• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.165-173
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of sling exercise on fall risk score, ankle dorsiflexion and balance in community-dwelling elderly women. Method: A 6-week prospective study was conducted to examine the effects of sling exercise. Participants were required to attend their assigned exercise classes three times a week for 6 weeks. Result: After the 6 week study period, PPA fall-risk scores were reduced by 0.90 for the exercise group, which was a significant change (p<.001). Dorsiflexion strength increased significantly (p<.01) by 1.56 kg after the sling exercise. There was a 2.0 cm-increase (p<.05) in FRT and 0.38 second-improvement (p<.01) in TUGT. A 7.88 second-increase in One-leg standing with Eyes Open and a 3.12 second-increase in One-leg standing with Eyes Closed were reported during the 6-week intervention period. Conclusion: The 6-week sling exercise reduced falls risk score significantly (p<=.001) in community-dwelling elderly women by improving fall risk related factors such as reaction time, balance and strength.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.557-561
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• 2013

The purpose of this study to identified the effect of muscle strengthening of ankle joints on postural sway. The subjects of this study were 29 healthy adults aged between 20 and 30 years(male 18, female 11). All subjects received ankle muscle strengthening exercise for 3 times, 3 sessions, 30 minutes per week over 4weeks period. The measured item of muscle strength, postural sway. Data collected from all subjects the result were as follows. The ankle strength showed significant increase(p<.05). One leg stand test with eye close increase in static balance(p<.05), left-right sway distance and anterior-posterior sway distance with eye open and close in static balance(p<.05). The result findings show that strength of the ankle joint muscles is a factor which affects postural sway and the ankle joints are important in static balance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.151-160
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to know the muscle activation after sub-talar joint mobilition and active exercise, and the low leg muscle activity through the well-balanced interaction of ankle joint around muscle. Methods : For this study 61 experimental subjects are divided into 24 people of supination foot group, pronation foot group 17 people of, 20 people of control group through navicular drop test. Surface EMG was used in order to measure the muscle activities. following is the result of the data analysis about each experiment that has been carried on a week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks before, and even comparing with pre-experimental state. Results : In electromyogram study, the higher muscle activation there was before the experiment, the more muscle activation increase there was after the experiment in Tibialis Anterior, Peroneus Longus, Peroneus Brevis.(p<.05). Conclusion : This study shows the balanced activation of foot and ankle-around muscle. It shows that foot shape affects the balanced activation recovery of lower leg muscles.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2022

Background: Plyometric exercise is an exercise exerting forceful power in a brief period using isotonic activation. It is effective to improve reaction of muscle, agility, endurance and athletics performance. Weight training is an exericse improving muscular strength, endurance and respirating ability applying diversely in frequency and load of exercise Plyometric exercise and Weight training is to facilitate the athletics performance though improving the function of lower limb muscle, there is a difference that Plyometic jump squats is the way to improve agility and Weight training is the way to improve muscular strength. Therefore, it is necessary to know how this difference effects on athletics performance as measuring ankle, ROM, and jumping ability. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Method: This study was conducted with the voluntary participation of 40 university students, who were randomly assigned to jump squat and calf raise groups (n=20 per group). For each subject, we measured the range of motion of the ankle joint before and after exercise, as well as a standing broad jump and vertical jump test performance. We compared the performance indices before and after exercises using paired t-tests, and between groups using independent-samples t-tests. Conclusions: Both jump squat and calf raise exercises improved ankle joint dorsiflexion and plantar flexion, as well as standing broad jump and vertical jump height performance. However, there were no significant differences before versus after exercise, or between exercise types. Although jump squats and calf raises have different purposes, it is thought that, in combination, these exercises improve performance more effectively than either alone, and that such a combined exercise program improves the quality of training in both the general public and athletes in various sports.

