• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare lower extremity muscle activities and ankle joint angles between different foot strike patterns (forefoot strike, heelfoot strike) during stair ascent walking. Methods: The subjects of this study were 22 males who walked in each foot strike pattern on ascent stairs at a speed of 85 beats/min. During stair walking with the two types of foot strike patterns, the muscle activities of the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, hamstring, and gluteus medius were measured. Additionally, ankle joint angles for inversion, eversion, dorsi flexion, and plantar flexion were recorded. Each participant underwent the experiment three times, with the foot strike pattern randomized. Results were averaged according to the foot strike pattern. Results: Significant differences in ankle angles were observed across all phases according to foot strike pattern. Muscle activities in the lower extremities showed significant differences in all phases except the swing 1 phase. Moreover, differences in foot movement trajectory were noted depending on the foot strike pattern. Conclusion: Walking on ascent stairs elicited differences in lower extremity muscle activities and ankle joint angles based on foot strike pattern. These findings can serve as foundational data for selecting a suitable foot strike pattern tailored to individual patient conditions when training patients in walking on ascent stairs.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 1989

The initial impact at foot strike is produced by a slider type mechanical model, which can be measured using a force platform to evaluate various shoes. The lower extremity and foot motion was filmed by a 16mm high speed movie camera and several points on the rear half of the shoe and those near the trochanter and the lateral epicondyle were digitized to provide the linear and angular positions and velocities during impact. With these observed kinematics, a slider type foot strike simulator composed of guide rail and sliding dummy is designed. The simulator system makes the artificial foot of the dummy with running shoe on it to follow the foot strike motion. The dummy has the relevant mass-spring-damper system modeled after McMahon's. The motion of the model is drived by the gravity force and the generated motion alone with the ground reaction forces are monitored by the same procedures afore mentioned producing the initial foot strike impact similar to the onto observed in human gait.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.164-174
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the impact characteristics of the lower extremity on strike pattern during running. Method: 19 young subjects (age: 26.53 ± 5.24 yrs., height: 174.89 ± 4.75 cm, weight: 70.97 ± 5.97 kg) participated in this study. All subjects performed treadmill running with fore-foot strike (FFS), mid-foot strike (MFS), and rear-foot strike (RFS) to analyze the impact characteristics in the lower extremity. Impact variables were analyzed including vertical ground reaction force, lower extremity joint moments, impact acceleration, and impact shock. Accelerometers for measuring impact acceleration and impact shock were attached to the heel, distal tibia, proximal tibia, and 50% point of the femur. Results: The peak vertical force and loading rate in passive portion were significantly higher in MFS and FFS compared to FFS. The peak plantarflexion moment at the ankle joint was significantly higher in the FFS compared to the MFS and RFS, while the peak extension moment at the knee joint was significantly higher in the RFS compared to the MFS and FFS. The resultant impact acceleration was significantly higher in FFS and MFS than in RFS at the foot and distal tibia, and MFS was significantly higher than FFS at the proximal tibia. In impact shock, FFS and MFS were significantly higher than RFS at the foot, distal tibia, and proximal tibia. Conclusion: Running with 3 strike patterns (FFS, MFS, and RFS) show different impact characteristics which may lead to an increased risk of running-related injuries (RRI). However, through the results of this study, it is possible to understand the characteristics of impact on strike patterns, and to explore preventive measures for injuries. To reduce the incidence of RRI, it is crucial to first identify one's strike pattern and then seek appropriate alternatives (such as reducing impact force and strengthening relevant muscles) on that strike pattern.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.49-53
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the plantar pressure distribution between the affected and unaffected side in adult hemiplegia during gait with the use of a quad-cane. Methods: Thirty-four stroke patients from 34 to 83 years of age were enrolled in this study, and in random order, all patients were asked to walk at their most comfortable speed three times along a walkway with the use of quad-cane over a period of three days. Plantar pressure distribution was measured with regard to foot contact pattern and center of pressure (CoP) trajectories during the stance phase, progressing from heel-strike to toe-off. The F-scan system was used to compare the foot pressure of the affected and unaffected sides. Results: A significant reduction in the total contact area, the width of fore foot (FF) and hind foot (HF), and anterior/posterior (AP) CoP trajectory of the affected side was found. However, contact pressure of the hind foot on the affected side during walking increased when compared to that on the unaffected side. Conclusion: We demonstrated that plantar pressure distribution on the affected side of adult hemiplegia patients was generally poorer than that on the unaffected side when these patients walked with cane assistance. However, the use of a quad-cane was shown to increase contact pressure of the hind foot on the affected side because weight can be borne on the affected side during heel-strike with use of the cane.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.161-173
