• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.6 s.81
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• pp.515-522
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• 2003

Pharynx is a system transporting foods by peristaltic motion(contraction and expansion movement! into the esophagus and functioning as airway passages. In this study, structural changes of pharyngeal dysfunction are analyzed by biomechanical model using CT and FEM(finite clement method). Loading condition was assumed that equal pressure was loaded sequentially to inside of pharyngeal tissue. In order to analyze the pharyngeal muscular dysfunction by biomechanical model. the pharyngeal dysfunctions was classified into 3 cases. Taking into account the clinical complication by neuromuscular symptoms such as pharyngeal dysfunction after stroke. we assumed that a change of material property is caused by muscular tissue stiffness. A deformation of cross sectional area of the pharynx is analyzed increasing the stiffness $25\%,\;50\%,\;75\%$ in each case on the basis of stress-strain relationship. Based on three-dimensional reconstruction of pharyngeal structure using limited factor - techniques and the optimization procedure by means of inverse dynamic approach. the biomechanical model of the human pharynx is implemented. The results may be used as clinical index illustrating the degree of pharyngeal muscular dysfunction. This study may be used as useful diagnostic model in discovering early deglutitory impediment caused by physiological or pathological pharyngeal dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.199-206
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to conduct a biomechanical analysis of a one-legged jump in a traditional Korean dance (Wae Bal Ddwigi) according to breathing method. Method : Participants for this study were 10 dancers with experience for at least 10 years in traditional Korean dance. Independent variables for this test were two different types of breathing methods. Dependent variables were ground reaction force and lower extremity kinematic variables. The jumping movement was divided into three separate stages, take off, flight, and landing. The subjects were asked a questionnaire regarding the degree of impact force and stability of landing posture after the experiment. The Kistler Force Plate (9281B, Switzerland) was used to measure ground reaction force. A digital camera was used to look into angles of each joint of the lower part of body. SPSS was used for statistical analysis via the dependent t-test(p<.05). Results : There were significant differences in jumping according to breathing method. The inhalation & exhalation method yielded significantly longer flight times combined with greater ground reaction force. The breath-holding method required more core flexion during landing, increasing movement at the hips and shoulders. Conclusion : Consequently, there was more flexion at the knee to compensate for this movement. As a result, landing time was significantly higher for breath-holding.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.979-980
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• 2010

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.413-421
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate biomechanical changes of the lower limb including dynamic stability with changes in illumination (300Lx, 150Lx, and 5Lx) and slope (level and $15^{\circ}$ downhill) as risk factors for elderly falls. Method : Fifteen elderly females were selected for this study. Seven infrared cameras (Proreflex MCU 240: Qualisys, Sweden) and an instrumented treadmill (Bertec, USA) surrounded by illumination regulators and lights to change the levels of illumination were used to collect the data. A One-Way ANOVA with repeated measures using SPSS 12.0 was used to analyze statistical differences by the changes in illumination and slope. Statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results : No differences in the joint movement of the lower limbs were found with changes in illumination (p>.05). The maximum plantar flexion movement of the ankle joints appeared to be greater at 5Lx compared to 300Lx during slope gait (p<.05). Additionally, maximum extension movement of the hip joints appeared to be greater at 5Lx and 150Lx compared to 300Lx during slope gait (p<.05). The maximum COM-COP angular velocity (direction to medial side of the body) of dynamic stability appeared to be smaller at 150Lx and 300Lx compared to 5Lx during level gait (p<.05). The minimum COM-COP angular velocity (direction to lateral side to the body) of dynamic stability appeared smaller at 150Lx compared to 5Lx during level gait (p<.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, elderly people use a stabilization strategy that reduces walk speed and dynamic stability as darkness increases. Therefore, the changes in illumination during gait induce the changes in gait mechanics which may increase the levels of biomechanical risk in elderly falls.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 2015

