An examination of the intra-rater reliability of the Y Balance test for high school female athletes.

[Purpose] The Y Balance test is a dynamic balance assessment tool widely used in sports. Although its reliability has been established in professional male athletes, its suitability for female high-school athletes remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the reliability of the Y Balance test in this population.

Effects of simultaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation and static stretching on flexibility and strength: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effects of simultaneous neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and static stretching on flexibility and muscle strength. [Participants and Methods] A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 96 healthy university students equally assigned to either a simultaneous NMES and static stretching group (Group S) or an NMES-only group (Group C). The gastrocnemius muscle was the target of both NMES and static stretching.

Effects of simultaneous short-term neuromuscular electrical stimulation and static stretching on calf muscles.

[Purpose] The simultaneous application of static stretching and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to calf muscles may enhance physiological parameters in young and healthy individuals; however, the efficacy of this intervention and potential sex variation remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate these aspects. [Participants and Methods] Thirty healthy university students (15 males and 15 females) participated in this study.

Immediate effects of elastic tape application on the foot sole: a randomized controlled trial.

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of elastic tape in increasing the dorsiflexion angle and plantar flexor strength in healthy individuals. [Participants and Methods] This randomized controlled trial included 24 healthy university students who were categorized into the following groups (12 participants in each group): the intervention group (elastic tape was applied to the dominant foot) and the control group (no intervention was performed). We performed intergroup comparison of the pre- and post-intervention dorsiflexion angles and plantar flexor strength.

Discrepancies in perception of fall risk between patients with subacute stroke and physical therapists in a rehabilitation hospital: a retrospective cohort study.

Falls are one of the most common complications of a stroke. This study aimed to clarify the discrepancy between the perceived fall risk of hospitalized patients with stroke and the clinical judgment of physical therapists and to examine the changes in discrepancy during hospitalization. Retrospective cohort study.

Effect of different seat heights on lumbar spine flexion during stand-to-sit motion.

[Purpose] This study aimed to investigate the movement of the thorax, lumbar spine, and pelvis when healthy participants sit on a chair, and to identify the kinematic characteristics due to changes in the height of the seat. [Participants and Methods] Twenty healthy participants (14 males, 6 females; mean age, 29 ± 5 years) were recruited for this study. They performed stand-to-sit motion using one seat with a height of 100% that of the lower leg length (standard) and another with a height of 60% that of the lower leg length (lower).

Where do healthy older adults take more time during the Timed Up and Go test?

[Purpose] We need to regularly evaluate motor function to sustain the health of community-dwelling older adults. Our study aimed to identify the kinematic characteristics of healthy older adults in the Timed Up and Go test because the criteria for assessing the motor function of healthy older adults are unclear in the widely used clinical simple methods. [Participants and Methods] In total, 22 healthy younger and 28 healthy older adults participated in this study.

Immediate synergistic effect of a trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force and an ankle-foot orthosis on hemiplegic gait.

Purpose: The synergistic effects of a trunk orthosis and an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) in stroke patients with a hemiplegic gait are unclear. We previously developed a trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force (TORF) to modify malalignment of the trunk and pelvis and confirmed its positive effects in stroke patients during level walking without an AFO. The aim of the present study was to determine if this trunk orthosis and an AFO have synergistic effects during level walking in community-dwelling patients with chronic stroke.

Effect of pelvic forward tilt on low back compressive and shear forces during a manual lifting task.

[Purpose] To examine the effect of an instruction to increase pelvic forward tilt on low back load during a manual lifting task in the squat and stoop postures. [Subjects] Ten healthy males who provided informed consent were the subjects. [Methods] Kinetic and kinematic data were captured using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system and force plates.

Efficacy of a trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force on low-back load in elderly persons during static standing.

Purpose: Postural alignment of elderly people becomes poor due to aging, possibly leading to low-back pain and spinal deformity. Although there are several interventions for treating these conditions, no previous study has reported the effectiveness of a spinal orthosis or lumbosacral orthosis (LSO) in healthy elderly people without specific spinal deformity. We therefore developed a trunk orthosis to decrease low-back muscle activity while training good postural alignment through resistive force provided by joints with springs (here, called the ORF, which stands for orthosis with joints providing resistive force) as a preventive method against abnormal posture and low-back pain in healthy elderly persons.

Reliability of measuring pelvic floor elevation with a diagnostic ultrasonic imaging device.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability of measuring the amount of pelvic floor elevation during pelvic and abdominal muscle contraction with a diagnostic ultrasonic imaging device. [Subjects] The study group comprised 11 healthy women without urinary incontinence or previous birth experience. [Methods] We measured the displacement elevation of the bladder base during contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles was measured using a diagnostic ultrasonic imaging device.

Relationship between paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area and relative proprioceptive weighting ratio of older persons with lumbar spondylosis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area and the relative proprioceptive weighting ratio during local vibratory stimulation of older persons with lumbar spondylosis in an upright position. [Subjects] In all, 74 older persons hospitalized for lumbar spondylosis were included. [Methods] We measured the relative proprioceptive weighting ratio of postural sway using a Wii board while vibratory stimulations of 30, 60, or 240 Hz were applied to the subjects' paraspinal or gastrocnemius muscles.

Relationship between the phases of the menstrual cycle and the transversus abdominis muscle.

[Purpose] This study investigated changes in the thickness of the transversus abdominis muscle at various stages of the menstrual cycle. [Subjects] The subjects were 15 young healthy females with regular menstrual cycles. [Methods] A regular menstrual cycle was defined as a 28-day cycle comprising 3 phases: the menstrual phase, the follicular phase, and the luteal phase.

The Relationship between Physical Function and Postural Sway during Local Vibratory Stimulation of Middle-aged People in the Standing Position.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between physical function and postural sway during local vibratory stimulation of middle-aged subjects in an upright position. [Subjects] The subjects were 25 healthy community-dwelling middle-aged people. [Methods] We measured postural sway using a Wii board while vibratory stimulations of 30, 60, or 240 Hz were applied to the subjects' lumbar multifidus or gastrocnemius muscles.

Body responses to sound stimulation: a crossover study.

[Purpose] Auditory stimulation is used for the functional assessment of the saccule and saccule-derived vestibule-cervical reflex in clinical environments. The present study aimed to clarify the influences of sound stimulation as a type of auditory stimulation on the body. [Subjects] The subjects were nine healthy youths (2 males and 7 females).

Efficacy of a newly designed trunk orthosis with joints providing resistive force in adults with post-stroke hemiparesis.

Background: Few studies have examined the efficacy of trunk orthoses that support the upper trunk and a paretic limb in stroke patients. To improve stability and alignment of the trunk and pelvis in hemiparetic patients, we developed a newly designed trunk orthosis that provides resistive force through spring joints.

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the newly designed trunk orthosis's biomechanical effects during level walking.

The Intervention Effects of Different Treatment for Chronic Low Back Pain as Assessed by the Cross-sectional Area of the Multifidus Muscle.

[Purpose] The purpose of this this study was to examine the immediate effects of intervention of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) and NJF+pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise. [Subjects] Thirteen young people (5 males, 8 females) who had chronic low back pain on one side for more than 6 months. [Methods] Subjects were asked to lie on their sides with the painful side uppremost.