• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.218-223
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• 2022

Purpose: This study sought to identify the effects of an insole applied for the flexible flat-foot condition on dynamic balance and ankle muscle activities during the Y-balance test (YBT). Methods: Thirteen flexible flat-footed adults and an equal number of normal-footed adults were enrolled. The dynamic balance of the subjects was measured using the YBT, which is a reach test. While they were reaching forward with their foot, the percentage maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial and lateral gastrocnemius were measured and analyzed. The flat-footed group then applied the ready-made insoles and underwent the YBT again. A comparison of the distance and muscle activity was conducted using YBT, not only between the flat-footed and control group, but also between the flat-footed group before and after the application of the insole. Results: Between the groups, the anterior reach distance in the flat-footed group was significantly lower, but there were no significant differences observed in the posteromedial and posterolateral directions. With the insole, the reach distance of the flat-footed group was significantly increased in the anterior and posterolateral direction compared to the control group. With the insole, the lateral gastrocnemius activity significantly decreased compared to trials without the insole in the flat-footed group, but there were no significant differences in the other muscles. Conclusion: The insole for flat-footed subjects can maintain the medial arch of the foot, and it may help enhance functional and mechanical dynamic balance in people with flat feet.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.235-239
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the unstable plate system for the advanced balance ability. 7 male volunteers (age $33.7{\pm}1.2$ years, height $174.7{\pm}3.8cm$, weight $86.0{\pm}3.6kg$, BMI $28.2{\pm}2.0kg/m^2$) performed the partial squat motion on the shape of CAP type(${\cap}$) and BOWL type(${\cup}$) plate system. The range of motion (ROM) and muscle activation were acquired by the motion analysis system and the EMG system. Results of ROMs of the CAP type plate system were shown the widely range of the deviation in the ankle joint on the sagittal plane (sagittal plane - hip joint $10.7^{\circ}$ > $5.4^{\circ}$, knee joint $16.3^{\circ}$ > $6.4^{\circ}$, ankle joint $18.8^{\circ}$ > $6.3^{\circ}$ ; transverse plane - hip joint $3.5^{\circ}$ > $1.8^{\circ}$, knee joint $5.3^{\circ}$ > $3.4^{\circ}$, ankle joint $11.3^{\circ}$ > $5.3^{\circ}$ ; frontal plane - hip joint $0.9^{\circ}$ > $0.5^{\circ}$, knee joint $0.8^{\circ}$ > $0.6^{\circ}$, ankle joint $4.8^{\circ}$ > $3.7^{\circ}$). Muscle activation results of the CAP type plate system were indicated higher in major muscles for balance performance than the BOWL type plate system (vastus lateralis 0.90 > 0.62, peroneus longus 0.49 > 0.21, biceps femoris 0.38 > 0.14, gastrocnemius 0.11 > 0.05). These findings may indicate that the CAP type plate system would expect better effectiveness in perform the balance training. This paper is primary study for developing balance skills enhancement training device.