• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of increasing running speed on human stability by comparing the Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) and Coefficient of Variation (CV) methods, with the goal of identifying key variables and uncovering new insights. Method: Fourteen adult males (age: 24.7 ± 6.4 yrs, height: 176.9 ± 4.6 cm, weight: 74.7 ± 10.9 kg) participated in this study. Results: In the CV method, significant differences were observed in ankle (flexion-inversion/eversion; p < .05) and hip joint (internal-external rotation; p < .05) movements, while the center of mass (COM) variable in the coronal axis movements showed a significant difference at the p < .001 level. In the LyE method, statistical differences were observed at the p < .05 level in knee (flexion-extension), hip joint (internal-external rotation) movements, and COM across all three directions (sagittal, coronal, and transverse axis). Conclusion: Our results revealed that the stability of the human body is affected at faster running speeds. The movement of the COM and ankle joint were identified as the most critical factors influencing stability. This suggests that LyE, a nonlinear time series analysis, should be actively introduced to better understand human stabilization strategies.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2018

Background: In most human lives, 80 percent have problems with the ankle and can be solved with a treatment that is objective in proper assessment. Discrepacts in the ankle are also associated with walking patterns and affect hip and knee joints. An evaluation of hip flexion and extensor muscles was performed to check the strength of hip joints after ankle sprain patients application of arthesis. Methods: In the hospital in Bucheon, 20 outpatients who visited the hospital for treatment with ankle sprain were tested with 10 male and 10 female patients. The criteria for selection of the study subjects were randomly divided into those with joint movement techniques applied to the ankle joints and those with conservative physical therapy. Results: In applying arthrography and preservation physical therapy to patients with ankle sprain, a difference in muscle strength between hip flexion and extensor was noted in post-evaluation comparisons. There were significant differences in the assessment of walking speed and walking time between the two counties in the gait analysis assessment (p<.05). Conclusion: Studies have shown that applying arthrography to people with ankle sprain has a greater therapeutic effect than using conservative physical therapy.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.63-72
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• 2022

Purpose : Several studies have investigated the effects of dynamic stretching (DS) and self-mobilization (SM), however, studies comparing the two interventions are rare. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of DS and SM on ankle strength, dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), and balance to determine which is superior. Methods : Thirty-two healthy young adults participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (SM and DS). DS was performed for the purpose of stretching the medial gastrocnemius muscle. For the SM group, ankle joint SM was performed in three ways. For all participants, the following measurements were performed as pre- and post-tests: isometric strength of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor, weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) to evaluate DFROM, Tetrax system to evaluate static balance, and y balance test (YBT) to evaluate dynamic balance. Differences before and after the intervention within each group were compared using paired t-test. Also, the variable's variation was compared between groups using an independent t-test. Results : Significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor strength, WBLT, YBT, weight distribution index (WDI) (pillow and opened eyes; PO), and stability index (ST) (normal and closed eyes; NC) before and after intervention in the SM group (p<.05). In the DS group, significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor strength, WBLT, YBT anterior, WDI (normal and opened eyes; NO, PO), and ST (NO, NC, PO, pillow and closed eyes) before and after the intervention (p<.05). Ankle plantar flexor strength and WDI (PO) were significantly different between groups. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, DS or SM can be considered as a possibility for selective use according to variables for improving ankle joint function (DFROM, muscle strength, balance).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.23-31
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study compared the effect of training ankle joint and hip joint thera-band exercise on balance. METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups of 11 each. Group A performed hip exercise after ankle exercise, and Group B performed ankle exercise after hip exercise. Using a green thera-band, the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion and hip flexion and hip extension were exercised repeatedly for 15 seconds three times with a five-second rest between each set. After the exercise and measurement of one area were complete, the exercise and measurement of the other area were performed at one-day intervals. The balance ability was assessed using a Tetrax and Y-balance test and repeated three times; the best values were taken. RESULTS: In the stability index (ST) of the static balance, the hip joint exercise group (HTG) during the follow-up of normal eye open (NO) revealed notable improvement over the ankle joint exercise group (ATG), and in the follow-up of the normal eye closed (NC), the ATG showed significant improvement over the HTG. In the pillow with eye closed (PC) follow-up, the ATG showed significant improvements over the HTG. At the left (Lt) and Y-balance test (YBT), the ATG showed significant improvements in the follow-up over the HTG (p <.05). CONCLUSION: In static balance, the ATG showed significant improvement in the follow-up of NC and PC over the HTG. In the dynamic balance, the Lt. dynamic balance on the non-dominant side in the ATG showed significant improvement in the follow-up over the HTG.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.56-62
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ankle joint immobilization on postural balance during quiet standing. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Twenty-seven healthy subject participated in this study. The subjects performed to stand quietly for 30s in eyes open on the platform with three different conditions. The sway length, sway area and sway velocity of center of gravity (COG) displacement and limit of stability (LOS) was measured using the balance platform. Repeated measured ANOVA was used to compare the postural balance parameters depending on three different ankle immobilized conditions. Results: Sway length, sway area and sway velocity of the COG displacement with bilateral ankle immobilized condition was significantly increased compared to those of the other two conditions(p<0.05). All directions of LOS with bilateral ankle immobilized condition were significantly decreased compared to those of the other two conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ankle joint immobilization could be one of the factors that interfere the maintaining of the postural balance in quiet standing.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the peak torques of the knee and ankle joint and local stability of the lower extremity's joints, and muscle activation patterns of the lower extremity's muscles between fallers and non-fallers in the elderly women during walking. Method: Four elderly women (age: $74.5{\pm}5.2yrs.$; height: $152.1{\pm}5.6cm$; mass: $55.3{\pm}5.4kg$; preference walking speed: $1.19{\pm}0.06m/s$) who experienced falls within six months since experiment had been conducted (falls group) and thirty-six subjects ($74.2{\pm}3.09yrs.$; height: $153.6{\pm}4.9cm$; mass: $56.7{\pm}6.4kg$; preference walking speed: $1.24{\pm}0.10m/s$) who had no experience in falls (non-falls group) within this periods participated in this study. They were measured torque peaks of the knee and ankle joint using a Human Norm and while they were walking on a treadmill at their natural pace, kinematic variables and EMG signals were collected with using a 3-D motion capture system and a wireless EMG system, respectively. Lyapunov Exponent (LyE) was determined to observe the dynamic local stability of the lower extremity's joints, and muscles activation and their co-contraction index were also analysed from EMG signals. Hypotheses between falls and non-falls group were tested using paired t-test and Mann-Whitey. Level of significance was set at p<.05. Results: Local dynamic stability in the adduction-abduction movement of the knee joint was significantly lower in falling group than non-falling group (p<.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, muscles which act on the abduction-adduction movement of the knee joint need to be strengthened to prevent from potential falls during walking. However, a small number of samples for fallers make it difficult to generalize the results of this study.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Despite the advances in total ankle replacement (TAR), TAR has emerged as a promising alternative to ankle arthrodesis, particularly in severe ankle arthritis. Restoring ankle stability and alignment is the most important technical consideration and the goal of TAR. Hence, additional procedures, such as soft tissue balancing and osteotomies, are often critical parts of surgical planning. This article reviews the basics of joint balancing, offering suggestions on procedure selection for ligamentous balancing and varus and valgus malalignment in TARs.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.43-52
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• 2001

