• 국제물리치료학회지
• /
• 제9권1호
• /
• pp.1387-1392
• /
• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of fall injuries on the balancing abilities and ankle flexibility. Fifteen of the voluntary participants had no experience of falling in the last two years (none falling group, NFG) and 15 others experienced at least one (falling group, FG). Static balance (sway length, sway area), dynamic balance (timed up and go (TUG), and functional to reach test (FRT) were measured in each group. In comparison of static balance, sway length was not significantly different between NFG and FG in both eyes open and eyes close, however the sway area of the FG was significantly wider than that of the NFG (p<.05). In dynamic balance comparisons, TUG of FG was significantly longer than that of NFG (p <.05), however FRT and STS were no significant difference between groups. Ankle flexibility was significantly higher in NFG than in FG. This study suggests that the fall prevention program should include methods for improving ankle stability and lower extremity function.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
• /
• 제27권2호
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2020

Background: The gastrocnemius (GCM) is one of the lower extremity muscles that tend to tighten easily. GCM tightness results in limited ankle dorsi-flexion (DF), especially when the knee joint is fully extended. Joint flexibility is determined by the morphological and physiological characteristics of joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Impaired joint flexibility can be attributed to increased susceptibility to muscle injury. High-frequency diathermy is clinically used to reduce pain and muscle tightness and to improve limited range of motion. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of high-frequency therapy in subjects with GCM tightness. Methods: The study was designed as a one-group before-after trial. The subjects included 28 volunteers with GCM tightness (an active ankle DF angle of less than 12°) without any known neurological and musculoskeletal pathologies in the ankle and calf areas. WINBACK Transfer Electrode Capacitive and Resistive Therapy equipment was used to apply high-frequency therapy to the subjects' GCMs for 10-15 minutes. The pennation angle and the fascicle length of the GCM were measured using ultrasonography. The flexibility of the ankle joint, peak torque to the passive ankle DF (Biodex), and soft tissue stiffness (MyotonPRO) were also measured. Results: The pennation angle was significantly decreased following the treatment; however, no significant difference in the fascicle length was found (p < 0.05). The flexibility was significantly increased and both the passive peak torque to passive ankle DF and the soft tissue stiffness significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency therapy is immediately effective for improving the muscle's architectural properties and functional factors in subjects with GCM tightness. Further longitudinal clinical studies are required to investigate the long-term effects of high-frequency therapy on subjects with GCM tightness from various causes.

• 대한임상전기생리학회지
• /
• 제8권1호
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2010

Purpose : This study identifies the effect of ankle-taping on limb asymmetry, postural sway and lumbar flexibility. Ankle-taping was applied for participants of this study and the results were compared to the control group. Methods : This study targets 46 adults, in which 25 composed the test group and 21 composed the control group. All participants were interviewed. For the test group, inflexible tapes of 5mm width were applied as designed by Danaka Nobudaka while the tapes for the control group were arranged in a symmetric direction to the direction of the test group. Postural balance was measured using Mediance (Human Tech Inc, Korea) and to identify lumbar flexibility, the trunk flexion is targeted. Results : 1. The postural inclination of both the groups decreased, but a statistically significant difference is not found (p>0.05). 2. Both the groups increased, but no statistically significant difference is found (p>0.05). 3. Both the groups increased, and a statistically significant change is found (p<0.05). Conclusion : As demonstrated in the results above, ankle taping is effective for lumbar flexibility as well as stability of ankle joints regardless of the direction of taping. It also suggests that ankle taping is helpful for health management of athletes and the public. However, as the results are limited in that they were obtained 10 minutes after taping, it is hoped that further studies will follow.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
• /
• 제37권4호
• /
• pp.839-847
• /
• 2020

