• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.323-331
• /
• 2016

Objective: The aims of this study were 1) to develop easy-to-use rhythmic balance training equipment for the elderly and 2) to investigate the effect of training with the equipment on balance and physical function. Method: Twenty-one elderly individuals (age: $75.4{\pm}3.34yrs$, height: $152.07{\pm}4.81cm$, weight: $58.35{\pm}8.34kg$) participated in this study. Each participant underwent balance and physical function testing before and after 12 weeks of training with the equipment. Y-balance (i.e. dynamic balance) and one leg static balance tests were used for balance testing, and timed up- and-down-stairs and five times sit-to-stand tests were used for physical function testing. A paired t test was used to determine whether there was a significant pre- and post-training difference. Results: The rhythmic balance training equipment provided a fun and motivating training program with age-friendly music, dance movements for lower extremity strength training, and touch screen controls with simple features. Post-training left foot dynamic balance was significantly greater (p<.05), and static balance with eyes open was significantly improved (p<.05) compared to pre-training. Completion of the timed up-and-down-stairs and the five times sit-to-stand tests was significantly shorter (p<.05) compared to pre-training. Conclusion: Training using the equipment developed in this study improved balance and physical function in elderly participants.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.151-160
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were improvements on balance when both ankle-jointed calf muscles and hip muscles, which affect balance capabilities, were activated through taping techniques and EMS. In this study, the One Leg Standing Test, a static balance test, was conducted by experimenting on a flat floor, foam pad, and a stretching board with a gradient of 20 degrees, respectively, to study static balance capabilities in different situations. Nine healthy men in their 20s were measured five times every five minutes considering muscle fatigue, and the difference between each variable was analyzed through post-test using nonparametric statistical analysis. Our results showed an equal increase in static balance capability was similar when EMS was applied only to calf muscles and only to hip muscles. Notably most improvements were seen when wearing calf supporters and taping technology pants, and applying EMS together. It was also found that the difference between EMS electric stimulation and balance capability was greater when wearing and applying supporters and taping technology pants. Based on the results of the present study, a muscle support band and EMS of taping techniques can improve balance capabilities. These findings are expected to form a basis for solutions Improving the balance capabilities

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.1608-1613
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sling exercise on muscle activity and balance on football players with chronic ankle instability. Eight subjects performed Biodex and sling exercises for four weeks and compared the muscle activity and balance ability of the uninjured and injured feet. Stable and unstable foot % MVIC did not change significantly after treatment in all muscles. The total balance ability was not significantly different between the two groups, however, increased only in the unstable side. The anterior/posterior balance ability also represented no significant difference between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. The medial/lateral balance ability was not significantly different between the groups and was significantly improved only in the unstable side. This study suggests that sling exercise contributes to improving % MVIC, total balance ability, anterior/posterior balance ability, and medial/lateral balance ability of the unstable side.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.109-120
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to construct the family support system and suggest various policies for work-life balance to create the family-friendly society. For this purpose, this study showed the theoretical background for constitution of integrated family support system-community, government and business. Especially, this study emphasized that family-centered viewpoint to the policy is needed and that support for worklife balance not work-family balance should be enlarged. Various policies were suggested in three parts and the role of community was emphasized. Finally, this study presented the necessity of laws and committee for work-life balance and role of healthy family-support center for work-life balance.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.185-192
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognition, balance, quality of life and the correlation of these variables in the elderly. Methods: This study was a descriptive survey research. The samples were 86 and variables were measured by structured questionnaire and physical balance movements. The data were analyzed with %, t-test, ${\chi}^2$-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation by SPSS ver. 19.0 for windows. Results: The cognition score was 24.02 which means within normal limits. The balance score was 11.83 and the score of QOL was 82.67 which were similar to other research results. There were significant differences in the balance (p<.001) and the QOL (p=.004) by the cognition level. A significant correlation among the cognition, balance and the QOL was observed. Conclusion: The cognition was closely related with the balance and the QOL. The cognitive stimulus and the balance exercise could help the improvement of QOL in the elderly.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.52-58
• /
• 2015

Balance control deficits have been indicated to be a primary problem among cerebral palsy (CP) patients. Fabric ankle foot orthosis (AFO) can allow more efficient balance control by facilitating proprioception. The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of fabric AFO on balance, compared to a barefoot condition in children with unilateral CP. Twelve children with unilateral CP participated in this study. Their balance ability was evaluated using pediatric balance scale and bubble test. Both pediatric balance scale and bubble test showed significant improvement with the use of the fabirc AFO (p<.05). The fabric AFO could improve functional balance ability, and promote better balance among children with unilateral CP. We demonstrated that fabric AFO contributed to improving balance among children with unilateral CP, classified as Gross Motor Function Classification System level I and II. Consequently, fabric AFO might be an assistive device leading to the improvement of balance instead of the typical AFOs.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.93-99
• /
• 2011

