• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of metatarsal pad (MP) compared with barefoot and MP with using different insoles on gait. 15 healthy females who had no history of injury in the lower extremity with an average age of 22.7 year(SD=1.35), height of 160 cm(SD=3.4), weight of 48.8 kg(SD=5.52) and average foot size of 232.5 mm(SD=6.8) participated in this study as the subjects. The subjects walked on a treadmill under four different experimental conditions: 1) walking with barefoot, 2) walking wearing MP 3) walking wearing a soft insole with MP(SIMP), 4) walking wearing a rigid insole with MP(HIMP). During walking, foot pressure data such as force, contacting area, peak pressure, and mean pressure was collected using Pedar-X System(Novel Gmbh, Germany) and EMG activity of lower limb muscles such as tibialis anterior(TA), lateral gastrocnemius(LG), rectus femoris(RF), and musculus biceps femoris(MBF) was gathered using Delsys EMG Work System(Delsys, USA). Collected data was then analyzed using paired t-test in order to investigate the effects of each of experimental conditions. As a result of the analysis, when MP and HIMP were equipped, overall contacting area was increased while the force, peak pressure and the mean pressure were decreased. Especially, when the SIMP was equipped, every data were significantly decreased. In case of EMG, wearing MP, SIMP and HIMP made three muscles(TA, LG, RF)'s activity decrease. A result of the analysis will be able to apply for manufacturing functional shoes, diabetes shoes, senior shoes and lower extremity orthosis. Significance of the study due to a metatarsal pad and the insole is to analyze the changes in muscle strength.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.437-447
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• 2011

In this study, the lower limbs joints were analyzed for features based on the biomechanical characteristics of landing techniques according to height and landing on the ground type (flats and downhill). In order to achieve the objectives of the study, changes were analyzed in detail contents such as the height and form of the first landing on the ground at different angles of joints, torso and legs, torso and legs of the difference in the range of angular motion of the joint, the maximum angular difference between joints, the lower limbs joints difference between the maximum moment and the difference between COM changes. The subjects in this study do not last six months did not experience joint injuries 10 males in 20 aged were tested. Experimental tools to analyze were the recording and video equipment. Samsung's SCH-650A model camera was used six units, and the 2 GRF-based AMTI were used BP400800 model. 6-unit-camera synchronized with LED (photo cell) and Line Lock system were used. the output from the camera and the ground reaction force based on the data to synchronize A/D Syc. box was used. To calculate the coordinates of three-dimensional space, $1m{\times}3m{\times}2m$ (X, Y, Z axis) to the size of the control points attached to the framework of 36 markers were used, and 29 where the body was taken by attaching a marker to the surface. Two kinds of land condition, 40cm and 60cm in height, and ground conditions in the form of two kinds of flat and downhill slopes ($10^{\circ}$) of the landing operation was performed and each subject's 3 mean two-way RM ANOVA in SPSS 18.0 was used and this time, all the significant level was set at a=.05. Consequently, analyzing the landing technique as land form and land on the ground, the changes of external environmental factors, and the lower limbs joints' function in the evaluation were significantly different from the slopes. Landing of the slop plane were more load on the joints than landing of plane. Especially, knee extensor moment compared to the two kinds of landing, slopes plane were approximately two times higher than flat plane, and it was statistical significance. Most of all not so much range of motion and angular velocity of the shock to reduce stress was important. In the further research, front landing as well as various direction of motion of kinetic, kinetic factors and EMG variables on lower limbs joints of the study in terms of injury-prevention-approach is going to be needed.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of 2D(2 dimensional form) & 3D(3 dimensional form; a customized arch-fit for posture correction) insoles for assessing their biomechanical functionality. Background : Recently there has been increased interest in both foot health and foot pain patients. Analysis of the plantar pressure was often used to solve the problems of the foot displayed by such people as rheumatoid arthritis patients. Method : Subjects who participated in this study were 17 female university students who had no previous injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The shoe size of all subjects was 240 mm. Two models of insoles of 2D(typical flat insole - 2 dimensional form) and 3D(special production - 3 dimensional form) were selected for the test. Using the Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 4.0 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 50 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Results : Results of the foot-pressure distribution and biomechanical functionality on each insole were as follows; analyses of mean plantar pressure, maximum plantar pressure, maximum vertical GRF, and plantar pressure curve shape all showed overall low plantar pressure and GRF. Conclusion : This can be evaluated as an excellent insole for low levels on the plantar pressure and GRF. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that according to this analysis the 3D Customized Arch-fit Insole was better than 2D insole on the basis of these criteria.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.125-139
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• 2008

