Earticle

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effects of saccadic eye movements on balance while standing on one leg, focusing on different frequencies (Fixation, .5㎐, 1.1㎐). Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) included 41 healthy adults. Sample size was calculated using G*Power with an effect size of .25, alpha of .05, and power of .80, adjusted for a 10% dropout rate. Participants were randomly assigned to Fixation, .5㎐, or 1.1㎐ conditions. Balance metrics (SAE, AS, L) were measured using the BioRescue system (RM Ingénierie, Marseille, France), and eye movements were monitored with a Gazepoint GP3 HD Eye Tracker (Gazept, Vancouver, Canada). Results: Repeated Measures ANOVA showed significant differences among conditions for Surface Area Ellipse (F(2, 80)=5.049, p=.008), Average Speed of Sway (F(2, 80)=19.268, p<.000), and Length of Sway Path (F(2, 80)=20.742, p<.000). Post-hoc Tukey HSD tests indicated that the .5㎐ and 1.1㎐ conditions significantly reduced Average Speed of Sway and Length of Sway Path compared to Fixation. No significant differences were found in Surface Area Ellipse among the conditions. Conclusion: Saccadic eye movements at .5㎐ and 1.1㎐ can improve balance by reducing the average speed and length of sway. These findings suggest the potential role of visual stimuli in enhancing balance control, warranting further research into the underlying mechanisms and practical applications.

Background: This study examined the effects of thermal kinesio taping on back pain, extensor muscle strength, and flexibility in sedentary workers who generally sit on chairs for more than six hours a day. Methods: In this study, single-subject cases with chronic pain of 6 or higher on the visual analog scale (VAS) for more than three months and leading a sedentary lifestyle (n=16) were administered general Kinesio taping and thermal Kinesio taping to the lumbar region. Changes in lower back pain, trunk extensor muscle strength, and lumbar flexibility were observed at baseline, 30 minutes, and two hours post-application. Lower back pain was assessed using the VAS, trunk extensor muscle strength was measured with a handheld dynamometer, and trunk flexibility was evaluated using the standing forward bend test. Results: In this study, a 2-week application of thermal taping resulted in significant reductions in back pain (p<.001), improvements in back extensor muscle strength (p<.001), and increased back flexibility (p<.001) compared to the application. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that thermal Kinesio tape is more effective in reducing lower back pain compared to general Kinesio tape. Additionally, it has been found to have a significant impact on enhancing trunk extensor muscle strength and flexibility.

Background: Improper hip muscle use can cause musculoskeletal disorders. Although side-lying hip abduction and clam shell exercises have been studied for gluteus activation and tensor fasciae latae inhibition, research on the effects of the hydrant exercises remains lacking. This study compares hip muscle activation among the three exercises. Methods: Eighteen men aged 20~30 years performed side-lying hip abduction, clam shell, and hydrant exercises. The activation of gluteus maximus, medius, and tensor fasciae latae was measured. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA with the Bonferroni post-hoc test was conducted at α=.05. Results: Gluteus maximus activation was comparable across exercises (p>.05). Compared with the other exercises, side-lying hip abduction resulted in significantly higher gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae activation and significantly lower gluteus maximus/tensor fasciae latae and gluteus medius/tensor fasciae latae activation ratios (p<.05). Conclusion: Side-lying hip abduction activates the gluteus medius and tensor fasciae latae, whereas clam shell and hydrant exercises reduce tensor fasciae latae activation and increase gluteus maximus and medius activation. Thus, clam shell and hydrant exercises are more suitable as gluteal exercises than side-lying hip abduction.

Background: This study aims to investigate the effects of stair gait training on muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty (TKA). TKA can significantly impact mobility, leading to challenges in balance and increasing the risk of falls. Effective rehabilitation strategies are crucial for enhancing recovery and improving the overall quality of life for these patients, particularly in restoring functional independence. Methods: 30 patients who underwent TKA were recruited for this study and randomly assigned to either a control group or an experimental group. The experimental group participated in stair gait exercises three times a week for four weeks, with a focus on enhancing their functional mobility and strength through dynamic movements. In contrast, the control group engaged in flat gait exercises, which served as the standard rehabilitation protocol. To evaluate the effectiveness of both exercise regimens, measurements of muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy were taken before and after the intervention. Results: The findings indicated that the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in muscle strength, balance ability, and fall efficacy compared to the control group (p<.05). This suggests that stair gait training is effective in enhancing muscle strength, balance, and fall efficacy in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty. This suggests that it could serve as an effective rehabilitation method for managing TKA patients in clinical practice. Conclusions: Based on these results, stair gait exercise is an effective intervention that can improve recovery in patients who have undergone total knee arthroplasty, emphasizing its potential role in rehabilitation protocols.

Purpose: Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is applied reduce edema but is not applied clinically to relieve stress. This study compared the changes in the stress-related autonomic nervous system when applying MLD and Swedish massage to stressed office workers. Methods: The pre- and post-tests were conducted to measure changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous activity. MLD and Swedish massage were administered to the MLD and Swedish massage groups, respectively. Sympathetic (low frequency; LF) and parasympathetic (high frequency; HF) responses of the autonomic nervous system were measured, along with the LF/HF ratio. A paired t-test was used to compare pre- and post-test results, and one-way ANOVA was used to compare differences between groups. Results: The LF, HF, and LF/HF ratio showed a significant difference between the pre- and post-test in the MLD and the Swedish massage group (p<.05). After the intervention, the LF and LF/HF ratio were significantly lower in the MLD group than in the Swedish massage and rest group (p<.05). HF was significantly higher in the MLD group than in the Swedish massage and rest group (p<.05). Conclusion: MLD is relatively easier to learn than Swedish massage or simply resting, and it effectively promotes relaxation with less pressure, making it beneficial for stress relief.

