• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.59-71
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• 2015

Purpose : This study examines the effect of vibration exercise grafting PNF patterns for 6 weeks on upper body stability and equilibrium for seniors having fifteen or over of MMSE-K. Method : A total of 10 senior citizens participated in this study. Each participant performed PNF patterned exercises using vibration sports equipment for 30 minutes, once static a week, for six weeks. We measured trunk stability and balance degree before and after the six-week exercise program. Motor Assessment Scale (MAS) was used to measure trunk stability, while Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) was used to measure balance degree. The collected data was processed using paired t-test to confirm the difference between pre-program conditions and post-program conditions. Results: The results of our study show that post-program trunk stability measurements increased when compared to pre-program data; however, this increase was not statistically significant. pre and post-measurements for satatic balance and dynamic balance were statistically unchanged. Conclusion: Due to limitations in the number of participants, the procedural design of this experiment, and the limited amount of time participants actually controlled, this study failed to produce statistically significant results. However, further study should be conducted using a systematically implemented exercise program to show support for exercising with flexi-bar as an effective program for the elderly.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the combined patterns of PNF(proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) on the static balance ability. Methods : The measurements of the static balance ability were completed by 10 subjects for 6 weeks, from October to November 2007. The combined patterns of PNF were carried out by means of self-exercising suggested by Dietz, which were designed as four cases: two positions (standing and quadruped) for both patterns(sprinter and skater), respectively. The exercises were practiced once a day, 3 times a week in same condition. By using the GOOD BALANCE system, assessment of the static balance ability was taken at before and after exercise from 6 positions: normal standing, one leg left and one leg right standing when eye open and close, respectively. For each case, the experimental data was obtained in 3 items: mean X speed, mean Y speed and velocity moment. Results : The results of this study were as follows : 1. There were statistically significant differences of Mean X speed, Mean Y speed and Velocity moment between the before and the after exercise in the case of normal standing when eye open and close(NSEO and NSEC), respectively. 2. There was statistically significant difference of Mean X speed between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg left standing when eye open(OLLEO). In this case, however, the statistically significant differences were not found in both terms of Mean Y speed and Velocity moment. 3. There were statistically significant differences of Mean X speed and Mean Y speed between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg left standing when eye close(OLLEC). In this case, however, the statistically significant difference was not found in term of Velocity moment. 4. There were statistically significant differences of Mean X speed, Mean Y speed and Velocity moment between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg right standing when eye close(OLREC). 5. There was statistically significant difference of Mean X speed between the before and the after exercise in the case of one leg right standing when eye open(OLREO). In this case, however, the statistically significant differences were not found in both terms of Mean Y speed and Velocity moment. 6. There were statistically significant differences of total Mean X speed, total Mean Y speed and total Velocity moment between the before and the after exercise. Conclusions : The above results from this study indicated that the combined patterns of PNF have improved the static balance ability. However the used self-exercise can be applied to normal people, i.e., the exercise is difficult to apply into clinical patients. The further study should be focused at development of various modified forms of the combined patterns of PNF in keeping up the improvement effect of this exercise.