• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.105-115
• /
• 2017

Continuous lifting and carrying of babies constitutes a serious physical burden, leading to issues such as muscle fatigue and pain in child-care workers. However, there is a lack of research on the pressure and subjective comfort of baby carriers that are commercially available in the market. Therefore, this study was intended to determine the most comfortable and least burdensome type of baby carrier. This was done by analyzing muscle activity and pressure when subjects carried babies using three types of baby carriers. The types of baby carriers evaluated included a 'baby carrier of thin shoulder straps without back support band (X-type)', a 'baby carrier with a back-support band and without a hip sheet (H-type)', and a 'baby carrier with back support band and hip support (H-hip type). The subjective comfort of subjects wearing each type of baby carrier was investigated and compared to the objectively measured data. As a result, the X-type baby carrier showed the heaviest pressure on the shoulders and the subjective comfort was found to not be good. On the waist region, the H-type and H-hip type baby carriers showed significantly less muscle activation than the X-type baby carrier. However, subjects showed a stronger preference for the X-type baby carrier on the waist region, despite greater muscle activation. This appears to be because although the back-support band disperses the weight and thus improves physiological comfort; the wearers feel cramped and thus, lower their psychological comfort.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.323-330
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of muscle activation of neck, lumbar and low limb by using baby carrier with arms during walking. Methods : Twenty healthy and young females who brought up infants and had no musculoskeletal disorders of neck, lumbar and low limb were recruited for this study. They were instructed to perform muscle activation of neck, lumbar and low limb using the baby carrier with and without arms during walking. ProComp $infiniti^{TM}$ (Thought Technology Ltd., Canada) was used to measure the muscle activity of neck, lumbar and lower extremity muscles. Results : Activation of neck paraspinalis muscle was significantly increased using baby carrier with arms and there was a significant increase on erector spinae muscle activation by using anterior baby carrier. Conclusion : These results indicate that the muscle activation was changed by arms assist and the position of using baby carrier. Therefore, it could be considered relationship of muscle activation and musculoskeletal demage as carrying baby.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.1774-1778
• /
• 2019

Background : Methods of wearing a baby carrier have suggested; however, there have been no studies suggesting ideal ways. Objective : To investigate muscular fatigue and balance of the waist during baby carrier are worn on the front, the side, and the back of the body. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial (single blind) Methods : The subjects of this study were 20 healthy men and women in their 20s, who underwent tests of muscular fatigue and balance of the waist bones based on types of wearing baby carrier. Electromyogram (EMG) patches were attached to the L2 and the L4 for testing muscular fatigue, while a device for measuring proprioceptive senses was used to assess balance ability. The measurements were performed before wearing the baby carrier and after 30 minutes of normal walking. The methods of wearing the baby carrier included wearing on the front, the side, and the back of the body. Results : The time taken to adjust the balance was shorter than other types of wearing during the baby carrier were worn on the side, and the ratio of lumbar flexion and relaxation was shown insignificant. Conclusions : These results suggested that wearing the carriers on the side was most effective on reducing fatigue and enhancing balance ability of the waist.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.223-231
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The Purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation and foot pressure on baby carrier and sling for baby care. Methods : Thirty one women subjects (mean age 23.2 years) participated in four static conditions : unloaded quite standing, carrying an anterior baby carrier, carrying a posterior baby carrier, and sling. The baby carrier and sling were loaded with baby model that filled 7.6kg loads. Surface electromyography was used to measure activity in the internal oblique, T4, L3, L5 paraspinal muscle, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius for four conditions. And foot pressure was measured by using MatScan system(Tekscan, USA). Results : The activation of Biceps femoris, T4, L3, and L5 paraspinal muscle were significant differences(p<.05), but other muscles were no significant differences in four conditions(p>.05). Right foot contact area and peak pressure of right mid foot area were significant differences in four conditions(p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that the use of baby carrier of sling for baby care were influenced postural responses of young women. Further work is recommended to find out the influences of various assistive devices for baby care.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.36-42
• /
• 2020

Objective: Many caregivers often carry infants using baby carriers until they are approximately 36 months old. The purpose of this study was to compare the muscular activity of the trunk and lower leg muscles during trunk flexion-extension movements in correspondence to various wearing methods of a baby carrier blanket. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Sixteen healthy adult women were to wear baby carrier blankets in five different ways in terms of direction and height, followed by flexion-extension of the trunk. Erector spinae (ES), rectus abdominis, rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF) muscle activities and triaxial acceleration of trunk were investigated. Results: The front-wearing method of the baby carrier blanket increased the muscular activity of the ES muscle, and wearing the baby carrier blanket at waist height in the same direction was significantly higher than wearing it at pelvic height (p<0.05). As the angle of flexion increased during trunk flexion-extension, the muscle activity of the ES, BF, and the RF increased. There was a greater increase in muscle activity of the ES and the BF during extension compared to flexion (p<0.05). Conclusions: If it is difficult to wear a baby carrier blanket due to lumbar pain, it is recommended to lower the wearing height of the baby carrier to the pelvic level so that the external load can be transferred to the lower extremity. In addition, it appears to be necessary to hold the baby and distribute the load onto the waist through proper body control when performing flexion-extension movements of the trunk. More objective and scientific research that includes various daily tasks and evaluation methods are needed.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.504-514
• /
• 2017

