• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.498-507
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of thoracic flexibility exercise on sitting balance, static standing balance, gait parameters, and the fall risk of patients with chronic stroke. The participants were randomized into the control (n=12) and thoracic flexibility exercise groups (n=12). Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy for 30 minutes per session. The subjects in the experimental group performed additional thoracic flexibility exercises 3 times a week for 6 weeks. The trunk impairment scale, static standing balance, gait speed, cadence, and fall risk were assessed for all the participants before and after the intervention. The thoracic flexibility exercise group showed greater improvement than did the control group on the trunk impairment scale (t=-3.57, p=.002), static standing balance (t=5.37, p<.001), gait speed (t=-3.29, p=.003), cadence (t=-2.77, p=.011), and fall risk (t=6.33, p<.001). Furthermore, the thoracic flexibility exercise group significantly improved all the outcomes compared to the baseline values (P<.05). This study showed that the thoracic flexibility exercise improved the functional ability of patients with chronic stroke.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface on the balance and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental group (n=8) and control group (n=8). All the participants underwent a typical physical therapy program for 30 min a day. Moreover, the experimental group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on an unstable surface, whereas the control group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on a stable surface. Both groups performed the exercises five times a week for three weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance. The gait variables were measured using the GAITRite system (CIR System Inc., Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability. Results: Both groups showed a significant intragroup improvement in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). In the intergroup comparisons after the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study applied additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed a significant improvement in the patients' balance and walking abilities. Therefore, trunk exercise on an unstable surface may be applicable as an intervention method to improve the balance and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.451-459
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• 2014

This study was to performed to get the reference data of the kinetic parameters for normal subjects according to the arm swing type. Forty-five normal subjects($22.62{\pm}2.69years$) pariticpated in this study and preformed 4 sequence according to the arm swing type as follows; first procedure-normal arm swing, second procedure-one arm swing, thrid procedure-no arm swing, fourth procedure-fitness arm swing. There were significant differences according to the arm swing type in the kinetic parameters such as walking speed, hip power, ground reaction force of vertical in terminal stance phase(p<.05). These finding can be utilized (a) as a reference for kinetic data of gait analysis in normal subjects, and (b) as an aide in evaluating and treating patients who have problems relating to gait.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.93-103
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of goal-oriented side walking training on balance and gait in chronic stroke patients. Methods: This study involved 18 chronic stroke patients who were divided into an experimental group (n=9) and a control group (n=9). The experimental group performed goal-oriented side walking training, and the control group performed general side walking training. The walking variables assessed were walking speed, stride length, and 10-m walking time. The balance variables assessed were foot pressure, timed up and go test (TUG), and Berg balance scale (BBS). These variables were measured before and after the exercise. Wilcoxon's signed-rank test was used to compare the participants' performances before and after the intervention in both groups. The Mann-Whitney U test was conducted for between-group comparisons after the intervention. Statistical significance was set at ${\alpha}=0.05$ Results: Walking speed, stride length, 10-m walking time, TUG, and foot pressure were significantly improved in both groups after the exercise (p<0.05). The between-group comparison showed a significant improvement in the goal-oriented side walking group (p<0.05). However, there were no significant between-group differences in 10-m walking times (p>0.05) and BBS (p=0.05). Conclusion: The results revealed that goal-oriented side walking training was effective in improving the balancing and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.543-550
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• 2001

In this study, ground reaction force(GRF) and energy consumption of fixed. single-axis and multi-axis Prosthetic ankle assemblies were investigated to show the biomechanical evaluation for trans-tibial amputees. In the experiments. two male and two female trans-tibial amputees were tested with fixed, sin91e-axis and multi-axis Prosthetic ankle assembly. A three-dimensional gait analysis was carried out to derive the ratio of GRF to weight as the percentage of total stance Phase for nine Points Energy consumption of each Prosthetic ankle assembly was measured while subjects walked at 2km/h. 3km/h and the most comfortable walking speed on the treadmill The results showed that multi-axis ankle was superior to the other two ankle assemblies for the characteristic of forwarding and breaking forces. Fixed ankle was relatively superior to the other two ankle assemblies for gait balancing and movement of the center fur mass Compared to the other ankle assembly. sing1e-axis type showed lower energy consumption over 2.3km/h walking speed .

