• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

Purpose : This study aimed to examine the relationships among five clinical measures for functional alignment of the lower extremity. Methods : Thirty healthy subjects (15 males and 15 females) were recruited for the study. The five clinical measures of functional alignment of the lower extremity included navicular drop, quadriceps angle, internal rotation of hip, and anterior and lateral pelvic tilt angles. The level of navicular drop was calculated by the difference between the height of the navicular bone in the sitting (non-weight bearing) and standing (weight bearing) positions. The quadriceps angle and internal rotation of hip were measured using a standard goniometer with photographic markers while the subjects were lying in a prone position on a table with their knee at $90^{\circ}$ flexion. Anterior and lateral pelvic tilt angles were determined using a inclinometer. Results : Correlation and a simple linear regression analysis were used to assess relationships between the clinical measures. There were significant correlations between navicular drop and quadriceps angle (p<.05), between navicular drop and internal rotation of hip (p<.05), and between quadriceps angle and internal rotation of hip (p<.01). In simple linear regression analysis, the navicular drop appeared to be a factor affecting the quadriceps angle and internal rotation of hip (p<.05). The findings suggest that navicular drop has a great impact on lower extremity alignment. Conclusion : This study might help us to examine lower extremity function and clarify its role as a potential injury risk factor.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare Hip-Knee-Ankle(HKA) angle and muscle activation ratio between vastus medialis(VM), rectus femoris(RF), and vastus lateralis (VL), and by this, to examine their relationship. It is aimed to explore how the activation ratio among the muscles involved in patellofemoral kinetics would vary in relation with the frontal alignment of the lower extremity. Subjects and Methods: 26 healthy subjects were recruited for the study. The HKA angles were measured with radiograph. The VM, RF, VL muscle activation level were measured by surface electromyography while each participant performed 4 different types of movement (isometric knee extension, squat, ambulation, step-up) and VM/RF, VM/VL, RF/VL ratios were calculated. Pearson correlation was used to estimate the relationship between the HKA angle and the muscle ratio. Results: There was significant moderate correlation between HKA angle and VM: RF on the left side during ambulation (p<0.05). Moderate correlations were also observed during step-up and squat with less significance (p<0.1). Conclusion: The frontal alignment of the knee measured by the HKA angle was conditionally associated with muscle activation ratio between VM and RF (VM:RF); On the left, during ambulation, step-up, and squat, the more valgus knee tended to correlate with the more VM muscle activation ratio, which is expected to induce more stabilizing effect to the patella and its tracking. It suggests that the frontal alignement measured by the HKA-angle can affect PF kinetics. It also indicates a possibility that increase in valgus alignment of the knee, by the HKA measurement, may not act unfavorably to generate PFP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.55-65
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of sit-to-stand training with various foot positions combined with visual feedback on the postural alignment and balance. METHODS: Thirty stroke patients were assigned randomly into three groups of standing with a symmetrical foot position (SSF) (n = 10), asymmetrical foot position with the affected foot at the rear (SAF) (n = 10), and visual feedback and asymmetrical foot position (SVAF) (n = 10). Sit-to-stand training with different foot positions was performed for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, for a total of four weeks, and the effects on postural alignment and balance were assessed. RESULTS: The angle between the midline and scapula peak of the affected side was decreased significantly at sitting and thigh-off in the SAF group and at sitting, thigh-off, and standing in the SVAF group (p < .05). The angle between the midline and scapula peak of the non-affected side was increased significantly at sitting and thigh-off in the SAF group and at sitting, thigh-off, and standing in the SVAF group, the difference in the angle between the scapular peaks of the left and right sides was decreased significantly at sitting and thigh-off in SSF group, and at sitting in SAF group (p < .05). In the SVAF group, the angle at sitting, thigh-off, and standing was decreased significantly (p < .05). A comparison of the balance ability showed that BSS in the SVAF group was improved significantly (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, the postural alignment and balance ability were improved in stroke patients who participated in sit-to-stand with visual feedback and asymmetrical foot position training.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.373-406
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• 2002

