• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate changes in the weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) and the dynamic balance in asymptomatic subjects using the modified Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) after ankle balance taping (ABT) and placebo ABT with kinesiology tape METHODS: A total of 23 active participants (11 men, 12 women) volunteered for this study. Ankle flexibility was assessed using the weight-bearing lunge test, and dynamic balance was assessed using the modified SEBT. Participants were asked to respond to questions regarding their perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence when performing modified SEBT. RESULTS: The weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM did not show a significant decrease after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the ROM prior to ABT. The anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial reach distances of SEBT did not increase significantly after real ABT or placebo ABT compared to the distances prior to ABT. However, the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence, when performing SEBT with real ABT, was increased compared to that during the control trial. CONCLUSION: This study showed that although real ABT did not immediately improve the reach distances in the 3 directions during modified SEBT, it improved the participants' perception of stability, reassurance, and confidence without decreasing weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion ROM.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to examine the activity of the knee flexor and extensor with ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion. Methods : A total of 18 subjects(Male 6, female 12) performed 4 lower extremity patterns of PNF and the activities of the vastus medialis oblique, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, semitendinosus ipsilateral sides were measured using electromyography. Results : During 4 lower extremity patterns of PNF, knee flexor and extensor muscle activity were significantly difference. Knee extensors were shown to be higher knee extension and ankle dorsiflexion combined pattern. Knee flexors were shown to be higher knee flexion and ankle plantarflexion combined pattern. Conclusion : We suggest that it is efficient to strengthening of knee extensors with ankle dorsiflexion and to strengthening of knee flexors with ankle plantar flexion. Also, for the functioning as toe standing, we have to choice appropriate movement pattern.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-63
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• 2020

Background: This study was conducted to compare the effects of an incline board, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching, and joint mobilization on the dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and muscle tone of the plantar flexor and ankle in stroke patients. Methods: Forty-five stroke subjects were randomly divided into three groups: each JMG (Joint Mobilization Group), IBG (Inclined Board Group) and PSG (PNF Stretching Group). The experiment was performed for eight weeks between August 1 and October 31, 2018. Results: The dorsiflexion of the ankle joint was significant between the groups and by period (p<.05). JMG had a significant change by period (p<.05). Differences between groups by period increased after 8 weeks in the PSG and the JMG (p>.05). The gastrocnemius lateral muscle tone was significant between the groups (p<.05), and medial muscle tone was interacted between groups and time (p<.05). Conclusion: An effective intervention method to increase the dorsiflexion of the ankle joint and decrease the muscle tone when performing PNF stretching, and joint mobilization in stroke patients was confirmed. Future studies are recommended to variety research of PNF stretching and joint mobilization.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2018

PURPOSE: Stroke patients have limited ankle range of motion and balance problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Kaltenborn orthopedic manual therapy, Evjenth-hamberg stretching, and combination of both on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and dynamic balance ability in stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty patients were placed in three groups, each of which received different treatments: Kaltenborn orthopedic manual therapy (15 mins), Evjenth-hamberg stretching (15 mins), or Kaltenborn orthopedic manual therapy with Evjenth-hamberg stretching (30 mins). Each group received three exercise sessions per week during four weeks. To determine its effectiveness of interventions an evaluation was carried out. ankle dorsiflexion range of motion was gauged using a tiltmeter application, and dynamic balance ability was measured using the Berg balance scale. RESULTS: All groups revealed significant improvements in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score before and after the intervention, and Kaltenborn orthopedic manual therapy with Evjenth-hamberg stretching group showed a significant improvement in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and BBS score in comparison to other groups. CONCLUSION: We found out that each individual method was effective in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, dynamic balance ability in stroke patients, and the combined method was more effective.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of vibration stimulation of a vibration foam roller on the change in the range of motion of the ankle joint and proprioception in patients with chronic ankle instability. An additional aim was to provide basic data for rehabilitation programs for chronic ankle instability patients. METHODS: This study was a randomized crossover design of 22 patients with chronic ankle instability. All subjects were divided into a vibrating group, a non-vibrating group, and a control group. The vibration and non-vibration groups performed the interventions, but the control group did not. For the measurement, the range of motion and proprioception of the ankle joint was measured using an electronic protractor (Electrogoniometer, BPM Pathway, UK). RESULTS: The vibration group showed significant differences in the dorsiflexion angle, dorsiflexion proprioception, and plantar flexion proprioception (p < .05). The non- vibration group showed significant differences in the dorsiflexion angle and dorsiflexion proprioceptive sensation (p < .05). The vibration group and the control group showed significant differences in dorsiflexion proprioception and plantar flexion proprioception (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The range of motion and proprioception of the ankle joint were improved in the group that received vibration stimulation after the intervention than before the intervention. Future research will be needed on patients with various diseases.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.26-32
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• 2023

