• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the variability to compare local dynamic stability via a linear and nonlinear analysis during walking. Twenty four elderly males, 12 healthy elderly and 12 patients with osteoarthritise walked on a treadmill for 100 consecutive strides. Lyapunov exponent and correlation dimension and coefficient variation were calculated for the kinematic parameters to determine the dynamic stability during walking. The linear measures indicated that the healthy elderly demonstrated significantly higher variability in the ankle joint displacement. The nonlinear analysis revealed that COD for the knee joint angle were higher in patient with osteoarthritise. There were no coincidence in results between linear and nonlinear techniques over two groups. In light of nonlinear analysis, it was concluded that patients with osteoathritise showed higher local instability during walking.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.161-168
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• 2020

This study is designed to develop a walker to assist the elderly in safe, independent walking. To this end, problems were identified through analysis of the walker for the elderly and user observations were used to identify problems and needs. The product analysis showed that most elderly walkers tend to prioritize their functions. In addition, user observations showed that most users had positive perceptions about the function, but that structural aspects, such as operation methods and stability, had negative consequences. A total of five design guidelines were derived based on the problems and needs derived. The design guidelines were designed to focus on improving structural problems rather than functional parts, and to orientate safety over functional priorities. Five design guidelines derived from this study could be used as basic data for the manufacture of walkers that reflect the views and needs of the elderly in the future in the manufacture and design of walkers for the elderly.

• Transportation Technology and Policy
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2015

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.327-337
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of depression and the associated factors affecting the depression among the elderly beneficiaries of the national basic livelihood scheme. Methods: From the beneficiaries of the "visiting health care program" in a city the beneficiaries (aged 65 years or older) of the national basic livelihood scheme were selected. A total of 677 subjects were included in the study and hence for data analyses. Results: The observed prevalence rate of depression was 80.5% (mild depression was 60.2%, and severe depression was 20.3%). The factors influencing depression were indicative of subjective health status, walking exercise, hypertension, and diabetes. Conclusion: On the basis of our study results, as a strategy to reduce the prevalence rate of depression among the elderly concerned, we are of the opinion that it is very much necessary to motivate them to practice continuous and regular walking exercises in easily accessible places by mobilizing community resources such as visiting nurses and volunteers. Such efforts may not only immediately reduce the morbidity rate of depression among the low-income elderly, but also, in the long run, prevent suicides and contribute to improving their mental health status to an appreciable extent.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2011

This study was to investigate the positive effects of specially designed trunk-stabilization exercise program on lower extremity balance of elderly with history of leprosy. In this participants, lower extremity functions has been undermined by the development of damage in peripheral nerves. A total of 40 elderly with history of leprosy were divided into 2 groups of equal size ($n_{1,\;2}=20$): a group that participated in the exercise program, and a control group that did not exercise but did continue to engage in normal daily activities (including walking). The exercise group exercised for 60 minutes 2 days a week for 12 weeks. Static balance ability was measured by asking study participants to a one leg standing test: dynamic balancing ability was measured with a tandem walking test and a timed up-and-go test. The participants in the exercise program and the control group were tested before and after completion of the exercise program for comparison, and then divided according to their ability to feel sensory in the soles of their feet into the categories of normal sensory group: group with sensory loss in one foot: and group with sensory loss in both feet. The participants in the exercise program showed a positive, statistically significant difference in static balance compared with the control group (p<.05) as measured using the one leg standing test. Similarly, the participants in dynamic balance (p<.05) as measured using the tandem walking and timed up-and-go tests. Finally, these improvements were related to the severity of sensory loss in the soles of the feet for all study participants.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Background: The elderly are likely to fall due to physical and mental atrophies, and experiencing falls may result in fear of falls and lack of self-confidence, which also leads to hesitation to physical activities and changes in walk and balance, the major variables in independent daily life. Methods: In three senior citizen centers located in D city, 22 elderly women aged 65 or older were chosen, and they filled in the questionnaire which included their agreement to voluntarily participate in the survey and medical histories. As to whether they had falls experience, the medical history items in the questionnaire asked them if they had falling down or falls once a year, twice for the three years. The objects were divided to NFE (non-falls experience) and FE (falls experience). Results: 1. As to walking abilities, significant difference was found between NFE and FE regarding walk width, stepping with two feet, and stride length while there was no significant different in terms of cadence. 2. As to balancing abilities, was significant difference between NFE and FE in terms of the physical body center area. As to the sit-to-stand, tandom gait test, no significant difference was found, and neither in the timed up and go test. Conclusions: The elderly with falls experience has inferior walking and balancing abilities to those without falls experience, and thus they are more exposed to the risks of falls.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities on the changes of illuminations in the elderly women. Ten older women ($70.90{\pm}3.28$ years, $154.70{\pm}3.47$ cm, $53.80{\pm}5.39$ kg) with normal vision and no gait disabilities participated in this study. All the experiments were performed on a level walkway from low to high lighting (six conditions). A 3-dimensional motion capturing system, force-plate, and EMG were used to acquire and analyze walking motion, force, and muscle activity data; the sampling frequency was 100 Hz, 1000 Hz and 1000 Hz respectively. To test the differences on walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities between the six lighting conditions, one-way repeated ANOVAs were evaluated. The following results were drawn: First, mean standard time was about 1.3 sec/stride, and velocities were smaller with lighting increasing except 100 Lx. Second, the joint power patterns of ankle and knee were not consistent, but only hip joint power was a greatest in 6 Lx and a smallest in 400 Lx. Third, standard times(100 Lx<300 Lx, 400 Lx) were statistically significant, and hip joint max powers (100 Lx>others) were also statistically significant. But ankle and knee joint max power were not statistically significant. These results showed that standard times from low to high lighting were not consistent, and hip joint of 100 Lx has a greatest rotational torque. We suggested that gait strategies of them as to changing illuminations were not consistent and findings may represent a lack of adaptability in the elderly women.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.595-606
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• 2021

