Earticle

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a lower limb neural facilitation device applied during standing on postural stability, limits of stability, and gait in a patient with stroke. A single-case study was conducted in a patient who was able to ambulate. The intervention was performed using a lower limb neural facilitation device designed to provide repeated flexion–extension movements of the hip and knee joints, as well as reciprocal lower limb movements during standing. The intervention was applied for 4 weeks, three times per week, with each session lasting 30 minutes. Postural stability and limits of stability were assessed using the ProKin system (Tecnobody, Italy), and gait ability was evaluated using the timed up and go (TUG) test. Measurements were obtained before and after the intervention. Postural stability showed minimal change under the open-eyes condition but improved under the closed-eyes condition, as indicated by a reduction in sway area. The limits of stability increased from 14.9% to 39.71%, indicating an improvement in dynamic balance. In addition, TUG performance improved, with the completion time decreasing from 23.25 seconds to 14.23 seconds. These findings suggest that the lower limb neural facilitation device applied during standing may improve postural stability, dynamic balance, and gait performance in patients with stroke. This device may be a useful intervention for enhancing proprioceptive input and functional mobility during standing training, although further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these results.

본 연구는 외발 스쿼트 시 하지 관절 상해 경험이 자세 안정성 변인들에 미치는 영향을 분석하는데 목적이 있다. 하지 관절 상해를 경험하지 않은 그룹(Non injury: NI) 14명, 최근 2년 안에 무릎 관절의 상해를 경험한 그룹(Knee joint injury experience, KJIE) 12명, 엉덩 관절 상해를 경험한 그룹(Hip joint injury experience: HJIE) 그룹 11명으로 모두 37명의 대학 체육전공자들이 참여하였다. 외발 스쿼트 동작 시 COP(Center of pressure) 경로 길이(COP path length), ML(Medial-Lateral) 방향과 AP(Anterior-posterior) 방향 COP 움직임 범위, COP 95% sway area 요인 들은 상해 경험에 그룹에 따라 통계적 차이가 있었다(p<.05). AP 방향 COPVEL 요인에서 KJIE와 HIJE 그룹이 NI 그룹에 비해 상대적으로 낮은 수치를 나타내었다(p<.05). 그러므로 외발 스쿼트 시 하지 관절의 상해 경험은 COP 움직임 범위와 흔들림 운동에 영향을 주어 신체 안정성에 변화를 가져오는 요인으로서 판단된다.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of lower extremity joint injury experience on postural stability during one-leg squats. A total of 37 college physical education majors participated, including 14 in the non injury (NI) group, 12 in the Knee joint injury experience (KJIE) group in the last 2 years, and 11 in the hip joint injury experience (HJIE) group.There were a statistical difference in the COP path length, COP movement range in the ML (Medial-Lateral) direction and AP (Anterior-posterior) direction, and COP 95% sway area factors depending on the injury experience group during the single-leg squat movement (p <.05). In the AP direction COPVEL factor, the KJIE and HIJE groups showed relatively lower values than the NI group (p<.05). Therefore, the experience of injury to the lower extremity joints during single-leg squats is considered to be a factor that affects COP range of movement and rocking motion, resulting in changes in body stability.

Objective: To assess postural stability, specifically center of body sway during single-leg standing balance, among individuals with and without forward head posture (FHP) during smartphone use. Methods: The research recruited 53 healthy smartphone users, aged 18?25, and categorized them into FHP group comprising 26 subjects and the normal (control) group with 27 subjects. Participants were assigned the task of maintaining balance while engaged in smartphone typing during single-leg standing. The experiment involved four specific conditions according to neck posture and stable of surface. The study meticulously quantified body center of pressure (COP) sway amplitudes using the Nintendo Wii Balance Board. Results: The research revealed that individuals with FHP exhibited significantly greater body sway compared to the control group when using smartphones. Notably, distinct variations were observed in path length sway, anteroposterior (AP), and mediolateral (ML) sway amplitude, particularly evident when maintaining flexed neck positions on a soft surface while engaged with smartphones. Conclusion: These findings strongly suggest that individuals with FHP encounter deteriorated postural stability during smartphone use, particularly in challenging head positions.

