Tai Chi Qigong training appears to have beneficial effects in terms of the quality of life and physical functioning of elderly subjects with knee osteoarthritis. However, more rigorous trials are needed to confirm the efficacy of this training for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

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Purpose: This study focuses on influence of ankle stabilization training on balance ability and lower limb muscle activation of soccer player with functional ankle instability. Methods: Subjects were grouped into ankle stabilization training group using biofeedback comprised of 15 subjects and general exercise group of 15. The training was conducted for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks in total. All 30 football players conducted plyometric training for 30 minutes before main training. To evaluate balance ability, biorescure was used to measure whole path length and surface area and surface electromyography (EMG) system was used to measure tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, and soleus to evaluate lower limb muscle activation. Results: The experiment group showed significant difference to the comparison group in regard of whole path length and surface area which represents balancing capability and muscle activation of tibialis anterior, tibialis posterior, and soleus. Conclusion: Therefore, ankle stabilization training using biofeedback is more effective in enhancing balance ability and lower limb muscle activation than general exercise.

This study investigated effects of deep abdominal muscle strengthening exercises on pulmonary function and the ability to balance in stroke patients and was conducted to propose an exercise program for improving cardiovascular function. Methods: Study subjects were 20 patients with hemiplegia due to stroke, who were divided into the deep abdominal muscle strengthening exercise group (experimental group), 10, and the control group, 10. Pulmonary function tests measured FVC and FEV1, dynamic balance ability was measured using TUG. Static and dynamic balance ability was measured using BBS. The experimental group performed exercises during a period of 6 weeks, 5 times a week for 40 minutes, whereas the control group did not participate in regular exercise. The difference before and after the exercise was compared using paired t-test, difference in exercise before and after between groups was ANCOVA and level of significance was set at α= 0.05. Results: The changes in FVC and FEV1 within the group showed a significant difference only in the experimental group (p < 0.001) (p< 0.01), between-group difference was statistically significant only in FVC and FEV1 changes in the experimental group (p< 0.001). The TUG changes within the group showed a significant difference in the experimental group and control group (p< 0.001) (p< 0.05), while BBS changes showed a significant difference only in the experimental group. Between-group difference was statistically significant only in TUG and BBS changes in the experimental group. The experimental group showed a more effective significant difference than the control group (p< 0.001). Conclusion: Can exercise involving a deep abdominal muscle strengthening program be applied in patients with stroke with difficulty in control of trunk and decreased breathing ability?

This study attempts to determine the effects of water-based exercise performed on stroke patients in their muscle activity of lower extremity and gait ability tests. Methods: The subjects were 20 stroke patients, who were randomly divided into a water-based exercise group and a land-based exercise group, each including 10 patients. Both exercises were performed 3 days per week, for 40 minutes a day, for a period of eight weeks. Results: The water-based exercise group showed a greater increase in muscle activity of lower extremity compared to the land-based exercise group. The water-based exercise group showed a greater increase in gait ability than the land-based group, showing a significant difference and better efficiency of water-based exercise when compared to land-based exercise. Conclusion: From the result of this study, we found that water-based exercises are more effective in improving muscle activity of lower extremity and gait ability. The patient is considered to be used by itself to involve the treatment and the risk of falling from the lowered state into the treatment method for the intensive treatment of stroke patients to be useful in improving the strength and ability to walk.