다양한 방향의 스텝퍼 운동이 다리 근육 활성 및 동적 균형에 미치는 영향 = Effects of Multidirectional Stepper Exercise on Lower-Limb Muscle Activation and Dynamic Balance

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Purpose: This study compared lower-limb muscle activation and dynamic balance according to exercise direction using three steppers (vertical, spiral, and side). Methods: Thirty-six healthy adult males were randomly assigned to one type of stepper exercise and performed the exercise for 3 minutes. Surface electromyography (sEMG) was used to measure the activation of eight lower-limb muscles. Dynamic balance before and after the intervention was assessed using the Y-Balance Test. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and paired t-tests, with the significance level of α= 0.05. Results: Muscle activation increased in all groups after the stepper exercises. The side-stepper exercise showed significantly greater activation of the gluteus medius, gastrocnemius medialis, and peroneus longus compared to the vertical and spiral stepper exercises (p<0.05). Dynamic balance also improved in all groups, with the side-stepper group demonstrating the greatest improvement (8.75±3.00cm). Conclusion: This study examined vertical, spiral, and side stepper exercises on lower-limb muscle activation and dynamic balance. The side stepper produced the greatest improvements in the activation of the gluteus medius, gastrocnemius medialis, and peroneus longus, as well as in dynamic balance. Its multidirectional motion resembles PNF diagonal patterns and may support selective strengthening. Acute improvements were confirmed, but long-term and joint-specific effects remain †Corresponding Author : Sang-Yeol Lee ([e-mail]) PNF and Movement, 2026; 24(1): 169-178 https://doi.org/10.21598/JKPNFA.2026.24.1.169 Print ISSN: 2508-6227 Online ISSN: 2508-6472 Original Article Open Access 다양한 방향의 스텝퍼 운동이 다리 근육 활성 및 동적 균형에 미치는 영향 한승헌1,2⋅최수홍2⋅이상열3† 1경성대학교 대학원 물리치료학과, 2부산국립대학병원 재활의학과, 3경성대학교 물리치료학과 Effects of Multidirectional Stepper Exercise on Lower-Limb Muscle Activation and Dynamic Balance Seung-Heon Han, P.T., M.S.1,2⋅Su-Hong Choi, P.T., Ph.D.2⋅Sang-Yeol Lee, P.T., Ph.D.3† 1Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Kyungsung University 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital 3Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungsung University Received: April 06, 2026 / Accepted: April 16, 2026 ⓒ 2026 Journal of Korea Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 170 | PNF and Movement Vol. 24, No. 1 unclear. Future studies should investigate PNF-based stepper training to improve lower-limb function and prevent falls.