• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.67-71
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• 2013

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of somatosensory stimulations with joints mobilization in foot on balance and gait speed in elderly women. Methods: This study included 2 female participants aged 72 years. Participants received somatosensory simulations with joints mobilization on both foot for 30 minutes a day, 3 days a week, during a 4 week period. All subjects were assessed using a BT(balance trainer)-4 balance measurement and timed up and go test (TUG), 10m walk test (10MWT). Results: It has been found that static length and static area were reduced and limits of stability was increased in 2 females. TUG test was improved but gait speed was not significantly difference. Conclusion: Those results indicate that somatosensory stimulations with joints mobilization is effective in elderly women to promoting a static and dynamic balance ability.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

Walking is not only an essential component of the human mobility, but also is a good exercise. Inability to walk freely can reduce an individual's quality of life and independence substantially. Being a relatively low impact activity, walking is particularly good for the elderly and research has shown that regular walking in the elderly reduces the chance of fall-related injuries and mental diseases as well. In spite of the documented benefits of regular walking, it is still difficult to walk without the aid of assistive devices for the frail elderly who have lower extremity problems. Assistive walking devices(AWD), such as crutches, canes, hiking-poles, T-Poles and walkers, are often prescribed to the elderly to make their walking be safe and efficient. Many researchers have demonstrated the effects of AWDs such as reducing lower extremity loading, improved dynamic/gait stability, yet, no study has been done for gait pattern when the elderly gait with AWDs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine whether T-Poles, one of the AWDs, change the elderly gait pattern. Eight community-dwelling female elderly participated in this study. Laboratory kinematics during walking with T-Poles(PW) and with out T-Poles(NPW) was assessed. PW showed significant increase in step width, stride length, gait velocity and decrease in swing time. No significances were found in lower body joint angles but meaningful trend and pattern were found. Maybe the reason was due to the participants. Our participants were healthy enough so that the effect of T-Poles was minimum. PW also showed typical gait phases which are no single support phase during a gait cycle. It indicates that walking with T-Poles may guarantee safe and confident walking to the frail elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.127-145
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• 1997

The purpose of this study wa9 to analyse the gait patterns of two female children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy by using the three-dimensional video motion analysis technique. Case 1 has mild spastic hemiplegia on the right side while Case 3 has moderate spastic hemiplegia on the left side. A group of 10, normal female children of the same age(7-8 years old) were selected as the control group for comparison. Time and distance variables as well as the Center of Mass displacement, and the pelvic and joint motions in three anatomical planes were analysed for this purpose. The following observations were made through the analysis : Case 1 revealed an asymmetrical gait pattern in which the step length of the unaffected side was shorter than that of the affected side, which wan a result of the effort to minimize loading on the affected leg by shortening the swing phase of the unaffected leg. Case 1 scored similar phase ratios, cadence and walking velocity to the normal group. A slight posterior tilt of the pelvis was observed throughout the gait cycle. Less hip and knee flexion than the normal group was observed, and demonstrated hyperextension of the knee in the terminal stance phase. The main problem in case 1 originated from the insufficient dorsiflexion of the affected foot during the swing phase. Therefore, Case 1 has difficulty with foot clearance in the swing phase. Usually, this is compensated for by using exessive hip abduction and medial rotation in conjuction with trunk elevation as well as increased vortical displacement of the center of mass. Case 1 revealed a foot-flat initial contact pattern. Case 2 was characterized by a consistent retraction ef the affected aide of the body througout the gait cycle, As a result, an asymmetrical gait pattern with increased stance phase ratios of the unaffected side was observed. In spite of this the step lengths of both sieds were similar. Case 2 scored lower cadence and walking speed than the normal group with lower gait stability. The main problem in Case 2 originated from an excessive plantaflexion of the affected foot which, in turn, rebutted in high hip and knee flexion. Hyperextension of the knee was observed at mid-stance, and execessive anterior tilt of the pelvis throughout the gait cycle was noticed. A gait pattern with high hip abduction and medial circumduction was maintained for the stability in the stance phase and foot clearance in the swing phase. Case 2 revealed a forefoot-contact initial contact pattern.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.1210-1216
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• 2004

This paper deals with a human-like gait generation of a biped robot with a balancing weight of an inverted pendulum type by using genetic algorithm. The ZMP (Zero Moment Point) is the most important index in a biped robot's dynamic walking stability. To perform a stable walking of a biped robot, a balancing motion is required according to legs' trajectories and a desired ZMP trajectory. A dynamic equation of the balancing motion is nonlinear due to an inverted pendulum type's balancing weight. To solve the nonlinear equation by the FDM (Finite Difference Method), a linearized model of equation is proposed. And GA (Genetic Algorithm) is applied to optimize a human-like balancing motion of a biped robot. By genetic algorithm, the index of the balancing motion is efficiently optimized, and a dynamic walking stability is verified by the ZMP verification equation. These balancing motion are simulated and experimented with a real biped robot IWR-IV. This human-like gait generation will be applied to a humanoid robot, at future work.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.257-263
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• 2000

