• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.1756-1762
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• 2019

Background: Functional ankle instability (FAI) indicating a decrease in muscle strength, proprioception, neuromuscular control, balance and postural control function. Objective: To investigate the effect of jumping exercise on the supporting surface on the ankle muscle thickness, proprioceptive sensation, and balance in adults with FAI. Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Methods: Twenty young people with FAI were randomly assigned to the unstable supporting surface jump group (N=10) and the stable supporting surface jump group (N=10). The intervention was conducted three times a week for eight weeks, and for 30 minutes per session. Trampoline was used as an unstable support surface and the stable support surface was carried out on a regular floor. The thickness of the tibialis anterior muscle and medial gastrocnemius muscle was measured by ultrasonography, and the proprioception of dorsiflexion and plantarflexion was measured using an electrogoniometer. The dynamic balance was also measured with a balance meter. Results: The the muscle thickness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle was significantly higher in the stable supporting surface jump group than in the unstable supporting surface jump group (p<.05). Furthermore, the plantar flexion proprioception and dynamic balance were significantly improved in the unstable supporting surface jump group than in the stable supporting surface jump group in the intergroup comparison (p<.05). Conclusions: The conclusion has been reached in this study that the jumping exercise on the unstable supporting surface could be a more effective in improving FAI than the regular surface.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.216-225
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• 2003

To demonstrate the effect of physical irritancy(massages) on the skeletal muscles of immobilization ddY mice models induced by right side sciatic nerve neurectomy, the cross sectional histological profiles of the muscularis (M) gastrocnemius, M. tibialis cranialis and M. tibialis caudalis were observed after 28 days of treatment of physical irritancy with the changes of body weight thickness of hind limb and individual muscle weights. In addition, changes of demonstrated with diameter of individual muscle fiber and muscle fasciculata, and number of muscle fiber in each of three types of muscles located in the calf. The massages were used in this study as physical irritancy. The experimental groups were divided into five groups, 1) Sham-operated group(Sham), 2) Neurectomized but not physical irritated control group(Control), 3) Neurectomized and physical irritated at knee pint regions(T1), 4) Neurectomized and physical irritated at calf regions(T2), and 5) Neurectomized and physical irritated at achilles tendon regions(T3). The experimental animals were used 5 per groups. The changes of number or diameter of muscle fiber in each muscles were calculated using automated image analyzer. The results are as follow : Thickness(diameter) of muscle fiber of M. gastrocnemius, M. tibialis cranialis and M. tibialis cranialis in right side of hind limb were remarkedly decreased in Control, T1, T2 and T3 groups compared to that of Sham group. However, the thickness was significantly increased in physical irritated groups compared to that of Control group in followed order : T3

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.187-191
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of our study aimed to identify the effect of static and dynamic bridge exercise with gym ball using gym ball on muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb in healthy individuals. Methods: A total of 20 healthy adults participated in this study. The individuals performed general bridge exercise, static and dynamic bridge exercise using gym ball. During the three methods of bridge exercises, electromyography (EMG) data (% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were recorded using a wireless surface EMG system. Results: Rectus abdominis activation showed significantly greater during dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise and dynamic bridge exercise. Erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius were greater during static and dynamic bridge exercise compared with general bridge exercise. Conclusion: Based on our results, bridge exercise using gym ball, particularly integrating lower-limb movement, could be a useful method to enhance muscle activation of trunk and lower-limb (rectus abdominis, erector spinae, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.75-83
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• 2013

Purpose : This research was conducted to see the correlation between sway speed and muscle activity for lower extremity of stroke patients through unstable surface training. Methods : A total of 60 patients were randomly divided unstable surface group (30 peoples) and stable surface group (30 people). Then they were asked to carry out the same exercise program for 6 weeks. The unstable surface group and stable surface group performed the exercise program on the balance mat and on the hard wood block. We checked the changes of sway speed and the changes in muscle activity for lower extremity. Results : The unstable surface group displayed significantly reduced sway speed, and improved muscle activity of lower extremity. There were significant correlation between change amount of muscle activity and sway velocity in Gastrocnemius, Biceps femoris during unstable surface training(r=.373, p<.05)(r=.369, p<.05). And there were not show significant differences during stable surface training. Conclusion : Judging from this, we can have knowledge that the correlation between increase of muscle activity and decrease of sway velocity for Gastrocnemius, Biceps femoris in the unstable surface training.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2019

Purpose: In chronic stroke patients, muscle tone and stiffness increase due to ankle spasticity. Electrotherapy may control the spasticity of patients with central nerve system damage via neurophysiological mechanisms. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the immediate effects of interferential current therapy on gastrocnemius (GCM) muscle. Methods: This study was a one-group pretest-posttest design and 20 stroke patients participated. The experimental group underwent interferential current therapy for GCM for 30 minutes. Muscle tone (MT) and stiffness were assessed using MYOTONE(R) PRO. After 30 minutes of interferential current therapy, MT and stiffness of the affected side and unaffected side by GCM were measured. Results: After interferential current therapy, the medial GCM MT (Hz) was significantly reduced in stroke patients. There was a significant difference in MT between affected GCM muscles and unaffected side medial GCM muscles before intervention, but there was no significant difference after interferential current therapy. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that interferential current therapy had a positive effect, producing an immediate decrease in the medial GCM muscles tone of stroke patients. However, this study employed a one-group pretest-posttest design. Future studies will show differences in muscle tone compared to a control group or other electrical stimulation treatments.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2212-2220
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• 2020

