The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF PROM) under a non-weight bearing condition and the normalized reach distance in three directions of the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Sixty-one healthy adults (32 males and 29 females, age: 23.0±3.0 years, height: 169.3±8.9 ㎝, weight: 61.9±5.4 ㎏) participated in this study. The ankle DF PROM was measured using a goniometer. To assess dynamic balance, all subjects performed three trials to determine the maximum lower extremity reach in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the YBT. The relationship between the ankle DF PROM and both the normalized reach distance in each direction and the composite score of the YBT were analyzed using the Pearson correlation. Only the normalized reach distance in the anterior direction of the YBT was significantly related to the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition (r=.50, p＜.001). Neither the normalized reach distances in the posterior directions nor the composite score of the YBT were significantly correlated with the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition. These findings suggest that ankle DF PROM does not affect the overall dynamic balance of the lower extremity, with only the anterior dynamic balance affected among the three directions.

This study used an unstable platform to change the support surface type and position of both lower limbs in order to determine changes in weight distribution and muscle including the vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, lateral hamstring, and lateral gastrocnemius of both lower limbs were evaluated during knee joint flexing and extending in a semi-squat movement in 32 hemiplegic patients. The support surface conditions applied to the lower limbs were divided into four categories: condition 1 had a stable platform for both lower limbs; condition 2 had an unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side; condition 3 had a stable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and an unstable platform for the hemiplegic side; and condition 4 had an unstable platform for both sides. The normalized EMG activity levels of muscles and weight bearing ratio of both sides in the four surface conditions were compared using repeated measures ANOVA. A significant increase was found in the weight support distribution for the hemiplegic side in flexing and extending sessions in condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A statistically significant decrease in significant decrease in asymmetrical weight bearing in flexing and extending sessions was observed for condition 2 compared to the other conditions (p<.05). A similar significant decrease was found in differences in muscular activity for both lower limbs in condition 2 (p<.05). The muscular activity of the hemiplegic side, based on the support surface for each muscle showed a significantly greater increase in condition 2 (p<.05). An unstable platform for the non-hemiplegic side and a stable platform for the hemiplegic side therefore increased symmetry in terms of the weight support distribution rate and muscle activity of lower limbs in hemiplegic patients. The problem of postural control due to asymmetry in hemiplegic patients should be further studied with the aim of developing continuous effects of functional training based on the type and position of the support surfaces and functional improvement.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a task-oriented approach on weight-bearing distribution and muscular activities of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement in 18 chronic stroke patients. Both groups were received neurodevelopmental treatment for 30 min/day and then the experimental group (=9) followed additional a task-oriented approach (sit-to stand training with controlled environment) and the control group (=9) followed a passive range of motion exercise for 15 min/day, five days/week, for four weeks. Weight-bearing distribution and muscular activities of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement were measured before and after four weeks of training. There was significantly improved weight-bearing distribution of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement in the experimental group compared with that of the control group after four weeks of training (p<.05). But electromyographic activities of the quadriceps and the tibialis anterior of the paretic leg were not significantly different (p>.05). Thus, it is necessary to apply a task-oriented approach to improve the weight-bearing distribution of the paretic leg during sit-to-stand movement in chronic stroke patients.

이 연구의 목적은 뇌성마비 아동에게 앉은 자세에서 현수를 이용하여 체중지지를 해주었을 때 상지기능에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아보는 것이다. 연구대상자는 뇌성마비 아동 5명과 뇌종양 아동 1명이었다. 연구대상자에게 harness를 착용하여 부분적 체중지지를 하기 전과 착용한 상태에서 손 뻗기 동작을 3차원 동작분석기를 이용하여 어깨관절과 손뻗기 동작에 걸린 시간을 측정하였고, Box and Block 검사를 실시하여 체중지지 전과 착용 시 상지 기능을

Body weight support treadmill training is a new and promising therapy in gait rehabilitation of patients with hemiplegia. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of body weight support treadmill training on gait and standing balance in patients with hemiplegia. Eighteen patients with hemiplegia participated in the study. A 10 m-timed walk test, measurements of step length and standing balance score were administered. Intervention consisted of body weight support treadmill training five times a week for 2 weeks. The data were analyzed by paired t-test. Body weight support treadmill training scoring of standing balance, step length and 10 m-timed walk test showed a definite improvement. Body weight support treadmill training offers the advantages of task-oriented training with numerous repetitions of a supervised gait pattern. The outcomes suggest that patients with hemiplegia can improve their gait ability and standing balance through body weight support treadmill training.

