• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.36-43
• /
• 2007

Purpose: An objective analysis and observations were to be done on hemiplegia patients that are wearing a walking support device, Stroke shoes. Their improvements in walking pace, the reduction of distance between the two knee joint, the increase of curve angle of the knee joint and their steps and the reduction of ankle joint upon swing phase were analyzed using a 20 walking analyzer. Methods: An examination was carried out to see the patients' communication skill and independent walking and then let them walk with the Stroke shoes on to get results before and after wearing it. Simi Reality Motion Systems GmbH (Germany, 2007) was used to analyze the results regarding knee joint and ankle joint angle changes of sagitta plane and coronal plane, stepping distances, distances between the knees and walking pace. Results: 1. The articulation angle of ankle joint during swing phase decreased and knee joint has shown a statistically significant increase in such value(p<0.05). 2. Only knee joint showed a significant increase in articulation angle during heel strike(p<0.05). 3. Knee joint showed a significant increase in articulation angle during toe off(p<0.05). 4. The distance between the two knees as well as their foot steps significantly decreased compared with when Stroke shoes were not worn(p<0.05). 5. Stroke shoes with FES have shown positive effects on the patients in improving their walking styles overall. (p<0.05). Conclusion: There was an improvement in rotation walking pattern by a reduction in the distance between the knees after wearing Stroke shoes with FES. Plantar flexion reduced that occurred in ankle joint during walking and flexion angle increased in knee joint, both of which improved foot drop which was a major problem in hemiplegia patients. Also it is believed that the device will have some positive influences on knee joint stiffening paralysis to aid in improving inefficient walking phases.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.159-167
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gender differences on gait pattern and the kinetics on lower extremities according to the different gait speed. Ten collegiate male students (age : $23.80{\pm}2.94$ yrs, height : $179.40{\pm}5.04$ cm, weight : $66.57{\pm}5.64$ kg) and ten female students (age : $23.40{\pm}2.91$ yrs, height : $166.06{\pm}5.61$ cm, weight : $53.76{\pm}2.75$ kg) participated in this study. To investigate the role, the ratio of the use, and the effectiveness of each joint during gait, we examined the joint work and the contribution to total work. The results of this study were as follows: First, gait pattern was not differ between male and female, hip joint ROM increased with the increase of gait speed both male and female. Second, the eccentric work of the ankle joint decreased with the increase of the gait speed both male and female, on the other hand increased on the knee joint. Third, in the result of the contribution to total eccentric work, male in both the two gait speed was the biggest on the hips joint. However, female in normal gait speed was the greatest on the ankle joint, was the most on the knee joint in the fast gait speed. Forth, the concentric work on the ankle and hip joint increased with the increase of gait speed both male and female. Fifth, in the result of the contribution to total concentric work, there is no difference in the male both the two gait speed, however decreased in the female on the knee joint with the increase of the gait speed, on the other hand increased on the ankle joint.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.46-55
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of concurrent and reciprocal isometric contraction and angle of ankle joint on fatigue of concentrically contracting contralateral dorsiflexor and plantar flexor. Seventeen able-bodied subjects participated in the study. Concurrent and reciprocal isometric contraction were performed under three different ankle joint angles (dorsiflexion, neutral position, plantar flexion). During concurrent or reciprocal isometric contraction. fatigue of concentrically contracting contralateral tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus was investigated and compared. There was no interaction between different ankle joint angles and direction of isometric contraction (p<.05). No significant differences were found among three different ankle joint angles (p<.05). Contralateral muscle fatigability was lower in reciprocal isometric contraction than that in concurrent isometric contraction (p<.05). Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that reciprocal isometric contraction is more beneficial than concurrent isometric contraction inducing less fatigability during contralateral concentric contraction.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.789-795
• /
• 2010

This study aimed to investigate the effect of differing heel height on static balance and muscle activation of ankle joint during standing. Twenty-one young females volunteered to participate in this study. To measure balance function and EMG activity of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles, the subjects were asked to perform 1-min standing with eyes open and closed state under 3 different heel heights: barefoot, 3cm, and 7cm each. During the standing, postural sway distance and area, and EMG activity of tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles were significantly augmented with increasing heel height (p<0.05). For comparison between eyes open and closed in terms of postural sway area and EMG activity of tibialis anterior muscle, barefoot and 7cm height conditions respectively showed significant differences as well. The findings indicate that high-heeled shoes may have disadvantages in maintaining balance function because of extra-muscular effort of ankle joint. This study provides useful information that will inform future studies on how heel height affects muscle activity around the ankle joint in aspects of static and dynamic balance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.39-43
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of unilateral muscle fatigue in knee and ankle joints on balance and gait in healthy adults. Methods: Exercise inducing muscle fatigue in the knee joint consisted of concentric and eccentric contraction of dominant knee extensors in healthy adults by using the Leg Extension Rehap exercise machine (HUR, Finland). Exercise inducing muscle fatigue in the ankle joint was composed of voluntary contractions and forced contractions of the dominant plantar flexors in healthy adults. Exercises to induce muscle fatigue in the knee and ankle joints were performed until the subject complained of fatigue or pain, the occurrence of muscle fatigue was confirmed by electromyography. We measured static and dynamic balance using the Good Balance system and gait performance by RS-scan. Results: Static and dynamic balance ability and spatial-temporal gait decreased significantly after muscle fatigue in knee and ankle joint. Conclusion: These results show that unilateral muscle fatigue of the lower extremities affected postural control and gait. Therefore, therapists and sport trainers should minimize the risks of fall and injuries related to unilateral muscle fatigue.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.63-72
• /
• 2022