Purpose : In order to investigate the effects of balance training on patients with degenerative arthritis. Methods : 30 participants aged 60 or older participated in balance training for an 8-week period. The effects of the balance training were measured by the visual analog scale(VAS) and static and dynamic balancing. The following are the results of the study. Results : There were no statistically significant differences in measurements of pain when control group participants were at rest and while walking as measured by VAS, but there were statistically significant reductions for the experiment group. Within the control group, there were no statistically significant differences between pretest and posttest results for opened and closed-eye static balance index and visual dynamic balance index. However, within the experiment group, there were statistically significant differences between pretest and posttest results for opened and closed-eye static and dynamic balance indices. Conclusion : The results above provide evidence that balance training effects pain and balance of patients with osteoarthritis and aids in functional movement.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.78-85
• /
• 2023

Background: Despite fall prevention strategies suggested by researchers, falls are still a major health concern in older adults. Understanding factors that differentiate successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery may help improve the prevention strategies. Objects: The purpose of this review was to identify biomechanical factors that differentiate successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery in the event of a fall. Methods: The literature was searched through Google Scholar and PubMed. The following keywords were used: 'falls,' 'protective response,' 'protective strategy,' 'automated postural response,' 'slips,' 'trips,' 'stepping strategy,' 'muscle activity,' 'balance recovery,' 'successful balance recovery,' and 'failed balance recovery.' Results: A total of 64 articles were found and reviewed. Most of studies included in this review suggested that kinematics during a fall was important to recover balance successfully. To be successful, appropriate movements were required, which governed by several things depending on the direction and characteristics of the fall. Studies also suggested that lower limb muscle activity and joint moments were important for successful balance recovery. Other factors associated with successful balance recovery included fall direction, age, appropriate protective strategy, overall health, comorbidity, gait speed, sex and anticipation of the fall. Conclusion: This review discusses biomechanical factors related to successful versus unsuccessful balance recovery to help understand falls. Our review should help guide future research, or improve prevention strategies in the area of fall and injuries in older adults.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.51-74
• /
• 2015

This study aimed to identify differences in the level of work-life balance as well as the effect of independent variables, including family (sharing family work, support for working), organization (culture, support services and systems), and community variables (accessibility to and amount of work-life balance programs), on work-life balance in South Korea, Japan, and the U.K. For these purposes, data were collected from 311, 324, and 322 married, working women (from 30 to 50 years of age) from Korea, Japan, and the U.K., respectively. It was consistently shown that U.K. employees scored higher in work-life balance than Korean and Japanese employees. Compared with Japan and the U.K., Korean participants were significantly lower in terms of work-leisure balance and work-self-development balance. The regression analysis revealed that 'sharing family work with partner' was commonly important and a major factor in all three countries. A 'supportive organizational culture' predicted work-life balance for Korean and Japanese participants, while work-life balance programs had a powerful effect on work-life balance only for U.K. participants. In the case of community variables, there were no significant effects for U.K. participants with regard to work-life balance. In contrast, 'the amount of work-life balance programs offered' was shown to affect the work-life balance of Korean working women, while 'accessibility to the programs' was significantly influential in Japan. We interpret these results according to social, economic, political, and psychological factors.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.88-97
• /
• 2021

Purpose: Patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have impaired balance and movement control. Exercise interventions have not targeted these impairments in this population. This study aimed to investigate the effect of complex balance exercises on unstable ground, on the gait, balance, and daily living ability of patients with total knee arthroplasty. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: The participants consisted of 30 patients placed into two groups of 15 each: a experimental group (complex balance exercise) and a control group (physical therapy exercise). Both group exercise was applied for 3 times a week for 30 minutes for four weeks. Force plate for balance ability and Timed up and go (TUG) test were the primary outcome measures. The secondary outcome measures included 10-m walk test (10MWT) and the daily living ability using the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living scale (KOS-ADL). Results: The result of this study showed that the experimental group had a significant difference in TUG and 10MWT than the control group, and balance was significantly different in CEA, CPL, and CAV. There was a significant difference in daily living ability between the experimental and control groups. This study confirms that the physical therapy with complex balance exercise on unstable surfaces has positive effects on balance, gait and daily living ability in patients with total knee arthroplasty. Conclusion: As a result of this study, complex balance exercise on unstable surface was more effective in improvement gait, balance and daily living ability in total knee arthroplasty. From this study, physical therapy with complex balance exercises on unstable ground may be proposed as and effective intervention method for improving gait, balance, and daily living ability in patients with early total knee arthroplasty.