This study was peformed to investigate the effects on skeletal muscle recovery with aqua-exercise; swimming to take the muscle endurance for 20 days on two group of white rats which were the low extremity atrophy group(control groups) by fixed for two weeks and aqua-exercise group(experimental groups) after it. The effects was observed with light and electron microcope to measure the morphological changes of muscle fibers. The results obtained were as follow. 1. Light microscope: In the case of control groups, quadriceps fibers had been irregular alignment, decreased muscle width and the irregular alignment nuclear appeared, as it is degenerative muscle fibers. In the case of experimental groups, the fibers had been regular alignment cells and fibers. The nucleus of muscle had been normal characterized by oval shape and fiber sarcomere clearly classified. 2. Electron microscope: In the case of control groups, there were the quadriceps which was Z-line streaming phenomenon induced at the sarcomere and cells nuclear separated from basal membrane. It was not only observed the sarcomere alignment irregularly and mitochondria damaged, but also vacuoles found. In the case of experimental groups, A band, I band, H band had been clearly appeared, classified at the myofibrils of quadriceps, and electronic dense M-line found in sarcomere. There were observed satellite cells and basal laminas that usually to be appeared at the time of mitochondrial development, skeletal muscle fiber regeneration or development. This results suggest that the aqua-exercise assisted to inhibit the degenerative morphological changes of skeletal muscle cells and help to recover from abnormal states. Especially, it is considered to effect on a normal structural formation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of high-intensity (HI) muscle strength training and stretching exercises on muscle strength, spasticity, postural alignment, and participation in the activities of daily living (ADL) in an adolescent with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The study used a single-subject design with a 16-week follow-up. After a three-week intervention-free period, a participant underwent five data collection sessions for the baseline measurements. Subsequently, stretching and HI strength training occurred three times weekly for 48 sessions, with the outcome measures collected weekly post-treatment. Final measurements were taken the day after the last session, and a follow-up assessment occurred six weeks post-study to assess the learning effects. RESULTS: After 16 weeks of treatment, the participant exhibited improved targeted muscle strength and postural alignment without increased spasticity. On the other hand, no significant change in participation in the ADL was observed. CONCLUSION: The research findings suggest that HI strength training and stretching exercises may contribute to improvements in muscle strength and body alignment without increased spasticity in an adolescent with CP, but it may not have a significant impact on participation in ADL.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.75-88
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• 2020

Purpose : Dysmenorrhea can be caused by misalignment of the pelvis. Since pilates stabilization exercise is a methods that affects pelvic alignment by inducing contraction of abdominal muscles, the purpose of this study is to determine whether dysmenorrhea is reduced when pilates stabilization exercise is applied. Methods : 47 dysmenorrhea patients were randomly divided into experimental (n=23) and control (n=24) groups. The experimental group performed pilates stabilization exercise three times a week for 12 weeks, and the control group did not perform any intervention. Abdominal muscle thickness, lumbar pelvic alignment, and dysmenorrhea were measured before intervention, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after intervention to determine the mean change over time and the effect of group and factor interactions (repeated measured ANOVA and contrast test for each period). Results : In the experimental group, the thickness of the transverse abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles were increased significantly by group and period (p<.05). The pelvic torsion, lordosis and dysmenorrhea were also significantly decreased by group and period. But the control group did not change significantly in any of the variables. Conclusion : Applying pilates stabilization exercise to women with dysmenorrhea may be an effective intervention that contributes to relieving dysmenorrhea by correcting the stability and alignment of the lumbar pelvis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.217-223
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• 2021