Purpose : Several studies have investigated the effects of dynamic stretching (DS) and self-mobilization (SM), however, studies comparing the two interventions are rare. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of DS and SM on ankle strength, dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), and balance to determine which is superior. Methods : Thirty-two healthy young adults participated in this study. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups (SM and DS). DS was performed for the purpose of stretching the medial gastrocnemius muscle. For the SM group, ankle joint SM was performed in three ways. For all participants, the following measurements were performed as pre- and post-tests: isometric strength of dorsiflexor and plantar flexor, weight-bearing lunge test (WBLT) to evaluate DFROM, Tetrax system to evaluate static balance, and y balance test (YBT) to evaluate dynamic balance. Differences before and after the intervention within each group were compared using paired t-test. Also, the variable's variation was compared between groups using an independent t-test. Results : Significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor strength, WBLT, YBT, weight distribution index (WDI) (pillow and opened eyes; PO), and stability index (ST) (normal and closed eyes; NC) before and after intervention in the SM group (p<.05). In the DS group, significant differences were found in ankle dorsiflexor and plantar flexor strength, WBLT, YBT anterior, WDI (normal and opened eyes; NO, PO), and ST (NO, NC, PO, pillow and closed eyes) before and after the intervention (p<.05). Ankle plantar flexor strength and WDI (PO) were significantly different between groups. Conclusion : Based on the results of this study, DS or SM can be considered as a possibility for selective use according to variables for improving ankle joint function (DFROM, muscle strength, balance).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2008

Purpose : The study was to evaluate the effect of joint therapy and active exercise on balance and lower foot and ankle muscle MVIC in supination foot. Methods : The subjects of this study were 20. Subjects were 20 to 25($22.20{\pm}1.54$) completed the study and participated three times a week for 4 weeks. Subjects were assessed by utilizing two different EMG MVIC. Results : The change in peroneus longus MVIC significant on pre-test and post test (p<.05). The not change in tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, peroneus brevis MVIC on pre-test and post-test(p<.05). Conclusion : The study suggest that subtalar joint therapy and active exercise have a increase peroneus longus MVIC for supination foot. Therefore, the subtalar joint therapy and active exercise recommended for supination foot.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.146-150
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Pilon fracture has several serious complications such as joint stiffness, arthrosis and delayed angular deformity. We report short-term results of new treatment modality using distracted dynamic external fixators and early controlled ankle motion. Materials and Methods: Eight cases of severe pilon fractures for which we tried small plate fixation and additional distracted dynamic external fixators from July 2007 to June 2009 were included. Half passive continuous ankle joint motion was allowed under free hinged ring fixators after the operation. The external fixators were removed after two or three months from the surgery. We investigated joint space by radiograph, joint pain, range of motion, patient's satisfaction of treatment protocol. Results: Joints were distracted when external fixators were applied and mean 28% of space loss developed after removal of external fixators. In most of cases, satisfactory alignments were maintained. Regarding range of joint motion, mean dorsiflexion angle was 15 degrees and mean plantarflexion angle was 32 degree in the condition of wearing external fixators. There was mean 8% reduction of range of motion but no further progression of ankle stiffness after removal of external fixators. Dorsiflexion was not improved after that, but plantarflexion angle was improved 10% even after removal of external fixators. Patients were generally in compliance with the treatment protocols with high level of satisfaction. Conclusion: We got good results with distracted dynamic external fixators and early continuous half-passive joint motion for pilon fractures in terms of joint pain and range of motion. Therefore we suggest this new protocol as an alternative modality for severe pilon fractures.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.25 no.11
• /
• pp.107-118
• /
• 2008

In this study, lower extremity joint kinematics and kinetics and lumbar lordosis were investigated for two different symmetrical lifting techniques(squat and stoop) using the three-dimensional motion analysis. Twenty-six male volunteers lifted boxes weighing 5, 10 and 15kg by both squat and stoop lifting techniques. There were not significant differences in maximum lumbar joint moments between the two techniques. The hip and ankle contributed the most part of the support moments during squat lifting, and the knee flexion moment played an important role in stoop lifting. The hip, ankle and lumbar joints generated power and only the khee joint absorbed power in the squat lifting. The knee and ankle joints absorbed power, the hip and lumbar joints generated power in the stoop lifting. The bi-articular antagonist muscles' co-contraction around the knee joint during the squat lifting and the eccentric co-contraction of the gastrocnemius and semitendinosus were found to be important for straightening up during the stoop lifting. At the time of lordotic curvature appearance in the squat lifting, there were significant correlations in all three lower extremity joint moments with the lumbar joint. Differently, only the hip moment had significant correlation with the lumbar joint in the stoop lifting. In conclusion, the knee extension which is prominent kinematics during the squat tilling was produced by the contributions of the kinetic factors from the hip and ankle joints(extensor moment and power generation) and the lumbar extension which is prominent kinematics during the stoop lifting could be produced by the contributions of the knee joint kinetic factors(flexor moment, power absorption, bi-articular muscle function).

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.93-105
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate drivers' postures in different car pedal systems and skilled levels under fatigue. Twenty four subjects participated in this experiment. For three-dimensional analyses, six cameras (Proreflex MCU-240, Qualisys) were used to acquire raw data. The parameters were calculated and analyzed with Visual-3D. In conclusion, ROAs of two leg-pedal system were less than one leg pedal system by pattern analysis. Through statistical tests, skilled levels have effects on ROAs(X, Y, Z) of ankle joint at breaking a pedal and ROAs(Y, Z) of ankle joint at accelerating a pedal. Also, car pedal systems have effects on ROAs(Y, Z) of ankle joint, and ROA(Z) of knee joint at accelerating a pedal. In addition, skilled levels and car pedal systems (cross effects) have an effect on ROA(Z) of ankle joint. These findings suggested that we should improve a present single pedal system.