• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2007

The purpose of study was to compare plantar pressure during walking wearing the curved rear balance and normal shoes. Twelve university students(height: $177.2{\pm}4.6cm$, weight: $68.4{\pm}5.8kg$, age: $26.2{\pm}1.6yrs.$) who have no known musculoskeletal disorders were recruited as the subjects. Plantar foot pressures were evaluated using the Tekscan's pressure measurement systems while subjects walked upright position wearing the curved rear balance and normal shoes in random order at a speed of 1.3 m/s. The contacting dimension, the mean plantar pressure, and the peak plantar pressure were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between shoe conditions (p<.05). As a result, the curved rear balanced shoes showed as large as 38 up to 50 % of area at the rear side of feet than the normal shoes when measuring the contact area with upright position. In the distribution of average pressure, the curved rear balanced shoes displayed fairly low pressure compared to other normal shoes in general except for one area, which is M2, and especially, the measured pressures at the both rear (M1) and middle (M5) side of feet were low and statically significant. The contact area of the curved rear balanced shoes when walking was significantly larger at the rear (M1) and fore (M6, M7) side of feet. When considering pressure distribution at walking, low pressure was detected at the rear side of feet with the curved rear balanced shoes and at the fore side of feet for other normal shoes. The results showed that the contacting dimension of the curved rear balance shoes that acts between shoes and feet was higher than the corresponding value for the normal shoes in general; therefore it would reduce the pressure to the feet by allowing the each sole of the foot on the ground evenly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.430-435
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was a virtual reality-based balance training program effective for improvement in physical function, examined the balance ability and fall efficacy of elderly women with experienced falls, intending to examine the program's usefulness as an exercise program to prevent the recurrence of a fall. Methods: The participants were 30 elderly women aged 65 or older who met the conditions. The participants were randomly assigned to either a balance training group (BT) or a virtual reality-based balance training group (VT) and received the training three times per week, 30 minutes per day, for six weeks. To measure static balance, the Tetrax Portable Multiple System (Tetrax Ltd, Israel) were used. To measure dynamic balance, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and functional reach test (FRT) was used, and regarding fall efficacy, the Korean Fall Efficacy Scale (K-FES) was used. Results: Tetrax significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT group and the VT group (p<0.05). The comparison between the two groups was not significantly. BBS and FRT result significantly improved after the intervention in both the BT and VT groups (p<0.001), while K-FES was significantly ameliorated in the VT group only (p<.05). Comparing the groups, there were more significant changes in the BBS (p<0.05) and FRT (p<0.01) result of the VT group than the BT group. Conclusion: A virtual reality-based balance training program is considered to be usable as an exercise program to prevent recurrence of falls in elderly women.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.691-701
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• 2017

The barbell squat is a fundamental physical exercise for strengthening the lower body and core muscles. It is an integral part of training and conditioning programs in sports, rehabilitation, and fitness. In this paper, we proposed a virtual test framework for squat exercises using a Smith machine to simulate joint torques and muscle forces, based on an integrated product-human model and motion synthesis algorithms. We built a muscular skeletal human model with boundary conditions modeling the interactions between the human body and a machine or the ground. To validate the model, EMG, external forces, and squat motions were captured through physical experiments by varying the foot position. A regression-based motion synthesis algorithm was developed based on the captured squat motions to generate a new motion for a given foot position. The proposed approach is expected to reduce the need for physical experiments in the development of training programs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the dynamic range of motion (ROM) of the hip, knee, and ankle joint when wearing different shoe sole lifts, as well as the limb asymmetry of the range according to the leg length discrepancy (LLD) during normal speed walking. METHODS: The participants were 40 healthy adults. A motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic ROM data. The participants had 40 markers attached to their lower extremities and were asked to walk on a 6 m walkway, under three different shoe lift conditions (without an insole, 1 cm insole, and 2 cm insole). Visual3D professional software was used to coordinate kinematic ROM data. RESULTS: Most of the ROM variables of the short limbs were similar under each insole lift condition (p>.05). In contrast, when wearing a shoe with a 2 cm insole lift, the long limbs showed significant increases in flexion and extension of the knee joint as well as; plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, pronation, eversion, and inversion of the ankle joint (p<.05). Of the shoes with the insole lifts, significant differences in all ROM variables were observed between the left and right knees, except for the knee internal rotation (p<.05). CONCLUSION: As the insole lift was increased, more ROM differences were observed between the left and right limbs, and the asymmetry of the bilateral lower limbs increased. Therefore, appropriate interventions for LLD are needed because an artificial mild LLD of less than 2.0 cm could lead to a range of musculoskeletal problems of the lower extremities, such as knee and ankle osteoarthritis.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2019

