• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.285-293
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• 2012

The aim of this study is to identify the appropriate movement for maintaining postural balance during Front Kick and Turning Side Kick motions. To do so, ten Taekwondo athletes: five skilled players(S, body mass: $65.0{\pm}5.8kg$, height: $172.3{\pm}3.7cm$, age: $20.0{\pm}1.2yrs$, career: $9.0{\pm}1.9yrs$) and five less-skilled players(LS, body mass: $67.1{\pm}5.5kg$, height: $173.2{\pm}5.1cm$, age: $19.4{\pm}1.7yrs$, career: $9.6{\pm}1.7yrs$) participated in this study. A three-dimensional motion analysis was performed on the participants using eight infrared cameras and two force plate(sampling frequency of 200 Hz and 2000 Hz for S and LS players, respectively). The participants' motions were divided into: a front-kick phase(P1) and a turning-side-kick phase(P2). For P2(p<.05), the range and root mean square(RMS) of the ground reaction torque and the M-L mean velocity of COP were greater for LS than for S; similarly, for P2(p<.05), the M-L range, A-P range, and velocity of the COP were greater for LS than for S. Further, the M-L range and maximum velocity of the COP was greater for failure than for success(p<.05). The femoral biceps muscle for bending the knee joint was significantly stronger in S than in LS(p<.05). It is expected that these results will be useful in developing a training program for improving the balance and stability of Taekwondo poomsae athletes and improve their front-kick and turning-side-kick motions.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2020

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined. Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI. Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.7-13
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• 2008

Purpose: We compared T-type and I-type canes on postural balance in 28 hemiplegic patients. Methods: Subjects were allocated randomly into two groups: a T-shape cane group (n=14) and an I-shape cane group (n=14). Before the test, subjects were trained by a physical therapist to walk with a cane for 6 weeks. The Main Outcome Measures were measured as maximal sway velocity, sway path, sway area, and partial weight bearing using a Balance Performance Monitor (BPM) and ambulation velocity using a 'Timed up and go test'. We also measured the maximal ambulation velocity. Results: The distribution of weight bearing on the affected side without the cane was 35% in the I-shape cane group and 36% in the T-shape cane group. After training, weight bearing on the affected side increased by 45% in the I-shape cane group and 40% in the T-shape cane group. With the cane held in the hand, weight bearing on the affected side in the T-shape cane group decreased by 3%. Conclusion: The I-shaped cane increased static standing balance, including hemiplegic side weight bearing. Therefore, I-shape canes can improve the balance of hemiplegic patients.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.225-233
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the possible effects of incorporating short-term slow-abdominal respiration (SAR) into an exercise program, on balance and the cardiac-related autonomic nervous system (ANS). Design: Cross-over repeated measures design. Methods: Fifteen young and healthy adults were randomly assigned into two groups (7 in the C-R group, 8 in the R-C group), each of which carried out both control sequence (C) and respiration-experiment sequence (R) in the inverse order. In the C sequence, the subjects performed passive exercises and a general exercise program (P-GEP). In the R sequence, the subjects received a short-term SAR training session and then performed the respiration incorporated general exercises program (R-RGEP). Before and after both C and R sequences, the length and the area of the displacement of the center of pressure (COP) and heart rate variability parameters were measured. Results: The total length of the COP displacement in the left single-leg-standing condition showed a significantly greater reduction after R-RGEP in the respiration-experiment sequence than after the P-GEP in the control sequence (p<0.05). The mean heart rate was significantly reduced only after R-RGEP in the respiration-experiment sequence (p<0.05) Conclusions: The slow-abdominal-respiration, trained in a simple manner and integrated into the exercise program in a single session, showed partially positive immediate effects on balance stabilization. The decrease in heart rate indicated possible involvement of the parasympathetic ANS activation in the stability, although it is not enough to decide whether it is purely due to the controlled respiration.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2016

