Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of blood flow restriction bridge exercise on leg muscle thickness and balance. In addition, it is to promote blood flow restriction exercise as the basis for early prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sarcopenia in clinical practice. Methods: Twenty elderly women aged 65 years or older were selected to participate in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups of 10: one with blood flow restriction with bridge exercise (BFRG) and the other with bridge exercise alone (BG). As for the exercise method, the thickness of rectus femoris and vastus medialis and Berg balance scale were investigated by intervention for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for a total of 6 weeks. Results: There was significant difference in the thickness of the rectus femoris and vastus medial and within-group changes in the Berg balance scale (p <0.05) before and after the experiment in the BFRG and BG groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in change between the two groups (p <0.05). Conclusion: There was a significant difference in the intragroup change of the Berg balance scale in the BFRG before and after the experiment, but there was no significant difference in the BG, and there was no significant difference in the change between the two groups.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chest mobilization and stretching exercises on maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure in healthy adults who use computers for extended periods of time each day due to coronavirus disease 2019. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adults in their 20s and without respiratory disease (15 female, 10 male) took part in this study. Two types of thoracic mobilizing exercises using a Theraband and three types of stretching exercises using a foam roller were performed. Maximum inspiratory pressure and maximum expiratory pressure were measured three times each before and after the interventions. In terms of statistical methods, the maximum inspiratory pressure due to chest mobility and stretching was compared with the maximum expiratory pressure using parametric paired t-test and non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Maximum inspiratory pressure (p = .012) and maximum expiratory pressure (p = .006) showed significant differences before and after chest mobilization exercise and stretching among the participants. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that chest mobilization and stretching exercises are effective exercise methods for improving maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure. They suggest that these exercises can prevent respiratory muscle weakness and improve aerobic fitness in healthy people as well as those in need of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the gait patterns of adults with intellectual disability and healthy adults based on collected kinematic data on the lower extremities and to investigate the gait patterns of intellectually disabled people by comparing the differences between the two groups. Methods: The participants were divided into in one group of healthy adults (n = 9) and one group with mild intellectual disabilities (n = 9). 3D motion analysis (Myomotion) was used to collect kinematic data from each group while the participants walked 3 times over 10 m. As a statistical method, each group's kinematic data during walking was analyzed and compared using an independent sample t-test. Results: Comparing the kinematic data of the lower extremities during walking between the group with mild intellectual disability and the healthy group, there were significant differences between the two groups in the hip and ankle joints in the stance and swing phases. Conclusion: The analysis suggests that people with intellectual disabilities have kinematic differences compared with healthy people. Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to conduct further research on rehabilitation programs for joint stabilization, exercise for increasing joint range of motion, muscle strengthening exercise, and proprioception training for people with intellectual disabilities with insufficient physical function.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of general exercise after blood flow restriction on trunk muscles thickness in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: Twenty children with cerebral palsy were assigned randomly to an experimental (n = 10) or a control (n = 10) group. The experimental group performed general exercise after blood flow restriction, while the control group performed general exercise alone. The study used an ultrasonic instrument to measure trunk muscles thickness. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to determine differences before and after treatment, and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine differences between treatment groups. Results: From a comparison within the groups, the experimental and control groups showed significant difference in trunk muscle thickness after the experiment (p < 0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in trunk muscle thickness than the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, general exercise after blood flow restriction effectively improves trunk muscle thickness in children with cerebral palsy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of vibration exercise on balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly. Methods: A total of 24 elderly subjects were recruited and randomized into an experimental (n = 12) or a control (n = 12) group. The experimental group performed both a vibration and a stabilization exercise, and the control group performed a stabilization exercise alone. Balance ability was measured using the functional reach test (FRT), gait ability was measured using the timed up and go test (TUGT), and depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results: The experimental and control groups showed significant differences for all pre- and post-experiment FRT, TUGT, and CES-D measurements (p <0.05). In a comparison between the two groups, the experimental group in which vibration exercise was applied showed more significant difference in FRT, TUGT, and CES-D than the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study showed vibration exercise to be effective in balance control ability, gait ability, and depression in the elderly.