• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.183-194
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• 2020

Purpose: Functional ankle instability (FAI) causes tension in the joints, ligaments, and tendons, and the impact on visual and vestibular organs leads to imbalance. This study compared the effects of a traditional balance training program to virtual reality training to improve FAI. Methods: Twenty-four participants with FAI (CAIT score < 24) were assigned to a virtual reality training group (n = 13) and a traditional balance training group (n = 11). Both groups pursued their respective training program for four weeks. After a ten-minute warm-up, participants completed a 30-minute training session, three times per week. The traditional balance training group underwent static and dynamic training using a balance board and a stability trainer pad while the virtual reality group underwent balance training using a virtual reality program. Biorescue was used to measure changes in the speed and length of center of pressure (COP) for single-leg stance pre- and post-training. Results: The speed and length of COP improved significantly in both groups after training as compared to before (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in these outcomes between the virtual reality training group and the traditional balance training group (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study findings confirm the effectiveness of both virtual reality training and traditional balance training in reducing ankle instability, with no difference in treatment effects.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.451-461
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• 2019

Purpose: This study identified the effect of abdominal muscle contraction using changes in waist circumference for healthcare workers with back pain due to inadequate posture during working hours. Methods: In this study, we provided educational training focused on posture alignment and utilized waist circumference change sensors to induce the contraction of abdominal muscles as a method to address low back pain in healthcare workers. All 32 participants received the same training and then were assigned to two groups: wearing the keeping core band (CB) and not wearing the keeping core band (NCB). For the CB group, the waist circumference change sensor was applied for 6 weeks during working hours. Wilcoxon's signed-ranks test and paired t-tests were used to compare the differences between the groups. All statistical significance levels were set to α=0.05. Results: Trunk muscle endurance increased significantly in the CB group. There was no significant difference in stability index to evaluate static postural control, but active hip abduction tests, which evaluate dynamic postural control, showed significant decrease in the CB group. Conclusion: These results suggest that the induction of abdominal contraction using the waist circumference change sensor may improve the trunk muscle endurance and the postural control ability of the hip and pelvis of healthcare workers.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.246-254
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• 2017

Purpose: Previous studies have reported that action observation training has beneficial effects on enhancing the motor task, such as balance and gait functions. On the other hand, there have been few studies combined with action observation training and auditory feedback. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of action observation training with auditory feedback on the gait function in stroke patients with hemiparesis Methods: A total of 24 inpatients with post-stroke hemiparesis were assigned randomly to either an experimental group 1 (EG 1, n=8), experiment group 2 (EG 2, n=8), control group (CG, n=8, EG 1). The EG 2 and CG watched video clip demonstrating three functional walking tasks with auditory feedback, without auditory feedback, and showing a landscape image, respectively. The exercise program consisted of 30 minutes, five times a week, for four weeks. The participants were measured to 10MWT (10 m walk test), 6MWT (6 minutes walking distance test), TUG (timed up and go test), DGI (dynamic gait index), time and steps of F8WT (figure-of-8 walk test). Results: In the intra-group comparison after the intervention, EG 1 and EG 2 showed a significantly different gait function (10MWT, 6MWT, DGI, TUG, F8WT) (p<0.05). In the inter-group comparison after intervention, EG 1 showed significant improvements in the entire gait parameters and EG 2 only showed significant improvement in DGI and TUG compared to CG (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that action observation training with auditory feedback may be used beneficially for improving the gait function of stroke patients with hemiparesis.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Among the adult patients with hemiplegia that were hospitalized at Michuhol Rehabilitation Center after being diagnosed with stroke, 10 that were capable of independent walking for more than five minutes and that understood and cooperated with the therapy and test methods of this research, were selected as subjects. The therapy was implemented based on the concept of PNF, and it was performed on a low mat and a height-adjustable mat, as proscribed by the fundamental procedure for PNF. Symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied to the patients in the decubitus position. The therapy scheme included stabilizing reversals, rhythmic stabilization, and a combination of isotonics, rhythmic initiation, and dynamic reversals. To investigate gait speed and body trunk mobility before and after the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied, walking speed for a distance of 10 m was measured and balance was tested based on the Berg-Balance scale test table. The Berg-Balance scale test was performed by one therapist to minimize any error that could occur from the subjective evaluation method used by therapists. Results: Gait speed increased by 8.97 seconds after applying the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using the concept of PNF, showing a significant difference (p<0.01). However, balance showed no significant difference after the therapy (p>0.14). Conclusion: Exercise therapy that uses the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis with the concept of PNF can be said to be a useful therapeutic technique that can enhance the walking speed of patients with hemiplegia.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2021

