• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2017

The problem of trunk stability is a major factor in back pain.. Abdominal draw in maneuver(ADIM), One of the trunk stabilization exercises to relieve lumbar instability, is a method of inducing selective contraction of the transverse abdominis associated with anticipatory posture control among the abdominal stabilization muscles. ADIM is usually performed with a visual feedback by applying a pressure biofeedback unit(PBU) under the lumbar at the supine position, which is not functional compared to the sitting position. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of ADIM applied in supine and sitting position on 31 healthy men and women. In each posture, muscle activity was measured by rectal abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), transverse abdominis (TrA)/internal obilique (IO) and erector spinae (ES) using wireless EMG. In the result, there was no significant difference between RA and EO between the two postures and there was a significant difference between TrA / IO and ES. In both postures, the activity of TrA/IO was higher than that of RA, and the effect of ADIM was shown to be the same, whereas TrA/IO and ES showed higher activity in sitting position. This means that the activity of the muscles involved in the postural stability and lumbar stability is increased further in the sitting position. Therefore, ADIM in sitting, which can be applied more easily in daily life, is useful for improving lumbar stability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.286-291
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• 1997

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of clothing habits wearing cool or warm in daily life on motor ability. A group of ten healthy young females were divided into a cold (C) group and a warm (W) group. From autumn to winter, C group was advised to wear cool clothing, and W group, warm Clothing. The subject's physical fitness were tested in October, initial stage of the clothing training and March of the following year, final stage of the training. The measurements were taken after the subjects rested in a thermoneutral room conditioned at 23$\pm$2$^{\circ}C$ over 1 hour. The test items were weight, skinfold thickness, grip strength (right, left), back-lift strength, vertical jump, sit-ups, Irosmax, side step test, single-foot standing test with eyes closed, and standing trunk flexion. Changes in motor ability of each group between initial stage and final stage of the training were compared. 1. Muscle strength, part of the motor revelation capacity, showed no significant change in the both ,Troops. On the other hand, strength and power showed a decrease in the both groups and C group showed a sharp decrease. 2. Muscular endurance and cardio-pulmonary fitness, part of the motor continuation capacity, were increased after the training and the degree of increase was great in C group. 3. C group showed significant increase in motor coordination capacity including agility, balance, and flexibility after the training, while Wgroup showed significant increases only in balance. 4. Weight and skinfold thickness as a part of the physique showed no significant change.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.597-603
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• 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lifting activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lifting heights from 10cm above floor level to knuckle height. Background: Even though two-hands lifting activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lifting tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lifting technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lifting tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lifting tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 43%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15.0kg. For the right-hand lifting task, these were increased by the average 34%. For the two-hands lifting tasks, these were increased by the average 25%. The lateral shear forces at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks, notwithstanding the half of the workload of two-hands lifting tasks, were very high in the 300~317% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. The moments at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks were 126~166% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. Conclusion: It is concluded that the effect of workload for one-hand lifting is greater than two-hands lifting. It can also be concluded that asymmetrical effect of one-hand lifting is much greater than workload effect. Application: The results of this study can be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lifting activity.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.413-420
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lowering activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lowering heights from knuckle height to 10cm above floor level. Background: Even though two-hands lifting/lowering activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting/lowering are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lowering tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lowering technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lowering tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lowering tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 6%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15kg. For the right-hand lowering task, these were increased by the average 17%. For the two-hands lowering tasks, these were increased by the average 14%. Conclusion: Even though the effect of workload on the biomechanical stress for both one-hand and two-hands lowering tasks is not so significant for the workload less than 15kg, it can be claimed that the biomechanical stress for one-hand lowering is greater than for two-hands lowering tasks. Therefore, it can be concluded that asymmetrical lowering posture would give greater influence on the biomechanical stress than the workload effect for one-hand lowering activity. Application: The result of this study may be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lowering activity.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.53 no.12
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• pp.180-190
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• 2016

