• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2060-2064
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• 2020

Background: Recently, the kinesiology taping (KT) method was reported to be effective in improving walking ability in foot drop patients after stroke, but the clinical basis is still unclear. Objectives: The KT method was compared with ankle-foot orthotics (AFO) to investigate gait ability in foot drop patients after stroke. Design: Crossover study design. Methods: In this study, 11 stroke patients with foot drop participated. Walking ability of all subjects for both conditions (KT and AFO) was measured using the GAITRite system. The order of application of the two conditions was determined randomly by drawing lots. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare walking ability between the two conditions. The level of statistical significance was set at P<.05. Results: There were no significant differences between the KT and AFO methods in terms of velocity, cadence, step length, and stride length (P>.05, all). Conclusion: This study recommends KT as an alternative to the AFO, since KT provides evidence of preventing of foot drops and improving gait ability in stroke patient.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.45-54
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of foot strengthening exercise program and functional insoles on joint angle and plantar pressure in elderly women. Thirteen elderly women who were enrolled in a university senior citizens academy of a metropolitan city in 2017 were divided into two groups: exercise group with functional insole (n=7) and exercise group without functional insole (n=6). Method: Three-dimensional motion analysis and Pedar-X were performed to compute the joint angle and the foot plantar pressure, respectively. Two-way repeated measure ANOVA was conducted to compare dependent variables within and between groups. The significance level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The range of motion (ROM) of the ankle, knee, and hip joints in the exercise group with functional insole increased significantly more than the exercise group without functional insole. In both the experimental group and the comparison group, the maximum foot plantar pressure and the mean foot plantar pressure were decreased, but the comparison group without functional insole showed more decrease. Since the experimental group demonstrated greater pressure than the comparison group in the contact area (forefoot, midfoot), it was distributed over a greater area. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that participation in foot strengthening exercises and using a functional insole has more positive effects than foot strengthening exercises alone on the joint angle and plantar pressure in elderly women. Increased foot plantar pressure led to an increased contact area (forefoot, midfoot) for distribution of the foot plantar pressure, but the effect of reducing the maximum and average plantar pressures was incomplete. However, wearing functional insoles along with exercise, could help in improving the stability of the joints, by increasing the range of motion, and could help the elderly in movement of the muscles more effectively, leading to an improvement in gait function.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objective: This study investigated the effect of a 16-week upright body exercise program on body balance and plantar pressure balance in elderly women. Method: The subjects included elderly women in B Metropolitan city who participated in an upright body exercise program twice weekly for 16 weeks. The subjects' physical characteristics (height, weight, body mass index [BMI]), posture balance, and foot plantar pressure were measured before and after the experiment. Results: The upright body exercise program showed positive changes in posture balance and foot plantar pressure balance in seven elderly women. Conclusion: The second version of the upright body exercise program improved and may prevent postural imbalance in elderly women. This program could be utilized to improve posture and foot balance in elderly persons.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of 2D(2 dimensional form) & 3D(3 dimensional form; a customized arch-fit for posture correction) insoles for assessing their biomechanical functionality. Background : Recently there has been increased interest in both foot health and foot pain patients. Analysis of the plantar pressure was often used to solve the problems of the foot displayed by such people as rheumatoid arthritis patients. Method : Subjects who participated in this study were 17 female university students who had no previous injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The shoe size of all subjects was 240 mm. Two models of insoles of 2D(typical flat insole - 2 dimensional form) and 3D(special production - 3 dimensional form) were selected for the test. Using the Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 4.0 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 50 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Results : Results of the foot-pressure distribution and biomechanical functionality on each insole were as follows; analyses of mean plantar pressure, maximum plantar pressure, maximum vertical GRF, and plantar pressure curve shape all showed overall low plantar pressure and GRF. Conclusion : This can be evaluated as an excellent insole for low levels on the plantar pressure and GRF. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that according to this analysis the 3D Customized Arch-fit Insole was better than 2D insole on the basis of these criteria.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-week professional body massage program (PMP) on forward head posture, neck pain, and plantar foot pressure balance in men in their 20s. Method: A total of 20 men with musculoskeletal diseases were recruited for this study. The participants were asked to take part in a PMP twice a week for 12 weeks. The cranial vertical angle (CVA) for forward head posture and visual analogue scale (VSC) for neck pain and right/left foot plantar pressure balances were extracted to compare between pre- and post-program differences. Results: CVAs before ($56.86{\pm}4.55^{\circ}$) and after ($62.72{\pm}4.57^{\circ}$) and VSCs before ($6.95{\pm}1.70$) and after ($1.70{\pm}1.56$) PMP revealed statistically significant differences. The right foot, after PMP, showed a significant increase in the plantar pressure balance from $46.17{\pm}2.95$ to $49.44{\pm}1.29%$, while the left foot decreased significantly from $53.83{\pm}2.95%$ to $50.56{\pm}1.29%$. Therefore, based on these results, it may be said that the foot pressure balance abilities were improved after PMP because the ideal foot pressure ratio is 50%. Conclusion: Consequently, it was suggested that a 12-week PMP could be utilized for improvement of forward head posture, neck pain, and foot plantar pressure balance in men in the 20s with musculoskeletal diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.89-98
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare the foot plantar pressure and temperature changes of the developed combat boots with functional impact absorption and ventilation insole. A total of 11 male subjects(age: $21.8{\pm}2.2yrs$, height: $174.3{\pm}3.6cm$, weight: $71.6{\pm}8.6kg$, foot length: $261.0{\pm}1.0mm$) were recruited to compare the foot plantar pressure and temperature changes of the three types of combat boots: Combat boots A (generalized combat boots), Combat boots B (developed combat boots with ventilation function), Combat boots C (Application of ventilation function and impact absorption insole to combat boots B). Pedar-X and a portable thermistor temperature sensor were used to measure the foot plantar pressure parameters and the internal temperature of the combat boots, respectively. One-way ANOVA was used to compare the results of plantar pressure and temperature changes. The results were as follows: First, in the foot plantar pressure parameters, combat boots C showed the significant lower maximum foot plantar pressure in the right/left rear foot compared with combat boots A and average foot plantar pressure in the left foot compared with combat boots B. Second, after 40 minutes from the start of walking, the developed combat boots B and C showed the significant lower temperature than the general combat boots A.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.674-682
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic gait training on plantar foot pressure, foot kinesiology and gait speed in right hemiplegic patients. The subject were 20 stroke patients who elapsed from 12 month to 24 month after stroke(aquatic gait training group(n=10), land gait training group(n=10)). This study measured plantar foot pressure, toe out angle, subtalar joint angle, gait speed from data of gate on 2m long measuring apparatus for RS-scan system(RS scan Ltd. German). This experiment performed in twice, before and after the aquatic gait training and land gait training. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS Ver. 12.0 using descriptive statistics, paired t-test. Aquatic gait training group had more variety pressure area on their foot such as T1(Toe 1), HM(Heel medial), and HL(Heel lateral). But motion of subtalar joint flexibility and toe out angle decreased considerably and gate speed also increased. According to the result, aquatic gait training is considered as more effective way in foot stability and normal gait pattern than land gait training.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2022

