• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.269-282
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• 2007

This paper presents a robust control method via the intelligent adaptive backstepping design technique for stable walking of nine-link biped robots with unknown model uncertainties and external disturbances. In our control structure, the self recurrent wavelet neural network(SRWNN) which has the information storage ability is used to observe the uncertainties of the biped robots. The adaptation laws for all weights of the SRWNN are induced from the Lyapunov stability theorem, which are used for on-line controlling biped robots. Also, we prove that all signals in the closed-loop adaptive system are uniformly ultimately bounded. Through computer simulations of a nine-link biped robot with model uncertainties and external disturbances, we illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2020

PURPOSE: Aging causes changes in the postural alignment and gait due to changes in the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. On the other hand, the relationship between the changes in posture alignment and gait is unclear. This study examined the relationship between the postural alignment and spatiotemporal gait parameters in Korean elderly women. METHODS: Thirty-two-healthy elderly women participated in this study. All subjects were assessed for their posture alignment and gait ability. Stepwise multiple linear regression was performed to determine to what extent the postural alignments could explain the spatiotemporal gait parameters. RESULTS: Coronal head angle was moderately correlated with the velocity (r = -.51), normalized velocity (r = -.46) and gait-stability ratio (r = .58) (p < .05). The trunk angle was moderately correlated with the normalized velocity (r = -.32) and gait-stability ratio (r = .32) and weakly correlated with the velocity (r = -.28) (p < .05). The coronal shoulder angle was moderately correlated with the swing phase (r = -.57), stance phase (r = .56), single limb stance (r = -.56) and double limb stance (r = .51) (p < .05). The coronal head angle and trunk angle accounted for 36% of the variance in velocity, 33% variance in normalized velocity and 46% variance in the gait-stability ratio (p < .05). The coronal shoulder angle accounted for 32% variance in the swing phase, 32% variance in the stance phase, 31% variance in the single limb stance and 26% variance in the double limb stance (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Changes in posture alignment in elderly women may serve as a biomarker to predict a decrease in walking ability due to physical aging.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.23-30
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the effects of keeping contraction of abdominal and pelvic floor muscles on 3D pelvic stability in individuals with nonspecific chronic low back pain (CLBP) during normal speed walking. METHODS: The subjects were 20 adults with CLBP deformity and had moderate pain intensity of the visual analog scale. A three-dimensional camera capture system was used to collect kinematic pelvic motion data with and without contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles during gait. The subjects were asked to walk on a walkway in the lab room and they were attached 40 reflective markers to their pelvic segment and lower extremities. A Visual3D Professional V6 program and Vicon Nexus software were used to analyze 3D pelvic kinematic data. RESULTS: There were significant differences between with and without contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles of the pelvic depression and the total pelvic motion in coronal plane during gait (p < .05). However, there were no significant differences in any of the maximal motion of the pelvic segment in sagittal and transverse motion plane according to the different muscle contraction conditions (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that maintaining co-contraction of the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in individuals with CLBP increased pelvic stability and contributed to preventing excessive pelvic movements during gait.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.475-482
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate mean plantar foot pressure, maximum plantar pressure and ground reaction force, and center migration path of pressure according to the type of trekking shoes for the development of shoes. Method : Subjects of the study averaged $22.10{\pm}2.05years$ of age. Their average height was $169.27{\pm}7.62cm$ and their average weight was $64.34{\pm}10.22kg$. The method of this study was administered measuring 50 steps, at once, 3 times at a speed of 4 km/h and using the data of 30 steps. Pedar-X system measured the mean foot pressure, maximum foot pressure, mean maximum force, and center migration path of pressure by subjects' position while walking. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 23.0 using a paired t-test. Results : Results of the study showed Nestfit trekking shoes lower foot pressure of both feet in mean foot pressure and maximum foot pressure. Nestfit trekking shoes showed high ground reaction force (p<.001) in the midfoot, and low mean ground reaction force in the rearfoot. The center migration path of pressure showed the Nestfit trekking shoes were more stable than flat insole trekking shoes. Conclusion : It can be concluded that wearing Nestfit trekking shoes spreads pressure efficiently and induces walking stability because Nestfit trekking shoes spread the pressure of the forefoot and rearfoot to the midfoot and the center migration path of pressure shows regularly.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.381-397
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• 2001

In the patients with hemiplegia caused by stroke and TBI. postural sway is increased and open displaced laterally over the non-affected leg, reflecting asymmetry in weight bearing on lower extremities during standing balance. Recovery of symmetric weight bearing and postural stability is an important aim in physical therapy. Plastic AFO has been used for hemiplegic patients in order to help their abnormal walking patterns. Past studies have mainly focused on the AFO influences on hemiplegic walking patterns without balance function approaches. The purpose of this study was to identify the immediate effects of plastic AFO and shoes on the static balance in hemiplegic patients. The scale for static balance were weight bearing on affected leg(%), sway area(mm2), sway path(mm), maximal sway velocity(mm/s), anteroposterior sway angle($^{\circ}$ ), and lateral angle($^{\circ}$ ). Seventeen hemiplegic patients participated in this study: 13 men and 4 women, with an average age of 50.18 years. Static balance was measured using BPM(balance performance monitor; dataprint software version 5.3) under four standing condition namely bare-foot standing. standing in shoes, standing with AFO, and standing in shoes with AFO. In order to assure the statistical significance of the results, an one-way ANOVA, the independent t-test. and a pearson's correlation were applied at the .05 level of significant. The results of this study were as follows: 1) There were statistically significant differences in weight bearing(%) on the static balance between affected leg and non-affected leg(p<.01). 2) There were statistically significant differences in sway reverse frequence(Hz) in standing with AFO between affected leg and non-affected leg(p<.05). 3) Sway area(mm2) on standing in shoes with AFO was lower than bare-foot standing(p<.05), Lateral sway angle($^{\circ}$ ) on standing in shoes with AFO was lower than bare-foot standing and standing in shoes(p<.05). 4) Weight bearing in affected leg was not significantly correlated with postural sway.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.409-420
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• 2004

