• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2016

Objective: This study collected data on muscle fatigue and ground reaction force during walking to provide a basis for development of custom-fitted outdoor walking shoes. The study analyzed an upright body exercise program using spine stabilization technique to determine the effect on foot plantar pressure in archers, demonstrate the effectiveness of upright body exercise, and develop a new, effective, and efficient training program. Method: A 12-week upright body exercise program was evaluated for the effect on plantar pressure in archers. Ten prize-winning archers (3 men, 7 women) in B metropolitan city, each with ${\geq}10years$ of experience, were given an explanation of the content and purpose of the program, and provided informed consent. Upright body exercise was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. A resistive pressure sensor was used to measure foot plantar pressure distribution and analyze quantitative information on variation in postural stability and weight shifting in dynamic balance during shooting, as well as plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open and closed. Results: There were no significant differences in foot plantar pressure before and after participation in the exercise program. There was no statistically significant difference in foot plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open or closed, or in foot plantar pressure in dynamic balance during shooting. Conclusion: An upright body exercise program had positive effects on foot plantar pressure in static and dynamic balance in archers by reducing body sway and physical imbalance during shooting and with eyes closed. This program is expected to help archers improve their posture and psychological state, and thereby improve performance.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2022

It is known that chronic pain and injury of upper limb joint tissue in manual wheelchair users is usually caused by muscle imbalance, and the propulsion speed is reported to increase this muscle imbalance. In this study, kinematic variables, electromyography, and ultrasonographic images of the upper limb were measured and analyzed at two different propulsion speeds to provide a quantitative basis for the risk of upper extremity joint injury. Eleven patients with spinal cord injury for the experimental group (G_E) and 27 healthy adults for the control group (G_C) participated in this study. Joint angles and electromyography were measured while subjects performed self-selected comfortable and fast-speed wheelchair propulsion. Ultrasound images were recorded before and after each propulsion task to measure the acromiohumeral distance (AHD). The range of motion of the shoulder (14.35 deg in G_E; 20.24 deg in G_C) and elbow (5.25 deg in G_E; 2.57 deg in G_C) joints were significantly decreased (p<0.001). Muscle activation levels of the anterior deltoid, posterior deltoid, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii increased at fast propulsion. Specifically, triceps brachii showed a significant increase in muscle activation at fast propulsion. AHD decreased at fast propulsion. Moreover, the AHD of G_E was already narrowed by about 60% compared to the G_C from the pre-tests. Increased load on wheelchair propulsion, such as fast propulsion, is considered to cause upper limb joint impingement and soft tissue injury due to overuse of the extensor muscles in a narrow joint space. It is expected that the results of this study can be a quantitative and objective basis for training and rehabilitation for manual wheelchair users to prevent joint pain and damage.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.383-390
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• 2011

In this study, 26 normal subjects were studied to compare the biomechanical Analysis of Lower Limbs on Speed of Nordic Walking. The biomechanical variables were determined by performing three-dimensional gait analysis, and the measurements items were spatial and temporal parameters; vertical ground reaction force; and moments of the hip, knee, and ankle joints. The purpose of this study based on the speed of Nordic Walking to the vertical ground reaction force and joint moments of each were analyzed. Nordic Walking with poles while being whether this weight is reduced to load, not the improvement of muscle activity by identify Nordic walking is to allow efficient. The results of the analysis were follows. The spatial parameters of step length, stride length significantly increased with increase in velocity(p<0.001). The temporal parameters of step time, stride time, the duration of double support use, and the duration of single support use also significantly decreased with increase in velocity(p<0.001), but cadence significantly increased(p<0.01). Analysis of the changes in ground reaction force revealed that vertical ground reaction force significantly increased at the initial contact and the terminal stance and decreased at the mid stance with increase in velocity(p<0.001). Moments of the hip and knee joints significantly in creased with increase in velocity whereas that of the ankle joint did not. Gait analysis revealed that weight-bearing decreased and moments of the hip and knee joints increased with increase in velocity(p<0.01). The results of this study may help people perform Nordic walking efficiently and Nordic walking can be used in the gait training of people with an abnormal gait.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2011

This study aimed to determine the effects of the blockage of visual feedback on joint dynamics of the lower extremity. Fifteen healthy male subjects(age: $24.1{\pm}2.3\;yr$, height: $178.7{\pm}5.2\;cm$, weight: $73.6{\pm}6.6\;kg$) participated in this study. Each subject performed single-legged landing from a 45 cm-platform with the eyes open or closed. During the landing performance, three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremity and ground reaction force(GRF) were recorded using a 8 infrared camera motion analysis system (Vicon MX-F20, Oxford Metric Ltd, Oxford, UK) with a force platform(ORG-6, AMTI, Watertown, MA). The results showed that at 50 ms prior to foot contact and at the time of foot contact, ankle plantar-flexion angle was smaller(p<.05) but the knee joint valgus and the hip flexion angles were greater with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). An increase in anterior GRF was observed during single-legged landing with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). Time to peak GRF in the medial, vertical and posterior directions occurred significantly earlier when the eyes were closed as compared to when the eyes were open(p<.05). Landing with the eyes closed resulted in a higher peak vertical loading rate(p<.05). In addition, the shock-absorbing power decreased at the ankle joint(p<.05) but increased at the hip joints when landing with the eyes closed(p<.05). When the eyes were closed, landing could be characterized by a less plantarflexed ankle joint and more flexed hip joint, with a faster time to peak GRF. These results imply that subjects are able to adapt the control of landing to different feedback conditions. Therefore, we suggest that training programs be introduced to reduce these injury risk factors.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combined exercise on injury risk factors of lower extremity during landing. Ten sports talented athletes participated in this study. Sports talented athletes participated in a combined exercise (sports talented exercise, coordination) for 16 weeks. A three-dimensional motion analysis was performed using eight infrared cameras (sampling rate of 100 Hz), one force plate, and electromyography system (sampling rate of 1000 Hz) during landing. Kinetic, and kinematics analysis including average impulsive force, angle of lower extremity, vertical stiffness, onset of muscle activation were calculated by Matlab2009a software. Paired t-test was performed at alpha=.05. The average impulsive force in landing phase was not statistically significant (t=-.748, p=.474). The hip joint angle was more decreased in post test compared to pre test (E1: t=2.682, p=.025, E2: t=5.609, p=.000, E3: t=2.538, p=.032). The knee joint (E1: t=-.343, p=.739, E2: t=1.319, p=.220, E3: t=.589, p=.570) and ankle joint (E1: t=.081, p=.937, E2: t=.784, p=.453, E3: t=.392, p=.704) angle were tended to decrease after combined exercise. The vertical stiffness was tended to decrease after combined exercise (t=1.972, p=.080). Onset of quadriceps femoris (t=.698, p=.503) and medial gastocnemius (t=1.858, p=.096) were tended to be faster than biceps femoris (t=-.333, p=.747) after combined exercise. Although thses findings were not statistically significant except on a hip joint angle, risk factors of lower extremity such as joint angle, vertical stiffness and onset of quadriceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius were positively changed after the combined exercise but an additional training for improved onset of biceps femoris would be required in the future.