Objective To evaluate the effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the lesioned leg motor cortex, which can enhance the strength and coordination of the contralateral lower extremity and furthermore, enhance the postural stability of the hemiplegic subject.Methods Anodal or sham stimulation on the lesioned cortex of a lower extremity was delivered to 11 ambulatory hemiplegic patients. The stimulation intensity was 2 mA. All subjects took part in two 10-minute tDCS sessions consisting of anodal stimulation and sham stimulation. The interval period between real and sham stimulation was 48 hours. The order was counter-balanced among the subjects. Before and after each stimulation session, static postural stability was evaluated with eyes opened and closed. Also, the isometric strength of the hemiplegic side of the treated knee was measured before and after each stimulation session. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine the statistical significance of improvements in postural stability and strength.Results There was significant improvement for overall stability index with eyes opened and closed after anodal tDCS (p<0.05). Isometric strength of the lesioned quadriceps tended to increase after anodal tDCS (p<0.05). Postural stability and quadriceps strength were not changed after sham stimulation.Conclusion Anodal tDCS has potential value in hemiplegic stroke patients to improve balance and strengthen the affected lower extremity.

Objective: To examine the short-term and long-term effects of computer-based cognitive training on postural stability, locomotion, and cognitive performance in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.Methods: Sixty-eight PD participated in this randomized-controlled trial, were randomly allocated into two groups; control group (GA) received a designed physiotherapy program for 60 minutes, and an experimental group (GB) got 30 minutes physiotherapy program as GA, along with 30 minutes of computerized cognitive training. Treatment sessions were three times/week for eight weeks. Primary outcomes were balance and spatiotemporal gait parameters; cognition was a secondary outcome. Primary and secondary measures were examined at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and three months post-treatment.Results: From baseline to post-treatment, GB showed greater reductions in postural sway compared to GA. The mean differences in stability indices were 1.461±1.240, 0.982±1.185, and 1.006±0.982 in GB, vs. 0.581±1.503, 0.426±1.459, and 0.374±1.072 in GA. For gait parameters (gait velocity, stride length, and cadence), GB demonstrated larger improvements, with mean differences of -0.361±0.245, -0.242±0.158, and -11.606±12.628, compared to -0.155±0.254, -0.191±0.248, and -4.516±10.773 in GA. PD-Cognitive Rating Scale improved more substantially in GB (-16.091±6.978) than in GA (-1.129±4.552). These gains in postural stability, gait, and cognition were statistically significant (p<0.001) and sustained at the 3-month follow-up.Conclusion: Computerized cognitive training as an add-on in the rehabilitation of PD is efficient in improving postural stability and locomotion, as well as the cognitive performance. The consistency of these findings for 3 months is an imperative point in the clinical course of PD patients.

Objective To evaluate the effect of caffeine on balance control of hemiparetic stroke patients, we investigated the difference in postural stability before and after drinking coffee by observing changes in stability index (SI) from posturography.Methods Thirty patients with history of stroke and 15 age-matched healthy subjects participated in this study. Effect of group factor (of the control and stroke groups) and treatment factor (pre- and post-drinking of coffee) on SI were tested in three conditions: with eyes opened, with eyes closed, and with a pillow support. The effects of these factors on visual deprivation and somatosensory change of subjects were also tested.Results Under all conditions, SI was higher in the stroke group than in the control group. Under eyes-open condition, the treatment factor was not statistically significant. Under eyes-closed condition, the interaction between group and treatment factor was statistically significant. After the subjects drank coffee, SI in the control group was increased. However, SI in the stroke group was decreased. Under pillow-supported condition, the interaction between group and treatment factor appeared marginally significant. For visual deprivation effect, the interaction between treatment and group factor was statistically significant. After caffeine consumption, the visual deprivation effect was increased in control group but decreased in the stroke group. For somatosensory change effect, the interaction between group and treatment factor was not statistically significant.Conclusion Postural stability of hemiparetic stroke patients related to somatosensory information was improved after intake of usual dose of caffeine.