Background: Lunge movements are frequently performed in badminton games and can be a major cause of ankle injuries. Young people are particularly vulnerable to such injuries, which can significantly affect their performance. This study aimed to compare the effects of two interventions on ankle range of motion (ROM), functional level, and athlete confidence, with the aim of contributing to prevention of injury. Methods: Twenty elite young badminton players were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=10), which performed ankle joint mobilization and a plyometric exercise program, or a control group (n=10), which performed only the plyometric exercise program. The intervention was conducted twice per week for six weeks. Ankle ROM, functional level (Y-balance test, figure 8 hop test and side hop test), and self-confidence in the ankle were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: After the intervention, bilateral dorsiflexion ROM significantly increased in both groups (p<.05). The experimental group had significant increases in bilateral inversion ROM and left eversion ROM (p<.05), whereas the control group had a significant increase in right eversion ROM (p<.05). Both groups had significant improvements in results of the Y-balance test and the side hop test for both ankles after the intervention (p<.05). However, there was no interaction between the group and time for any of the measurements. Conclusion: The application of a plyometric exercise program in elite young badminton players may provide valuable data for preventing ankle injuries by increasing ankle joint ROM and improving ankle function.

Background: Patellar tendinopathy, which accounts for approximately 10% of clinical knee diagnoses, is characterized by anterior knee pain and patellar tendon dysfunction, affecting around 54% of adults and athletes. This study aimed to the effects of knee unloading taping with sham taping on pain, function, and psychosocial well-being in patients with patellar tendinopathy and to provide relevant clinical data. Methods: Thirty-nine participants diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy were treated with basic physical therapy and randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n=20) or the sham taping (control group, n=19). The intervention was applied three times per week over four weeks, totaling 12 sessions. Evaluations were conducted using the numeric rating scale (NRS), knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), five-time-sit-to-stand test (FTSST), and the 12-item short form survey (SF-12), both before and after the intervention. Results: In the experimental group, all evaluation metrics showed significant improvement after the intervention (p<.05). In the control group, no significant changes were observed in the evaluation metrics, except for the FTSST, which did improve (p<.05). Comparing post-intervention results between the experimental and control groups, significant increases were noted in the KOOS (pain, symptoms, quality of life, total) and SF-12 scores (p<.05). Additionally, significant differences were found across groups and measurement time points for all evaluation metrics (p<.05). Conclusion: Patellar unloading taping was found to be an effective intervention for patients with patellar tendinopathy, demonstrating significant benefits in reducing pain, improving function, and enhancing psychosocial well-being.

Background: Bridge exercise is an exercise method that uses gravity and a person’s body weight while lying down. Compared to other trunk stabilization exercises, bridge exercises can be applied in the early stages of rehabilitation for patients with musculoskeletal and nervous system diseases. In addition, it is often used to solve functional problems in the pelvis and legs. This study examined the effects of ankle dorsiflexion resistance during bridge exercise on muscle activation of the gluteus maximus, hamstrings, and erector spinae. Methods: After explaining the purpose and method of this study, 15 people who voluntarily expressed their intention to participate were selected as subjects. The resistance levels were assigned randomly and applied at 0 ㎏ and 10 ㎏ for ankle dorsiflexion during bridge exercise. Electromyography pads were attached to the gluteus maximus, hamstring, and erector spinae to record the muscle activity during the bridge exercise. Results: These results showed that the gluteus maximus activity increased as distal resistance was provided during the bridge exercise, while biceps femoris activity decreased (p<.05). There was a decrease in erector spinae activity (p<.05). There was no significant difference in gluteus maximus/hamstring ratio or resistance strength (p>.17). There was a significant difference in gluteus maximus/erector spinae ratio (p>.17). Conclusion: These results suggest that ankle dorsiflexor resistance is a more effective during bridge exercise to activate the gluteus maximus and inhibit biceps femoris. If selective muscle activation could be increased by changing the position of the ankle.

Background: This study examined the effects of sling exercise and therapeutic massage on postpartum lower leg edema and pain. Methods: Thirty postpartum women were randomly assigned to a sling exercise group (n=15) and a therapeutic massage group (n=15). The calf circumference, lower leg volume, and pain were assessed in both groups before the intervention, after five sessions, and after 10 sessions. The changes over time and the effects of the treatments in the two groups were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0 for Windows. The study results were presented as mean and standard deviation. A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to test the intervention effects over time in both groups and least significant ditterence (LSD) was used for post hoc testing. An independent samples t-test (student t-test) was performed to compare differences between the groups at each treatment period. The statistical significance level was set at α=.05. Results: A significant difference in the lower leg circumference and lower leg volume within the group was observed (p<.05), but there was no significant difference between the groups (p>.05). There was a significant difference in the pain within the group (p<.05), No significant difference was noted between the groups (p>.05), but therapeutic massage after 10th treatments was more effective(p<.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that sling exercise and therapeutic massage are effective treatments for lower leg edema and pain in postpartum women, providing foundational data on the efficacy of these interventions.