This study was designed to determine the effect of ankle taping and short period of walking on the treadmill on the range of motion (ROM) and proprioception at the ankle joint. Twenty healthy male subjects (mean age=24.2 yr) participated in this study. Goniometry and videotape replaying method were used to measure the ankle ROM. Passive sagittal and frontal plane motions were measured. The difference in degree between the stimulus point and the reproduced point was defined as an angular error. The measurements were performed at four different phases: pre-taping (PRT), post-taping immediately (POT), post-5 minute walking with taping (P5M), and post-10 minute walking with taping (P10M). The ankle of dominant limb was taped by a certified athletic trainer using a closed basket weave technique. Participants walked on the treadmill at 2.5 mph. The results showed that the mean of the sagittal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 53.0, 30.5, 36.2, and 40.2 degrees, respectively. The frontal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 33.6, 13.9, 15.7, and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The angular error at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 5.5, 1.6, 1.8, and 1.9 degrees, respectively. After 10 minutes of walking, the sagittal plane motion and frontal plane motion was increased by 9.7 and 4.7 degrees compared with POT, respectively. The proprioception was significantly improved after the application of ankle taping. Both the restriction of frontal plane motion and proprioception improvement at the ankle joint may contribute to ankle stability during walking.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was conducted to investigate the effect of incidence of ankle sprains on both leg length inequalities and range of motion of ankle joint in 20's female university students. Methods: 20's female university students were targeting 32 people attending K university in Gwangju. Both leg length inequality was measured using a tape measure, ranges of motion of ankles was measured using a goniometer. Results: The ankle sprain incidence was quite high, with 56.25% (n=18) for the right ankle, 34.38% (n=11) for the left ankle, and 9.38% (n=3) for both. As for the difference between the ankle sprain incidence and both leg length, the average value of the right leg was $83.08{\pm}3.69$, the average value of the left leg was $84.28{\pm}3.27$, making the right leg shorter than the left by 1.2cm with a higher incidence and showing a positive statistical correlation between the two (p<.05). Also showed that there was a negative statistical correlation between ankle sprain incidences and the inversion range of motion spread of the right ankle (p<.05). Conclusion: The incidence of ankle sprains was higher for the larger the difference between both leg length inequality. In addition, the smaller the inversion range of motion spread of the right ankle, the higher the incidence of ankle sprains. Therefore, The evidence suggests that the incidence of ankle sprains can be reduced by recommending stability and efficient exercises that take into consideration the both leg length as well as the ranges of motion of ankle joints.