• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.57 no.9
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• pp.1669-1673
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• 2008

A new cycle ergometer using a Magneto-Rheological (MR) rotary brake system has been developed for rehabilitation of hemiplegia patients to reduce uneven pedaling characteristics. For this purpose, a control method to adjust the resistance of the MR rotary brake in real time based on the magnitude of the muscular force exerted by the subject has been devised so that the mechanical resistance to the pedaling can be minimized when the affected leg was engaged for pedaling. A series of experiments were carried out with and without the engagement of this real-time control mode of MR rotary brake at different pedaling rate to find out the effect of the real-time control mode. The characteristics of the pedaling for these specific conditions were analyzed based on the variations in angular velocities of the pedal unit. The results showed that the variations in the angular velocities were decreased by 42.9% with the control mode. The asymmetry of pedaling between dominant and non-dominant leg was 19.63% in non-control mode and 1.97% in the control mode. The characteristics of electromyography(EMG) in the lower limbs were also measured. The observation showed that Integrated EMG(IEMG) reduced with the control mode. Therefore, the new bicycle system using MR brake with the real time control of mechanical resistance was found to be effective in recovering the normal pedaling pattern by reducing unbalanced pedaling characteristics caused by disparity of muscular strength between affected and unaffected leg.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.131-138
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• 2018

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to compare the muscle activity of the proximal muscles of the lower limb according to the distance between the front and rear foot during lunge and to determine the most effective foot position for activation of the proximal muscle in the limb. METHODS: A total of 49 young adults were enrolled in this study. All subjects performed lunge by positioning the big toe of the back foot and the heel of the front foot at intervals of 40%, 60%, and 80% of the subject's own leg length. Muscle activity of the vastus medialis oblique, rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), gluteus medius, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus (ST) was then measured during three intervals of lunge operation. Each operation was measured three times for 10 seconds each, after which the average value was calculated and analyzed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in muscle activities of RF, VLO, and ST among the three intervals of the foot (p<.05). Post hoc, comparisons revealed lunge at 40% intervals resulted in higher RF and VLO activity than at 60% and 80% intervals (p<.05). In the semitendinosus muscle, 80% leg length intervals showed higher muscle activity than 40% (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Strengthening of the proximal muscles of the lower extremities during lunge exercise is considered to be most effective when placing the fore- and rear foot at intervals corresponding to 40% of the leg length.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.252-262
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• 2010

Purpose: Designed to examine the effects of aerobic exercise therapy on elders' physical functions. Methods: Selected from an elderly welfare center in an agricultural district located in N City. Thirty seven elders were selected in the experimental group and 38 in the control group, and all the subjects aged over 65. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS/PC 12.0 Win. Detailed data analysis methods were Chi-square, Fisher's exact test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, t-test, Mann-Whitney u-test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon's rank sum test. Results: The first hypothesis "The experimental group who had the aerobic exercise therapy will have greater development in lower leg muscular strength compared to the control group" was supported (t=8.95, p<.001). The second hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in lower leg endurance" was supported (t=6.12, p<.001). The third hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in flexibility" was supported (U=49.00, p<.001). The forth hypothesis "Aerobic exercise therapy participants will show greater development in balance" was supported (U=322.00, p<.001). Conclusion: The aerobic exercise therapy showed positive effects on physical functions of the elderly in a rural area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of isometric upper limb contraction on the trunk and lower extremity muscles during the sit-to-stand activity in elderly females. METHODS: Eighteen healthy elderly females performed three directional isometric upper extremity contractions (flexion, extension, and horizontal abduction movements) using an elastic band during sit-to-stand activity. Electromyography signals were collected from the internal oblique, erector spinae, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris muscles. RESULTS: Internal oblique activity was greater in bilateral shoulder flexion and bilateral shoulder horizontal abduction than in neutral position (p<.05). Erector spinae and rectus femoris muscle activities in bilateral shoulder flexion was greater than in neutral position and bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). Biceps femoris activity was significantly greater in bilateral shoulder flexion than in bilateral shoulder extension and horizontal abduction, and in neutral position compared to bilateral shoulder extension (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that incorporating isometric upper limb contraction may be beneficial for enhancing the contribution of trunk and lower extremity muscle activities to trunk stabilization during sit-to-stand activity. Therefore, isometric upper limb contraction during sit-to-stand tasks, especially in flexion, may be used to elicit contraction of the lumbopelvic region muscles within a tolerable range, for developing endurance and strength in the elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Technology Engineers
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• v.22 no.3_1spc
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• pp.509-517
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• 2013