Background: Foot drop is a common symptom in stroke patients. Tape applications are widely used to manage foot drop symptoms. Previous studies have evaluated the effects of static and dynamic balance and gait on foot drop using kinesiology tape; however, only few studies have used dynamic tape application in stroke patients with foot drop. Objects: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of dynamic taping, which facilitates the dorsiflexor muscle, on static and dynamic balance and gait speed in stroke patients with foot drop. Methods: The study included 34 voluntary patients (17 men, 17 women) with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 17), wherein dynamic taping was used to facilitate the dorsiflexor muscle, or the control group (n = 17), wherein kinesiology taping was used. Before the taping application, velocity average, path-length average, Berg balance scale, and timed up and go test (TUG) were recorded to measure static and dynamic balance, whereas the 10-meter walk test (10MWT) was used to measure gait speed. After the taping application, these parameters were re-evaluated in both groups. Repeated measure analysis of variance was used. Statistical significance levels were set to α = 0.05. Results: Except for the 10MWT scores in the control group, significant differences were noted in all the parameters measured for static and dynamic balance and gait speed between the pre and post-test (p < 0.05). However, the parameters showed significant interaction effects between group and time in the TUG and 10MWT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that compared with kinesiology taping, dynamic taping used in chronic stroke patients with foot drop had a more significant effect on dynamic balance and gait speed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.97-101
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• 2009

Purpose: This study examined how the direction of carrying a load affects the foot stability and kinesiology while walking. Methods: The heel rotation, Hallux stiffness, foot balance, metatarsal load, toe out angle, subtalar joint flexibility were measured in 40 adults (men and women) who carried a load back and forth, walking on a 2-meter-long board. The measurement was carried out three times and the mean of the measurements was used to compare the difference between the front, back and the condition without a load. Results: While walking, heel rotation and hallux stiffness occurred most when a front load was applied compared to a back load or no load condition (p<0.05). A metatarsal load also appeared to be the highest with the frond load, but there was no significant difference in the balance of the whole foot. Both the toe out angle and subtalar joint flexibility appeared to increase significantly (p<0.05). Conclusion: Applying the front load causes subtalar joint instability and increases the plantar foot pressure imbalance during walking.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2016

This study examined the effects of 8-weeks hip muscle training on the hip joint abductor muscle isokinetic strength and foot pressure distribution in elite players with chronic ankle instability (N=19). A total of 19 subjects had chronic ankle instability from at least 2 ankle sprains, and were given 8-weeks hip muscle training exercise. The hip muscle strength of the elite players with chronic ankle instability increased significantly, but the foot pressure distribution and ratio of the foot pressure distribution of the elite players with chronic ankle instability did not reach statistical significance and the ratio of the foot pressure distribution showed a similar trend. These results suggest that the strength and foot pressure distribution of the affected-side might increase to that of the unaffected-side. The 8-weeks hip muscle training helped improve the chronic ankle instability of the elite players. Therefore, the hip muscle strength and foot pressure distribution are the primary factors of a rehabilitation program on ankle sprains.