This prospective pilot clinical trial mainly focuses on developing dual chamber-based assistive cups which are suitable for stroke patients who have struggled with using there affected arms. It is unable to provide motor and sensory enhancement during drinking activities and to examine the feasibility of the devices for acute phase, even for chronic stroke survivors. The stroke patients(n=16; male=8, female=8), in this trial, were provided informed consent to the investigation. All the individuals participated in 1 weeks of training for using cups, randomized over dedicated dual chamber based assistive cups(DC) or placebo-cups(PC) training. All the participants were assessed within 1 week before and after the intervention period. 3-dimensional motion analysis, sEMG(surface electromyography) and 3-dimensional trunk movement were assessed. The result presents DC data group compared with PC showed, they needed lesser ROM(range of motion) at the phase of drinking in shoulder movements and lesser muscle activities on upper trapezius, deltoid middle fiber and triceps brachii muscles, lesser tilting movement on front and back side in drinking phase, the differences were statistically significant(p<.05). Dual chamber-based assistive cup could be one of efficient way to complete ADLs(activities of daily living), especially drinking tasks, and these evidence data may contribute to determine certain rehabilitation policies related to assistive devise usage.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.659-662
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• 2007

Purpose: Multiple skin leiomyoma and uterine myoma bearing autosomal dominant traits are benign smooth muscle tumors which originate in skin or female uterus. Skin leiomyoma occurs after gene mutation originating from arrector pili muscle of hair follicle where its clinical manifestations vary significantly from person to person. Our department hereby reports the histological findings and genetic evaluations of this very rare disease. Methods: A 57-year-old woman presented in our institute with multiple tumors in the left and central parts of her back that started to appear since 19 years ago. The patient was diagnosed as having uterine myoma 15 years ago and underwent hysterectomy. Biopsy has been done on the specimen, and genomic DNA was separated from Fumarate hydratase gene for it to go through PCR amplification. The results of PCR amplification were aligned by sequencer. Results: According to the results of biopsy, tumor cells were spindle-shaped and were aligned in a bundle where there was no dysplasia or mitosis. Moreover, these cells had abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with elongated nucleus, and benign leiomyoma that showed positive reactions to SMA stain were found. In genetic examination, mutations such as heterozygous single nucleotide substitutions were found in alignments of amplified DNA. Conclusion: Multiple skin leiomyoma and uterine myoma are relatively uncommon diseases that are transmitted through autosomally dominant traits from genetic mutations. When a patient's chief complaint lies upon skin-colored or brown masses that occur in multiples appearing in the trunk or extremities with characteristic clinical symptoms and histological findings, and when the patient's family history is acknowledged such as skin or uterine leiomyoma or renal tumor, necessary genetic examination on multiple skin leiomyoma and uterine myoma could be done, and thereby precise diagnosis could also be made.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.48-59
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• 1999

