• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.129-136
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• 2009

The estimation of muscle force is important to understand the roles of the muscles. The static optimization method can be used to figure out the individual muscle forces. However, muscle forces during the movement including muscle co-contraction cannot be considered by the static optimization. In this study, a hybrid static optimization method was introduced to find the well-matched muscle forces with EMG signals under muscle co-contraction conditions. To validate the developed algorithm, the 3D motion analysis and its corresponding inverse dynamics using the musculoskeletal modeling software (SIMM) were performed on heel-rise movements. Results showed that the developed algorithm could estimate the acceptable muscle forces during heel-rise movement. These results imply that a hybrid numerical approach is very useful to obtain the reasonable muscle forces under muscle co-contraction conditions.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.213-222
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of heel-raise-lower with Kinesio Taping (HKT) on spasticity and balance ability in patients with chronic strokes. Methods: The participants were divided randomly into the HKT group and heel-raise-lower with sham (control group), with 38 participants assigned to each group. Both groups received heel-raise-lower lifting 100 times, 5 times/week for 4 weeks. The HKT group applied Kinesio Taping to the calf muscles. The control group applied Kinesio Taping transversely to the ankle joint and tibialis anterior muscle. The composite spasticity score was used to evaluate the ankle plantar flexors. The center of pressure with the eyes open and closed and limited stability was measured using BioRescue equipment. Both groups evaluated spasticity and balance ability before the experiment and after 4 weeks. Statistical methods before and after working around spasticity and balance ability were independent t-tests. Results: After training, spasticity showed significant improvement in the HKT group and in the control group (p < 0.05). Similarly, balance ability was significantly more improved in the HKT group after 4 weeks of training compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: We confirmed the effects of heel-raise-lower with Kinesio Taping (HKT) on spasticity and balance ability in patients with chronic strokes.