• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2012

Background : The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of ankle joint taping on balancing abilities of the elderly and to provide preliminary data on preventing falls among the elderly. Methods : In this study, 20 students(8 male, 12 female) in their 20s from D University as well as 14 elderly(4 male, 10 female) in their 70s from S community center have participated. The participants were well informed about the experiment and voluntarily participated. We measured the difference in balancing ability before and after taping between the two groups using methods such as standing on single-leg stance, TUG, and plantar pressure. Kinesio taping, a stop-watch, and the EMED-system were used as equipment along with the SPSS 12.0 program, with a significance level of 0.05, to test the difference before and after taping between the two groups. Result : First, the 70s group showed a significant increase in the dorsal flexion angle after taping. Second, the 70s group showed a significant increase in duration time of standing on one foot after taping. Third, the 70s group's TUG time was significantly shorter. Fourth, the maximum peak value for static and dynamic plantar pressure showed a significant decrease after taping; and dynamic plantar pressure area value decreased as well within significant range. Conclusion : The study has shown that taping is effective on static dynamic balancing ability of the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.235-243
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyse scientific according to period of rehabilitation training of ACL patients. ACL patients seven subjects participated in this study. Gait (1.58 m/sec) analysis was performed by using a 3-D Cinematography, a Zebris system and a electromyograph system. The data were analyzed by paired t-test. The joint angles were recorded from the ankle, knee, hip joints. Peak max dorsi-flexion and peak max plantar-flexion identified significant differences (p<0.05). Another angles were no significant difference. Vertical force (Fz) and max pressure variables improved 6 month RTP better than 3 month RTP. EMG were collected from 4 muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior) with surface electrides in gait system. EMG signals were rectified and smoothed data. EMG signas were no significant difference but they also improved 6 month RTP better than 3 month RTP. More research is necessary to determine exactly what constitutes optimal rehabilitation training period for ACL patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.161-173
• /
• 2005

