• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.202-208
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• 2020

This study is to help produce highly comfortable and wearable and footwear based on the establishment of basic data for manufacturing elderly footwear patterns and products. For this, a survey of 207 women in their 20s and 60-70s was conducted to identify the wearing of shoes, inconvenience areas, purchase practices and footwear preferences by age group. The results are as follows. First, the average age of the young female group was 22.5 years old, the elderly female group was 68.8 years old, and the average shoe size was 236.3 mm for the young female group and 238.3 mm for the elderly female group. Second, young women wore shoes for a longer time than elderly women, resulting in swollen and numb legs, hardened soles, uncomfortable toes and sore heels. However, elderly women felt more uncomfortable wearing footwear than young women. They suffered pain in the joint area, heal and toe areas as well as had more toe deformations due to aging. Third, all age groups preferred athletic shoes and loafers as well as purchases from footwear brand stores and department stores. The elderly spent more money on shoes, longer time to buy and valued the feeling of wearing, whereas the young considered design first. Fourth, both age groups prefer low-heels and natural leather, the young preferred to wear various types of shoes; however, the elderly are found to desire shoes that are comfortable and stable in both form and wearing.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2015

This research is about shared living facilities for the solitary elderly in Gyeonggi province (so called "Carnation House"), which was opened after 2013. These facilities aim to help solving the social problems of the growing number of the solitary elderly. The research was conducted from April 2014 to October 2014 by using observation, measurement, photography, and interview methods. This research reviewed floor plan, area, accessibility, visual openness, and furniture and equipments. The results are as follows: First, considering the need for rest area and the protection of privacy, livingroom should at least be equipped with a variable wall or have a separate room. Secondly, for the kitchen plan, considering the fact that large number of people move simultaneously, kitchen entrance should be widened or LDK type is preferable. Thirdly, the bathroom entrance should be widened to at least 800mm and should have barrier free design. Fourthly, porch entrance should be planned to secure enough space and shoe cabinets for multiple users. Fifthly, to allow the users to enjoy outside view, the windows of living spaces should be placed no higher than 800mm from the floor level. Finally, for the location of the facility, people prefer the location be at the center of the village or near home. In addition, location with easy accessibility for the elderly is advisable. Therefore, establishing local guidelines for shared living facilities for the solitary elderly is advisable. When establishing local guidelines, local characters, culture and usage patterns should be considered.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1336-1345
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the effects of exercise science of shoes for Aged' health promotion. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected using cinematography and the Zebris system (Zebris Emed Sensor Platform, GR-DVL9800) to analyze pressure of foot and ground reaction force. Subjects recruited were 20 healthy elderly men. They walked at 1.36m/sec velocity wearing type A (domestic), type B (foreign) and walking shoes (A company). One-way ANOVA was used to analyze statistics. The results were as following: no significant differences were observed in gait variables among the three groups (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in max pronation angle of heels examined among the three groups (p<0.05). There were no significant differences in kinetic variables (ground reaction force and max pressure) among the three groups (p<0.05). A physiology study was performed to analyze the effects of walking with shoes with silver added to them on percent body fat, resting metabolic rate and energy expenditure. Sixty adults males were recruited from the public health center. They were divided into four groups. C: control group (n=20), EY: elderly Y group (n=20), and EO: elderly O group (n=20). The results of this study were as follows: percent body fat was decreased following each exercise period, however, not all the groups showed a significant difference. The change of resting metabolic rate was significantly increased in HI (high intensity) and LI (low intensity) periods in the C and EY groups. However, there was no significant difference in the EO group. The mean energy expenditure during and after exercise were significantly lowered in all periods compared to the control group.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2013

Senior centers in apartment complex have been provided since 1980 according to the Housing Act in Korea. Nowadays these senior centers are model leisure facility for the elderly. However there are no specific guidelines for space composition and usage in a senior center. This study examines the space composition and usage patterns of 16 senior centers in apartment complex, Jangyou New Town. The data were collected by means of an observation, measuring, and interviews. The results are ; 1) A senior center consisted of one living room and two rooms for men and women would be appropriate; A living room is for common activities and two rooms for casual resting of each gender. 2) A kitchen is mainly used for setting the table or making tea. Thus, the living-dining-kitchen type would be appropriate. 3) Many rest rooms are located outside of a senior center and unisex one. The restroom should be separated by gender and located within the senior center. Also, the width of all doors should be more than 80cm and the floor be flat. The grab bars should be installed near the fixtures in a restroom. 4) Design and location of the shoe shelf are not convenient for the elderly to use. It should be designed and arranged for the elderly to use conveniently. Also, space for canes, walkers or wheelchairs should be considered in entrance area.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between center of pressure (CoP) and local stability of the lower joints, which was calculated based on approximate entropy (ApEn) during walking in elderly women. Method: Eighteen elderly women were recruited (age: $66.4{\pm}1.2yrs$; mass: $55.4{\pm}8.3kg$; height: $1.56{\pm}0.04m$) for this study. Before collecting data, reflective marker triads composed of 3 non-collinear spheres were attached to the lateral surface of the thigh and shank near the mid-segment to measure motion of the thigh and shank segments. To measure foot motion, reflective markers were placed on the shoe at the heel, head of the fifth metatarsal, and lateral malleolus, and were also placed on the right anterior-superior iliac spine, left anterior-superior iliac spine, and sacrum to observe pelvic motion. During treadmill walking, kinematic data were recorded using 6 infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden) with a 100 Hz sampling frequency and kinetic data were collected from a treadmill (Instrumented Treadmill, Bertec, USA) for 20 strides. From kinematic data, 3D angles of the lower extremity's joint were calculated using Cardan technique and then ApEn were computed for their angles to evaluate local stability. Range of CoP was determined from the kinetic data. Pearson product-moment and Spearman rank correlation coefficient were applied to find relationship between CoP and ApEn. The level of significance was determined at p<.05. Results: There was a negative linear correlation between CoP and ApEn of hip joint adduction-abduction motion (p<.05), but ApEn of other joint motion did not affect the CoP. Conclusion: It was conjectured that ApEn, local stability index, for adduction/abduction of the hip joint during walking could be useful as a fall predictor.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.251-263
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the factors associated with fear of falling among the elderly dwelling in rural communities. Methods: From February 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010, a questionnaire-based survey was sent to 2,628 persons 65 years or older dwelling in 1 Myeon and 1 Eup of Gyeongsangnam-do. Among these participants, 735 (27.9%) had fallen more than once in 2009. For data analysis, descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were performed using SPSS version 12.0. Results: Factors influencing the fear of falling in the elderly according to falls experienced were number of outpatient visits, number of falls, gender, admission, purchasing of health function foods, and activities of daily living. Overall, the study showed significant differences in the score of fear of falling according to gender, age, education, marital status, living arrangement, main means of mobilization, drinking, income, number of falls, admission, number of outpatient visits, experience with outpatient oriental medicine, purchasing of health function foods, medical assistance devices, season, fall location, fall cause, shoe type, injury type, limitation of activity, and activities of daily living. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that programs should be developed specifically for elderly people who have experienced more than one fall because of increased fear due to multiple falls.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2019

