• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.551-558
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• 2008

This paper deals with the real-time stable walking for a humanoid robot, ISHURO-II, on uneven terrain. A humanoid robot necessitates achieving posture stabilization since it has basic problems such as structural instability. In this paper, a stabilization algorithm is proposed using the ground reaction forces, which are measured using FSR (Force Sensing Resistor) sensors during walking, and the ground conditions are estimated from these data. From this information the robot selects the proper motion pattern and overcomes ground irregularities effectively. In order to generate the proper reaction under the various ground situations, a fuzzy algorithm is applied in finding the proper angle of the joint. The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified by simulation and walking experiments on a 24-DOFs humanoid robot, ISHURO-II.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.829-840
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigated into the kinematics and ground reaction force for gait on induced stereoacuity in normal subjects with normal sight. Eighteen subjects who passed the stereoacuity testing were participated in the experiment(age: 22.1±2.7 years, height: 176.8±4.4 cm, weight: 67.6±5.8 kg). The study method adopted 3D analysis with six cameras and ground reaction force with two force-plates. The results were as follows; In gait velocity, obstacle crossing gait was slower than flat gait. In angular displacement of hip joint, mostly obstacle crossing gait was more flexed than flat gait. In angular displacement of knee joint, obstacle crossing gait was more flexed than flat gait, and stereoacuity reduction gait in TO and FC2 were more flexed than normal vision gait. In angular displacement of ankle joint, obstacle crossing gait in FC2 was more flexed than flat gait. In trunk tilt, obstacle crossing gait in MSt, TO and MSw were more extended than flat gait. In GRF, there was no significant in Fx, obstacle crossing gait in right and left foot were bigger propulsion force than flat gait, obstacle crossing gait in right and left foot were bigger braking force than normal vision gait in Fy, and obstacle crossing gait in right and left foot were bigger than flat gait in peak F1 and peak F2 of Fz, and stereoacuity reduction gait in right foot was lower than normal vision gait in valley force of Fz.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.191-198
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to conduct biomechanical analysis of varying backpack loads on the lower limb movements during downhill walking over $-20^{\circ}$ ramp. Method : Thirteen male university students (age: $23.5{\pm}2.1yrs$, height: $175.7{\pm}4.6cm$, weight: $651.9{\pm}55.5N$) who have no musculoskeletal disorder were recruited as the subjects. Each subject walked over $20^{\circ}$ ramp with four different backpack weights (0%, 10%, 20% and 30% of body weight) in random order at a speed of $1.0{\pm}0.1m/s$. Five digital camcorders and two force plates were used to obtain 3-d data and kinetics of the lower extremity. For each trial being analyzed, five critical instants were identified from the video recordings. Ground reaction force, loading rate, decay rate, and resultant joint moment of the ankle and the knee were determined by the inverse dynamics analysis. For each dependent variable, one-way ANOVA with repeated measures was used to determine whether there were significant differences among four different backpack weight conditions (p<.05). When a significant difference was found, post hoc analyses were performed using the contrast procedure. Results : The results of this study showed that the medio-lateral GRFs at RHC in 20% and 30% body weight were significantly greater than the corresponding value in 0% of body weight. A consistent increase in the vertical GRFs as backpack loads increased was observed. The valgus joint movement of the knee at RTO in 30% body weight was significantly greater than the corresponding values in 0% and 10% body weight. The increased valgus moment of 30% body weight observed in this phase was associated with decelerating and stabilizing effects on the knee joint. The results also showed that the extension and valgus joint moments of the knee were systematically affected by the backpack load during downhill walking. Conclusion : Since downhill walking while carrying heavy external loads in a backpack may lead to excessive knee joint moment, damage can occur to the joint structures such as joint capsule and ligaments. Therefore, excessive repetitions of downhill walking should be avoided if the lower extremity is subjected to abnormally high levels of load over an extended period of time.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.209-215
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• 2003

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between kinematic and kinetic characteristics of foot joints resisting ground reaction force. Passive elastic joint moment and angular displacement were obtained from the experiment using 3 cameras and force plate. The relationship between joint angle and moment was mathematically modeled by using least square method. The ranges of motion of joints ranged from 5$^{\circ}$ to 7$^{\circ}$ except metatarsophalangeal joint. In the study, we presented simple mathematical models that could relate joint angle and plantar pressure. From this model, we can got the kinematic data of joints which is not available from conventional motion analysis. Furthermore, the model can be used not only for biomechanical model which simulates gait but also for clinical evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.143-149
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the influence of landing foot orientations on biomechanics of knee joint in order to identify vulnerable positions to non-contact knee injuries during single-legged landing. Method: Seventeen men (age: $20.5{\pm}1.1 years$, height: $175.2{\pm}6.4cm$, weight: $68.8{\pm}5.8kg$) performed single-leg drop landings repeatedly with three different landing foot orientations. They were defined as toe-in (TI) $30^{\circ}$ adduction, neutral (N, neutral), and toe-out (TO) $30^{\circ}$ abduction positions. Results: The downward phase time of TI was significantly shorter than those of N and TO. The flexion and valgus angle of N was greater than those of TI and TO at the moment of foot contact. At the instance of maximum knee flexion, N showed the largest flexion angle, and TO position had the largest varus and external rotation angles. Regarding ground reaction force (GRF) at the moment of foot contact, TO showed the forward GRF, while others showed the backward GRF. TI indicated significantly larger mediolateral GRF than others. As for the maximum knee joint force and joint moment, the main effect of different foot positions was not significant. Conclusion: TI and TO might be vulnerable positions to knee injuries because both conditions might induce combined loadings to knee joint. TI had the highest mediolateral GRF with a shortest foot contact time, and TO had induced a large external rotation angle during downward phase and the peak forward GRF at the moment of foot contact. Conclusively, N is the preferred landing foot orientation to prevent non-contact knee injuries.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.298-302
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• 2017

