• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.355-363
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to obtain detailed and quantified data concerning the effects of plantarflexor muscle fatigue induced in the non-paretic side on the spatial and temporal gait parameters of the bilateral lower extremities during walking in stroke patients. Methods: This study was conducted on 20 patients with chronic stroke. The load contraction fatigue test was applied to induce muscle fatigue in the non-paretic plantarflexor muscle. Step length, stride length, double support, gait velocity and cadence, and functional ambulatory profile (FAP) score in the bilateral lower extremities were measured using a gait analysis system in order to investigate changes in temporal and spatial gait parameters caused by muscle fatigue on the non-paretic side. The statistical significance of the results was evaluated using a paired t-test. Results: A review of the results for gait parameters revealed a significant increase in double support (p<0.05) and a significant decrease in step length, stride length, gait velocity and cadence, and FAP score (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that the muscle fatigue in the non-paretic side of the stroke patients also affected the paretic side, which led to a decrease in gait functions. This implies a necessity to perform exercise or training programs in a range of clinical aspects not causing muscle fatigue.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.417-430
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of weight-bearing training with an elastic band during functional electrical stimulation (FES) on walking and balance functions in stroke patients. Methods: Twenty patients with chronic stroke were divided into an experimental group assigned to weight-bearing training with an elastic band during functional electrical stimulation (FES; n=10) and a control group assigned to weight-bearing training alone during FES (n=10). The patients in both groups attended physical therapy sessions five times a week for four consecutive weeks. The experimental group underwent weight-bearing training with an elastic band during FES five times a week for four weeks. The control group underwent weight-bearing training during FES. Balance parameters were measured before and after the intervention using the Balancia program. Moreover, all patients were evaluated using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), and the Wisconsin Gait Scale (WGS) before and after each intervention. Results: The results showed that weight-bearing training with elastic bands during FES and weight-bearing training during FES had a significant effect on the affected side's weight-bearing ratio, BBS, TUGT, and WGS in both groups (p <0.05). Additionally, the results showed that the changes observed in the two groups indicate significant differences in path length, average speed, BBS score, TUGT time, and WGS score between the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In patients with stroke, weight-bearing training with an elastic band during FES affected on walking and balance. Therefore, it is an optional intervention for the balance and walking ability of stroke patients.

• The Journal of Sustainable Design and Educational Environment Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.12-21
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to suggest a scheme to provide children safer and more comfortable walking circumstances by survey current walking circumstances of school zone ways. First, to avoid pedestrian roads being interrupted and to expand waiting space near school zone ways, several measures are needed including fixing roads, using schools' unemployed spaces and building additional gateway. Second, pedestrian crossings in front of school gate should be located at least 23.16m away from the left side of the gate. Third, on narrow path which cross main streets, the interval of pedestrian signal should be extended as against of the moment. And traffic calming facilities should be built on accurate position. Fourth, to secure pedestrians' safety and field of view, trees lining streets and any obstacles located within 10m from bus stop sign should be removed. Finally, education system about school zone ways should be improved to help children get used to more complicated roads' conditions.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.196-202
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• 2019

Snake robots are slower than wheeled robots or legged robots, while they have an excellent terrainability in a disastrous area. Considering their advantages and disadvantages, a legged robot whose legs are snake robots, 'Quadnake' was proposed in this research. Five motions of the snake were analyzed. Applying these motions, Quadnake could implement eight kinds of motions which snake robots and quadruped walking robots can implement. As a result of it, Quadnake can have the advantages of both a snake robot and a walking robot. It is expected to move stably in a harsh terrain with snake's motion and move fast with walking.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of the lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise on balance and ambulation of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: 10 subjects who participated in this research undertook the 12-week the lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise program, which consisted of a series of mat exercises and sling exercises. The statistical significances were examined by using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a non-parametric test, for evaluating the improvement of balance and ambulation of the subjects. In order to evaluate the correlation among the variables, Pearson's correlation coefficients were also calculated. In all statistical analyses the significance level was selected as ${\alpha}$=0.05. Results: Berg balance scale(BBS) was significantly increased after the intervention(p<.05). Percentage weight bearing(PWB) was decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference. Time up and go test(TUG) value was significantly decreased(p<.05). Gait velocities was increased after the intervention, but there was no significance. Stride length, step lengths of the affected side and the sound side were significantly increased after the intervention(p<.05). In the correlation analyses of the measures before the intervention, TUG had significant negative correlation to BBS and gait velocity(p<.05). Stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side had significant positive correlation between themselves(p<.01). In the correlation analyses of the measures after the intervention, TUG had significant negative correlation to BBS and gait velocity(p<.05). BBS revealed significant positive correlations to stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side(p<.05). Stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side had significant positive correlation between themselves(p<.01). Conclusion: Based upon the outcomes as above, it is likely that the muscle strength exercises have substantial effects on balance and ambulation of children with cerebral palsy. Thus various lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise programs are required to be studied and developed in order to contribute to functional improvements of children with cerebral palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 2007