Background: Repetitive damage to the ankle joint causes chronic ankle instability, and studies comparing the effects of exercise in open and closed chains as a treatment method are very rare. Objectives: To investigate the effects of open and closed kinetic exercises on muscle activity and dynamic balance of ankle joint in adults with chronic ankle instability. Design: Single-blind randomized controlled trial. Methods: The selected 30 subjects are randomly divided into open kinetic chain exercise experimental group (EGI, n=10), closed kinetic chain exercise experimental group (EGII, n=10), and stretching control group (CG, n=10). Open and closed kinetic exercises lasted 30 minutes three times a week for six weeks and stretching exercises performed four actions for 20 seconds and five sets. The measurement tools using surface electromyography to measure muscle activity in the ankle joint. The dynamic balance of the ankle was evaluated using the Y-Balance test. Results: Following the intervention, closed and open kinetic chain exercise group showed significant difference in tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle activity and dynamic balance (P<.05). However, no significant difference in tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscle activity and dynamic balance between closed and open kinetic chain exercise group (P<.05). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that closed and open kinetic chain exercise can be presented as an effective exercise for the muscle activity of ankle muscle and dynamic balance of the subject with chronic ankle instability.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.562-565
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• 2013

The fact that flip-flops, one of many different types of unstable shoes, are light and relatively easy to put on, accounts for their popularity among people. But because flip-flops rely heavily on the support of a single thong between your first and second toes, they impose a huge amount of pressure onto lower leg. Thus in the following experiment we tried to examine the different effects of flip-flops and running shoes in terms of their effect on muscle activity and fatigue of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius during walking. In order to measure an electromyogram we used Free EMG system. 10 men and 10 women in running shoes ran on treadmills for 15 minutes at 4.8km/h, 2 days later the same experiment was carried out, but this time, in flip-flops. p value turned out to be greater than .05 and thus there was no considerable difference between the effects of flip-flops and running shoes on muscle activity and fatigue during walking. Therefore we conclude that despite the fact that flip-flops are considered unstable, their effects on muscle activity and fatigue of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius are negligible.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.13-18
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• 2010

Purpose : This study investigates the effects on balanced ability and ankle joint muscle following balance pad and trampoline training periods in order to report a clinical directing about this matter. Methods : A total of nine members participated in a balance training program that put a balance pad and trampoline to use. Participants trained three times a week for thirty minutes in groups of six. Resting time was set for two minutes. EMG (median frequency and root mean square) was used to measure muscle activity at 3 weeks and 6 weeks, respectively. The tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were measured. Participants were measured with eyes open and closed. Results : The median frequency showed a significant difference according to the change in time in both muscles. Also, results showed a significant interaction between eyes open and closed in the gastrocnemius muscle. The root mean square only showed a significant difference according to the change in time in the gastrocnemius muscle. Conclusion : We suggest that the balance pad and trampoline training influence a decrease in the recruitment rate of slow twitch muscles through an improvement in balance ability; however, the training did not show a statistically significant difference with regards to eyes open and closed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.150-157
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was investigate the effect of gastrocnemius(GCM) muscle length on the dynamic balance and antero-posterior pressure distribution of foot. Thirty subjects were recruited and each subject was classified with control experimental and control group according to GCM muscle length. The experimental group included subjects with shortness of GCM muscle length, the control group included subjects with normal length of GCM. The dynamic balance and antero-posterior pressure distribution of foot were measured by Biorescue equipment. To evaluate dynamic balance, we collected data of limit of stability in antero-posterior direction. We analyzed the data by using independent t-test. The alpha level was set 0.05. The results showed that the dynamic balance and antero-posterior pressure distribution of foot were significantly different between two groups (p<0.05). This study suggests that the shortness of GCM affects anterior limited of stability in dynamic balance and anterior pressure distribution of foot. Therefore, it is important to maintain optimal GCM muscle length for normal balance ability and prevention of musculoskeletal disease.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.278-285
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of open kinetic chain (OKC) exercise for the gastrocnemius (GCM) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles on static and dynamic balance and muscle strength. Methods: We recruited 21 healthy participants, dividing them into 3 groups (GCM, TA, and non-exercise). Each group contains 7 participants. Two exercise groups (GCM and TA) performed OKC exercise with elastic bands twice per week for 4 weeks, while non-exercise group did nothing. We obtained the data for static and dynamic balance and muscle strength before and after the intervention. We used the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare and analyze the pre-post-intervention differences among the groups. Results: For static balance, the stability index of the TA group was the lowest for the dynamic platform (p<0.05). The dynamic balance of the TA group increased for the anterior and posteromedial directions (p<0.05). The peak torque increased in the TA group for dorsiflexion (D/F) movement and in the GCM group for plantar flexion movement compared with the other groups, except for the left direction during D/F (p<0.05). Conclusion: OKC exercises with elastic bands were effective for selectively increasing muscle strength. It is clinically thought that strength training for TA muscles will be effective among the muscles of the ankle.