This study was to understand the relationship between emergency room visit due to illness and personal health behaviors as well as population and illness characteristics of elderly patients with diabetes. This study was a descriptive correlation study that analyzed 956 respondents aged 65 or older and diagnosed with diabetes in the Korean Health Panel's data from 2014 to 2017. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 program with Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. The respondents who visited emergency room had fewer days of moderate-intensity physical activity and walking activity, were older, had activity restrictions due to disability, had depression, and had a large number of comorbid chronic diseases. In order to prevent elderly people with diabetes from visiting emergency room, it is important to encourage moderate-intensity activity and walking.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.202-210
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• 2023

Background: The elderly population is increasing rapidly worldwide. Muscle mass, usual walking speed (UWS), knee extension strength (KES), hand grip strength (HGS), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and depression is used for sarcopenia diagnosis. All four of these factors (KES, HGS, PEF, and depression) correlated with UWS and also to muscle mass. But, many studies have suggested that no correlation exists between muscle mass and UWS. Objects: This study aimed: 1) to investigate whether muscle mass reduction affected UWS, as mediated by KES, HGS, PEF and depression, and 2) to explored whether significant changes in these mediators varied by the body segment in which muscle mass evaluated in elderly female aged 65-80 years. Methods: A total of 100 female aged 65-80 years were surveyed. Muscle mass was measured by body segment (upper and lower segment), and KES, HGS, PEF, depression, and UWS were also assessed. Median analyses were progressed in IBM SPSS software (ver. 23.0, IBM Co.) using a downloaded INDIRECT macro. Results: The direct effect of the KES and PEF were significant, and the indirect effect of KES and PEF were not significant. Thus, KES and PEF served as full mediators of the effect of muscle mass on UWS. Regardless of bodily region, KES and PEF combined with muscle mass were significant mediators of UWS, with similar indirect effect sizes. Conclusion: KES and PEF are the only mediators regardless of body part. Therefore, mediating the KES and PEF may prevent sarcopenia progression in elderly female. Also, sarcopenia can be readily assessed by evaluating either the upper or lower body; it is not necessary to measure total muscle mass.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2015

Purpose : The current tactile walking surface indicators have not been easily accessible to blind and vision-impaired people due to unexpected variation of walking environment and walking behavior of transportation poor. Moreover, those indicators frequently cause the inconvenience to transportation users' walking. Thus, this study aims to investigate the improvement of tactile walking surface indicators, by comparing and analyzing findings from the relevant research. Results from this study contribute to suggest the better standard criteria of tactile walking surface indicators for transportation users, especially blind and vision-impaired people, the handicapped, the child and the elderly and weak, providing the secure and convenient circumstance for walking. Method : This study presents the problems about the standard criteria of tactile walking surface indicators via the examination of finding from the past studies. For example, we examine all standard criteria, focusing on shapes, colors and qualities of materials used for Tactile Walking Surface Indicators. Then, the present study suggests the improvement of standard, which apply to the current walking environment practically and reasonably. Results : To improve the current condition of tactile walking surface indicators, the analysis on international and domestic standard criteria need to be conducted. Findings from these analyses helps to suggest the better criteria for the interval between projecting points of tactile walking surface indicators, effective perceived range of walking road, and the brightness contrast between tactile walking surface indicators and finishing materials. Implication : The suggested standard criteria of tactile walking surface indicators need to be tested by transportation users, and the practical instructions of establishing tactile walking surface indicators should also be developed.