• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2001.11c
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• pp.301-303
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• 2001

This paper deals with the biped robot gait on changing the initial postures. Gait of a biped robot depends on the constraints of mechanical kinematics and initial posture. Also biped robot's dynamic walking stability is investigated by ZMP(Zero Moment Point). The path trajectory. with the knee joint bent like a human, is generated and applied with the above considerations. To decrease trajectory tracking error, in this paper, a new initial posture similar to bird's case is proposed and realized with the real robot.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.8 no.10
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• pp.890-897
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• 2002

This paper deals with the reduction of trajectory tracking error by changing the initial postures of a biped robot. Gait of a biped robot depends on the constraints of mechanical kinematics and the initial states including the posture. Also the dynamic walking stability in a biped robot system is analyzed by zero moment point(ZMP) among the stabilization indices. Path trajectory, in which knee joint is bent forward like human's cases, is applied to most cases considered with above conditions. A new initial posture, which is similar to bird's gait, is proposed to decrease trajectory tracking error and it is verified through real experimental results.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2011

The femoral nerve innervates the quadriceps muscles and its dermatome supplies anteromedial thigh and medial foot. Paralysis of the quadriceps muscles due to the injury of the femoral nerve results in disability of the knee joint extension and loss of sensory of the thigh. A child could walk independently even though he had injured his femoral nerve severely due to the penetrating wound in the medial thigh. We measured and analyzed his gait performance in order to find the mechanisms that enabled him to walk independently. The child was eleven-year-old boy and he could not extend his knee voluntarily at all during a month after the injury. His gait analysis was performed five times (GA1~GA5) for sixteen months. His temporal-spatial parameters were not significantly different after the GA2 or GA3 test, and significant asymmetry was not observed except the single support time in GA1 results. The Lower limb joint angles in affected side had large differences in GA1 compared with the normal normative patterns. There were little knee joint flexion and extension motion during the stance phase in GA1 The maximum ankle plantar/dorsi flexion angles and the maximum knee extension angles were different from the normal values in the sound side. Asymmetries of the joint angles were analyzed by using the peak values. Significant asymmetries were found in GA1with seven parameters (ankle: peak planter flexion angle in stance phase, range of motion; ROM, knee: peak flexion angles during both stance and swing phase, ROM, hip: peak extension angle, ROM) while only two parameters (maximum hip extension angle and ROM of hip joint) had significant differences in GA5. The mid-stance valleys were not observed in both right and left sides of vertical ground reaction force (GRF) in the GA1, GA2. The loading response peak was far larger than the terminal stance peak of vertical ground reaction curve in the affected side of the GA3, GA4, GA5. The measured joint moment curves of the GA1, GA2, GA3 had large deviations and all of kinetic results had differences with the normal patterns. EMG signals described an absence of the rectus femoris muscle activity in the GA1 and GA2 (affected side). The EMG signals were detected in the GA3 and GA4 but their patterns were not normal yet, then their normal patterns were detected in the GA5. Through these following gait analysis of a child who had selective injuries on the knee extensor muscles, we could verify the actual functions of the knee extensor muscles during gait, and we also could observe his recovery and asymmetry with quantitative data during his rehabilitation.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2015

