• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.665-678
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• 1999

Stroke is a major cause of death and long-term disability. Because muscle weakness is one of the most prominent consequences of stroke, it was considered important to determine whether exercise in order to improve muscle strength and range of motion could have an effect in limiting the learned disuse of the affected side. The purpose of the study was to identify the effects of an 8 week rehabilitation program on physical and cognitive ability in stroke patients. A total of 18 patients who were admitted to the oriental medicine unit of a K medical center in Seoul were recruited : ten for the experimental group and eight for the control group. The rehabilitation program consisted of three level's of active and passive exercises for prevention of muscle contracture and at range of motion. Muscle strength, flexibility of the upper and lower extremity, perceived balance, functional independence, depression, and quality of life for the two groups were compared at the pretest and 4 and 8 weeks after the rehabilitation program. The results are as follows : 1) When measuring muscle strengths of shoulder abduction and elbow flexion, hip flexion and knee extensor, ankle dorsi-flexor and muscle strength of knee flexor. Muscle strength of knee flexor for the experimental group was significantly higher than the comparison group at the 4 weeks. 2) Muscle strength and flexibility of the ankle dorsi -flexor for the experimental group was significantly better than for the control group at 8 weeks. 3) Functional independence, perceived balance, and Tinetti balance for the experimental group as measured at 4 and 8 weeks were better than for the control group. Also, there were changes over time in physical balance and functional ability, but there was no significant differences between the groups. 4) The experimental group showed a higher quality of life and lower depression than the control group at 8 weeks. 5) Muscle strength and flexibility of ankle dorsi -flexor were significantly changed over time and an interaction between group and time. The findings suggested that the rehabilitation program would improve the physical and psychological status of the stroke patients. Thus, the gains in actual or perceived ability to perform physical activities was marked.

• 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 Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.101-106
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• 2015

PURPOSE: Application of an oscillating program for the lower extremities is an effective training method for increasing muscle strength. However, no oscillatory program has yet been identified to confirm the effectiveness of oscillation for balance ability and maximum muscle strength. We investigated the effects of an 8-week vibration exercise program on the maximum muscle strength and balance of the lower extremities. METHODS: Research subjects participating in the study were 22 male and female college students with no past history of diseases of the nervous or musculoskeletal systems. All subjects were randomly divided into two groups and performed their assigned experimental treatment 3 times a week over a period of 20 min for 8 weeks. Maximum strength of the quadriceps extension, flexion, and balance ability were measured using Biodex System 4 and Biodex balance systems. RESULTS: The 8-week oscillation program resulted in a significant increase in quadriceps extension and flexion strength in both male and female participants (p<.05). The balance ability also showed a significant improvement after the oscillation program (p<.05). The balance value was higher for male 17% than for female 21% (p<.05) participants. CONCLUSION: An 8-week oscillation program led to an increase in the strength of knee flexion and extension. The balance ability also improved significantly. This positive effect on balance ability was higher in female than in male subjects.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Purpose: Sarcopenia is defined as a decrease in muscle mass, strength, and function with age that affects overall body function. We aimed to investigate the effect of combined training on body composition, balance, and muscle function in sarcopenia elderly. Research design, data, and methodology: Twenty-eight sarcopenia elderly (age 74.9±4.5 years) were randomly assigned to an exercise, EG (n=14), or a control, CG (n=14), group. The EG performed an intervention consisting of combined exercise training (60-75 min) for a total of 12 weeks, three times a week. The CG maintained their usual daily lifestyle during the intervention period. We measured body weight, body mass index (BMI), % body fat, free fat mass, balance ability, peak torque in shoulder, knee, and lumbar joints normalized for bodyweight in one second. Results: The EG showed improved body composition (i.e., BMI, fat-free body mass, fat mass; all p < 0.031, η² > 0.179), balance (i.e., right and left of static and dynamic balance and fast 10 m walk; all p < 0.049, η² > 0.152), and muscular function (i.e., 90°/sec and 180°/sec peak power per kg bodyweight, 90°/sec average power per kg bodyweight, 180°/sec total work, and 180°/sec endurance ratio; all p < 0.045, η² > 0.158). Conclusions: Combined exercise training improves muscle mass and strength, body composition, balance, and muscle function in sarcopenia elderly.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1261-1275
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• 2009

Age related decrease of muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities bring about physical inactivity in the elderly. Virtual reality (VR) training has been used successfully to rehabilitate functional balance and mobility in elderly subjects. This study was aimed at determining the effect of VR-based exercise programs by using a video game on the muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities in the elderly. 48 old people were randomly divided into two groups; VR-group (men: 11, women: 14, age: 68.42yrs) and control group (men: 10, women: 13, age: 67.58yrs). VR-group performed an exercise program twice a week for 8 weeks and control group had no intervention. The VR-based exercise program was composed of warm up(10 mins), VR-program(40 mins), and cool down(10mins). It was performed by playstation eyetoy play that provided visual and auditory feedback as well as movements of the upper and lower extremities. Muscle strengths of the knee and ankle were measured using manual muscle tester. Static balance was estimated using computerized posturography. Dynamic balance was measured by Timed up and go test (TUG), Functional reach test (FRT). 10m walk test and 6-min walk test were used to assess gait abilities. After the completion of the VR-exercise program, muscle strength, balance, and gait abilities were improved significantly (p<0.05). In conclusion, the VR-based exercise program showed improvement on the muscle strength, balance, and gait ability in the elderly. This exercise program is both effective and interesting for this age group.