Objective: This study attempted to compare the effects of bridge exercise using a sling according to the angle of the ankle to confirm the effective lower extremity muscle activation posture of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome(PFPS). Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Seventeen patients with PFPS were recruited and the muscle activities of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus were measured according to the ankle position (dorsiflexion, neutral, plantar flexion). After measuring the maximum number of isometric contractions of vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and gluteus maximus, bridging exercise using a sling according to each ankle posture was applied to measure lower extremity muscle activity. The evaluation was performed 3 times for 10 seconds. The three ankle postures were randomly performed and the average values were compared. Results: As a result of this study, the vastus medialis muscle showed high muscle activity in the order of dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, and neutral position bridge exercise (p<0.05). And the vastus lateralis showed high muscle activity in the order of dorsiflexion, neutral, and plantar flexion (p<0.05). However, rectus femoris and gluteus maximus did not show significant muscle activity according to the ankle posture, but muscle activity was highest in the dorsiflexion posture. Conclusions: As a result of this study, muscle activity was high in the order of vastus medialis and vastus lateralis during ankle dorsiflexion. This is thought to be a major factor that can be applied in various ways in clinical practice according to the ankle angle when treating PFPS patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.109-116
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of performing gastrocnemius stretching with and without the self-myofascial release of the sole on the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and muscle tone of the gastrocnemius muscle in subjects with short gastrocnemius muscle. METHOD: A total of 23 subjects with short gastrocnemius muscles were included in this study. The study participants were divided into two experimental groups. Group A performed gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises only, while group B performed self-myofascial release of the sole using a massage ball after the gastrocnemius muscle self-stretching exercises. For both groups, the active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles were measured using a goniometer, and the tone of the gastrocnemius muscle was assessed using the MyotonPRO®. RESULTS: Within-group comparison showed that the participants in both groups A and B had significantly increased active and passive ankle dorsiflexion angles and decreased gastrocnemius muscle tone (p < .05) after performing their respective exercises. However, no significant differences in the said criteria were observed between groups A and B (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that both methods were effective in increasing active and passive dorsiflexion angles and decreasing muscle tone. Thus, it is recommended to tailor gastrocnemius stretching exercises according to the patient's condition. If the patient does not experience discomfort in the plantar fasciae, it is recommended to perform the gastrocnemius stretching exercise only without myofascial release and use a massage ball afterward.

• 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.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

PURPOSE: There are several standard interventions for managing Achilles tendinitis, including eccentric exercise and calf muscle stretches, orthoses, electrotherapy, and taping. However, no study has determined the effect of non-elastic taping on deloading the Achilles tendon while vertical jumping. Therefore, this study determined the effect of non-elastic taping on ankle dorsiflexion and the triceps surae muscle activity while vertical jumping in healthy subjects. METHODS: The study recruited 17 participants. A motion analysis system was used to measure the angle of ankle dorsiflexion and wireless surface electromyography was used to measure the soleus and gastrocnemius activities while vertical jumping. Non-elastic taping was applied on randomized leg side. All subjects performed maximal effort vertical jumps without and with non-elastic taping, with three trials for each condition. The mean peak dorsiflexion and muscle activities during the three trials were calculated and paired t-tests were used to compare the mean values without and with non-elastic taping. Significance was defined as (p<.05). RESULTS: The maximum angle of ankle dorsiflexion and activity of the gastrocnemius muscle decreased significantly when non-elastic tape was applied (p<.05), while there was no significant difference in the soleus activity between no-taping and taping (p>.05). CONCLUSION: We introduce non-elastic taping as a method to decrease maximum ankle dorsiflexion and gastrocnemius activity while vertical jumping.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.194-199
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• 2022

Background: Older adults use different ankle muscle activation patterns during difficult static balance conditions. It has been suggested that this is related to a decline in proprioception with age, resulting in reduced postural balance. However, the association between proprioception and ankle muscle activity during quiet standing has not been directly assessed. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effects of age and sensory condition on ankle muscle activity and the association between ankle proprioception and ankle muscle activity. Methods: We recruited 10 young women and 9 older women. Ankle proprioception was evaluated using joint position sense (JPS) and force sense (FS) divided by dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. The electromyographic activity of the tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles was collected during quiet standing. Results: Older women activated GCM muscle more than young during quiet standing and when performing difficult tasks. Older women had more errors in JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion than did young. The GCM muscle activity is related to JPS dorsiflexion and FS plantarflexion. Conclusion: Lower proprioception of the GCM with age leads to increased muscle activity, resulting in reduced postural balance. There was no difference in TA proprioception or muscle activity among older women with frequent physical activity.