Objective : Walking with a Material handling is an activity frequently undertaken by agricultural workers in Korea, due to the nature of their work. This study aimed to investigate differences in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs when walking with a heavy load, and to use this as basic data in the design of various working environments to reduce the skeletomuscular burden on the knee joint. Method : The study subjects comprised of 22 right-foot dominant adult men and women aged between 20 and 23 years. The subjects were divided into a varus or valgus group according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limb by using radiographic findings. The subjects walked without any load and with a load of 10%, 20%, or 30% of their body weight held in front of them. The Kwon3d XP program was used to calculate biomechanical variables. Results : The flexion/extension moment of the knee joint showed a decreasing trend with increased load, irrespective of the mechanical alignment of the lower limb, while the varus group did not show normal compensatory action when supported by one leg at the point of maximum vertical ground reaction force. In addition, in terms of the time taken, subjects showed no difficulties in one-foot support time up to 20%/BW, but at 30%/BW, despite individual differences, there was an increase in single limb. The increased load resulted in a decrease in the ratio of standing phase to ensure physical stability. The valgus group showed a trend of increasing the stability of their center of mass with increasing load, through higher braking power in the early standing phase. Conclusion : In conclusion, although there was no statistical difference in biomechanical variables according to the mechanical alignment of the lower limbs, the varus group showed a more irregular walking pattern with a Material handling than the valgus group, partially proving the association between lower limb alignment and walking with a Material handling.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.205-215
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to investigate alterations of pregnant gait by means of 3 different treads of stairs. 9 subjects(body masses; $59.41{\pm}7.49$, $64.03{\pm}6.65$, $67.26{\pm}7.58$, heights; $160.50{\pm}6.35$ ages; $31.22{\pm}2.99$; parity; $1.67{\pm}0.71$) participated in three experiments that were divided by physiological symptoms(the early(0-15 weeks), middle(16-27 weeks) and last(18-39 weeks), and walked at self-selected pace on 4 staircases 3 trials. As extending the pregnancy period, cadence was shorter but cycle time was longer more and more and the difference of maximum and minmum moments between right and left knee joint moment was smaller. With the treads of stair decent lengthening, speed and stride lengths were increased. As extending the treads of stair decent, joint moments of both feet were particular traits, hip joint was asymmetric but joint moments of knee and ankle were symmetric. These findings may account for relation between the treads of stair and moments and suggest that women may adapt their gait to maximize stability and to control gait motion for themselves in pregnant women.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.157-164
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate kinematic differences in back pike somersault in platform diving according to skill level and to apply the findings to improve performance. Method: Korean divers participating in this study were divided into a skilled group (age: $21.6{\pm}4.16y$, height: $1.68{\pm}0.03m$, weight: $62.0{\pm}3.94kg$, career: $12.6{\pm}5.13y$) and a less-skilled group (age: $20.6{\pm}2.7y$, height: $1.72{\pm}0.05m$, weight: $64.8{\pm}6.76kg$, career: $12.2{\pm}2.49y$) and an independent t-test was performed to analyze differences between groups at the moment of takeoff. Results: The two groups showed significant differences in displacement and velocity of center of mass (COM), takeoff angle, hip joint angle, knee joint angular velocity, and hip joint angular velocity at the takeoff (p<.05), and significant differences in displacement of COM, hip joint, and ankle joint during flight (p<.05). Conclusion: For a successful back pike, the COM should rise quickly in the vertical direction and the hip joint angle and angular velocity should increase. To improve performance, the back pike turn should be practiced on the ground before an attempt on a 10-m platform, to stretch the ankle and knee joints and enable quick flexion of the hip joint when turning in flight.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to analyze setter toss motion kinematically according to toss types. Method : Dependent variables were elapsed time, vertical displacement of the body center, the projected speed of the ball, and differences of the joint angle to the target for four setters positioning. Result : There was no significant difference in the time but the ball contact time was shorter when the toss distance of P3 was longer. There was significant difference in the vertical displacement of COM (p<.05). The vertical displacement of COM showed that the vertical movement gradually decreased when the quick distance was longer. The vertical displacement of COM was difference (p<.05), also there was difference of the ball speed (p<.001) at the Release point(E4). There was significant difference in the knee joint angle at a certain moment among the Release(E4) and Landing point(E5)(p<.05). The hip joint was significant difference among the Apex(E2), Ball Touch(E3), Release(E4), and the Landing point(E5) on the surface(E2, E3, E4 p<.05; E5 p<.005). The shoulder angle was significant difference among the Ball Touch(E3), Release(E4) and the Landing point(E5) on the surface(E3, E4 p<.05; E5 p<.001). The elbow was significant difference in the Apex(E2) (p<.05). The wrist was significant difference in the Release(E4) (p<.05). Conclusion : If we find the clue to expect the direction of the setter's ball, we have to fine the clues in the Apex(E2) that hip join and elbow, Ball Touch(E3) that hip joint and shoulder joint, Release(E4) that wrist, elbow, hip joint, and knee joint.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2011