Purpose: Continuous use of a smartphone increases the angle of forward bending of the user's cervical vertebrae, causing pain in the shoulders and back, including the thorax, lumbar region, and vertebrae. Although there are many studies on changes in the cervical spine due to smartphone usage, the changes in the shoulders, thoracolumbar spine, and pelvic have rarely been compared. The purpose of this study is to investigate the change in the spinal segments, shoulders, and pelvic when using a smartphone with both hands while in the standing position. Methods: This study was conducted on 35 adults in their twenties. The selection criteria for the subjects were limited to those in a similar age group, thus excluding posture differences according to age, and to those who did not have specific diseases or pain in the spinal and musculoskeletal system for 12 months prior to the study. In this study, we used a 3D spinal diagnostic imaging system (Back Mapper, Frickenhausen) to compare the changing conditions in each vertebral segment before and during smartphone usage with both hands while in the standing position. Posture differences according to smartphone usage were compared using the paired t-test for the motion of each spinal segment. Results: This study showed that the thoracic and lumbar angle increased posteriorly during smartphone usage (p<0.05). In addition, the anterior rotation angle of the shoulder bone significantly increased, but no significant difference occurred in the pelvic region. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, smartphone usage with both hands while in the standing position showed that the spine, as a whole, forms a kyphotic curve. Therefore, we propose to present a postural guideline for correct smartphone usage, considering the change in each vertebral segment.

• Oral Biology Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.208-215
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to identify the risk of dysphagia among patients that visited prosthodontics department, and evaluate the difference in risks arising from oral conditions and disease in order to preliminarily intervene the various influencing factors of dysphagia. A questionnaire was given to patients that were aged 65 years or older who visited the prosthodontics department between September to December 2017. The data was collected and analyzed using the t-test, $x^2-test$ and logistic regression analysis. The mean age of the patients was 75 years. Out of 300 patients, 206 patients (68.7%) had a risk of dysphagia. There were statistically significant differences between the -non-risk and risk groups, which included the number of natural teeth, total number of teeth including prosthesis, denture use, denture discomfort, number of tooth brushing, oral dryness, digestive system diseases, and musculoskeletal diseases. Among these, oral dryness was a risk factor while the total number of teeth, including natural teeth and prostheses, served as a protective factor. More than half of the elderly patients were at risk of dysphagia. Oral dryness is influenced by many factors and it should continuously be managed. Patients should fully recover their masticatory function by preserving the remaining teeth and compensating for the missing teeth. A dental practitioner should be fully aware of the risk of dysphagia in elderly patients and be able to intervene and offer proper patient health care in advance through treatment guidelines and education.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.195-203
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• 2021

Purpose: Neurodynamic tests are used to examine neural tissue in patients with neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, although this has not yet been established in the intensity of nerve tension application. This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of neural stretching intensity on nerve excitability using the latency and amplitude of nerve conduction velocity test (NCV) analysis. Methods: Thirty young, healthy male and female subjects (mean age = 21.30 years) voluntarily participated in this study. Nerve excitability was assessed using the median sensory NCV test. The latency and amplitude of the NCV test were measured under four different conditions: reference phase (supra-maximal stimulus, without neural stretching), baseline phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, without neural stretching), weak stretch phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, with weak neural stretching), and strong stretch phase (2/3 of the supra-maximal stimulus, with strong neural stretching). Results: The NCV latency was significantly delayed after one minute of neural stretching at the baseline, weak phase, and strong phase in comparison with the reference phase. The NCV latency was significantly delayed by increasing the strength of neural stretching. Furthermore, the NCV amplitude was significantly increased at the weak and strong phases, which were under neural stretching, in comparison with the baseline phase. The NCV amplitude was significantly increased by increasing the strength of the neural stretching. Conclusion: Transient neural stretching as a neurodynamic test can increase the sensitivity of the nerve without negatively affecting the nervous system. However, based on the results of this study, strong neural stretching in the neurodynamic test may delay the transmission of nerve impulses and hypersensitivity.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.93-100
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• 2021

