Effects of Static Stretching of the Calf Muscle after Microwave Diathermy on Joint Position Sensation and Dynamic Balance Ability

Recently, to evaluate dynamic balance ability, a stipulated tempo step test has been developed, and a step error between tempo and contact time of feet has been used as an evaluation variable. The step error, postural sway, and their relationships may differ between the slow tempo (40 bpm) and fast tempo (120 bpm). This study aimed to examine the aforementioned problem with 62 participant children (30 boys and 32 girls). The step error and postural sway variables (X-axis path length, Y-axis path length, total path length, peripheral area, and rectangular area) during stepping while matching both tempos were measured. Means of one minute and three intervals (0–20 sec, 20–40 sec, and 40–60 sec) for each variable were calculated in both tempos. The results of the paired t-test showed that means of all variables were larger in the 40 bpm tempo than in the 120 bpm tempo. In the multiple comparison tests after the results of the two-way repeated measures ANOVA, the means of three intervals in all variables were larger in the 40 bpm tempo than in the 120 bpm tempo; the means of the sway variables, excluding that of the X-axis path length, in the 40 bpm tempo were larger in the 0–20 sec interval than in the 20–40 sec interval or the 40–60 sec interval. Correlations between step errors and those between the step error and sway variables of both tempos were insignificant or under moderation. The correlations between the step error and sway variables in both tempos were insignificant or significant but low, and those among sway variables were high, except between the X- and Y-axis path lengths. The relationship between both axis path lengths differed according to the tempo. In conclusion, in the case of the stipulated tempo step test targeting children, the slow tempo has a greater step error and postural sway than the fast tempo, and the sway in the early step stage is greater in the slow tempo. The relationships between step errors and between the step error and sway variables of both tempos are low; hence, the ability related to the test may differ in both tempos. The relationships among sway variables in both tempos are high, except between the X- and Y-axis path lengths.

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The relationship of hip rotation range, hip rotator strength and balance in healthy individuals

Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation ◽

10.3233/bmr-181299 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 33 (5) ◽

pp. 761-767

Author(s):

Yongwook Kim ◽

Seungmook Kang

Keyword(s):

Motion Analysis ◽

External Rotation ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Camera Motion ◽

3D Motion ◽

3D Motion Analysis ◽

Balance Ability ◽

Analysis System ◽

The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Few studies have explored the relationship between muscle strength, range of motion (ROM), and balance in the horizontal plane of the hip joint using three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis. OBJECTIVE: We investigate the relationships of hip internal rotation (IR) and external rotation (ER) ROM, measured using a 3D motion capture system, with hip internal and external rotator strength and single-leg standing balance. METHODS: The participants were 40 healthy adults. Kinematic data on hip ROM were collected using an eight-camera motion analysis system. Hip rotational strength measurements were obtained using hand-held isometric dynamometry. A Single-leg standing test and a pendular test were conducted to evaluate static and dynamic balance ability using BioRescue. RESULTS: Significant correlations were found between hip strength and each variable measured during hip ROM assessments (p< 0.05). Significant positive correlations were found between the hip IR/ER strength ratio and the IR/ER ROM ratio (r= 0.72, p< 0.01). The subgroup with a normal IR/ER ratio of hip rotator strength and ROM showed significantly better dynamic balance ability than the subgroup with a hip rotator muscle imbalance (p< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant relationship between hip IR/ER strength and IR/ER ROM with a normal hip IR/ER strength and ROM ratio positively affecting dynamic balance ability.

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Balance Training with Electromyogram-Triggered Functional Electrical Stimulation in the Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci10020080 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 80

Author(s):

Kyeongjin Lee

Keyword(s):

Muscle Activation ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Balance Training ◽

