The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of taping on knee joint for patellofemoral compressive force (PCF) during stair descent for elderly women. Ten healthy elderly women voluntarily participated in this study. A three-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates were used to analyze the movements of the joints for the lower extremities. The results were as follows: There were no significant differences for the maximum PCF, maximum quadriceps contraction force and maximum knee extension moment (p>.05) but, there was a pattern decreasing all values with the taping during stair descent. There were significant differences for the knee and ankle angle on the event of maximum PCF (p<.05) and there was a pattern decreasing all values with the taping during stair descent. Therefore, taping on the knee would be effective to relieve the pain like patellofemoral pain syndrome in the knee joint.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high heeled shoes with the total contact insert (TCI) on the frontal plane of the joints for the lower extremity during the gait. Ten healthy females voluntarily participated in this study and the height of the high heeled shoes was 7 cm. A three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) and force plates were used to analyze the movements of the joints for the lower extremities. The results were as follows: There were no significant differences for the angle value on the event of the gait cycle in the maximum eversion and inversion of the ankle joint, the varus and valgus of the knee joint, and the adduction and abduction of the hip joint (p>.05). But, there was a significant difference or the range of motion in the ankle joint (p<.05). The value of ankle and knee moment with a TCI was less than the value for no TCI. And there were significant differences for the moment value of the maximum inversion and eversion on the ankle joint and for the maximum varus and valgus on the knee joint (p<.05). Therefore, a TCI would be effective in stabilizing the joints of the lower extremities and increasing the balance of a body to reduce the injure from a fall during the gait.