• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.323-331
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• 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 the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2024

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of four weeks of gaze stabilization exercises and balance training on the static and dynamic balance functions. METHODS: The study was an assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted at Daegu University in South Korea. Thirty subjects who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were selected and divided randomly into three groups containing ten each. The first group received balance exercises with gaze stabilizing exercises (BGG). The second group received a balance exercise (BEG), and the third group received gaze-stabilizing exercise (GEG). Each group exercised for 40 minutes, three times a week for four weeks. The subjects were asked to complete the following static balance test: 1) one-leg standing test, 2) sharpened Romberg test, dynamic balance test, 3) Y-balance test, and 4) single-leg stand-squat-stand test. The static and dynamic balance were measured before and after four weeks to determine the effect of exercise on balance. RESULTS: The static (OLS and SRT) and dynamic (YBT and SST) balance tests showed significant differences in the surface and length of the three groups (p < .05), and the y-balance score effect size, 11.477 (p < .05), was improved significantly. On the other hand, the change in BGG value was larger than those of BEG and GEG, and the improvements in balance control were the most significant. CONCLUSION: After four weeks of exercise, BGG showed the best improvement in static and dynamic balance, suggesting that this specific type of gaze stabilization exercise with balance exercise may benefit healthy young adults.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.156-163
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• 2022

Loss of leg muscle and muscle weakness, which are caused by aging, affect muscle function and sense of balance. As a way of preventing seniors from falling, we developed the idea of wearing functional supporters based on graduated compression technique and in the form of a taping supporter. Their impact on power, sense of balance, overcoming fatigue, and subjective wearing sensation was investigated. The following results were obtained. After wearing functional compression supporters, body temperature increased from 24.5 ± 0.5℃ to 26.3 ± 0.6℃. Calf size, which assesses the level of edema, decreased from 26.1 ± 1.8cm to 25.7 ± 1.8cm. The result of dynamic balance test, which helps estimate the fall prevention effect, increased from 6.4 ± 0.9sec to 7.1 ± 0.6sec. Lactate level, which indicates the level of fatigue, decreased from 8.1 ± 0.6mmol/L to 7.3 ± 0.8mmol/L. Standing long jump record, which assesses power, increased from 110.1 ± 3.1cm to 112.0 ± 2.8cm. Standing on one leg with eyes closed, which assesses sense of balance, increased from 4.2 ± 1.1sec to 6.5 ± 0.8sec. Ankle angle, which assesses joint stability, increased from 75.3 ± 4.0° to 80.1 ± 1.7°. In metabolism and physical performance testing, which assesses keep, the score increased from 26.3 ± 1.7 to 28.8 ± 1.2. Muscle supporting score, which assesses joint stability, increased from 7.3 ± 0.6 to 7.8 ± 0.4. In the category of body type, which assesses wearing sensation and body shaping function, the score increased from 5.7 ± 1.4 to 6.4 ± 1.2

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.15-27
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• 2018

