• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.305-316
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• 2021

In this study, the effect of wearing functional compression pants is verified using a lower-limb wearable robot through a bio-signal analysis and subjective fit evaluation. First, the compression area to be applied to the functional compression pants is derived using the quad method for nine men in their 20s. Subsequently, functional compression pants are prepared, and changes in Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals when wearing the functional compression and normal regular pants inside a wearable robot are measured. The EEG and ECG signals are measured with eyes closed and open. Results indicate that the Relative alpha (RA) and Relative gamma wave (RG) of the EEG signal differ significantly, resulting in increased stability and reduced anxiety and stress when wearing the functional compression pants. Furthermore, the ECG analysis results indicate statistically significant differences in the Low frequency (LF)/High frequency (HF) index, which reflect the overall balance of the autonomic nervous system and can be interpreted as feeling comfortable and balanced when wearing the functional compression pants. Moreover, subjective sense is discovered to be effective in assessing wear fit, ease of movement, skin friction, and wear comfort when wearing the functional compression pants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.420-432
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• 2017

This study examined user needs for compression pant development for women with pes planus in their 50s and 60s. A total of 355 women aged 50 to 69 participated in the survey and interview. Questions were asked if they had pes planus, the using condition of foot orthotic, inconveniences during gait, and wearing condition of compression pants. The results showed that 42 (11.8%) women had pes planus. Orthotic insole and arch support were used most frequently. The most uncomfortable aspect of foot orthotic (n=146) was that it was difficult to use unless they were going outside. Participants with pes planus responded that they felt discomfort on the inner area of propodium, metatarsus, ankle, and knee during gait. The purchase and wearing rate of compression pants were not high; however, compression pants were purchased with specific needs and purposes. Respondents mainly wore the compression pants for sports activities. M size was the most frequently worn size. They preferred high waist type leggings and there was a need to increase the compression strength of the waist, thigh, knee and ankle. Additionally, the ease of donning and doffing were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.94-107
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• 2024

This study developed compression pants with excellent wearability and signal quality by approaching the design of wireless sEMG monitoring pants from the perspective of technical design, including the evaluation of wearability and the stable wireless transmission of signals through electrode and circuit design, and using e-textiles. An electrode, sewn with silver thread and a circuit stitched in a zigzag pattern using stainless steel wire, were applied. Additionally, polyurethane sealing tape was used to enhance adherence to the skin and reduce electrical resistance. Conductive snaps completed the design, allowing attachment and detachment to the bio-signal acquisition mainboard. Through the subjects' evaluation, it was determined that the final pants were applied with a pattern reduction rate of 25% to provide superior comfort according to different body parts while also minimizing skin irritation around the thigh circuit. The final pants for wireless sEMG monitoring, which demonstrated stable transmission of wireless measurements, was positively evaluated in terms of cognitive acceptability. This study is significant in that it achieved an optimal design by considering both technical aspects and the electrical characteristics of bio-signal monitoring garments, as well as the wearer's perception when designing smart wear.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.240-257
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• 2016

This study determines the effect of 3D compression pants and Kinesio taping on muscular function of the leg during knee joint flexion and extension. Eight males participated in the experiment, wearing basic pants (BP), Kinesio taping on bare skin (KT), 3D compression pants with (KTP) and without Kinesio taping (CP). The test protocol for isokinetic muscular function was composed of four sets at three angular velocities (60, 180, $240^{\circ}/sec$) using Cybex 660. Peak torque and work per repetition of the lower limbs of eight males were analyzed from the result of Cybex. Agility and power of the subjects were examined from side step and sergeant jump. Peak torque, average power, work per repetition, force decay time of subjects wearing CP and KTP were significantly better than BP or KT, especially at low angular velocity of $60^{\circ}/sec$. The time to generate peak torque of subjects wearing BP was the longest, while the force-decay time of BP was the shortest. The application of Kinesio tape on skin did not increase muscle peak torque, work and power, but did shorten the time to generate peak torque.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.603-610
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to determine how spandex pants affect impact force and muscle activities in the lower extremity. Seven pairs of surface electrodes were attached to the right-hand side of the body. Paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference exist between two conditions(p< .05). The average IEMG activities in the TA, BF, and GM during the landing phase reduced significantly with spandex pants compared to regular pants. All peak IEMG activities except the RF in wearing spandex pants group were significantly greater than the corresponding values in wearing regular pants one. The greater muscle activity recorded in wearing spandex pants can be attributed to the greater motor unit recruitment needed to decelerate and stabilized their bodies. Impact force and loading rate were not significantly decreased with wearing spandex pants. Since the spandex pants used in this study were not custom-fit based on girth of each participants thigh and shank, compression and elasticity for the pants could not be optimized.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.723-740
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• 2022