본 연구는 외발 착지 시 신체적 특성 요인들인 발목 유연성, 성별, Q-angle이 발목 관절 상해 요인들에 미치는 영향을 분석하는데 목적이 있었다. 이를 위해 오른발을 주발로 사용하고 체육을 전공하는 20대 남성 16명(나이: 20.19±1.78 years, 체중: 69.54±10.12 kg, 신장: 173.22±4.43 cm), 여성 16명(나이: 21.05±1.53 years, 체중: 61.75±6.97 kg, 신장: 159.34±4.56 cm)을 연구대상자로 선정하였다. 외발 착지 시 신체적 특성 요인들이 발목 관절 상해에 미치는 영향을 확인하기 위하여 첫째, 발목 상해 경험에 따른 하지 관절 움직임과 관절 모멘트의 독립 t-test를 실시하였다(α = .05). 둘째, t-test를 통하여 유의한 차이를 나타낸 변인을 종속변인으로 설정하고 발목 유연성, 성별의 차이, Q-angle을 독립변인으로 지정하여 선형다중회귀분석(Multiple Linear Regression)을 사용하였다(α = .05). 본 연구결과 발목 관절 상해를 경험한 그룹은 상해를 경험하지 않은 그룹과는 다르게 발목 관절의 내전, 무릎 관절의 내측 회전을 통한 착지 전략과 기술을 사용하는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 이러한 움직임은 발목 관절의 신전 모멘트를 증가시키고, 엉덩 관절의 신전 모멘트는 감소시키는 것으로 확인되었다. 특히 발목의 배측굴곡 유연성은 발목과 무릎의 착지전략에 영향을 미치며, 성별의 차이는 발목의 신전 모멘트에 영향을 미치는 것을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 외발 착지 시 신체적 특성 요인들이 발목 관절 상해에 영향을 미치는 요인들임을 확인 할 수 있었다.

• 제어로봇시스템학회논문지
• /
• 제22권1호
• /
• pp.31-39
• /
• 2016

This paper describes the design of an ankle rehabilitation robot for the force measurement of a severe stroke patient staying in a bed ward. The developed ankle rehabilitation robot was attached to a three-axis force/torque sensor that could detect force Fx, Fz, and torque Tz and measure the ankle rotation force (Fx) exerted on the ankle and the signal force Fz and torque Tz to be used as a safety device. The robot was designed and manufactured for bedridden stroke patients, and the robot program was manufactured to perform the flexibility rehabilitation exercise for ankle bending and to measure the ankle force to judge the degree of rehabilitation. According to the result of the characteristics test of the developed rehabilitation robot, it was safely operated while the ankle-bending flexibility rehabilitation exercise and the emergency situation were performed. Therefore, it is thought that the developed rehabilitation robot can be used for severe stroke patients.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.57-66
• /
• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the duration of maintained calf muscle flexibility gained in young adults with calf muscle tightness, as measured by increases in ankle active and passive dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) after three stretching interventions. Twenty subjects (5 men and 15 women) with calf muscle tightness received the following three stretching interventions in one leg (assigned at random): static stretching (SS), eccentric training on stable surface (ETS), and eccentric training on unstable surfaces (ETU). The subjects received all three interventions to the same leg, applied in a random order. Each intervention had a break of at least 24 h in-between, in order to minimize any carryover effect. Each intervention used two types of stretching: with the calf muscle stretched and both knees straight, and with the knee slightly bent in order to maximize the activation of the soleus muscle. All three interventions were performed for 200 seconds. We measured the duration of maintained calf muscle flexibility through active and passive ankle DFROM before intervention, immediately after intervention (time 0), and then 3, 6, 9, 15, and 30 min after intervention. We found a difference in the duration of maintained calf muscle flexibility between the three interventions. In the ETS and ETU interventions, a significant improvement in calf muscle flexibility, both ankle active and passive dorsiflexion ranges of motion (ADFROM and PDFROM), was maintained for 30 min. In the SS intervention, however, ADFROM before 9 min and PDFROM before 6 min were statistically different from the baseline. Our results suggest that ETS and ETU may be more effective than SS for maintaining calf muscle flexibility in young adults.

• 한국융합학회논문지
• /
• 제10권11호
• /
• pp.217-223
• /
• 2019

균형과 발목 근육 특성 (근력과 유연성) 사이의 관계는 낙상 위험의 증가에 대한 규명과 낙상방지 훈련프로그램을 발전시키기 위해서 중요할 것이다. 발목 근육 특성(근력과 유연성)과 균형사이의 관계는 이전에 연구되지 않았다. 이 연구의 목적은 발목근육특성과 균형사이의 관계를 평가하는 것이다. 16명의 건강한 참가자들이 본 연구에 자원하였다. 동적 균형은 와이-발란스 (Y-balance) 키트를 이용하여 측정하였다. 발목 근육 특성 (근력과 유연성)은 악력계와 고니어미터를 사용하여 측정하였다. 발목내번근력과 와이-발란스 (Y-balance) 측정 수행능력 사이에 양의 상관관계를 나타냈다. 임상가들은 동적균형의 발전을 위해서 치료적 중재를 하는 동안 발목 근력을 고려해야 한다.