Objective : This study aimed to understand how increased heart rates at the time of drop landing during a step test would affect biomechanical variables of the lower extremity limbs. Background : Ballet performers do more than 200 landings in a daily training. This training raises the heart rate and the fatigability of the lower extremity limbs. Ballet performance high heart rate can trigger lower extremity limb injury. Method : We instructed eight female ballet dancers with no instability in their ankle joints(mean ${\pm}$ SD: age, $20.7{\pm}0.7yr$; body mass index, $19.5{\pm}1.2kg/m^2$, career duration, $8.7{\pm}2.0yr$) to perform the drop landing under the following conditions: rest, 60% heart rate reserve (HRR) and 80% HRR. Results : First, the study confirmed that the increased heart rates of the female ballet dancers did not affect the working ranges of the knee joints during drop landing but only increased angular speeds, which was considered a negative shock-absorption strategy. Second, 80% HRR, which was increased through the step tests, led to severe fatigue among the female ballet dancers, which made them unable to perform a lower extremity limb-neutral position. Hence, their drop landing was unstable, with increased introversion and extroversion moments. Third, we observed that the increasing 80% HRR failed to help the dancers effectively control ground reaction forces but improved the muscular activities of the rectus femoris and vastus medialis oblique muscles. Fourth, the increasing heart rates were positively related to the muscular activities of the vastus medialis oblique and rectus femoris muscles, and the extroversion and introversion moments. Conclusion/Application : Our results prove that increased HRR during a step test negatively affects the biomechanical variables of the lower extremity limbs at the time of drop landing.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2020

Objective: The incidence rate of elbow ulnar collateral ligament injuries is dependent on the throwing speed or pitching type, especially in adolescent baseball players. However, mixed results have been reported due to a lack of controlled biomechanical analysis. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical analysis of the elbow in relation to throwing speed and pitching type. Method: Four overhead type high-school baseball players were recruited for this study. The participants were asked to throw balls with different types of pitch and speed. While the throwing speeds were measured, each pitching moment of the elbow was recorded. Descriptive statistics, frequency analysis, mean comparison analysis, and Pearson's correlation analysis were performed in order to examine differences in peak varus and valgus moment during pitching motion in the elbow in all throwing speed and pitching types. Results: There was no significant difference in physical characteristics, throwing speed, and momentum variability among all players. The mean varus moments were 44.38±1.55 Nm, 48.83±1.66 Nm, and 48.94±0.95 Nm, and the moment gaps between varus and valgus were 7.36±3.25 Nm, 7.44±2.02 Nm, and 7.36±2.62 Nm in fastball, curveball, and slider ball, respectively. The varus moment was higher in the curved and slider balls than in the fastballs, and there was no significant differences between the varus moments regarding the pitching type. However, the increase in valgus moment and decrease in moment gap according to throwing speed was significantly increased in the slider ball (r=0.718 and -0.591, respectively). Conclusion: The possibility of elbow injury caused by the valgus moment or moment gapincreases more rapidly in slider balls as the speed increases. Based on our results, appropriate pitching guidelines should be suggested to prevent ulnarligament injuries, especially in adolescent baseball players.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.255-264
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop new balance evaluation index that can discriminate fall risk factors and provide effective interventions for healthy elderly. In order to conduct this study, the balance assessment tools (TUG, mCTSIB, OLST, FRT and BBS) currently used in clinic were re-evaluated using biomechanical analysis. Method: The participants were healthy elderly people over 65 years old, n=26, age: 69.31±3.13 years; height: 154.00±4.12 cm, body weight: 56.13±6.04 kg. The variables are length of CoM-BoS, length of CoP-BoS, range of CoP, mean distance of CoP, mean frequency of CoP, root mean square of CoP, joint angle, ASM (%SL), CoP-CoM angle. Results: As a result of this study, the following items were included in the list of new balance evaluation index for the healthy elderly, showing differences in the biomechanical evaluation based on the clinical evaluation (Inclusion list: TUG, OLST, 8th assessment item of BBS (reaching forward with outstretched arm), 11th item (turning 360 degrees), 13th item (standing with one foot in front), 14th item (standing on one foot)). Conclusion: Based on the results, the new balance evaluation index for the healthy elderly determined through this study can be used to prevent the fall by evaluating the balance ability in various situations that can be experienced in the normal daily life of the healthy elderly.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.331-336
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• 2013