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is the most common chronic musculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremity with pain and wrist extension disability. The tendon which is most affected is the extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). Previous study evaluated the effect of taping technique on patient with LE, but no study investigated the changes of electromyography (EMG) on ECRB when using dynamic taping (DT) technique. Objects: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DT technique using dynamic tape on muscle activity of ECRB during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion. Methods: Twenty-one healthy subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Subjects were instructed to perform wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion without and with DT on origin area of ECRB. Wrist isometric extension was performed at 75%, 50% and 25% (%maximal voluntary contraction force), respectively, based on maximum contraction force. Isotonic extension and flexion test used dumbbell. EMG data was collected from ECRB. Results: EMG of ECRB were statistically significant decrease in wrist isotonic extension after DT (p < 0.05). Significant increase in wrist isometric extension during 25% and 50% force task (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study applied DT technique to suppress the wrist extensor muscles in 21 healthy adults in their twenties. Change in muscle activity was compared in the ECRB muscle during wrist isometric extension, isotonic extension and flexion task. Based on the results of this study, the DT technique applied to the wrist and forearm area can reduce the load on the wrist extensors when the wrist performs various movements during daily life movements or repetitive tasks, and by using these effects, excessive stress is applied to tennis elbow patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2021

Purpose: This study was examined to improve the standing posture of a scoliosis client using the ICF Tool. Methods: For examination, the study subject was a 16-year-old female student diagnosed with 3curve-pelvic (3CP) type scoliosis. Information about her were collected through a client interview and based on international Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). The ICF core set was for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions, and the ICF level 2 items suggested by National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC) were added to the recommendations for scoliosis. For evaluation, the ICF assessment sheet was used to identify the interaction among the problems. For the diagnosis, the client's functional problems were described in ICF terms. For the prognosis, the global goals for reaching the client's functional activity and participation level were presented as the long-and short-term goals. For the intervention, a coordinative locomotor training program composed of warm-up, main exercise, and cool-down was applied 3 times a week, 50 minutes a day, for 5 weeks. For the outcome, the differences between before and after the intervention were compared with the ICF qualifier and are shown with the ICF evaluation display. Results: Clinical advantages were observed in body function and structure (7° decrease of thoracic angle, 7 score increase of trunk muscle power, 6.47s improve of one leg standing, 4 score decrease of neck pain). The activity for maintaining the standing posture, in which the client had a primary limitation, was improved. Conclusion: Applying the coordinative locomotor training program is expected to improve scoliosis client's standing posture.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.543-549
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• 2020

Background: The working conditions of bus drivers are difficult; they lead to occupational diseases and require careful study, particularly in Ukraine. The objective of the article is the description of occupational health risks of passenger bus drivers that lead to deteriorating health. Methods: The risk assessment was performed using a modified Risk Score method, which allowed determining the generalized level of danger to the driver's health. The hygienic hazards level was assessed as based on Stevenson's law, which was generalized later. Results: Based on the modification of the Risk Score method, it was possible to depart from expert assessments method of the risk level and calculate the general indicator based on the degree of dependence of the impact on the human body on its intensity, proposed by V. Minko. This allows objective determining of the impact of hygiene hazards on the health of the driver and to predict the occurrence of occupational diseases associated with the cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, and partial or complete disability due to the accumulation of emotional fatigue. The hazard assessment was carried out for three brands of passenger buses common in Ukraine, in which the driver is exposed to the dangers of fever, vibration, noise, harmful impurities in the bus cabin, and emotional load. Conclusion: The health of drivers in the cabins of passenger buses is most affected by hygiene hazards: fever, vibration, and emotional stress. The generalized level of risk is calculated by the modified method of Risk Score is 0.83; -0.99, -0.92 respectively.