• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.140-145
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of visual block with ankle joint fatigue on gait and dynamic balance ability. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Thirty healthy young adults (men=15, women=15) between 22 to 25 years of age voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects performed the gait and dynamic balance test successively in two conditions: the visual block and the open eyes condition. Before the gait and dynamic balance test, muscle fatigue on the ankle joint was induced to all subjects by doing ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion alternately, and then gait parameters (step length, stride length, cadence, velocity, single limb support, and double limb support) were assessed by walking on the GAITRite system (CIR Systems Inc., USA). Subjects also performed the functional reach test (FRT) for assessment of dynamic balance. This study examined gait parameters and FRT scores in each visual block and open eyes condition. Results: The results showed that FRT scores with the visual block condition significantly decreased compared to without visual blocking (p<0.01). Step length, stride length, cadence, and velocity of gait parameters decreased significantly in the visual block condition (p<0.01) while there was no significant difference for single limb support. However, double limb support increased significantly in the visual block system (p<0.01). Conclusions: Therefore, blocking of visual information with muscle fatigue of the ankle joint can affect gait and balance ability of young adults and increase the risk of falls.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was intended to examine an effect of taping therapy for adults suffering from ankle pain. Method: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used for the study. An experimental group had 32 subjects and a control group 23 subjects. Subjects from the experimental group were taped for 24 hours and thereafter their range of motion [ROM], pain, and discomfort in the injured ankle were evaluated. SPSS Windows was used for data analysis. Result: The degree of ROM of the taped experimental subjects was greater compared to that of non-taped control subjects. The score of ankle pain of the taped subjects was lower than that of non-taped subjects. The score of ankle discomfort of the taped subjects was lower than that of non-taped subjects. Conclusion: This taping therapy can be used independently by nurses as an effective nursing intervention to decrease ankle pain and discomfort after the injury of ankle, which would contribute to expanding a realm of nursing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2022

Background: Task-oriented training on an unstable support surface is an effective intervention for improving the ankle joint stability and muscle strength in patients with ankle instability. This study examined the effects of balance training on an unstable support surface in patients with ankle sprains with ankle instability. Methods: Forty-four patients with ankle sprains participated in this study. Screening tests were performed and assigned to an experimental group, who performed task-oriented training on an unstable support surface (n=22), and a control group, who performed task-oriented training on a support surface (n=22) using a randomization program. All interventions were applied 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The numeric rating scale (NRS), cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT), balance ability, muscle activity, and muscle thickness were compared to evaluate the effects of the intervention. Results: Both groups showed significant differences in the NRS, CAIT, balance ability, and muscle activity between before and after the intervention (p<.05). In addition, there were significant differences in balance ability, muscle activity, and muscle thickness between the experimental and control groups (p<.05). Conclusion: Task-oriented training on an unstable support surface is an effective intervention for improving the balance ability, muscle activity, and muscle thickness during contraction.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.771-782
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• 2017

This paper describes the development of a wearable robot to assist ankle power for the elderly. Previously developed wearable robots have generally used motors and gears to assist muscle power during walking. However, the combination of motor and reduction gear is heavy and has limitations on the simultaneous control of stiffness and torque due to the friction of the gear reducer unlike human muscles. Therefore, in this study, Mckibben pneumatic muscle, which is lighter, safer, and more powerful than an electric motor with gear, was used to assist ankle joint. Antagonistic actuation using a pair of pneumatic muscles assisted the power of the soleus muscles and tibialis anterior muscles used for the pitching motion of the ankle joint, and the model parameters of the antagonistic actuator were experimentally derived using a muscle test platform. To recognize the wearer's walking intention, foot load and ankle torque were calculated by measuring the pressure and the center of pressure of the foot using force and linear displacement sensors, and the stiffness and the torque of the pneumatic muscle joint were then controlled by the calculated ankle torque and foot load. Finally, the performance of the developed ankle power assistive robot was experimentally verified by measuring EMG signals during walking experiments on a treadmill.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.445-452
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• 2001

The purpose of this study to compare the muscle performances (peak torque (PT), relative strength (RS), average power (AP), and total work (TW)) between taping group and non-taping group after 1 hour extensive exercise. Twenty healthy male subjects were evaluated in this study. Each subject was divided with taping(n=10) and non-taping group (n=10) randomly. Muscle performances were measured at 60 degree/sec and 180 degree/sec on the Cybex 770. The PT, RS, AP, and TW were measured before and after 1 hour extensive exercise. The results showed that taping group demonstrated significantly higher PT, RS, AP, and TW during ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion at 60 degree/sec than those of non-taping group, except for total work during ankle plantar flexion. At the 180 degree/sec, PT and RS was significantly higher during ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion in taping group than in non-taping group. This results suggest that lower leg taping could be useful to maintain muscle performances during sport activities.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2019

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing an ankle weight belt while performing gait in water by focusing on the effect of using ankle weights have on the gait kinematics and the muscle activities for developing optimum training strategies. Method: A total of 10 healthy male university students were recruited for the study. Each participant was instructed to perform 3 gait conditions; normal walking over ground, walking in water chest height, and walking in water chest height while using ankle weights. All walking conditions were set at control speed of $4km/h{\pm}0.05km/h$. The depth of the swimming pool was at 1.3 m, approximately chest height. The motion capture data was recorded using 6 digital cameras and the EMG was recorded using waterproof Mini Wave. From the motion capture data, the following variables were calculated for analysis; double and single support phase (s), swing phase (s), step length (%height), step rate (m/s), ankle, knee, and hip joint angles ($^{\circ}$). From the electromyography the %RVC of the lower limb muscles medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, erector spinae, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis oblique was calculated. Results: The results show significant differences between the gait time, and step length between the right and left leg. Additionally, the joint angular velocities and gait velocity were significantly affected by the water resistance. As expected, the use of the ankle weights increased all of the lower leg maximum muscle activities except for the lower back muscle. Conclusion: In conclusion, the ankle weights can be shown to stimulate more muscle activity during walking in chest height water and therefore, may be useful for rehabilitation purposes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.84-90
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• 2019

