boxing) and five-animal exercises on human body balance ability; the study uses experimental apparatus to measure the specific impact of exercise intervention on human body balance ability; meanwhile, the study also applies data analysis to longitudinally study whether the two studied sports items affect body balance, and whether there is difference in terms of the influence of two sports items on human body balance ability. The conclusions are as follows: firstly, 24-style taijiquan and five-animal exercises can improve ankle muscle strength, and the focus and degree of the improvement are different; secondly, five-animal exercises have a better improvement effect on the flexor and extensor muscles of ankle joint and 24-style taijiquan is in the second place. Moreover, compared with 24-style taijiquan, there is no significant difference in terms of the improvement caused by five-animal exercises; thirdly, 24-style taijiquan has a better effect on the improvement of internal rotation and evertors muscle strength. Compared with 24-style taijiquan, five-animal exercises have no significant difference in terms of the improvement degree.