Background: Previous studies have highlighted the beneficial impact of trunk strength training on gross motor muscle function. Additionally, trunk strength training has been shown to enhance upper limb function and balance in children with cerebral palsy. Although numerous studies have explored dynamic and static balance for children with cerebral palsy, none have yet examined the combined application of kinetic link training (KLT) and bird dog exercise (BDE). Objectives: To investigated the effect of cerebral Palsy on the KLT and BDE. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Methods: This study involved 30 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy. They were randomly allocated to two groups: 15 children in the KLT group and 15 in the bird-dog group. During the intervention, four participants dropped out, resulting in 26 subjects for the final analysis (KLT=11, Bird-dog=15). After randomizing the subjects into two groups, we allocated their general characteristics. Prior to starting the intervention, initial measurements were taken using the Romberg test for static balance and the limit of stability (LOS) test for dynamic balance. Each group participated in KLT and BDE for 30 minutes, three times a week for eight weeks, under the supervision of a therapist. Follow-up measurements of static and dynamic balance were taken at the conclusion of the eight-week period. The collected data was analyzed using the SPSS ver. 21.0 program by paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: In the results for static balance, the within-group comparisons indicated a significant reduction in trace length, STD velocity, and velocity postintervention compared to pre-intervention for both the KLT and BDE groups, except for the C90 area (P<.05). Regarding dynamic balance, the withingroup comparisons demonstrated a significant increase in LOS in the forward direction for the BDE group from pre- to post-intervention (P<.05). Similarly, there was a significant increase in LOS in the backward direction for the KLT group from pre- to post-intervention (P<.05). The LOS in both the left and right directions showed significant increases in the BDE group from pre- to post-intervention (P<.05). Conclusion: An eight-week intervention involving KLT and BDE exercises improved both static and dynamic balance in children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Balance is the foundation of performing daily activities, and has been proven to be improved by various compression materials. As a new and never-before-seen means, the floss band improves joint range of motion, increases muscle flexibility, and affects balance. Several studies using the short-term application of a floss band to the ankle have been conducted. However, long-term effects of the floss band on the knee warrant further research. Objectives: This study aims to examine the long-term benefits of strength exercises with a floss band applied to the knee for static and dynamic balance. Design: Quasi-experimental design. Methods: A total of 28 participants (four men and 24 women, aged 20–60 years) with no orthopedic knee conditions were recruited and randomized into two groups, with 14 in the group using the strength exercises with floss bands applied to the knee (the floss band group), and 14 in the group using internal rotation of the tibia during mobilization with movements (MWM; the MWM group). A physical therapist with 10 years of clinical experience applied the intervention 10 times, measuring static and dynamic balance before and after the intervention using the Balance Trainer 4. Independent t-tests and paired t-tests were used for statistical analysis, with a significance level of ⍺=.05. Results: Statistically significant effects for static balance and dynamic balance were observed in the comparison from pre- to post-intervention between the floss band and MWM groups (P<.05). Additionally, a statistically significant effect for dynamic balance was noted in the pre- to post-intervention comparison in the floss band group (P<.05). Conclusion: The strength exercises with floss bands applied to the knee are expected to have a long-term effect on improving dynamic balance.

Background: Ankle sprain is one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries in the sports population or during usual daily life activities. The sprain can cause functional ankle instability (FAI), and it is very important to treat FAI. However, the optimum intervention method for FAI has yet to be determined. Objects: This study investigated the impact that virtual reality (VR) training program on balance with ankle kinesio taping for FAI. Methods: Twenty-two people were selected for the study and randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). The experimental group had attached kinesio taping on the ankle and then implemented a virtual reality exercise program for 30 minutes a day. Nintendo Wii Fit Plus was used for the VR intervention three times a week for four weeks. The control group performed only two measurements without intervention. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in overall, anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) index of the static balance, and significant differences in overall, AP, ML index of the dynamic balance when taping and VR exercise were applied at the same time (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in overall and ML index of static and dynamic balance compared with before and after assessment between the experimental and the control group, and found differences in AP index of static and dynamic balance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Kinesio taping may not influence the balance of FAI as great as people expected. VR approach does not affect the static balance of FAI, but it influences dynamic balance in overall, AP, ML index. The authors suggest that VR-based exercises can be used as an additional concept in clinicians for FAI or as part of a home program because the exercises still have limitations.

