• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the effects of gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping on ankle dorsiflexion and subtalar joint pronation during walking. Methods: In total, 26 subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion were equally divided into two groups: a gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping group (13 subjects) and a gastrocnemius stretching group (13 subjects). They were assessed according to ankle dorsiflexion and subtalar joint pronation during walking before and after an intervention, which involved two types of gastrocnemius stretches performed three times a week for six weeks. Results: Ankle dorsiflexion was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05), though the gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping group showed a significantly greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion than the gastrocnemius stretching group (p<0.05). However, subtalar joint pronation showed no difference between the two groups before and after (p>0.05), also between groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Gastrocnemius stretching with talus-stabilizing taping is a useful stretching exercise that improves ankle dorsiflexion during walking in subjects with limited ankle dorsiflexion movement.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.8684-8690
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the influence of the ankle dorsiflexion angle ($0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, and $20^{\circ}$) on the effectiveness of gastrocnemius stretching angle. The subjects of this study were 25 young man and female women. In all participants, the pennation angle of the medial head of the gastrocnemius was evaluated using ultrasonography at an ankle dorsiflexion angle of $0^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$, or $20^{\circ}$. Repeated measures analysis of variance was uesd to test for differences between ankle dorsiflexion angles. The independent t-test was performed to determine the significance of sex differences. The results of this study showed that the gastrocnemius pennation angle decreased as the ankle dorsiflexion angle increased, with significant interaction between each angle of ankle dorsiflexion angle (p<0.01). Sex comparison showed that the pennation angle was greater in man than in women, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). According to the sex the gastrocnemius pennation angle is decreased as the ankle dorsiflexion angle increased (p<0.01). These results suggest that the end range of dorsiflexion is more beneficial for gastrocnemius stretching than a small range. Further studies are needed to investigate the influence of other factors, such as stretching angle and application time, on gastrocnemius stretching.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.8-16
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• 2008

The range of motion (ROM) of ankle dorsiflexion in older women was associated with gait abnormalities and the risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-stretching exercise on the flexibility of the plantar flexors of the ankle and the characteristics of gait in healthy elderly women. Fifteen participants were assigned randomly into an exercise (n=8) or control (n=7) group. The exercise group attended a self-stretching program approximately 30 minutes for 3 days per week for 4 weeks. The active ankle dorsiflexion ROM and gait measurements were taken prior to beginning the stretching program and 1 day after the last stretching day. Results showed that the active ankle dorsiflexion ROM was significantly increased in the exercise group than in the control group after the stretching program (p<.05). However, gait parameters, including gait speed, cadence, and stride length were not significantly different between the two groups (p>.05). The results suggest that a 4-week self-stretching program is capable of provoking a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion ROM in elderly, community-dwelling women. Additional research is needed to investigate the effect of gait-specific exercise combined with stretching exercise on gait ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2021

Objective: Patients with stroke generally diminished ankle range of motion, which decreases balance and walking ability. This study aimed to determine the effect of ankle self-mobilization with movement (s-MWM) on ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index in patients with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial design Methods: Twenty-four post-stroke patients participated in this study. The participants were randomized into the control (n = 12) and self-MWM groups (n = 12). Both groups attended standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. In addition, self-MWM group was performed 3 times per week for 8 weeks. All participants have measured ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index in before and after the intervention. Results: After 8 weeks of training, self-MWM group showed greater improvement in ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index than in the control group (p<0.05). Further, self-MWM group had significantly improvement in all dependent variables compared to the pre-test (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our investigation demonstrates that self-MWM is beneficial for improving functional ability. Also, self-MWM was superior to control with respect to improving ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion, timed up and go test, and dynamic gait index.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.319-326
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of modified ankle movement patterns on participants' active dorsiflexion range of motion and leg muscle activity. Methods: This study recruited twenty-five participants, all of whom were healthy individuals with no abnormalities in the ankle or knee joints. The research methodology involved measuring the active dorsiflexion range of motion and muscle activity in each person's legs based on the presence or absence of toe extension while the subjects were in a comfortable, supine position. A statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0, and a paired samples t-test was employed. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: When the participants demonstrated the modified ankle movement pattern with a controlled toe grip, there was an increase in their active dorsiflexion angle. However, during the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique without a controlled toe grip, a higher level of activity was observed in the leg muscles. Conclusion: The results of this study could be used as foundational data for establishing a rehabilitation exercise program designed to enhance range of motion and muscle activation in the ankle joint.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Computer Information Conference
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• 2017.07a
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• pp.342-343
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• 2017

