• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1175-1181
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of core muscle training on balance ability. Forty subjects in their 20s participated in a 6 week core muscle training program. Balance ability before and after the intervention were assessed and analyzed using the Romberg test, which was conducted on the floor, pedalo, and balancefit. The differences between the measurement methods of balance ability using varied platforms was also compared and analyzed. After the 6-week core exercise training program, the training group represented statistically significant increases in all 3 methods for static balance ability. In the control group, all 3 methods represented no statistically significant increases. Upon comparing the different methods of the Romberg test, there were no notable differences between conducting the test on varying platforms for both groups. This study suggests that the core muscle exercise training program increased the balance ability.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.164-171
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this research was to determine the immediate effects of wearing a foot-pressure-based insole (FPBI) on ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), postural sway, and muscle activation in healthy individuals with genu varum. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study was conducted on thirteen adults, with six male and seven females subjects. The mean age was 24.08 years. Foot pressure was measured to apply the FPBI and the weight bearing lunge test was performed with the application of a flat insole (FI) and FPBI. Examination was randomly performed in four conditions to measure both postural sway and muscle activation. All participants applied both the FI and FPBI with four conditions. The four conditions were as follows: 1) Romberg test posture with eyes closed, 2) Romberg test posture with eyes opened, 3) dominant single leg standing with eyes opened, and 4) non-dominant single leg standing with eyes opened. Results: For ankle DFROM between the FI and FPBI, a significant increase was observed in both the dominant and non-dominant leg (p<0.05). For postural sway between the FI and FPBI in the Romberg test posture with eyes closed and dominant single leg standing with eyes opened conditions, a significant decrease was observed (p<0.05). However, the postural sway between FI and FPBI in the Romberg test posture with eyes opened and non-dominant single leg standing with eyes opened, no significant decrease was observed. Also, there were no significant effects on muscle activation between the application of the FI and FPBI. Conclusions: The result showed that FPBI immediately improved ankle DFROM and postural sway. It seems that FPBI may improve genu varum in healthy individuals with genu varum.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of high heeled shoes on the static & dynamic balance performance and electromyography(EMG) of back and lower extremity muscles. Materials & Methods : Sixteen women participated in this study. Subjects were composed two groups with LL shoes group and higher heel shoes group. We carried out Romberg's test and muscle activity of left and right Paraspinalis, Quadriceps femoris, Tibialis anterior, Gastrocnemius muscles by EMG in order to determine static balance performance according heel height. Using by Biorescue(Incenierie company), we trained subject to transfer of COG each direction(Anterior, posterior, Right, Left), we carried out this test for distance, surface, distance/surface in order to determine dynamic balance performance according heel height. The data were analyzed by independent t-test between lower and high heel height using SPSS(ver. 17.0)/PC program. Results : There was significant difference of distance(p<.05) of weight perturbation between lower and high group in dynamic balance performance and EMG value of left Gastrocnemius(p<.05), both Tibialis anterior(p<.05) muscle in static balance performance. Conclusions : Height of heel has effect on dynamic balance performance in distance of the Anterior, posterior direction. EMG of Gastrocnemius and Tibialis anterior muscles were affected by Romberg's test.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.348-352
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• 2018

BioRescue ($RMIng{\acute{e}}nierie$, Marseille, France) is able to assess dynamic and static balance when a test subject stands or sits over the platform. Although previous studies have examined the reliability of other balance measurement methods, little research has been conducted on the reliability of equipment such as BioRescue. This study examined the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of BioRescue during balance assessment. Thirty-four healthy adults participated as subjects and two physical therapists participated as examiners to determine intra- and inter-rater reliability. BioRescue was used to conduct measurements during footprint (area and pressure), Romberg, and limit of stability tests. The footprint area and limit of stability tests yielded intra- and inter-rater reliability ICC values above 0.60 in all directions. However, the footprint pressure and Romberg tests yielded values below 0.60 in all directions. BioRescue showed good inter-rater and intra-rater reliability in measurements during footprint area and limit of stability tests. However, because the values of limits of stability show the difference between experienced and unskilled, skill is required for the accuracy of the equipment.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2015

Purpose : The current study examines changes of static uprighting balance in the visual input characteristics. Method : Total 50 person(male 16, female 34) were participated in this study. They were tested with 'hole in the card' for identification of dominant eye's side, then they were divided 3 groups(both visual input group, dominant visual input group, and non-dominant visual input group). 3 groups were measured with Romberg test on the force platform device to compare the static uprighting balance characteristics ; moving distance, mean velocity, and sway area of the CoM(center of mass), during 20 seconds. Results : The results by one-way repeated measure ANOVA were as follows. In moving distance and mean velocity of CoM, non-dominant visual input group was unstable than dominant visual group and both visual input group(p<0.05). But, in sway area of CoM, significant difference was not existed statistically. Conclusion : These result can be applied to design the static uprighting balance program using visual input mediation.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2020

