Earticle

Purpose: Foot function is associated with advancing age. Changes in foot function can result in the collapse of the foot arch and cause flat foot. Short foot exercises (SFE) are prescribed for patients with flat feet to prevent secondary clinical problems. This study investigated the effects of SFE on ankle strength and static and dynamic balance characteristics among older individuals with flat or neutral feet. Methods: A total 22 older individuals (11 each with flat and neutral feet) underwent progressive SFE over 6 weeks. Arch height was measured using a digital caliper. Ankle strength was measured using a BTE primus, and static and dynamic balance were measured using a Zebris treadmill device. Results: Navicular drop was significantly decreased in the group of older individuals with flat feet. Ankle plantar flexion was significantly increased in both groups (flat feet, p<.00; neutral feet, p<.028). Dorsiflexion and eversion strengths were significantly increased in the group of older individuals with flat feet (p<.000, p<.001). No significant difference was observed between the groups in the eyes open and closed conditions. Conclusion: SFE is a clinical prevention program for flat feet in the older population. These results will be used as basic knowledge for clinicians for designing a flat foot rehabilitation program.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of self-myofascial release therapy with a foam roller on the balance of patients with delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS). The subjects of the study were 30 healthy adults in their 20s, divided equally into the experimental and control groups. In both groups, the subjects had artificial DOMS induced. Self-myofascial release therapy was administered to the experimental group immediately after muscle pain induction and 30 hours after induction for about 30 minutes. The changes in balance ability and pain level between the groups were then examined. BioRescue and the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were used to assess balance and pain intensity. To compare the effects of self-myofascial release therapy with a foam roller on the balance of patients with DOMS, repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for both groups. The statistical significance level (a) was set as 0.05, and SPSS 19.0 software for Windows was used. A comparison of the dynamic balance between the groups during the experimental period showed a significant increase in the anterior and posterior stability limits in the experimental group (p < 0.05). In addition, the VAS score was compared and measured during the experimental period. A significant difference was observed in the experimental group, and a significant decrease was observed on the third day in the experimental group as compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In this study, we found that self-myofascial release therapy using foam rollers could be effective for attaining balance and relieving pain in patients with DOMS. However, future research should provide a more detailed study of whether the therapy can be optionally applied to relax and rehabilitate shortened muscles.

The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability of various methods of normalization electromyograms (EMGs) and categorize according to the magnitude and form of muscle contraction. We searched Scopus and Pubmed database for articles that published last 15 years, using following combinations of the key words: normalization method, EMGs and reliability. To compare the reliability, we chose the articles that analyzed the intra/inter class correlation coefficient (ICC) value such as test-retest, within-days and between-days each methods. Five normalization methods were identified and presented their reliability, benefit and limitation for providing the guidelines. Maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) can be a reliable method for within-days to healthy subjects but not to patients and the elderly. Submaximal voluntary isometric contraction (Sub-VIC) showed the good reliability both of within days and between days than MVIC. However, both of MVIC and Sub-VIC may be affected by internal effects such as muscle fatigue, the presence of synergist contribution, motivation, and pathologic conditions. Reference voluntary contraction (RVC) showed moderate reliable method for patients who are unable to produce the maximal voluntary contraction and repeated tests. Isokinetic MVC showed less reliability than other normalization methods. Mean and peak dynamic method (MDM and PMD) reduce the inter-subject variability than other normalization methods. However, it does not directly reflect the ability of maximal voluntary contraction of target muscle. When designing the clinical research by using EMGs, we must consider the characteristics of subjects, tasks and target muscles for improving the reliability and validity. In addition, it is necessary to develop the new normalization method which complements the limitation of traditional methods.

Purpose: We aimed to propose and validate a novel method for measuring and analyzing cervical spine range of motion (ROM) using built-in smartphone cameras and artificial intelligence technology. Methods: The participants were 15 healthy men (average age: 22.40±1.30 y, height: 175.60±4.17 cm, weight: 74.07±8.05 kg). Cervical spine ROM during extension, flexion, lateral bending, and rotation was collected using a three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis system. An application with the Pose Detection feature of the Google ML Kit was used to capture and record body segment positions. ROM was calculated using Visual 3D software, and multivariate linear regression analysis was performed on the collected data. Results: Lateral flexion (left) had the highest determination coefficient (Adjusted R2=0.851), showing the most consistent biomechanical pattern, while extension had a lower determination coefficient (Adjusted R2=0.747). ROM estimates that regression models had a root mean square error between 4.43° and 5.85° and a normalized root mean square error between 9.90% and 18.03%. Conclusion: This study presents a data-driven approach to understanding cervical motions using smartphones, providing foundational data for clinical evaluation.

