• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.1190-1193
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• 2004

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the possibility of identifying joint damping property through commercially available isokinetic ergometer (BIODEX). The proposed method is to estimate the damping torque of the knee joint from the difference between the external joint torque for maintaining isokinetic movement and the gravity torque of the lower leg. The damping torque was estimated at various joint angular velocities, from which the damping property would be derived. Measurement setup was composed of the BIODEX system with an external force sensor and Labview system. Matlab was used in the analysis of the damping property. The experimental result showed that the small variation in angular velocity due to acceleration and deceleration of the crank arm resulted in greater change of inertial torque than the damping torque, so that the estimation of damping property from the isokinetic movement is difficult.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.711-725
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of knee flexor isokinetic training on the mean peak torque of knee muscles and hamstrings-to-quadriceps ratio(H/Q ratio) in hemiplegia able to walk independently for more than 10 meters, to analyze the effect of torque increasing on functional aspects; fatigability and ambulation times, also. Forty-one adult subjects with hemiplegia secondary to a stroke partipated in this study. All participants were in/out patients at the College of Medicine, Pocheon CHA University, Pundang CHA General Hospital. The patients were allocated to two groups: one group exclusively for isokinetic maximal voluntary knee flexor training at $150^{\circ}$/sec(n=20) and the other exclusively for isokinetic maximal voluntary knee flexor training from $30^{\circ}$/sec to $150^{\circ}$/sec (n=21) gradually. The allocation was performed according to patient age, sex, affected side to minimize imbalance between the two training groups. Training was carried out from February 14th, 2000 to April 15th, 2000. Analysis of the data was done by means of t-test, x2-test, paired t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis. The results of this study were as follows: 1. There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean peak torque of knee muscles and relative decreases in knee extensor mean peak torque with increased knee flexor velocities before training (P<.05). 2.There was no significant differences between the two groups in the H/Q ratio, and no relative increases with increased knee flexor velocities before training. 3. there were significant changes in mean peak torque in group A after training(P<.05), but no significant differences as the velocity increased 4.there were significant changes in mean peak torque in group B after training(P<.05), but no significant differences as the velocity increased 5.there were no significant differences between the two groups, and no significant differences in mean peak torque increase rate between the groups with increased knee flexor velocities after training 6.H/Q ratio increased with increased knee flexor velocities between the two groups, but not statistically And there was no significant differences between the groups with increased knee flexor velocities 7.After training, Ambulation time and its decreasing rate decreased significantly in group B (P<.05) 8Before and after training, there was no significant differences between the groups in the fatiguability 9. In the multiple regression analysis, mean peak torque increase rate of the knee extensor and flexor were higher in group B than A(P<.05), and significantly higher with increased knee flexor velocities (P<.05) Also, training method influenced on Ambulation times decreases significantly(P<.05). Results indicated that knee flexor isokinetic training was effective to knee extensor and flexor mean peak torque increase in the hemiplegia able to walk independently for more than 10 meters. Therefore, we were able to conclude that gradual training from low to high velocity was more effective in the increase of mean peak torque of knee joint and decrease of Ambulation times than training only at high velocity.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.286-292
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• 2009

This paper proposes a knee-wearable robot system for assisting the muscle power of human knee by processing EMG (Electromyogram) signals. Although there are many muscles affecting the knee joint motion, the rectus femoris and biceps femoris among them play a core role in the extension and flexion motion, respectively, of the knee joint. The proposed knee-wearable robot system consists of three parts; the sensor for measuring and processing EMG signals, controller for estimating and applying the required knee torque, and actuator for driving the knee-wearable mechanism. Ultimately, we suggest the motion control method for knee-wearable robot system by processing the EMG signals of corresponding two muscles in this paper. Also, we show the effectiveness of the proposed knee-wearable robot system through the experimental results.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.311-322
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of landing height and knee joint muscle fatigue on the movement of the lower extremity during cutting after landing. Method : Subjects included 29 adults (age: $20.83{\pm}1.56years$, height: $172.42{\pm}9.51cm$, weight: $65.07{\pm}10.18kg$). The subjects were asked to stand on their dominant lower limb on jump stands that were 30 and 40 cm in height and jump from each stand to land with the dominant lower limb on a force plate making a side step cutting move at a $45^{\circ}$ angle with the non-dominant lower limb. The fatigue level at 30% of the knee extension peak torque using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results : The results showed that the difference of landing height increased maximum range of motion and angular velocity of hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane, and in the angular velocity of motion of the hip joint in the sagittal plane. The maximum range of motion of the knee joint in the sagittal plane and the frontal plane decreased on landing from both heights after the fatigue exercise. The angular velocity of the hip joint in the sagittal plane, and the maximum range of motion of the hip joint in the transverse plane decreased for both landing heights after the fatigue exercise. The angular velocity of the hip joint in the frontal plane decreased for the 30 cm landing height after the fatigue exercise. On the other hand, the angular velocity and maximum range of motion of the ankle joint in the sagittal plane for both landing heights, and the angular velocity and maximum range of motion of the ankle joint in the frontal plane increased on landing from the 40 cm height after the fatigue exercise. Conclusion : Different landing heights of 30 and 40 cm and 30% fatigue of peak torque of knee extensor found a forefoot and stiff landing strategy, when cutting after landing. These results might be due to decline in the shock absorption capability of the knee joint and the movement capability related to cutting while increasing the contribution of the ankle joint, which may cause increased ankle joint injuries.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

