• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.203-209
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• 2009

The purpose of this study is to develop a minimally constraint joint angle measurement system for the feedback control of FES (functional electrical stimulation) locomotion. Feedback control is desirable for the efficient FES locomotion, however, the simple on-off control schemes are mainly used in clinic because the currently available angle measurement systems are heavily constraint or cosmetically poor. We designed a new angle measurement system consisting of a magnet and magnetic sensors located below and above the ankle joint, respectively, in the rear side of ipsilateral leg. Two magnetic sensors are arranged so that the sensing axes are perpendicular each other. Multiple positions of sensors attachment on the shank part of the ankle joint model and also human ankle joint were selected and the accuracy of the measured angle at each position was investigated. The reference ankle joint angle was measured by potentiometer and motion capture system. The ankle joint angle was determined from the fitting curve of the reference angle and magnetic flux density relationship. The errors of the measured angle were calculated at each sensor position for the ankle range of motion (ROM) $-20{\sim}15$ degrees (dorsiflexion as positive) which covers the ankle ROM of both stroke patients and normal subjects during locomotion. The error was the smallest with the sensor at the position 1 which was the nearest position to the ankle joint. In case of human experiment, the RMS (root mean square) errors were $0.51{\pm}1.78(0.31{\sim}0.64)$ degrees and the maximum errors were $1.19{\pm}0.46(0.68{\sim}1.58)$ degrees. The proposed system is less constraint and cosmetically better than the existing angle measurement system because the wires are not needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2009

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the effect of ankle joint angle on knee extensor electromyographic activity following knee extension exercise. Methods : Ten male university students participated in the study. The subjects performed isometric maximal voluntary knee extensor contractions (MVC) and knee extensor EMG activity measured in with three different ankle joint angle. The EMG activity of rectus femoris(RF), vastus medialis(VM), vastus lateralis(VL) were measured using surface electromyography. Results : EMG activity of vastus lateralis following the change of ankle joint angle was shown statistically significant difference. Conclusion : Ankle plantar flexion position increase EMG activity of vastus lateralis during knee extension exercise.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the chronic ankle instability affects postural control during forward jump landing. Method: 20 women with chronic ankle instability (age: 21.7 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 162.1 ± 3.7 cm, weight: 52.2 ± 5.8 kg) and 20 healthy adult women (age: 21.8 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 161.9 ± 4.4 cm, weight: 52.9 ± 7.2 kg) participated in this study. For the forward jump participants were instructed to stand on two legs at a distance of 40% of their body height from the center of force plate. Participants were jump forward over a 15 cm hurdle to the force plate and land on their non-dominant or affected leg. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using 8 motion capture cameras and 1 force plates and joint angle, vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure. All statistical analyses were using SPSS 25.0 program. The differences in variables between the two groups were compared through an independent sample t-test, and the significance level was to p < .05. Results: In the hip and knee joint angle, the CAI group showed a smaller flexion angle than the control group, and the knee joint valgus angle was significantly larger. In the case of ankle joint, the CAI group showed a large inversion angle at all events. In the kinetic variables, the vGRF was significantly greater in the CAI group than control group at IC and mGRF. In COP Y, the CAI group showed a lateral shifted center of pressure. Conclusion: Our results indicated that chronic ankle instability decreases the flexion angle of the hip and knee joint, increases the valgus angle of the knee joint, and increases the inversion angle of the ankle joint during landing. In addition, an increase in the maximum vertical ground reaction force and a lateral shifted center of pressure were observed. This suggests that chronic ankle instability increases the risk of non-contact knee injury as well as the risk of lateral ankle sprain during forward jump landing.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to improve the ankle joint to mechanical energy in Crouching start according to the backward block inclined angle(F, F(+1), F(+2)) increase. For purpose of this study the ankle joint was considered as a single hinge joint rotation about a transverse axis. A two-dimensional(sagittal plane) analysis was performed on data collected from 3 spriters(university student). During Crouching start, the ankle joint moment showed a similar patterns according to the backward block inclined angle increase. The peak values of ankle joint moment was plantar flexion approximately 80% throughout the contact phase for Crouching start. The absorbed and generated energy represented different values from the backward block inclined angle increase at ankle joint. On the backward block inclined angle F, subject A($55^{\circ}$) and C($50^{\circ}$) Produced energy generation more than other block inclined angles. On the backward block inclined angle F(+2), subject B($50^{\circ}$) showed largest energy generation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the radiological characteristics of the degenerative arthritis of the ankle using the standing radiographs. Materials and Methods: From June 2001 to May 2005, 36 patients (56 ankles) who were treated for osteoarthritis of ankle were analysed. Angle of tibial shaft and tibial joint surface on AP view (TSA), angle of tibial joint surface on lateral view (TLS), tibial and medial malleolus angle (TMM) and talo-1st metatarsal angle were checked on standing radiograph. The patients with medial joint and total joint involvement were categorized into three stages according to the location of involvement. The degree of joint space narrowing was categorized into two groups. Results: There were no significant differences in TSA, TLS, TMM and talo-1st metatarsal angle with regard to the stage of arthritis. However, the difference between the less severe group and the severe group existed. Conclusion: Angular deformity was not correlated with stage, but correlated with severity. The deformity of distal tibial articular surface does not seem to be a cause of primary osteoartiritis, but rather a result from it.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.276-282
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• 2021

