• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.238-244
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• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the effects of the fascial distortion model (FDM), foam rolling (FR), and self-stretching (SS) on the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). Methods: Thirty subjects who had no more than 30° of ankle dorsiflexion ROM at the weight-bearing lunge test were recruited in this study. They were divided into three groups: (FDM, FR, and SS), and underwent each intervention for five minutes. Before and after the intervention, the ankle dorsiflexion ROM in the supine (the open-) and standing (the closed-kinetic chain) of the subjects were tested. The changes in the ROM between pre- and post-intervention and among the groups were analyzed. Results: All groups showed increased ankle dorsiflexion ROM after the intervention in both positions. In the position of the open kinetic chain, the changes in the ROM between pre- and post-intervention had significant differences among the groups, and the FDM was higher than the FR and SS. In the position of the closed kinetic chain, the ROM after the interventions and the changes in the ROM had significant differences among the groups, and FDM was higher than the FR (ROM after the intervention, the change in ROM) and SS (the change in ROM). Conclusion: These findings showed that FDM had more efficiency than the FR and SS as FDM had a stronger effect on increasing ankle dorsiflexion in a short, limited time. Clinicians who have limited time to treat their patients, particularly trying to increase ankle dorsiflexion ROM, should consider the application of FDM.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2008

Purpose: The isolated exercise therapy and its effect for the treatment of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is not well known. The purpose of this study was to identify the clinical effect of stretching and strengthening exercise program on the patients' muscle function and range of motion, pain and gait in the management of the early stage PTTD. Materials and Methods: From October 2006 to March 2007, 14 patients with early stage PTTD (stage I or IIa) without surgical intervention were randomly assigned into two groups and we analyzed their clinical results. All patients were female and one who have sprained the same ankle during the program and one who withdrew from the program due to her private reason were excluded. At the last, the exercise group (EG) was seven and the control group (CG) was five. Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of pain, ROM, muscle power, AOFAS score and 5 minute walking test of both groups. Wilcoxon-signed rank test was used for the comparison between the pre and post exercise program in EG. Results: The pain was significantly reduced in EG compare to CG and only the dorsiflexion was significantly increased in EG in the analysis of ROM. The dorsi flexion and plantar flexion power were significantly increased in EG. Conclusion: Our 6 weeks stretching and strengthening exercise program showed noticeably improved clinical result, and therefore it is recommended as one of the useful treatment option in the management of early stage PTTD.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1644-1653
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kinesio taping application on static and dynamic balance during ankle stabilization exercise. Method: H University in Gunsan is recruiting subjects with unstable ankles (N=12). The 12 subjects were randomly divided into groups (n=6) that performed ankle stabilization exercises by applying kinesio taping and groups that performed ankle stabilization exercises only (N=6). Exercise was done twice a week for 4 weeks. All groups conducted the same exercise program, including stretching, for 40 minutes. The exercise program was conducted in the following order. It was conducted in the order of 5 minutes of stretching, 30 minutes of exercise program, and 5 minutes of finishing stretching. To measure the change in static and dynamic balance, the experimenter and control group measured the change by conducting the Cumberland ankle instability tool, the Y-balance test, and the Stork balance standing test (SBST). Results: There was a statistically significant difference in static and dynamic balance between the group with kinesio taping (experimental group) and the group without kinesio taping (control group) in patients with chronic ankle instability. However, there was no statistically significant difference in static and dynamic balance before and after intervention between groups. Conclusion: These results were expected to help improve dynamic and static balance in ankle instability when applying kinesio taping and balance exercises, but there was no significant difference between the experimental group and the control group because the experiment period was short.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2010

Purpose: Stretching exercises are commonly used in conjunction with sports and rehabilitation. Weassessed the immediate effects of stretching on passive stiffness of the hamstring muscles and knee range of motion (ROM) using three stretching techniques. Methods: A total of 45 participants were recruited. Isokinetic equipment was used to measure the passive stiffness of hamstring muscles and an inclinometer was used to measure active and passive ROM of the knee joint pre and post stretching. Stiffness was then calculated based on the incline of the torque-angle relationship. The test conditions for Group I were $3{\times}30$ seconds of static stretches using the hamstring muscle, Group II were $3{\times}30$ seconds of static stretches using the hamstring muscle with ankle dorsiflexion, and Group IIII had $3{\times}30$ seconds of active stretching. Results: Group II had significantly higher excursion of active ROM and Group IIIhad significantly higher excursion of passive muscle stiffness. All of the groups had significantly higher active and passive ROM and significantly lower muscle stiffness after stretching. The participants showed no change in hamstring muscle stiffness on the following day. Conclusion: Stretching has significant acute effects on ROM and muscle stiffness and canbe used in warm-up protocols for reducing muscle stiffness before a variety of exercise programs.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.118-127
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• 2004