Objective : The offset connector can allow medial and lateral variability and facilitate intralaminar screw incorporation into the construct. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical characteristics of C7 intralaminar screw constructs with and without offset connector using a three dimensional finite element model of a C6-7 cervical spine segment. Methods : Finite element models representing C7 intralaminar screw constructs with and without the offset connector were developed. Range of motion (ROM) and maximum von Mises stresses in the vertebra for the two techniques were compared under pure moments in flexion, extension, lateral bending and axial rotation. Results : ROM for intralaminar screw construct with offset connector was less than the construct without the offset connector in the three principal directions. The maximum von Misses stress was observed in the C7 vertebra around the pedicle in both constructs. Maximum von Mises stress in the construct without offset connector was found to be 12-30% higher than the corresponding stresses in the construct with offset connector in the three principal directions. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that the intralaminar screw fixation with offset connector is better than the construct without offset connector in terms of biomechanical stability. Construct with the offset connector reduces the ROM of C6-7 segment more significantly compared to the construct without the offset connector and causes lower stresses around the C7 pedicle-vertebral body complex.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.391-399
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• 2021

Purpose: As laptop use increases throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and its use outside of traditional workstations proliferates, it is imperative to expand the limited research available regarding ergonomic exposure. This study aimed to identify the effects of a laptop supporter on biomechanical characteristics in the wrist joint muscles of healthy young adults. Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study design with thirty-four healthy young adults as participants. They conducted a typing exercise performed under two different conditions, which were with and without a notebook computer supporter. This study measured the biomechanical characteristics of the muscles of the wrist joints including the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), the flexor carpi radialis (FCR), the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL), and the extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU). Measurements were taken three times: before typing, immediately after typing for 30 minutes with a supporter, and immediately after typing for 30 minutes without a supporter. The statistical method to compare the three different measurement conditions was the repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The participants showed significantly different levels of dynamic stiffness in both the FCU before typing and immediately after 30 minutes of typing with a supporter, and showed significantly different levels of dynamic stiffness in the FCR before typing and immediately after 30 minutes of typing with a supporter. The dynamic stiffness level immediately after 30 minutes of typing without a supporter was significantly different than that immediately after 30 minutes of typing with a supporter. However, the muscle tone was not significantly different among the three different conditions. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that a laptop supporter used to correct the eye level of the electronic screen increases the dynamic stiffness of the wrist joint flexors, so it is necessary to consider the neutral position of the wrist joint during typing.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.781-791
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Glucosamine hydrochloride (GlcN HCl) has been shown to inhibit cell growth and matrix synthesis, but not with N-acetyl-glucosamine (GlcNAc) supplementation. This effect might be related to an inhibition of critical growth factors (GF), or to a different metabolization of the two glucosamine derivatives. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the synergy between GlcN HCl, GlcNAc, and GF on proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis. METHOD: Bovine chondrocytes were cultivated in monolayers for 48 h and in three-dimensional (3D) chitosan scaffolds for 30 days in perfusion bioreactors. Serum-free (SF) medium was supplemented with either growth factors (GF) $TGF-{\beta}$ ($5ng\;mL^{-1}$) and IGF-I ($10ng\;mL^{-1}$), GlcN HCl or GlcNAc at 1mM each or both. Six groups were compared according to medium supplementation: (a) SF control; (b) SF + GlcN HCl; (c) SF + GlcNAc; (d) SF + GF; (e) SF + GF + GlcN HCl; and (f) SF + GF + GlcNAc. Cell proliferation, proteoglycan, collagen I (COL1), and collagen II (COL2) synthesis were evaluated. RESULTS: The two glucosamines showed opposite effects in monolayer culture: GlcN HCl significantly reduced proliferation and GlcNAc significantly augmented cellular metabolism. In the 30 days 3D culture, the GlcN HCl added to GF stimulated cell proliferation more than when compared to GF only, but the proteoglycan synthesis was smaller than GF. However, GlcNAc added to GF improved the cell proliferation and proteoglycan synthesis more than when compared to GF and GF/GlcN HCl. The synthesis of COL1 and COL2 was observed in all groups containing GF. CONCLUSION: GlcN HCl and GlcNAc increased cell growth and stimulated COL2 synthesis in long-time 3D culture. However, only GlcNAc added to GF improved proteoglycan synthesis.