• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.125-134
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish an association between grip strength and gait variability in the elderly. Methods: The participants in this experiment (n = 20) were aged 65 or older. Power grip and lateral pinch forces were obtained in grip strength tests, and spatiotemporal gait parameters were collected from IMU sensors during 6 min actual walking to test the gait of participants. The collected gait parameters were converted to coefficient of variation (CV) values. To confirm the association between grip strength and gait variability, a partial correlation analysis was conducted in which height, weight, and gait speed were input as controlling variables. Results: Grip power showed a significant negative correlation with the stride length CV (r = -0.52), and the lateral pinch force showed a significant negative correlation with the stance CV (r = -0.65) and swing CV (r = -0.63). Conclusion: This study reveals that gait variability decreases as grip strength increases, although height, weight, and gait speed were controlled. Thus, grip strength testing, a simple aging evaluation method, can help identify unstable gait in older adults at risk of falling, and grip strength can be utilized as a non-invasive measurement method for frailty management and prevention.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.120-126
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of backward treadmill gait training between underwater and ground environments on strength, proprioception, and walking ability in persons with stroke. Design: Randomized control trial. Methods: Twenty eight subjects participated in the study in which they were randomly assigned to either the underwater backward treadmill training (UBTT) group (n=13) or the BTT group (n=15). In both groups, forward gait training was performed for 20 minutes on the ground treadmill. The UBTT group performed backward gait on an underwater treadmill for 20 minutes while the BTT group performed backward gait on a ground treadmill for 20 minutes. The gait training in each group was performed twice a week for a total of six weeks. Muscle strength, proprioception, and gait ability was assessed using a digital power meter, joint angle recurrence method using the smartphone protractor application, the Figure-of-Eight walk test (F8W) and the functional gait assessment (FGA) respectively. Results: Both groups showed significant improvement in strength, F8W and FGA scores after training (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Both groups showed significant improvement in proprioception after training (p<0.05). In the comparison between the two groups, there was a greater significant change in the UBTT group for joint proprioception (p<0.05). Conclusions: In this study, it was found that both backward treadmill gait training programs were effective on strength, proprioception, and gait ability, and that underwater training was particularly effective on proprioception compared to ground training.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.294-299
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• 2008

Objective : To evaluate the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of the patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with athetoid cerebral palsy. Methods : The authors reviewed the clinical and neurodiagnostic findings, surgical managements and outcomes in six consecutive patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with athetoid cerebral palsy who had been treated with surgical decompression and fusion procedures between January 1999 and December 2005. The mean age of the 6 patients (four women and two men) at the time of surgery was 42.8 years (range, 31-55 years). The mean follow-up period was 56.5 months (range, 17-112 months). The neurological outcome was evaluated before and after operations (immediately, 6 months after and final follow-up) using grading systems of the walking ability, brachialgia and deltoid power. Results : At immediate postoperative period, after 6 months, and at final follow-up, all patients showed apparent clinical improvements in walking ability, upper extremity pain and deltoid muscle strength. Late neurological deterioration was not seen during follow-up periods. There were no serious complications related to surgery. Conclusion : Surgical decompression and stabilization in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy associated with athetoid cerebral palsy have been challenging procedure up to now. Our results indicate that early diagnosis and appropriate surgical procedure can effectively improve the clinical symptoms and neurological function in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and athetoid cerebral palsy, even in those with severe involuntary movements.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 2010

Purpose : This study examines the effects of pre-eccentric exercise and stretch ing to bicepsbrachii to prevent delayed onset muscle soreness and recovery of muscular function depending on the training intensity with 28 normal adults in their twenties. Methods : The subjects were divided into a control group, a group without any previous eccentric exercise, and a stretching group. Pre-eccentric exercise group conducted exercise with the intensity of 25% of maximal voluntary contraction. Pre-eccentric exercise and stretching was applied before to induce delayed onset muscle soreness and after, 24 hour post, 48 hour post, and 72 hour post. Measurements were conducted to examine pain and muscular function changes before, immediately after, and after inducing delayed onset muscle soreness. After inducing delayed onset muscle soreness, measurements were taken at the 24th hour, 48th hour, and 72nd hour. Results : The pre-eccentric exercise group and stretching group showed a significant difference from the control group by isometric contract ion power and mechanical pain threshold as a result of measuring delayed onset muscle soreness. Conclusion : From these results, electrical stimulation using presynaptic inhibition mechanism of transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) had positive effects for walking ability on inhibition of muscle tone in lower extremity. The motor level stimulation group experienced a more significant effect than the sensory level stimulation group. Therefore, the transcutaneous electrical stimulation (TES) is considered to be effective on walking ability increasing through inhibition of muscle tone in lower extremity for rehabilitation of post stroke hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.41-49
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• 1997

In South Korea since 1970s the rapid development of economic growth has brought about "Urbanization" in many areas and also raised the level of people's life in many ways. At the same time, however, the industrialization and overpopulated districts in many areas have caused the problems of air pollution in necessary. Among those air pollution, in particular, in large cities has become more serious since 1990s than before. Air pollution, like TSP and SO$_{x}$ caused by heating, generation of electric power and industrialization in 1980s, showed as that of the type of an underdeveloping country and was not hazardous enough to people in the least. Unfortunately, in 1990s NO$_{x}$, CO and O$_{3}$ caused by the soaring numbers of many types of cars have exhausted air pollutant more hazardous as the same air pollution type of many developed countries. So, the purpose of this study would be to analyze the changes of concentration of NO$_{x}$ and CO on environmental air by traffic volume and from the side drive way to the degree of distance in Sungnam City, and recognize the citizens' consciousness to air pollution and suggest the best walking point in part, and plan to design the reasonable use of cars and finally make the air quality improve toward the better-ment in part. From the research result we can know that people walking in the street would be protected from the hazardous air pollutant caused by the cats if they walk apart from a drive way as far as they can in the street. Accordingly, it might, to minimize th affect of air pollution, be thought to be desirable that the consideration of in introduction the system that the vehicle using the diesel engine motor should use the centered-lane aparted from road. Another to be desirable is that along side the road, the trees inhaled the pollution should be planted.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2014

