• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.30 no.2 s.245
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• pp.194-201
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• 2006

Gait analysis is essential to identify accurate cause and knee condition from patients who display abnormal walking. Traditional linear tools can, however, mask the true structure of motor variability, since biomechanical data from a few strides during the gait have limitation to understanding the system. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a more precise dynamic method. The chaos analysis, a nonlinear technique, focuses on understand how variations in the gait pattern change over time. Eight healthy eight subjects walked on a treadmill for 100 seconds at 60 Hz. Three dimensional walking kinematic data were obtained using two cameras and KWON3D motion analyzer. The largest Lyapunov exponent from the measured knee angular displacement time series was calculated to quantify local stability. This study quantified the variability present in time series generated from gait parameter via chaos analysis. Knee flexion-extension patterns were found to be chaotic. The proposed Lyapunov exponent can be used in rehabilitation and diagnosis of recoverable patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.23 no.2 s.179
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• pp.164-171
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• 2006

Anterior cruciate ligament(ACL) injury of the knee is common and a serious ACL injury leads to ligament reconstruction surgery. Gait analysis is used to identify the result of surgery. The purpose of this study is to numerically evaluate and classify knee condition of patients through the chaos analysis. Experiments were carried out for 13 subjects (8 healthy subjects, 5 ACL deficient patients) walking on a treadmill. Sagittal kinematic data of the right lower extremity were collected by using a 3D motion analysis system. The recorded gait patterns were digitized and then coordinated by KWON3D. The largest Lyapunov exponent from the measured knee angular displacement time series was calculated to quantify local stability. It was found that the Lyapunov exponent becomes larger as the knee condition becomes worse. This study suggested a method of the severity of injury and the level of recovery. The proposed method discerns difference between healthy subjects and patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.32-41
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to suppose basis data the influence of different chair type and pelvic control on quadriceps muscle activity and strength during knee joint extension isometric exercise in hemiplegic patients. This research were investigated in ten healthy adults and tens hemipelgic patients. Surface electromyography (EMG) and Biodex system were used to collect kinematic data and muscle activity, respectively. Independent t-test, paired t-test and one-way repeated ANOVA were used to determine a statistical significance. The results showed as follows: (1) Posterior pelvic angles in healthy group and hemiplegic group were significantly different on isokinetic equipment (p<.05). (2) Different chair type and pelvic control on quadriceps muscle activity and strength were significantly different in hemiplegic patients (p<.05). From the result of this research, posterior pelvic angle control during knee joint extension isometric exercise in hemiplegic patients on isokinetic equipment is necessary to increase quadriceps muscle strength in hemiplegic patients.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2021

Background: The purpose of this study is to compare and analysis the changes in strength and endurance of the knee extensor muscles after Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Methods: Twelve male subjects with ligament injury were seated on Biodex and the hip joint was flexed at 110°, and torso, lower extremities, and legs were fixed using Velcro. The resistance device was placed at a point 3cm above the ankle, and measurements were taken before and a surgery at 60°/sec and 180°/sec when the knee was maximally extended. The postures ingeniously combine forward-bending poses countered with backward-bending ones. Results: There was no significant difference in the comparison of muscle strength of 60°/sec and 180°/sec before surgery. But there was a significant difference after surgery. There was significant difference in muscle endurance both before and after surgery. There was a significant difference in the pre- and post- operative comparison values of muscle strength and endurance in isokinetic movements at 60°/sec and 180°/sec during knee extension on the injured side. Conclusion: For cruciate ligament tears, Orthopedic reconstruction is recommended. Correct alignment of the knee ligament after surgery can enhance the strength and endurance of the quadriceps femoris during knee extension rejuvenated.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.637-645
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical alterations in the punching motion of 10 elderly women after 12 weeks of taekwonaerobics training. Seven infrared cameras(Qualisys MCU-240) and 2 force platforms(Kistler-9286AA) were used to acquire raw data. The results were as follows. First, the minimum joint angles of the lower limbs had a statistically significant difference between both the dorsiflexion/plantar flexion(1eft, $p=0.001^*$) and the inversion/eversion(both, $p=0.009^*$, $p=0.04^*$) from the ankle angle. There were differences in abduction/adduction(left, $p=0.04^*$) from the knee angle, as well as internal/external rotation(both, $p=0.07^*$, $p=0.02^*$) from the hip angle. Second, the maximum resultant joint moments of the lower limbs had statistically significant differences in the inversion/eversion moment from the ankle joint(both, $p=0.05^*$, $p=0.05^*$), the abduction/adduction moment(left, $p=0.08^*$) from the knee joint, and the internal/external rotation moment(right, $p=0.09^*$) from the hip joint. Third, the maximum resultant joint powers of the lower limbs had a statistically significant difference both in flexion/extension joint powers(both, $p=0.05^*$, $p=0.01^*$) and in abduction/adduction(both, $p=0.02^*$, $p=0.00^*$) from the hip joint, as well as abduction/adduction(left, $p=0.00^*$) from the knee joint, In conclusion, the elderly women were somewhat changed after 12 weeks of taekwonaerobics training.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.272-279
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• 2018