This study aims to examine the relationship between postural perfor-mance, physical fitness level, and shooting performance in Olympic fe-male goalball players. Eight Olympic-level goalball players (age: 20.63± 4.37 years) were recruited from the Turkish National Women’s Goalball Team. Postural stability, physical fitness, and shooting performance of the players were measured. The postural stability was determined us-ing body sway measurements during parallel and single-leg stances on a force plate. The physical fitness level of the players is evaluated by curl-up, isometric push-up, trunk lift, and grip strength (dominant hand) tests. A goalball-specific shooting accuracy test was used for shooting performance. Independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation were used for statistical processing. No statistical difference was observed in body sway parameters between open eyes and closed eyes condi-tions except for the anteroposterior sway area. Some of the body sway parameters performed under different stances positively correlated with all physical fitness tests (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the shooting accuracy and trunk lift score (r=0.767). Right leg sway area anterior-posterior and ellipse area negatively correlated with shooting accuracy (r=-0.629 and r=-0.692 respectively). It is necessary to attach importance to the improvement of the physical fitness level specific to core strength to maintain postural stability for visually im-paired athletes. In our study, some factors affecting shooting accuracy were identified, but it is necessary not to restrict a complex structure such as shooting accuracy within certain concepts.

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of ovulation (OV) on dynamic balance in young female. Thirty-two eumenorrheic healthy women participated in Biodex Balance System (BBS) test for postural stability and a limit of stability menstrual cycle. BBS was tested in the menses (MS), OV, and luteal phase (LP). The limits of stabilities (total, forward-left, forward-right, backward-left, and backward-right) were significantly higher in the OV (total, 61.44±14.77; forward-left, 67.50± 15.17; forward-right, 69.50±14.43; backward-left, 64.00±20.32; and back-ward-right, 69.06±13.59) than in the MS (total, 55.44±14.63; forward-left, 60.00±15.98; forward-right, 62.17±9.78; backward-left, 57.83±19.09; and backward-right, 57.28±13.73). Furthermore, the LP (65.11±13.79) was a significantly higher limit of stability than MS (57.28±13.73) during back-ward-right. The present study showed that estrogen negatively influ-ences postural stability. The postural sway in limits of stabilities (total, forward-left, forward-right, backward-left, and backward-right) were significantly the greatest in the OV. Since there is a different postural stability between MS, OV, and LP, this should be taken into account when devising training programs to avoid risk factor of fall and joint injury.

This study aimed to analyze an effect of the kinetic variables and pos-tural stability between bilateral in lower limbs by participation of Oreum trekking exercise program and subjects participated were composed of adult male and female subjects (n=14) of 20s. Experiment was per-formed with the drop landing which can evaluate postural stability and kinetic variables between bilateral in lower limbs. peak vertical force (PVF) value showed significant difference with the less in case of post than before participation of Oreum trekking exercise. Also PVF of bilat-eral in lower limbs did not showed significant difference, and too the ef-fect of interaction. vertical stability index (VSI) and dynamic postural stability index (DPSI) showed significant difference with improvement of postural stability by Oreum trekking, but did not between bilateral in the limbs. Particularly the result of one-way analysis of variance due to VSI’s effect of interaction, showed the more influence on the improve-ment of postural stability in left leg after participation of Oreum trekking exercise. When consideration the above, the analysis result on asym-metric index of bilateral in lower limbs showed more symmetric pattern in post than before participation of Oreum trekking exercise program.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week accelerated re-habilitation exercise program on isokinetic strength and dynamic bal-ance ability of thighs in 20 adult men who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) or posterior cruciate ligament recon-struction (PCLR) and to analyze intergroup differences in recovery pat-terns. In this study, we examined 10 patients who underwent ACLR and 10 who underwent PCLR. These patients participated in an accelerated rehabilitation exercise program 5 times weekly for 12 weeks. The par-ticipants’ isokinetic strength, muscular endurance, and dynamic balance ability of the femoral muscles were measured before and 12 weeks af-ter reconstruction surgery. Isokinetic knee muscle function showed no significant difference between the ACLR and PCLR groups at 60°/sec. Both the groups demonstrated significant increases in muscle strength between the flexors and extensors. However, a between-group differ-ence was noted in knee muscular endurance at 180°/sec, with ACLR patients showing significant differences between extensors and flex-ors, unlike PCLR patients. Assessment of the dynamic balance ability revealed that overall knee stability did not significantly differ between groups, and both the ACLR and PCLR groups exhibited improved dy-namic balance ability. However, significant differences were found in anteroposterior and left-right stabilities. Patients who underwent ACLR had significantly improved anteroposterior and left-right stability, wher-ever patients who underwent PCLR showed no significant difference. This accelerated rehabilitation exercise program improved the muscle strength and muscular endurance of patients who underwent ACLR and PCLR, suggesting its potential efficacy in recovering dynamic bal-ance ability, particularly after ACLR.