Purpose: Walking type cultivator used for weeding generated excessive handle vibration as well as bouncing motion depending on the weeding speed. This research was conducted to define a design factor of the rotary weeding blades for reducing soil reaction forces as well as hand vibration. Methods: The motion and forces acting on the rotary blades were reviewed to find out the most influencing parameter on hand vibration. The installation angle (IA) of the blade was selected and analyzed to determine the condition of no reaction force less. For removing the unnecessary upward soil reaction, the design factor theory of weeding blade was suggested based on geometrics and dynamics. For evaluation of design factor theory, the experiment in situ was performed base on ISO 5349:1. The vibration $a_{hv}$ and theoretical value $X_{MF}$ were compared with two groups that one was positive group ($X_{MF}$ > 0) and the other was negative group ($X_{MF}$ < 0). Results: $X_{MF}$ was derived from rotational velocity, forward velocity, disk diameter, weeding depth, blade's width and IA of blade. Two groups had significant difference (p < 0.05). In aspect of the group mean total exposure duration, positive group was 17.53% bigger than negative group. When disk radius 100, 150 and 200 mm, minimum IAs were $4{\sim}27^{\circ}$, $3{\sim}15^{\circ}$ and $2{\sim}10^{\circ}$, respectively. A spread sheet program which calculated XMF was developed by Excel 2013. Conclusions: According to this result, minimum IA of weeding blade for soil reaction reduction could be obtained. For reduction hand-arm vibration and power consumption, minimum IA is needed.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.543-554
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• 1995

This paper describes the improvement of driving stability and the control system for INMEL-VII which is motorized manual wheelchair to satisfy requirements of the disabled The INMEL-VI was based on high maneuverability of the omnidirection drive and safety But the results of field tests about two years showed some problems to the disabled in daily life such as driving stability, Pm switching noise, and rotation of motor without driving command on negative slope. To solve the problems due to an increased DC motor power and applied to direct connection method in INMEL- VII. It improved the driving circuits and set switching frequency to 5KHz to eliminate the switching noise caused by PWM control of DC motor, As compare with the INMEL-VI, INMEL-VII is improved in driving stability by transfer the weight center to forward. The results of field testing proved the improvement of the driving stability and software algorithm It has been estimated to have a hlgh practical use for powered walking aids to the disabled's daily life.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.99-109
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• 2007

The purpose of the study is to examine the effect of the spring shoe through the comparison of spring shoe to general shoe. For this, 12 healthy females in the age from 20 to 30 years participated in the E.M.G. experiment with testing kinematic variables. Results indicated that there was significant differences in angle of ankel between the general and spring shoe. Specifically, the spring shoe showed a bigger angle of take on and a smaller angle of take off in walking than the general shoe. This mesns that the spring shoe does not have a significant effect to produce efficient and smooth walking. In addition, the spring shoes revealed a bigger rear-foot angle than the general shoe in the evaluation of rear-foot control function. This means that the rear-foot control function of the spring shoe is low compared to trhe general shoe. Meanwhile, there is no significant differences in angle of knee and angle of Achilles tendon between both shoes. In an analysis of E.M.G., the significant differences were found in gastrocnemius muscle, anterior tibial musculi, musculi rectus femoris, biceps muscle of thigh between both the general and spring shoe groups by the section. In the case of gastrocnemius muscle, the spring shoe showed a low muscle production of anterior tibial musculi than the general shoe. This is a result from structural nature of the sole of a foot of the spring shoe. The spring shoe performs a rolling movement through slightly large pronation toward front-foot from rear-foot in supprt time before taking-off of toe and the power for this movement is mainly produced from musculi rectus femoris.

• Journal of Korea Game Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.43-52
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• 2011

We have developed a serious game for the game-aided human life and entertainment for the elders with the concept of enjoying scenic beauties in Korea walking in the room using controllers of armrests and footboards with PC. The expected effects of the game are the satisfaction of bodily sensation with cooperation and competition, and also remedy by entertainment such as vital power, maintaining mental functions with the game playing. We have tested 309 elders who were more than 65 years old in Cheonan city community center for the elderly. 76.1% of them answered they were satisfied totally for the game play, average grade for the interest/fun of the game was 4.13 points with full 5 points. 89.4% of them replied they would like to play the game again. We found the intended permissiveness and coenesthesia of the game was appealing to elders.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.7285-7292
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate possibility of a forward gait with backward mechanism(dance gait) as rehabilitation and/or walking exercise by means of biomechanical variables. Thirteen professional women dancers(age, $21.1{\pm}1.3yrs$; height, $159.3{\pm}7.2cm$; body mass, $45.1{\pm}8.4kg$)participated in this study. We found that speed, stride length and double limb support time of a dance gait were more greater than backward gait, but stride width of dance gait less than a backward gait. Maximum RoMs, moments and powers of the lower limb joints on a dance gait were more frequent than a backward dance. These results were judged to be sufficient by the possibility of dance gait as rehabilitation and walking exercise.