• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-99
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• 2024

Purpose: Backward walking has shown positive effects on gait recovery in rehabilitation patients. It is increasingly used as an aerobic training method in rehabilitation populations, inducing more sensory and motor stimulation than forward walking. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of visual stimulation during backward walking. Methods: Twenty-seven healthy adults with a visual acuity of 0.8 or higher participated in the study. To compare the effects of visual stimulation during various walking conditions among healthy individuals, the participants randomly selected cards numbered one to six and walked a distance of 10 meters. Walking ability was measured using Optogait. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed in speed, stride, and percentages of single support and contact phase during backward walking. Within eyes-closed conditions during backward walking, significant differences were found in percentages of single support, terminal stance, and contact phase. Moreover, the percentage of terminal swing significantly differed during backward walking with head turn conditions. Conclusion: Gait parameters such as speed, stride, and percentages of single support and contact phase were higher during backward walking than forward walking. These results indicate that backward walking involves multiple sensory systems and varying conditions.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.292-297
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of backward walking training with task orientation on the functional walking ability of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: This study was a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial with a crossover design conducted at a single rehabilitation facility with cross-over to the other intervention arm following a two-week break. For a total of 12 children with spastic hemiplegia cerebral palsy, the forward walking training group (n=6) underwent training three times a week for three weeks, 40 minutes a day, and the backward walking training group (n=6) was also trained under the same conditions. To identify the functional walking ability, variables, such as the walking speed, stride length, and step length, were measured using a walk analyzer (OptoGait, Microgate S.r.l, Italy). Results: Both groups showed significant increases in walking speed, stride length, and step length (p<0.01). The backward walking group showed more significant improvement in the walking speed from pre- to post-test (p<0.05). The gait characteristics were similar in the two groups (stride length and step length) but the walking speed in the backward walking group showed a mean difference between the positive effects higher than the forward walking group. Conclusion: Task-oriented backward walking training, which was conducted on the ground, may be a more effective treatment approach for improving the walking functions of spastic hemiplegia children than forward walk training.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences of lower limbs muscle activities depending on three walking speeds of 2.5km/h, 5.0km/h and 7.5km/h during forward walking and backward walking making 14 students the subjects of this study. To achieve this aim, surface electrodes for factor analysis of EMG were adhered to rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius medial head of right lower limbs. The conclusions through this study are as follows. 1) The muscle activity of rectus femoris was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group and it was the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 2) The muscle activity of biceps femoris was higher in forward walking group than in backward walking group. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 3) The muscle activity of tibialis anterior was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed. 4) The muscle activity of gastrocnemius medial head was higher in backward walking group than in forward walking group except P2. It was the lowest at 5.0km/h walking speed and the highest at 7.5km/h walking speed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.21-27
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine, in stroke patients, differences between backward walking training applied on a treadmill and the same training applied on the ground. Methods: Twenty seven stroke patients were divided into a treadmill backward walking group of 14 patients and a ground backward walking group of 13 subjects. Each group performed their respective training method for 8 weeks (15 min per day, 4 days a week). Walking ability was measured using a 10 m MWS (Maximal Walking Speed) test and the GAITRite system to examine changes in walking. Cadence, stridelength, step time, step length and symmetry index of the less affected side were measured to examine changes in stance phase of the lower extremity of the more affected side. Results: 10 m MWS, cadence, stride length, step time and step length of the less affected side significantly increased and symmetry index significantly decreased after training in both groups. The treadmill backward walking group experienced a significantly greater increase in step time and step length and a significantly greater decrease in symmetry index than the ground backward walking group. Conclusion: The two walking training methods were effective for improving stability in stance phase of the lower extremity of the more affected side, but the treadmill method was more effective. The present study is meaningful in that it analyzed the effects of backward walking training methods on walking and the differences of the training methods to provide information necessary for effective treatment of stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2005

To compare the effects of forward walking and backward walking on surface electromyographic analysis of quadriceps muscles at treadmill grades of 0%, 5% and 10%, subjects were randomized to eleven athletics (5 females, 6 males), with a mean age of 17.8 years, and a SD of 4.66 years. The values of the surface electromyographic (SEMG) activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were measured during forward walking and backward walking on a treadmill at grades of 0, 5 and 10%. The subjects walked for approximately 10 seconds at 4.0 km/h. The data were analyzed by repeated measuring of the two-way ANOVA and analyzed by a paired t-test between forward walking and backward walking. The SEMG activity levels of the RF, VL and VMO were the highest when both the forward walking and backward walking increased incrementally for treadmill grades of 0% to 10%, but the VMO/VL ratio had no significant changes. The SEMG activity levels of the RF, VL and VMO were significantly different between directions. However, SEMG activity levels of the RF, VL, VMO and VMO/VL ratio did not show significant difference among the treadmill grades. No statistically significant interactions were detected between the direction of walking and treadmill grade. Backward walking on the treadmill at 4 km/h and grades of 0%, 5%, 10% elicited a greater SEMG activity on the quadriceps muscles than did forward walking under the same conditions. The results suggest that the quadriceps may be effectively activated by performance at treadmill grades of 10%. This investigation confirms that backward walking up an incline may place additional muscular demands on individuals.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2020