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of muscle mass asym-metric between upper and lower limbs on postural stability and shock attenuation during landing. Twenty adults (without lower limb disorders and who could land from a 35-cm height) participated in this study (mean age, 21.85±2.97 years; mean height, 1.68±0.10 m; mean weight: 68.64±17.36 kg). Subjects performed one-leg landing from 36-cm verti-cal heights. Ground reaction force components and medial-lateral, an-terior-posterior, vertical and dynamic postural stability index were ob-tained from force platform recordings. We found that muscle mass in right limbs more increased than that of left limbs. Medial-lateral force, vertical force, vertical stability index, and dynamic postural stability in-dex in left leg showed higher value than that of right leg during landing. The asymmetry of muscle mass (%) and ground reaction force vari-ables showed a similar correlation, including dynamic postural stability index (r=0.316). These findings allow us to conclude that the factor of muscle mass asymmetric is a contributor to impulse control and dy-namic postural stability index asymmetry. Therefore, knowledge of bi-lateral limbs asymmetry may provide insights into exercise rehabilita-tion and performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether gaze stability exer-cises would result in improvements of cognitive function, balance ability and subjective health status in old people with and without mild cogni-tive impairment (MCI). Old people with MCI (n=9) and healthy old peo-ple (n=9) performed gaze stability exercises for 4 weeks. Pre and post Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for cognitive function, Timed Up and Go test for dynamic postural ability, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence for balance confidence and subjective health status were measured in both groups. After participating in gaze stability exercises, all outcome measures were significantly improved in MCI group and normal group also improved significantly in all outcome measures with the exception of balance confidence. In addition, there were significant differences in cognitive function and balance confidence between the two groups, and more improvements in MCI group. These results pro-vide evidence that gaze stability exercises is beneficial to improve cog-nitive function as well as balance ability which affected on quality of life in old people with and without MCI.

For design research of teenagers' posture correcting shirt, postures of teenagers were analyzed and became the base of inventing suitable patterns. The subjects of this study were 198 of both female and male middle school students from the city of Seoul. Students' postures in classroom and length change of body surface were observed and analyzed; based on this, total of 5 postures was selected, and length changes of body surface were applied. The patterns in this study were designed with stretch material to help antagonism by muscle movements. Each fabric that was used in this study had 110% of stretch, 120~140% of stretch, and 150~170% of stretch. Both of one-way-fabric and duplex-fabric were used in this study, depending on application site.

The purposes of this paper are to investigate an effect of weight of material and gender on postural stability and to introduce formulas for those. There were five levels of weights 0, 9, 18, 27 and 36 kg, and two levels of genders were conducted. Eight male and five female subjects participated in this experiment, ten tests were performed for each level of weights to measure the postural stability by using the stability platform. The effect of the genders and the load on the postural stability were statistically analysed by the two way ANOVA test and the regression analysis. The ANOVA test showed that the effect of weights was statistically significant on postural stability to the both male and female subjects. And the postural stability of female subjects was better than that of male subjects. A linear regression formula for the balancing time and the load and a formula for the reduction rate postural stability and the relative load were introduced by the regression analysis.

