• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.221-229
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• 2023

This study aims to develop knee protectors that provide high safety and fitness, while incorporating a motion-adaptable 3D-printed pad. These protectors were evaluated by individuals who experience knee discomfort or pain. The results are as follows. First, the 3Dprinted pad design of a hexagonal mesh structure, which is modeled for excellent appearance and knee movement. Each unit of the mesh has a outer layer of 2mm thick, a spacer layer of 1 mm in diameter, and is connected by a 1.5 mm bridge. The bridge was extended up to 1.2 cm. Second, the knee brace was designed in three types - cylinder, strap, and combination by Universal design. Impact protection measurements of the three knee protectors demonstrated roughly 80% reduction in impact. Third, based on usability evaluation, cylinder type protectors have the highest ratings in most areas, primarily because of their ease of use. The strap type protector received positive reviews in terms of appearance and care, and the combination type provided stable knee protection. This study demonstrated the potential industrial application of 3D printing technology by designing and evaluating protective products for the human body. The results of this study are expected to aid knee protector manufacturers in developing practical products and promoting the development of protective equipment for other body parts or purposes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.657-671
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• 2022

This study aims to develop three dimensional (3D) yoga knee protectors that provide excellent wearing comfort. Three types of pads were modeled using 3D human data: two types of 3.0-cm-wide pads separated into top and bottom with thicknesses of 0.1 cm (TPU-1: A) and 0.2 cm (TPU-2: B); and one type with three 0.2-cm-thick separated panels (TPU-S: C). Based on these models, five knee protectors were developed using 3D patterning and 3D printing. Types A, B, and C were integrated with 0.6-cm neoprene pads. Type D was fabricated with a donut-shaped 0.6-cm neoprene pad inserted, while Type E consisted of two discrete 0.6-cm neoprene pads embedded in the protector's upper and lower sides. Wearing comfort was evaluated in terms of fit, pressure, and cushioning while in a standing and kneeling position and while in motion. The findings suggest that the fabricated knee protectors were evaluated as comfortable to the individuals with knee pain, rather than those without knee pain. The individuals with knee pain preferred the soft pads made of neoprene positioned around the knee (NEO-S: E), while those without knee pain favored the cushioned pads with a pattern structure maintained by thin 3D-printed pads (TPU-1: A).

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.116-126
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• 2017

This study applied a segmented hard shell design on knee protectors for children with the objective of increasing mobility. The prototype of the hard shell that does not correspond to movement of the body among components of the knee protector was developed. Surface modeling was conducted based on 3D knee data to enhance comfort through optimized fit on the knee joint where the hard shell would be worn. For this, previous studies on changes in skin near the knee joint during knee flexion were reviewed to establish basic segmental lines. The basic design included six segments, and the number of segments was used as the design variable by increasing or decreasing it to 0, 3, 6, 9, and 14 segments. A prototype was produced from 3D printing with TPU material, worn for wearing assessment. Results revealed fewer numbers of segments resulting in less fit with the body, while actual appearance was stable. Meanwhile, the number of proper segments improved better fit with the body during movement. The wearing assessment revealed the amount of gap reflects change in skin length depending on movement. Assessment results demonstrated basic segment design, S6 with 6 segments, had the best design and most optimized fit. Findings in this study can provide key data for designing knee protection products for children.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.141-151
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• 2009