In this study, a fully active transfemoral prothesis with a knee joint is designed considering stair walking conditions. Since the torque at the knee joint required for stair walking condition is relative high compared with the one in normal walking condition, the proposed design has high torque generating mechanism. Moreover, the transfemoral prothesis is designed in compact size to reduce its weight, which is related to comfortable fit and fatigue of patients. Flat type BLDC motor is used for simple and compact structure and various components are used to generate required torque with target working angle and speed. The weight reduction of structure is carried out using optimization method after the initial design process is complete. The optimization is conducted under the load conditions of stair walking. The optimized design is validated via finite element analysis and experiments. As a result, the weight is reduced using topology and shape optimization but maintaining the safety of structure. Also the space efficiency is improved due to its compact size.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.326-333
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• 2016

This case study identified the effects of joint mobilization on knee pain, isokinetic strength, muscle tone, and muscle stiffness in an elite volleyball player with a knee injury. The subject had experienced cartilage defects of the left knee joint and underwent surgery to correct the condition. The patient complained of continuous pain in the left knee joint in daily life in addition to pain during exercise. The study was conducted from August 5 to 12, 2015 and joint mobilization was applied to the left knee joint for 15 minutes once a day for 8 days. Knee pain was measured using a visual analogue scale, and the concentric peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles was measured using an isokinetic muscular strength measurement device. The muscle tone and stiffness of the rectus femoris muscle, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis on the injured side were measured using a myotonometer. All the measurements were conducted before and after the intervention. Joint mobilization was effective in reducing knee pain on the injured side, increasing the concentric peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles on both sides, and increasing the muscle stiffness of the quadriceps muscle on the injured side. Concentric peak torque of the quadriceps muscle on the injured side increased a great deal as the number of joint mobilizations was increased, largely diminishing the difference in concentric peak torque between the normal side and injured side. On the other hand, joint mobilization was ineffective in improving the hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio on the injured side. While this study suggests that joint mobilization can be an effective intervention to improve the knee pain, isokinetic strength, and muscle stiffness of elite volleyball players, it should be performed alongside training for an appropriate strength ratio.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.762-768
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• 2013

This study investigated the effect of whole-body vibration on muscle function and muscular reaction in the knee joint. We recruited thirty healthy subjects and divided them into a training group, who experienced whole-body vibration, and a control group, who did not. The training group performed whole-body vibration exercises for 30 min per day, 3 days a week, for 8 weeks. We measured knee joint torque to estimate muscle strength and reaction, using BIODEX System 3. Knee joint peak torque and total work performed increased significantly in the training group, and muscle acceleration time decreased. These results suggest that stimulation by whole-body vibration can improve muscle strength and reaction by improving muscle tone and increasing blood temperature and flow speed in muscular fiber. Our results also indicate that 4 weeks of exercise with whole-body vibration is required to improve the reaction response, and six weeks to improve strength.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.136-142
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• 2015

In the paper, a design method of knee and pelvis joint in the biped robot is proposed for shock absorption and gravity compensation. Similarly to the human's body, the knee joints of the biped robot support most body weight and get a shock from the landing motion of the foot on the floor. The torque of joint motor is also increased sharply to keep the balance of the robot. Knee and pelvis joints with the spring are designed to compensate the gravity force and reduce the contact shock of the robot. To verify the efficiency of the proposed design method, we develope a biped robot with the joint mechanism using springs. At first, we experiment with the developed robot on the static motions such as the bent-knee posture both without load and with load on the flat ground, and the balance posture on the incline plane. The current of knee joint is measured to analyze the impact force and energy consumption of the joint motors. Also, we observe the motor current of knee and pelvis joints for the walking motion of the biped robot. The current responses of joint motors show that the proposed method has an effect on shock reduction and gravity compensation, and improve the energy efficiency of walking motions for the biped robot.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.201-205
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• 2023

Objective: Resistance exercise is a necessary element to improve quality of life, and measurement and evaluation of muscle strength provide important information for prescription and management of rehabilitation and exercise programs. This study analyzed the correlation between direct and indirect 1RM for isokinetic maximum torque of the knee joint in order to provide useful information in the field of exercise programs. In addition, the flexion-extension ratio and the difference in left-right deviation were verified. Design: A cross-sectional study Methods: The subjects of this study were 33 healthy adult men and women without medical problems who participated in the health exercise class program at S University in Seoul. The correlation between isokinetic maximum torque and direct and indirect 1RM was analyzed, and a dependent t-test was performed to analyze the flexion-extension ratio and left-right deviation. Results: There was a high correlation between the isokinetic maximum torque and direct and indirect 1RM, and no statistically significant difference was shown between the test methods in the analysis of the flexion-extension ratio and left-right deviation. Conclusions: Isokinetic muscle function measuring equipment is expensive, so it is difficult to use it in local exercise rehabilitation and training sites. Through this study, it was found that direct and indirect 1RM isokinetic maximum torque showed a high correlation, and there was no difference in evaluating muscle function such as flexion-extension ratio and left-right deviation. Therefore, it is considered that the muscle function evaluation using 1RM in general field can be usefully utilized.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.240-257
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• 2016

This study determines the effect of 3D compression pants and Kinesio taping on muscular function of the leg during knee joint flexion and extension. Eight males participated in the experiment, wearing basic pants (BP), Kinesio taping on bare skin (KT), 3D compression pants with (KTP) and without Kinesio taping (CP). The test protocol for isokinetic muscular function was composed of four sets at three angular velocities (60, 180, $240^{\circ}/sec$) using Cybex 660. Peak torque and work per repetition of the lower limbs of eight males were analyzed from the result of Cybex. Agility and power of the subjects were examined from side step and sergeant jump. Peak torque, average power, work per repetition, force decay time of subjects wearing CP and KTP were significantly better than BP or KT, especially at low angular velocity of $60^{\circ}/sec$. The time to generate peak torque of subjects wearing BP was the longest, while the force-decay time of BP was the shortest. The application of Kinesio tape on skin did not increase muscle peak torque, work and power, but did shorten the time to generate peak torque.