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the kinematic and kinetic differences between functional walking shoe(FWS) and general sports shoe(GSS). The subjects for this study were 4 male adults who had the walking pattern of rearfoot strike with normal feet. The movement of one lower leg was measured using force platform and 3 video cameras while the subjects walked at the velocity of 2/1.5 m/s. The findings of this study were as follows 1. The angle of lower leg-ground and angle of knee with FWS was greater than with GSS at the moment of strike the floor and the moment of second peak ground reaction force. The decreasing rate of angle of ankle was smaller in FWS from the strike phase to the second peak ground reaction force. These mean upright walking and round walking along the shoe surface. 2. The maximal Increased angle of Achilles tendon and the minimal decreased angle of rearfoot were smaller in FWS very significantly(p<0.001). Thus FWS prevent the excessive pronation of ankle and have good of rear-foot control. 3. The vortical ground reaction force and the rate of it to the BW were smaller in FWS statistically(p<0.001). The loading rate was smaller in FWS, too, and thess represent the reduction of load on ankle joint and prevention of injuries on it.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2006.10c
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• pp.193-195
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• 2006

In this study, we developed an active controlled ankle-foot orthosis(AAFO) which can control the dorsiflexion/plantarflexion of the ankle joint during gait to prevent foot drop and toe drag for paralysis patients. To prevent dropping foot after heel strike, ankle joint was actively controlled to minimize forefoot collision with the ground. It was also controlled to provide toe clearance and to help push-off during late stance. The 3D gait analysis was performed on two healthy subjects equipped with the developed AAFO to compare with the normal gait and the conventional AFO gait. In the developed AAFO gait, differently from the conventional AFO gait, significant push-off was observed during pre-swing and the maximum flexion moment during pre-swing phase was similar to that of normal gait. A remarkable dorsiflexion also occurred during initial swing. These results indicated that the developed AAFO could have certain clinical benefits to prevent foot drop for paralysis patients, compared to conventional AFOs.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.149-163
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the lower extremity's joint and segment coupling patterns between forward and backward running in subjects who were twelve healthy males. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected with Qualisys system while subjects ran to forward and backward. The thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation, thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension, tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion, knee internal/external rotation and ankle inversion/eversion, knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion, knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension, and knee flexion/extension and tibia internal/external rotation coupling patterns were determined using a vector coding technique. The comparison for each coupling between forward and backward running were conducted using a dependent, two-tailed t-test at a significant level of .05 for the mean of each of five stride regions, midstance(1l-30%), toe-off(31-50%), swing acceleration(51-70%), swing deceleration(71-90), and heel-strike(91-10%), respectively. 1. The knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension coupling pattern of both foreward and backward running over the stride was converged on a complete coordination. However, the ankle flexion/extension to knee flexion/extension was relatively greater at heel-strike in backward running compared with forward running. At the swing deceleration, backward running was dominantly led by the ankle flexion/extension, but forward running done by the knee flexion/extension. 2. The knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion coupling pattern for both running was also converged on a complete coordination. At the mid-stance. the ankle movement in the frontal plane was large during forward running, but the knee movement in the sagital plane was large during backward running and vice versa at the swing deceleration. 3. The knee flexion/extension and tibia internal/external rotation coupling while forward and backward run was also centered on the angle of 45 degrees, which indicate a complete coordination. However, tibia internal/external rotation dominated the knee flexion/extension at heel strike phase in forward running and vice versa in backward running. It was diametrically opposed to the swing deceleration for each running. 4. Both running was governed by the ankle movement in the frontal plane across the stride cycle within the knee internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation. The knee internal/external rotation of backward running was greater than that of forward running at the swing deceleration. 5. The tibia internal/external rotation in coupling between the tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion was relatively great compared with the foot inversion/eversion over a stride for both running. At heel strike, the tibia internal/external rotation of backward running was shown greater than that of forward(p<.05). 6. The thigh internal/external rotation took the lead for both running in the thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation coupling. In comparison of phase, the thigh internal/external rotation movement at the swing acceleration phase in backward running worked greater in comparison with forward running(p<.05). However, it was greater at the swing deceleration in forward running(p<.05). 