The Coronavirus or COVID-19 is contagiousness virus that infected almost every single part of the world. This pandemic forced a major country did lockdown and stay at a home policy to reduce virus spread and the number of victims. Interactions between humans and robots form a popular subject of research worldwide. In medical robotics, the primary challenge is to implement natural interactions between robots and human users. Human communication consists of dynamic processes that involve joint attention and attracting each other. Coordinated care involves sharing among agents of behaviours, events, interests, and contexts in the world from time to time. The robotics arm is an expensive and complicated system because robot simulators are widely used instead of for rehabilitation purposes in medicine. Interaction in natural ways is necessary for disabled persons to work with the robot simulator. This article proposes a low-cost rehabilitation system by building an arm gesture tracking system based on a depth camera that can capture and interpret human gestures and use them as interactive commands for a robot simulator to perform specific tasks on the 3D block. The results show that the proposed system can help patients control the rotation and movement of the 3D arm using their hands. The pilot testing with healthy subjects yielded encouraging results. They could synchronize their actions with a 3D robotic arm to perform several repetitive tasks and exerting 19920 J of energy (kg.m².S^-2). The average of consumed energy mentioned before is in medium scale. Therefore, we relate this energy with rehabilitation performance as an initial stage and can be improved further with extra repetitive exercise to speed up the recovery process.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.851-859
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of six weeks of plyometric training on Sargent jumps, posture control, and lower extremity injury criterion in Taekwondo demonstrator. Twenty healthy collegiate Taekwoondo demontrators were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (Ex = 10), and a control group (Con = 10), Con maintained their normal Taekwoondo demontration training schedule. Whereas Ex group completed the plyometric program in three times a week, 60 minute for 6 weeks. Testing before and after training include the Sargent jump, back muscle strength, Y-balance and lower extremity injury criterion. There are no significant increase in back muscle strength, but significant increase in Sargent jump. In postural control, the anterior was not significant, but there was a significant increase in the left and right posterolateral, posteromedial and the total score showed that there was no risk of injuries. In conclusion, plyometric training is a training method that needs to be actively utilized for power, dynamic posture control, lower extremity injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.47-52
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• 2021

Background: Compared with normal people, stroke patients have decreased voluntary craniocervical motion, which affects their balance. Objects: This study was conducted in order to examine the effects of active craniocervical movement training using a cognitive game on stroke patient's cervical movement control ability, balance, and functional mobility. Methods: The subject of this study were 29chronic stroke patients who were randomly allocated to either an experimental, cognitive game group (n = 15), or control group (n = 14), to which only neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) was applied. The intervention was conducted 5 times per week, 30 minutes per each time, for a total of 4 weeks. Active angle reproduction test, static stability test, limits of stability test, and Time up and Go (TUG) test, respectively, were carried out in order to evaluate cervical movement control ability, static balance, dynamic balance, and functional mobility. Paired t-test was used in order to compare differences between prior to after the intervention, along with an independent-test in order to compare prior to and after-intervention differences between the two groups. Results: After the craniocervical training with a body-driven cognitive game, the experimental group showed significant differences in flexion, extension, and lateral flexion on the affected side, and rotation on the affected side in the active angle reproduction test. The experimental group indicated significant differences in sway length both with eyes-open and with eyesclosed in the static stability test and in limits of stability test and TUG test. The control group to which NDT was applied had significant differences in flexion in the active angle reproduction test and in limits of stability test and TUG test. Conclusion: The above results mean that craniocervical training using a body-driven cognitive game positively influences stroke patient's cervical movement control ability and as a result their balance and functional mobility.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.269-278
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate effective cueing methods for selective muscle activation of the serratus anterior. Methods: Based on the inclusion criteria, 26 healthy adults, both males and females, were recruited for the measurement of muscle activation of the upper trapezius and serratus anterior muscles while performing basic movements in knee push-up plus (KPP) and dynamic hug (DH) positions using five different cueing methods. An electromyogram was used to measure muscle activation, and both muscle activation and muscle ratio (serratus anterior/upper trapezius) were compared during the basic movements and different cueing methods. The cueing methods were trapezius verbal cueing, trapezius verbal cueing + trapezius tactile cueing, emphasis verbal cueing, serratus anterior tactile cueing, and trapezius verbal cueing + trapezius tactile cueing + serratus anterior tactile cueing. Results: The results of the study showed that there was a significant difference in the muscles for the two exercises (p < 0.05). There was also a significant difference between the cueing methods (p < 0.05). The correlative effect between the muscles and cueing methods was also significant (p < 0.05). The muscle ratio in trapezius verbal cueing + trapezius tactile cueing + serratus anterior tactile cueing during KPP and DH was higher than in basic movements and other cueing methods. This confirms that trapezius verbal cueing + trapezius tactile cueing + serratus anterior tactile cueing is an effective cueing method for selective activation of the serratus anterior during KPP and DH. This study also demonstrated that cueing by a therapist may both increase and decrease selective muscle activation. Conclusion: Through this study, an effective cueing method to selectively activate the serratus anterior may be suggested, and the results of this study may provide basic information regarding future studies and clinical practice.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 2022

