Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to compare the peak plantar foot pressure and the pathway of the center of pressure (COP) between normal and flat feet. [Subjects and Methods] Nineteen subjects (10 normal feet, 9 flat feet) participated in this study. Plantar foot pressure was recorded by the Matscan system (Tekscan, Boston, USA) while walking upright. Plantar foot surface was divided into seven regions for pressure measurement: two toe regions, three forefoot regions, one midfoot region, and one heel region. The independent t-test was used to compare plantar foot pressures between normal adults and patients with flat feet. The pathway of COP in normal and flat feet was observed macroscopically.[Results] The plantar foot pressures of the 4th-5th metatarsal head and heel regions in the flat feet group were less than those of the normal feet group. The pathway of COP of normal feet group had a tendency to shift medially in the forefoot but the pathway of COP in the flat feet group had a tendency to be straight in the forefoot.[Conclusion] The results indicate that the plantar foot pressure of a flat foot was lower than that of a normal foot and the pathway of COP of a flat foot may be different from that of a normal foot. We believe that reduction of the longitudinal arch of foot in flat feet explains these results.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of kinesiology taping on repositioning error of the knee joint after quadriceps muscle fatigue. [Subjects] Thirty healthy adults with no orthopaedic or neurological problems participated in this study. [Methods] The repositioning error of the knee joint was measured using a digital goniometer when the subjects extended their dominant-side knee to a random target angle (30°, 45°, or 60°) with their eyes closed, before and after a quadriceps muscle fatigue protocol, and after application of kinesiology tape. [Results] We found that repositioning errors of the dominant-side knee joint increased after quadriceps fatigue compared with no-fatigue conditions. However, kinesiology taping of the quadriceps muscle and patella after quadriceps fatigue significantly decreased repositioning errors of the knee joint. [Conclusion] These results suggest that quadriceps fatigue increases the repositioning error of the knee joint, whereas application of kinesiology tape decreases fatigue-induced joint repositioning error.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of muscle vibration in the lower extremities in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) during walking. [Subjects] Nine patients with PD participated in this study and were tested with and without vibration (vibration at 60 Hz). [Methods] Eight oscillators of vibration were attached to the muscle bellies (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and rectus femoris) on both sides of the lower extremities with adhesive tape in this study. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured using a motion analysis system. [Results] Stride length and walking speed with vibration were significantly increased compared with those without vibration in PD patients. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the application of vibration to lower extremity muscles in patients with PD may improve the parkinsonian gait pattern.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of community-based Tai Chi (TC) training on balance control during stair descent by older adults.[Subjects] Participants were randomly assigned to either the TC group or the wellness education (WE) group. The participants in the TC group received TC training three times a week for 12 weeks. The participants in the WE group participated in a health education program for one hour weekly.[Methods] Subjects stood in a predetermined position at the top of a custom-built 3-step staircase and then negotiated the stairs at a selfpaced speed. Participants were asked to place only one foot on each step (foot-over-foot). The changes in the translation of the center of pressure (COP) before and after TC training were measured. [Results] Subjects in the TC group showed a significant increase in the displacement of COP in the anteroposterior (A-P) and mediolateral (M-L) directions as well as average velocity of the COP displacement after Tai Chi training (p<0.01). There was little change in the COP displacement for subjects in the WE group.[Conclusion] These findings support the use of TC training as an effective fall prevention program to reduce the incidence of falls among the elderly.

No abstract

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dose-dependent effect of treatment with an 830-nm, 450-mW GaAlAs laser on changes of the pressure-pain threshold (PPT) of the myofascial trigger point (MTrP) of the upper trapezius (UT) muscles of seated workers, in comparison with a placebo GaAlAs laser.[Subjects] Twenty-four seated workers (10 males, 14 females) with UT pain agreed to participate in this study.[Methods] The subjects were given treatment either with a placebo GaAlAs laser or an active GaAlAs laser according to a doubleblinded, randomized procedure.[Results] The placebo group did not show significant changes in PPT after 1 min, 2 min and 5 min of low-level laser therapy (LLLT). The active group did not show significant changes in pressurepain threshold (PPT) after 1 min and 2 min of LLLT. However, significant changes in PPT were apparent after 5 min of LLLT.[Conclusion] We suggest that a higher energy, such as 1929 J/cm 2 , may be necessary to produce an immediate effect on PPT when treating the MTrP of the UT with an 830-nm, 450-mW GaAlAs laser.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of muscle vibration applied to the lower extremities on static postural balance of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). [Subjects] Seven subjects with Parkinson’s disease participated in this study. [Methods] The oscillators of vibration were attached to the muscle bellies of the tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, biceps femoris, and rectus femoris on both sides of the lower extremities with adhesive tape. A vibration frequency of 60 Hz was used to induce static postural reactions. Subjects’ center of pressure (COP) sway and peak ground reaction force (GRF) were measured with their eyes open with and without vibration. COP sway and peak GRF (Fx, Fy, Fz) were measured using a force plate (AMTI, Newton, USA), which provides x, y and z coordinates of body movement. [Results] The area of COP sway with vibration was significantly smaller than that with no vibration, but the length of COP sway showed no difference between two conditions. Peak medial-lateral maximum force (Fy) with vibration was significantly higher than that with no vibration, but peak anterior-posterior force (Fx) and peak vertical force (Fz) showed no differences. [Conclusion] These results suggest that vibration applied to the lower extremities can help PD patients control postural balance during quiet standing.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a strength training program using a shoulder horn and lightweight dumbbells on the shoulder external rotators.[Subjects] Twenty healthy adults were randomly assigned either to an experimental group (shoulder horn and dumbbell training) or a control group (dumbbell training).[Methods] Subjects were pre-and post-tested in maximal external rotation torque of the shoulder at 60°/sec and 180°/sec using an isokinetic dynamometer. The experimental group lifted dumbbells with the shoulder at 90° abduction and the elbow at 90° flexion using the shoulder horn. The control group lifted dumbbells with the shoulder at 90°abduction and the elbow at 90° flexion. Both groups received training three times per week for three weeks. Performance was assessed by recording the mean peak torque value.[Results] The experimental group exhibited a significant gain on the right side at 60°/sec (p<0.05). The overall gain of mean peak torque in the experimental group was 148% greater than that of the control group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the combined use of a shoulder horn and dumbbells in strength training is more effective than the use of dumbbells alone.