The purpose of this study consist in the investigation into the pants wearing practices and preference with arthritis patient of aged female and the gathering of basic data to help to their clothing lifestyle. For this study, personal interviews were carried out with 124 arthritis patients of aged female over 65 year old and data analysis were done with SPSS. The results of the study are that on pants wearing practices with the subjects of aged female arthritis patient showed that many persons experience inconvenience for both knees and the wearing of knee protectors which use a purpose of a reducing pain such as they feel inconvenience of knee showed a high rate of 79.8% during winter. They purchased the pants with much space in the knee part or span trousers in consideration of knee protector wearing. When they purchase the pants, they attached great importance to the convenience or activities during their wearing period, prices, and the pants which were wide at the thigh, narrow at the pants hole, hanging down to the anklebones, and setting over the waistline as for the pants' waist position. The arthritis patients who felt uncomfortable at knees paid attention to the excellent materials at keeping warmth and with good flexibility.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.39-51
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to effectively improve the thigh muscles of adult women working from home due to COVID-19. In this study, ten adult women working from home performed 1) an electromyography test, 2) a static balance test on a balance board, and a 3) dynamic balance test by squatting on a Bosu ball four times: before electric muscle stimulation (EMS), after EMS, after high-intensity circuit training (HICT), and after EMS plus HICT. For this test, EMS was attached to a medical knee support to manufacture an EMS knee band that could be easily worn regardless of the location. For the experiment, EMS(electric muscle stimulation) was attached to the medical knee protector to manufacture an EMS knee band that can be easily worn regardless of location, and was measured based on the right foot. The study results confirmed that in all tests (electromyography test, static balance test on the balance board, and dynamic balance test by squatting on a Bosu ball), thigh strength improved in the order of treatment before EMS, after EMS, after HICT, and after EMS plus HICT. The study showed that people working from home or with activity restrictions due to COVID-19 had better exercise effects when wearing the EMS knee band and performing HICT, even in a small space.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.497-508
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• 2019

Snowboarder accidents at ski resorts are increasing; therefore, it is essential to wear protective wrist, hip and knee protectors when snowboarding. However, most studies focus on the improvement of gear or expansion of safety facilities with few studies on protectors that directly safeguard the body from accidents caused by tumbling. Protectors currently on the market do not properly consider the needs of the users. Therefore, this study investigates the reality of usage and satisfaction rate of those that use snowboarding protectors along with factors deemed important upon wearing them to provide the grounds for the development of comfortable protectors. Subjects were 1,058 adults in their 20s to 40s. First, a survey was conducted regarding demographic traits as well as the wearing and purchasing of protectors. Second, 325 people that purchased and wore protectors were investigated in regards to the wearing satisfaction rate of current commercial protectors. The results showed that 86% of the 1,058 subjects wore protectors; knee protectors (72%), hip protectors (57%) and wrist protectors (38%). Important factors upon purchasing and wearing satisfaction were studied according to demographic traits, snowboarding experience, and number of snowboard rides for one season. As a result, the damage rate increased along with the number of snowboard rides for one season. Important factors considered when purchasing varied significantly according to sex, age, snowboarding experience, and favored slopes. The results of this study will help in the design of comfortable protectors for snowboarders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.60 no.5
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• pp.88-105
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to grasp the actual wearing conditions, inconvenience and problems with cycle wear. To attain this purpose, a questionnaire was completed by direct observation and by interviewing bicyclists. The questionnaire was given to 273 bicyclists. The questionnaire consisted of items that are related to concerns with dressing appropriately and enhancement of physical performance through dress. Following are the results of this study. According to the survey, many of them purchased imported cycle wear rather than national cycle wear, and the satisfaction according with purchase rate was low. Bicyclists were uneasy with finding right size cycle wear especially for women. It turned out that the area of the knee and elbow are mostly the areas that they get hurt while riding. Even though the knee and elbow are the mostly hurt area, bicyclists do not prefer to wear appropriate protector for the knee and elbow to excel in their performance in cycling. In material related questions, lower dissatisfaction was indicated for the lints caused by fraction. Average satisfaction was indicated for the distortion after washing, changes in color, touch of the fabric, matters with static and sweat. With regard to the areas where the bicyclists felt discomfort was highly indicated with lower-body clothing. Discomfort was highly indicated with crotch area when riding long period of time. Also when riding a cycle, discomfort was indicated with the leggings cuffs when it comes upward with riding motion. Most of the bicyclists felt the tight fitting leggings were embarrassing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.105-110
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• 2008

