• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2018

Objective: The human body is often modelled as a spring-mass system. Lower extremity stiffness has been considered to be one of key factor in the performance enhancement of running, jumping, and hopping involved sports activities. There are several different classification of lower extremity stiffness consisting of vertical stiffness, leg stiffness, joint stiffness, as well as muscle and tendon stiffness. The primary purpose of this paper was to review the literature and describe different stiffness models and discuss applications of stiffness models while engaging in sports activities. In addition, this paper provided a current update of the lower extremity literature as it investigates the relationships between lower extremity stiffness and both functional performance and injury. Summary: Because various methods for measuring lower extremity stiffness are existing, measurements should always be accompanied by a detailed description including type of stiffness, testing method and calculation method. Moreover, investigator should be cautious when comparing lower extremity stiffness from different methods. Some evidence highlights that optimal degree of lower extremity stiffness is required for successful athletic performance. However, the actual magnitude of stiffness required to optimize performance is relatively unexplored. Direct relationship between lower extremity stiffness and lower extremity injuries has not clearly been established yet. Overall, high stiffness is potentially associate risk factors of lower extremity injuries although some of the evidence is controversial. Prospective injures studies are necessary to confirm this relationship. Moreover, further biomechanical and physiological investigation is needed to identify the optimal regulation of the lower limb stiffness behavior and its impact on athletic performance and lower limb injuries.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.270-277
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of static balance, lower extremity function, and gait ability between a lower extremity restrain robot gait training and a general robot gait training in subacute stroke subjects. Design: Two-group pretest-posttest design. Methods: A total of 12 subacute stroke patients were randomly divided into an Experimental group (n=6) and a control group (n=6). Both groups were performed for four weeks, three times a week, for 20 minutes. To compare the Static balance function, the center of pressure (COP) path-length and COP velocity were measured. The Fugl-Meyer assessment lower extremity (FMA-LE) were evaluated to compare the Lower Extremity function. 2D Dartfish Program and 10 Meter Walking Test (10 MWT) on Gait ability were evaluated to compare the gait function. Results: In the intra-group comparison, Experimental groups showed significant improvement in COP path-length, velocity, Lower Extremity Function, 10 MWT, Cadence, by comparing the parameters before and after the intervention (p<0.05). Comparison of the amount of change between groups revealed significant improvement for parameters in the COP path-length, velocity, Lower extremity function, 10 MWT by comparing the parameters before and after the intervention (p<0.01). Conclusions: The Experimental group showed enhanced efficacy for variables such as COP path-length, velocity, Lower extremity function, 10 MWT as compared to the control group.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.255-263
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) lower extremity pattern on the dominant leg on muscle activity of the lower extremity supported by the ground. Methods: The subjects were 20 healthy males living in Busan. All subjects performed four direction PNF lower extremity patterns, and data were collected by surface electromyography from the gluteus medius (GM), tensor fascia latae (TFL), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis oblique (VLO), and semitendinosus (STD) muscles of the opposite lower extremity during PNF lower extremity pattern. The PNF lower extremity pattern applied to the dominant leg was (1) flexion/adduction/external rotation with knee flexion; (2) extension/abduction/internal rotation with knee extension; (3) flexion/abduction/internal rotation with knee flexion; and (4) extension/adduction/external rotation with knee extension pattern, repeated 3 times per pattern and using the average value of the collected results. Collected muscle activity values were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, and post-hoc Tukey testing was performed to check between-group differences. The statistical significance level was set at α = 0.05. Results: GM and TFL flexion/abduction/internal rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. VMO and VLO extension/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee extension was significantly higher than other patterns. STD flexion/adduction/external rotation pattern with knee flexion was significantly higher than other patterns. Conclusion: The study confirms differences in lower extremity muscle activity for the PNF lower extremity pattern, indicating that selective muscle contraction induction is possible using a pattern appropriate to the purpose of treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2018

PURPOSE: The present study aims to determine the effect of lower extremity muscle strength exercise at the non-paralyzed side of patients of stroke using a mirror on gait and balance. METHODS: Subjects were assigned randomly to a group of lower extremity exercise without using a mirror (n=10), a group of lower extremity motion exercise using a mirror (n=10), and a group of lower extremity muscle strength exercise using a mirror (n=10). The exercise is added to a physiotherapy program conducted at the hospital and subjects conducted their designed lower extremity exercises 30 times a day (5 sets), five days per week for four weeks. RESULTS: The study result showed that BBS(Berg balance scale)(p<.05) and TUG(timed up and go test)(p<.05) had a significant difference. In the comparison on gait ability, stride length, step length, step width and single support was a significant difference within two groups using a mirror before and after the intervention(p<.05). CONCLUSION: Conclusively, low extremity motion exercise using a mirror and low extremity muscle strength exercise using a mirror conducted along with general physiotherapy exercises had a positive effect on functions of lower extremity in patients with stroke and the recovery of paralyzed side thereby incurring a significant difference in balance and gait abilities.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.47-54
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise and lower extremity strengthening program on pain, lower extremity muscle in patients with chronic low back pain. Method: The subject were randomly divided two groups. 15 people who were conducted lower extremity exercises and lumbar stabilization exercises called the combined exercise group and other(15 people) who were only conducted lower extremity exercise group. The assessment tools were the pain level and the led muscle power. Exercise was conducted for eight weeks. Result: Pain of the combined exercise group showed significant differences in the change in pain level(p<.05). The leg muscle power showed significant differences within group which hip flexor, extensor muscles and abductor muscles. there were significant differences within combined exercise group (p<.05). But the knee joint in each group showed a significant difference within group (p<.05). Conclusion: This study suggest that the lumbar stabilization exercises and lower extremity exercises showed more efficient results in the pain levels and leg muscles power than only the lower extremity exercise for patients with lumbar instability.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.691-695
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of swiss ball program training on lower extremity function of old elderly with mild cognitive impairment. The subjects were 30 mild cognitive impairment eldrly people aged between 65 and 80, who were divided into the swiss ball program training group(n=15) and the control group(n=15). The swiss ball program training group engaged in a 50-minute exercise session using. Lower extremity function scale of the two groups were measured before and after the intervention. The results are as follows. According to the swiss ball program training conducted to examine the effects of the training on lower extremity function, Moreover, the two groups showed significant differences in lower extremity function. These results indicate that virtual reality training is effective in improving lower extremity function. To conclusion, swiss ball program was found to have a positive effect on elderly lower extremity function. Swiss ball program training can be proposed as a form of fall prevention exercise for the mild cognitive impairment. Swiss ball program may be helpful to reduce the incidence of dementia and behavioral complications.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.517-525
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• 2022

