This study was designed to determine the effect of ankle taping and short period of walking on the treadmill on the range of motion (ROM) and proprioception at the ankle joint. Twenty healthy male subjects (mean age=24.2 yr) participated in this study. Goniometry and videotape replaying method were used to measure the ankle ROM. Passive sagittal and frontal plane motions were measured. The difference in degree between the stimulus point and the reproduced point was defined as an angular error. The measurements were performed at four different phases: pre-taping (PRT), post-taping immediately (POT), post-5 minute walking with taping (P5M), and post-10 minute walking with taping (P10M). The ankle of dominant limb was taped by a certified athletic trainer using a closed basket weave technique. Participants walked on the treadmill at 2.5 mph. The results showed that the mean of the sagittal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 53.0, 30.5, 36.2, and 40.2 degrees, respectively. The frontal plane motion at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 33.6, 13.9, 15.7, and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The angular error at PRT, POT, P5M, and P10M was 5.5, 1.6, 1.8, and 1.9 degrees, respectively. After 10 minutes of walking, the sagittal plane motion and frontal plane motion was increased by 9.7 and 4.7 degrees compared with POT, respectively. The proprioception was significantly improved after the application of ankle taping. Both the restriction of frontal plane motion and proprioception improvement at the ankle joint may contribute to ankle stability during walking.

Fatigue is the decline in force produced as a result of prolonged muscle activity. Localized muscle fatigue can be identified by a shift toward low in the frequency components of the EMG signal, typically represented by a fall in the median frequency. Previous studies show that a shortened muscle develops a higher fatigue than elongated muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the time-related change of median frequency and torque during maximal isometric back extension exercises at different exercise angles (, , , ). Twenty healthy subjects (mean age = ) were evaluated in this study. Median frequency was extracted from the EMG signals by fast Fourier transform (FFT). Initial median frequency and the slope of median frequency change over time were computed from linear regression analysis. Pearson's product moment correlation was used to quantify the relationship between slope of median frequency and torque. The results were as follows: 1) Significant differences in y-intercepts of torque regression equation with respect to exercise angle were shown. However, there were no differences in the slopes of the median frequency and torque, and y intercept of the median frequency among exercise angles. 2) There was no significant correlation between slope of median frequency and torque. 3) But there was moderate correlation between median frequency and torque at each exercise angle. In conclusion, the exercise angle during maximal isometric back extension exercise is not a direct effect on slope of median frequency and torque. But results showed that median frequency and torque shift were highly correlated in all subjects.

This study was designed to identify the effects of foot position on electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps femoris during maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) in standing. Twenty young adults who had not experienced any knee injuries were recruited. Their Q-angles were within a normal range. They were asked to stand in five different foot positions ( externally rotated, internally rotated, neutral, plantarflexed, and dorsiflexed foot position). The EMG activities of the vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were recorded in standing by surface electrodes and normalized by MVC EMG values derived from manual muscle test. The normalized EMG activity levels (%MVC EMG) of muscles in the five foot positions were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. The EMG activity levels of the VL, RF, and VMO were the highest when foot was externally rotated. The EMG activity levels of the VL and RF were significantly different among the foot positions (p<.05). However, EMG activity levels of the VL, RF, VMO, and VMO/VL ratio did not show significant differences in each foot position (p> .05). The results suggest that the quadriceps femoris may be effectively activated by performing MVC at an externally rotated foot position. Therefore, the externally rotated foot position can be considered as an effective foot position for quadriceps femoris strengthening exercise. Further studies are needed to identify whether there are differences in the effects of foot position on muscle strength after MVC exercise of quadriceps femoris in standing.