This study focused on the decreased effect of the work load on using the lower extremity supporter in kneeling posture. Fatigue measures included subjective discomfort ratings through the use of the Borg's CR-10 scale based parameters. The resting period and work method were considered as independent variables. The break time conditions are grouped into 10 seconds after work for 1 min and not exist break time. The method of work conditions are divided into four types. There are kneeling with the lower extremity supporter, kneeling with the knee protector, just kneeling and squatting. The result of the ANOVA of the shift value of subjective discomfort showed the followings: 1) There were differences as regards to the method of the work, the break time and the part of body($p{\leq}0.05$). 2) The lower extremity supporter showed the least subjective discomfort in other part of body except the upper leg.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.222-232
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• 2020

This study analyzes changes in the knees, hips, and hip joint length according to the different angles of bending knees by 45°, 90°, and 135° respectively for knees, hips, and the hip joint that have high fracture rates when falling down. The research subjects were 10 elderly women in their 60s (or older) that obtain data collected through direct measurement. For analysis, the study drew a diagram of elongation and shrinkage based on changes and change rate from a straight posture (0°) and conducted a statistical analysis on differences of body surface length by zone according to movements. The more the knees were bent, the vertical surface length in front of the knees, the horizontal surface length above the knee line, the horizontal body surface length below the knee lines on the back, and the vertical surface lengths between front side lines and the side lines increased; however, the vertical surface length on the back decreased. For the hip joint, the difference in the vertical surface length was more distinctive when compared to the horizontal. Finally, the horizontal surface length increased below the hips and the vertical surface length increased in most areas except the sidelines and the front. The result of the change in body surface length according to the movements of this study can be utilized in the development of the motion-variable protector.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 1999

The Taekwondo being a martial sports, there are higher chances for the injury to occur than the non martial sports. Therefore, this study analyze the frequency, the area, the type, and the condition of the injury which are prone to occur in the Taekwondo matches; it is to help the Taekwondo players in prevention of the injury and in treatment. The subjects of this study were the 48 players (male 24, female 24) who participated in the final selection contest of the national team player on March 9 to 12, 1993. The data of the injury were obtained from the medical recoder staff and were analyzed to the frequency of the injury per match, the vulnerable area of the injury, the type of injury, and the condition of the injury with a gender difference. There were 24 matches for the male and 24 matches for the female, total 48 matches. Therefore, the total participation number of the players are the double of the match number. 1. The frequency of the injury per match was 18.3%(11/60) for male and 23.1%(12/52) for women. 2. The areas of the injury were ankle 36.4%(4), foot 18.2%(2), knee 18.2%(2), lower leg 18.2%(2), wrist 9.1%(1) in male; foot 33.4%(4), ankle 16.7%(2), knee 16.7%(2), lower back 16.7%(2), lower leg 8.3%(1), face 8.3%(1) in female. 3. The types of the injury were contusion 45.5%(5), sprain 27.3%(3), abrasion 9.1%(1), laceration 9.1%(1), tendon rupture 9.1%(1) in male; contusion 33.3%(4), sprain 33.3%(4), abrasion 16.7%(2), subcutaneous hemorrhage 8.3%(1), dislocation 8.3%(1) in female. 4. The condition of the injury were the unblocked attack 36.4%(4), attacking kick 27.3%(3), blocking a kick 18.2%(2), attacking punch 9.1%, impact with surface 9.1%(1) in male; attacking kick 33.3%(4), unblocked attack 25%(3), blocking a kick 25%(3), attacking punch 8.3%(1), impact with surface 8.3%(1) in female. This study shows that the injury from the Taekwondo matches occurred most in the lower extremity joints and the foot, and shows that the most of the injury types were contusion and sprain. Therefore, it is believed to be helpful to wear the proper fitting ankle or the knee protector and using other protective equipment to prevent the sports injury in the Taekwondo matches.