Discomfort as well as muscular pain and musculoskeletal diseases occur in cases of stressed posture due to prolonged pressure. Therefore, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) recommend that bags that weigh no more than 15 - 20% of the wearer's weight. However, despite the prolonged pressure from using baby carriers, there are no recommendations and limited studies on how to protect wearers. Therefore, this study investigates subjective fatigue according to the usage of waist support and hip seat. Based on this, muscle fatigue and secondary subjective fatigue according to three types of currently commercial baby carriers (X-type, H-type, and H-hip type) were measured. Subjective comfortability was evaluated on a 5 point Likert-scale and subjective fatigue was evaluated on Borg's CR-10 scale. Objective muscle fatigue was also compared by measuring and analyzing electromyogram (EMG). The results of primary subjective fatigue showed statistically significant changes in the shoulders, waist, calves, and soles of the feet according to the usage of hip seats and waist support. Electromyogram measurements also showed less muscle fatigue at the upper trapezius muscle and thoracic erector spine muscle for the H-hip seat baby carrier, which has both waist support and hip seat, compared to an X-type baby carrier, which has neither. However, results of subjective fatigue showed opposite results at the waist despite having same results at the shoulders and beneath the shoulders. This show discrepancies between objective muscle fatigue and subjective fatigue; therefore, that both aspects must be taken into consideration when developing ergonomic baby carriers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out variations in body posture by using the baby carrier at the front side and back side. METHODS: Thirty two healthy and young female who will bring up infants and had no musculoskeletal disorders of neck, lumbar and low limb were recruited for this study. They were each marked about ears of tragus, cervical 7th, acromion anterior end, anterior superior iliac spine, posterior superior iliac spine, greater trochanter and lateral malleolus as landmarks to measure variations of body posture when they carry infants at the front side and back side. Landmarks were regarded as the creteria in order to measure NeckFlexion angle(NF), Foreward shoulder angle(FSA), Pelvic tilt(PT), Sway angle(SA), Head displacement(HD) and Scapular displacement(SD). Variations in body posture were measured from the neutral position to the front and back side by using Image J. RESULTS: There were significance level (p<.05) in NF, PT, SA, HD and SD except for FSA in two different side. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that each of the using ways of baby carrier for baby care was influenced postural responses of young women. therefore, it could be considered to apply to women who have abnormal body posture in order to minimize musculoskeletal disorders.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.60-74
• /
• 2020

A Podaegi is a square cloth used to carry a baby. Podaegi was an essential necessity for raising baby. However currently Koreans prefer baby-carriers, baby hip-seats, and equipments other than Podaegi. Recently, Podaegi is becoming popular around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to study Podaegi to inform Korea's traditional parenting culture product. In this research, 230 images of Podaegi were collected from paintings, photographs, postcards, films and artifacts from the late 18th century to 2000. The period of study was divided into three phases from the late Joseon Dynasty to before the opening of the port, from the opening of the port to before the liberation, and from the liberation to 2000. Types of Podaegi were categorized according to its shape and how to use. Transition process of Podaegi was examined. Podaegis were categorized into band type, blanket type, combination type, cheone type, modern type, and so on. From the late Joseon Dynasty to before the pre-openings, band type was used. From the opening of the port to liberation, all types of Podaegi appeared. Since the liberation, the use of band and blanket type has gradually decreased. Modern types have been the most popular since the 1960s. Materials of Podaegi became varied and Podaegi became a fashion-item. Later, modern Podaegi became the representative form of Korean traditional Podaegi.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.161-175
• /
• 2015

This study analyzed that the infant carrier standard affects the satisfaction of certification. Baby Carrier Safety requirements in the Republic of Korea is enforceable by court duty certification. Therefore, a test was conducted to compare with the safety requirements of the United States and Europe and the survey was conducted to know how much manufacturers and importers are satisfied with the certification. According to the test result, there is a difference between domestic and foreign safety requirements about flame retardancy. As a result of the survey, The satisfaction of the certification is proportionate to the one of product standard.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.17-28
• /
• 2021

The baby-tech industry, which combines IT with existing parenting product, is attracting increasing amounts of attention. Consequently various types of baby products incorporating functionality and design are being launched. In recent years, particularly as the market segments increases for babywearing products, parenting products that account for the child's comfort and parents' convenience are required. Therefore, this study examines the characteristics and consumer perception of babywear products, which are important for the emotional stability, development, and rearing of children. The study utilizes text mining and a network analysis by collecting unstructured text data. An examination of the network, based on the frequency of keywords for each babywear product and the degree of the connection to the centering index, revealed that consumers value convenience and price when purchasing products. The consumer perception and consideration factors that appear individually according to the product were also identified. In addition, studying body parts with high TF-IDF values revealed a difference in the body parts considered by consumers for each product. Lastly, through the visualization data based on the keywords that appeared in public, commonly appearing keywords, and those that appeared individually were examined. Through SNS, product characteristics as well as a new parenting culture that shared child-rearing routines were confirmed. This study suggests planning and marketing directions for the development of babywear products that meet consumer needs.