Purpose : This study is to determine effects of cane-shape which influenced on the change of muscle activation, gait component in hemiplegic patients caused by cerebrovascular accident. Methods : Twenty one stroke patients using T-shape cane(TCG) and twenty one stroke patients using I-shape cane(ICG) participated in this study. Surface electromyography(SEMG) of erector spinae, transvers abdominis, tibialis anterior, soleus of both side were measured during walking without cane and walking with cane. Results : The activation of tibialis anterior was significantly increased in affected side of ICG. The activation of tibialis anterior was significantly decreased in affected side of TCG. The activation of soleus was significantly increased in affected side of ICG. The activation of soleus was significantly decreased in affected side of TCG. The activation of erector spinae was significantly increased in nonaffected side of ICG and TCG. The activation of transvers abdominis was significantly increased in nonaffected side of ICG and TCG. Conclusion : From the finding of this study, it was suggested that I-shape cane increase weight bearing of affected side in hemiplegic patient. Therefore, I-shape cane can be applied to improve gait asymmetry of hemiplegic patients.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.419-425
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• 2021

The objective of this study is to verify the effects of the application of flossband to the ankles of healthy adults on the functional range of ankle and walking ability. Total 20 people participated in the experiment, and through the randomization, one foot was set up as experimental side while the other foot was set up as control side. To analyze the two factors(before/after intervention/experimental side and control side), the two way-repeated ANOVA was conducted. The significance level was set up as 0.05. In the results of this study, compared to the control side, the experimental side showed significant increase in WBLT and heel strike(p=.05). In the test before/after intervention, the experimental side showed significant increase in WBLT, heel strike, and toe off(p=.05). The control side showed significant increase in toe off(p=.05). Thus, the application of floss band on ankle joint performed in this study would be helpful for improving the functional range and walking ability in the sports & rehabilitation field.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.471-482
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• 2018

This paper proposes the necessity of a walking period in footstep planning and details situations in which it should be considered. An optimization-based fast footstep planner that takes the walking period into consideration is also presented. This footstep planner comprises three stages. A binary search is first used to determine the walking period. The front stride, side stride, and walking direction are then determined using the modified rapidly-exploring random tree algorithm. Finally, particle swarm optimization (PSO) is performed to ensure feasibility without departing significantly from the results determined in the two stages. The parameters determined in the previous two stages are optimized together through the PSO. Fast footstep planning is essential for coping with dynamic obstacle environments; however, optimization techniques may require a large computation time. The two stages play an important role in limiting the search space in the PSO. This framework enables fast footstep planning without compromising on the benefits of a continuous optimization approach.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Graston technique for lower extremity range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, walking ability in hemiplegia patients. Methods: Twelve subjects participated in this study. The ROM of the knee extension was measured by 90-90 straight leg raise test, the hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength was collected by utilizing a handheld dynamometer. In addition walking speed was evaluated by 10 meter walking test. The group was applied intervention using a Graston instrument for one minute. After intervention, immediate effect was assessed. The significant level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: The ROM of the knee extension, quadriceps muscle strength and walking speed were significantly increased. Hamstring muscle strength was significantly reduced. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that Graston instrument technique has the effect of instantaneously flexibility the muscles, and the muscle applied with the technique has weakened, while the muscle of the opposite side has increased the muscle strength. In addition, the muscle flexibility and the walking speed have increased.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2016

Background: In the stroke patients with the characteristics of hemiplegic gait, turning direction of the affected and unaffected side influences turning time. Therefore, it is important to investigate the walking response to turning directions in stroke patients. Objects: This study aimed to measure the walking time while turning direction in hemiplegic patients depending on balance ability measured by Berg Balance Scale. Methods: A group of forty-five subjects with stroke (Berg Balance Scale score${\geq}46$ were twenty-eight, Berg Balance Scale score${\leq}45$ were seventeen) were enrolled in this study. Subjects were asked to perform the Timed Up and Go test. Testing indications included two directions for turning in each subject. These indications were for turning toward the affected and unaffected side in stroke patients. The duration of total analysis duration, sit to stand phase, stand to sit phase, mid-turning phase, and end turning phase were recorded. The obtained data were analyzed by using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed rank test in the group that are below and above 45 points of Berg Balance Scale score. The significance level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. Results: There were significant increase time in the analysis duration and end turning phase duration while subjects were turned the unaffected side in stroke patients that presented a Berg Balance Scale score${\leq}45$ (p<.05). However, the comparison between the affected side and the unaffected side in the stroke patients with Berg Balance Scale score${\geq}46$, revealed no significant differences of the measured parameters. Conclusion: This finding should be suggested in the specific definition of turning direction for evaluation with Timed Up and Go test in the Berg Balance Scale score${\leq}45$, and other intervention for hemiplegic patients need to be suggested the direction of turning during walking training program.