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion and slump motion on thoracic-lumbar erector spinae and rectus abdominis muscle activity. Methods: Seventeen healthy adult volunteers participated in this study. All participants performed two motions (thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion, slump motion). Muscle activation during the two motions was measured using a surface electromyography device. The data from this were collected from the iliocostalis thoracis, iliocostalis lumborum, and rectus abdominis. The activities of these muscles before and after each motion were then compared. Results: The iliocostalis thoracis activation was significantly greater during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion than during the slump motion (p <0.05). The iliocostalis lumborum activation was greater during the slump motion than during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion (p <0.05). The rectus abdominis activation was lesser during the slump motion than during the thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion (p <0.05). Conclusion: This study confirmed that individual contraction of the erector spinae muscles is possible during thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion, which increases the stability of the thoracic spine. In addition, this motion could improve control of the rectus abdominis. Therefore, thoracic-lumbar dissociation motion should be considered for rehabilitation programs for patients with kyphosis and back pain.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to verify the relationship between three-dimensional (3D) ground reaction force (GRF) and severity of leg length discrepancy (LLD) while walking at a normal speed. It used a 3D motion analysis system with force platforms in standing workers with LLD. Methods: Subjects comprising 45 standing workers with LLD were selected. Two force platforms were used to acquire 3D GRF data based on a motion analysis system during gait. Vicon Nexus and Visual3D v6 Professional software were used to analyze kinetic GRF data. The subjects were asked to walk on a walkway with 40 infrared reflective markers attached to their lower extremities to collect 3D GRF data. Results: The results indicated the maximal force in the posterior and lateral direction of the long limb occurring in the early stance phase during gait had significant positive correlation with LLD severity (r = 0.664~0.738, p <0.01). In addition, the maximal force medial direction of the long limb occurring in the late stance phase showed a highly positive correlation with the LLD measurement (r = 0.527, p <0.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that greater measured LLD severity results in more plantar pressure occurring in the foot area during heel contact to loading response of the stance phase and the stance push-off period during gait.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare trunk and lower extremity muscle activity during deadlift on stable - and unstable surfaces. Methods: Twenty healthy men participated in this study. The participants performed deadlift exercise on both a stable surface and an unstable surface. During the deadlift, the activities of the trunk and lower extremity muscle were collected by using electromyography. Results: The results showed that the electromyographic activity of the gluteus maximus significantly increased during deadlift on an unstable surface compared to on a stable surface (p <0.05). However, in the electromyographic activities of the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and erector spinae, there were no significant differences (p >0.05). Conclusion: The finding that the electromyographic activity of the gluteus maximus increases significantly during deadlift on an unstable surface compared to stable one could be used to develop an efficient exercise program.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to present specific criteria for setting goals for hand rehabilitation by comparing the degree of difference in grip force, coordination, and dexterity between the dominant and non-dominant hand according to gender. Methods: We recruited 100 healthy adults in their 20s and 30s. A handheld digital dynamometer was used to evaluate the grip force of each of the dominant and non-dominant hand, a chopsticks manipulation test was used to evaluate coordination, and the Purdue Pegboard test was used to evaluate agility. Results: In all subjects, the grip force, coordination, and dexterity showed statistically significant difference (p <0.01) between the dominant and non-dominant hand. In the comparison according to gender, both male and female dominant and non-dominant hands showed statistically significant differences in grip force, coordination, and dexterity (p <0.01). In the comparison according to grip force, there was a statistically significant difference between the dominant and non-dominant hand, and men showed stronger result values in both hands compared to women (p <0.01). In the comparison according to coordination, there was no statistically significant difference between the dominant and non-dominant hand in men and women (p >0.05). In the comparison according to dexterity, there was a statistically significant difference between the dominant and non-dominant hand, and women were shown to be faster in performance time with both hands, compared to men (p <0.01). Conclusion: Differences according to gender exist in grip force and dexterity but not coordination, and differences between dominant and non-dominant hand exists across all measurements. The results suggest setting a recovery goal according to dominance and gender during rehabilitation of hand function.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation on the flexibility of hip extension and gait capacity in subjects with limited hip extension flexibility. Methods: Twenty-six subjects with limited hip extension flexibility were divided into two groups: a hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group (n = 13) and a hip flexor stretching without pelvic fixation group (n = 13). The subjects were assessed based on flexibility of hip extension, stride, and gait velocity after applying hip flexor stretching. Results: The hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group showed significantly improved flexibility of hip extension, stride, and gait velocity compared with hip flexor stretching without pelvic fixation group (p <0.05). The flexibility of hip extension was significantly improved after application of hip flexor stretching in both groups; however, stride and gait velocity were significantly improved only in the hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation group. Conclusion: Hip flexor stretching with pelvic fixation is an effective intervention for improving the flexibility of hip extension and gait capacity.