• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2065-2070
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• 2020

Background: Weakness of the abdominal and mid thoracic muscles the lead to thoracic kyphosis of stroke patients. The trunk muscles activity of stroke patients is significantly related to upper extremity. Objectives: To investigate the effect of seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles on upper extremity function and trunk muscles activity in stroke patients. Design: One-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: A total of 27 stroke patients were recruited. All stroke patient were given seated abdominal exercise (posterior pelvic tilt exercises) and thoracic exercise (postural-correction exercise). All exercises were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks. The manual function test (MFT) and electromyography (EMG) were measured, and EMG electrodes were attached to thoracic paraspinal muscles and lower rectus abdominal muscles. EMG signal is expressed as %RVC (reference voluntary contraction). Results: Experimental group showed significant increases in abdominal muscles, paraspinal muscles activity and MFT total score, items of arm motion (forward elevation of the upper extremity, lateral elevation of the upper extremity, touch the occiput with the palm) in MFT after four weeks. Conclusion: These results suggest that, in stroke patients, seated exercise of thoracic and abdominal muscles contribute to improve trunk muscles activity and upper extremity function in stroke patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.647-653
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• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the lower extremities muscle activation between squatting exercise with gym ball and wall for improving muscle strengthening in lower extremities. METHODS: Participants were 21 university students (males 10, females 11) who didn't have any problem with orthopedic surgery. Participants performed squatting exercise with gym ball and wall. Squatting exercise with gym ball were performed using by gym ball behind back, and the gym ball were fixed in back and wall. We asked participants to push back the gym ball slightly to prevent fall of ball. Wall squatting exercise, we ask participants to contact their back in wall slightly in order to prevent trunk flexion during performed squatting exercise. Each squatting exercise had performed until knee joint were flexed at 60 degree, and maintained five seconds. We collected data from E.M.G of Biceps femoris, Gastrocnemius, Vastus medialis and lateralis, Tibialis anterior of lower extremity in isometric phase of knee joint angle 60 degree of each squatting exercise. We analysed data using by ANOVA and independent t-test of SPSS PC ver.20.0 in order to compare the muscle activation between squatting exercise with gym ball and wall. RESULT: All of lower extremities muscle activation showed more higher value in squatting exercise with gym ball than squatting exercise with wall, especially there was significantly difference of muscle activation in vastus medialis, tibialis anterior between squatting exercise with gymball and with wall. CONCLUSION: On comprehensively considering the results of the present study, we suggested that squatting exercise with gym ball was more effective method improving lower extremity muscle strengthening.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.293-298
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of whole body vibration exercise (WBVE) on lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability according to different methods of exercises in football player and use it as basic data for the rehabilitation training of chronic ankle instability. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into two groups: the two groups, which each group have 15 members, are WBVE group and neuromuscular training (NMT) group according to training method. The exercise program was conducted for six weeks. Subjects were measured on lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability. Results: The muscle activity increasement of the WBVE group was significantly higher than that of the NMT group (p<0.05) and the balance ability decreasement of the WBVE group was significantly higher than that of the NMT group (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings of this study suggest that WBVE may have a beneficial effect on improvement of lower extremity muscle activity and balance ability in football player with chronic ankle instability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an additional weight aquatic exercise program on the balance and lower extremity strength on aquatic environment in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where thirteen subjects were in the additional weight aquatic exercise group, twelve subjects in the aquatic exercise group, and fifteen subjects in the control group. Subjects received a graded aquatic exercise program for 30 minutes, with 3 sessions per week for 6 weeks, and subjects in all groups received conventional physical therapy. All subjects were assessed with the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Berg Balance scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), and 10-meter walk test (10MWT) pre and post intervention. Results: The MRC, BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p<0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas post-treatment (p<0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that the additional weight aquatic exercise group had significantly improved in MRC, BBS, and TUG scores compared with the aquatic exercise and control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that the additional weight aquatic exercise program improves lower extremity and balance in persons with stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.147-158
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• 2017