Purpose: This study sought to identify the effects of coordinative locomotor training (CLT) using elastic bands on the flexibility and body alignment of right-handed baseball players in elementary school. Methods: The subjects were 20 instructed right-handed baseball players in elementary school. They were classified into the experimental group with 10 players (n=10) to be given coordinative locomotor training using elastic bands and the control group with 10 players (n=10). Flexibility was measured by the sit and reach exercise. Body alignment was measured using formetric 4D method to measure the trunk imbalance angle (TI), trunk torsion angle (TT), pelvic tilt angle (PTi), pelvic torsion angle (PTo), pelvic rotation angle (PR), kyphotic angle (Ky), and lordotic angle (Lo). Results: There was a significant increase in the flexibility within the experimental group (p<0.05). after the intervention. There was also a significant increase in the difference between the experimental group and the control group (p<0.05). There was a significant decrease in PR during body alignment in the experimental group after intervention (p<0.05). An analysis of the differences between groups showed a significant decrease in the PR of the experimental group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings show that coordinative locomotor training using elastic bands would be effective for enhancing the flexibility and pelvic rotation of elementary school right-handed baseball players.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1810-1817
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• 2019

Background: Effect of cervical and lumbar tractions on the reduction in the angle of curvature and the effect of a correction exercise or a general traction method on balance, muscle strength, pain, and body alignment, however insufficient research has been undertaken on self traction exercises targeting patients with scoliosis. Purpose: To determine the effect of cervical and lumbar tractions on the reduction in the angle of curvature and the effect of a correction exercise or a general traction method on balance, muscle strength, pain, and body alignment. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blinded) Methods: Twelve adults(20s) with scoliosis were included in this study and performed a traction program that was composed of a 5-min warm-up exercise, a 15-min main exercise, and a 5-min cool-down exercise (25 minutes in total), three times a week for four weeks. The Chiro traction machine was used for the self-traction exercise. Vertebral alignment, muscle strength, and flexibility were compared before and after the intervention using the paired T-test. Results: The scoliosis angle, pelvic torsion, and lumbar extensor were significantly changed by intervention; however, there was no significant difference in flexibility. Conclusion: The results revealed that self-traction exercise activated blood flow through the extension and contraction of muscles, effectively increasing the function of the muscles around the vertebrae.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexible derotator of femur orthosis (FDO) during treadmill gait training on the quadriceps-angle (Q-angle), lateral pelvic tilt, gait speed, and number of steps in children with cerebral palsy. METHODS: Seven children with cerebral palsy who had rotational deformity of the lower extremities participated in this study. We used single group repeated measure design. The procedure consisted of baseline phase, intervention phase, and post-intervention phase. The baseline phase consisted of stretching and strengthening exercise and treadmill gait training without FDO. The treatment phase not only included the same procedures as those for baseline, but also included FDO during treadmill gait training. Postural alignment of the lower extremities was assessed with the Q-angle, and lateral pelvic tilt using the Dartfish software program. A 10-m walk test was used to evaluate gait speed and number of steps. RESULTS: For postural alignment, there was significant differences after the application of FDO (p<.05). For gait ability, there was significant differences in all phases (p<.01). CONCLUSION: These finding suggest that the application of FDO during treadmill gait training had a positive effect on the improvement of postural alignment and gait ability in children with cerebral palsy having rotational deformity.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.47-52
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• 2015

Background: The objective of this study was to compare dysmenorrhea with pelvic alignment, hip joint range of motion about 20's female university students. Sixty two female students participated in this study. To investigate the measure of dysmenorrhea, we used modified menstrual distress questionnaire (MMDQ) and numerric rating scale (NRS). The pelvic alignment was assessed by using the palpation meter. The active range of motion (ROM) were assessed by measuring the flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation and external rotation. Each measurement was assessed by goniometer. The data were analyzed by calculating independent T-test. Consequently, As the increase of dysmenorrhea, we observed significantly the increase of pelvic anterior tilt in right and left pelvic (p<.05). Otherwise, as the increase of dysmenorrhea, range of motion of hip joint was significantly limited in right and left external rotation (p<.05). Thus, this study provides young female with valuable information about dysmenorrhea.