• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2020

Background: The consequences of falls are often debilitating, and prevention is important. In theory, the lower the center of mass (COM), the greater postural stability during standing, and a weight belt at the waist level may help to lower the COM and improve the standing balance. Objects: We examined how the limit of stability (LOS) was affected by the lowered center of mass with the weight belt. Methods: Twenty healthy individuals participated in the LOS test. After calculating each participant's COM, a weight belt was fastened ten centimeters below the COM. Trials were acquired with five weight belt conditions: 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of body weight. Outcome measures included reaction time, movement velocity, endpoint excursion, maximum excursion, and directional control in 4 cardinal moving directions. Results: None of our outcome variables were associated with a weight belt (p > 0.075), but all of them were associated with moving direction (p < 0.01). On average, movement velocity of the COM and maximum excursion were 31% and 18% greater, respectively, in mediolateral than anteroposterior direction (5.4°/s vs. 4.1°/s; 97.5% vs. 82.6%). Conclusion: Our results suggest that postural stability was not affected by the weight-induced lowered COM, informing the development and improvement of balance training strategies.

• PNF and Movement
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.107-117
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the immediate effects of weight-assisting methods on vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscle activation, on the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio, and on muscle onset time in healthy subjects when ascending stairs. Methods: Healthy participants were randomly assigned to the belt group (n = 11), hand group (n = 11), and control group (n = 11). In the belt group, a belt was wrapped around the sacrum and pulled forward with both hands, moving the center of weight forward, while ascending stairs. The hand group grasped the hips with both hands and climbed stairs, assisting their weight from the rear and moving the center of weight backward, and the control group climbed the stairs without any intervention. Results: Muscle activation of the VMO decreased significantly after the intervention in the belt and hand groups, and activation of the VL muscle in both groups showed a greater decrease than that of the VMO muscle. Further, the VMO/VL muscle activation ratio increased significantly, with an improvement shown in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group, while muscle onset time also improved in the order of the belt group, hand group, and control group. Conclusion: The belt group demonstrated the greatest effect across all dependent variables, confirming that in clinical practice, these two weight-assisting methods are more effective interventions during stair ascent for patients with knee joint instability, pain, and imbalance than no assistance.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.337-343
• /
• 2012

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of abdominal-compression belt in one leg standing on balance in normal adult. Background: With the effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure, the abdominal-compression belt is contributing to a static balance control. However, specific study is still insufficient. Method: Forty subjects were randomly allocated to two groups: control(n=20) and experimental group(n=20), respectively. The experimental group used an abdominal-compression belt, whereas the control group did not that. All subjects were educated using pressure biofeedback unit and ultrasound imaging for exact application by abdominal-compression belt. Main outcome measurement was used a general stability index, fourier harmony index, weight distribution index, and fall index in tetrax balance system. Results: Experimental group improved significantly on general stability, only 2 factors(eyes closed with head turned forward and eyes closed with head turned backward) among fourier harmony index, and fall index, However, weight distribution index did not revealed significant difference. Conclusion: The findings suggest that application of abdominal-compression belt could be effective on improving balance ability in one leg standing of normal adults. Application: The results of the abdominal-compression belt might help to control balance in workers.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Automotive Engineers
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2004

This study presents the development of a new aluminum seat frame for the commercial bus. Back moment and seat belt anchorage analysis of the conventional steel seat frame was conducted as a base model. Effective aluminum section dimensions for aluminum pipe were calculated from equivalent stiffness and equivalent weight study. Back moment and seat belt anchorage strength with the developed aluminum seat frame were compared to those of the base model. Additionally, to pass the fatigue test, shape modification of side frame assembly was conducted. From this study we could reduce the weight of seat frame more than 5 kg. And the current analysis model and procedure can provide useful informations in designing a new commercial car seat and can reduce the overall design cost and time.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
• /
• v.29 no.8 s.239
• /
• pp.1085-1092
• /
• 2005

The OHT(Over Head Transportation) Vehicle transports heavy products quickly and repeatedly at the industrial workplace. The belt in the OHT vehicle is used to support the weight of the OHT Cage. The fatigue of the belt is caused by the dynamic load during the operation time. Since the fatigue fracture of the belt affects the safety at the workplace, the correct prediction of the dynamic load is necessary to calculate the fatigue life of the belt on the design step. In this paper a computer aided analysis method is proposed for the belt in the early design stage using dynamic analysis, stress analysis, belt tensile test, belt fatigue test and fatigue lift prediction method. From the dynamic load time histories and the stress of the belt FE model, a dynamic stress time history is produced. Using linear damage law and cycle counting method, fatigue life cycle is calculated. The method developed in this paper is used to reduce the time and cost for designing the OHT belt in different environment and condition.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.893-902
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of wearing a weightlifting belt, which is an auxiliary equipment used during squat, by measuring and analyzing biomechanical difference in lower limb and proposing safer and to suggest a more effective exercise method for general population. Selected 8 male participants in their 20s who have not performed regular resistance exercise for at least a year, but have experience of performing squat. The comprehensive method of study is as follows: subjects were notified of the purpose of the study and were told to practice warm-up and the squat motion for the experiment for 20 minutes. When the participant believed they were ready to begin, the experiment was started. At controlled points, foot pressure distribution sensor has been installed. Then left and right feet have been placed on the pressure distribution sensor, from which data for successful squat position that does not satisfy the criteria for failure have been collected and computed with Kwon3D XP program and TPScan program. For data processing of this study, SPSS 21.0 was used to calculated mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) of the analyzed values, and paired t-test has been conducted to investigate the difference before and after wearing the weightlifting belt, with p-value of ${\alpha}<.05$. As for time consumed depending on usage of weightlifting belt in squat, statistically significant difference has been found in P2, which is recovery movement. Lower limb angle depending on usage of weightlifting belt in squat has shown statistically significant difference in E1 foot joint(p<. 001). There has been statistically significant difference in E2 knee joint. Foot pressure percentage depending on usage of weightlifting belt in squat were found to be statistically significant (p<. 01) in both regions of anterior and posterior foot.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.537-547
• /
• 2017