This paper presents the relevance between GMFM and the spatiotemporal parameters of gait in children with cerebral palsy. Twenty-one children ( months) with cerebral palsy participated in this study. GMFM was performed and spatiotemporal parameters of gait were measured by foot print gait analysis. A correlation analysis was used to investigate the correlation between GMFM scores and spatiotemporal parameters of gait. A linear regression analysis was employed to find how much each gait spatiotemporal parameters could be predicted from GMFM scores. The total GMFM scores was significantly correlated with walking speed, cadence, and stride length. Dimensions D (standing) and E (walking, running, and jumping) were more significantly correlated with gait spatiotemporal parameters than dimensions A (lying and rolling), B (sitting), and C (crawling and kneeling). The GMFM scores were useful for predicting spatiotemporal parameters. However, it is difficult to predict the status of gait development using GMFM scores because GMFM scores and gait spatiotemporal parameters are only measured as quantities not qualities. In the field, it is easily found that many children with cerebral palsy are unable to walk in any way. Consequently, gait analysis cannot be performed in many cases. Therefore, it is more reasonable to investigate the influence of GMFM on spatiotemporal parameters, rather than vice versa.

The purposes of this study were to assess variation of body sway prior to and after submaximal treadmill exercise; to determine the time course of the effects of a fatiguing performed on a treadmill on body sway; and to compare position sense prior to and after exercise in order to assess any variance in proprioception caused by submaximal treadmill exercise. The subjects were twenty-four healthy men in their twenties. They stood barefoot on the Kinesthetic Ability Training Balance Platform to measure body sway. Control trials were performed with eyes alternately open and closed. In the eyes open condition, they were asked to look at a target placed at eye level 1 m in front them. A total of 10 trials, each lasting 20 seconds, were performed. After this series of trials, position sense was measured. Subjects then exercised on the treadmill until 85% of each person's maximal heart rate was reached. The first series of postural sway measurements began immediately after this exercise. The second identical series of postural sway trials was performed at approximately 10 minutes after exercise. The third series was performed approximately 20 minutes after exercise. This allowed approximately 5 minutes of rest between each experimental series. Position sense was measured at approximately 15 and 25 minutes after exercise. The results were as follows: 1) There was a significant increase in body sway after submaximal treadmill exercise compared to pre-exercise values under both visual conditions (p<.05). 2) After submaximal treadmill exercise, under the eyes open condition, the mean value of body sway was significantly increased after both the first and second series (p<.05). Under the eyes closed condition, the mean value of body sway increased significantly after the first series but decreased significantly after the third series (p<.05). 3) Position sense, measured repeatedly after submaximal treadmill exercise, did not change significantly with respect to pre-exercise values (p>.05). These results suggest that fatigue induced by submaximal treadmill exercise produced an increase in body sway in young healthy subjects with or without visual input, but the increase appeared to be lasting less than 15 minutes. No significant change in position sense suggested that proprioception was unaffected by submaximal treadmill exercise-induced fatigue.

The purpose of this study is to determine whether movement strategies affect functional forward reach distance in a standing position. Forty-seven healthy subjects were selected for this study: 23 men and 24 women, with an average age of 22.3. Functional forward reach distances were measured as hip strategy and squat strategy (included knee and ankle movement strategy) in a standing position, respectively. The mean values of functional forward reach distance in hip strategy, squat strategy were 33.57 cm, 29.48 cm, respectively. There was significantly difference in functional forward reach distance between hip strategy and squat strategy(p<.001). There was no difference of functional forward reach distance between male and female in hip strategy, but there was significant difference in other strategy(p<.05). These results suggest that movement strategies should be considered during functional forward reach test in standing. Further study is required to determine whether movement strategies affect functional reach distance in elderly and disabled groups.

본 연구의 목적은 장애물 높이에 따른 상지 팔운동 제한이 스텝안정화(stabilization step)에 영향을 주는지 알아보기 위하여 실시하였다. 연구대상자는 대학생 남자 14명, 여자 16명으로 총 30명이였으며, 평균 연령은 21.5세이었다. 스텝 안정화는 FASTEX(functional activity System for testing and exercise, Cybex Division of Lumex, Inc., USA)를 이용하여 측정하였다.