Purpose: We investigated the effects of the hold-relax and foam roller techniques on the range of motion, flexibility, and tone of shortened hamstring muscles. Method: The study included 24 participants who were randomly categorized into hold-relax and foam roller groups. Both groups performed the assigned task thrice a week for a total of 5 sets of 15 s each on the hamstring muscles for 6 weeks. Range of motion was evaluated using a goniometer, flexibility was evaluated using the sit and reach test, and muscle tone was measured using a myotone. We evaluated joint range of motion, flexibility, and muscle tone pre- and 6 weeks post intervention in both groups. Results: We observed a significant intergroup difference in range of motion and flexibility after 6-week training. Conclusion: The hold-relax technique was more effective than the foam roller technique for stretching exercise to improve range of motion and flexibility of shortened hamstring muscles.

This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness between lumbar stabilization exercise and lumbar strengthening exercise programs in increasing pain intensity and lumbar function in patients with lumbar degenerative disk disease. Forty patients diagnosed as having a lumbar degenerative disk disease participated in an 8-week exercise program and were randomly divided into spinal stabilization and lumbar strengthening exercise groups. Pain intensity and lumbar disability were measured before and after each exercise program by using a visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index. Paraspinal lumbar muscular strength in four directions was evaluated by using Centaur. After 8 weeks of each exercise intervention, VAS score, ODI, and lumbar muscular strength significantly decreased in both groups (p<.05). In comparing VAS score, ODI, and lumbar muscular strength between the 2 groups, more-significant decreases were observed in the lumbar stabilization exercise group than in the lumbar strengthening exercise group (p<.05). In recommendation, the data from this research are useful for developing a more effective rehabilitation program for patients with lumbar degenerative disk disease. Furthermore, more studies can be conducted in the rehabilitation of patients with lumbar degenerative disk disease.

This study aimed to compare the effects of trampoline exercise with those of balance pad exercise on balance, gait, and knee joint function in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis. Twenty elderly women with knee osteoarthritis were randomly divided into a trampoline exercise group (n=10) and a balance pad exercise group (n=10). Both groups performed their group-specific exercise thrice a week for six weeks. Data were obtained for the two groups with the one-leg stance test (OLST), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), and all variables (pain, physical function, stiffness, and total) of the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (K-WOMAC) conducted before and after exercise. Data were analyzed using the paired t-test to compare changes in the variables after exercise for each group. An independent t-test was used for comparison between the groups. Both groups showed statistically significant improvements in OLST, TUG, 10MWT, and all variables of the K-WOMACK after exercise. There were statistically significant differences between the trampoline and balance pad exercise groups in stiffness and total variables of the K-WOMACK. There were no statistically significant differences between the trampoline and balance pad exercise groups in OLST, TUG, 10MWT, and pain and physical function variables of the K-WOMACK. The results indicate that trampoline and balance pad exercises are effective in promoting balance, gait, and knee joint function in elderly women with knee osteoarthritis. In particular, trampoline exercise was more effective than balance pad exercise for knee joint function.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the cardiopulmonary endurance, the energy metabolism and of breathing function in male smoker and nonsmoker in college after graded load exercise using lower cycle ergometer and respiratory measurement device. Methods: For 38 smoker male college students and nonsmoker male college students, an graded load exercise was performed with the use of lower cycle ergometer by increasing 20 watts every 2 minute using ERS 2.0 system and respiratory measurement device for the cardiopulmonary function, energy metabolism and breathing function. Results: Smoker group showed significant differences in maximum oxygen intake, ventilation per minute, and heart rate in cardiopulmonary endurance, and significant differences in body metabolic rate, maximum energy consumption, and anaerobic threshold in energy metabolism. For respiratory function, there was a difference between inhalation pressure and inhalation speed while there was no difference in respiratory function Conclusion: The results showed that smoking negatively would affect aerobic fitness factors including cardiopulmonary endurance and energy metabolism and long-term smoking is expected to aggravate functional factors in male smoking students in the future.

The purpose of the study was to find out oxygen therapy after exercise and electrical therapy effects the muscle weight and force of the hindlimb of the rat with disuse atrophy by cast immobilization. The results were as follows ; 1. The group that received the exercise and oxygen therapy recovered better and faster than the group with the exercise therapy only. 2. Rats with the electrical and oxygen therapy benefited more than with the electrical therapy, except for gaining weight of the relative muscle of soleus. 3. In the weight of the gastrocnemius, the electrical and oxygen therapy was most effective, while the exercise and oxygen therapy was most beneficial for the muscle force of the gastrocnemius, the weight of the gastrocnemius's relative muscle, and the force of the relative muscle. 4. The weight and force of the soleus benefited the most from the electrical and oxygen therapy, whereas the exercise and oxygen therapy was most effective for the weight of the soleus's relative muscle and the force of relative muscle. According to the results, we found out that any therapy, either exercise therapy or electrical one, is more effective in treating disuse atrophy when it is combined with oxygen therapy. To be recognized as an independent branch of the physical therapy, there should be more comprehensive researches on oxy- gen therapy, more specifically on the ways and periods of its applications.