Abstract

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of isometric exercise on muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers. Research design, data, and methodology: Twenty gait asymmetry people were divided to unilateral exercise group (UG, n=10) and bilateral exercise group (BG, n=10). UG were performed unilateral exercise for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks, and BG were performed one side and then the other side alternately for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks. Muscle activity and body balance ability were measured before, after 4 and 16 weeks isometric exercise. Moreover, SI (symmetry index; SI) was calculated from the measured value of SL (step length). Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, a paired t-test, and multiple comparisons according to Scheffe. Results: In the muscle activity, ST decreased significantly in short step length(S-SL) and BG of LS compared to before isometric exercise(p<.05), and GCM decreased significantly in BG of S-SL(p<.05). As for body balance ability, the mSEBT-A difference between L-SL and S-SL was decreased significantly in UG(p<.05). And the respective total scores of L-SL and S-SL, mSEBT-PM and mSEBT-PL were increased significantly in BG(p<.05). Conclusions: As a result, in this study above, it was confirmed that isometric exercise improved muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers.