• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2013

Purpose : The purpose of present study is to evaluate the joint angles of legs in the standing posture for six patients with unilateral knee osteoarthritis. Methods : The participants underwent unilateral total knee replacement. A motion analysis was used to measure the joint angles of the hip, knee, and ankle. The measurements were taken before the surgery, one week and two weeks after the surgery. Both sides of the legs were evaluated. Results : This result showed that after a certain healing period, both hip joint angles showed a significant difference while there was no significant difference in the knee and ankle joint angles. After surgery, the angle of ankle dorsiflexion was smaller on the operated side than the opposite side compared to the pre-surgery measurements. Conclusion : After surgery, the asymmetry in a standing position left unchanged due to contracture of the knee joint and tightness in the hamstring muscle. Therefore, when physiotherapists plan an initial exercise programs for TKR patients, it is essential to apply adequate exercises which consider the contracture of the leg joints.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.671-681
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• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the workload level at each lower limbs posture and suggest the ergonomic workstation guideline for working period by evaluating the imbalanced lower limbs postures from the physiological and psychophysical points of view. Background: Many workers like welders are working in various imbalanced lower limbs postures either due to the narrow working conditions or other environmental conditions. Method: Ten male subjects participated in this experiment. Subjects were asked to maintain 3 different lower limbs postures(standing, squatting and bending) with 3 different working conditions(balanced floor with no scaffold, imbalanced floor with 10cm height of scaffold, and imbalanced floor with 20cm height of scaffold). EMG data for the 4 muscle groups(Retus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Tibialis Anterior, Gastrocnemius) from each lower limbs posture were collected for 20 seconds every 2 minutes during the 8 minutes sustaining task. Subjects were also asked to report their discomfort ratings of body parts such as waist, upper legs, lower legs, and ankle. Results: The ANOVA results showed that the EMG root mean square(RMS) values and the discomfort ratings(CR-10 Rating Scale) were significantly affected by lower limbs postures and working time(p<0.05). The correlation was analyzed between the EMG data and the discomfort ratings. Also, prediction models for the discomfort rating for each posture were developed using physical condition, working time, and scaffold height. Conclusion: We strongly recommend that one should not work more than 6 minutes in a standing or squatting postures and should not work more than 4 minutes in a bending posture. Application: The results of this study could be used to design and assess working environments and methods. Furthermore, these results could be used to suggest ergonomic guidelines for the lower limbs postures such as squatting and bending in the working fields in order to prevent fatigue and pain in the lower limbs body.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.113-122
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparison of muscle activity and mechanical loading according to the angle of ankle joint during a sit-to-stand (STS) task. METHODS: Thirty-four young participants performed the STS in a randomized trial with the ankle joint at a neutral, 15 degrees dorsiflexion and 15 degrees plantarflexion angle in a fixed sitting posture with the knee in 105 degrees flexion. Muscle activity of the tibialis anterior (TA), rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), and gastrocnemius medialis (GCM) was measured, and the parameters calculated in relation to mechanical loading were the STS-time, maximum peak, minimum peak, and total sum of mechanical loading. RESULTS: In the dorsiflexion position, the muscle activity of the TA and GCM showed a significant increase (p<.05), and the STS time, maximum peak and total sum of mechanical loading showed a significant difference compared to that in the neutral position (p<.05). In the plantarflexion position, the muscle activity of the RF and GCM showed a significant increase (p<.05), while that of the TA showed a significant decrease (p<.05) compared to that in the neutral position. And the minimum peak was significantly increased than the neutral position (p<.05), and the maximum peak and total sum of mechanical loading were showed significant difference compared with dorsiflexion position (p<.05). CONCLUSION: These results show that there is a difference in muscle activity and mechanical loading when performing the STS movement according to the change in the ankle joint angle.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.9-16
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• 2017

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the spine and the flat-foot, the stability and the alignment of the posture of the neck to prevent the alignment of the ankle joint operation and the lower back flexibility of the lumbar region according to the type of treatment using active stretching of the triceps, back pain, and to see how they affect weight bearing differences. Methods: The subjects of this study were 24 chronic low back pain patients. They were randomly divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, ankle joint mobilization and active scraping of triceps were performed three times a week for a total of 6 weeks. The control group was performed in the same way without articulation. The range of flexion and extension motion of the lumbar spine and pain degree and difference of weight-bearing were measured before and after the experiment. Results: The model of ankle joint mobilization and calf muscle elongation of flat foot significantly improved the range of flexion and extension motion of the vertebrae (p<.05) and the VAS and distribution of weight-bearing were decreased in both of two groups (p<.05). In other words, the exercise and mobilization help to recover of the balance of the whole musculoskeletal, the vertebrae. Conclusions: The active exercise of the triceps muscle of the lower leg in this study It affects the flexibility of the lumbar spine, the pain and the difference in the weight support of the lower extremities, when we performed ankle joint mobilization for exercise and cramping, pain and the difference in weight support between the two lower limbs.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.437-442
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• 2012

