• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

PURPOSE: This study was to determine the changes of abdominal muscles activation according to the heel contact methods of stair ascent in healthy young adults. METHODS: 33 healthy young subjects (mean age: $26.37{\pm}9.72$ years, age range: 20-32 years) volunteered under two conditions. They were performed stair ascent with heel contact and without heel contact. The effects of heel contact methods were assessed using the surface electromyography (sEMG) analysis during stair ascent for activation of abdominal muscles (internal oblique; IO, transverse abdominis; TrA, external oblique; EO rectus abdominis; RA). The interventions were conducted over three trials in each method, and measurements were performed on each subject by one examiner in three trials. RESULTS: Our results revealed that there were significantly greater increase in the EMG activation of IO and TrA muscles in the performance of stair ascent with heel contact (p<.05) compared to those of stair ascent without heel contact. The results also showed that there were greater decrease in the ratio of abdominal muscle activation in those of stair ascent with heel contact compared with stair ascent without heel contact. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrated that the method of stair ascent with heel contact would suggest positive evidence for improving activation of abdominal muscles.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.379-385
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare kinematics on lower limbs between stair walking with high heel and barefoot in healthy adult women. Methods: 18 healthy adult women were recruited in this study. The subjects performed stair ascent and descent with high heels and barefoot. The experiment was conducted in random order and repeated three times for each stair walking with high heels and barefoot. The movements of lower limb joints were measured and analyzed using a three-dimensional analysis system. Results: The ankle, knee, and hip flexion angles on the sagittal plane exhibited statistically significant differences between stair ascent and descent with high heels and barefoot. The pelvic forward tilt angles showed statistically significant differences only during stair ascent. The ankle inversion, hip abduction and pelvic lateral tilt angles on the frontal plane showed statistically significant differences between stair walking with high heels and barefoot. On the transverse plane, the hip rotation angles showed statistically significant differences between the high-heeled and barefoot gait during stair ascent and descent. However, the pelvic rotation angles showed no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Therefore, wearing high-heeled shoes during stair walking in daily life is considered to influence lower limb kinematics due to the high heel, and thus poses the risks of pain, and low stability and joint damage caused by changes in the movement of lower limb joints.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.121-137
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the stair heights on lower extremity joint moment in stair-ascent activity Data were collected by 3-D cinematography, force platform. six normal males were participated in this experiment. All subjects performed a stair-ascent in four different heights of stairs (10, 14, 18, 22cm) having a 5 step staircase. The moment of lower extremity joint was analyzed during stance phase. The results were as follows: First, the second increase of plantar flexion moment of ankle joint in the 'forward continuance' phase was not occurred for stair A and B. But it occurred for stair C and D. And the maximum plantar flexion moment increased as the stair height become higher. Second, it was shown that the maximum inversion moment of the ankle joint was the smallest at stair B and it increased significantly at stair C. Third, maximum extension moment appeared in the 'pull-up' phase. And it increased as the stair height become higher. Fourth, it was shown that the maximum abduction moment of the knee joint was the smallest at stair C and it increased significantly at stair C. Fifth, maximum extension moment of hip joint increased significantly at stair C. Sixth, remarkable value of adduction moment occurred at hip joints and maximum adduction moment increased at stair D.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare the differences of hip and thigh muscle activities between subjects with increased and decreased femoral anteversion during stair ascent. Twelve healthy female volunteers participated in this study. The subjects were divided into two groups (group 1 with increased anteversion of the hip, group 2 with decreased anteversion of the hip). This study analyzed differences in each mean peak gluteus maximus (GM), gluteus medius (GD) and tensor fascia lata (TLF) EMG amplitude: composite mean peak hip muscles (GM, GD, TFL) EMG amplitude ratios and in each mean peak vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (HM) and semitendinosus (HL) EMG amplitude: composite thigh muscles (VMO, VL, HM, HL) EMG amplitude ratios among subjects with decreased or increased relative femoral anteversion. EMG ratios were compared in the stance and swing phase of stair ascent. Group 1 showed an increased standardized mean GM and GD EMG amplitude and decreased standardized mean TFL to composite mean hip muscles EMG amplitude ratios in stair ascent during both stance and swing phase. Also, group 1 showed an increased standardized mean HL EMG amplitude and decreased standardized mean VL and HM to composite mean thigh muscles EMG amplitude ratios in stair ascent during both stance and swing phases. There was no statistically significant difference in vastus medialis oblique between subjects with increased or decreased relative femoral anteversion. In order to provide rehabilitation professionals with a clearer picture of the specific requirements of the stair climbing task, further research must be expanded to include a wider range of age groups that represent the general public, such as including middle-aged healthy persons.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2019