PURPOSE: Balance exercise as well as lower extremity strengthening exercise (LESE) is known to be effective in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of performing LESE in conjunction with balance exercise on lower extremity function, range of motion, muscle strength, and balance in patients with KOA. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 25 patients with KOA who were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: 1) those who performed LESE with balance exercise; and 2) those who performed only LESE. Both the groups also received general physical therapy and performed aerobic exercise. The interventions were performed 3 times a week for 4 weeks. To determine the effectiveness of the interventions, we measured Western Ontario and MacMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) score, numerical rating scale (NRS) score, passive range of motion (PROM), chair stand test (CST), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score at the initiation of the interventions and again after 4 weeks, at the time of completion of the interventions. RESULTS: After 4 weeks of the interventions, both the groups showed significantly improved WOMAC (p<.01), NRS (p<.01), PROM (p<.05), CST (p<.05), and BBS (p<.01) scores. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the clinical outcomes observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the addition of balance exercise to a LESE regimen in patients with KOA did not provide any additional benefit.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.355-364
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study is to test the effects of elastic band exercise accompanied by Swiss ball exercise on lower limb muscle strength, balance and pain in middle-aged women with osteoarthritis. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty-five participants were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=18), which performed elastic band exercise combined with Swiss ball exercise, and the control group (n=17), which performed elastic band exercise only. Both groups did a 30-minute session of exercise three times a week for eight weeks and were assessed for lower extremity muscle strength, static and dynamic balance, and pain levels before the first therapy session. All participating patients underwent outcome assessment after eight weeks of therapy without any additional treatment. Results: The experimental group made a significant increase in muscle strength of the lower extremities, static and dynamic balance ability, and pain level (p<0.05). The control group made a significant improvement in lower limb muscle strength, dynamic balance ability and pain level (p<0.05) with no such improvement in static balance ability. The exercise group made a significant increase in static and dynamic balance ability and pain level compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results demonstrated that both Swiss ball exercise and elastic band exercise were effective for middle-aged women with osteoarthritis and found that elastic band exercise combined with Swiss ball exercise produced more significant effects on their balance and pain.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation on the lower extremity function of chronic stroke patients. Methods: The participants consist of 26 chronic stroke patients. They were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=13) or a control group (n=13) and engaged in exercise three times per week for eight weeks. The experimental group engaged in proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises and the control group engaged in general mat exercises. To measure lower extremity strength, the sit to stand test and the static balance test (standing on one leg) were used. To measure the stability index (SI) and weight distribution index (WDI), a Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) was used in addition to a static balance test (standing on one leg). Results: : Lower extremity strength and static balance showed a significant improvement in the experimental group (p<.05). The SI and WDI were significantly improved in the experimental group (p<.05) for tests of standing with their eyes open, standing with their eyes closed, and standing on a sponge with their eyes open. Conclusion: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercises have confirmed that lower extremity function improves after exercise interventions in chronic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.311-316
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• 2019

Purpose: Generally, patients with stroke present with decreased balance and increased spasticity following weakness of the paralyzed muscles. Muscle weakness caused by stroke has two causes. This is caused by a decrease in motor output and an adaptive muscle change, resulting in muscle weakness and muscle paralysis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of strengthening exercise on balance and spasticity in chronic stroke patients and to suggest the basis of clinical treatment. Methods: Twenty subjects were divided into two groups: a lower-extremity strengthening group (experimental group) and a general physical therapy group (control group). The sliding stander equipment was used for the experimental group and a regimen of warm-up exercise, the main exercise routine, and cool-down exercise were used for the muscle strengthening exercise program. Balance and spasticity were measured before and after the training period. Balance ability was measured by the Berg balance scale, the Timed up and Go test and the weight distribution of the paralyzed muscles by the Spacebalance 3D. Spasticity was measured by the Biodex system. Results: After the training periods, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in BBS, weight distribution of the paralyzed muscles, and decreased spasticity when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study supported the hypothesis that lower-extremity strengthening exercise improves the balance and decreases the spasticity of stroke patients. If it is combined with conventional neurologic physiotherapy, it would be effective rehabilitation for stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.9-23
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation(PNF) exercise on body functions(gait, balance, lower extremity power) of elderly women. Methods : This study applied PNF exercise in a fall prevention program in addition to fall prevention seminars to an experimental group of 15 subjects and applied only fall prevention seminars to a control group of 15 subjects. The PNF exercise consisted of three sessions per week for 8 weeks and fall prevention seminars were composed of three times educations(0th, 4th, and 8th week). As a result of statistical analyses, following conclusions were obtained. Results : A 8-week PNF exercise significantly improved gait function and balance functions, lower extremity functions of elderly women. Conclusion : The PNF exercise in a fall prevention program was found to be effective to improve body functions(gait, balance, lower extremity power) of elderly women. In other words, the PNF exercise needs to be considered as an effective intervention for elderly women in order to strengthen their body functions and in fall prevention program.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.21-27
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate PNF exercise, the athletic performances and the ability of exercise capacity in Taekwondo. Methods : This is a literature study with books and articles, seminar note and books for PNF international course. Results : The PNF exercise was efficient at improving flexibility and muscle strengthening in Taekwondo athletes. Kinematic characters of Yupchagi and Dollyuchagi in Taekwondo were analogous to Lower extremity Flexion-Abduction-Internal Rotation patterns in PNF, and the kinematic character of Apchagi was to analogous to Lower extremity Flexion-Adduction-External Rotation pattern in PNF. Movements of Upper extremities and Lower extremities during kicking were similar to PNF patterns. The PNF is efficient at improving athletic performances and the ability of exercise capacity in Taekwondo. Conclusion : The result of this study showed that PNF patterns and kicking that is one of the basic movement in Taekwondo have many similarities. With that PNF patterns was the training methods to improve flexibility and muscle strengthening, PNF patterns are considered to improve athletic performances and the ability of exercise capacity in Taekwondo.