Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of interactive games played on a Nintendo Wii on postural control, motor function and functional independence of chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty chronic stroke patients were recruited for this study. The subjects were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group played interactive games using the Nintendo Wii for 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week, for 3 weeks, whereas the control group did not play interactive games. Result measures included the postural assessment scale, the modified motor assessment scale and the functional independence measure.[Results] There were significant differences in the postural assessment scale and modified motor assessment scale scores of both groups after the intervention, and between the control group and the experimental group after the intervention. However, there were no significant differences in functional independence measure scores.[Conclusion] An interactive game played on a Nintendo Wii appears to be an effective intervention for improvement of chronic stroke patients' functional results. Therefore, research into the most effective type of Wii game and the clinical significance should continue.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine the immediate effects of passive hamstring stretching exercises on cervical spine range of motion and balance.[Subjects] The present study was conducted with 60 healthy university students without any musculoskeletal dysfunction as subjects. They were divided into an experimental group consisting of 30 subjects and a control group consisting of 30 subjects.[Methods] Cervical spine range of motion was measured using a cervical range of motion goniometer, and the stability test was conducted to assess balance. The experimental group were administered hamstring stretching with ankle dorsiflexion for 30 seconds three times, whereas the control group received the same treatment without ankle dorsiflexion. [Results] Cervical spine range of motion and balance immediately increased in the experimental group while there was no change in the control group.[Conclusion] The results show that hamstring muscle stretching exercises the fascia of the skeletal muscles of the human body and that the fascia are connected to each other by interactions of force. The human skeletal muscles interacted with each other to increase the flexion and extension range of motion of the cervical spine. In addition, the transfer of these forces to the stabilizer muscles of the pelvis and spine were the most important factor in the improvement of the subjects' balance.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose in the present study was to examine the possibility that virtual reality interactive exercise game can help relieve depression and improve the quality of life of elderly females with osteoarthritis.[Subjects and Methods] Forty elderly females suffering from knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group so that each group had 20 members. The experimental group played exercise game using Xbox 360 kinetic sensors for 30 minutes per session, three times a week for four weeks. The control group did not engage in this activity. The depression of the subjects was measured using the Korean version of the Short Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS-K) and their quality of life was measured using SF-8.[Results] The experimental group's SGDS-K score after the exercise game intervention was significantly lower than that before the intervention and the experimental group's SGDS-K score was significantly lower than that of the control group. The experimental group's SF-8 score after the intervention was significantly higher than that before the intervention and the experimental group's score was higher than that of the control group, although the differences were not significant.[Conclusion] The exercise game experiment using Xbox 360 kinetic sensors showed the possibility that such activities could help relieve depression and improve the quality of life of elderly females suffering from osteoarthritis. Further studies are necessary to determine the most effective methods and duration.

[Purpose] This study aimed to compare dynamic balance ability according to foot shape, defined as normal, pronated, or supinated on the basis of the height of the medial arch. [Subjects] In this study, 14 subjects for the pronated foot group, 14 for the supinated foot group, and 14 for the normal foot group were selected from among 162 healthy university students by using the navicular drop test proposed by Brody. To measure dynamic balance ability, a star excursion balance test (SEBT) was conducted for each group, in which a cross-shaped line and lines at 45° in eight directions were drawn on the floor. In this study, only three directions were used, namely anterior, posterolateral, and posteromedial. The mean of the SEBT was calculated by measuring three times for each group, and the values were standardized using the following equation: measured value/leg length × 100. [Results] No significant differences in dynamic balance ability were found between the normal, pronated, and supinated foot groups. [Conclusion] No significant differences in dynamic balance ability according to the foot shape were found among the healthy university students with normal, pronated, and supinated feet.