• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.153-162
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study compared ankle joint exercise and thigh exercise on the isometric strength of the lower limb and balance ability. METHODS: Twenty-seven subjects were divided into ankle joint exercise (AEG, n=9), tight exercise (TEG, n=9), and control group (CON, n=9). AEG and TEG performed ankle joint and tight exercises three times a week for four weeks. The following were measured before and four weeks after each exercise: isometric strength at knee flexion and extension of the lower limb; isometric strength at ankle plantar flexion and dorsiflexion of the lower limb; static balance of trace length and C90 area; and the dynamic forward, backward, leftward, and rightward balance for each region. RESULTS: The results showed that the isometric strength of plantar flexion (p<.05) was increased significantly in AEG compared to those in TEG and CON. The dynamic leftward (p<.05) and rightward balance (p<.05) were increased significantly in both AEG and TEG compared to that in CON. On the other hand, the static balance of the trace length and C90 area, isometric strength of ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion and extension of the lower limb, and dynamic forward and backward balance did not show significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION: Ankle joint exercise improves the isometric strength of plantar flexion compared to tight exercise.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2021

Purpose : Chronic ankle instability can lead to problems in balance and gait due to weakness of the ankle muscles and decreased proprioceptive sensation. Balance training that stimulates proprioceptors is necessary to improve ankle stability. We aimed to compare the effects of unstable support balance exercises using whole body sonic vibration and an aero-step (TOGU) on proprioception and balance in individuals with unilateral functional ankle instability. Methods : Thirty-six participants with unilateral functional ankle instability were randomly recruited and divided into two groups (group 1 = sonic whole body vibration, group 2= TOGU). Individuals in each group participated in training for 5 weeks, 40 minutes per session, 5 times per week, and performed weight-bearing exercises in five postures on different unstable support surfaces. Proprioception was measured by digital inclinometer (Dualer IQ), and balance was measured by force platform (Biodex balance system). Results : Significant differences were observed in proprioception before and after intervention within both group (p<.05). Significant differences were also observed in the balance index before and after intervention within both groups (p<.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, it is suggested that for individuals with ankle instability, unstable support surface training using a whole body sonic vibrator and TOGU can have a positive effects on proprioception and balance ability.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.1-7
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the balance training on the stable and unstable supporting surfaces for the subjects with functional ankle instability. Methods: Twenty-nine subjects with functional ankle instability were randomly assigned to the stable group (n=14) and the unstable group (n=15). Balance training was conducted twenty minutes a day on the stable surface for the stable group and on the airostep for the unstable group three times a week for four weeks. Balance training program was consisted of ten steps by eye opened or closed and two or one leg standing. X-speed for transverse balance and Y-speed for longitudinal balance were measured with eye opened and closed in affected leg standing position. Results: There were significant improvements of balance ability in eye opened (p<.01) and eye closed standing (p<.01) in stable group. Unstable group also showed significant improvements of balance ability in eye opened (p<.01) and eye closed standing (p<.01). There were no statistical differences in the magnitude of improvement between the groups (p<.05). Conclusions: Based on such results, it can be said that balance training on the stable surface is effective as much as training on the unstable surface for the subjects with functional ankle instability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of functional training using a sliding rehabilitation machine (SRM) on the mobility of the ankle joint and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The subjects consisted of 11 children who were diagnosed with spastic CP. They carried out the functional training using the SRM for 30 minutes, three times a week, for 8 weeks. Before and after all of the training sessions, the subjects were tested using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), range of motion (ROM) in the ankle joint, the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscle and the fascicle length of gastrocnemius muscle were measured to determine the mobility of the ankle joint and balance ability. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test in the PBS and GMFM. The ROM of the ankle joint was significantly increased after the functional training using the SRM. Moreover, the fascicle length was increased and the pennation angle was decreased after the functional training using the SRM, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that functional training using the SRM may have some effect on the mobility of ankle joint and balance in children with CP. According to the results, this study could present an approach to the rehabilitation or treatment of children with CP.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the correlations between muscle strength of the ankle and balance, walking in the elderly. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were selected from a population of female volunteers. Measurement of balance ability included evaluation of timed "up and go", functional reach, and a one leg standing test. Measurement of walking analysis included evaluation of cadence, stride length, step length, and walking speed. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the ankle muscle strength was measured by use of a dynamometer. Results: For balance, there were significant negative correlations between timed "up and go" and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. There were significant positive correlations between one leg standing with the eyes closed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. For walking, there were significant positive correlations between cadence, walking speed and the MVIC of the ankle dorsiflexor. Conclusion: This study showed that there were close relationships between muscle strength of the ankle dorsiflexor and walking and balance in the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.56-62
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ankle joint immobilization on postural balance during quiet standing. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: Twenty-seven healthy subject participated in this study. The subjects performed to stand quietly for 30s in eyes open on the platform with three different conditions. The sway length, sway area and sway velocity of center of gravity (COG) displacement and limit of stability (LOS) was measured using the balance platform. Repeated measured ANOVA was used to compare the postural balance parameters depending on three different ankle immobilized conditions. Results: Sway length, sway area and sway velocity of the COG displacement with bilateral ankle immobilized condition was significantly increased compared to those of the other two conditions(p<0.05). All directions of LOS with bilateral ankle immobilized condition were significantly decreased compared to those of the other two conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ankle joint immobilization could be one of the factors that interfere the maintaining of the postural balance in quiet standing.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.557-561
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• 2013