The current research examines the aching part and the muscle activity that happens during scaling practice subject to 20 dental hygienic students and therefore propose a basic data according to the working attitude of the Dental Hygienist. During the scaling we used the free EMG (BTS Inc., Milan, Italy) to measure the muscle activity, and in order to check the musculoskeletal pain area we used the Nordic-style questionnaire, and the measured research results are as following: At the moment of scaling according to posture the occurrence of the pain showed no difference among the groups elbow, back, leg, knee, ankle/foot but in the neck, shoulder, wrist/hand, waist showed a high difference in the degree of pain according to posture. Results from measuring the muscular activity according to posture, in the group that had a good posture, the trapezius and brachial muscles showed a change according to time, and in the group that had a bad posture a high muscle activity was shown in larynx, trapezius and brachial muscles. In the muscle activity, the changing aspect between the two parts, the group that fulfilled a scaling in a good posture showed a low muscle activity, but in the group that fulfilled the scaling in a bad posture the muscle activity increased excessively. Therefore we examined that when fulfilling a scaling maintaining a bad posture can help in using more effectively the activity of the muscle, in the future I think there is a need to raise the office efficiency by subjecting to dental hyginiest that are in the clinics and performing experiments.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2021

Background: During squat exercises, Ankle joint stability during squat movement transfers forces produced by unstable supports or various loads to the leg joints and trunk, reducing the risk of injury; therefore, a reference is needed for correct ankle joint posture during squat exercises. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ankle joint stability on quadriceps femoris and hamstring activation during squat exercises. Design: Quasi-experiment one group pretest-posttest design. Methods: The participants in this study were 20 volunteers who performed squat exercises with and without kinesiology tape. We measured quadriceps femoris and hamstring activation using surface electromyography. The ankle joint was stabilized with kinesiology tape using the ankle balance taping (ABT) method. A paired t-test was performed to compare differences between taping conditions. Results: Vastus medialis and vastus lateralis activation were greater following squat exercises with kinesiology tape than without; however, the difference was not significant. Medial and lateral hamstring activation was not significantly different between taping conditions. Conclusion: Although it is difficult to maintain stability using kinesiology tape alone, ankle joint stability is believed to affect quadriceps femoris muscle activity, which increases the effectiveness of the squat exercise.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of squat posture, band position, and contraction type on the muscle activity of the hip abductors during resisted lateral band walking. Design: A cross-sectional survey study Methods: 24 healthy male subjects were recruited, and surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activity of the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and tensor fascia lata of the dominant leg during lateral walking exercises. Resistance bands were applied to the knees, ankles, and feet in semi-squat and squat postures, and exercises were randomly performed under six different conditions. Results: The results showed significant differences in muscle activity in the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and tensor fascia lata according to posture, band position, and contraction type (p<0.05). The muscle activity of the hip abductors increased in the squat posture and with the band placed on the distal joint compared to the proximal joint (p<0.05). Additionally, muscle activity was higher in the eccentric contraction phase than in the concentric contraction phase (p<0.05). Contrary to previous studies, moving the resistance band from the ankle to the foot increased the muscle activity of the tensor fascia lata while the activity of the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius also increased. Conclusions: According to the results, squat posture with a resistance band placed on the feet and using an eccentric contraction phase were found to be the most effective methods for strengthening the hip abductors.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.83-93
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• 2023

The purpose of this study is to improve pain and injury through bicycle fitting and to propose rehabilitation methods. Pain and injuries caused by bicycles can be largely divided into knee and ankle pain, wrist, shoulder, neck, and back pain, and hip pain. The cause of these pains and injuries stems from incorrect bicycle fitting and posture. In order to improve these pain and injuries and prevent recurrence, appropriate bicycle fitting and rehabilitation exercise are needed. Pain and injury are divided into kinetic pain and pain by a fixed posture. In the case of kinetic pain, rehabilitation exercise is required along with inflammatory treatment, and pain by a fixed posture should understand the exact characteristics of the body and learn and practice bicycle posture according to the body's characteristics. Through this method, it can contribute to preventing the recurrence of bicycle pain and injuries and further creating an environment where a safe bicycle culture can be established.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.71-79
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• 2021

PURPOSE: Chronic low back pain is one of the main factors that affect the quality of life and cause problems of gait and balance in elderly people. This study investigated the correlation between the Oswestry disability index (ODI), Berg balance scale (BBS), and kinematic data measured while analyzing the gait of elderly people with chronic back pain. METHODS: A total of 29 subjects participated in this study. The ODI, BBS, and kinematic data of lower extremities were measured while walking. All data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients and the significance was measured at .05. RESULTS: ODI had a significant correlation with 1, 13, and 14 items of BBS (p < .05), and left hip external rotation and right ankle abduction respectively in the stance and swing phase of gait (p < .01). 13 items of BBS had a significant correlation with the right ankle abduction in the stance phase of gait (p < .01). In addition, 14 items of BBS had a significant correlation with right and left ankle abduction in the stance and swing phase of gait (p < .01). CONCLUSION: While attempting to predict chronic low back pain and balance issues, it may be useful to check the right ankle abduction in the stance and swing phase of gait. In the future, it would be helpful if some simple tests could be designed to assess balance in elderly people with chronic low back pain.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.7 no.11
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• pp.904-911
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• 2001

A broomstick swinging biped acrobatic controller is designed and simulated to show capability of the system of controllers: virtual model controller is employed for the robot\`s posture balancing control while a higher level fuzzy controller modulate the one of the virtual model controller\`s parameter for the pendulum swinging motion generation. The robot is of 7 degree-of-freedom, 8-link planar bipedal robot having two slim legs and a body. Each leg consists of a hip joint, a knee joint, an ankle joint and the body has a free joint at the top in the head at which a freely rotating broomstick is attached. We assume that the goal for the acrobat robot is to maintain a body balance in the sagittal plane while swinging up the freely up the freely rotating pendulum. We also assume that the actuators in the joints are all ideal torque generators. The proposed system of controllers satisfies the goal and the simulation results are presented.