• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.789-795
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• 2010

This study aimed to investigate the effect of differing heel height on static balance and muscle activation of ankle joint during standing. Twenty-one young females volunteered to participate in this study. To measure balance function and EMG activity of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles, the subjects were asked to perform 1-min standing with eyes open and closed state under 3 different heel heights: barefoot, 3cm, and 7cm each. During the standing, postural sway distance and area, and EMG activity of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were significantly augmented with increasing heel height (p<0.05). For comparison between eyes open and closed in terms of postural sway area and EMG activity of tibialis anterior muscle, barefoot and 7cm height conditions respectively showed significant differences as well. The findings indicate that high-heeled shoes may have disadvantages in maintaining balance function because of extra-muscular effort of ankle joint. This study provides useful information that will inform future studies on how heel height affects muscle activity around the ankle joint in aspects of static and dynamic balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.348-354
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• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the effects of computerized feedback postural training on the balance and electromyography activity of subjects with stroke. Methods: A total of 30 chronic stroke patients were enrolled in this study. Subjects were divided into an experimental group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). Computerized feedback postural training was used in the experimental group. Both groups received intervention for six weeks, 5 times per 30 minutes period. Data analysis was performed using analysis of covariance for determination of statistical significance. Results: Significant difference in static and dynamic balance was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group (p=0.05), and a significant difference in muscle activity was observed in the gastrocnemius muscle, quadriceps muscle, and elector spinae muscle. However, the hamstring muscle showed no significant difference. Conclusion: Computerized feedback postural training is more effective in improving the ability of balance and muscle activity than neurological physical therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.113-121
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• 2020

PURPOSE: The study examined the effects of non-elastic taping on the knee and ankle joints of stroke patients to increase muscle activity, balance and gait ability. METHODS: In this study, 10 stroke patients were assigned to experimental group (knee and ankle joint non-elastic taping and PNF technique) and control group (PNF technique). The experimental group applied the PNF technique for 30 minutes after attaching the inelastic tape, and the control group performed the PNF technique for 30 minutes. five times a week for a total of four weeks (20 times). RESULTS: The muscle activity of Vastus Medialis and Tiblialis Anterior showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups. BBS and 10MWT also showed significant differences between the experimental and control groups. CONCLUSION: In this study, the muscle activity, balance and walking on the paraplegic side of stroke patients using inelastic taping, and applied inelastic taping on two joints in a different way from the previous study, Therefore, it will have the advantage of increasing paralysis side muscle activity and improving balance and walking ability.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1398-1405
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heel off stairway walking exercise on the increase of muscle activity and balance activity of the ankle joint muscles in university students with functional ankle instability. The conservative treatment for the control group consisted of stairway walking (n=10) and the experimental group consisted of heel off stairway walking (n=11). The therapeutic intervention of the control and experimental groups was performed a total of 12 exercise sessions, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. To compare the two groups, the level of ankle disability was assessed by using the EMG, BT4 and Pedoscan in pre-treatment and post-treatment. Muscle activity increased in both the experimental groups and control groups in each group, however there was no significant difference between the groups. Balance ability did not show any significant difference. This study demonstrates that heel-off stairway walking is effective in significantly increasing muscle activity, however did not significantly improve balance ability.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.433-439
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• 2018

Purpose: Visual information is one of the most important factors for postural balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visual deprivation on the lower extremities and trunk muscle activity on an unstable surface during quiet standing. Methods: Fifteen healthy males from a university population participated in this study. Surface electromyography of the rectus abdominis, the erector spinalis, the vastus femoris oblique, the semitendinosis, the tibialis anterior, and the medial gastrocnemius was measured using EMG equipment (Telemyo 2400, Noraxon, USA). The participants were asked to maintain postural balance on an unstable surface (Balance pad, Airex, USA) for 30 seconds with eyes open and with eyes closed during quiet standing. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the muscle activity of the lower extremities and the trunk between open and closed eyes on an unstable surface. Results: The muscle activity of the trunk and the lower extremities was increased more with eyes closed than with eyes open on the unstable surface during quiet standing. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that visual information could alter lower extremity and trunk muscle activity. Therefore, visual deprivation can be used as a method to improve postural balance.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.2323-2330
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• 2021

Background: Stroke patients have weak trunk muscle strength due to brain injury, so a single type of exercise is advised for restoring functionality. However, even after intervention, the problem still lies and it is suggested that another intervention method should be applied with exercise in order to deal with such problem. Objectives: To Investigate the effect of bridge exercise combined with functional electrical stimulation (FES) on trunk muscle activity and balance in stroke patients. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: From July to August 2020, twenty stroke patients was sampled, ten patients who mediated bridge exercises combined with functional electrical stimulation were assigned to experiment group I, and ten patients who mediated general bridge exercises were assigned to experiment groupII. For the pre-test, using surface EMG were measured paralyzed rectus abdominis, erector spinae, transverse abdominis/internal oblique muscle activity, and using trunk impairment scale were measured balance. In order to find out immediate effect after intervention, post-test was measured immediately same way pre-test. Results: Change in balance didn't show significant difference within and between groups, but muscle activity of trunk was significant difference rectus abdominis and erector spinae within groups I (P<.01), also between groups was significant difference (P<.05). Conclusion: Bridge exercise combined with FES could improve trunk function more effectively than general bridge exercise due to physiological effect of functional electrical stimulation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.579-584
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• 2022

