Background: Although studies on physical motor learning through motor imagery training have been conducted in various fields, studies on its effectiveness are still considered insufficient. Objective: To investigate the effect of motor imagery training and balance training on static balance of asymptomatic adults in their 20s. Design: A quasi-experimental study. Methods: Thirty-six adults in their 20s who passed the tandem stance test were randomized to the motor imagery training group (MIG, n=12), motor imagery with balance training group (MIBG, n=12), and balance training group (BG, n=12). Each group underwent their respective interventions three times a week for four weeks, and changes in static balance were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. Results: Trace length was significantly lower in the MIBG than in the MIG and BG (P<.05), and a significant reduction in trace length in the MIBG was observed after the intervention as compared to the baseline (P<.05). Furthermore, a significantly lower velocity was observed in the MIBG than in the MIG and BG (P<.05), and a significant reduction of velocity in the MIBG was more observed after the intervention compared to the baseline (P<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that motor imagery training enhance static balance in healthy college students.

Background: Lumbar lordosis is a result of muscle shortening and may cause low back pain. Objective: To examine the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain in university students. Stretching is an intervention that can be applied to shortened muscles; however, very few studies have compared the effects of static and dynamic stretching on lumbar lordosis and low back pain. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single-blind) Methods: The 12 selected subjects were randomly assigned static stretching and dynamic stretching groups each containing six students. The subjects in each group performed their respective stretching programs for 17 minutes, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Intragroup comparisons showed significant reductions in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the static stretching group while the dynamic stretching group showed significant decreases in lumbar lordotic angle, low back pain, and ODI. The intergroup comparisons showed significantly greater differences between pre- and post-intervention in lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain in the dynamic stretching group compared to those in the static stretching group while ODI did not show any intergroup difference. Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that, while both static and dynamic stretching helped to reduce the lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain, dynamic stretching was more effective in alleviating lumbar lordotic angle and low back pain compared to static stretching.

This study investigated the effect of applying gym ball exercise and music therapy on the menstrual discomfort of 20 female university students in their 20s.

This study investigated the effects of myofascial release therapy and massage on upper trapezius myalgia and sleep quality in 60 female and male individuals employed at casinos between the ages of 20-49. Subjects were divided into three groups: a myofascial release therapy group (n=20), a massage group (n=20), and a control group (n=20). Each intervention lasted 15 minutes and was performed 4 times a week for 4 weeks. Pain was significantly decreased after the application of myofascial release therapy and massage (p<.05), however slightly increased in the control group, and myofascial release therapy reduced pain a little more than massage. Sleep quality was also significantly increased by myofascial release and mass (p<.05), however only slightly in the control group. The findings of this study suggest that myofascial release therapy and massage are effective in improving upper trapezius myalgia and sleep quality in casino employees.

[Purpose] The present study examined the effect of individual weekly exercise time on resting metabolic rate and VO2max (maximal oxygen uptake), which are important components of individual health indexes. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty healthy adults participated in this study. Questionnaires were used to divide the participants into groups based on average weekly walking. Resting metabolic rate was measured using a respiratory gas analyzer. Graded exercise tests were conducted using a treadmill, and the modified Bruce protocol was used as an exercise test method. [Results] VO2max, anaerobic threshold, and resting metabolic rate were significantly different among the groups. [Conclusion] Average weekly exercise time affected VO2max, resting metabolic rate, and anaerobic threshold, all of which are indicators of individual physical ability and health. These values increased as the individual amount of exercise increased. In addition, VO2max, resting metabolic rate, and anaerobic threshold were found to be closely correlated. These findings were consistent with the results of similar previous studies.

[Purpose] The present study attempted to identify the effect of olfactory stimulation on the balance ability of stroke patients. [Subjects] Thirty-three (33 males) stroke patients participated in the study. The stroke patients were divided into three groups: a black pepper oil (BPO) group (n= 11), lavender oil (LVO) group (n= 11), and distilled water (DW) group (n= 11). [Methods] Two sessions (control trial/stimulus trial) of Romberg's test (eyes open 1 min/eyes closed 1 min) were conducted on a force platform to measure the data for the COP (center of pressure). Olfactory stimulation was provided at as a stimulus. [Results] With the eyes open, a statistically significant difference was found in average anterior posterior displacement (Ymean) and average medial lateral displacement (Xmean) among the three groups when comparing the groups before and after stimulation. The comparison between the eyes open and eyes closed conditions in each group showed a significant difference in the area of the 95% confidence ellipse (area) and Xmean of the BPO group and in the area of the LVO group (area, Xmean). [Conclusion] The findings indicate that the interaction of brain areas activated by the olfactory stimulation exerts an influence on the balance ability of stroke patients.

