• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.311-319
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The study examined the effects of the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise and protein intake on balance, gait ability, and lower extremity muscular strength for sarcopenia in the elderly. Methods: A total of 30 elderly people (65~74years) with sarcopenia were recruited and randomized to Group I (n=10), Group II (n=10), and Group III (n=10). Their balance ability was measured using the functional reach test. Group I performed the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise and protein intake. Group II performed the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation pattern exercise. Group III performed protein intake. Their gait ability was measured using the Timed Up and Go test. Lower extremity muscular strength was measured using the Five Times Sit to Stand test. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, Group I and Group II showed a significant difference in balance, gait, and lower extremity muscular strength after the experiment (p<0.05), and Group I showed a more effectively significant difference than either Group II or Group III in balance, gait, and lower extremity muscular strength before and after the experiment (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation patterns exercise and protein intake was effective in balance, gait ability, and lower extremity muscular strength for sarcopenia in the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.267-275
• /
• 2011

Objective : This study aims to examine how lumbar stabilization exercise and resistive exercise affect lumbar and lower extremity muscular strength of the aged. Method : Randomly selected 15 female senior citizens aged 65 or older at S, Y, and J senior citizens' center located in D city who meet the requirements for the study were divided into a resistive exercise group of 7 and a stabilization exercise group of 8 for which 60-minute-exercise sessions were administered three times a week for 12 weeks. Measuring lumbar and lower extremity muscular strength was measured six weeks and 12 weeks after exercise, respectively. Results : First, both resistive exercises and stabilization exercises are effective to improve lumbar muscular strength. Second, resistive exercise is effective to improve flexural muscle strength as well as lower extremity muscular strength, and stabilization exercise is effective for both flexion and extensor muscle strength. Conclusion : The 12 week lumbar stabilization exercise program appeared to be effective to improve lumbar and lower extremity muscular strength of the aged. This indicates that applying this program to identify and prevent frequent risk factors of falling can lead to the prevention of secondary problem factors of falling accidents.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.19-26
• /
• 2008

Background: This study examines the changes in muscular strength and muscle fatigue substances when taping treatment is applied in squat exercise and treadmill exercise, in which quadriceps femoris muscles are used frequently so as to clarify the effects of taping as an aid of exercise ability improvement. Methods: 20 healthy male adults in their 20's participated in the study, in which tapes were put on their quadriceps femoris muscles, and various variables as the indicator of muscular strength and muscle fatigue substances were measured by means of the measuring tool before and after exercises. Results: the following conclusion was drawn up: 1. In exercise using muscular strength of the right knee extension, the reduction of muscular strength after exercise of the taping group showed significant statistical difference from that of the non-taping group. 2. In exercise using muscular strength of the lower limbs, the reduction of blood Glaucos after exercise of the taping group showed significant statistical difference from that of the non-taping group. 3. In exercise using muscular strength of the lower limbs, the value of lactic acid after exercise of the taping group showed significant statistical difference from that of the non-taping group. Conclusion: Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate that the application of taping treatment in sports activity or daily life where quadriceps femoris muscles are used a lot can have positive effects on the improvement of muscular strength and relief of muscle fatigue.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2017

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to improve the quality of life of people aged 65 and over by reducing musculoskeletal pain and increasing balance and muscular strength in their lower-extremities through aerobic exercises and the use of Thera-Bands and gym balls. Method : Fifteen out of 30 women who used a welfare center for the elderly in C City performed exercises using Thera-Bands and gym balls, and the remaining 15 elderly women did aerobic exercises. Both groups performed their respective exercises three times a week over a four-week period, for 50 minutes each time. Pain (VAS), balance (TUG), and lower extremity muscular strength were measured as evaluation tools. The data were analyzed using the statistical software SPSS 18.0 for Windows. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to compare the differences within each group, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups in terms of their differences both before and after the participants' respective exercise programs. Results : No differences were found between the two groups, although there were some differences within each group in terms of levels of pain, muscular strength, and balance. Conclusion : The aerobic and muscle strength exercise programs had positive effects on all variables, including pain, balance, and muscular strength in the lower extremities. Therefore, the combination of aerobic and muscle strength exercises may be effective in improving the quality of life of elderly people.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.96-102
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of a training program using virtual reality on the balance and lower muscular strength of Parkinson's disease patients. Methods: The study included 22 patients with Parkinson's disease who were arbitrarily classified into 2 groups: 11 patients in the experimental group and 11 patients in the control group. Balance was measured with the Berg balance scale (BBS), the functional reach test (FRT), one-leg stance test (OLST), and the timed up and go test (TUG); whereas, lower muscular strength was measured with the sit-to-stand test (STS). Ping-Pong, bowling, and tennis were selected for virtual reality training for the experimental group, and were performed for 30 minutes 3 times a week for 8 weeks. The control group did not undergo any of the virtual reality training programs. Results: A significant difference was observed in the BBS, FRT, OLST, TUG, and STS results within the experimental group that underwent the virtual reality training program. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed in the BBS, FRT, OLST, TUG, and STS values within the control groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the virtual reality training program positively affects the balance and lower muscular strength in Parkinson's disease patients. This result indicates the possibility of application of the virtual reality training program to the management for Parkinson's disease patients, and highlights the need for the development and application of more efficient virtual reality training programs in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.313-318
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the effects of an exercise program involving the Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) lower-extremity patterns on the Bone Mineral Density (BMD), balance and lower muscular strength in patients with osteoporosis. Methods: The participants were allocated randomly to 2 groups: experimental group and control group. To evaluate the effects of exercise, the subjects were evaluated using the BMD and Time Up & Go Test and One Leg Stance Test for balance, and the Sit To Stand for lower muscular strength. Results: After the 8 week study, the experimental group showed a significant difference in all items compared to the control groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that a PNF exercise program is effective in patients with osteoporosis. Furthermore, an exercise program involving these patterns can be used in a follow-up program for patients with osteoporosis. Overall, more study will be needed to develop and apply more efficient exercise programs for such patients.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.48-55
• /
• 2017