This study was conducted to compare the muscle strength, muscle power, and H/Q ratio according to energy system contribution in athletes participating in various sports. Subjects of the study were assigned into an Anaerobic Exercise Group (AEG, n=60; Short-Distance, Weight Lifting, Jumping, Throwing, Bowling, Golf) and an Endurance Exercise Group (EEG, n=60; Modern Pentathlon, Field Hockey, Handball, Cycle, Boxing, Rowing) groups. Isokinetic peak torque/body weight% and flexor/extensor ratio at 60, 180 deg/sec of knee extension and flexion were measured using an cybex 770. Data analysis was conducted using an independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. Based on the results of this study, there was higher extension, flexion strength and flexion power in the AEG than the EEG (p<0.05). We also confirmed higher muscle strength and muscle power in short distance and jumping athletes than other athletes participating in other events (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference within the endurance exercise group. The HS ratio was within a stable range of 50% to 60% in all events. Collectively, the outcomes of this study indicate that routine physiological and performance testing can provide measurable benefits for elite athletes and their coaches.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.467-479
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to present the quantitative data which riders can utilize teaching field by comparison analysis of kinematics according to skill level of rider during 2 strides rising trot with the JeJu's-Horse. Participated subjects was consisted of total 10 riders(unskilled: n=5, skilled: n=5). The method of experiment & analysis was based on 3D cinematography. Variables were consisted of temporal, linear & angular kinematics by each event & phase. The skilled assigned more ratio of elapsed time in air than support phase, had the less range of motion in up-down direction and more consistent velocity in lateral & forward direction and performed periodic up-down movement with alignment in vertical direction according to elapsing of phases. The skilled more flexed at elbow and extended backwardly according to elapsing of phases, while more flexed forwardly at hip & knee and plantarflexion at ankle. The skilled postured backward extension but the unskilled do forward flexion. That is, It was considered that the unskilled continued more unstable posture than the skilled during 2 strides in rising trot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2015