The purpose of this study to identified the effect of muscle strengthening of ankle joints on postural sway. The subjects of this study were 29 healthy adults aged between 20 and 30 years(male 18, female 11). All subjects received ankle muscle strengthening exercise for 3 times, 3 sessions, 30 minutes per week over 4weeks period. The measured item of muscle strength, postural sway. Data collected from all subjects the result were as follows. The ankle strength showed significant increase(p<.05). One leg stand test with eye close increase in static balance(p<.05), left-right sway distance and anterior-posterior sway distance with eye open and close in static balance(p<.05). The result findings show that strength of the ankle joint muscles is a factor which affects postural sway and the ankle joints are important in static balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 2016

Purpose: This study focuses on influence of ankle stabilization training on balance ability and lower limb muscle activation of soccer player with functional ankle instability. Methods: Subjects were grouped into ankle stabilization training group using biofeedback comprised of 15 subjects and general exercise group of 15. The training was conducted for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks in total. All 30 football players conducted plyometric training for 30 minutes before main training. To evaluate balance ability, biorescure was used to measure whole path length and surface area and surface electromyography (EMG) system was used to measure tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, and soleus to evaluate lower limb muscle activation. Results: The experiment group showed significant difference to the comparison group in regard of whole path length and surface area which represents balancing capability and muscle activation of tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, and soleus. Conclusion: Therefore, ankle stabilization training using biofeedback is more effective in enhancing balance ability and lower limb muscle activation than general exercise.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.59-67
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of gluteus medius strength exercise on the ankle stability of high school student with chronic ankle sprains. Methods: A total of 30 participants were divided two groups. Experimental group was 15 participants applied gluteus medius strength exercise. Control group was 15 participants performing ankle strength exercise. This study was performed for 50 minutes per day, three a week for 6 weeks. All measurements were taken to a pre and post test. Strength was measured using Power Track ll. Balance was measured using Biodex balance system for Limits of Stability and Postural Stability. Ankle Stability was measured using Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT). Results: In the case of gluteus medius strength, there were statistically significant differences between the experimental group and the control group. For ankle stability were statistically significant differences within the experimental group according to measurements taken by Limits of Stability, Postural Stability, and CAIT. A between group comparison showed a statistically significant difference for CAIT only. Conclusion: According to our measurements it appears that gluteus medius strength training was effective in benefiting muscular strength, balance and ankle stability among the physical education.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.61-67
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• 2018

Background: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of balance training through various ankle inclination on dynamic balance in healthy adults. Methods: This study was participated in 20 healthy subjects. Twenty healthy adults were randomly divided into 10 ankle inclination group and 10 flat group, 3 kinds of exercised were performed in $30^{\circ}$ of the plantar flexion, $0^{\circ}$ of the neutral angle and $30^{\circ}$ of the dorsiflexion. Above 3 kinds of exercises were also performed in the flat group. Dynamic balance of each group was evaluated using a Figure-of-8 hop test, Up-down hop test, and Functional reach test before and after the experiment. Results: In the ankle inclination, the post-experiment showed a significant difference in Figure-of-8 hop test, Up-down hop test, and Functional reach test in comparison to pre-experiment(p<.05). Conclusion: The exercise applied in the ankle inclination is effective in improvement of the dynamic balance.