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Although the control group included slightly younger volunteers compared with the LBP group, the stability index of the core spine significantly decreased in RHT and RST, especially when visual feedback was blocked for subjects with LBP. The interaction between visual feedback and trunk rotation indicated that core spine stability is critical in coordinating balance control. A trunk muscle imbalance may contribute to unbalanced postural activity, which could prompt a decreased, uncoordinated bracing effect in subjects with LBP. As a result, core spine training could be used in the prevention of postural instability in such subjects.

The Hapchon Dam, located in the headwaters of the Hwang River, Korea, was completed in 1988. Due to low storage levels, the spillway has not been operated over the past decade. Thus, a new ecosystem has become established in the river downstream of the dam. This is not a common phenomenon in Korean rivers. This study investigates the effect of flow regime change on the river morphology and vegetation cover in a reach downstream of the dam following its construction. Geomorphological effects shown by pre-and post-construction surveys of the channel include channel incision over a stream length of approximately 25 km immediately downstream of the dam. Analysis of pre-and post-construction aerial photography reveals significant encroachment of riparian vegetation onto previously active bar surfaces.

Levels of difficulty and enjoyment during VR-based rehabilitation differed depending on the phases of recovery and training mode. Therefore, graded implementation strategies for VR-based rehabilitation are necessary for overcoming patient-perceived difficulty and enhancing enjoyment. Ease of following the directions might be best considered in the very early stage, whereas multisensory feedback may be more necessary in the later stage. Health professionals also should find a way for patients to avoid pain during training. Feedback, such as knowledge of results and performance, should be used appropriately.

We cautiously recommend that habitual wearers of high-heeled shoes (those who walk in such shoes for more than 5 hours more than 6 times a week) undertake intensive ankle stretching exercises in the direction of dorsiflexion as well as eversion.

AAS increased joint stability only in the trunk where joints are adjacent to abdominal muscles, but not in the lower extremities. The low impact of AAS on the lower extremities might have important implications on the paradigm of standing balance.

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BACKGROUND: The stroke patients have difficulties in both voluntary muscle contraction and individual movements. However, there is a lack of quantitative analysis focusing on decreased finger control in stroke patients. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to identify the changes in motor selectivity in stroke patients during a finger force production task. METHODS: Fifteen stroke patients and fifteen control subjects were asked to perform maximum voluntary force (MVF) production during single-and multi-finger force tasks. Finger interaction indices such as force independence (FI) and force sharing deviation (FSD) were analyzed using measured individual finger forces. RESULTS: MVF analysis in the impaired hand of stroke patients showed that they produced 31% or 41% lower force than their unimpaired hand or the control hand, respectively. For the finger interaction indices, the stroke patients' impaired hand had lower FI and higher FSD than their unimpaired hand or the normal subjects' hand. CONCLUSION: The lower FI and higher FSD show that stroke patients have a limited ability to produce force independently and to synchronize produced multi-finger force, respectively. These results have a negative impact on the selectivity of their motor control. In terms of rehabilitation, we expect that the finger interaction indices used in the present study can quantify motor selectivity in the damaged central nervous system.