Objective: To identify the effect of unstable surface kettlebell exercises on muscle activity and balance in middle and high school baseball players. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants were 29 middle and high school baseball players (Unstable surface kettlebell exercises group, USKE: 15; Stable surface kettlebell exercise group, SSKE: 14). The players in the USKE group performed kettlebell exercises for 60 mins on a stable surface thrice a week for 6 weeks, and the return rack was solidified on a stable surface in the same way as the experimental group. Before and after the experiment, the participant's muscle activity of the tibialis anterior and soleus was measured. In addition, the participant's balance was evaluated by measuring the distance moved from the foot's center of pressure (COP). The paired t-test was used to compare groups before and after the experiment. The independent t-test was conducted to assess differences in the degree of change between the two groups before and after the experiment. Results: Compared to the SSKE group, the USKE group showed significant differences in the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior and soleus and the balance with the eyes open and closed. Conclusions: The players in the USKE group showed a significant difference in muscle activity and balance than in those in the SSKE group. Thus, effectively including an unstable surface in the kettlebell exercise program will help improve physical function in athletes and people with musculoskeletal disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of the lower trunk stabilization exercise using neurodevelopmental technique (NDT) on muscle activity in lumbar region and balance in the patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fifteen participants were allocated in two groups: NDT group (n=8) or control group (n=7). NDT group performed NDT exercise program, while control group conducted walking exercise. Both interventions were given for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 5 weeks. To measure the muscle activity in rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO) and internal oblique (IO), electromyography (EMG) was used. And, Timed-Up and Go (TUG) test and Berg-Balance Scale (BBS) were performed to assess balance before and after intervention. Results: NDT group showed a significant improvement of muscle activity in RA and EO, while control group did not show significant changes in three muscles. Also, there was a significant difference in muscle activity of RA and EO between two groups. In BBS and TUG test, participants in two groups showed significant improvements after intervention. Especially, significant difference was observed in TUG test between two groups (p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that NDT exercise is an effective intervention to improve the muscle activity in trunk region and to increase balance in patients with stroke. Thus, we suggested that NDT exercise program would be a treatment intervention in stroke rehabilitation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.89-96
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• 2023

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of the underwater Ai-Chi exercise on the joint range of motion, balance and posture. METHODS: Thirty-six college students (30 men, 6 women) were divided into a 'low physical activity' groups (Group I). and an 'appropriate physical activity' groups (Group II). The Ai-Chi underwater exercise was conducted three times a week for two weeks for both groups. A goniometer was used to measure the range of motion of the hip joint, and Y-Balance and the posture screen mobile were used to measure the stability of the lower extremities. RESULTS: An evaluation of the range of motion of the hip joint before and after the Ai-Chi exercise showed significant results in the low physical activity group. However, the flexural range showed a significant increase after exercise, but not significant result. In the comparison of the mean increase between groups, only the right hip joint showed a significant difference in both groups. Also, in the comparison of the Y balance test and posture screen test before and after exercise, both groups showed significant. CONCLUSION: The Ai-Chi underwater exercise helped improve the range of motion of the hip joint and the ability to balance. Also It helped improve posture alignment. In addition, although the increase in all physical activity groups lower than the appropriate physical activity groups was greater in all figures, the increase in the number of samples, the extension of the experimental period, and various variables could be obtained.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.275-288
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of breathing techniques on trunk muscle activity and balance during Pilates reformer footwork exercises, comparing results both within and between groups before and after the intervention. Methods: Thirty-one adult women over the age of 20 were selected as subjects for this study. They were divided into a Pilates breathing group (n = 15) and a general breathing group (n = 16) using a randomized control group study design. A surface electromyogram was used to measure muscle activity within and between the groups before and after the reformer footwork exercise. Static balance measurements were taken while standing on two legs, and dynamic balance measurements were taken while standing on one leg. All measurements were taken three times, and the average values were used for analysis. Results: The results of the study showed that muscle activity increased with significant differences in the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles after exercise in the pre-post comparison within the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the between-group comparison, there was a significant difference in the increase in muscle activity of the external oblique and transverse abdominal muscles in the Pilates breathing group (p < 0.05). In the pre-post comparison of static and dynamic balance within the Pilates breathing group, there was a significant increase (p < 0.05) after exercise. The Pilates breathing group also showed a significant increase even in the between-group comparison (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing has positive effects on muscle activity and static balance ability of trunk muscles in adult women. Therefore, reformer footwork exercise accompanied by Pilates breathing can be presented as an effective exercise method to increase trunk stability and balance ability through the simultaneous activity of the trunk muscles.