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

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 6 weeks of sling exercises on female patients 20 years of age with low back pain according to flexibility, balance, muscle strength and pelvic tilt. Method : The 20 female patients who complained of back pain were divided into two groups. The experimental group exercised for 40 minutes, 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The control group did not. Both groups were measure for flexibility, balance, muscular strength, and pelvic tilt angle. Result : Curvature of the experimental flexibility, stretch, balance, muscle strength of the trunk forward, backward, left rotation, right rotation for the sling exercise group had significant differences. However, pelvic tilt did not show a significant difference. Control of the stretch of the flexibility, balance, and muscle strength of the trunk posterior showed significant differences for the sling exercise group. Conclusion : Although significant differences were found in flexibility, balance, muscular strength, there was no difference in pelvic tilt. When selecting subjects, we believe patients with regular patterns of pain will be more effective for statistical analysis of the changes in pelvic tilt.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.278-285
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of open kinetic chain (OKC) exercise for the gastrocnemius (GCM) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles on static and dynamic balance and muscle strength. Methods: We recruited 21 healthy participants, dividing them into 3 groups (GCM, TA, and non-exercise). Each group contains 7 participants. Two exercise groups (GCM and TA) performed OKC exercise with elastic bands twice per week for 4 weeks, while non-exercise group did nothing. We obtained the data for static and dynamic balance and muscle strength before and after the intervention. We used the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare and analyze the pre-post-intervention differences among the groups. Results: For static balance, the stability index of the TA group was the lowest for the dynamic platform (p<0.05). The dynamic balance of the TA group increased for the anterior and posteromedial directions (p<0.05). The peak torque increased in the TA group for dorsiflexion (D/F) movement and in the GCM group for plantar flexion movement compared with the other groups, except for the left direction during D/F (p<0.05). Conclusion: OKC exercises with elastic bands were effective for selectively increasing muscle strength. It is clinically thought that strength training for TA muscles will be effective among the muscles of the ankle.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to verify the effect of selective muscle strengthening of the knee joint extensor muscles using a pressure biofeedback unit to improve knee extensor strength and the balance ability of total knee replacement patients. Through this, we tried to provide clinical information. Methods : In this study, 12 patients with total knee replacement were recruited from a rehabilitation hospital. They were divided into two groups: a feedback group (n=6) and a control group (n=6). All patients received 30 minutes of continuous passive motion and leg-strengthening exercises for 15 minutes five times a week for two weeks. Subjects performed knee extension exercises with or without biofeedback units in the sitting position. The knee extensor strength and balance ability were measured before and after exercise. Knee extensor strength was measured by Biodex system 3 and balance ability was measured by Balancia software. Results : Both the experimental group and the control group showed a significant difference in the muscle strength of the knee joint extensor muscles after intervention (p<.05). In comparison, the experimental group showed a significant difference than the control group (p<.05). Both the experimental group and the control group showed a significant difference in the velocity average, path length, area 95 % center of pressure (COP), weight distribution, five times sit to stand test (FTSST) after intervention. In comparison, the experimental group showed a significant difference in velocity average, area 95 % COP, and FTSST than the control group (p<.05). Conclusion : In order to strengthen the knee extensor muscle and improve the balance ability in total knee replacement patients, it is necessary to consider providing pressure biofeedback unit during leg strengthening exercises.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to recognize the importance of balance in order to minimize daily living restrictions and to prevent falls due to aging, and develop an eight-week theraband exercise program to benefit the elderly. Method: A total of 20 elderly participants were divided into two groups. Group A used warm-up and finishing exercises for eight weeks including stretching and rhythm exercises conducted in a theraband exercise. Group B performed no exercises. Both A and B groups at weeks 1, weeks 4, weeks 8 were measured for deltoid and quadriceps femoris strength, balance and proprioception. Result: There was a significant difference in deltoid and quadriceps femoris muscle strength, balance and proprioception between Group A and Group B(p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study show that theraband exercises are thought to be able to contribute to the promotion of deltoid and quadriceps femoris muscle strength, balance and proprioception. It also contributes to minimize activity of daily living restrictions and prevent fall down in elderly. However in this study, generalization has been limited because of exercise duration, limited number of experiments and intensity modulated of theraband.