This study aimed to determine whether foam roller with vibration (FRV) can improve hamstring flexibility and jump performance in young adults. Twenty subjects were randomly allocated into either the FRV or the foam-roller with no vibration (FRNV) groups. The vibration of the vibration foam-roller was 32 Hz. All participants completed one 10-min session on the hamstring. Active straight leg raising (ASLR) test in supine position and active knee extension (AKE) test in sitting position were performed to measure hamstring flexibility, before and immediately after the session. ASLR, AKE, and vertical jump performance test were performed before the session and immediately after the session. Analysis of covariance was used to determine statistical significance. ASLR and AKE tests were significantly different between FRV and FRNV, except the right hamstring. There was significant improvement with respect to ASLR and AKE tests after the session in FRV group. The vertical jump performance test of both groups was not significantly different after the session. FRV is more effective than FRNV for improving hamstring flexibility.

No abstract

Purpose：The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise on balance and gait in elderly women.Methods：Subjects 19 elderly women were randomly divided by the swiss ball exercise group (n=10) and the core stabilization exercise group (n=9). In a period of 4 weeks, they took trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise for 60 minutes 3 times a week. Balance and gait were measured by Functional Reach Test (FRT), One Leg Stand Test with Open Eye (OLSTOE), One Leg Stand Test with Closed Eye (OLSTCE), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG) and 6 m Walking Test (6MWT). These tests were measured at before exercise, 4 weeks after exercise and after the follow-up period of 2 weeks.Results：As a result, in all measurement values there was no significant difference in two groups (p>.05). In FRT, TUG, OLSTOE and 6MWT before exercise and 4 weeks after exercise, there was significant difference in both of two groups (p<.05). Moreover, according to results from 4 weeks after exercise and after the follow-up period of 2 weeks, without any particular exercise, in FRT and 6MWT there was no significant difference (p>.05).Conclusion：These finding indicate that trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball could improve balance and gait in elderly women. Accordingly, In this study trunk stabilization exercise using swiss ball and core stabilization exercise is judged to be used for elderly people with gait and balance problems to prevent hurts from fall.

This study investigates the effect of vibration foam roller (VFR) applied to the hamstring, on the quadriceps electromyography (EMG) activity and hamstring flexibility. A total of 16 subjects were randomly assigned to either the VFR group (n = 8) or the nonvibration foam roller group (NVFR, n= 8). The two groups applied the foam roller or the VFR to the dominant hamstring, at a rate of 40 times per min, for a total of 200 times in 5 min. The primary outcome was to measure hamstring extensibility using the sit and reach test. The EMG activity of the dominant rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis (VM) was measured as the secondary outcome. Results indicate a significant increase in the sit and reach distance after the intervention in both groups, as compared to preintervention. The sit and reach difference between VFR and NVFR show no significant difference after the inter-vention. Significant increases were observed after intervention in the %maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) of VL, VM, and RF in the VFR group, and RF in the NVFR group, as compared to the preintervention values. Furthermore, %MVIC values of VL and RF, but not the VM muscle, were significantly different between the two groups. These findings suggest that regardless of vibration, the application of foam roller to hamstring may exert a positive effect on hamstring flexibility. Furthermore, these results indicate that the application of foam roller with vibrations causes more EMG activation in the antagonists.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of coordinative locomotor training (CLT) on coordination and gait in chronic stroke patients. Thirteen stroke patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: The experimental group (EG, n=7) and control group (CG, n=6). After balanced random assignment, interventions were provided to all patients in twelve 30-min sessions during a 4-week period (3 sessions a week). The EG group underwent CLT after performing the sprinter and skater patterns in four postures. The CG group was provided with conventional neurodevelopment treatment. The primary outcomes were measured using the gait assessment and intervention tool (GAIT) as well as G-WALK. The secondary outcomes were measured using a 10-m walk test (10 MWT) and Timed Up and Go Test. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean values between the two groups. Within both groups there were significant differences in GAIT and 10MWT. There were significant differences in gait speed and stride length in the experimental group, but not in the control group. CLT showed a more positive improvement in gait and coordination after stroke than conventional rehabilitation exercise.

No abstract

Background The most challenging aspect of rehabilitation is the high costs of in-patient rehabilitation programs and poor continuity of care while patients are transferred to home. In this regard, numerous home-based rehabilitation programs have been developed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of home-based rehabilitative programs on postural balance, walking, and quality of life in individuals with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Design A CONSORT-compliant randomized controlled trial. Methods Seventeen community-dwelling people diagnosed with a first stroke participated in this study. They randomly divided the home-based rehabilitative program (HBP) group (n = 9) and control group (n = 8). The HBP group received coordination exercises at home and the control group received clinic-based exercises. This study measured postural balance, walking, and quality of life using four outcome measures: 10-meter walk test, figure of 8 walk test, four-square step test, and 36 item short-form survey. Results After analysis, it was found that the HBP improved postural balance, comfortable speed, and fast speed walking, and straight and curved walking for chronic stroke. Second, clinic-based rehabilitation services improved postural balance, comfortable speed, and fast speed walking abilities in patients with chronic stroke. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the HBP group received positive benefits with regard to the postural balance and walking abilities of chronic hemiparetic stroke patients compared to the clinical setting exercise program.

| Abstract |1 )