Normal balance is defined as state in which the body is equlilibrium. It is complex motor control task, requring integration of sensory information, neural processing, and biomechanical factors. There are major two factors contribute to balance control, the neurological and the musculoskeletal. The neurological factor provides the sensory processing and motor output mechanisms that are the neurophysiological basis for response. The musculoskeletal factor provides the mechanical structure for response. When all components of two factors are operating effectively, the postural response should be appropriate and effective for good balance control. Therfore, balance can be influenced by above all factors. In addition, balance can be also influenced by muscle tone, hearing, physiological factors, and environmental factors. Physical therapists must understand factors of balance control so that we can accurately assess balance. Therefore, physical therapists have to develop useful balance measurement tools to evaluate balance.

The purpose of this study were to evaluate and compare the balance ability at different conditions in normal 20 to 29 years old on unstable platform, KAT 2000(Breg, Inc., Vista, CA. 1994). Static and dynamic BI(balance index) were measured 3psi and 5psi surface conditions. Static tests were done on right and left leg separately, then both legs together with the feet apart 20cm with the eyes opened and closed. Dynamic tests were done on both legs together with apart 20cm with the eyes opened. A dynamic test was performed in which the subject moved platform in a circular manner to chase a moving object on a computer screen. Seventy healthy students(average 21.6 years, male, female) were tested. In this study applied the paired t-test and correlation to determine the statistical significance of result. The results were as follow: 1) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 3psi surface condition with the eyes opened, and that of the Lt leg was . 2) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 5psi surface condition with the eyes opened, and that of the Lt leg was . 3) The mean static and dynamic balance index of both legs were , on 3psi with the eyes opened, and , on 5psi respectively. 4) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 3psi surface condition with the eyes closed, and that of the Lt leg was . 5) The mean static balance index of the Rt leg was on 5psi surface condition with the eyes closed, and that of the Lt leg was . 6) The mean static balance index of both legs was on 3psi surface condition with the eyes closed, and that of the 5psi was . 7) The balance index on 3psi surface condition was significantly higher than that of 5psi (p<0.05, p<0.01). 8) The balance index with the eyes closed was significantly higher than that of the eyes opened (p<0.05). 9) The balance index on the left leg was significantly higher than that of the right leg (p<0.05, p<0.01). 10) There was no correlation between static balance index and dynamic balance index. 11) Therewas no correlation between weight or height and balance index.

The purposes of this study were to measure skin temperature and blood flow on the contralateral upper extremity when heat is applied to one upper extremity, were to compare the effect of contrast bath. The subjects were 38 healthy adults with no history of peripheral vascular disease. The subjects of contrast bath were 18 persons and the subjects of warm bath were 20 persons. The subjects of one group were seated with their right arm in water() up to the mid-forearm. The subjects of the other group were seated with their right arm up to the mid-forearm in water which was changed from warm to cold using the contrast bath technique. The continually changing temperatures and blood flow were measured by an independent observer at intervals of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes respectively after the start of the procedure. The results were as follows. The temperature of the warm bath group rose 4.28% over the pre-experimental temperatures and the temperature of the contrast bath group rose 3.41%. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The blood flow of the warm bath group rose 8.31% over the pre-experimental blood flow and the blood flow of the contrast bath group rose 17.24%. There was a statistically significant between the two groups 20 minutes after the start of the procedure. Thus the contrast bath is a more effective method than the warm bath to increase blood flow.

Physical therapists use assumptions about motor control in every aspect of their work in treating stroke patients. An understanding of the recovery process after stroke, some neural mechanism of recovery and therapeutic model is critical factor for physical therapist to evaluate and obtain a higher final stage of recovery. The purpose of this article was to review the recovery process after stroke, some neural mechanism of recovery, the role of rehabilitation in the process of recovery, therapeutic model and its limitation. This article will help understanding of recovery process. evaluation, and treatment of the stroke patients. Each therapeutic method consists of a different set of assumptions and they are not completely independent of one another. Therefore specializing in any techniques of physical therapy will not be enough to treat stroke, so we are in need of integrated approach and objective measurement instrument to adequately evaluate and treat stroke patients.