Purpose : This study aims to present a rehabilitation exercise and physical education program (REPEP) for local community stroke patients by examining an exercise program provided from traditional physical therapeutic perspectives. Methods : The subjects were 40 stroke patients residing in a local community and managed by a public health center (the group-exercise group: 20, the individual-exercise group: 20). In the case of the group-exercise group (GEG), the subjects were divided into small groups composed of five members each to participate in the program. The individual-exercise group (IEG) took part in the program individually. The subjects received a REPEP that included a warm-up exercise, an elastic band exercise, a leg exercise, a balance and gait exercise, an arm and trunk exercise, and a cool-down exercise twice per week for 20 weeks. They had their gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the bilateral knee joints tested before and after the experiment. Results : Compared to before the experiment, both groups' gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the knee joints increased after the experiment. After the experiment, the GEG experienced more improvement in their gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the bilateral knee joints, excluding their gait velocity and $300^{\circ}/sec$ flexion and extension, than the IEG (p<.05). Conclusion : An exercise program provided from the traditional physical therapeutic perspectives may be applied to stroke patients as their REPEP. In addition, a REPEP was more effective in improving their gait function, balance index, and muscle strength in the knee joints when the subjects formed a group and took part in the program than when they partook in it individually.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on stroke patients' recovery of their balancing and walking abilities. Methods: This study was conducted with 30 patients aged at least 60 years and diagnosed with stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to either a PNF upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise group of 15 patients or an aero-step balance exercise group of 15 patients. To test the subjects' balancing and walking abilities, balancing ability tests and 10-m walking speed tests were conducted before and after the interventions. The patients performed their respective exercises for 30 minutes per session, three times per week for four weeks. The PNF exercise group performed six stages of exercise consisting of a combination of PNF patterns such as sprinting, skating, and striking. The six stages (right striking, right skating, right sprinting, left striking, left skating, and left sprinting) were performed continuously with a rest period of 1 min. after training for 4 min. The exercises for the aero-step balance group consisted of balancing in a two-leg standing position, weight shifting in a two-leg standing position, one-leg standing, squat exercises, marching in place, and squatting on an aero step. Results: The PNF exercise group showed significant improvements in their balancing ability evaluations compared to the aero-step balance group and also showed significant improvements in their 10-m walking speed tests. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, PNF upper- and lower-limb coordinated exercise resulted in clinical improvements of stroke patients' balancing and walking abilities. Therefore, this type of exercise is recommended as a clinical intervention for the recovery of stroke patients' lower-limb function. Future studies should be conducted with longer intervention periods and more subjects to generalize the study results.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to identify the effects for 4-weeks muscle strengthening exercise program on pain, fatigue, and physical function(muscle strength of leg, walking competence, balance, flexibility of patella) in elderly women with total knee arthroplasty(TKA). Method: Utilizing a quasi-experimental design, 30 TKA patients consisted of the experimental group (n=15) and control group (n=15). The experimental group participated in the muscle strengthening exercise program, twice a day for 4 weeks. Data were analyzed with SPSS WIN 18.0 program, using repeated measure ANOVA. Result: As time goes by, There were significant differences in muscle strength of leg (F=6.60, p<.001), walking competence(F=7.15, p<.001), and balance(F=17.55, p<.001) between the experimental and the control groups. Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed the positive effects of muscle strengthening exercise program in elderly women with TKA.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.478-489
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a Health Maintenance Program on physical functions and mental health of the elderly in nursing homes. Method: Sixty elderly(over 65 years old) in a randomized control study participated in a 16-week group-based intervention including functional exercises and health education. The participants were divided into 3 groups(Health Maintenance Program Group, Supportive Music Exercise Group, and Control Group) of 20 elderly each. Data was collected from Dec. 1st, 2005 to Mar, 30th, 2006. Physical function of lower body strength was assessed using a 30-second chair test, flexibility was assessed using a sit-and-reach test, and static balance was assessed by the ability to balance on one leg with open and closed eyes. Depression was assessed using the Korean Form of the Geriatric Depression Scale and self esteem was assessed using Rosenberg's Self Esteem Questionnaire. Data was analyzed by Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA, and Repeated measure two factor analysis. Results: A Health Maintenance Program significantly increased muscle strength, flexibility and static balance, but depression and self-esteem scores were not significantly changed. Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that a Health Maintenance Program was more effective on physical function than mental health of the elderly in nursing homes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.33-42
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the fumanet exercise program on the cognitive function and fall down-related physical fitness factor in elderly people. Method: The study period was May 2-June 24, 2016. The participants included 20 elderly persons (control group 10, experimental group 10) who registered at the day-care Center in G. City. Descriptive statistics were used for the analysis of the control and experimental groups' general characteristics. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to identify the two groups' general characteristics' and dependent variables' homogeneity. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the pre-and post-intervention cognitive function and fall down-related physical fitness factor, and a Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze the rate of cognitive function and fall down-related physical fitness factor changes between the groups after the intervention. Result: The participants' fall down-related physical fitness factors (balance, gait, leg strength) increased and memory in the cognitive function sub-area improved in the participants who participated in the fumanet exercise program. The amount of change in gait was significantly different between the control and experimental groups. Conclusion: The fumanet exercise program included gait training using the learn, remember and repeat phased steps. Therefore, this study proposes using the fumanet exercise program to improve the elderly's cognitive function and physical fitness factor.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.9-14
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• 2014

Background: This study aims to examine correlations between quadriceps angle, lower extremity muscle strength and leg length discrepancy. Methods: This study selected 96 healthy women university students as the subjects of research. Quadriceps angle, lower extremity muscle strength and leg length discrepancy were measured. The statistical analysis of the data SPSS/window (version 12.0) were analyzed using the pearson correlation analysis. Results: There were negative correlations between the muscle strength of the right hamstring muscles and the right quadriceps angle in supine and standing positions. Functional leg length discrepancy of left and right quadriceps angle in supine and standing position showed positive correlations. Conclusions: The quadriceps angle affect the knee. An abnormal angle caused weakening of balance. Muscle strength, leg length discrepancy, and affected lower extremity alignment and knee function. These conclusions may prevent exercise limitation or disorders in the subjects and treating the patients with knee injury or patellofemoral pain syndrome with basic therapy intervention.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.147-155
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was to determine the effects of before and after application of silicone sleeve on balance and muscle strength in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction patients. Methods: 13 subjects who had one or more months after ACL surgery were involved. Dynamic balance, timed up and go (TUG), stair step, vertical jump, proprioception and isokinetic knee strength were measured while subjects under taped, untapped and silicone sleeve conditions. Results: For 30 seconds one-leg standing, there was a significant improvement under silicone sleeve on operated side with eyes open and both taping and silicone sleeve revealed similar effects with eyes closed (p<0.01). Application of silicone sleeve showed significant effects in proprioceptive function on the operated side compared to both taping and none (p<0.05). For stair step test, TUG and vertical jump was a tendency to improve after application of silicone sleeve, but no significant different. Muscle strength on operated side of quadriceps and hamstring was significantly improved compared with none or taping(p<0.05). Conclusion: Silicone sleeve application for ACL reconstruction patients was effective immediately on improving strength and balance. Therefore, depending on the intended use and the disease is considered appropriate use of silicone sleeve will be able to help prevention and functional movement.