• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.127-134
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• 2015

Purpose: The current study seeks to examine the effect of coordinative pattern exercises of the upper and lower extremities using harnesses and walking rails on the walking and balance abilities of chronic stroke patients, and to develop effective programs and training methods to improve the functions of such patients. Methods: Subjects included 16 patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group (n=8), on which coordinative pattern exercises of the upper and lower extremities were conducted, and a comparison group (n=8) that received typical exercise therapy. The experimental group underwent 30 minutes of typical exercise therapy and 30 minutes of coordinative pattern exercises of the upper and lower extremities, while the comparison group underwent typical exercise therapy for 30 minutes twice a day, five days per week for a six-week period. To evaluate walking ability, 10-m walking tests (10MWT) and 6-m walking tests (6MWT) were conducted. To assess balance ability, timed up and go tests (TUG) were performed. Results: After the intervention, significant (p<0.05) differences were seen in the 10MWT, 6MWT, and TUG in both the experimental and comparison groups. As for the 10MWT, the experimental group showed more significant improvement than the comparison group (p<0.05). In terms of the 6MWT, no significant differences were found between the groups, while the experimental group showed more significant differences than the comparison group in the TUG (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results from the current research indicate that training programs that apply coordinative pattern exercises of the upper and lower extremities with harnesses are extremely effective for improving the walking and balance abilities of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.99 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of acute forest walking exercise on blood glucose of IGT (impaired glucose tolerance), NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus) in the elderly. There were four groups (n=60): forest walking exercise with IGT group (n=15; $66.21{\pm}4.16$ yrs), forest walking exercise with NIDDM group (n=15; $64.85{\pm}3.23$ yrs), field walking exercise with IGT group (n=15; $67.44{\pm}1.78$ yrs), field walking exercise with NIDDM group (n=15; $65.55{\pm}8.21$ yrs). They were tested on blood glucose levels at the beginning and at the end of each walking exercise. While the forest walking groups (interval + resistance exercise) worked for 40minutes with HRmax 50~60% level, the field walking groups (only aerobic exercise) worked for 40 minutes with HRmax 50~60% level. For data analysis, mean and standard deviation scores were calculated, and paired t-test and ANCOVA test were used. This study resulted in as follows. First, both walking groups showed the significant decrease of blood glucose in impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) after completing each exercise. Second, while the forest walking group showed the significant decrease of blood glucose in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) after completing the forest exercise, the field walking group did not present any decrease of blood glucose in NIDDM after the field walking exercise. Therefore, the present findings suggest that the forest walking exercise as an interval and resistance exercise may be more effective to decrease blood glucose for IGT and NIDDM peoples in comparison to the field walking exercise as an aerobic exercise.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.470-478
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) balance exercise on the ability to balance and walk in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: Following baseline measurements, patients (n=24) with hemiplegia caused by stroke were randomized into two groups: the PNF balance group (n=12) that received PNF balance exercise and the balance group (n=12) that received general balance exercise. Each group joined the intervention for 30 minutes, 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Both groups performed the Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance, as well as the 10-meter walking test (10MWT) and 6-minute walk test (6MWT) for walking. The data were collected both before and after the intervention. The paired t-test was used to compare the post-intervention changes compared with pre-intervention data. An independent t-test was used to analyze the differences in the dependent variables between the two groups. Results: After the 6-week intervention, both groups showed significant improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) parameters (p<0.05). The patients in the PNF balance group showed greater improvements in balance (TUG, BBS) and walking (10MWT, 6MWT) than those in the balance group (p<0.05). Conclusions: PNF balance exercise shows improvements in balance and walking parameters in patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to show the effect of walking exercise on physiological index, physical fitness, self-esteem. depression. and life satisfaction in institutionalized elderly women aged over 70. Sample and Method: Data were collected from subjects who consented to participate in this program for eight weeks from the 2nd of July to the 27th of August 2005. The subjects were divided into two groups, 26 subjects in the experimental group who had walking exercise and 30 in the control group who did not have walking exercise. The intensity of the walking exercise allowed 50-65% of the maximum heartbeat. Results: The results of the experiment supported the hypothesis that the experimental group would have higher flexibility, left grip strength, sense of equilibrium, self-esteem and life satisfaction and lower depression than the control group. Conclusion: Walking exercise has the effect of decreasing diastolic blood pressure together with improvement in flexibility, left grip strength, sense of equilibrium, self-esteem, depression and life satisfaction for institutionalized elderly women aged over 70. According to the results presented above, walking exercise can be strongly recommended for improving the health of institutionalized elderly women.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2015