[Purpose] This study analyzed the effects of isotonic, isokinetic, and isometric exercises of ankle joint muscles on lower extremity muscle activity and balance control. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects were 30 healthy adults (15 males) in their 20s who were randomly assigned to three different exercise method groups of 10 people each. The isokinetic exercise group performed three sets at an angular velocity of 60°/sec, including a single rest period after every set of 10 repetitions. The isometric exercise group performed three sets consisting of three 15 repetitions of a 15-second exercise followed by a 5-second rest. [Results] Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that depending on the exercise method, the non-dominant tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius muscle, and peroneus longus showed significant differences in muscle activity for weight-bearing non-dominant sides; when the dominant side was weight-bearing, the dominant gastrocnemius and peroneus longus showed significant differences in muscle activity; and the non-dominant and dominant sides showed significant differences in balance control depending on the duration of support in the area. [Conclusion] Muscle fatigue from the three exercise methods produced a decline in muscle activity and balance control; due to the fatigue before exercise, the side that did not perform the exercises was affected.

본 연구는 아로마 자극이 뇌졸중 환자의 동적 균형 능력에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 하였다. 연구대상으로 뇌졸중으로 인한 편마비 환자 33명을 선정하였고 블랙페퍼(BPO) 그룹 11명, 라벤더(LVO) 그룹 11명, 증류수(DW) 그룹 11명으로 무작위 분류하였다. 아로마 자극을 주면서 동적 균형능력(Timed Up and Go, Tandem walking, 10meter walking)을 측정하였다. 실험 결과 블랙페퍼 그룹에서 뇌졸중 편마비 환자의 Timed Up and Go, Tandem walking 값이 통계적으로 유의하게 감소하였다(p<.05). 그러나 라벤더 그룹과 증류수 그룹에서는 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>.05). 본 연구에서는 블랙페페 오일을 이용한 아로마 자극이 뇌졸중 편마비 환자의 균형능력을 증진시킨다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

본 연구의 목적은 등속성, 등척성 운동을 발목 관절에 시행하여 이러한 운동방법이 균형에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 본 연구의 대상은 젊고 건강한 성인 20명으로 이들을 운동 방법에 따라 무작위로 각 10명씩 그룹 설정 후, 등속성, 등척성 운동을 비우세측 발목관절에 실시하여 근피로를 유발하였다. 등속성 운동그룹은 60°/sec의 각속도로 10회 운동 후 1회 휴식을 1세트로 3세트, 등척성 운동 그룹은 15초 운동 후 1회 휴식을 3회 반복하는 것을 1세트로 3세트 실시하였다. 운동 중 각 세트 사이 휴식 시간은 1분을 가졌다. 측정은 운동전후 수행하였고, 균형은 eyes open one-leg stand test를 실시하여 측정하였다. 균형에 대한 차이를 알아보기 위하여 다변량분산분석(MANOVA)을 실시하였고, 다변량분산분석 결과, 균형에서 운동방법과 시기에 따른 상호작용효과와 운동방법에 따른 주효과가 면적, 길이, 속도에서 나타났으며, 시기에 따른 주효과가 길이, 속도에서 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 두 운동 방법으로 인한 근피로가 균형 감소에 영향을 미치며, 교차피로효과로 인해 운동을 시행하지 않은 쪽에도 영향을 미치는 것으로 사료된다.

본 연구는 무릎 관절 각도를 달리한 교각운동이 정적균형과 동적균형에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 용인시 소재 O병원과 Y대학교에 재직, 재학 중인 건강한 직원과 학생 54명을 선정하여, 18명씩 3개의 그룹(60°, 90°, 120°)으로 나누어 주 5회 2주 동안 진행하였다. 정적균형 중 EO(Eye Open) C90A는 60°, 90°, EC(Eye Close) C90A는 60°, 90°, 120°, EO TL은 60°, 90°, EC TL은 60°, 90°, 120°에서 운동 전, 후에 유의한 차이가 있었으며(p<.05) 각도 사이에는 유의한 차이가 없었다. 동적균형은 전 방향에서 운동 전, 후와 각도 사이에 유의한 차이가 있었다(p<.05). 위의 결과로 보아, 교각운동은 60°, 90°, 120°에서 운동 전, 후에 모두 효과가 있었지만, 90°에서 시행하는 것이 가장 유의한 차이가 있었음을 알 수 있었다.