• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate difference in fascicle behavior of the medial gastrocnemius during the locomotion with varying intensities, such as gait and one-legged and two-legged vertical jumping. Methods : Six subjects (3 males and 3 females; age: $27.2{\pm}1.6yrs.$, body mass: $62.8{\pm}9.8kg$, height: $169.6{\pm}8.5cm$) performed normal gait (G) at preferred speed and maximum vertical jumping with one (OJ) and two (TJ) legs. While subjects were performing the given tasks, the hip, knee and ankle joint motion and ground reaction force was monitored using a 8-infrared camera motion analysis system with two forceplates. Simultaneously, electromyography of the triceps surae muscles, and the fascicle length of the medial gastrocnemius were recorded using a real-time ultrasound imaging machine. Results : Comparing to gait, the kinematic and kinetic parameters of TJ and OJ were found to be significantly different. Along with those parameters, change in the medial gastrocnemius (MG) muscle-tendon complex (MTC) length ($50.57{\pm}6.20mm$ for TJ and $44.14{\pm}5.39mm$ for OJ) and changes in the fascicle length of the MG ($18.97{\pm}3.58mm$ for TJ and $20.31{\pm}4.59mm$ for OJ) were observed. Although the total excursion of the MTC and the MG fascicle length during the two types of jump were not significantly different, however the pattern of length changes were found to be different. For TJ, the fascicle length maintained isometric longer during the propulsive phase than OJ. Conclusion : One-legged and two-legged vertical jumping use different muscle-tendon interaction strategies.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 2013

For this research, 27 out of 52 patients with chronic low back pain involving sacroiliac joint pain were classified into the experimental group to conduct pelvic exercise program and traditional physical therapies in parallel, and the remaining 25 ones were classified into the control group to only apply traditional physical therapies for 6 weeks. After that, their clinical samples were randomly extracted. Before the experiment, both of the experimental group and the control group had the Oswestry disability index test to see how big their pain was and their hip joint angles were analyzed during walking. After the post-test, finally, the results of the Oswestry disability index test and hip joint angles while walking before and after the experiment were compared between two groups to know the effect of pelvic stability exercise program. Within-group results and between-group results both displayed significantly reduced low back pain, and when comparing hip joint angles of the experimental group, there were differences between mid stance phase, terminal stance phase, pre swing phase and early swing phase of the right hip joint, and mid stance phase, terminal stance phase, pre swing phase and early swing phase of the left hip joint. In the control group, there were significant differences between mid stance phase, terminal stance phase and early swing phase of the right hip joint, and loading response phase, mid stance phase, terminal stance phase and pre swing phase of the left hip joint. as a result, pelvic stability exercise program is helpful to gait rhythm on stance phase and swing phase although effective to decrease Oswestry disability index including pain.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the knee and ankle joint kinematics and kinetics by comparing downhill walking with valley-shape combined slope walking. Method: Eighteen healthy men participated in this study. A three-dimensional motion capture system equipped with eight infrared cameras and a synchronized force plate, which was embedded in the sloped walkway, was used. Obtained kinematic and kinetic parameters were compared using paired two-tailed Student's t-tests at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The knee flexion angle after the mid-stance phase, the mean peak knee flexion angle in the early swing phase, and the ankle mean peak dorsiflexion angle were greater during downhill walking compared with valley-shape combined slope walking (p < 0.001). Both the mean peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF) in the early stance phase and late stance phase during downhill walking were smaller than those values during valley-shape combined slope walking. (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean peak anterior GRF, appearing right after toe-off during downhill walking, was also smaller than that of valley-shape combined slope walking (p = 0.002). The mean peak knee extension moment and ankle plantar flexion moment in late stance phase during downhill walking were significantly smaller than those of valley-shape combined slope walking (p = 0.002 and p = 0.015, respectively). Conclusion: These results suggest that gait strategy was modified during valley-shape combined slope walking when compared with continuous downhill walking in order to gain the propulsion for lifting the body up the incline for foot clearance.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.303-310
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• 2013

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the correlation of clinical tools for assessment of balance and ability of gait, in order to discriminate the phases of sit-to-walk movement of patients with stroke using the motion analysis system, and to investigate the reliability of the phase of sit-to-walk movement according to functional ability of patients with stroke. Methods: Twenty -one patients participated (men 17, women 4) in this study. Sit-to-walk movement of all patients was recorded by the motion analysis system. Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go test, Functional Reach Test, 10 meter Walk Timed Test, and Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment were used as functional assessment tools. Results: The results of this study showed significant correlation between the phase I, II, IV and total phase duration of sit-to-walk movement and functional assessment tools. In addition, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) showed high reliability in accordance with the functional ability of patients with stroke (Pearson's r 0.93 to 1.00). Conclusion: In conclusion, there is high reliability between measures of the phase of sit-to-walk movement of chronic stroke patients and the clinical assessment tool. Results of this study suggest that measurement of the phase of sit-to-walk movement can be used significantly as an intervention and a clinical tool for patients with stroke.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2017

This paper present a novel approach to control the lower body power assistive exoskeleton system of a HEXAR-CR35 aimed at improving a muscular strength. More specifically the control of based on the human intention is crucial of importance to ensure intuitive and dexterous motion with the human. In this contribution, we proposed the detection algorithm of the human intention using the MCRS which are developed to measure the contraction of the muscle with variation of the circumference. The proposed algorithm provides a joint motion of exoskeleton corresponding the relate muscles. The main advantages of the algorithm are its simplicity, computational efficiency to control one joint of the HEXAR-CR35 which are consisted knee-active type exoskeleton (the other joints are consisted with the passive or quasi-passive joints that can be arranged by analyzing of the human joint functions). As a consequence, the motion of exoskeleton is generated according to the gait phase: swing and stance phase which are determined by the foot insole sensors. The experimental evaluation of the proposed algorithm is achieved in walking with the exoskeleton while carrying the external mass in the back side.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.253-256
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• 1997