Purpose: Despite well-known benefits of walking on cardiovascular health, no structured walking exercise program has been formally tested on elderly Korean immigrants (EKIs). This pilot randomized controlled trial study assessed the effect of a walking program on walking behavior (pedometer steps count), stress (cortisol), depressive symptoms (CESD-10), and cardiovascular disease biomarkers (hs-CRP and fibrinogen) via venipuncture in EKIs. Methods: Seventy EKIs recruited from a Korean community were randomly assigned to a 12-week walking group or control group in a 3:2 ratio. The working program included a pedometer, buddy, monthly coffee card, weekly call for goal setting, and physical activity consultation. Walking group EKIs maintained the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended exercise guidelines and good mental health status over 12 weeks. Results: There was no significant difference in the outcomes between control and walking groups. Conclusion: Social networking with Koreans in the senior center and church from a well-established Korean community might have positive effects on mental health.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was done to identify the effect of a group walking exercise program on weight, obesity, blood pressure and cholesterol in elderly patients with hypertension. Method: From the population of elderly people in Hwasung city, 80 people with hypertension were selected as participants in this study. Frequencies and paired t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: The group walking exercise program lowered weight, obesity, blood pressure, and cholesterol. And such a change appeared to be effective statistically. Conclusion: Therefore, it is important to develop a program and environment that promotes group walking exercise in elderly patients with hypertension.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Background: The ability for backward walking is considered to be necessary for the neuromuscular control and maintenance of balance in daily ambulatory activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of backward walking training on the walking speed and balance control in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fourteen patients with hemiplegia were randomly allocated to an experimental and control groups of seven patients each. For the experimental group, we performed both conventional training and backward walking training, and conventional training only for the control group. The conventional training programs for the 2 groups were conducted for 30 min, twice a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, and backward walking training for the experimental group was conducted for 30 min, 3 times a week. The outcomes were assessed using the functional reach test (FRT), timed up-and-go (TUG) Test, and the 10 meter walk time test (10mWT). Result: A comparison of the FRT, TUG test, and 10mWT scores obtained before and after the 4-week treatment revealed statistically significant differences (p<.05) for the experimental group; however, there was no such difference in the case of the control group (p>.05). On assessment after the 4-week treatment, statistically significant differences were noted in the TUG test and 10mWT scores of the experimental group (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that backward walking training is an effective clinical strategy for improving the walking speed and functional mobility of patients with hemiplegia.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2022.10a
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• pp.285-288
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• 2022

Objectives : This study aimed to determine whether Variability of Walking Environment Training can improve gait and balance in stroke patients. Methods : Twenty-four stroke patients are randomly assigned to experimental group 1 (n=8), experimental group 2 (n=8) and control group (n=8). Experimental group 1 performed unexpected obstacle walking training, experimental group 2 performed fixed obstacle walking training and control group performed non obstacle walking training for 12 minutes per session, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The gait analyzer G-walk were evaluated using gait cadence, gait velocity, and stride length, balance was evaluated using FES-K and BBS. Results : In within-group comparison of gait cadence, gait velocity and stride length of change, the experimental 1,2 groups showed significant improvements post intervention (p<.05) but control group showed no significant improvement. In between-groups comparison there was significant difference in the change of gait cadence, gait velocity and stride length pre and post intervention. In within-group comparison of FES-K and BBS scores, the experimental 1,2 groups showed significant improvements post intervention (p<.05) but control group showed no significant improvement. In between-groups comparison there was significant difference in the change of FES-K and BBS scores pre and post intervention (p<.05).

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.266-278
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of reinforced walking exercise on dyspnea-fatigue symptoms, daily activities, walking ability and health related quality of life (HRQoL) in heart failure patients. Methods: This study used a randomized controlled trial design. The participants (experimental group=16, control group=25) were recruited from a university hospital in Kyeong-nam area. Data were collected from March to September, 2015. The reinforced walking exercise included goal setting and feedback (telephone and text message) provided for 12 weeks. Dyspnea-Fatigue Index, Korean Activity Scale/Index (KASI), six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and HRQoL were measured. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Fisher's exact test, $x^2$ test, and Kolmogrove-Smirnov test. Results: Prior to the intervention there were no differences in the research variables between two groups. The exercise compliance in the experimental group was 100% (walking for 50 minutes per day, 5 times per week). The experimental group had improved dyspnea-fatigue symptoms (t=8.63, p<.001), daily activities (t=-4.92, p<.001), longer 6MWD (t=-5.66, p<.001), and increased HRQoL (t=-9.05, p<.001) compared to the control group. Conclusion: The reinforced walking exercise could be a cost-effective intervention in heart failure patient, which could enhance patients' outcomes, such as improving dyspnea-fatigue symptoms, daily activities, walking ability, and quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.83-94
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to elucidate how walking speed influences on change of angles of lower extremity and ground reaction force in normal and obese people. One group with normal body weight who were experimented at a standard speed of 1.5m/s and the other obese group were experimented at two different walking speeds (standard speed of 1.5m/s and self-selected speed of 1.3m/s). We calculated angles of lower extremity and ground reaction force during stance phase through video recording and platform force measuring. When the obese group walked at the standard speed, dorsi-flexion angle of ankle got bigger and plantar-flexion angle of ankle got smaller, which were not statistically significant. There was no significant difference of knee joint angles between normal and obese group at the same speed walking but significant post hoc only for the first flexion of knee joint in obese group. $F_z1$ was bigger than $F_z3$ in vertical axis for ground reaction force in both groups at the standard speed walking and the same force value at self-selected speed in obese group. $F_y3$ was always bigger than $F_y1$ in anterior-posterior axis in both groups.