• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.839-847
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of ankle flexibility, gender, and Q-angle on the ankle joint injury factors during one leg drop landing. For this study, 16 males(age: 20.19±1.78 years, mass: 69.54±10.12 kg, height: 173.22±4.43 cm) and 16 females(age: 21.05±1.53 years, mass: 61.75±6.97 kg, height: 159.34±4.56 cm) in their 20's majoring in physical education using the right foot as their dominant feet were selected as subjects. First, an independent t-test of joint motion and joint moment according to the experience of ankle injury was conducted to determine the effect of physical characteristics on ankle joint injury during one leg drop landing(α = .05). Second, the variable that showed a significant difference through t-test was set as the dependent variable, and the ankle flexibility, gender difference, and Q-angle were designated as independent variables to use Multiple Linear Regression(α =. 05). As a result of this study, it was found that the group that experienced an ankle joint injury was found to use a landing strategy and technique through adduction of the ankle joint and internal rotation of the knee joint, unlike the group without an injury. It was also confirmed that this movement increases the extension moment of the ankle joint and decreases the extension moment of the hip joint. In particular, it was found that the dorsi flexion flexibility of the ankle affects the ankle and knee landing strategy, and the gender difference affects the ankle extension moment. Therefore, it was confirmed that physical characteristics factors affecting ankle joint injuries during one leg drop landing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• 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.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1996.10b
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• pp.1157-1160
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• 1996

Control of a biped robot which has compliant ankle joints is dealt in this paper. Simulated version of a human ankle joint is built using springs and mechanical constraints, which gives a flexibility of joint and compliance against the touching ground. The biped robot with compliant ankle joints proposed here gives a good contact between its sole and the ground and makes foot landing soft. As a result, installing force sensors for measuring the center of gravity of the biped becomes easier. A motor to drive an ankle joint is not needed which makes legs light. However, the control problem becomes more difficult because the torque of the ankle joint to put the biped in a desired walking gait cannot be provided from the compliant ankle joint. To solve this problem, we proposed a dynamic gait modification method by adjusting the position of a hip joint. Simulation results for the mathematical model of the SD-2 biped in the Ohio State University are given to show the validity of the proposed controller.

• 대한근관절건강학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.179-190
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of GEAP on pain, joint function, activities of daily living(ADL) and fatigue in chronic arthritis patients. The GEAP was held twice a week for 6 weeks for chronic arthritis patients at one university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Thirty four subjects completed the program, who were recruited at four times from September, 1999 to September, 2000. The effect of GEAP were evaluated as follows: Pain severity and number of painful joints ADL, fatigue were measured before and after the GEAP. In order 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, and the grip strength. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for data analysis and the significance of the differences in the variables was examined to compare the data obtained before and after the GEAP. After the GEAP, followings were found: 1. Pain severity and number of painful joints was significantly decreased. 2. The flexibility of both shoulders and arms, knee, both ankle were significantly improved. 3. The strengthening of both arms was significantly improved, but the strengthening of ankle was not changed. 4. ADL was significantly increased. 5. Fatigue was significantly decreased. In conclusion, GEAP used in this study was clearly proved to be an effective exercise program to reduce pain and fatigue, to enhance joint function and ADL in people with chronic arthritis. It is suggested that the GEAP should be recommended as one of the useful and appropriate nursing interventions for chronic arthritis patients.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.509-515
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between passive ankle movement range and knee joint kinetic variables during squat movement. In this study, a total of 27 subjects participated in this study, 19 men and 8 women, who had no history of the musculoskeletal system of the lower extremity. To verify the correlation between the ankle joint flexibility and the knee joint kinetic variables during deep squat, it was performed pearson's correlation coefficient and variables showing statistically significant correlation were performed by simple regression analysis at a significant level of α .05. Through this study, the relationship between the peak joint moment and joint reaction force factors that determine ankle joint flexibility and knee joint pressure was confirmed. Therefore, when applying an exercise that can generate a lot of load on the knee joint such as deep squats during strength training, checking the degree of flexibility of the ankle joint among physical characteristics to the individual may reduce the stability of the body and the risk of injury to the knee joint. It is expected to be helpful in setting the intensity of exercise that can be done.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.9-16
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the spine and the flat-foot, the stability and the alignment of the posture of the neck to prevent the alignment of the ankle joint operation and the lower back flexibility of the lumbar region according to the type of treatment using active stretching of the triceps, back pain, and to see how they affect weight bearing differences. Methods: The subjects of this study were 24 chronic low back pain patients. They were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, ankle joint mobilization and active scraping of triceps were performed three times a week for a total of 6 weeks. The control group was performed in the same way without articulation. The range of flexion and extension motion of the lumbar spine and pain degree and difference of weight-bearing were measured before and after the experiment. Results: The model of ankle joint mobilization and calf muscle elongation of flat foot significantly improved the range of flexion and extension motion of the vertebrae (p<.05) and the VAS and distribution of weight-bearing were decreased in both of two groups (p<.05). In other words, the exercise and mobilization help to recover of the balance of the whole musculoskeletal, the vertebrae. Conclusions: The active exercise of the triceps muscle of the lower leg in this study It affects the flexibility of the lumbar spine, the pain and the difference in the weight support of the lower extremities, when we performed ankle joint mobilization for exercise and cramping, pain and the difference in weight support between the two lower limbs.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.159-168
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine effect of Tai-Chi exercise program on joint flexibility for osteoarthritis patients. To evaluate the effects, quasi-experimental study was used for pre and post test with a nonequivalent control group. Method: Fifty-tow subjects participated in the experiment(twenty-seven for experimental group and twenty-five for control group) and they were from two different senior citizen centers in J city. The experiment period was from April 2002 through August 2002. The experiment group took part in Tai-Chi exercise program for eighteen weeks(three times a week for four weeks and five times a week for fourteen week). The exercise was performed for 50 minutes at every time (15 minutes for warm-up, 30 minutes for Tai-Chi exercise, and 5 minutes for ending). In order to pursue study purpose, the SPSS/WIN 8.0 program was chosen for the statistical analysis; ANCOVA was employed in examining test hypothesis; t-test and $x^2$-test were used to examine homogeneity between experimental and control group. Result: The study results were as follows :Score of vertebral joint flexibility increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of wrist joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint extension increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of elbow joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. There was a slight increase of knee joint extension in the Tai-Chi exercise group compared to control group, but without statistical significance. Score of knee joint flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle plantar flexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Score of ankle dorsiflexion increased significantly after of Tai-Chi exercise program. Conclusion: As shown in the results, Tai-Chi exercise program can be effective nursing intervention for osteoarthritis patient to improve joint flexibility.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.919-924
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• 2016

