• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.81-90
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• 2003

This study was conducted to assess the effects of the gait training method in incomplete spinal cord injured persons using an auto-walking machine. Persons with incomplete spinal cord injury level C or D on the American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale participated for eight weeks in an auto-walking training program. The gait training program was carried out for 15 minutes, three times per day for 8 weeks with an auto-walking machine. The foot rests of the auto-walking machine can be moved forward, downward, backward and upward to make the gait pattern with fixed on crank. The patient's body weight is supported by a harness during waking training. We evaluated the gait speed, physiologic cost index, motor score of lower extremities and the WISCI (walking index for spinal cord injury) level before the training and after the forth and eighth week of walking training. 1. The mean gait speed was significantly increased from .22 m/s at pre-training to .28 m/s after 4 weeks of training and .31 m/s after 8 weeks of training (p=.004). 2. The mean physiologic cost index was decreased from 4.6 beats/min at pre-training to 3.0 beats/min after 4 weeks and 2.0 beats/min after 8 weeks of training, but it was not statistically significant (p=.140). 3. The mean motor score of lower extrernities was significantly increased from 29.8 to 35.8 after 8 weeks of training (p=.043). 4. The mean WISCI level was significantly increased from level 10 to level 19 after 8 weeks of training (p=.007). The results of this study suggest that the gait training program using the auto-walking machine increased the gait speed, muscle strength and galt pattern (WISCI level) in persons with incomplete spinal cord injury. A large, controlled study of this technique is warranted.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate effects of a stim-up matt walking exercise program on balance and gait of the frail elderly. Methods: A total of 37 elderly people recruited from S city were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n=22) and control group (n=15). The stim-up matt walking exercise program was offered twice a week for 8 weeks. Data were analyzed by SPSS 21.0. Results: The dynamic balance ability Timed Up and Go test of the experimental group was significantly faster than that of the control group (t=21.72, p<.001). The static balance ability open-eye standing test (t=44.15, p<.001) and close-eye standing test (t=9.01, p=.005) also showed increase in effects of the experimental group. In the walking ability, gait cycle (t=2.48, p=.018), cadence (t=-2.21, p=.034) and gait speed (t=-2.78, p=.009), positive effects were on. However, no statistically significant differences were found in stride length and double support. At the ankle joint range left ankle plantar flexion (t=3.92, p<.001) and left ankle dorsal flexion (t=4.51, p<.001) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group, and also right ankle plantar flexion (t=2.79, p=.008) and right ankle dorsal flexion (t=2.92, p=.006) increased in the experimental group. Conclusion: The significance of this study is that the stim-up matt walking exercise program for the frail elderly proves to be useful for improving balance and walking.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.140-148
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the physical and psychological effects of an urban forest-walking program for office workers. For many workers, sedentary lifestyles can lead to low levels of physical activity causing various health problems despite an increased interest in health promotion. Methods: Fifty four office workers participated in this study. They were assigned to two groups (experimental group and control group) in random order and the experimental group performed 5 weeks of walking exercise based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills Model. The data were collected from October to November 2014. SPSS 21.0 was used for the statistical analysis. Results: The results showed that the urban forest walking program had positive effects on the physical activity level (U=65.00, p <.001), health promotion behavior (t= - 2.20, p =.033), and quality of life (t= - 2.42, p =.020). However, there were no statistical differences in depression, waist size, body mass index, blood pressure, or bone density between the groups. Conclusion: The current findings of the study suggest the forest-walking program may have positive effects on improving physical activity, health promotion behavior, and quality of life. The program can be used as an effective and efficient strategy for physical and psychological health promotion for office workers.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to develop a shared forest walking program and verify its effects on self-esteem, life satisfaction, and depression among older adults living alone in rural communities. Methods: Participants were assigned to an experimental or a control group, with 20 participants each. Data collected during August 1~3, 2022, before the program, and October 29~31, 2022, after the program. In this study, the shared forest walking program was conducted twice a week for a total of 24 sessions, with each session lasting one hour. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0, x² tests, and t-tests. Results: The experimental group participating in the sharing forest walking program showed higher self-esteem and life satisfaction than the control group, along with a decrease in depression. Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in self-esteem (t=5.97, p<.001), life satisfaction (t=7.78, p<.001), and depression (t=-7.58, p<.001). Conclusion: The shared forest walking program, developed based on the results of this study, improved self-esteem and; life satisfaction; and reduced depression among older adults living alone in rural communities. We propose the development of a continuous program to assist older adults living alone in underprivileged rural areas to experience retirement with reduced depression, increased self-esteem, and enhanced life satisfaction.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a group walking exercise program on body composition, blood lipids and psychological factors at a community. Method: The subjects were 200 women(29 groups) who agreed to participate in group walking exercise for three months. Their ages ranged between 30 to 77 years. A simple walking exercise protocol was given to the participants, which was to do walking over three times a week and over thirty minutes each time. We compared the participants' body composition (BMI, PBF, BFM, FFM, WHR and VFA), blood lipids (HDL C, LDL C, total cholesterol, triglyceride) and exercise-self efficacy, self esteem, and quality of life before and after group walking. Collected data were analyzed through paired t test using the SAS program. Results: BMI. PBF, BFM, WHR, and VFA were significantly reduced (p<.01). However. FFM did not increase significantly (p=.416). There were significant changes in TC and TG (p<.01) but not in LDL C (P=.340). HDL C decreased but within the normal range. Exercise-self efficacy and quality of life did not increase significantly. Only self esteem increased significantly (p<.0001). Conclusion: Group walking exercise had positive effects on body composition, blood lipid and self esteem in community women.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.529-539
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• 2016