Objective: The rehabilitation protocols for functional recovery have been emphasized after total knee arthroplasty, and Pilates is in the spotlight as a safe and easily modified exercise method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of mat Pilates exercise on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the individuals with total knee arthroplasty. Design: One group pretest-posttest design. Methods: Eighteen older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty was recruited in the study. The subjects were evaluated on lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking before and after mat Pilates exercise. All subject performed one hour mat Pilates exercise, 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Mat Pilates exercises were focused on core stability and lower extremity strengthening and, more dynamic movements were added to increase the difficulty of movements every two weeks. The lower extremity function was measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), knee joint position sense, and five times sit-to-stand test. Postural balance was assessed by single leg stance test, functional reach test, and timed up and go test. Walking was measured by OptoGait system to temporospatial parameter. Results: The lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking were significantly improved after mat Pilates exercise, except for five times sit-to-stand test (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the mat Pilates exercise was a useful method to improve lower extremity function, postural balance, and walking in the older women with unilateral total knee arthroplasty.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.215-222
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of the use of the lower extremity supporter to ground reaction force(GRF) & EMG in women. Five women participated in the experiment conducted in the study(age: $46.7{\pm}3.5$ yrs, weight: $52.3{\pm}2.2$ kg, lower extremity height: $74.1{\pm}0.9$ cm, knee height: $40.7{\pm}1.4$ cm). The Ground reaction force was measured by AMTI ORG-6 and the Muscle activity of the lower extremity was measured by an 8-channel surface EMG system(Noraxon Myoresearch, USA, 1000Hz). We statistically compared muscle activity and ground reaction force with and without the lower-extremity supporter by one-way repeated ANOVA. The results were as follows. First, the use of the lower extremity supporter affects the ground reaction force along the anterior-posterior axis(Y). Second, the vertical(Z-axis) reaction force on the upper part of the lower extremity supporter increase because of the difference between the interval of vertical movement. Third, the muscle activity of the lateral gastrocnemius and rectus femoris was higher in the upper part of the lower extremity supporter. Further research for example, on a comparative analysis of joint moments, the effects of direct stressor on joints. and the relationship between muscle activity and joint movement, is necessary for a better understanding of the effects of the lower-extremity supporter.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of underwater and ground proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise on trunk control and lower extremity muscle activity of chronic stroke patients. Design: Pretest-posttest design: single blind. Methods: The subjects were 28 patients (experimental group, n=14 or control group, n=14) diagnosed with chronic stroke. The experimental group performed underwater proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise. The control group performed ground proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise. Training was conducted once a day for 30 minutes, five days per week for six. Trunk control was measured using the Trunk Impairment Scale. Lower extremity muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography. Results: As a result of comparison within groups, the experimental and control group showed significant difference for trunk control after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in trunk control than the control group (p<0.05). In comparison within groups, the experimental group showed significant difference for lower extremity muscle activity after the experiment (p<0.05). In comparison between two groups, the experimental group showed more significant difference in lower extremity muscle activity than the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Based on these results, underwater proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation lower extremity pattern exercise effectively improved the trunk control and lower extremity muscle activity of chronic stroke patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.70-76
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• 2006

This study investigated the clinical application of anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in reconstruction of soft tissue defect of lower extremity. There were twenty-one patients who had been taken soft tissue reconstruction with anterolateral thigh perforator flap. There were 19 males and 2 females between 3 and 65 years (mean, 36 years). This study included 4 cases of pedatric case of under 10-year-old. All cases were a cutaneous flap. Flap size averaged $160\;cm^2\;(20{\sim}450\;cm^2)$. 19 cases were musculocutaneous perforator flaps and 2 were septocutaneous perforator. T-shaped pedicle were used to reconstruct and to preserve major artery of lower extremity in 2 cases. 19 cases flaps survived completely and 2 cases flap were marginal necrosis partially. There was venous congestion in one case of type of reverse island flap but that was improved after salvage procedure with leech. While the donor sites were closed directly in 5cases, 16 cases underwent skin graft. ALT flap is suitable for coverage of defects in lower extremity where have various condition and reliable in children as in adult.