• 근관절건강학회지
• /
• 제6권2호
• /
• pp.278-294
• /
• 1999

The PACE (People nth Arthritis Can Exercise) is an exercise program developed by the Arthritis Foundation to improve muscle strength and joint flexibility for patients with arthritis. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of PACE program on self-efficacy, pain, and joint function in the Korean immigrant elderly. The PACE program was held twice a week for 6 weeks for Korean immigrant elderly who had osteoarthritis. Twenty four subjects completed the program, who were recruited in two places : 10 elderly in a senior residential apartment, and 14 elderly in a senior center supported by Congregated Meal Program for Korean Elderly. Self-efficacy(Sherer et al., 1982), pain severity(by using Visual Analogue Scale), and number of painful joints were measured before and after the PACE program. To examine the joint flexibility and strengthening, the followings were measured : the extent of the upward arm reach in both sides(flexibility of shoulder), the ability to touch fingertips of the both hands in back pat and rub(flexibility of arm), the degree of range of motion(ROM) of both ankles in their dorsiflexion(flexibility of ankle) and plantarflexion with standing with toe(strengthening of ankle), and the degree of knee extension. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis and the significance of the differences in the variables was examined to compare the data obtained before and after the PACE program. After the PACE, followings were found : 1. Self-efficacy was significantly increased. 2. Pain severity and number of painful Joints was significantly decreased. 3. The flexibility of both shoulders and arms were significantly improved, but the flexibility of knee was not changed. 4. The flexibility and strengthening of both ankle was significantly improved. In conclusion, PACE was clearly proved to be an effective exercise program to promote self-efficacy, to reduce pain, and to enhance joint function in the elderly with osteoarthritis. It is suggested that the PACE program should be recommended as one of the useful and appropriate nursing interventions for elderly with osteoarthritis.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• 제32권4호
• /
• pp.245-249
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study examined the effects of local vibration using a massage gun on the triceps surae flexibility by measuring the ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM) compared to static stretching in healthy adults. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were instructed in this study. They were allocated randomly to two groups: local vibration (LV) and static stretching (SS). The ankle dorsiflexion ROM was measured before and after the intervention in supine (open kinetic chain, OKC) and standing (closed kinetic chain, CKC). The LV group received local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on their triceps surae, and the SS group stood on the Q board with a dorsiflexed ankle for five minutes. The ROM between pre- and post-intervention and the change in ROM between two groups were analyzed. A paired t-test was used to compare the ROM between pre- and post-intervention, while an independent t-test was used to compare the change in ROM between the two groups. Results: Both groups showed a significant difference between pre- and post-intervention in the position of both the OKC and CKC. The change in ROM, however, was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: The application of local vibration using a massage gun for five minutes on the triceps surae could improve its flexibility as much as the application of static stretching. A massage gun for the application of a local vibration stimulus may be effective, simple, portable, and comfortable.

• 대한근관절건강학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 대한근관절건강학회 2001년도 제14회 총회 및 춘계학술대회
• /
• pp.179-190
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of GEAP on pain, joint function, activities of daily living(ADL) and fatigue in chronic arthritis patients. The GEAP was held twice a week for 6 weeks for chronic arthritis patients at one university hospital in Seoul, Korea. Thirty four subjects completed the program, who were recruited at four times from September, 1999 to September, 2000. The effect of GEAP were evaluated as follows: Pain severity and number of painful joints ADL, fatigue were measured before and after the GEAP. In order to examine the joint flexibility and strengthening, the followings were measured: the extent of the upward arm reach in both sides(flexibility of shoulder), the ability to touch fingertips of the both hands in back pat and rub(flexibility of arm), the degree of range of motion (ROM) of both ankles in their dorsiflexion(flexibility of ankle) and plantarflexion with standing with toe(strengthening of ankle), and the degree of knee extension, and the grip strength. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test were used for data analysis and the significance of the differences in the variables was examined to compare the data obtained before and after the GEAP. After the GEAP, followings were found: 1. Pain severity and number of painful joints was significantly decreased. 2. The flexibility of both shoulders and arms, knee, both ankle were significantly improved. 3. The strengthening of both arms was significantly improved, but the strengthening of ankle was not changed. 4. ADL was significantly increased. 5. Fatigue was significantly decreased. In conclusion, GEAP used in this study was clearly proved to be an effective exercise program to reduce pain and fatigue, to enhance joint function and ADL in people with chronic arthritis. It is suggested that the GEAP should be recommended as one of the useful and appropriate nursing interventions for chronic arthritis patients.