Background: Changes in foot sole shape can result in plantar muscle weakness, lack of proprioception, increased ankle instability, and an inability to balance.
Objectives: To investigated whether different floor surfaces influenced the effect that short-foot exercises have on the foot core system of healthy individuals.
Design: Pretest-posttest control group experimental design.
Methods: This exercise shortens the length of the foot by raising the medial longitudinal arch, strengthening the intrinsic muscle of the sole, and maintaining the shape of the medial longitudinal arch.
Results: There was a significant difference in the angle of the medial longitudinal arch in the mat exercise group (MEG) and vibration exercise group (VEG) before and after the intervention (P<.05). As the arch angle decreased, the arch height increased. Post hoc analysis showed that there was no difference between the floor exercise group (FEG) and MEG or between the MEG and VEG (P>.05). In terms of the weight distribution index (WDI, there was a significant difference in the MEG and VEG (P<.05) but not in the FEG before and after the intervention (P>.05). The post hoc analysis results showed that there was no difference between the FEG and MEG (P>.05). Conclusion: Various methods to improve the strength of intrinsic muscles of the sole are more effective than no stimulation, and that short-foot exercise combined with sensory stimulation can be recommended for maintaining and increasing the medial longitudinal arch.
Background: Pectoralis minor tightness is associated with reduced glenohumeral internal rotation range of motion (ROM) and scapular anterior tilt alignment. However, the synergistic effects of the pectoralis minor stretching exercise and scapular posterior tilt strategy on glenohumeral internal rotation ROM and pectoralis minor length remain unexplored.
Objectives: This study examined the effects of doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt on pectoralis minor length, scapular alignment, and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM.
Design: A case series study.
Methods: Fifteen adults with pectoralis minor tightness performed doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt. Pectoralis minor length, acromion–table distance, and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM were measured before and immediately after stretching. The pectoralis minor length was calculated using the pectoralis minor index. The measured variables were analyzed using a paired t-test.
Results: While the pectoralis minor index and glenohumeral internal rotation ROM significantly increased, the acromion–table distance markedly decreased after doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt (P<.05).
Conclusion: Based on the present findings, doorway stretching with scapular posterior tilt could be an effective exercise for increasing glenohumeral internal rotation ROM and pectoralis minor length.
This study showcases an International Learning Exchange (ILE) program between North Korean (NK) refugee students in South Korea and American university students from the US. ILE programs connect two or more linguistic/ cultural groups for intercultural awareness, which provide authentic communicative environments. However, the prevalent use of English and research focus mostly on non-native English-speaking students reflect the ideology of native-speakerism embedded in ILE programs. The purpose of this study was to develop an ILE program that resists native-speakerism and to investigate its influences on native as well as non-native English-speaking students. Adopting a case-study approach, data were collected from video-taping, fieldnotes, student documents, surveys, and interviews. Findings show how the authors designed and implemented a principle-based ILE program. The responses of NK students show their growing motivation and communication ability. The responses of American students show their critical reflections on their native-speaker identities. This study offers insights into designing ILE programs based on multilingualism and translanguaging.
The current study examined the potential contribution of advanced Korean EFL learners’ writing abilities to their reading comprehension abilities. A total of 191 college students participated in this study and were tested on writing and reading comprehension abilities as well as other literacy-related measures including listening comprehension, textreading fluency, and knowledge of vocabulary to control for their effects. In order to account for different aspects of writing and reading comprehension abilities, multiple measures of reading and writing abilities were adopted. The Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analyses demonstrated that the advanced Korean EFL learners’ English writing abilities had a significant effect on their reading comprehension abilities when other relevant literacy skills were controlled for. Furthermore, their writing abilities mediated the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and reading comprehension abilities. These results highlight the important pedagogical implications on the critical role of writing abilities in enhancing the reading comprehension abilities of L2 learners.
Maize is an important cereal crop widely grown in all of Nigeria’s agroecology based on its economic and food values. This has led to its optimum production with Nigeria ranking top 12th maize producer in the world. Presently, the fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda is considered a potential threat to food security in Nigeria due to its devastating feeding pattern on maize and its wide host range. Its invasive and high dispersal nature enhances its spread from its first reported state (Oyo) in early 2016 to the entire 36 states of Nigeria by the year 2018. It accounts for averagely an estimated 34% or more yield reduction in Nigeria’s maize field, hence, a need for an efficient management approach. Although most farmers rely on the use of insecticide, it is found ineffective because of the inaccessible location of FAW in maize. This study was carried out to investigate the different management approaches adopted in Nigeria to control FAW and its impact on the insect pest population. Conventional measures such as planting improved seeds, avoidance of late planting, and polyculture to increase the natural enemy’s population have been used but with limited control of FAW. Maize lines with aflatoxin resistance or transgenic Bt-maize are found resistant to FAW. Botanicals such as neem extract lowered the percentage of leaf area damage, incidence of FAW larva infestation, and the number of larvae. It is difficult to curtail the menace of FAW through one control method, hence, the need for an integrated approach
본 연구의 목적은 학군사관후보생(ROTC)의 신체활동 참여습관, 체력수준, 학업성취능력의 관계를 조사하는 것이다. 본 연구의 참가자는 J 대학교에 재학중인 71명의 학군사관후보생을 선발하였 다. 신체활동 참여습관은 국제신체활동설문지(Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, GPAQ)를 이용하 여 조사하였고, 체력수준은 건강관련 체력평가로 측정하였다. 학업성취능력은 해당 학군단 장의 승인을 받은 대학성적자료(GPA)를 참가자 동의하에 수집하여 각각의 자료를 분석하였다. 신체활동 참여습관, 체력수준, 대학학점 간의 상관관계를 분석하였고, 체력수준별 학점을 비교하였다. 본 연구에서 신체 활동 참여습관과 학업성취능력 사이에 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계가 없는 것으로 조사되었다. 반면 주요 과목과 총체력점수, 심폐체력, 근지구력, 유연성, 신체조성 간에는 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계 가 나타났다. 체력 수준별로는 체력이 높은 그룹의 ROTC가 낮은 체력 그룹의 ROTC보다 통계적으 로 유의하게 높은 학업 성취능력을 보였다. 또한 낮은 체력수준의 ROTC 그룹은 높은 체력수준의 ROTC에 비해 학업성취능력이 다소 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 체력수준이 높은 ROTC는 그렇지 않은 사람에 비해 학습능력 향상에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤다. 본 연구는 자율적이지만 체계적 인 체력훈련 프로그램을 제공하여 ROTC의 체력을 향상시키고 우수한 미래 장교를 양성할 것을 제 안한다.