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of squat exercises performed on different surfaces on the activity of the quadriceps femoris muscle in order to provide information on support surfaces for effective squat exercises. [Subjects and Method] Fourteen healthy subjects performed squat exercises for five seconds each on three different support surfaces: hard plates, foam, and rubber air discs. Their performance was measured using electromyography. As the subjects performed the squat exercises on each surface, data on the activity of the vastus medialis oblique and the vastus lateralis, and the vastus medials oblique/vastus lateralis ratio, were collected. [Results] The activity of the vastus medialis oblique and the vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis ratio were found to be statistically significantly higher on rubber air discs than when the squats were performed on hard plates or foam. [Conclusion] To activate the vastus medialis obilique, and to enhance the vastus medialis oblique/vastus lateralis ratio, unstable surfaces that are highly unstable should be selected.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in ankle joint muscles' electromyographic activities at different instability levels of unstable surfaces in order to provide a scientific basis for unstable surface training. [Subjects and Method] Sixty healthy adult males and females participated in the present study, and they were equally and randomly assigned to a 2.0 psi group, a 1.5 psi group, and a 1.0 psi group. The subjects were instructed to take a standing posture on a 13 inch diameter rubber air disc inflated at different air pressure for 15 seconds. While the participants maintained their standing posture, the EMG signals of the tibialis anterior, the peroneus longus, and the medial gastrocnemius of the dominant lower limb were recorded to assess the muscle activities.[Results] The muscle activity of the tibialis anterior was the highest at 1.0 psi and showed significant differences from its muscle activities at 1.5 psi and 2.0 psi. The muscle activities of the peroneus longus and the medial gastrocnemius were highest at 1.0 psi and showed significant differences from the muscle activities at 2.0 psi. At all the pressures, the muscle activity of the tibialis anterior was the highest and that of the medial gastrocnemius was the lowest, although the differences were not statistically significant. [Conclusion] The results of the present study show that to trigger the co-contraction of all muscles involved in ankle joint stability, 1.0 psi or lower instability should be provided.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to analyze shoulder stabilization using resistant vibration stimulus during bodyblade exercise followed by forward head posture improvement. [Subjects and Methods] Craniovertebral angle and cranial rotation angle were measured with 24 patients who were diagnosed with forward head posture. The experimental group conducted bodyblade exercise for 6 weeks and all patients received conventional physical therapy. The craniovertebral angle and cranial rotation angle were measured using a diagnostic imaging device to measure the change in forward head posture. Sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius and serratus anterior muscle activity were measured using surface electromyography, voluntary contraction was converting into a percentage and mean value was calculated. [Results] The experimental group showed a significant increase in the comparison of the results of both groups before and after the intervention. The comparing group showed no significant difference. The experimental group showed the significant difference in mean value after the intervention in the comparison between the groups. [Conclusion] Resistant vibration stimulus by bodyblade controlled shoulder muscle activity causing scapular stabilization followed by neck position stability improvement. Rehabilitation program that activates whole kinetic chain of proximal and distal muscles such as bodyblade will show more effective improvement when choosing rehabilitation program for neck and shoulder disease clinically.

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to propose a work environment that could reduce musculoskeletal workload. Accordingly, spinal muscle fatigue caused by ultrasound therapy at various treatment table heights was examined and compared. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-five healthy subjects participated in this experiment. The table height was set to 100%, 125%, and 150% of the stool height (45 cm). The electromyographic signals of the erector spinae at the thoracic (T10, T12) and lumbar (L2, L4) levels were collected by an electromyography (EMG) system during the performance of ultrasound therapy. The median frequencies were then calculated and compared. [Results] The lower the table height was, the smaller the median frequencies of thoracic and lumbar erector spinae on both sides were. The T10 and T12 levels on both sides and the left L2 region showed significant differences among the table heights. At every spinal level, the median frequency of the left erector spinae was lower than that of the right: T10, T12, L2, and L4 at 100%, L4 at 125%, and T10, T12, L2, and L4 at 150% showed significant differences. [Conclusion] During ultrasound therapy muscle fatigue increased at higher table heights and the muscle fatigue of the left erector spinae was greater than that of the right side. To reduce muscle fatigue, we recommend the table height work is raised to an appropriate height, and that is shared between left and right arms.