This study aims to analyse difference in biomechanical factors between dominant legs and recessive ones according to muscular imbalance during drop landing targeting talented children in sports. The subjects of the study were ten primary students who are attending to Sports Program for Talented Children organized by C university (age: $12.28{\pm}0.70$ year, height: $1.52{\pm}0.11$ m, and weight: $45.2{\pm}4.9$ kg). Strength legs were classified into dominant side and strengthless legs were classified into non-dominant legs. For three-dimensional analyses of the data collected, 6 video cameras(MotionMaster200, Visol, Korea) were used. To analyse ground reaction force, two force platforms(AMTI ORG-6, MA) were used and to analyse electromyograghy a 8-channeled wireless Noraxon Myoresearch made in USA was used at 1000 Hz for sampling. As a result, it was discovered that the dominants legs controlled knee bending motions more stably than strengthless legs as the maximum vertical ground reaction force was significantly high in dominant legs(p<.05), and joint moment of knee joints of the dominant legs was high(p<.05). Therefore, this study suggested that injury prevention program focusing on muscular balance as well as the existing sports programs for talented children should be developed based on results of the study and it is expected that the results will be useful for improvement of sports programs for talented children.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.39-52
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• 2016

Objective: This paper investigates gait changes according to different heel heights and speeds, and the interaction between the effects of the heel height and the speed during walking on stride parameters and joint angles. Furthermore, the relationship among heel height, speed and gait variables is investigated using linear regression. Background: Gait changes by heel height or speed have been studied respectively, but has not been reported whether there is an interaction effect between heel height and speed. It would be necessary to understand how gait changes when a person wears heels in different heights at various speeds, for example, high-heeled walking at fast speed, since it may cause unusual gait patterns and musculoskeletal disorders. Method: Ten females were asked to walk at five fixed cadences (94, 106, 118, 130 and 142 steps/min.) wearing three shoes with different heel heights (1, 5.4 and 9.8cm). Nineteen gait variables were analyzed for stride parameters and joint angles using two-way repeated measure analysis of variance and regression analysis. Results: Both heel height and speed affect movement of ankle, knee, spine and elbow joint, as well as stride length and Double/Single support time ratio. However, there is no significant interaction effect between heel height and speed. The regression result shows linear relationships of gait variables with heel height and speed. Conclusion: Heel height and speed independently affect stride parameters and joint angles without a significant interaction, so the gait variables are linearly amplified or diminished by the two factors. Application: Walking in high heels at fast speed should be careful for musculoskeletal disorders, since the amplified movement of knee and spine joint can lead to increased moment. Also, the result might give insight for animators or engineers to generate walking motion with high heels at various speeds.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.697-705
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the possible cause of falling owing to mechanical energy in elderly women as compared to young women when performing the sit-to-walk movement. Two groups participated in this study: 10 elderly women and 10 young women. We used a ProReflex MCU camera (Qualisis, Sweden) and ground reaction force to evaluate the mechanical work. The muscle power (W) showed the same low negative work in both groups in the extension phase of the knee and hip joints while varying the angular velocity and net muscle moment of force. Elderly women, in particular, showed lower negative work. In mechanical work (J), the knee and hip joints of both groups showed the same amount of negative work in the extension phase. In the hip joint, elderly women showed lower negative work results in each phase. These result showed the possible reasons of falling for elderly women according to the weakness of the thigh muscle of the hip joint during the sit-to-walk movement.