This study aimed at examining the factors affecting citizen engagement in community health promotion program that a local government offered for residents. A descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 418 participants who completed 10,000-Step Walking Program, sponsored by the local government of B city. Data were collected, using a self-reported questionnaire, and analyzed with statistical methods, including T-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression. There were significantly different in the number of participation days in the program by material support(pace counter(p<.001), exercise notebook(p<.001), piggy bank((p=.002)), informational support(Walking training, leadership training)(p<.001), promotion events and meetings, and membership of exercise club(p<.001). Using exercise notebook(p<.001) and exercise club membership(p<.001)) were the supporting factors affecting citizen engagement in the walking program. This research shows that various political plans for providing material and social supports including walking activity aids, community club forming are needed to encouraging citizens' participation in health promotion programs.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.74-83
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• 2008

Purpose: To identify the effect of walking exercise on the body composition and physical fitness in obese college women. Method: The research design was a nonequivalent control group pretest posttest. Thirty-seven subjects were surveyed using a structured questionnaire, and measured for body composition and physical fitness. Twenty persons in the experimental group among the total sample participated in a 12-week walking program. The data were analyzed by $x^2$-test, and t-test with SPSS 10.1 program. Results: 1) BMI, body fat mass and percentage of body fat in body composition were significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control. However, there was no significant difference in skeletal muscle mass between the two groups. 2) Power among physical fitness was significantly increased in the experimental group. However, there was no significant difference in muscular strength (back strength), flexibility (sit and reach), muscular endurance (abdomen curl), power (standing high jump) or agility (trunk reaction time) between the two groups. Conclusion: The above results, confirmed the effectiveness of walking exercise as an effective nursing intervention in order to improve body composition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.311-321
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to determine effect of Medical Exercise therapy on walking ability and ankle muscles activation after stroke. Method : Participants were randomly divided into either MET training group(n=12) and control group(n=12). All of participants had been receving a traditional rehabilitation program, 5 days a week. MET training group have additionally undergone for six weeks, 3 days a week, the MET program. But control group was not received any additional program except the traditional rehabilitation program. The 10 mWT, F8WT and 2 MWT to measure walking ability were carried out twice before and after training. Muscular activity of the ankle was estimated by analyzing the RMS of action potential for EMG in terms of tibialis anterior muscle(TA), soleus(SO), gastrocnemius medial head(GM), gastrocnemius lateral head(GL). Rresults : At the walking ability, MET training group demonstrated a significant improvememt in the score of the 10 mWT(p<0.001), 2 MWT(p<0.05), but F8WT was not significant improvement(p>0.05). At the ankle muscle activation, MET training group demonstrated a significant improvememt in the RMS of the TA(p<0.01) and SO(p<0.05) but GM(p>0.05) and GL(p>0.05) were not significant improvement. Conclusion : From these results of this study, MET training for 6 weeks has an effect on improvement of walking ability and ankle muscles activation after stroke.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.675-683
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Whole body vibration exercise(WBVE) in patient with chronic stroke. Methods : Thirty patients were divided into two groups by randomly experimental group(14 subject) and control group(16 subject) in a single blinded, randomised study. experimental group was conducted for the 6-weeks WBVE program and had a structured exercise program for 16 minutes, 5 days per week and control group was conducted for the shame exercise program. Outcome variables included the knee extensor strength, Berg balance scale, Timed up and go test at 0 and 6 weeks. Results : The experimental group tended to improve more than the control group in balance(Berg balance scale) and walking ability(Timed up and go test). There were no trends in differences in change scores by the knee extensor strength. Conclusion : WBVE program may be helpful to improve knee extensor strengthening, dynamic balance and walking ability for patients with chronic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.569-576
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• 2010

Purpose : This study was aimed at determining the effects of community-based exercise program to improve leg muscle strength and balance for elderly women. Methods : This study was nonequivalent control group pre-post test design. Subjects were assigned to two different groups(exercise group=11, control group=7). Exercise group performed community-based exercise program for 8 weeks. Outcome measures included leg muscle strength, balance, walking velocity, activities of daily living(ADL), exercise self-efficacy and health-related quality of life(QoL). The collected data analyzed by independent t-test and paired t-test. Results : Leg muscle strength, walking velocity and mental component summary(QoL) were significantly improved in the exercise group. But balance and exercise self-efficacy were significantly worsened in the control group. There were no significant difference between groups after 8 weeks of community-based exercise. Conclusion : These results suggested that the community-based exercise program is effective for elderly women in improving leg muscle strength, walking velocity and mental component summary(QoL).