Objectives. This study was conducted to evaluate the association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment(RULA) in vehicle assembly line workers. The goal of this study is to show the feasibility of RULA as a checklist for work related musculoskeletal symptoms (WMSDs) in Korean workers. Methods. The total number of 199 people from the department of assembly and 115 people from the department of Quality Control(QC) in automotive plant were subjects for this cross sectional study. A standard symptom questionnaire survey has been used for the individual characteristics, work history, musculosketal symptoms and non-occupational covariates. The data were obtained by applying one-on-one interview for the all subjects. RULA has been applied for ergonomic work posture analysis and the primary ergonomic risk sure was computed by RULA method. Association between upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and RULA were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. A total of 314 workers was examined. The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms by NIOSH case definition was 62.4%. The distribution of musculoskeletal symptoms by the part of the body turned out to be following; back:41.4%, neck: 32.8%, shoulder: 26.4%, arm: 10.5% and hand:29.3%. The relationship of the individual RULA scores were statistically significant for the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. As the result of the multiple logistic regressioin analysis, grand final score (OR=2.250 95% CI: 1.402-3.612) was associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in any part of the body.; upper arm score(OR=1.786 95% CI: 1.036-3.079) and posture score A(OR=1.634 95% CI: 1.016-2.626) in neck; muscel use score(OR=3.076 95% CI:1.782-5.310) and posture score A(OR=1.798 95% CI: 1.072-3.017) in shoulder; upper arm score(OR=1.715 95% CI: 1.083-2.715) and muscel use score(OR=2.057 95% CI:1.303-3.248) in neck & shoulder; muscle use score(OR=10.662 95% CI: 3.180-35.742) in arm; writst/wist score(OR=2.068 95% CI: 1.130-3.786) and muscle use score(OR=2.215 95% CI: 1.284-3.819) in hand & wrist.; muscle use score of trunk (OR=2.601 95% CI: 1.147-5.901) in back. Conclusions. Musculoskeletal symptoms of the extremities were strongly associated with individual RULA body score. These results show that RULA can be used as a useful assessment tool for the evaluation of musculoskeletal loading which is known to contribute to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. RULA also can be used as a screening tool or incorporated into a wider ergonomic assessment of epidemiological, physical, mental, environmental and organizational factors. As shown in this study, complement of the analysis system for the other risk factors and characterizing between the upper limb and back part will be needed for future work.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.671-680
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• 2009

We performed a study to obtain kinematic data on the characteristics of spike serving techniques used by volleyball players, including other basic data that will be useful for in-field applications. We used three-dimensional videography to compare good tough serves and serve errors. The subjects were 3 left attackers whose spike serves were videographed (60 fileds/s). The three-dimensional coordinates were calculated using the direct linear transformation method and then analyzed using the Kwon 3D software program version 3.1. There was no difference in time elapsed. However, the vertical displacement of the center of body mass(CM) differed between the 2 types of serves: in successful serves, the CM tended to be lower, as did the maximum ball height at the time of hitting. Further, the higher the level of the hitting hand was at the moment of impact, the higher was the likelihood of scoring points. In good serves, the players tended to accelerate their CM movement just before jumping to hit the ball and descend rapidly at the moment of hitting. The hand speed along with ball velocity during the impact was proven to be higher in successful serves. Moreover, in successful serves, the shoulder angles increased to a greater extent while the elbow angles were maintained constant. This possibly resulted in faster and more precise serves. An important observation was that the angle of trunk inclination during the jump did not increase with the swing of the shoulders, muscle tendon complex.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.3 s.47
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• pp.447-463
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• 1994