The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze a kinematic characteristics of throwing performance among born visually impaired, postnatal visually impaired and visually correct people through their kinematic characteristics. Another purpose of this study is to prevent injury and improve blind's exercise leadership and physical abilities. Three video cameras were used and each camera's shooting velocity was 60field/sec. Then the longest thrown pose was collected and analyzed by using Kwon 3D ver. 3.1 program. The results obtained from this study were followings; 1. During release, the fastest speed of ball was visually corrected followed by postnatal visually impaired and then born visually impaired. 2. Visually corrected used wrist joint well and had wide body round range with similar motion patterns, however born visually impaired couldn't do this at all. 3. Visually corrected used waist to lead shoulder at Phase 2 while throwing ball, but some of born visually impaired and postnatal visually impaired couldn't use waist to lead shoulder. 4. Visually corrected looked at the way where ball would go, but blinds couldn't look where ball would go. 5. Not like visually corrected who show similar patterns, born visually impaired showed each different patterns and some postnatal visually impaired showed similar patterns with visually corrected. 6. While throwing ball, visually corrected showed flexible weight-movement, postnatal visually impaired were not good as visually corrected, and born visually impaired couldn't do weight-movement at all. Synthetically, this result showed that throwing motions are affected a lot by the time when people became blind.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.39-47
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• 2006

This study long jump action to each situation on a chessboard and section of sight disabled person and normal person through third dimension reflex analysis mechanical special quality because do comparative analysis sight disabled person's exercise ability and technology structure of action that run understand. As can do better without danger of injury map and training of exercise item that action that run is included, do offer of pabulum by purpose. Through this study, conclusion is as following. 1. Sight disabled persons' long jump average recording (121.84cm) showing normal persons' average recording (259.27cm) and much differences, show that motion of body is not big to Touch-down from Ready action. 2. Each phase body center composition(r) average speed displayed result that it is more meaning more than Each phase time required. 3. Began in line carriage without body back stretching in 1 situation on Event one are sight disabled persons. Was expose that do not bend enough knee and ankle than normal person in Event two. Was expose that body is not drooped for surface of land in Event three, and knee and ankle were expose that do not unfold easily than normal person. Was expose that do not bend enough on Touch-down knee by relation that can not grasp position of the floor in Event four. 4. When taking off, the average of horizontal speed of body center are 1.80m/sec for blind people and 3.53m/sec for the normal. In this connection, the study shows that the difference of horizontal speed between the blind and the normal is bigger than difference of vertical speed, which are 1.56m/sec for the blind and 1.98m/sec for the normal. Also, composite speed also shows us big difference between 2.41m/sec of the blind and 4.07m/sec of the normal. The speed body center of take-off was expose that average adjuster are big width of deceleration than average - beginning disabled person's average by 2.23m/sec - 1.71m/sec in the vertical speed. 5. If examine change of high and low for z Sign of right hand, change of high and low showed as is small than normal person is sight obstacle, and all hand movements are small and was expose that do not use enough reaction of body as well as in ready action.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1-19
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• 2008

This research is to analyze the force on landing 3 Type of Halfpipe Curves(Ellipse, Circle, Brachistochrone) based on the mechanical calculation of normal force on a sloping surface. Jumping off a platform on a bard horizontal surface, the flexing of the legs, the softness of the snow, the angle of the landing surface, initial velocity and the forward motion of the snowboarder can contribute to reducing the force on landing. But halfpipe is significantly determined by the curvature of surface. It is definitely verified that the Brachistochrone curve is more safety than others. However currently using the Ellipse curve is mostly safe too. If we consider the efficiency of construction, we can easily think there is no use of another curves except normal ellipse curved halfpipe. It would better that geometrically verity curved halfpipe should be designed for improving fluent skills to snowboarders. This methode of research can be a model of scientifical research on sports safety how can sportsman reduce critical injury by designing optimal halfpipe facilities and manual.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.151-159
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• 2008

In this research, kinematic comparative analysis was performed on strokes of abscission and spinal cord injured athletes who participated in 2008 Beijing Paralympics wheelchair table tennis games. Strokes of all situations were collected under real match-like conditions. Among those, three major forehand stroke motions and backhand stroke motions were drawn Data collected by 9 infrared cameras were expressed in angular motions using graphic program LabVIEW7.0. As a result, forehand stroke of spin handicap athlete from analyzed images, the rotations of the trunk happened with the rotations of shoulder and the flexion extensions of elbow nearly at the same time. According to these results, insufficient turning force or speed of rackets is recompensed using flexion. backhand stroke of spin handicap athlete from analyzed images, the rotations of the trunk, the flexion extensions of the elbow and the flexion extensions of the shoulder were lined up on the prolongations of ping-pong balls. Forehand stroke of abscission athletes was done by outward rotation of the arm using backswing and inner rotation. As for backhand stroke, backswing was made by inner rotation in the spin of shoulder and waist. And after the backswing, impact was formed in wide outer rotation towards the ball.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2011