This study aimed to develop an Arduino-based garment pressure device (APD) on the basis of using Single-Tact sensor by suggesting the reliable clothing pressure range and coefficient of selected sensors through the APD calibration process. Once the APD was validated, the pressure of the experimental men's lower body compression wears was measured using the APD and was compared to the pressure measured using the existing air-pack type pressure meter. The subjects were one mannequin and eight men in their 20's, and the trial compression wears were calf sleeves and pants. Clothing pressures were measured in hip, mid-thigh, calf, and ankle. In terms of the 99% confidence level, the experimental clothing pressure measured at the designated measuring points using the APD was considered identical to the one measured using an existing clothing pressure meter. Therefore, on the basis of the experiment results, this study demonstrated that the APD is as reliable as the existing clothing pressure meter within the pressure ranges of 0.54-16.79 kPa and 0.18-25.47 kPa as provided by the SingleTact sensor supplier's data on the basis of using an external ADC (Analog to Digital Converter) module.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.495-505
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• 2016

This study explores and selects an appropriate material that considers light and soft physical properties as well as activity for impact absorption pads that can be used to develop practical impact protective clothes worn during daily life by the elderly to reduce the impact of falls. Physical properties, impact absorption performance, and compression characteristics were evaluated on 5 types of foam, 2 types of 3D spacer fabric, and 3 types of polymer gel to select a material appropriate for the pad to be inserted into impact protective clothes. The evaluation of the physical properties showed that 3D spacer fabrics had lower density compared to other materials and polymer gels had the highest density. The elongation percentage was higher in foams than 3D spacer fabrics and EPDM foam had the highest elongation percentage. The impact absorption performance of honeycomb polymer gel was better than foams and 3D spacer fabrics. As a result of looking into compression energy and compression characteristics of materials, 'CR foam A' was found to absorb the largest amount of compression energy, 24.1%, among foams and polymer gels. A high energy absorption rate of 50.0% (or above) was indicated by 3D spacer fabrics; however, foams and polymer gels showed a progressive deformation of energy compression / recovery curve with 3D spacer fabrics that showed drastic deformation. Based on characteristics of materials, 'CR foam C' and EPDM with relatively high absorption performance can be used as protective pad materials among foams. Among polymer gels, 2 open-type polymer gels that have relatively low impact protective performance but a relatively lighter weight on human body (compared to closed-type) are considered appropriate protective pad materials.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.606-611
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• 2013

It has been reported that tight sportswear could have complicated influence on physiological function of human body. The purpose of this present study was to investigate the effect of wearing gradient compression tights (GCT) on muscle strength and EMG activity during repeated isokinetic muscle contractions. Four healthy male undergraduate students performed maximal voluntary isokinetic concentric muscle contractions on biomechanical test and training systems with GCT and loose pants as control (Cont) respectively. During each test, the peak torque of extensor and flexor contractions and the surface electromyography (sEMG) of the rectus femoris and medial gastrocnemius was recorded simultaneously, the peak torque was recorded as an indicator of muscle strength, and the average amplitude and mean power frequency of sEMG were calculated as indicators of EMG activity. The results showed that: the peak torque decreased gradually during continuous muscle contractions both when the Cont and GCT were worn, average sEMG and mean power frequency declined along with the repetitions of muscle contractions for both wearing conditions, and the change tendency was consistence with that of peak torque. There was no obvious difference between the peak torque recorded wearing the Cont or wearing GCT, but when GCT were worn, average sEMG was lower and mean power frequency was higher than the Cont condition. In 24 samples obtained from four subjects, 80% of results showed the same trend. So we could make a conclusion that wearing GCT had no obvious effect on the improvement of muscle strength, but it would affect the EMG activity positivly.