This study evaluates the wearing performance of a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) belt for firefighters in Korea. A SCBA belt design was suggested based on the wearing evaluation of a SCBA belt; subsequently, prototypes I and II were created. A wearing evaluation of prototypes with improved design and design preference was performed. Six designs elements of the SCBA belt for firefighters were suggested based on the survey results of wearing the SCBA belt and for the SCBA belt design preference for use by firefighters. First, belt material should be made of black high-strength aramid textiles. In addition, Velcro should be used to attach and detach retroreflective and fluorescent materials along with various colors for visibility. Second, the chest belt should be made of the same material used for other parts; in addition, the chest belt should be moved to the center for center of gravity and a cobra buckle should be applied. Third, an O-ring should be applied to the back and the belt connected to the O-ring should distribute the weight in six axes. Fourth, a detachable air respirator should be able to separate by using upper and lower cobra buckles. Fifth, a separable leg belt and a detachable pocket are also suggested. Sixth, a ring for walkie-talkies, alarms and equipment as a fabric ring are also suggested. Prototype III with an improved design was created based on the results of the design suggestion.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.5
• /
• pp.681-686
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Obese proportion is increasing universally, estimating more than a billion. So reducing the weight became one of the topic in medical market. Not only diet, exercise, medication, but also many surgical procedures are being developed, such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery. After massive weight loss, skin excess and laxity occurs, leading to unsatisfying body contour. Body contouring surgery including abdominoplasty, breast reduction is performed when skin excess is present in abdomen and breast. When skin excess is present circumferentially, belt dermolipectomy is the treatment of choice. Methods: A 23-year-old man had weight gain since he was 12 of age. A year before visiting to our department, his height was 168 cm, weight was 150 kg and body mass index (BMI) was 53.15 kg/$m^2$. The patient lost 55 kg of his weight through exercise and diet control. When he visited again, his weight was 95 kg and BMI was 33.66 kg/$m^2$. In physical examination, skin excess and laxity was seen in both breast and abdomen circumferentially and lateral folds were seen in the back. Abdominal contour deformity (Pitman classification type 6) and pseudogynecomastia (grade 3) were present in both breast. Belt dermolipectomy of abdomen, both breast and lateral folds was performed, resecting 6,400 g of tissue and additive 1,200 g through revisional operation. Results: The patient lost 6,500g of his weight and BMI reduced by 2.3 kg/$m^2$. The patient's hospital course was uneventful during 5 weeks of hospitalization and he was satisfied with his final body contour. Conclusion: Body contouring with belt dermolipectomy in patient who has circumferential skin excess and laxity after massive weight loss can be a treatment of choice.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.30 no.9
• /
• pp.915-921
• /
• 2013

Most of large scale solar panel handling robots adopt the timing-belt drive system for its driveline because of the simplicity and the easiness of implementation. The vibration caused by the flexure of the timing belt would increase as the size and the weight of the panel that the robot handles increase and the vibration would deteriorate the precision and/or productivity of the whole robot system. For the development of a proper control system and for the improvement of the design of the robot it is important to estimate the oscillatory response of the robot system including the flexible drive system properly. In this paper a flexible multi-body dynamics model of a large-scale solar-panel-handling robot with the flexible timing-belt drive system is developed using a generic multi-body dynamics analysis program, RecurDyn.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.101-109
• /
• 1995

Axisymmetric and quasi-static finite element analysis of an inflated tire rotating with constant angular velocity and contact to road has been performed. Centrifugal force effect was added to load stiffness matrix and equation of effective material properties were calculated by the Halpin-Tsai formulation. In this report, radial truck/bus tire was analyzed. It was inflated and rotated at speeds up to 140 km/h. Then, contact problem was performed to calculate stress-strain field of tire wiht flat rigid road under the load due to the self-weight of a vehicle. Significant changes of stress-strain field of tire were observed in the finite element analysis. Shear stress, strain and strain energy density were rapidly increased at the dege of #2 belt at freely rotating state. This concentrated stress and strain made belt edge sparation. Under the condition of flat riged road contact, strain energy density of #2 belt, carcass turn-up part were concentrated and bigger values than only freely rotation state. Therefore, dynamic behaivor of tire has to considered as design factors which are affected to belt edge separation and bead breakage.