This study aimed to determine the effects of the blockage of visual feedback on joint dynamics of the lower extremity. Fifteen healthy male subjects(age: $24.1{\pm}2.3\;yr$, height: $178.7{\pm}5.2\;cm$, weight: $73.6{\pm}6.6\;kg$) participated in this study. Each subject performed single-legged landing from a 45 cm-platform with the eyes open or closed. During the landing performance, three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremity and ground reaction force(GRF) were recorded using a 8 infrared camera motion analysis system (Vicon MX-F20, Oxford Metric Ltd, Oxford, UK) with a force platform(ORG-6, AMTI, Watertown, MA). The results showed that at 50 ms prior to foot contact and at the time of foot contact, ankle plantar-flexion angle was smaller(p<.05) but the knee joint valgus and the hip flexion angles were greater with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). An increase in anterior GRF was observed during single-legged landing with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). Time to peak GRF in the medial, vertical and posterior directions occurred significantly earlier when the eyes were closed as compared to when the eyes were open(p<.05). Landing with the eyes closed resulted in a higher peak vertical loading rate(p<.05). In addition, the shock-absorbing power decreased at the ankle joint(p<.05) but increased at the hip joints when landing with the eyes closed(p<.05). When the eyes were closed, landing could be characterized by a less plantarflexed ankle joint and more flexed hip joint, with a faster time to peak GRF. These results imply that subjects are able to adapt the control of landing to different feedback conditions. Therefore, we suggest that training programs be introduced to reduce these injury risk factors.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of trekking boots for assessing their functionality. Subjects participated in this study included 10 university male students who had no injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The size of all subjects was 270mm. Five models of trekking boots, most popular in Korea (A, B, C, D & E company), were selected for the test. Using the PEDAR-X system and PEDAR-X insoles, 5 different walking stages were analyzed for the foot-pressure distribution: (a) straight gait; (b) $45^{\circ}$ turn gait; (c) $25^{\circ}$ uphill gait; and (d) $25^{\circ}$ downhill gait. Results of the foot-pressure distribution and functionality on each stage were as follow; 1. Straight gait - In case of Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there was not a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and A company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. 2. $45^{\circ}$ turn gait - In Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and A company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E and A company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. 3. $25^{\circ}$ uphill gait - In Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and C company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E and C company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. 4. $25^{\circ}$ downhill gait - In Max ground reaction force, Mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. Overall, five pairs of trekking shoes selected in this study showed the excellent performance in several conditions. The findings above may provide us with the important criteria for choosing trekking boots.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to compare biomechanical data between elite and beginner cyclists during cycle pedaling by performing a comparative analysis and to provide quantitative data for both pedaling performance enhancement and injury prevention. Methods: The subjects of this study included 5 elite cyclists (age: $18{\pm}0years$, body mass: $64.8{\pm}9.52kg$, height: $173.0{\pm}4.80cm$) and 5 amateur cyclists (age: $20{\pm}0years$, mass: $66.6{\pm}2.36kg$, height: $175.6{\pm}1.95cm$). The subjects pedaled on a stationary bicycle mounted on rollers of the same gear (front: 50 T and rear: 17 T = 2.94) and cadence of 90. The saddle height was adjusted to fit the body of each subject, and all the subjects wore shoes with cleats. In order to obtain kinematic data, 4 cameras (GR-HD1KR, JVC, Japan) were installed and set at 60 frames/sec. An electromyography (EMG) system (Telemyo 2400T, Noraxon, USA) was used to measure muscle activation. Eight sets of data from both the left and right lower extremities were obtained from 4 muscles (vastus medialis oblique [VMO], vastus lateralis oblique [VLO], and semitendinosus [Semitend], and lateral gastrocnemius [Gastro]) bilaterally by using a sampling frequency of 1,500 Hz. Five sets of events ($0^{\circ}$, $90^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$, $270^{\circ}$, and $360^{\circ}$) and 4 phases (P1, P2, P3, and P4) were set up for the data analysis. Imaging data were analyzed for kinematic factors by using the Kwon3D XP computer software (Visol, Korea). MyoResearch XP Master Edition (Noraxon) was used for filtering and processing EMG signals. Results: The angular velocity at $360^{\circ}$ from the feet was higher in the amateur cyclists, but accelerations at $90^{\circ}$ and $180^{\circ}$ were higher in the elite cyclists. The amateur cyclists had greater joint angles at $270^{\circ}$ from the ankle and wider knee joint distance at $0^{\circ}$, $180^{\circ}$, and $360^{\circ}$ than the elite cyclists. The EMG measurements showed significant differences between P2 and P4 from both the right VLO and Semitend. Conclusion: This study showed that lower body movements appeared to be different according to the level of cycle pedaling experience. This finding may be used to improve pedaling performance and prevent injuries among cyclists.