[Purpose] This study examined the effects of action observation and action practice on stroke patients’ upper limb function. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 33 chronic stroke patients who were randomly assigned to four groups. The action observation group (5 males, 3 females) watched a video of the task, the action practice group (5 males, 4 females) performed the action, the combined action observation-action practice group (5 males, 4 females) watched the video of the task and practiced the action, and the control group (4 males, 3 females) did not perform either action observation or action practice. The video used in the action observational physical training comprised a scene of an adult male picking up a cup, bringing it to his mouth in order to touch his mouth, and then returning the cup to its initial position. [Results] Improvements in drinking behavior functions were observed immediately after the experiment and one week later. After the intervention, the number of drinking motions had increased the most in the combination group. One week after the experiment, there were increases in the action observation, action training, and combination groups. [Conclusion] A combination of action observation and action training is the most effective treatment method, and action training is a desirable second to combined therapy.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of land exercise and aquatic exercise on chronic stroke patients. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were randomly divided into a land exercise group (12 males and 10 females; average age: 56.09 ± 7.22 years) and an aquatic exercise group (15 males and 7 females; average age: 51.55 ± 8.27 years). Subjects from both groups received general conventional treatment during the experimental period. In addition, all subjects engaged in extra treatment sessions. This extra treatment consisted of trunk stability strengthening exercises and balance training exercises in the land exercise group, whereas in the aquatic exercise group subjects participated in balance board exercises and walking exercises using buoyancy equipment in the hospital swimming pool. [Results] The joint position sense test and performance oriented mobility assessment showed significant improvements in both groups. However, the joint position sense test and performance oriented mobility assessment showed there was more improvement in the aquatic exercise group than in the land exercise group. [Conclusion] The results suggest that aquatic exercise is more effective than land exercise at improving the joint position sense and clinical functions of stroke patients.

Abstract. [Purpose] This study examined postural stability and muscle activity when limitations were placed on the ankle and knee joints.[Subjects] Forty-eight healthy young adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a fixed-ankle group (6 males, 9 females), a fixed-ankle-and-knee group (9 males, 7 females), and a nonfixed group (7 males, 10 females).[Methods] The fixed-ankle subjects were limited using orthopedic fiberglass casting tape and elastic bandages and the fixed-ankle-and-knee subjects were additionally limited using a knee immobilizer. There were no limitations on the ankle and knee joints of the non-fixed group subjects. We measured postural stability and muscle activities of the ankle and knee muscles.[Results] There were differences in the muscle activities of the tibialis anterior, median gastrocnemius, and rectus femoris between the groups. The greatest muscle activity in the tibialis anterior was shown by the non-fixed group, and the fixed-ankle group showed the greatest rectus femoris and gastrocnemius activities. There were significant differences in the overall stability index, anterior-posterior stability index, and medial-lateral stability index. All three indices were the lowest for the non-fixed group.[Conclusion] A fixed ankle or knee reduces muscle activity which in turn lowers postural stability.

Abstract.[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of respiratory muscle training using feedback on respiration to prevent or mitigate the effects of a variety of respiratory disorders.[Subjects] The subjects of this study were 34 male undergraduates in their 20s (experimental group, 17; control group, 17). [Subjects and Method] The respiratory muscle training was performed for about 60 minutes, three times per week for 6 weeks. Measurements were made of forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1). [Results] Prior to the exercise, the FVC value of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group. The FVC and other values of the the smokers group showed increases after the exercise. The FVE1 value of the non-smokers group showed an increase after the exercise.[Conclusions] The respiratory muscle training was proven to be effective at improving pulmonary function.