Background: Backward walking exercise may offer some unique and potentially beneficial differences compared with forward walking exercise. There is still a lack of research on backward walking exercises and forward head posture. Objects: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of backward walking exercise on college students forward head posture in their 20s. Methods: Twenty-one subjects participated in the experiment. The subjects were those with a craniovertebral angle (CVA) of 55 degrees or less who understood the purpose and method of this study and voluntarily agreed. A camera capable of taking pictures of the lateral plane was installed at a distance of 1.5 meters before exercising. Pictures were taken before walking backward, and after walking for 15 minutes on the treadmill, the images were taken in the same way. The composition of the backward walking exercise was walking at a rate of 1.0 for 5 minutes, and the remaining 10 minutes were walking at a rate of 1.5. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare CVA and craniorotational angle (CRA) before and after exercise. Results: As a result of this study, there was a significant difference in CVA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in CRA before and after exercise (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The backward walking exercise and verbal command seems to have positively influenced the changes in CVA and CRA among college students in their 20s. It seems that studies to confirm balance or muscle activity as well as changes in forward head posture through the long-term intervention of the backward walking exercise should be conducted.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.50-62
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• 2009

Purpose: to analyze and compare mucsle activity of Quadriceps femoris depending on the existence of taping while normal people walk forward and backward on treadmill when the slope and speed changes on treadmill. Method: Among 40 people who participated in this study, 20 experimenter who apply a taping walk forward and backward to 0%, 5%, 10% gradient per 2km/h and 4km/h using treadmill to give arbitrary walking behavior, 20 experimenter who doesn't apply a taping also walk forward and backward to 0%, 5%, 10% gradient per 2km/h and 4km/h using treadmill. To analyze muscle activity, We use an electromyography and Kinesio tape of good elasticity for obtained suffient effects in the experiment. Result: During backward walking in 2km/h, Vastus medialis and Vastus lateralis showed significant differences(p<0.05) when apply a taping. During backward walking in 2km/h, Vastus medialis and Rectus femoris, and Vastus lateralis all showed significant differences(p<0.05). During backward walking in 2km/h, Vastus medialis and Vastus lateralis showed significant differences in 10% gradient(p<0.05). During backward walking in 4km/h, Vastus medialis and Rectus femoris, and Vastus lateralis all showed significant differences(p<0.05). During backward walking in 4km/h, By the difference in slope, Vastus medialis and Vastus lateralis showed significant differences between 0% and 10% gradient(p<0.05). Conclusion: In comparison to muscle activity of Quadriceps femoris when apply a taping according to slope and speed during forward and backward walking on treadmill, when apply a taping and walk backward and 10% gradient on treadmill in 4km/h, maximum of muscle activity is shown.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the activity of the thigh muscle(rectus femoris, vastus medial/ lateralis, hamstring medial/lateralis) which are caused by the change cf lower extremity muscle activity to speed and inclination during forward and backward walking on the treadmill. Method: Twenty healthy young adults were recruited. The subjects were given a warm-up for 1 minute at the speed of 2.0km/h before exercise, and 2km/h to 4km/h from 10% to 4km/h in the frontal and backward walking. Result: In the present study, it was found that the muscle activity of the lateral broad and inward wide muscles increased when the treadmill was backward for 40 seconds without training. And the femur and the muscle were significantly different from 10% to 4km/h(p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that in the treadmill, it is effective in increasing the leg strength in the backward walking than in the forward walking. And it was concluded that muscle activity increased at 4km/h when the speed was 2km/h when backward walking.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2199-2205
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to find out the effects of depending on variations of speed in backward walking on lower extremities muscle. For this study, 30 members were randomly divided into three groups; groupI(n=10, forward walking: 5km/h), groupII(n=10, backward walking: 5km/h), groupIII(n=10, backward walking: 2.5km/h). This exercise was performed to 30 minutes 4 times a week for 4 weeks. This study was measured before the exercise and after 4 weeks. The result of this study are as follows. The muscle activity of rectus femoRIS was higher in backward walking group(p<.01) than in forward walking group and it was the highest at groupII(p<.001). The quadriceps muscle strength of thigh was higher in backward walking group(p<.01) than in forward walking group and it was the highest at groupII(p<.001). From these results, backward walking training was effective on muscle activity, strength of thigh muscle. Although fast speed backward walking was most effective, low speed backward walking that compare with forward walking was effective.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Background: The ability for backward walking is considered to be necessary for the neuromuscular control and maintenance of balance in daily ambulatory activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of backward walking training on the walking speed and balance control in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fourteen patients with hemiplegia were randomly allocated to an experimental and control groups of seven patients each. For the experimental group, we performed both conventional training and backward walking training, and conventional training only for the control group. The conventional training programs for the 2 groups were conducted for 30 min, twice a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, and backward walking training for the experimental group was conducted for 30 min, 3 times a week. The outcomes were assessed using the functional reach test (FRT), timed up-and-go (TUG) Test, and the 10 meter walk time test (10mWT). Result: A comparison of the FRT, TUG test, and 10mWT scores obtained before and after the 4-week treatment revealed statistically significant differences (p<.05) for the experimental group; however, there was no such difference in the case of the control group (p>.05). On assessment after the 4-week treatment, statistically significant differences were noted in the TUG test and 10mWT scores of the experimental group (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that backward walking training is an effective clinical strategy for improving the walking speed and functional mobility of patients with hemiplegia.