본 논문에서는 만성 발목 불안정성이 있는 환자의 발목 재손상을 예방하고자 한다. 이를 위하여 발목의 안쪽 굽힙(Dorsiflexion)과 바깥쪽 굽힘(Plantarflexion)의 각도를 측정한다. 각도가 일정 범위 내에 있고 고통을 호소하지 않으면 정상으로 간주한다. 하지만 각도가 일정 범위에 못 미치고 고통을 호소하면 이상이 있는 것으로 간주하여 그에 대한 치료법(therapy)을 찾아낸다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2017.10a
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• pp.125-126
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• 2017

This paper aims to prevent re-damaging of the ankles of patients with chronic instability in ankles. For this purpose, the angles of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of ankle will be measured. If the angle is within prescribed range and the patient does not complain of pain, it will be deemed normal.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.1651-1656
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to assess the changes in balance and proprioception of adults with limited ankle joint dorsiflexion, after the application of talocrural joint mobilization. The subjects of this study included 23 college students in their twenties with limited ankle joint dorsiflexion. The students were randomly assigned to the ankle joint mobilization group (AJMG, n=12) and the control group (CG, n=11). After 2 weeks of intervention using grade III talocrural joint mobilization in the anterior-posterior movement, the balance and proprioception of the subjects were assessed. Static/dynamic balance capabilities and ankle proprioception were analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test. The dynamic balance and proprioception of AJMG were significantly improved after intervention (p<.05), In the comparison between the groups after the intervention, the dynamic balance and proprioceptive sense of AJMG were significantly improved compared to the control group (p<.05). This study suggests that AJMG can help improve the dynamic balance and proprioception.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.27-34
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• 2008

Background: This study was designed to analyze Repetitive dorsiflexion exercises in ankles have effects on the active range of flexion and extension motion through lumbar, cervical spine and ankle, wrist joints. Methods: 30 female college students in their twenties who frequently wear high heels participated the number of the experimental group was 15 persons and the number of the control group was 15 persons. They did exercise at the physical therapy room in M college, from the 8th of March to the 11th of April 2007. The experimental group had used the model of dorsiflexion repetitive exercise three times per week, for 4 weeks, but the control group did not exercise at all. In the sagittal plane active ROM of the these spine and joints were measured before and after the experiment using a digital goniometer. The results of two groups were compared and analyzed using paired T-test. Results: The active range of flexion and extension motion of the vertebra(especially lumbar flexion) and distal joints were significantly different in exercise group(p<.05). Conclusion: The model of repetitive dorsiflexion exercise of the ankle joint had positive effects on improving the active range of flexion and extension motion of the lumbar vertebra and distal joints of limbs. The results suggest that the repetitive dorsiflexion exercise is useful and also effective therapy for improving motion in women usually wearing high-heel.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.124-127
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• 2016

Purpose: The flexor hallucis longus stretch test can determine the shortness of the flexor hallucis longus muscle by measuring the angle of extension in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint at maximum ankle dorsiflexion. Less than 30 degrees of the first MTP joint at the maximal ankle dorsiflexion indicates shortness of the flexor hallucis longus muscle. The purpose of this study was to examine the intra- and inter-reliability of the flexor hallucis longus stretch test in subjects with asymmetric hallux valgus (HV) angles. Methods: Sixteen subjects with asymmetric HV angles participated in this study. In sitting position, dorsiflexion angles of the first MTP joint were measured with maximum ankle dorsiflexion on each side. ICC (3,1) and ICC (3,k) models were used, respectively, to assess the intra-reliability and inter-reliability of the flexor hallucis longus stretch test. The paired-t test was used to compare the dorsiflexion angle of the first MTP joint on the side with the smaller HV angle with that of the side with the larger HV angle. Results: The results of the study showed that both intra- and inter-reliability were more than 0.95 of the coefficient. Dorsiflexion angle of the first MTP joint was higher on the side with the smaller HV angle. Conclusion: Use of the flexor hallucis longus stretch test is acceptable in clinical settings because both intra- and inter-reliability were high in subjects with asymmetric HV angles. In addition, shortness of the flexor hallucis longus muscle is associated with HV angle. This study provides useful information for use in management of HV deformity.