• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in postural stability according to ankle fixation in healthy university students. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty healthy subjects (15 males and 15 females, 20.13 years, 167.49 cm, 65.87 kg) were recruited on a voluntary basis. The BT4 system (HUR Laps Oy, Tampere, Finland) was used to measure the static (standing posture with eyes open and eyes closed) and dynamic (external perturbation and limits of stability (LOS) in the forward, backward, left, and right side) balance abilities. External perturbation was measured by the subject's postural sway velocity and area for 20 seconds after being impacted by a gym ball. Static and dynamic stabilities were measured with ankle joint fixation and non-fixation conditions. Ankle fixation was provided using Mueller tape on both ankle joints. Results: For static stability under the standing posture, there was no significant difference between standing with ankle joint fixation and non-fixation conditions. However, dynamic stability (external perturbation and LOS in the forward, backward, left, and right side) was significantly higher in the standing with the non-fixation condition compared to the standing with ankle joint fixation condition (p<0.05). Conclusions: Our results reveal that ankle joint fixation can influence dynamic stability during standing. Thus, we believe that this result provides basic information for making improvements in postural control and may be useful in balance training for fall prevention.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.211-223
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• 2021

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of task-oriented circuit training using unstable support surface on balance, gait ability, and balance confidence in subacute stroke patients. Methods : Forty-five patients with subacute stroke were randomly divided into the three following groups of 15: 1) TOCT-US group; task-oriented circuit training using unstable surface (experimental group 1), 2) TOCT-SS group; task-oriented circuit training using stable surface (experimental group 2), and 3) CON group; conventional physical therapy (control group). All patients participated in one of the three training programs for 6 weeks, 30 minutes per session, 3 times per week. Patients' balance ability was assessed using the BT-4, BBS (berg balance scale), TUG (time up and go test), and LOS (limit of stability). Gait speed was measured to examine gait ability. K-ABC (activities-specific balance confidence scale) was also used to assess the level of patients' confidence in daily activities. Results : After the intervention, the sway area in experimental groups 1 and 2 decreased, but that in the control group increased. Experimental group 1 showed significant improvement compared with experimental group 2 and the control group. BBS, TUG, and LOS scores of experimental group 1 were significantly improved compared with those of experimental group 2 and the control group. Also, gait speed significantly improved in experimental group 1 compared with experimental group 2 and the control group. Experimental groups 1 and 2 showed significant improvement in K-ABC scores after training. Conclusion : Patients with subacute stroke had significantly improved balance, gait, and level of confidence in performing activities of daily living following task-oriented circuit training using the unstable surface. This indicates that task-oriented circuit training using unstable surfaces can be an effective treatment method for the recovery of balance and gait in subacute stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.457-462
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• 2021

Objective: This study analyzed the correlation between uni-standing balance ability, jumping ability, and anaerobic lower extremity power of high school Taekwondo players. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Two high schools recruited 36 taekwondo players, but 5 were dropped due to personal circumstances and preparations for the tournament, so the number was counted as 31. In order to test uni-standing balance ability, the Romberg test was performed using Biorescue to measure the sway area. In order to test jumping ability, standing long jump and standing highjump were measured. For anaerobic lower extremity muscle power test, the peak power and average power were measured through 30-second pedaling using a Wingate system bicycle. Results: Participants did not show any correlation with other measures in the uni-standing balance ability test (p>0.05). Looking at the correlation in the standing long jump, standing high jump (r=0.892, p<0.05), anaerobic peak power (r=0.698, p<0.05), anaerobic average leg power (r=0.662, p<0.05) showed a positive correlation. Looking at the correlations in the standing high jump, anaerobic peak power (r=0.663, p<0.05), anaerobic average power (r=0.697, p<0.05) showed a positive correlation. Looking at the correlation in the anaerobic peak power, average power (r=0.785, p<0.05) showed a positive correlation. Conclusions: This study shows that balance ability and anaerobic leg strength are independent of each other. The results of this study can be used as basic data for the training plan of high school taekwondo players in the future.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the characteristics of nonpoint source pollutants discharge from a small rural watershed. A typical rural area in Gongju City, Korea, was selected as the research site. Water quality and quantity in streams and rainfall samples were analyzed periodically from May to October 2005. Pollutant loads were estimated from a nonpoint source pollution model (AvSWAT, Arcview Soil and Water Assessment Tool). During the rainy season, from June 26 to 30 September 2005 and the dry season, before 26 June and after 30 September 2005, biological oxygen demands and chemical oxygen demands accounted for 91.3% and 93.7% of annual load, respectively, while total-N and total-P were 97.1% and 91.1% of annual load, respectively. The observed stream flow was $66.5m^3sec^{-1}$, while simulation stream flow was $66.2m^3sec^{-1}$. That can be assumed that simulation can be used to estimate the stream flow without practical measurement. However, the runoff trend following the occurrence of a storm event was not recorded properly.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in static arch height and ankle stability according to the preference for insole height and hardness in the arch area. Method: The study participants were 20 adult males (age: 22.7 ± 1.8 yrs., height: 175.3 ± 4.3 cm, body weight: 72.5 ± 7.7 kg). First, the arch heights of all subjects were measured in static postures (sitting and standing). The inversion and eversion movements of the ankle joint were analyzed during walking (1.3 m/s & 1.7 m/s) and running (2.7 m/s & 3.3 m/s). The variables (static arch height, and inversion and eversion angle of ankle joint) were compared by classifying groups according to the preference for the height and hardness of the arch of the insole. First, it was divided into a high arch insole preference group (HAG, n=8) and a low arch insole preference group (LAG, n=12) according to the preference for the arch height of the insole. Second, it was divided into a high hardness insole preference group (HHG, n=7), medium hardness insole preference group (MHG, n=7), and low hardness insole preference group (LHG, n=6), according to the preference for the arch hardness of the insole. Results: First, the range of motion (ROM) of inversion-eversion at the ankle joint during walking was statistically smaller in HAG than in LAG (p<.05). Second, the arch height change of HHG was statistically greater than that of MHG and LHG (p<.05). Conclusion: In the case of flexible flat feet with a large change in arch height, providing a high hardness arch insole that can disperse foot pressure can improve comfort. It was found that people with high medial and lateral sway of the ankle joint preferred a low arch insole, but it is necessary to differentiate and compare the insole heights of the arch part in detail. In addition, in the case of fast motion such as running, the preference for the arch height and hardness of the insole was not related to the static arch height and ankle stability.