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences of weight-bearing distribution between subjects with low back pain and healthy subjects. Fifty-one subjects (22 men, 29 women; mean age = 42.9 years) with low back pain and 31 healthy subjects (11 men, 20 women; mean age = 35.4 years) were evaluated. The weight-bearing distribution was measured by two commercial scales during comfortable standing. The difference of weight-bearing distribution between right and left side was calculated for each subject. The differences of weight-bearing distribution in subjects with low back pain and healthy subjects were 6.0 kg and 4.5 kg, respectively. However, there were no significant differences in the weight-bearing distribution between subjects with low back pain and healthy subjects.

Decreased equilibrium in standing and walking is a common problem associated with hemiparesis secondary to cerebral vascular accident. In patients with hemiplegia, postural sway is increased and often displaced laterally over the non-affected leg, reflecting asymmetry in lower extremity weight bearing during standing balance. Human balance is a complex motor control task, requiring integration of sensory information, neural processing, and biomechanical factors. Limits of stability (LOS) is a one of the biomechanical factors. The purposes of this study were to establish the influence of asymmetrical weight-bearing on the LOS of independent ambulatory hemiparetic patients. The subjects of this study were 29 hemiparetic patients (18 males, 11 females) being treated as admitted or out patients at Young-Nam University Hospital and Taegu Catholic University Hospital, all of whom agreed to participate in the study. Participants were asked to lean and displace their center of gravity (COG) as far as possible in directions to the sides and front of the body. The LOS and weight-bearing ratio were measured with a Balance Performance Monitor (BPM) Dataprint Software Version 5.3. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, the independent t-test and a Pearson's correlation were applied at the .05 and .01 level of significance. The results of this study were as follows: 1) There were statistically significant differences in anteroposterior LOS according to the cause of brain demage (p<.01). 2) There were statistically significant differences in mediolateral LOS according to the hemiparetic side (p<.05). 3) There were statistically significant differences in anteroposterior and mediolateral LOS according to the brain operation (p<.01). 4) The mediolateral LOS significantly correlated with weight-bearing ratio (p<.01).

This study investigates the influence of cane length on the weight distribution of the elderly in a standing position. Thirty participants were evaluated using two different cane lengths based on measurements of distal wrist crease to ground (WC cane), and distance of greater trochanter to ground (GT cane). A limloader was used to determine the weight distribution on the subject. It was found that 6.5% of body weight was supported on a GT cane and 7.7% of body weight supported on a WC cane in a standing position. Results suggests that more weight is distributed on a WC cane than a GT cane in the elderly.

The objective of this study was to identify the immediate effects of the short leg brace on the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. The subjects of this study were 18 hemiplegic patients who had been hospitalized or visited out-patient department of Rehabilitation Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, from January 5, 1996 through March 23, 1996. PLS(Posterior Leaf Spring) on and off changes in gait patterns were measured using ink foot print as well as by recording weight bearing distribution using a limb load monitor. The data were analyzed by the correlation and paired t-test. The findings were as follows: 1. Eighteen subjects were more weighted on the affected leg when PLS was put off(42.74%) than on(40.08%). 2. The defference in gait patterns between PLS on and off was statistically significant, with an increase in step length by 1.7cm on the involved side; a decrease in foot angle by 4.41 degree on the involved side; and a narrowing of base of support by 1.46cm when PLS were off. In conclusion, this study showed that PLS did not affect the weight bearing distribution and gait patterns of hemiplegic patients. Since, the evaluation method used in this study has limitations in regard to temporal distance gait values. Further studies are required to numerous experiments for subject and extensive study.

While working in an industrial environment which requires extended periods of upright posture; workers tend to develop muscle fatigue due to the constant load on lower-limb muscles. In addition, when working while bending knees; muscle fatigue of lower back and hamstrings is increased due to the abnormal posture. This can lead to damage of muscles, induce musculoskeletal disorders, and reduce long-term working efficiency. Recent medical studies have shown that long-term working in an upright posture can induce musculoskeletal disorders such as foot fatigue, edema, pain and varicose veins. Likewise, medical and rehabilitation expenses have grown due to the increase in musculoskeletal conditions suffered by workers. For this problem, we aim to develop a device that can reduce the physical fatigue on the lower limbs by supporting the weight of workers during the extended periods of upright and bending postures in the industrial environments. In this paper, we have designed and manufactured a wearable weight support system; with a user intention algorithm that the users can maintain various postures. For validation of the developed system, we measured the muscle activity of the users wearing the system with EMG sensors.