Control Group ◽

Static Balance ◽

Stroke Patients ◽

Ankle Muscle ◽

Balance Ability ◽

Leg Muscle ◽

Experimental Group

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of balance training with electromyogram-triggered functional electrical stimulation (EMG-triggered FES) to improve static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle muscle activation in stroke patients. Forty-nine participants (>6 months after stroke) were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 25) and the control group (n = 24). The experimental group underwent balance training with EMG-triggered FES for 40 min a day, 5 days a week, for a 6-week period in addition to general rehabilitation. The control group underwent balance training without EMG-triggered FES along with conventional therapy. Outcome measures included static balance ability, dynamic balance ability, and leg muscle activation. The static and dynamic balance abilities were significantly improved after intervention in both groups (p < 0.05), although the experimental group showed considerably greater improvement than the control group (p < 0.05). Leg muscle activation on the affected side resulted in significant improvements in the experimental group (p < 0.05) when compared with baseline but not in the control group. Balance training with EMG-triggered FES is an acceptable and effective intervention to improve the static balance, dynamic balance, and ankle muscle activation in stroke patients.

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Effects of a core stabilization training program on balance ability in persons with Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial

Clinical Rehabilitation ◽

10.1177/0269215520918631 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 34 (6) ◽

pp. 764-772

Author(s):

Irene Cabrera-Martos ◽

Ana Teresa Jiménez-Martín ◽

Laura López-López ◽

Janet Rodríguez-Torres ◽

Araceli Ortiz-Rubio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Parkinson’S Disease ◽

Parkinson's Disease ◽

Center Of Pressure ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Core Stability ◽

Control Group ◽

Balance Confidence ◽

Balance Ability ◽

Experimental Group

Objective: To explore the effects of an eight-week core stability program on balance ability in persons with Parkinson’s disease. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: A local Parkinson’s association. Subjects: A total of 44 participants with a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease were randomly assigned to an experimental ( n = 22) or control group ( n = 22). Intervention: The experimental group received 24 sessions of core training, while the control group received an intervention including active joint mobilization, muscle stretching, and motor coordination exercises. Main measures: The primary outcome measure was dynamic balance evaluated using the Mini-Balance Evaluation Systems Test. Secondary outcomes included the balance confidence assessed with the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale and standing balance assessed by the maximal excursion of center of pressure during the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance and the Limits of Stability test. Results: After treatment, a significant between-group improvement in dynamic balance was observed in the experimental group compared to the control group (change, 2.75 ± 1.80 vs 0.38 ± 2.15, P = 0.002). The experimental group also showed a significant improvement in confidence (change, 16.48 ± 16.21 vs 3.05 ± 13.53, P = 0.047) and maximal excursion of center of pressure in forward (change, 0.86 ± 1.89 cm vs 0.17 ± 0.26 cm, P = 0.048), left (change, 0.88 ± 2.63 cm vs 0.07 ± 0.48 cm, P = 0.010), and right (change, 1.63 ± 2.82 cm vs 0.05 ± 0.17 cm, P = 0.046) directions of limits of stability compared to the control group. Conclusion: A program based on core stability in comparison with non-specific exercise benefits dynamic balance and confidence and increases center of mass excursion in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

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Integration Frequency Response of Human Dynamic Anterior-Posterior Balance under Passive Motion Stimulus

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.644-650.3956 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 644-650 ◽

pp. 3956-3959

Author(s):

Jin Zhuang Xiao ◽

Rui Jing Xue ◽

Hong Rui Wang

Keyword(s):

Frequency Response ◽

Dynamic Balance ◽

The Body ◽

Medical Community ◽

Motion Platform ◽

Passive Motion ◽

Motion Stimulus ◽

Balance Ability ◽

The Mean ◽

Anterior Posterior

In order to study the frequency characteristic of body oscillation in the anterior-posterior (AP) direction during upright stance, 10 subjects were exposed to the motion platform with specific posture and followed the tracks of the passive motion stimulus, sinusoidal waveform, with the increasing frequencies (0.05-1.2Hz). By measuring the displacement of the center of gravity (COG), the bode diagram between the motion of platform and body’s COG was obtained. Results showed that the mean cut-off frequency (COF) is 0.5 Hz, the mean resonance frequency (RF) is 0.316 Hz and the bandwidth of the body oscillation is 0.1-0.5 Hz in AP direction. In a conclusion, this study reaches the frequency response of human dynamic balance under passive motion stimulus by using COG values, proposes a method based on the COF values to evaluate the balance ability, and provides data support for the research of balance ability in the medical community.

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