This paper presents upgraded equipment to assist a patient in rehabilitating of their knee-joint by themselves. A new automatic mechanism is suggested and developed in order to add functions for enforcing the leg muscles, which were absent in previous rehabilitation machines. Using the Pro-engineer software, we analyze the displacements and speeds of several moving points of the equipment during various planned exercises. In addition, an appropriate control panel for operation is developed. Three motors andthree motor drivers are used in a tilting part for the ankle joint, sliding guide part for the knee joint, and up-down moving part for the whole leg. Finally, various newly upgraded motions can be generated by controlling the three motors simultaneously. we show that by using this equipment, we can adjust the proper length of the equipment according to the user's height and the intensity of the rehabilitation exercise.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the proprioceptive exercise program on balance performance in order to the suggest hemiplegic patients the therapeutic intervention. Methods : In this study, Proprioceptive exercise program was applied to 11 hemiplegic patients for 6 weeks as follows: First of all, hemi leg flexion-extension pattern was applied in a supine position. Secondly, alternated leg flexion pattern was applied in a standing posture with one hand support on the unstable platform. Thirdly, rhythmic stabilization techniques were applied in a standing posture on the unstable platform. Results : Significant differences were observed the chronic low back pain patient for VAS, BBS. Chronic low back pain patient improved all test. The results of this study were summarized as follows: 1. After intervention, there was a statistically significant change in the dynamic balance (FSST, TUG, FRT) performance(p<.05). 2. After intervention, there was also a statistically significant change in the static balance (FICSIT-4) performance(p<.05). Conclusion : The result of the study suggests that muscle strength exercise by the intervention of proprioceptive exercise program improves the hemiplegic patients' static and dynamic balance performance.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2022

This study proposed a multiple regression equation for predicting VO2max of elderly men and women using functional performance variables required to conduct daily activities. The subjects of this study were 58 elderly men (72.4±5.9 yrs) and 117 elderly women (73.4±4.5 yrs) aged 65-90 who belong to the senior welfare center. The maximal graded exercise test using a cycle ergometer and functional performance representing muscle strength, endurance, static and dynamic flexibility, mobility, and agility were measured. For statistical processing, multiple regression analysis was performed, and the statistical significance level was α = .05. As a result, the VO2max estimation formula for the elderly was 0.419 (standing up and sitting down a chair) + 0.199 (leg endurance against wall) + 5.383, and R2=0.406. In addition, the VO2max estimation formula for elderly women is - 0.737 (standing up from a supine position) - 0.144 (waking around two cones in a figure 8) - 0.135 (%body fat) + 0.042 (one leg balance with eyes open) + 29.395, R2=0.367 was calculated. The conclusion is that if the maximal graded exercise test is not available, it is considered that VO2max of the elderly can be predicted properly by using the estimation formula calculated based on the functional performance variable.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.202-209
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined whether various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball in the standing position could improve balance, muscle strength, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were randomly divided into three groups, each with seven participants. For four weeks, experimental group 1 performed various lower extremity exercises using a Swiss ball, while experimental group 2 executed the same exercises without a Swiss ball, and the control group underwent general physical therapy. The subjects' knee extensor muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy were evaluated before and after the intervention using portable muscle strength measurement, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), G-walk, and the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale (K-FES). Results: Knee extensor strength increased significantly in all three groups after the intervention; in particular, a significant increase was seen in experimental groups 1 and 2 compared to the control group. Moreover, all three groups had significantly better BBS scores and higher cadence after the intervention; notably, experimental group 1 had better scores and increased cadence than the control group. Additionally, gait speed was significantly increased in the experimental group 1 than in the control group. The step length of the non-affected leg was also significantly higher in the same group. The K-FES score improved significantly in all three groups, but there was no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that lower extremity exercises with or without a Swiss ball could be effective interventions to improve muscle strength, balance, gait, and fall efficacy in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.8
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• pp.61-66
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between vertical jump and lower extremity muscle strength of elementary school baseball players. This study subjects were conducted with a total of 40 subjects. Vertical jump was measured using a vertical jump gauge, and a hand held dynamometer was used to measure lower extremity muscle strength. For the measurement of lower extremity muscle strength, flexion·extension·adduction·abduction·internal rotaiton·external rotation of both hip joint, flexion·extension of both knee joint, dorsi flexion·plantar flexion of both ankle joint were measured. pearson's correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between vertical jump and lower extremity muscle strength. From these results, it was found that the stronger the leg muscles except for the plantar flexion, the higher the vertical jump was, indicating a positive correlation. In future studies, follow-up studies on the relationship between batting ability and vertical jump & lower extremity muscle strength are needed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2022

Background: The lateral step down (LSD) is a form of stair negotiation used by the elderly because it requires less movement of the lower extremity. Although it is necessary to study the amount of pelvic drop and the strength of a hip abductor during LSD for intervention, limited studies have investigated the relationship between the amount of pelvic drop and strength of a hip abductor during LSD in elderly people. Objects: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the amount of pelvic drop on an unsupported leg and the strength of the hip abductor during LSD in the elderly. Methods: Thirty elderly people (male: 17, female: 13) were recruited. Subjects performed the LSD task, and the evaluator measured and the amount of pelvic drop on an unsupported side. Also, the isometric strength of the hip abductor was measured in a supine position. Results: We found significant relationships between the strength of the hip abductor and the amount of pelvic drop (r = -0.386). The average hip abductor strength normalized by body weight was 1.06 N/kg (max: 1.99, min: 0.52) and the average contralateral pelvic drop (CPD) angle was 4.16° (max: 15.3, min: 0). Conclusion: Our results indicated that the strength of the hip abductor had a moderate correlation with the CPD during a LSD in the elderly. Hip abductor weakness could translate into altered movement of the pelvis.