• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.109-124
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• 2024

The aim of this paper is to design and evaluate calf braces that are equipped with Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) modules. These braces are intended to alleviate calf pain in PARA Taekwondo athletes. The paper also seeks to assess the effects of different textile electrode designs. PARA Taekwondo participants are at a heightened risk of injuries and pain due to the nature of this exercise, which is designed for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, there is a significant risk of strain on the lower limb muscles in PARA Taekwondo compared to regular Taekwondo. To address this issue, calf taping methods are commonly used. In this study, we develop calf EMS protective gear and aim to examine the effects of different textile electrode designs inspired by taping methods. We evaluate the differences in the effects of three different textile electrode designs through visual analog scale (VAS) and range of motion (ROM) measurements. The results show that EMS protective gear has the potential to reduce calf pain among PARA Taekwondo athletes, with electrode designs inspired by kinesiology taping providing the most effective pain relief. This research suggests that these findings may be applicable to other sports disciplines, body areas, and everyday pain relief scenarios.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2022

Background: The PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games (WPG) being one of the most successful Paralympic Games (PG) in modern athletic world history, hosted the largest number of elite athletes representing 49 National Paralympic Committees (NPCs). Objects: The present investigation highlighted the demographic and clinical characteristics of injured athletes and non-athletes and the physiotherapy services provided during the PyeongChang 2018 WPG. Methods: Prospective descriptive epidemiology study, in which the study group comprised of 201 participants (51 athletes and 150 non-athletes) who were admitted to and utilized the polyclinic physiotherapy service of 2018 PyeongChang WPG in Physiotherapy Department of Paralympic Village from March 1, 2018 to March 20, 2018. Results: Qualitative frequency analysis of injury type demonstrated highest number of chronic injuries (51%, n = 100) in athletes and non-athletes. Anatomical injury site analysis revealed that the spine and shoulder areas were affected with equal frequency for athletes (54.9%, n = 14), whereas for non-athletes, the frequencies of spine and shoulder area injuries were 36.7% (n = 55) and 26% (n = 39), respectively. The Pyeongchang WPG showed a high rate of athletes visiting the physiotherapy service during the pre-competition period (33.3%, n = 50), which may have led to smaller incidence rate of traumatic injury. The physiotherapy treatment service analysis demonstrated that manual therapy (35.4%, n = 230) was most commonly utilized, followed by transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation/interference current therapy (TENS/ICT), therapeutic massage and therapeutic exercise. Conclusion: We established the importance of prophylactic and preventive physiotherapy services to reduce the risk of sports injuries during WPG.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.107-122
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined sports injuries among national sitting volleyball players and to provide baseline data for the development of programs to prevent injuries and enhance performance. METHODS: The study surveyed 21 national team athletes (12 males and nine females) participating in the 4^th Hangzhou Asian Para Games. The questionnaire consisted of 17 items, including general information, type of disability, sites and types of sports injuries and their causes, the current state of sports injuries and the treatment and management of injuries. RESULTS: The survey results suggested that the most common injury sites were the finger, shoulder, and waist. The most frequent types of injuries were sprain, muscle cramp, and LBP. The causes were insufficient warm-up, playing unhealed and carelessness. Injuries were most prevalent during morning training and in the winter. Most injuries occurred in practice, and the actions most likely to cause injuries were blocking, spike and sitting movements. Ice and spray were the most common treatments, usually administered by the athletes themselves. Physical therapy was the most common post-injury management, and the most common sequelae involved continuing to use despite pain. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, systematic and individualized training and therapeutic support tailored to the characteristics of sitting volleyball and the types of disabilities are necessary to prevent and manage sports injuries among national players. Continuous injury management by medical staff, particularly physical therapists, is essential to maintain the health of disabled athletes.