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of cycle ergometer exercise inducing movement of the affected side on knee joint function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods: The primary experiment was conducted on 19 members of the cycle ergometer exercise group to measure the muscle activity of the rectus femoris, hamstring, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles during cycle ergometer exercise that induced the affected side's movement. In the second experiment, after receiving physiotherapeutic intervention for 30 min, the general bicycle exercise group and cycle ergometer exercise group performed the corresponding exercise for 15 min, 5 times per week, for 2 weeks. The ROM, muscle strength, pain, and balance were then measured and compared between the two groups. Results: In the results of the primary experiment, cycle ergometer exercise inducing movement of the affected side showed a significantly larger increase in the activity of leg muscles (rectusfemoris, hamstring, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) on the affected side than the general bicycle exercise (p <0.05). In the second experiment, the cycle ergometer exercise group showed a significantly larger increase in range of movement of affected side knee flexion and muscle strength of affected side knee flexion, knee extension, and plantarflexion than the general bicycle exercise (p <0.05). No significant between-group difference was observed in pain and balance before or after the intervention (p >0.05). Conclusion: Cycle ergometer exercise inducing movement of the affected side increases use of the muscles around the affected side knee joint after TKA more than general bicycle exercise and produces better effects for enhancing muscle strength. The application of cycle ergometer exercise inducing movement of the affected side is expected to reduce the patients' unbalanced use during the early postoperative period and help them to quickly return to normal daily life through rapid muscle strength recovery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of whole-body vibration stimulation on proprioception and tactile in patients with spastic cerebral palsy. Methods: This study was conducted on 9 children diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. Of the single case study methods, the ABAB design was employed in this study. Out of a 12-week study period, three weeks were allocated to each of two baseline periods and two intervention periods. The exercise was performed twice a week for 30 minutes. A general trunk stabilization exercise was performed during the baseline period and a trunk stabilization exercise accompanied with whole-body vibration was performed during the intervention period. Evaluation was performed five times in total: before the experiment, after baseline 1, after intervention 1, after baseline 2, and after intervention 2. To determine the effect of the exercise method, a skin sensory evaluation tool (monofilament kit) and a trunk proprioception sensor (digital dual inclinometer) were used. To compare the effects of the exercises at baseline and after intervention, an analysis of variance on repeated measures (repeated ANOVA) was performed to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that there were statistically significant increases from baseline in the means of proprioception and tactile during the intervention period with whole-body vibration (p <.05). Conclusion: Whole-body vibration can be proposed as an effective intervention method for improving the proprioception and tactile in children with spastic cerebral palsy, and this exercise method is expected to be actively used in clinical practice.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sit-to-stand training with various foot positions combined with visual feedback on muscle onset time and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned into three standing groups: one with a symmetrical foot position (SSF; n = 10), one with an asymmetrical foot position with the affected foot at the rear (SAF; n = 10), and one with visual feedback and an asymmetrical foot position (SVAF; n = 10). Sit-to-stand training with different foot positions was performed for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. The effects on muscle onset time and balance were assessed. Results: In a comparison of the onset time of muscle contraction, the onset time of the affected side tibialis anterior and less-affected side gastrocnemius muscle and tibialis anterior was significantly shortened in the SAVF group. And onset time of the less-affected side tibialis anterior was shortened in the SAF group. There was a significant difference in the result of functional reach testing in the SVAF group. Conclusion: VRG was effective in improving muscle activity and balance in elderly women aged 65 and older. In this study, sit-to-stand training with visual feedback and asymmetrical foot position showed significant functional improvement.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish an association between grip strength and gait variability in the elderly. Methods: The participants in this experiment (n = 20) were aged 65 or older. Power grip and lateral pinch forces were obtained in grip strength tests, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected from IMU sensors during 6 min actual walking to test the gait of participants. The collected gait parameters were converted to coefficient of variation (CV) values. To confirm the association between grip strength and gait variability, a partial correlation analysis was conducted in which height, weight, and gait speed were input as controlling variables. Results: Grip power showed a significant negative correlation with the stride length CV (r = -0.52), and the lateral pinch force showed a significant negative correlation with the stance CV (r = -0.65) and swing CV (r = -0.63). Conclusion: This study reveals that gait variability decreases as grip strength increases, although height, weight, and gait speed were controlled. Thus, grip strength testing, a simple aging evaluation method, can help identify unstable gait in older adults at risk of falling, and grip strength can be utilized as a non-invasive measurement method for frailty management and prevention.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between cognitive and motor inhibition by comparing muscle activity and ground reaction force during unplanned gait termination according to reaction time measured through the stop-signal task. Methods: Sixteen young adults performed a stop-signal task and an unplanned gait termination separately. The subjects were divided into fast and slow groups based on their stop-signal reaction time (SSRT), as measured by the stop-signal task. Electromyography (EMG) and ground reaction force (GRF) were compared between the groups during unplanned gait termination. The data for gait termination were divided into three phases (Phase 1 to 3). The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare spatiotemporal gait parameters and EMG and GRF data between groups. Results: The slow group had significantly higher activity of the tibialis anterior in Phase 2 and Phase 3 than the fast group (p <0.05). In Phase 1, the fast group had significantly shorter time to peak amplitude (TPA) of the soleus than the slow group (p <0.05). In Phase 2, the TPA of the tibialis anterior was significantly lower in the fast group than the slow group (p <0.05). In Phase 3, there was no significant difference in the GRF between the two groups (p >0.05). There were no significant difference between the two groups in the spatiotemporal gait parameters (p >0.05). Conclusion: Compared to the slow group, the fast group with cognitive inhibition suppressed muscle activity for unplanned gait termination. The association between SSRT and unplanned gait termination shows that a participant's ability to suppress an incipient finger response is relevant to their ability to construct a corrective gait pattern in a choice-demanding environment.