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise for improving balance and its tendency and helps to identify directions for future research. Method: 19 articles from Medline search of foreign journals(1981-2003) and 5 from Korean nursing journals (1981-2003) were surveyed. The contents analyses were focused on outcome measures and relative factors regarding balance. Result: Variable measures for balance were used in Tai Chi studies relating to balance. They included the functional measures such as 14 single-leg stance, 7 walking in physiological measures and 7 laboratory-based balance measures were done with platform stability test. The measure of effective Tai Chi exercise depended on the health status of subjects and the methods. Health status of subjects were only on physically inactive older adults in 17 articles and arthritis patients in 7 articles in the Tai Chi study. The significant effects of Tai Chi exercise on balance was revealed after 10weeks duration. Conclusion: Considering the results, Tai Chi exercise is more effective than any other studies for walking balance. But the reports on the outcome are inconsistent with wide variations in the choice of balance measures. It is suggested that future studies analyze systemic change through meta analysis and have a wide variety of subjects who need postural control and balance control. The methods of measures should be distinct from the balance state of subjects for the effectiveness of Tai chi exercise.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.161-168
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• 2020

This study is designed to develop a walker to assist the elderly in safe, independent walking. To this end, problems were identified through analysis of the walker for the elderly and user observations were used to identify problems and needs. The product analysis showed that most elderly walkers tend to prioritize their functions. In addition, user observations showed that most users had positive perceptions about the function, but that structural aspects, such as operation methods and stability, had negative consequences. A total of five design guidelines were derived based on the problems and needs derived. The design guidelines were designed to focus on improving structural problems rather than functional parts, and to orientate safety over functional priorities. Five design guidelines derived from this study could be used as basic data for the manufacture of walkers that reflect the views and needs of the elderly in the future in the manufacture and design of walkers for the elderly.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.280-286
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• 2019

This study verified the difference in biomechanical variation and the pattern of the lower limb between using or not using functional insoles on the gait of elderly people. Ten females subjects were selected (age: 73.2 years, height: 152.1 cm, body mass: 59.4 kg) for testing their gait with using functional insoles and without using functional insoles. The gait motions were captured with the Qualisys system and the gait parameters were calculated with Visual-3D. As a result, the subjects' stride length and swing time were significantly increased (p<.05). Also, the lower limb's extension moment was significantly increased (p<.05) when using the insole. These differences suggest the functional insole used in the experiment increases the subjects' gait stability. However, to generalize the results of this study, it is necessary to accumulate more quantitative data with more subjects. Further studies to examine gait variables and changes of walking patterns need to be conducted by gathering and utilizing the results of those subjects who have used insoles for a long period of time.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2016

Objective: This study collected data on muscle fatigue and ground reaction force during walking to provide a basis for development of custom-fitted outdoor walking shoes. The study analyzed an upright body exercise program using spine stabilization technique to determine the effect on foot plantar pressure in archers, demonstrate the effectiveness of upright body exercise, and develop a new, effective, and efficient training program. Method: A 12-week upright body exercise program was evaluated for the effect on plantar pressure in archers. Ten prize-winning archers (3 men, 7 women) in B metropolitan city, each with ${\geq}10years$ of experience, were given an explanation of the content and purpose of the program, and provided informed consent. Upright body exercise was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. A resistive pressure sensor was used to measure foot plantar pressure distribution and analyze quantitative information on variation in postural stability and weight shifting in dynamic balance during shooting, as well as plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open and closed. Results: There were no significant differences in foot plantar pressure before and after participation in the exercise program. There was no statistically significant difference in foot plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open or closed, or in foot plantar pressure in dynamic balance during shooting. Conclusion: An upright body exercise program had positive effects on foot plantar pressure in static and dynamic balance in archers by reducing body sway and physical imbalance during shooting and with eyes closed. This program is expected to help archers improve their posture and psychological state, and thereby improve performance.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.294-300
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of yoga exercise on balance ability and gait velocity in stroke patients. Subjects were categorized in to a control group and yoga program group with 9 for each group. Yoga program was conducted for 60minute for 8weeks, three times a week. For the purposes, the study measured Stability Index(SI, postural sway) and Weight Distribution Index(WDI) using Tetrax, Functional Reach Test(FRT), Dynamic Gait index(DGI) and 10 meter walking test. At pre- and post-exercise after appling the yoga exercise, the data was analyzed. Yoga exercise group's SI and WDI were decreased, FRT and DGI were increased in comparison with control group. But 10 meter walking test was no significance. It suggests that the yoga exercise could promote recovery from balance disorder after stroke.