• 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 Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.135-140
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the appropriate stimulus strength that could result in a positive effect on the ankle joint spasticity when patients with chronic stroke performed whole body vibration (WBV) exercise. Methods: Among 72 patients who were diagnosed with stroke at least 6 months ago, those able to perform a half squat pose with ambulation issues due to ankle joint spasticity (modified Ashworth scale, $MAS{\geq}2$) were included for analysis. Individuals participated in four different frequencies of vertical WBV exercise; 0 Hz, 10 Hz, 20 Hz, and 30 Hz. Vibration amplitude was 3-4 mm and 5 minutes WBV exercise was performed at each frequency, followed by a measurement after 2-minute rest. We assigned 18 individuals to each frequency and asked them to participate in the WBV exercise once every 3 weeks. The level of spasticity was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) for self-assessment. The myoton PRO was utilized to objectively evaluate the level of spasticity and check the muscle tone and stiffness. Results: Participants showed 0 Hz VAS was a significant difference between 20 Hz application conditions (p<0.05). Muscle tone was significantly different at 0 Hz between 20 Hz, and 30 Hz (p<0.05), significantly difference at 10 Hz between 30 Hz (p<0.05). Muscle stiffness significantly difference at 0 Hz between 20 Hz, and 30 Hz (p<0.05), significantly difference at 10 Hz between 20 Hz, and 30 Hz (p<0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study show that the frequency of more than 20 Hz was effective in improving the ambulatory ability in patients with chronic stroke. Currently, the effective WBV protocol is limited. Hence, this study was designed to suggest an effective WBV protocol to improve neuromodulation ability for chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1398-1405
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of heel off stairway walking exercise on the increase of muscle activity and balance activity of the ankle joint muscles in university students with functional ankle instability. The conservative treatment for the control group consisted of stairway walking (n=10) and the experimental group consisted of heel off stairway walking (n=11). The therapeutic intervention of the control and experimental groups was performed a total of 12 exercise sessions, 3 times per week for 4 weeks. To compare the two groups, the level of ankle disability was assessed by using the EMG, BT4 and Pedoscan in pre-treatment and post-treatment. Muscle activity increased in both the experimental groups and control groups in each group, however there was no significant difference between the groups. Balance ability did not show any significant difference. This study demonstrates that heel-off stairway walking is effective in significantly increasing muscle activity, however did not significantly improve balance ability.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.161-168
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship with the Y-Balance Test, which evaluates dynamic balance ability according to the ankle joint dorsiflexion range of motion in a non-weight bearing posture. This study involved 27 male soccer players who regularly participate in the K3 League with more than 10 years of soccer experience. The Pearson Rank Correlation Coefficient was used to verify the relationship between ankle joint dorsiflexion and dynamic balance ability. The results of this study showed significant differences in PLRD (P<.05) and CS (P<.01) in the HADR group. A significant correlation between ankle joint dorsi-flexion range of motion and severity was found only in PMRD, PLRD, and CS. Therefore, a decrease in ankle joint dorsi-flexion is associated with a decrease in balance ability. In order to prevent injuries in soccer players, it is believed that regular evaluation of ankle joint range of motion as well as training to improve knee and hip joint strength and proprioception are necessary.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

The common features of walking in patients with stroke include decreased gait velocity and increased asymmetrical gait pattern. The purpose of this study was to identify important factors related to impairments in gait velocity and asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. The subjects were 30 independently ambulating subjects with chronic stroke. The subjects' impairments were examined, including the isokinetic peak torque of knee extensors, knee flexors, ankle plantarflexors, and ankle dorsiflexors. Passive and active ranges of motion (ROM) of the ankle joint, ankle plantarflexor spasticity, joint position senses of the knee and ankle joint, and balance were examined together. In addition, gait velocity and temporal and spatial asymmetry were evaluated with subjects walking at their comfortable speed. Pearson correlations and multiple regressions were used to measure the relationships between impairments and gait speed and impairments and asymmetry. Regression analyses revealed that ankle passive ROM and peak torque of knee flexors were important factors for gait velocity ($R^2=.41$), while ankle passive ROM was the most important determinant for temporal asymmetry ($R^2=.35$). In addition, knee extensor peak torque was the most significant factor for gait spatial asymmetry ($R^2=.17$). Limitation in ankle passive ROM and weakness of the knee flexor were major contributors to slow gait velocity. Moreover, limited passive ROM in the ankle influenced the level of temporal gait asymmetry in chronic stroke patients. Our findings suggest that stroke rehabilitation programs aiming to improve gait velocity and temporal asymmetry should include stretching exercise for the ankle joint.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2020

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined. Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI. Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.