Purpose: this study was conducted on female university students in supine position and preformed the 2 bridge positions exercises, which are the bridge position exercise and the bridge exercise preformed with form rollers attached between their knees, in order to research the effects lumbar stabilization exercise has on lower extremity muscular strength. Method: In order for the participants to fully understand the topic and procedures of the experiment, they were given a 20 minutes of briefing and practice before the experiment. Result: Bridge exercise group and foam roller group were improved the knee flexion and extension strength. Conclusion: This research studied the difference of each lumbar stabilization positions and the effects they have on the fortification of the leg's flexion extension muscular strength, and by comparing which different exercise methods increase muscular strength the most works to plan a more optimal exercise method for lumbar stabilization.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted in order to analyze the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern on muscular strength and flexibility in an aquatic environment. Methods: Ten members of the experimental group and 10 members of the control group were randomly selected from 20 college students who are in their 20s. Bilateral symmetry pattern among proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity patterns was applied in an aquatic environment in the experimental group three times per week for a period of six weeks, and a set consisted of 10 times, which was repeated 10 times. On the other hand, subjects in the control group did not receive any treatment while maintaining daily life. Muscular strength was measured using a dynamometer and electromyogram system for maximum voluntary isometric contraction of hip flexor, hip extensor, knee flexor, and knee extensor. Cervical flexibility was measured using cervical range of motion instrument for cervical flexion, rotation, and lateral flexion. Lumbar flexibility was measured using back range of motion instrument II for lumbar flexion. Results: For the experimental group, significance was observed for hip flexor, extensor, knee flexor, extensor, cervical flexion, rotation, lateral flexion, and lumbar flexion. For the control group, no significance was observed for any other variables except for cervical flexion. As a result of observation of difference between the two groups, relatively high significance was observed in the experimental group, compared with the control group. Conclusion: In conclusion, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern had a positive effect on muscular strength and flexibility in an aquatic environment.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.217-226
• /
• 2010

The lower limb orthosis with a pneumatic rubber actuator, which is intended for the assistance and the enhancement of muscular activities of lower limbs was developed in this study. Compared to other knee extension assistive devices being developed by other researchers, our device is designed especially for the elderly people and intended only for slight assistance so that the subjects can keep their muscular strength. For the effectiveness of system, muscular activities of major muscles in lower limbs during sit-to-stand (STS) and squat motion were measured and analyzed. Subjects were performed the STS and squat motion with and without lower limb orthosis. We made comparison muscular activities between with and without lower limb orthosis. Lower limb orthosis was controlled using muscular stiffness force feedback that is controlled by muscular activities of the measured muscle from force sensor. For analysis of muscular activities, electromyography of the subjects was measured during STS and squat motion, and these were measured using MP 150(BIOPAC Systems, Inc.). Muscles of interest were rectus femoris(RF), vastus lateralis(VL), vastus medialis(VM) and vastus intermedius(VI) muscles in lower limbs of the right side. A biodex dynamometer was used to measure the maximal concentric isokinetic strength of the knee extensors of wearing and not wearing orthosis on right side. The test were performed using the concentric isokinetic mode of test with the velocity set at 60°/s for muscles around the knee joints. The experimental result showed that muscular activities in lower limbs wearing orthosis using muscular stiffness force of a vastus medialis muscle was reduced and knee extension torque of an knee joint wearing lower limb orthosis was increased. With this, we confirmed the effectiveness of the developed lower limb orthosis.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.47-58
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study is to estimate how much the motility of affected and unaffected lower limb respectively would have effects on their ambulation through comparing the difference between their affected and unaffected lower limb and studying the correlation between such difference and their ambulation. In addition, the study also intends to find out remedial measures suitable for improving their ambulation with relevant physical treatment. To do this, a quantitative electromyogram(QEMG) test was done to both quadriceps and hamstring of affected and unaffected lower limb so as to yield IP values. Based on such IP values, RMS(root mean square) values as the total sum of IP values were found with QEMG analysis system (made by Medelec Co.) and then the ambulation depending on the difference in muscular strength were analyzed by ink-foot print method as well as the corresponding statistics were processed by T-test through SPSS. The effect of differences in muscular strength of quadriceps in affected and unaffected limb of hemiplegic patients on their ambulation was also different in each element of ambulation. However, there was not any statistically significant difference (p>.05). The differences in muscular strength of hamstring in unaffected limbs of hemiplegic patients only affect stride length. It was statistically significant. The effect of difference in muscular strength of the hamstring in affected limb of hemiplegic patients on their ambulation was very different between strong and weak group in terms of walking velocity, step per minute, stride and step length, showing statistically significant difference(p<.05). Although there was a difference in the step length of the affected limb, it was not statistically significant(p>.05). For the unaffected hamstring, there were significant differences of stride length between in unaffected limb and in affected limb. For the affected hamstring, there were also significant differences in walking velocity, step per minute, stride and step length. Besides, it was found that the difference of the muscular strength between strong and weak group was at the highest. Thus, the effect of difference in muscular strength on ambulatory factors such as walking velocity, step per minute, stride and step length did not show any statistical significance but differences in affected and unaffected quadriceps. However, it was found that both the difference of stride in unaffected hamstring and the difference of all ambulatory factors except from step length with affected limb had effects on ambulation depending upon muscular strength.