7. With the exception of the swing deceleration phase in forward running, the tibia flexion/extension surpassed the thigh flexion/extension across the stride cycle in both running. Analysis of the specific stride phases revealed the forward running had greater tibia flexion/extension movement at the heel strike than backward running(p<.05). In addition, the thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension coupling displayed almost coordination at the heel strike phase in backward running. On the other hand the thigh flexion/extension of forward running at the swing deceleration phase was greater than the tibia flexion/extension, but it was opposite from backward running. In summary, coupling which were the knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension, the knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion, the knee internal/external rotation and ankle inversion/eversion, the tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion, the thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation, and the thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension patterns were most similar across the strike cycle in both running, but it showed that coupling patterns in the specific stride phases were different from average point of view between two running types.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.117-123
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to convergence comparison the ankle joint angle change during walking of college students in their 20s with flat foot according to the heel height of insole shoes. Qualisys Track Manager Software ver. 2.8 (Qalisys Track Manager) was used for 15 college students. Functional shoes with insoles were manufactured, and the heel heights of the shoes were set to 3cm and 7cm. The subjects wore shoes with two high heels and gaited by attaching a reflex marker to the side of the ankle joint. The angle change of the ankle joint was measured in the gait stance phase. The angle of the ankle joint significantly decreased both heel strike, foot flat, midstance, and toe off to the heel height increased when the subjects with flat feet wore insole shoes. Therefore, it is thought that flat feet should wear low shoes when wearing insoles to reduce the fatigue of the soles and to walk comfortably.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the periodicity of shank-foot segment coupling and free torque before and after fatigue induced by prolonged running. Method: Fifteen young healthy male participants with a rear-foot strike ran on instrumented dual-belt treadmills at 70% of their maximum oxygen uptake for 65 min. Kinematic and ground reaction force data were collected for 20 continuous strides at 5 and 65 min (considered the fatigued condition). The approximate entropy tool was applied to assess the periodicity of the shank internal-external rotation, foot inversion-eversion, shank-foot segment coupling, and free torque for the two running conditions. Results: The periodicity of all studied parameters, except foot inversion-eversion, decreased after 65 min of running (fatigued condition) for 80% of the participants in this study. Furthermore, 60% of the participants showed similarities in the change of periodicity pattern in shank internal-external rotation, coupling, and free torque. Conclusion: The findings indicated that the foot inversion-eversion motion may pose a higher risk of injury than the shank internal-external rotation, coupling, and free torque in the fatigued condition during prolonged running.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.99-118
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• 2004

The aim of this study is to evaluate tennis shoes's plantar pressure distribution in tennis prayers and to determine the influence of the shoe on various tennis movements. When investigating the biomechanics of movement in tennis, one of the first things to do is to understand the movement patterns of the sport, specifically how these patterns relate to different tennis shoes. Once these patterns are understood, footwear company can design tennis shoes that match the individual needs of tennis players. Plantar pressure measurement is widely employed to study foot function, the mechanical pathogenesis for foot disease and as a diagnostic and outcome measurement tool for many performance. Measurements were taken of plantar pressure distribution across the foot and using F-Scan(Tekscan Inc.) systems respectively. The F-Scan system for dynamic in-shoe foot pressure measurements has enabled us to assess quantitatively the efficacy of different types of footwear in reducing foot pressures. The Tekscan F-Scan system consists of a flexible, 0.18mm thick sole-shape having 1260 pressure sensors, the sensor insole was trimmed to fit the subjects' right, left shoes. For this study 4 university male, high level tennis players were instructed to hit alternated forehand stroke, backhand stroke, forehand volley, backhand volley, smash, service movement in 4 different tennis shoes. 1. When impact in tennis movement, peak pressure distribution of landing foot displayed D>C>B>A, A displayed the best low pressure distribution. A style's tennis shoes will suggest prayer with high impact. If prayer with high impact feeling during pray in tennis wear A style, it will decrease injury, will have performance improvement. 2. When impact in tennis movement, plantar pattern of pressure distribution in landing foot displayed B>A>C>D in stability performance. During tennis, prayer want to stability movement suggest B style tennis shoes when tennis movement impact keep stability of human body. B style tennis shoes give performance improvement 3. When impact in tennis movement, plantar pattern of center of force(C.O.F.)trajectory in landing foot analyzed this : 1) When stroke movement and volley movement in tennis, prayer better to rearfoot movement. 2) when service movement, prayer midfoot strike movement. 3) when smash movement, prayer have forefoot strike movement.