Recently among several tennis techniques forehand stroke has been greatly changed in the aspect of spin, grip and stance. The most fundamental factor among the three factors is the stance which consists of open, square and closed stance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between the segments of the body, the three dimensional anatomical angle according to open stance patterns during forehand stroke in tennis. For the movement analysis three dimensional cinematographical method(APAS) was used and for the calculation of the kinematic variables a self developed program was used with the LabVlEW 6.1 graphical programming(Johnson, 1999) program. By using Eular's equations the three dimensional anatomical Cardan angles of the joint and racket head angle were defined 1. In three dimensional maximum linear velocity of racket head the X axis showed $11.41{\pm}5.27m/s$ at impact, not the Y axis(horizontal direction) and the z axis(vertical direction) maximum linear velocity of racket head did not show at impact but after impact this will resulted influence upon hitting ball It could be suggest that Y axis velocity of racket head influence on ball direction and z axis velocity influence on ball spin after impact. the stance distance between right foot and left foot was mean $74.2{\pm}11.2m$. 2. The three dimensional anatomical angular displacement of shoulder joint showed most important role in forehand stroke. and is followed by wrist joints, in addition the movement of elbow joints showed least to the stroke. The three dimensional anatomical angular displacement of racket increased flexion/abduction angle until the impact. after impact, The angular displacement of racket changed motion direction as extension/adduction. 3. The three dimensional anatomical angular displacement of trunk in flexion-extension showed extension all around the forehand stroke. The angular displacement of trunk in adduction-abduction showed abduction at the backswing top and adduction around impact. while there is no significant internal-external rotation 4. The three dimensional anatomical angular displacement of hip joint and knee joint increased extension angle after minimum of knee joint angle in the forehand stroke, The three dimensional anatomical angular displacement of ankle joint showed plantar flexion, internal rotation and eversion in forehand stroke. it could be suggest that the plantar pressure of open stance during forehand stroke would be distributed more largely to the fore foot. and lateral side.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.11-21
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate how COP displacement of a hemiplegic foot in stance phase during gait is related to clinical balance measures and the recovery stage in hemiplegic stroke patients. Twenty-eight functionally ambulant hemiplegic patients who had suffered from strokes and thirty age-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. COP parameters were calculated. Clinical balance was measured using the Functional Reach Test (FRT) and Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT). The recovery stage, proprioception, and clonus of the ankles or lower extremities were also measured for physical impairment status. The COPx max-displacement in the medial-lateral side of the stroke patients was significantly longer than that of the normal group (p=.038). The COPy max-displacement in the anterior-posterior side of the stroke patients was significantly shorter than that of normal group (p<.001). Significant differences in the COPx and COPy displacement asymmetry index were found between the two groups (p<.01). The FRT was correlated with the COPx displacement (r=.552) and COPy displacement (r=.765). The TUGT was correlated with the COPy displacement (r=-.588) only. The recovery stage of the lower extremities was correlated with COPy displacement (r=.438). The results of the study indicate that the characteristic of COP displacement in hemiplegic feet in stance phase during gait is related to balance ability and recovery in stroke patients. COP parameters acquired by the mapping of foot pressure in stance phase during gait will provide additional useful clinical information. This information can be used by clinicians to assess objectively the pathologic gait with other diseases and to evaluate the therapeutic effects on gait in stroke patients.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this research was to verify the relationship between three-dimensional (3D) ground reaction force (GRF) and severity of leg length discrepancy (LLD) while walking at a normal speed. It used a 3D motion analysis system with force platforms in standing workers with LLD. Methods: Subjects comprising 45 standing workers with LLD were selected. Two force platforms were used to acquire 3D GRF data based on a motion analysis system during gait. Vicon Nexus and Visual3D v6 Professional software were used to analyze kinetic GRF data. The subjects were asked to walk on a walkway with 40 infrared reflective markers attached to their lower extremities to collect 3D GRF data. Results: The results indicated the maximal force in the posterior and lateral direction of the long limb occurring in the early stance phase during gait had significant positive correlation with LLD severity (r = 0.664~0.738, p <0.01). In addition, the maximal force medial direction of the long limb occurring in the late stance phase showed a highly positive correlation with the LLD measurement (r = 0.527, p <0.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that greater measured LLD severity results in more plantar pressure occurring in the foot area during heel contact to loading response of the stance phase and the stance push-off period during gait.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.647-656
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of vibratory stimulus as somatosensory inputs on the postural control in human standing. To study these effects, the center of pressure(COP) was observed while subjects were standing on a stable and an unstable support with co-stimulated mechanical vibrations to flexor ankle muscles(tibialis anterior tendon, achilles tendon) and two plantar zones on both foot. The COP sway measurement was repeated twice in four conditions: (1) with visual cue and vibration, (2) without visual cue and vibration, (3) with visual cue and without vibration, (4) without visual cue and with vibration. The calculated parameters were the COP sway area and the distance, the median frequency and the spectral energy of COP sway in three intervals $0.1{\sim}0.3,\;0.3{\sim}1,\;1{\sim}3Hz$. The results showed that vibratory stimulus affect postural stability. The reduction rate of the COP sway with vibratory stimulus were higher on the unstable support because the effect of postural stability increases when afferent nervous flow is more activated by vibration on unstable support. If unclear visual or vibratory information is received, one type of information is compared with the other type of sensory information. Then the input balance between visual and vibratory information is corrected to maintain postural stability. These findings are important for the rehabilitation system of postural balance control and the use of vibratory information.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.257-262
• /
• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the differences in skiing time and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) between the basic parallel turn and short turn. Method: Eleven alpine ski instructors (age: $28.73{\pm}4.29yrs$, height: $172.36{\pm}6.30cm$, body mass: $71.45{\pm}9.16kg$, career: $11.09{\pm}2.70yrs$) participated in this study. Each skier was asked to perform a basic parallel turn and short turn on a $16^{\circ}$ groomed slope. A foot pressure measurement system was used to measure the skiing time and vGRF under the three plantar regions (forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot). Results: Skiing time decreased significantly in all three phases during the short turn (p<.05). In the initiation phase, the vGRF showed a greater decrease on the midfoot and rearfoot during the short turn (p<.05). In the steering phase 1, the vGRF showed a greater increase on the forefoot and decreased on the midfoot during the short turn (p<.05). In the steering phase 2, the vGRF showed a greater increase on the forefoot and rearfoot during the short turn (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings proved that the skiing time and vGRF changed during the short turn. Consequently, we suggest that recreational skiers should decrease the skiing time of the steering phase compared to that of the initiation phase and increase the vGRF on the forefoot and rearfoot in the steering phase.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the balance and gait between fallers and non-fallers in elderly. A brief questionnaire was used to obtain the fall history. Twenty-seven women subjects were evaluated in this study. Eleven subjects and a mean age of 84.5 years (SD=4.6) were designated as the faller group. Sixteen subjects and a mean age of 80.3 years (SD=5.3) were designated as the non-faller group. The fall-related factors (mental status, balance, range of motion and muscle strength of lower extremity, sensation of foot, and cadence, walking velocity, stride length) were compared between faller group and non-faller group and measured. The results showed that faller group had significantly less range of motion of the hip flexion and knee extension, and strength of the knee extensor and ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor than non-faller group. The scores of the Functional reach test and One leg standing were significantly less in faller group than in non-faller group. Faller group showed less walking velocity and stride length compared to non-faller group. However, there was no significant difference in cadence during comfortable waking and fast walking between two groups. There were no significant differences in pressure, position sensory between two groups. These results suggest that exercise for improving the flexibility, muscle strength of the lower extremity and balance may be useful strategies to prevent fall in elderly. Further studies are needed to identify which specific factors are related to fall in the elderly population.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.38-45
• /
• 2008

This study investigated gait characteristics, kinematics, and kinetics in the lower extremities between two different shoe conditions (high heeled shoes (7 cm), and high heeled shoes with a total contact insert (TCI)) after lower extremity muscle fatigue. Although TCI shave been applied in high heeled shoes to increase comfort and to decrease foot pressure, no study has attempted to identify the effects of TCI in fatigue conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of walking in high heeled shoes with TCI after lower extremity muscle fatigue was induced. This study was carried out in a motion analysis laboratory at Hanseo University. A volunteer sample of 14 healthy female subjects participated. All in fatigue conditions, the subjects were divided into two groups. The muscle fatigue was induced by 40 voluntary dorsi- and plantar-flexion exercises and 40 heel-rise exercises of the dominant foot. Surface electromyography was used to confirm the localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of three muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis). The results were as follows: (1) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI decreased the peak flexion angle of the hip joint significantly in the early stance phase (p<.05) and increased the peak hip flexion moment in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (2) In muscle fatigue conditions, the application of TCI also increased peak hip power generation in the early stance phase and peak hip power absorption in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (3) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI reduced the impact force significantly and increased the secondary peak vertical GRF. These findings suggest that the TCI may provide beneficial effects when muscle fatigue occurs for a high heeled shoe gait. Future research employing the patient population and various types of TCI materials are required to clarify the effects of TCI.