In this study, 20 men and women in their 20s were divided into a footboard passive stretching group and a manual passive stretching group. After stretching was applied to the soleus for 5 weeks, a comparative analysis was performed on the range of motion(ROM) of the ankle joint to determine changes in the flexibility of the soleus. Both the footboard stretching group and manual stretching group first performed stretching for 15 sec, followed by a 10-sec break. One set consisted of performing the above process twice consecutively, and each group had to perform five sets in total. A goniometer was used as a measuring instrument. The results of the experiment were analyzed using a nonparametric analysis, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and Mann-Whitney test. SPSS WIN 18.0 was employed for the statistical analysis. In terms of the comparison of the flexibility before and after the experiment according to the different interventions, the application of footboard stretching to the soleus for 5 weeks resulted in $3.2^{\circ}$ right dorsiflexion (p=.009), $6.98^{\circ}$ right plantar flexion(p=.008), $4.14^{\circ}$ left dorsiflexion(p=.005), and $10.97^{\circ}$ left plantar flexion(p=.007), which were all statistically significant increases. The application of manual stretching led to $6.04^{\circ}$ right dorsiflexion(p=.005), $12.14^{\circ}$ right plantar flexion(p=.005), $7.00^{\circ}$ left dorsiflexion (p=.008), and $16.38^{\circ}$ left plantar flexion(p=.005). Therefore, both footboard stretching and manual stretching were effective in enhancing the flexibility of the soleus. However, statistically significant larger increases in the ROM of the ankle joint were observed in the manual stretching group.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of the strength of the ankle support on the walking characteristics and ankle joints when men with flexible flat feet walk. Method: 13 adult male subjects (age: 23.9 ± 2.4 yrs, height: 173.0 ± 5.0 cm, weight: 76.9 ± 13.2 kg, Navicular Drop Test (NDT): 10.2 ± 0.8 mm) participated in this study. Each participant had to walk with the 3 conditions, barefoot, soft arch support and hard arch support, along a walkway while their kinematics was recorded at 100 Hz. Results: Based on the results of this study, it is considered that men with flexible flat feet should use hard arch support rather than bare feet to induce normal arch shape, relieve foot damage caused by excessive ankle joint abnormalities and improve stability. Conclusion: Our results for men with flat flexibility, there was a significant difference in the value of step length when walking was performed using two arch supports with different strengths. The angle of ankle dorsiflexion was significantly increased, and the ankle eversion angle was significantly decreased.