Purpose: This study is to conduct usability evaluations from the perspective of developing comfort-shoes for the middle-aged and elderly to identify key factors and derive implications for optimal comfort-shoes production. Research design, data, and methodology: A total of 10 middle-aged and elderly women in their 50s and 60s were selected as eligible for the rescue. For data collection, the study was conducted in a Gang Survey, where pre-explanations, shoes test, and interviews were conducted. The collected data were analyzed in a total of four stages. In step 1, the contents obtained through interviews with the subjects were recorded in text, organized and analyzed systematically, and in step 2, unnecessary vocabulary, sentences, and overlapping opinions were eliminated. In step 3, we classified areas around key functions and carried out categorization tasks. Finally, in Step 4, the results and implications of the study were derived by classifying each usability evaluation shoe as positive and negative text around categorized data. Results: There are a total of seven factors for comfort-shoes usability evaluation, which are categorized as cushion, fitting, stability, flexibility, lightweight, comfort, and pressure. Positive/negative factors for the derived usability evaluation factors were shown in the form of a positive-centered, negative-centered, and positive-mixed mix for each of the four products. Positive-focused products are VA products, which are seven times more positive than negative factors. Negative-centered products are CL and SA products, which are five times more negative than positive factors. Positive mixing was a CA product with a ratio of 1:1. Text-based usability evaluations allow us to proceed with analysis based on more scientific data rather than simply listening to opinions and judging by comments. Conclusions: The study discussed implications of developing comfort-shoes for middle-aged consumers and future directions were discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.415-422
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• 2020

This study investigates the relationship between muscular strengths and gait characteristics of the elderly. Totally, 107 subjects, aged 65 to 85 years, participated in this study. Researchers measured muscle strengths (grip force, toe grip force, gluteus medius, and gluteus maximus forces) and walking characteristics (walking speed, cadence, step length, single leg support, and double legs support). Dynamometers and inertial measurement unit-based shoe systems were used for measuring muscular strength and gait characteristics, respectively. No significant difference was observed in strengths and walking characteristics between the young elders (YE, 65-74 years) and the old elders (OE, 75-85 years). For each age, muscular strength significantly correlated with some gait parameters. Forces of gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles showed better significant correlations between some gait parameters for all age groups, as compared to grip force and toe grip force. Regression coefficients between walking speed and grip force did not vary with age. We conclude that muscular strengths in OE better explained the gait characteristics than in YE subjects. Even though grip strength is an easily measured variable for senior fitness test, forces of gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles are more meaningful for understanding the walking characteristics of elderly people.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.184-192
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• 2015

Korea has already entered into an aging society. In recent decades, the health problems for seniors has received considerable interest. We often see the elderly who have been struggled from discomfort or illness of the foot. Those foot related problems mainly cause from the use of improper shoes. Recently, shoe makers sell the shoes for seniors, so called comfort shoes, but the shoes are too expensive for seniors to buy easily. In this paper, we develop cheap insoles for seniors as an alternative of the comfort shoes and suggest the systematic process for the insoles development. This systematic process is as follows: 1) Survey the literature about the market of insole, 2) Investigate the standard size of body and foot for the seniors in Korea, 3) Analyze the customer needs by survey, 4) Study the walking pattern by experiments, and 5) Develop the novel insole for the seniors to relieve the inconveniences related with foot. From the newly developed insoles, the company B gains the sales increasing effect approximately 30% over through the increase in consumer satisfaction and company reputation and secures for intellectual property rights. Using the database from Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, the reliability of developing technology of the functional insole has been obtained. The seniors are also enable to choose an alternative of comfort shoes for foot health. In the future, the insoles developed from this study have wide applications in the medical, cosmetic fields, and leisure sports fields. Accordingly, it seems to require more systematic studies utilizing Walk Analyzer and Foot Pressure Meter.