본 연구는 장기간 축구훈련이 청소년의 자세안정성과 기술체력에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 실시하였으며, 연구 대상자는 초등학교때부터 축구를 시작한 고등학교 축구선수 33명(1학년 11명, 2학년 11명, 3학년 11명)을 선정하였다. 자료처리는 통계프로그램 SPSS Version 24.0을 이용하여 기술통계를 산출하였으며, 집단 간 비교를 위해 일원변량분석 (one-way ANOVA)를 실시하였으며, 각 변인들의 관계를 규명하기 위하여 Pearson‘s Correlation을 실시하였다. 통계적 유의수준은 α = .05로 설정하였다. 본 연구결과는 자세안정성에서 HG3이 HG1과 HG2 보다 우측 정적(p<.05), 동적(p<.01)자세균형이 높게 나타났다. Triple hop에서 HG3이 HG1보다 우측(p<.01)과 좌측(p<.05)에서 높게, T-test에서는 HG3이 HG2 보다 빠르게(p<.05), Agility & skill test에서는 HG3이 HG1보다 빠른 것으로(p<.05) 나타 났다. 정적자세균형에서 HG1은 20m sprint(p<.01)와 정적상관, T-test(p<.05)에서는 부적상관, HG2는 T-test(p<.05), Illinois change of direction(p<.01)와 HG3은 Height(p<.05)와 부적상관이 나타났다. 결론적으로 장기간의 축구훈련은 성장기 청소년에게 자세안정성과 기술체력 향상에 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of long term soccer training on postural stability and skill-related physical fitness in adolescent. The subject of this study included 33males(HG1 n = 11, HG2 n = 11, HG3 n = 11) high school students soccer players were measured with postural stability test(one leg closed eyes test, star excursion balance test(SEBT)) and skill-related physical fitness test(side hop, triple hop, 20m sprint, T-test, illinois change of direction, agility & skill test). This study used SPSS 24.0 version for statistical processing and one-way ANOVA test with scheffe post-hoc comparisons and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze the data and significant level was set to .05. The results are as follows; postural stability was significantly difference right(static p<.05, dynamic p<.01) in HG3. Skill-related physical fitness was significantly difference Triple hop test(right p<.01, left p<.05), T-test(p<.05), Agility & skill test(p<.05) in HG3. For HG1 significant correlation was found with 20m sprint(p<.01). For HG2 significant correlation was found with T-test(p<.05), and with Illinois change of direction(p<.01), and HG3 significant correlation was found with Height(p<.05). Consequently, this study suggests that the long period of soccer training in adolescent had a positive effect on high school student soccer player’s postural stability and skill-related physical fitness.

[목적] 본 연구는 드라이버와 스윙 팬을 이용한 풀 스윙 시 동적 자세 안정성의 변화와 안정성의 기전의 변화를 살펴보는데 목적이 있다. [방법] 골프 프로 11명이 드라이버 샷과 스윙 팬 샷을 각각 4회를 실시하였으며, 8대의 적외선 카메라와 2대의 지면반력기를 통해 각 스윙 간 전-후 안정성, 내-외 안정성, 수직 안정성과 동적 자세 안 정성을 평가하였다. [결과] 안정성의 변화를 살펴본 결과 스윙 팬을 사용할 경우 좌측 VSI와 DPSI는 감소하였으 나, 우측 APSI는 증가한 것으로 나타났다. 안정성의 비중을 살펴본 결과 스윙 팬을 사용할 경우 우측 %APSI와 좌 측 %APSI는 증가한 반면, 좌측 %VSI는 감소한 것으로 나타났다. [결론] 스윙팬을 사용할 경우 스윙 시 자세 안정 성에 변화가 나타났고 특히 좌우 다리 모두에서 전-후 안정성이 나빠진 것으로 나타났다. 이는 스윙 팬이 스윙 동작에 영향을 미칠 수도 있음을 의미하는 것이라 판단된다.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the change of dynamic postural stability index and the change of mechanism of stability index at time of full swing using a driver and swing fan. [Methodology] 11 professional golfers conducted four times each of driver shot and swing fan shot. Eight infrared cameras and two force platforms asse sse d APSI (Anterior-posterior stability index), MSI (Medial-lateral stability index), VSI (Vertical stability index), DPSI (Dynamic postural stability index). [Result] As a result of examining stability index, the study found the decrease of left VSI and DPSI, and the increase of right APSI when using a swing fan. While, as a result of examining the relative importance of stability index, right %APSI and left %APSI increased whereas left %VSI decreased when using a swing fan. [Conclusion] At time of swing using a swing fan, there was change of postural stability index and particularly APSI on both right and left legs deteriorated. This means a swing fan might have an impact on the motion of swing.