KESF-1 foot conceptually provides storage of potential energy and is converted to kinetic energy throughout the weight - bearing phase of the gait cycle. This stored energy is progressively released as the foot continues through the toe-off phase to rebound and propel the body forward. A weight deflects the keel through a predetermined range, then the keel "springs back" as weight is removed. Foot designs criteria were selected to guide development beyond the proof-of concept composite material keels; 1) store and return energy (1-3/4 " metatarsal deflection at 435 pounds vertical load), 2) natural feel and stability; 3) useful life of 3-years: 4) lightweight; 5) reduced production costs. The purpose of this study is developed the comfortable stable foot that fitted with Korean lifestyle and road condition. The results produced the realistic cosmetic foot cover with polyurethane form and the keel composed with composite materials of both glass fiber and carbon fiber.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.77-83
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• 2003

본 연구는 발가락 벌림 보조기(toe spreader)가 긴장성 발가락 굽힘 반사(Tonic Toe Flexion Reflex: TTFR)가 있는 양하지 뇌성마비 아동의 보행에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 12명의 TTFR이 있는 양하지 뇌성마비 아동을 대상으로 같은 날에 맨발과 발가락 벌림 보조기를 착용한 상태에서 보행분석을 실시하였다. 시간 거리 보행변수로 활보장(step length), 보장(step length), 보폭(step width), 발가락 외전각도(toe out angle), 활보시간(stride), 입각기(stance phase), 유각기(swing phase), 분속수(cadence), 보행속도(speed)를 측정하였다. 발가락 벌림 보조기 착용 시 시간 거리 보행변수는 통계적으로는 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>.05). 양하지 뇌성마비 아동에서 TTFR을 억제하기 위한 발가락 벌림 보조기의 즉시적인 효과는 유의하지 않다고 볼 수 있으며, 추후연구로 장기간 일상생활에서의 지속적인 착용을 통한 연구가 필요하다고 본다.

• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.269-277
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• 2014

In skin-marker based motion analysis, knee translation measurement is highly dependent on a pre-selected reference point (functional center) on each segment determined by the location of anatomical landmarks. However, the placement of skin markers on palpable anatomical landmarks (i.e., femoral epicondyles) has limited reproducibility. Thus, it produces large variances in knee translation measurement among different subjects, as well as across studies. In order improve the repeatability of knee translation measurement, in this study an optimization method was introduced, by which the femoral functional center was numerically determined. At that point the knee anteroposterior translation during the stance phase of walking was minimized. This new method was tested on 30 healthy subjects during walking in gait lab with motion capture system. Using this new method, the impact of skin marker position (at anatomical landmarks) on the knee translation measurement has been minimized. In addition, the ranges of anteroposterior knee translations during stance phase were significantly (p<0.001) smaller than those measured by conventional method which relies on a pre-selected functional center ($11.1{\pm}3.5mm$ vs. $19.9{\pm}5.5mm$). The results of anteroposterior translation using this new method were very close to a previously reported knee translation (12.4 mm) from dual fluoroscopic imaging technique. Moreover, this new method increased the reproducibility of knee translation measurement by 50%.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of the muscle activities during level walking and stairs ascending in young adults. Methods : Fifteen young adult were recruited this study. Muscle activity (BIOPAC System Inc., Santa Barbara, U.SA). Statistical analysis was difference between level and stair walking. Results : In stance phase, muscle activity of low extremity generally more increased during ramp ascent both young adults. In swing phase, muscle activity of low extremity generally more increased during stairs ascent in young adults. Conclusion : These results indicate that stair and ramp ascent is more difficult task than level walking in young adults. Muscle activity was more changed at ramp ascent. In the future, we suggest that studies of stair and ramp gait pattern regarding ambulatory patient with disabilities be further studied and an appropriate stairs and ramp inclination will be indicated.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2018

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the lower limb alignment on the pelvis, hip, and knee kinematics in people with genu varum during stair walking. Methods: Forty subjects were enrolled in this study. People who had intercondylar distance ${\geq}4cm$ were classified in the genu varum group, and people who had intercondylar distance <4cm and intermalleolar distance <4cm were placed in the control group. 3D motion analysis was used to collect the pelvis, hip, and knee kinematic data while subjects were walking stairs with three steps. Results: During stair ascent, the genu varum group had decreased pelvic lateral tilt and hip adduction at the early stance phase and decreased pelvic lateral tilt at the swing phase compared to the control group. At the same time, they had decreased minimal hip adduction ROM at the early stance and decreased maximum pelvic lateral tilt ROM and minimum hip rotation ROM at the swing phase. During stair descent, the genu varum group had decreased pelvic lateral tilt at the early stance and decreased pelvic lateral tilt and pelvic rotation at the swing phase. In addition, they had decreased pelvic frontal ROM during single limb support and increased knee sagittal ROM during the whole gait cycle. Conclusion: This study suggests that a genu varum deformity could affect the pelvis, hip and knee kinematics. In addition, the biomechanical risk factors that could result in the articular impairments by the excessive loads from lower limb malalignment were identified.