With an increasing aging population and improved standards of living, more attention has been paid to health. Although walking exercise is known as an aerobic exercise, it imposes repeated and continuous impacts on the joints of the lower extremities. Therefore, when overweight gives a burden to the lower extremity or there is a joint disease, exercise limit occurs. The articular cartilage, weakened with age, also makes it difficult for the elderly to perform walking exercises. Accordingly, this study conducted a comparative analysis between regular walking using only the lower extremity and Nordic walking, which has been known as stable. For analysis, electromyography (EMG) was performed and the ground reaction force of the upper and lower extremities were measured in the same exercise. Integrated EMG (iEMG) revealed that the upper extremity muscles were more active in Nordic walking than in regular walking, where lower extremity muscles were relatively more inactive. In addition, when EMG measurements were performed at each measurement point during walking exercise, the pattern was different. Nevertheless, the result was the same as in iEMG. The load that occurs in each exercise was measured using the ground reaction force system. As a result, Nordic walking had a lower load than regular walking. Therefore, it was found that Nordic walking minimized the load on the lower extremities owing to the effect of whole-body exercise and was a safer and more efficient exercise method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study intended to verify whether there was actual correlation between weight-bearing asymmetry and a limitation in hip joint rotation range in patients with low back pain. METHODS: Thirty five low back pain patients voluntarily participated this study. For each participant, hip joint medial rotation symmetry rate and the weight-bearing symmetry rate were calculated. The correlation between the two variables was investigated. RESULTS: A decrease in the left hip joint medial rotation range of motion (ROM) was observed more often than a reduction in the right hip joint medial rotation ROM. However, similar number between right and left side was observed in ground reaction force more weighted. The coefficient between the passive hip joint medial rotation symmetry rate and the weight loading symmetry ratio was -0.19 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated a weak correlation between the hip joint medial rotation ROM and the weight distribution of both feet. Such result suggests that careful evaluation by separating each element is needed in treating patients with low back pain. Future research should take into account asymmetric alignment and abnormal movement in different joints of the body as well as asymmetry in the bilateral hip joint rotation and the unilateral weight supporting posture.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2013

Naejirgi is one of the fastest, most forceful and most often being used kicks in Taekkyon games, The purpose of this study was to investigate kinetic factors on two types of Naejirgi kick, one of which uses knee bending of supporting leg and the other uses little it. 12 taekkyoners (11 males and one female) who are the students of Y University participated in this study. They have been practicing on Taekkyon for five years or more. Positions of CoM, the elapsed time of each phase, vertical ground reaction forces, joint moments and impulses of supporting leg were analyzed for this study. The results were as follows; in Naejirgi with knee bending of supporting leg than without knee bending of supporting leg, the vertical motion range of whole body CoM was larger during phase 2 and 3, the elapsed time of phase 4 were longer, players stayed longer in the nearest location to opponent, during phase 4 the vertical ground reaction forces of supporting foot were larger, and joint extension moments and angular impulses of supporting leg (especially knee) were larger. In conclusion supporting knee bending is not a useful strategy for Naejirgi, because players stay longer in the nearest position to opponent and consumed more muscle force and energy for producing the vertical momentum which is unnecessary for pushing down the opponent.

• 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.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 2017

In this study, we investigated how a jumping strategy changes with an increase in the vertical jump height for a resultant ground reaction force (GRF) vector. We expected that the resultant force vector between two sequential motion phases (i.e., countermovement and push-off) of the countermovement jump would significantly change with the vertical jump height to take advantage of the resulting supportive force (i.e., an initial push-off force larger than the body weight) through the countermovement phase. Nine healthy young subjects were instructed to jump straight up to five different height levels ranging from 191 cm to 221 cm, and the kinematic and kinetic data were obtained in regular trials. The results showed that a lower center of mass position and larger resultant force vector were clearly observed in a higher jump, implying that the countermovement strategy changed with the vertical jump height to prepare for sufficient joint deviation and obtain a force advantage for larger push-off work.