Objective : In order for Taekwondo athletes to perform destructive kicking performance, they are expected to have Taekwondo-specific muscle properties such as high muscle strength and power. The purpose of this study was to investigate the joint angle-dependent force-producing property of Taekwondo athletes' knee extensor muscles, which is one of the primary muscle groups involved in kicking performance. Method : Ten Taekwondo male athletes (age: $19.9{\pm}0.7yrs$, height: $180.6{\pm}6.2cm$, body mass: $75.9{\pm}8.9kg$, career: $9.2{\pm}2.9yrs$.) and 10 healthy male non-athletes (age: $26.3{\pm}2.6yrs$, height: $174.2{\pm}4.8cm$, body mass: $72.8{\pm}7.7kg$) participated in this study. Subjects performed maximum isometric knee extension at knee joint angles of $40^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $80^{\circ}$, and $100^{\circ}$ (the full knee extension was set to $0^{\circ}$) with the hip joint angles of $0^{\circ}$ and $80^{\circ}$ (the full extension was set to $0^{\circ}$). During the contractions, knee extension torque using an isokinetic dynamometer simultaneously with muscle activities of the rectus femoris (RF), and the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) using surface electromyography were recorded. Based on the torque values at systematically different knee-hip joint angles, the joint torque-angle relationships were established and then the optimal joint angle for the knee extensor was estimated. Results : The results of this study showed that the isometric knee extension torque values were greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group at all hip-knee joint angle combinations (p<.05). When the hip joint was set at $80^{\circ}$, the peak isometric torque was greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($313.61{\pm}36.79Nm$ and $221.43{\pm}35.92Nm$, respectively; p<.05) but the estimated optimum knee joint angles were similar ($62.33{\pm}5.71^{\circ}$ and $62.30{\pm}4.67^{\circ}$ for the Taekwondo athletes and non-athlete group, respectively). When the hip joint was set at $0^{\circ}$, the peak isometric torque was greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($296.29{\pm}45.13Nm$ and $199.58{\pm}25.23Nm$, respectively; p<.05) and the estimated optimum knee joint angle was larger for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($78.47{\pm}5.14^{\circ}$ and $67.54{\pm}5.77^{\circ}$, respectively; p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study suggests that, compared with non-athletes, Taekwondo athletes have stronger knee extensor strength at all hip-knee joint angle combinations as well as longer optimum muscle length, which might be optimized for the event-specific required performance through prolonged training period.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.489-497
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to find differences of jumping performances within individual and to identify the influencing factors in these differences. 20 male subjects performed 6 maximal vertical jumps. The best(GP) & worst(BP) performance of each subject based on their jump height were compared in further analysis. There was a significant difference of approx. 10% in the jump height between GP and BP, which resulted from height of COM and vertical velocity at the instant of take-off. We could observe a significantly higher ankle moment in the GB more than the BP but no significant differences for the knee and hip joint. Also the maximum power of ankle joints in the GP were significantly higher than that in the BP. According to the results, the mechanical output of knee and hip joint are not as influential as that of ankle joint for difference of performance within individual. In conclusion, the results showed that mechanical output of the ankle joint could be more influential factors on the performances within individual although the knee and hip joint play an important role in the vertical jump. We therefore propose that more emphasis should be placed on the potentiation of the ankle joint for the training of the maximum vertical jump.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.948-956
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of a prototype KAFO (Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis) powered by two artificial pneumatic muscles during walking. We had previously built powered AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthosis) and KO (Knee Orthosis) and used it effectively in studies on assistance of plantaflexion and knee extension motion. Extending the previous study to a KAFO presented additional challenges related to the assistance of gait motion for rehabilitation training. Five healthy males were performed gait motion on treadmill wearing KAFO equipped with artificial pneumatic muscles to power ankle plantaflexion and knee extension. Subjects walked on treadmill at 1.5 km/h under four conditions without extensive practice: 1) without wearing KAFO, 2) wearing KAFO with artificial muscles turned off, 3) wearing KAFO powered only in plantaflexion under feedforward control, and 4) wearing KAFO powered both in plantaflexion and knee extension under feedforward control. We collected surface electromyography, foot pressure and kinematics of ankle and knee joint. The experimental result showed that a muscular strength of wearing KAFO powered plnatarfexion and knee extension under feedforward control was measured to be lower due to pneumatic assistance and foot pressure of wearing KAFO powered plnatarfexion and knee extension under feedforward control was measured to be greater due to power assistance. In the result of motion analysis, the ankle angle of powered KAFO in terminal stance phase was found a peak value toward plantaflexion and there were difference of maximum knee flexion range among condition 2, 3 and 4 in mid-swing phase. The current orthosis design provided plantaflexion torque of ankle jonit in terminal stance phase and knee extension torque of knee joint in mid-swing phase.