Purpose: This study investigated the correlation between standing balance and head-forward posture in adolescents. Methods: The participants in this study were 15 female adolescents. We took photographs of the participants' craniovertebral angle with a digital camera to determine the degree of head-forward posture. Standing balance was evaluated using the 30-second Romberg test of BT4. The measurements were taken on a stable-support surface and on an unstable-support surface using a balance pad. The data measured in this study were analyzed using SPSS version 23.0, and the statistical significance level α was established as 0.05. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was performed to identify the correlation between the degree of head-forward position of the participants and their balance ability. Results: When we measured 30 seconds of the Romberg test, we observed that, with their eyes open, the participants' head-forward posture and balance were not correlated. However, with their eyes closed, there was a strong correlation between the forward position of the head and the balance ability, which declined as the head position increased. Conclusion: Adolescents with severe head-forward posture exhibited problems with balance in posture control with closed eyes when visual information was not available. It can be inferred that an abnormality occurs in proprioceptor sensation due to their habitual head-forward posture. Education on correct posture and preventive activities should be recommended to improve the health of such adolescents and avoid possible future problems of physical deterioration.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.201-206
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the effects of Pilates mat exercise may improve trunk muscle thickness and balance in healthy adults. Methods: Eighteen healthy adults participated in this study. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Pilates mat exercise group (n=9) and the control group (n=9). Subjects in Pilates mat exercise group performed the exercises three days per week for 6 weeks, which consisted of warm up, main workout, and cool down. Trunk muscle thickness of the rectus abdominis (RA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis (TrA), multifidus (MF), and erector spine (ES) were measured using an ultrasonography. Balance ability was evaluated using Romberg test and limits of stability (LOS). Measurements were performed before training, 3 weeks after training, and 6 weeks after training. Results: There was a significant difference of RA, EO, IO, MF, and ES according to the main effect of time (p<0.05). There was a significant difference of EO, MF, ES, Romberg, and LOS according to interaction effect between the time and group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference only for LOS according to the main effect of the group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pilates mat exercise did increase trunk muscle thickness and balance. However, the effect with respect to trunk thickness was limited. Pilates mat exercise appears to be more effective in improving muscles related to trunk extension and balance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.127-137
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study sought to evaluate muscle activity and foot pressure during gait, and balance in female college students with genu valgum. METHOD: Participants were assigned based on their Q-angle to genu valgum group greater than 20° (GVG, n = 12), unilateral genu valgum group greater than 20° (UVG, n = 11), and control group (CON, n = 13). All subjects were evaluated for balance (Trace length, C90 area, C90 angle, and the Romberg test), muscle activity (gluteus medius; GM, tensor fasciae latae; TFL, vastus medialis; VM, vastus lateralis; VL, biceps femoris; BF, gastrocnemius; GCM and tibialis anterior; TA) and foot pressure (F/F ratio, R/F ratio, Hallux, 2~5 toe, 1st MT, 2~4 MT, 5th MT, Midfoot, M/heel, and L/heel) during gait. RESULTS: Romberg test showed significantly increased loss of balance in the UVG group compared with the CON. In the forward position, the imbalance was significantly increased in the UVG and GVG groups compared to the CON. Muscle activity of VL, GCM, and TA significantly increased in the GVG group compared with the CON. Static foot pressure, 1st MT significantly increased in the GVG compared to the CON group. The 5th MT significantly decreased in the CON compared with the GVG group. The R/F ratio significantly decreased in the GVG compared to the CON group. In dynamic foot pressure, the 2~5 toe significantly increased in the GVG compared with the UVG group. The left 5th MT significantly decreased in the UVG compared with the CON and GVG groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that genu valgum has a negative effect on balance, muscle activity, and foot pressure during gait in female college students.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.53-67
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• 1996

Since Romberg's test in 1953, the analysis of postural sway during upright stance has been widely used as a tool for evaluating balance and disorders of the postural control system. This review describes the methods that have been used to evaluste the static and dynamic performance of the postural control system. Various identification methods of postural control system based on standing balance are discussed and measures of postural sway are described. The application areas of standign balance research, with an emphasis on postural control evaluations, are also briefly described. This review can be used to gain an understanding of the dynamics of human standing balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.161-167
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular training on the uneven surface that stroke patients encounter in their daily life on their ankle joint muscle activity and balance ability. They were divided into two groups: the gait training group on uneven surfaces and the gait training group on normal surfaces. Methods: In this study, 30 patients diagnosed with stroke and undergoing rehabilitation were selected. 15 people in the uneven surface gait training group and 15 people in the flat gait training group were selected. The muscle activation of the ankle muscles was measured when walking again on a even surface after walking on an uneven surface and on a flat ground. After each gait training, the limit of stability and Romberg test were performed to evaluate the balance ability. Results: As a result of the experimental results before and after walking by group, the tibialis anterior muscle activity of the paralyzed side was significantly decreased in the uneven surface walking group. As a result of measuring balance ability after training, the limit of stability in all directions was significantly increased in the uneven surface gait training group, and the area and length moved significantly decreased in the uneven surface gait training group in the Romberg test as well (p<0.05). Conclusion: After walking on uneven surface, it was confirmed that the muscle activity of the ankle joint decreased in normal flat walking, and thus the efficiency of muscle activity was increased. In addition, it was possible to confirm the improvement of the balance ability of the gait training on the uneven surface, and in conclusion, it could be confirmed that it had an effect on the improvement of the walking ability.