Background: Hemispatial neglect is defined as the failure to attend, report, respond, or orient toward meaningful stimuli provided in the contralateral side of a brain lesion. Objects: This study was conducted to find out the effect of dynamic trunk equilibirum exercise for stroke patients with hemi-spatial neglect. Methods: This study included 21 stroke subjects, randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group. The exercise program consisted of 5 sessions of 20 minutes per week during 4 weeks. The line-bisection test, the Albert test, the balance function score, the Berg balance scale, the postural assessment scale for stroke and the modified Barthel index were measured before and after training. All data were analyzed using SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Between-group and within-group comparison was analyzed by using Independent t-test and Paired t-test respectively. Results: The results of study were as follows: There were significant differences between before and after intervention in both group (p<.05). There were significant differences in the line-bisection test, Albert test, balance function score, Berg balance scale, postural assessment scale for stroke and modified Barthel index between the experimental group and the control group (p<.05). Conclusion: Dynamic trunk equilibrium exercise had a positive effect on patients’ neglect, balance ability and activities of daily living. Further studies are required to generalize the results of this study.

Background: In previous studies regarding flexible pes planus, Foot orthosis, special shoes have been used as interventions for correcting malalignment and intrinsic muscles strengthening exercise have been regarded as interventions for foot function and supporting medial longitudinal arch during walking. However, some recent studies reported that strengthening extrinsic muscles as well as intrinsic muscles is more effective and active intervention for flexible pes planus. In particular, the tibialis posterior muscle of foot extrinsic muscles plays essential roles in maintaining the medial longitudinal arch during dynamic weight bearing and balance. In addition this muscle acts longer than other supination muscles during the stance phase in the gait cycle. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle strengthening exercise for plantar pressure and dynamic balance in adults with flexible pes planus. Methods: 16 young flexible pes planus adults (7 males, 9 females) were recruited and were randomized into two groups. The experimental group performed foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle strengthening training, the control group performed only foot intrinsic muscle strengthening training. All groups received strengthening training for 30 minutes five times a week for six weeks. Results: The experimental group had significantly lower plantar pressure of medial heel area than the control group in stand (p<.05). The experimental group had significantly higher dynamic balance ability than control group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study provide evidence to suggest that foot intrinsic muscle and tibialis posterior muscle of extrinsic muscle strengthening exercises may improve plantar pressure distribution and dynamic balance ability in adults with flexible pes planus.

This study was to investigate the positive effects of specially designed trunk-stabilization exercise program on lower extremity balance of elderly with history of leprosy. In this participants, lower extremity functions has been undermined by the development of damage in peripheral nerves. A total of 40 elderly with history of leprosy were divided into 2 groups of equal size (): a group that participated in the exercise program, and a control group that did not exercise but did continue to engage in normal daily activities (including walking). The exercise group exercised for 60 minutes 2 days a week for 12 weeks. Static balance ability was measured by asking study participants to a one leg standing test: dynamic balancing ability was measured with a tandem walking test and a timed up-and-go test. The participants in the exercise program and the control group were tested before and after completion of the exercise program for comparison, and then divided according to their ability to feel sensory in the soles of their feet into the categories of normal sensory group: group with sensory loss in one foot: and group with sensory loss in both feet. The participants in the exercise program showed a positive, statistically significant difference in static balance compared with the control group (p<.05) as measured using the one leg standing test. Similarly, the participants in dynamic balance (p<.05) as measured using the tandem walking and timed up-and-go tests. Finally, these improvements were related to the severity of sensory loss in the soles of the feet for all study participants.

Reductions in strength and range of motion in older persons have been associated with decreased functional mobility and risk of falls. The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of intensive dynamic balance exercise (DBE) during 8 weeks on onset time of medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscle contraction after perturbation in older women. Thirty subjects were randomly assigned into DBE group or control group. The DBE group participated in 50 minutes 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Surface electromyography (EMG) activity was recorded from the medial gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles of left side. Outcome data were collected both groups at the pre-exercise and post-exercise. Independent t-test and paired t-test were used to determine the statistical difference. Results showed that the passive range of motion and functional reach test were significantly increased in the DBE group than the control group at the post-exercise (p<.05). The onset time of both muscles and discrepancy of onset time significantly reduced in the DBE group than the control group at the post-exercise (p<.05). The onset time of both muscles were significantly reduced in the post-exercise than the pre-exercise in the DBE group (p<.05). The discrepancy of onset time in the DBE group was significantly reduced in the post-exercise than the pre-exercise (p<.05). These findings suggest that intensive dynamic balance exercise for the eight weeks was effective in improving the postural control with older persons.