Objective: This study collected data on muscle fatigue and ground reaction force during walking to provide a basis for development of custom-fitted outdoor walking shoes. The study analyzed an upright body exercise program using spine stabilization technique to determine the effect on foot plantar pressure in archers, demonstrate the effectiveness of upright body exercise, and develop a new, effective, and efficient training program. Method: A 12-week upright body exercise program was evaluated for the effect on plantar pressure in archers. Ten prize-winning archers (3 men, 7 women) in B metropolitan city, each with ${\geq}10years$ of experience, were given an explanation of the content and purpose of the program, and provided informed consent. Upright body exercise was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. A resistive pressure sensor was used to measure foot plantar pressure distribution and analyze quantitative information on variation in postural stability and weight shifting in dynamic balance during shooting, as well as plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open and closed. Results: There were no significant differences in foot plantar pressure before and after participation in the exercise program. There was no statistically significant difference in foot plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open or closed, or in foot plantar pressure in dynamic balance during shooting. Conclusion: An upright body exercise program had positive effects on foot plantar pressure in static and dynamic balance in archers by reducing body sway and physical imbalance during shooting and with eyes closed. This program is expected to help archers improve their posture and psychological state, and thereby improve performance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a physical therapy-based tailored exercise program on pain, accident incidence rates, the number of work days lost, and economical loss cost for workers in an automobile parts manufacturing company. METHODS: A total of 530 workers with musculoskeletal symptoms were given a physical therapy-based tailored exercise program twice a week, for one hour a day. This exercise program consisted of movement pattern correction, muscle stretching and strengthening, and postural correction exercises, according to principles of movement impairment syndromes and medical training therapy. From 2011 to 2016, the lost days of work, accident incidence rates, and loss cost were examined. The pain measured by VAS (visual analogue scale) and the number of workers participating in the exercise program from 2014 to 2016 were also measured. The single subjects A-B design was applied and analyzed. RESULTS: After applying the exercise program, pain decreased and the number of workers participating in the program increased. Accident incidence rates, number of work days lost, and economical loss cost decreased. There was a significant correlation between the number of workers who received exercise therapy by year and accident incidence rates, lost days of work, and economical loss cost (p<.05). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to expand the physical therapy-based tailored exercise program to prevent musculoskeletal disorders because it has a positive effect on both workers and employers.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigated the muscle activity difference of lower extremity by abdominal co-contractive activation. 30 healthy women without pain in the low back and lower extremity were conducted. Muscle activities of lower extremity were measured with the active straight leg raise (ASLR) in 20cm raised from the floor without bending the knee at rest, abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) and abdominal bracing maneuver (ABM), respectively. Hip adductor longus (HadL), rectus femoris (RF), and biceps femoris (BF) muscle activity in the Abdominal bracing maneuver were statistically significantly higher, also gluteus medius (Gmed) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscle activity in the ADIM were higher. We provide the evidence to the positive effects of individual abdominal co-contractive activation training which can enhance postural stability and lower extremity strengthening with volitional preemptive abdominal contraction.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2014

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common work-related peripheral neuropathy. In addition to grip force and repetitive hand exertions, wrist posture (hyperextension and hyperflexion) may be a risk factor for CTS among workers. However, findings of studies evaluating the relationship between wrist posture and CTS are inconsistent. The purpose of this paper was to conduct a meta-analysis of existing studies to evaluate the evidence of the relationship between wrist posture at work and risk of CTS. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant studies published between 1980 and 2012. The following search terms were used: "work related", "carpal tunnel syndrome", "wrist posture", and "epidemiology". The studies defined wrist posture as the deviation of the wrist in extension or flexion from a neutral wrist posture. Relative risk (RR) of individual studies for postural risk was pooled to evaluate the overall risk of wrist posture on CTS. Results: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. All were cross-sectional or case-control designs and relied on self-report or observer's estimates for wrist posture assessment. The pooled RR of work-related CTS increased with increasing hours of exposure to wrist deviation or extension/flexion [RR = 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.646-2.43; p < 0.01: Shore-adjusted 95% CI: 1.32-2.97]. Conclusion: We found evidence that prolonged exposure to non-neutral wrist postures is associated with a twofold increased risk for CTS compared with low hours of exposure to non-neutral wrist postures. Workplace interventions to prevent CTS should incorporate training and engineering interventions that reduce sustained non-neutral wrist postures.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use an ICF tool in an intervention for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) patients to examine and evaluate the patients' functional problems, measure the results of the intervention, and present the process of preparing proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) intervention strategies, thereby contributing to changes in and development of relevant future clinical practices. Methods: A PNF rehabilitation exercise program using an ICF tool was applied to ACLR patients five times per week for four weeks. To measure the resulting changes, the ICF evaluation display, the visual analog scale (VAS), the manual muscle test (MMT), the range of motion (ROM) test, the Lysholm knee score (LKS), and the muscle endurance test (MET) were used. Results: After the intervention was applied to the ACLR patients, improvements were achieved in all the tests: ICF evaluation display, VAS, MMT, ROM, LKS, and MET. Conclusion: Utilizing the ICF tool, this study identified functional problems of ACLR patients. When the intervention was applied, physical functions improved, and structural damage was reduced, leading to enhanced levels of functional activities such as postural changes, posture maintenance, gait, movements, and movements between different places. The patients were able to complete the teacher training, which was their goal.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2021

Background: Degenerative arthritis accounts for a large portion of the elderly, causing a lot of inconvenience in daily life. Total knee replacement (TKR) are performed to relieve pain in the knee joint. The purpose of this study was to determine whether knee joint stabilization exercises are effective in improving balance and walking ability in degenerative arthritis patients who have undergone TKR. Methods: A total of 30 TKR patients participated in this study. They were assigned to two groups. The experimental group, the group that underwent knee stabilization exercises, joint mobilization and general physical therapy. On the other hand, and the controlled group, the group that underwent joint mobilization and general physical therapy. All exercises were conducted thrice a week, for four weeks. The main balance outcomes were evaluated using the posture balance training system, while walking ability was assessed using a wireless 3-axis accelerometer. Results: The experimental group had significantly higher scores in postural stability testing (PST), limits stability testing, and waling ability. The post-intervention evaluation, there were significant differences in all variables between the two groups. However, no significant difference was noted in the foam eyes closed test in PST. Conclusion: This study suggests that knee joint stabilization exercises effectively improve the balance and walking ability of TKR patients. Thus, it could be presented as useful in clinical practice.