One of the basic assumptions in the static gait design for a walking robot is that the weight of leg should be negligible compared to that of body, so that the total gravity center is not affected by swing of a leg. Based on the ideal assumption of zero leg-weight, conventional static gait has been simply designed for the gravity center of body to be inside the support polygon, consisting of each support leg's tip position. In case that the weight of leg is relatively heavy, however, while the gravity center of body is kept inside the support polygon, the total gravity center of walking robot can be out of the polygon due to weight of a swinging leg, which causes instability in walking. Thus, it is necessary in the static gait design of a real robot a compensation scheme for the fluctuation in the gravity center. In this paper, a body impedance control is proposed to obtain the total gravity center based on foot forces measured from load cells of a real walking robot and to adjust its position to track the pre-designed trajectory of the corresponding ideal robot's body center. Therefore, the walking stability is secured even in case that the weight of leg has serious influence on the total gravity center of robot.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-36
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of fabric ankle-foot orthosis on spatiotemporal gait parameters, compared to a barefoot condition in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Eleven children with spastic cerebral palsy participated in this study. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured with the GAITRite system. Fabric ankle-foot orthosis significantly improved Timed Up and Go test time and gait velocity. There was no significant difference in cadence. The step time significantly improved in both the more and less affected foot compared to the barefoot condition. The step length of the affected foot also significantly improved, but there was no significant difference in the step length of the less affected foot. There was significant improvement in the stride length of both the affected and less affected foot, but no significant difference in single stance or double stance. The fabric ankle-foot orthosis could improve stability, and selective control of the joint and promote better walking in children with cerebral palsy. Consequently, the fabric ankle-foot orthosis might be an alternative assistive device for neurological populations as a primary role instead of the typical ankle-foot orthosis.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.281-288
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze the difference in reaction patterns during the support phase after perturbation in gait according to different age. A total of 12 subjects participated; 5 elderly and 7 adults(control), to investigate the differences between normal and perturbed gait. The step length didn't change during normal and perturbed gait but was longer in the control group. There was no difference in the step width. When the right foot was perturbed, the control group's left foot speed was faster than the elderly group's which was to maintain stability. The elderly flexed both right and left knees more than the control group. After the perturbation, the elderly group had a larger trunk anterior flexion. With the larger flexion of both legs of the elderly group it shows that the lack of knee flexion strength is a factor, that could cause falling and so a prevention program should focus on strengthening the quadriceps. With the excessive trunk flexion after the perturbation by the elderly group observed, it is suggested that while walking everyday a good routine of walking with an upright posture should be developed.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.613-619
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• 2013

This study compares the gait characteristics of elderly women during barefoot walking and walking with sneakers. We measured foot angles, max foot pressure, peak plantar pressure of each plantar region, velocity of Center of Pressure(COP), and axis shifting of COP with an RS-scan system. Elderly women's foot angles were narrower when walking with sneakers than when barefoot walking. We found that the subtalar joint angle (representing ankle joint flexibility) affected walking stability. Regarding the peak plantar pressure of each foot region, pressures were high in the medial regions and the pressures greatly varied depending on the region measured during barefoot walking. The COP moved significantly faster when walking with sneakers than barefoot walking and suggests that elderly women walked faster in sneakers. Axis shifting of the COP decreased during walking with sneakers and indicated that gait balance improved when walking with sneakers. The findings of the present study can be utilized as foundational data for elderly women's gait characteristics as well as data for the production of functional footwear. Future research that focuses on various types of shoes, age groups, and gender are recommended for the development of more functional footwear for stable gaits.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.882-887
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• 2003

This paper presented a design and control of a new RGO(reciprocating gait orthosis)and its simulation. The new RGO was distinguished from the other one by which had a very light-weight and a new RGO(reciprocating gait orthosis) system. The vibration evaluation of the hip joint system on the new RGO(reciprocating gait orthosis)was used to access by the 3-axis accelerometer with a low frequency vibration of less than 30 ㎐. The gait of the new RGO depended on the constrains of mechanical kinematics and the initial posture. The stability of dynamic walking was investigated by analyzing the ZMP (zero moment point) of the new RGO. It was designed according to the human wear type and was able to accomodate itself to the environments of S.C.I. Patients. The joints of each leg were adopted with a good kinematic characteristics. To analyse joint kinematic properties, we made the hip joint system of FEM and the hip joint system by 1-axis and 3-axis Accelerometers.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to understand the relationship between gait symmetry and functional balance, walking performance in stroke patients and to makes recommendation regarding the most suitable measure for standardization of expression of spatiotemporal gait symmetry. Methods: 45 subjects with stroke (31 men, 14 women, $57.3{\pm}10.3$ years old) participated in this study. Gait symmetry was calculated by equations of symmetry ratio (SR) and symmetry criterion (SC) for stance time, swing time, single leg support time (SLST), step length, and stride length. Spatiotemporal parameters were measured respectively by walkway system ($GAITRite^{TM}$ system). Limit of stability (LOS) by using forceplate (Balance Performance Monitor) during voluntary weight displacement and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were measured as functional balance and Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Functional Ambulation Category (FAC) were assessed as functional walking. Results: SR in stance time and swing time was correlation with BBS, TUG and FAC (p<0.05). SR in SLST only with BBS (p<0.01), SR in step length only with FAC (p<0.05). SC in stance time was correlation with BBS and TUG (p<0.05). SC in swing time and SLST with BBS, TUG and FAC (p<0.01), SC in step length with TUG and FAC (p<0.01), SC in stride length with BBS and FAC (p<0.01). Conclusion: Gait symmetry in spatiotemporal gait parameters provides meaningful information about functional balance and walking performance in stroke subjects. Our analysis may support the recommendations of the symmetry criterion as equation for standardization of gait symmetry.