Background: Ankle evertor muscles are important for preventing lateral ankle sprain. Since, the evertor muscles cross the ankle and toe joints, the position at which the ankle evertor muscle strength is measured is important. However, no studies have previously investigated the effect of ankle and toe positions on the strength of the ankle evertor muscle. Objects: This study is aimed to determine the effect of various ankle and toe joint positions on the strength of the ankle evertor muscles in healthy subjects. Methods: Eighteen healthy subjects participated in this study. Isometric ankle evertor strength of the dominant leg was determined in each subject in different ankle and toe positions (dorsiflexion (DF) with toe extension (TE), DF with toe flexion (TF), plantar flexion (PF) with TE, and PF with TF). A 2 by 2 repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the difference in the evertor strength between the ankle positions (PF and DF) and toe positions (TE and TF). Results: The results indicate that there was no significant ankle position by toe position interaction effect (p=.83). However, the ankle evertor strength was significantly increased in the ankle DF position than in the PF position (p<.01), and the ankle evertor strength during eversion with TE was significantly higher than eversion with TF (p<.01). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that clinicians should consider the ankle and toe positions when measuring the muscle strength and during performance of selective muscle strengthening exercises of the ankle evertor muscles.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate knee muscle strength, balance, and proprioception by walking while giving weight to the ankle joint at a load of 0%, 10%, and 15% gradient on a treadmill. Methods : Twenty-four subjects were divided into three groups. Group A walked on a 0% gradient while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load. Group B walked on a 10% gradient while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load. Group C walked on a 15% gradient while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load. This was performed three times per week for four weeks. The walking speed was set at 4km/hour and the walking time was set at 20 minutes. Measurements were performed before and after the experiment. Biodex medical system and Balance system SD were used as measuring instruments. Results : There was no significant difference between the gradients in muscle strength, balance and proprioception. However, there were differences in pretest and posttest measurements for muscle strength, balance and proprioception in each gradient. In particular, the gradient of 10% showed a significant difference. Conclusion : According to the results of this study, to use a 10% gradient is effective when walking while giving weight to the ankle joint as a load.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.278-294
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• 1999

The PACE (People nth Arthritis Can Exercise) is an exercise program developed by the Arthritis Foundation to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility for patients with arthritis. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of PACE program on self-efficacy, pain, and joint function in the Korean immigrant elderly. The PACE program was held twice a week for 6 weeks for Korean immigrant elderly who had osteoarthritis. Twenty four subjects completed the program, who were recruited in two places : 10 elderly in a senior residential apartment, and 14 elderly in a senior center supported by Congregated Meal Program for Korean Elderly. Self-efficacy(Sherer et al., 1982), pain severity(by using Visual Analogue Scale), and number of painful joints were measured before and after the PACE program. To examine the joint flexibility and strengthening, the followings were measured : the extent of the upward arm reach in both sides(flexibility of shoulder), the ability to touch fingertips of the both hands in back pat and rub(flexibility of arm), the degree of range of motion(ROM) of both ankles in their dorsiflexion(flexibility of ankle) and plantarflexion with standing with toe(strengthening of ankle), and the degree of knee extension. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis and the significance of the differences in the variables was examined to compare the data obtained before and after the PACE program. After the PACE, followings were found : 1. Self-efficacy was significantly increased. 2. Pain severity and number of painful Joints was significantly decreased. 3. The flexibility of both shoulders and arms were significantly improved, but the flexibility of knee was not changed. 4. The flexibility and strengthening of both ankle was significantly improved. In conclusion, PACE was clearly proved to be an effective exercise program to promote self-efficacy, to reduce pain, and to enhance joint function in the elderly with osteoarthritis. It is suggested that the PACE program should be recommended as one of the useful and appropriate nursing interventions for elderly with osteoarthritis.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.3991-3998
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to effect of muscle activity on muscle architectural of medial gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patient based on ankle joint degree. The subjects of this study were 10 chronic stroke patients modified Ashworth scale(MAS) 2. Ultrasonographic and dynamometer was measured during resting and maximum voluntary isometric contraction(MVIC) on muscle thickness, pennation angle, fascicle length, MVIC. Result from analysis showed that muscle thickness was thinner in the paretic side than in the non-paretic side(p<.001) and the more plantarflexion increased, the thinner muscle thickness became. And at the time of resting rather than of MVIC significant(p<.001). Result from analysis showed that penneation angle was smaller in the paretic side than in the non-paretic side(p<.001) and the more plantarflexion increased, the larger pennation became. And at the time of resting rather than of MVIC significant(p<.001). Result from analysis showed that fascicle was shorter in the paretic side than in the non-paretic side(p<.001) and the more plantarflexion increased, the shorter fascicle length became. And at the time of resting rather than of MVIC significant(p<.001). The results of this study showed that effect of muscle activity on muscle architectural of medial gastrocnemius in chronic stroke patient based on ankle joint degree. Therefore, Ultrasonographic evaluation of chronic stroke patients according ankle joint degree and muscle activity in the clinical diagnosis and therapy is considered a very useful data.