A rash guard, also known as rash vest or rashie, is functional sportswear that protects the wearer's skin from various dangers during outdoor sports activities. It is durable and comfortable since it is designed considering muscle movement. In modern society, more and more people enjoy leisure activities due to an increase in income level and increased leisure hours. Water leisure activities are increasingly enjoyed in the summer. As the way people think of leisure evolves, people are more inclined toward dynamic leisure sports rather than static facility tourism. Therefore, more research on rash guards is required. By identifying and analyzing the design preferences and purchase behaviors of young adults on rash guards, this study aims to provide basic data on the actual sportswear behaviors concerning those who are most active in water sports, people in their 20s and 30s. Furthermore, the study aims to contribute to a healthy exercise lifestyle for women who enjoy water sports and the growth of the water sportswear market. In the study, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire to investigate the wearing behaviors and purchase preferences as well as the wearing satisfaction on rash guards. For the study, 200 copies of the questionnaire were distributed and collected to be used as analysis data. The questionnaire consisted of 36 questions, 6 about demographic characteristics, 11 about purchase preferences, and 19 about wearing satisfaction. The collected data was analyzed using the statistical program SPSS 8.0. The study results can be used as basic data to investigate the design preferences and wearing behaviors of rash guards of women in their 20s and 30s. The results found numerous complaints on comfortableness and durability, which suggests more concern and improvements are necessary in those areas when designing patterns for rash guards.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2022

Purpose: Ankle dorsiflexion is an essential element of normal functions, including walking, activities of daily living and sport activities. The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle functioned as a dorsiflexor and as a dynamic stabilizer of the ankle joint during walking and jumping. This study aimed to compare TA muscle thickness using ultrasonography according to the four different toe and ankle postures for the selective TA strengthening exercise. Methods: This study were recruited 26 (males: 15, females: 11) aged 20-30 years, with no injury ankle and calf in the medical history, had normal dorsiflexion and inversion range of motion (ROM). The thickness of the TA muscle was measured by ultrasonography in the four different toe and ankle postures: 1. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe extension and ankle inversion (ITEDF); 2. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe flexion and ankle inversion (ITFDF); 3. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe extension and neutral position (NTEDF); 4. Ankle dorsiflexion with all toe flexion and neutral position (NTFDF). One-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni correction were used to confirm the significant difference among conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at α=0.01. Results: TA muscle thickness with ITFDF was significantly greater than in any other ankle positions, including ITEDF, NTFDF, and NTEDF (p<0.01). Conclusion: Among the four toe and ankle postures, isometric contraction in ITFDF postures showed the greatest increase in thickness of TA rather than ITEDF, NTEDF, and NTFDF postures. Based on these results, ITFDF can be recommended in an efficient way to selectively strengthen TA muscle.