This study is aiming to compare stair ascent transportation speed and physical burden of evacuation supporters according to the types of stair ascent transportation for vulnerable people experimentally. In this study, we measured heart rate of the supporters to indicate physical burden during the transportation. The subjects of this experiment were male students, age of 20-26. Experimental conditions were the ways of stair transportation and the weight of vulnerable people. The types of stair transportation were giving a piggyback ride and carrying a wheelchair. Each experimental trial was video-recorded for measurement of ascent speed and observing supporters movement. As a result of the experiment, as for the ascent transportation speed by piggyback ride from the first floor to the fourth floor, the average speed of the light case is 31 seconds and for the heavy case is 43 seconds. When it comes to the average speed of wheelchair transportation's average speed the light case is 1 minute and 11 seconds and the heavy case is 1 minute and 49 seconds. Therefore, it was indicated that when the weight of a vulnerable people is lighter, the transportation speed is faster. The heart rates of evacuation supporters are different depending on transportation methods or individual's condition but as repetitive transportation increases, they tend to reach the maximum heart rates.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.74-81
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare kinematics and kinetics on the knee joint between stair gait with unstable shoes and barefoot in healthy adult women. Methods: Seventeen healthy adult women were recruited for this study. The subjects performed stair ascent and descent with unstable shoes and barefoot. The experiment was repeated three times for each stair gait with unstable shoes and barefoot. Measurement and analysis of the movements of the knee joint were performed using a three-dimensional analysis system. Results: Statistically significant differences in the knee muscle force of semimembranosus, biceps femoris-long head, biceps femoris-short head and sartorius, patellar ligament, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius were observed between unstable shoes and barefoot gait during stair ascent. Statistically significant differences in the knee muscle force of sartorius, rectus femoris, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius were observed between unstable shoes and barefoot gait during stair descent. Statistically significant differences in the knee flexor moment of semitendinosus, biceps femoris-long head, biceps femoris-short head, sartorius, rectus femoris, vastus intermedialis, medial gastrocnemius, and lateral gastrocnemius were observed between unstable shoes and barefoot gait during stair ascent. Conclusion: Therefore, wearing unstable shoes during stair gait in daily life is considered to influence knee joint kinematics and kinetics due to the unstable shoes, and thus suggest the possibility that reducing the risks of pain, and knee osteoarthritis, stabilizing the knee joint caused by changes in the loading of the knee joint.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of the muscle activities during level walking and stairs ascending in young adults. Methods : Fifteen young adult were recruited this study. Muscle activity (BIOPAC System Inc., Santa Barbara, U.SA). Statistical analysis was difference between level and stair walking. Results : In stance phase, muscle activity of low extremity generally more increased during ramp ascent both young adults. In swing phase, muscle activity of low extremity generally more increased during stairs ascent in young adults. Conclusion : These results indicate that stair and ramp ascent is more difficult task than level walking in young adults. Muscle activity was more changed at ramp ascent. In the future, we suggest that studies of stair and ramp gait pattern regarding ambulatory patient with disabilities be further studied and an appropriate stairs and ramp inclination will be indicated.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.55-64
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• 2013

The first purpose was to identify the plantar pressure distributions (peak pressure, pressure integral time, and contact area) during level walking, and stair ascent and descent in asymptomatic flexible flatfoot (AFF). The second purpose was to investigate whether peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict peak pressure during stair walking by identifying correlations between the peak pressures of level walking and stair walking. Twenty young adult subjects (8 males and 12 females, age $21.0{\pm}1.7$ years) with AFF were recruited. A distance greater than 10 mm in a navicular drop test was defined as flexible flatfoot. Each subject performed at least 10 steps during level walking, and stair ascent and descent. The plantar pressure distribution was measured in nine foot regions using a pressure measurement system. A two-way repeated analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences in the three dependent variables with two within-subject factors (activity type and foot region). Linear regression analysis was conducted to predict peak pressure during stair walking using the peak pressure in the metatarsal regions during level walking. Significant interaction effects were observed between activity type and foot region for peak pressure (F=9.508, p<.001), pressure time integral (F=5.912, p=.003), and contact area (F=15.510, p<.001). The regression equations predicting peak pressure during stair walking accounted for variance in the range of 25.7% and 65.8%. The findings indicate that plantar pressures in AFF were influenced by both activity type and foot region. Furthermore the findings suggest that peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict the peak pressure data during stair walking. These data collected for AFF can be useful for evaluating gait patterns and for predicting pressure data of flexible flatfoot subjects who have difficulty performing activities such as stair walking. Further studies should investigate plantar pressure distribution during various functional activities in symptomatic flexible flatfoot, and consider other predictors for regression analysis.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2024

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare lower extremity muscle activities and ankle joint angles between different foot strike patterns (forefoot strike, heelfoot strike) during stair ascent walking. Methods: The subjects of this study were 22 males who walked in each foot strike pattern on ascent stairs at a speed of 85 beats/min. During stair walking with the two types of foot strike patterns, the muscle activities of the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, medial gastrocnemius, hamstring, and gluteus medius were measured. Additionally, ankle joint angles for inversion, eversion, dorsi flexion, and plantar flexion were recorded. Each participant underwent the experiment three times, with the foot strike pattern randomized. Results were averaged according to the foot strike pattern. Results: Significant differences in ankle angles were observed across all phases according to foot strike pattern. Muscle activities in the lower extremities showed significant differences in all phases except the swing 1 phase. Moreover, differences in foot movement trajectory were noted depending on the foot strike pattern. Conclusion: Walking on ascent stairs elicited differences in lower extremity muscle activities and ankle joint angles based on foot strike pattern. These findings can serve as foundational data for selecting a suitable foot strike pattern tailored to individual patient conditions when training patients in walking on ascent stairs.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.467-477
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effects of tibial rotation while going up stair on muscle activity of vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis, and on patellar displacement. The subjects included 30 people (male: 15; female: 15) who were randomly assigned to the tibial internal-rotation, neutral-rotation, and external-rotation groups. The subjects went up the stair while performing the assigned rotations, and the rotation of the hip and the displacement of the patella were measured using a 3D motion analyzer. In addition, the maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis were measured using surface electromyogram. On the tibial internal rotation, the hip rotation significantly appeared in the same direction and so did on the tibial neutral and external rotations(p<.001). Although the MVIC of the vastus medialis oblique and vastus lateralis did not significantly differ by tibial rotation during the stair ascent, the MVIC of the vastus medialis oblique was higher than that of the vastus lateralis during the internal and neutral rotations (p<.05). In addition, during the stair ascent, the displacement of the patella was more significant during the tibial external rotation than during the tibial internal and neutral rotations(p<.001). Thus, patients with patellofemoral pain are required to be considered the effects of tibial rotation for their rehabilitation.