Despite the public health importance of injury and poisoning in terms of its high mortality and incidence, epidemiologic information to be utilized are scarce in Korea. This study was carried out in 1990 on a representative sample population (about 55,000 persons) along with the 6th National Tuberculosis Prevalence Survey in order to estimate the magnitude of injury and poisoning occurrence and to identify its epidemiologic characteristics which can be aided for establishing preventive strategy. Pre-tested and structured Questionnaire was used by trained interviewer to collect data including general information of the person, various information on the injury and poisoning during the past one year such as time and place of its occurrence, its nature and external causes, type of medical institute attended, duration of treatment and outcome of the accident occured. In analysis of the data collected incidence rates per 1000 persons by sex, age group and its nature as well as external causes, and relative frequencies were calculated. The result obtained are as followings; 1. The incidence rate per 1000 was 30 for both sexes, 39 for male and 22 for female, male being 1.8 times more frequent than female. Age adjusted incidences were not much different from the crude rates. Age group specific rate curve showed bimodal shape in both sexes, small peaks in preschool children and higher peaks in older ages. The incidence rate per 1000 people by area was highest in Jeon-bug province (57/1000) and the lowest in Daegu city(11/1000). 2. The place where the injuries occured were road in 46%, within the boundary of house in 25%, and working place in 12% The injuries and poisoning had occured more frequently during the months from March to August of the year than other months. 3. The relatively frequent injuries by its nature were contusion with intact skin surface (19%), fracture of upper limb (13%), open wound of head, neck and trunk (12%) and fracture of lower limb (11%) among males; contusion with intact skin surface (28%), sprains and strains of joints and adjacent muscle (14%), fracture of upper limb (10%) and fracture of lower limb (9%) among females. Higher incidence rate among males than females were fracture of skull (4.5 times), open wound and fractures of limbs ($2{\sim}3$ times). Age specific rate of injuries and poisoning by its nature showed increasing pattern by age in fractures of upper and lower limbs and sprains & strains of joints whereas the age group of 30's showed highest incidence in open wounds of upper limb. Fractures of radius and ulna in upper limb, fractures of tibia & fibula and ankle in lower limb were most frequent among fractures of upper and lower limbs. The frequent injuries among sprains and strains of joints and adjacent muscles were that of ankle, foot and back, and among open wound were that of head and fingers. 4. Relative frequency of injuries and poisoning by external causes showed following order : other accidents (25%), accidental falls (23%), motor vehicle accident (22%) and other road vehicle accident (14%) among males and accidental falls (37%), motor vehicle accident (24%) and other accident (18%) among females. The external causes revealing higher incidences among males than females, were other road vehicle accident (4.8 times), vehicle accident not elsewhere classifiable (4.4 times), accidental poisoning (4.4 times), accidents due to natural and environmental factors (2.8 times), and sucide & self-inflicted injuries (2.8 times). Age specific incidence by external causes for frequent injuries showed that incidence of other accident steadily increased from 10's till age 50's; motor vehicle traffic accident increased from age 20's and dropped after age 60's; on the other hand accidental fall increased strikingly by age. The most frequent external causes among motor vehicle traffic accidents was motor vehicle traffic accident involving collision with pedstrain (69%), pedal cycle accident (30%) and other road vehicle accident (71%) among other road vehicle accidents; falls on same level from slipping, tripping or standing (44%) and other falls from one level to another among accidental falls; accidents caused by machinary (32%) for male and striking against or struck accidentally by objects or person for female among other accidents. 5. Seventy nine percent of the injuries and poisonings were treated in general hospital or hospital/clinic. The duration of treatment ranged from a few days to 123 weeks; the majority(52%) took under 2 weeks, 36% for $3{\sim}8$ weeks and 4% over 21 weeks. 6. The accident resulted in full recovery of normal healthy state in 62%, residual functional defects in 21% and on process of treatment in 16%.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.813-824
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• 2024

This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of training on the physical development and exercise performance of adolescent weightlifters, aiming to provide effective training and management strategies for improving competitive performance. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, adolescent weightlifters from middle and high schools in Chungcheongnam-do province [male middle school-aged athletes, n=5; female middle school-aged athletes, n=5; male high school-aged athletes, n=12; female high school-aged athletes, n=8] were examined over approximately 10 months of weightlifting-based training to analyse the changes in body composition, physical fitness (muscular strength, muscular endurance, agility, flexibility, dynamic balance, coordination), and isokinetic muscular function (trunk and lower extremity). As a result, it was found that the physical development of middle and high school-aged athletes underwent physical development primarily characterized by an increase in lean body mass. Additionally, back muscle strength and power, which contribute to rapid and efficient force transmission between the upper and lower body, as well as grip strength necessary for controlling the barbell with a stable grip, are significant factors. These aspects were notably enhanced through specialized training and competitive experience for weightlifting performance at the high school level. On the other hand, changes in factors beyond the primary physical attributes contributing to weightlifting performance were limited, suggesting differences in effectiveness likely stemming from the specific composition of training programs or the athletes' experience and skill levels. Collectively, the findings from this study, which evaluates the physical characteristics and exercise abilities of adolescent weightlifters, are expected to contribute to improved competitive performance of weightlifters.