It is important to maintain good habitual posture in daily life. Abnormal body ali gnment is provoked by excessive tension of bad posture. And these sympt om is connected with other disorder of the body like back pain, cervical pa in and shoulder pain through inaccurate body mechanism in daily life. The post ural control system is divided into three basic functional components for a ssessment : 1) musculoskeletal components, 2) motor coordination compone nts, and 3) sensory organization components. It is proposed that a systemic functional understanding of human balance is critical to effective programs for core stability exercise. We suggest that core stability exercise is effectiv e in the postural control in the persons.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the core-stability training on postural control ability and respiratory function in patients with chronic stroke. 30 subjects were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Experimental group (n=15) received core-stability training and control group (n=15) received general exercise. Each program was performed 30 min, 4 times a week for a period of 8 weeks.Core-stability training included a therapeutic program to train abdominal muscle strength. General exercise include weight bearing and weight shifts and joint movements to improve flexibility and the range of motion. For all 30 subject, the items measured before the training were measured after the therapeutic intervention. To observe postural control changes, we measured maintenance & change of posture, balance and coordination ability with postural assessment scale for stroke (PASS) and trunk impairment scale (TIS). The respiratory functions were measured forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) using spirometer. After training, the PASS and TIS scores was significantly improved in experimental group (p<.05), and the experimental group showed significantly difference from control group (p<.05). In respiratory function test, experimental group more significantly increased than before (p<.05), and showed significantly difference from control group (p<.05). The results of this study showed that the core-stability training may be appropriate for improving the trunk stability and respiratory function in chronic stroke patients.

Background: Instability due to ankle sprains will be accompanied by a problem of balance and pain change. Balance trainer is used to improve the ankle strength and balance ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of pain and postural balance ability in ankle joint after balance trainer application in patients with ankle sprain and instability. Methods: Twenty patients in K hospital in Incheon were enrolled. Balance trainer was applied to 10 subjects in the experimental group and 10 subjects in the Balance cushion under the same conditions as the experimental group to compare the pain and balance ability. Results: In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the change of the pain variation. In the postural balance ability comparison, there was a significant difference in total and post - posterior comparison compared to the control, but there was no significant difference in the postural balance ability comparison. Conclusion: Pain and postural balance ability of patients with instability due to ankle sprain improved the pain and balance ability of the Balance trainer group compared to the Balance cushion training group.

Purpose: Leg length discrepancy (LLD) is one of the risk factors for postural imbalance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of induced leg length discrepancy on the limitation of stability (LOS) and static postural balance. Methods: Thirteen adults (males, 7; females 6) participated in this study. The LOS and static postural balance [sway length, sway area, and sway velocity of center of gravity (COG) displacement] were measured by the balance trainer system. The subjects were asked to move the COG for the anterior, posterior, and left and right directions maximally and to keep standing on the platform with and without induced LLD for 30 s in the open and closed eyes conditions, respectively. The LLD was artificially induced to 2 cm using insole. Wilcoxon test was used to compare the LOS and the static postural balance between with and without induced LLD. Results: The anterior and posterior LOS significantly decreased in induced LLD (p<0.05), and the left and right LOS were not significantly different between with and without LLD (p>0.05). Sway length, sway area, and sway velocity of the COG displacement significantly decreased in induced LLD (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study suggests that induced LLD could decease the antero–posterior LOS and increased the static postural balance. Therefore, the LLD could disturb the postural balance.