The foot and ankle are one of the most common sites for acute musculoskeletal injuries related to sports activity. Foot and ankle injury includes ligament injury, tendon injury, bone and osteochondral injury, nerve injuy, heel pain syndrome, phalangeal injury. This is a article about nonoperative management of foot and ankle injury. Therefore, this article includes various exercise technique, range of motion, stretching for muscle relaxation, proprioception training for rehabilitation. We recommend that orthopedic surgeon should discuss with patient and specialist for treatment plan after foot and ankle injury

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.28-36
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the increasing ankle range motion program on ambulation and balance for the elderly with balance disorder. Eighteen elderly subjects were administered with a timed test twice; approximately 4 weeks apart. The exercise group participated in a fall prevention exercise class at the Y.S. Senior Welfare Center of the Seoul Metropolitan Government. The session consisted of a stationary cycle, static stretching ankle joints, balance boards, and progressive resistive exercises using the Thera-band. The results were as follows: Firstly, the increasing ankle range of motion program was effective on the exercise group. Gait-speed was improved (p<.005). Secondly, balance was significantly improved (p<.000). Thirdly, increasing ankle range of motion program was effective in ankle dorsiflexion which was the major risk factor for falls among the elderly. Differences in gait and balance between the groups were examined using a paired t-test (p<.05). The exercise group demonstrated significantly higher values of gait-speed, ankle range of motion, and balance when compared with the non-exercise group. The results of this study suggest that the increasing ankle range of motion program is an effective intervention for the elderly with balance disorder.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.8-16
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mobilization of the sciatic nerve on hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance in patients with chronic stroke. This study was a randomized clinical trial with a crossover design. Sixteen subjects were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into two intervention groups and underwent either of the following two interventions: sciatic nerve mobilization or static stretching of the hamstring. We assessed hamstring flexibility, lower limb strength, and gait performance using a digital inclinometer, a hand-held dynamometer, and the 10-meter walk test, respectively. Subjects had a 24-hour rest period between each session in order to minimize carryover effects. Measurements for each test were assessed prior to and immediately after the intervention sessions. Using a two-way analysis of variance test with repeated measures, data from the two trials were analyzed by comparing the differences between both techniques. The level of statistical significance was set at .05. Sciatic nerve mobilization resulted in significantly better knee extensor strength (p=.023, from $15.32{\pm}5.98$ to $18.16{\pm}6.95kg$) and knee flexor strength (p=.011, from $7.80{\pm}4.80$ to $8.15{\pm}4.24kg$) in the experimental group than in the control group. However, no significant effects of static stretching of the hamstring were observed on hamstring flexibility from the ankle plantar flexion (p=.966) and ankle neutral positions (p=.210) and on gait performance (p=.396). This study indicated that the sciatic nerve mobilization technique may be more effective in muscle activation of the knee extensor muscle and knee flexor muscle than hamstring static stretching technique in patients with chronic stroke.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.1153-1160
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• 2012

This study was intended to implement ankle joint dorsi flexion training against ankle muscule strength weakening that erodes stroke patients' gait performance to examine the effect of the training on stroke patients' plantar pressure and gait ability. In this study, 36 stroke patients diagnosed with stroke due to cerebral infarction or cerebral hemorrhage were divided to measure 10MWS which are stroke patients' gait variables maximum plantar pressure by area of the sole by collecting data using an F-scan system during gait. Given these results of the study, compared to other training groups, the ankle muscule strength reinforcing training group showed statistically significant increases of maximum plantar pressure in the great toe, the toe and the first metatasal areas too and thus it can be said that this training increases forward thrust during stroke patients' foot end taking off and positively affects stroke patients' ability to perform gait.

• 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.