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2019

Background: The Microsoft Kinect which is a low-cost gaming device has been studied as a promise clinical gait analysis tool having satisfactory reliability and validity. However, its accuracy is only guaranteed when it is properly positioned in front of a subject. Objects: The purpose of this study was to identify the error when the Kinect was positioned at a $45^{\circ}$ angle to the longitudinal walking plane compare with those when the Kinect was positioned in front of a subject. Methods: Sixteen healthy adults performed two testing sessions consisting of walking toward and $45^{\circ}$ obliquely the Kinect. Spatiotemporal outcome measures related to stride length, stride time, step length, step time and walking speed were examined. To assess the error between Kinect and 3D motion analysis systems, mean absolute errors (MAE) were determined and compared. Results: MAE of stride length, stride time, step time and walking speed when the Kinect set in front of subjects were investigated as .36, .04, .20 and .32 respectively. MAE of those when the Kinect placed obliquely were investigated as .67, .09, .37, and .58 respectively. There were significant differences in spatiotemporal outcomes between the two conditions. Conclusion: Based on our study experience, positioning the Kinect directly in front of the person walking towards it provides the optimal spatiotemporal data. Therefore, we concluded that the Kinect should be placed carefully and adequately in clinical settings.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the athletic knee show greater rotation and translation movement than non-athletic knee during the treadmill walking with their preferred speed in a complete gait cycle. Method: Thirty young and healthy male subjects participated in the study, fifteen handball players (mean age: 19.6 ± 1.4 years old, mean weight: 85 ± 11.9 Kg, mean height: 179.8 ± 4.7) and fifteen non-athletes (mean age: 22.8 ± 1.2 years old, mean weight: 74.5 ± 8.6 Kg, mean height: 175 ± 5.9). Three-dimensional positional coordinate of lower limb during treadmill walking were analyzed. Results: There were significant differences (t (22.014)=1.585, p=0.127 in the range of internal and external rotation with mean value for handball player (M=14.4513, SD=2.3839) was higher than non-athletes (M=13.3327, SD=1.337). The magnitude of the difference in the means (mean difference=1.11867, 95% CI: -0.34489 to 2.5822) was significant. There were also significant differences (t (17.956)=1.654, p=0.116 in the max abduction and adduction with mean value for handball player (M=5.7160, SD=2.49281) was higher than non-athletes (M=4.5773, SD=0.94667). The magnitude of the difference in the means (mean difference=1.138, 95% CI: -0.30805 to 2.58539) was significant. At significance level 0.05. Conclusion: Finding of this study suggest that to understand the actual characteristic of knee motion studies have to be done in different walking and running trial at variable speed.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-6
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• 2011

Purpose: We investigated the effects of single-leg stance training on standing balance and mobility in patients with subacute hemiplegia. Methods: Seventeen matched subjects were assigned randomly to the experimental group or the control group. The experimental group comprising of 8 subjects received single-leg stance training and conventional physical therapy interventions 5 times per week for 4 weeks. The control group comprising of 9 subjects received only conventional physical therapy interventions 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Outcome measures were assessed before and after 4 weeks of intervention using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), gait speed, and weight bearing index of the affected side. Results: Both the exercise groups showed significant improvements in BBS, gait speed, and weight bearing index (p<0.05). After 4 weeks of intervention, there were statistically significant differences in BBS and weight bearing index between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that conventional physical therapy interventions along with single-leg stance training could be more effective than conventional physical therapy alone for improving standing balance and mobility in patients with subacute hemiplegia.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2019

Milli-scale crawling robots have been widely studied due to their maneuverability in confined spaces. For successful crawling, the crawling robots basically required to fulfill alternating gait with elliptical foot trajectory. The alternating gait with elliptical foot trajectory normally generates both forward and upward motion. The upward motion makes the aerial phase and during the aerial phase, the forward motion enables the crawling robots to proceed. This simultaneous forward and upward motion finally results in fast crawling speed. In this paper, we propose a novel alternating mechanism to make a crab-inspired eight-legged crawling robot. The key design strategy is an alternating mechanism based on double four-bar linkages. Crab-like robots normally employs gear-chain drive to make the opposite phase between neighboring legs. To use the gear-chain drive to this milli-scale robot system, however, is not easy because of heavy weight and mechanism complexity. To solve the issue, the double-four bar linkages has been invented to generate the oaring motion for transmitting the equal motion in the opposite phase. Thanks to the proposed mechanism, the robot crawls just like the real crab with the crawling speed of 0.57 m/s.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2009

Background: The ability for backward walking is considered to be necessary for the neuromuscular control and maintenance of balance in daily ambulatory activity. This study aimed to determine the effect of backward walking training on the walking speed and balance control in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Fourteen patients with hemiplegia were randomly allocated to an experimental and control groups of seven patients each. For the experimental group, we performed both conventional training and backward walking training, and conventional training only for the control group. The conventional training programs for the 2 groups were conducted for 30 min, twice a day, 5 times a week for 4 weeks, and backward walking training for the experimental group was conducted for 30 min, 3 times a week. The outcomes were assessed using the functional reach test (FRT), timed up-and-go (TUG) Test, and the 10 meter walk time test (10mWT). Result: A comparison of the FRT, TUG test, and 10mWT scores obtained before and after the 4-week treatment revealed statistically significant differences (p<.05) for the experimental group; however, there was no such difference in the case of the control group (p>.05). On assessment after the 4-week treatment, statistically significant differences were noted in the TUG test and 10mWT scores of the experimental group (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that backward walking training is an effective clinical strategy for improving the walking speed and functional mobility of patients with hemiplegia.