[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effect of forward head posture-improving exercises on rounded shoulder posture when employing the self-stretch exercise, the McKenzie exercise, and the Kendall exercise as intervention methods based on previous studies that reported negative effects of unbalanced posture and musculoskeletal problems on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture. [Subjects and Methods] The selected 28 subjects were randomly assigned into the McKenzie exercise group (n=9), the self-stretch exercise group (n=10), and the Kendall exercise group (n=9). To compare the forward head posture, the craniovertebral angle was used. To measure the rounded shoulder posture, the scapular index was used. [Results] There were significant differences in the craniovertebral angle and scapular index within the groups and no significant differences between the groups. [Conclusion] The result of this study showed that all interventions increased the craniovertebral angle and the scapular index, which revealed that the applied exercises had a positive effect on forward head posture and rounded shoulder posture.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Kinesio taping on the joint position sense of the ankle. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 26 nomal adults who had experienced ankle sprain. Kinesio taping was applied over the ankle medial ligament and ankle lateral ligament with eight pattern reinforcement taping. Joint position sense was measured using isokinetic equipment (Biodex System 4 pro dynamometer, Biodex Medical systems Inc., USA) during dorsiflexion/plantarflexion and inversion/eversion, before and after taping. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 21.0 for Windows. [Results] Joint position sense after Kinesio taping was improved in the dorsiflexion and inversion positions. [Conclusion] According to the results of this study, Kinesio taping of the ankle is effective for the prevention of ankle sprain.

[Purpose] Sit-to-stand (STS) is one of the important functional tasks people perform throughout the day. This study investigated whether varying angles of knee flexion affect STS patterns in individuals with hemiparesis by using a foot plantar pressure measurement system. [Methods] Fifteen stroke patients with hemiparesis participated for this study. They performed sit-to-stand with three angles of knee flexion (70°, 90°, and 110°). We measured the trajectory of the center of pressure, peak plantar pressure, and symmetry index using a Mat-scan system (Tekscan, South Boston, MA, USA). [Results] As a result, we found that there were significant differences among the three angle conditions (trajectory of center of pressure, peak plantar pressure on the affected side, and symmetry index). However, there was no significant difference in peak pressure according to the knee flexion on the unaffected side. [Conclusion] In the current study, we found that stroke patients with hemiparesis had a compensated STS pattern according to knee flexion angles. This indicates that the peak value of plantar pressure increased and that the trajectory of the center of pressure widened as the angle of knee flexion increased. We also suggest that hemiparesis patients should be more concerned about proper knee angle for symmetrical STS pattern.

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between forward head posture (FHP) and the mechanical properties of muscles as well as the influence of FHP on them. Methods: To define participants with FHP, craniovertebral angle (CVA) was measured. All participants were divided into two groups in accordance with their CVA: the experimental group (FHP) consisting of participants with a CVA below 50°, and the control group (CON) consisting of participants with a CVA above 50°. The tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the upper trapezius muscle (UT), the middle trapezius muscle (MT), the lower trapezius muscle (LT), the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM), the splenius capitis muscle (SC), the pectoralis major muscle (PM), and the serratus anterior muscle (SA) were measured using MyotonPro (Myoton AS, Tallinn, Estonia). Results: Both tone and stiffness in the UT were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In addition, stiffness in the LT was statistically significant (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the MT, SCM, SC, PM, and SA muscles (p > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between FHP and both tone and stiffness in the UT (r = −0.731, p = 0.000; r = −0.749, p = 0.000, respectively). No significant correlation was found between FHP and tone, stiffness, and elasticity of the MT, LT, SCM, SC, PM, and SA muscles. Conclusions: Since the UT was the muscle in which changes in mechanical properties were first induced by FHP, an approach targeting UT is necessary as a priority when treating patients with FHP.

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This study aimed to investigate lower-limb kinematic changes during pelvic tilting in participants with knee malalignment. To define participants with lower-limb malalignment, the quadriceps angle (Q-angle) was used in this study. The sample population was divided into two groups in accordance with the Q-angle: the experimental group (ABQ) consisted of participants with an abnormal Q-angle greater than the normal range, and the control group (CON) consisted of participants with a normal Q-angle. All participants performed anterior and posterior pelvic tilts in double-limb support. Kinematic change in the lower limb was evaluated using a three-dimensional motion analysis system (Motion Analysis, Santa Rosa, CA, USA). The horizontal plane hip angle in the ABQ was significantly different compared with that in the CON in all positions (p < 0.05), and no significant difference was observed in the other lower-limb kinematic variables (p > 0.05). A significant correlation was identified only between the Q-angle and horizontal plane hip angle in all positions. Based on the results, the Q-angle was strongly related to the thigh, although it may not be related to malalignment with other segments during double-limb support.