Objective: To investigate effects of Fibular Repositioning Taping (FRT) on lower extremity joint stiffness and angle during drop-landing. Method: Twenty-eight participants (14 healthy, 14 with chronic ankle instability [CAI]) performed drop-landings from a 60 cm box; three were performed prior to tape application and three were performed post-FRT. Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected using an infrared optical camera system (Vicon Motion Systems Ltd. Oxford, UK) and force-plate (AMTI, Watertown, MA). Joint stiffness and sagittal angle of the ankle, knee, and hip were analyzed. Results: The hip [Healthy: p<.05; M ± SD: 29.43 ± 11.27 (pre), 33.04 ± 12.03 (post); CAI: p<.05; M ± SD: 31.45 ± 9.70 (pre), 32.29 ± 9.85 (post)] and knee [Healthy: p<.05; M ± SD: 53.44 ± 8.09 (pre), 55.13 ± 8.36 (post); CAI: p<.05; M ± SD: 53.12 ± 8.35 (pre), 55.55 ± 9.81 (post)] joints demonstrated significant increases in sagittal angle after FRT. A significant decrease in joint angle was found at the ankle [Healthy: p<.05; M ± SD: 56.10 ± 3.71 (pre), 54.09 ± 4.31 (post); CAI: p<.05; M ± SD: 52.80 ± 6.04 (pre), 49.86 ± 10.08 (post)]. A significant decrease in hip [Healthy: p<.05; M ± SD: 1549.16 ± 517.53 (pre), 1272.48 ± 646.73 (post); CAI: p<.05; M ± SD: 1300.42 ± 595.55 (pre), 1158.27 ± 550.58 (post)] and knee [Healthy: p<.05; M ± SD: 270.12 ± 54.07 (pre), 239.13 ± 64.70 (post); CAI: p<.05; M ± SD: 241.58 ± 93.48 (pre), 214.63 ± 101.00 (post)] joint stiffness was found post-FRT application, while no difference was found at the ankle [Healthy: p>.05; M ± SD: 57.29 ± 17.04 (pre), 59.37 ± 18.30 (post); CAI: p>.05; M ± SD: 69.15 ± 17.63 (pre), 77.24 ± 35.05 (post)]. Conclusion FRT application decreased joint angle at the ankle without altering ankle joint stiffness. In contrast, decreased joint stiffness and increased joint angle was found at the hip and knee following FRT. Thus, participants utilize an altered shock absorption mechanism during drop-landings following FRT. When compared to previous research, the joint kinematics and stiffness of the lower extremity appear to be different following FRT versus traditional ankle taping.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.205-213
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze body stability Joint coordination pattern though as bending stiffness of shoes during stance phase of running. Method: 47 male subjects (Age: 26.33 ± 2.11 years, Height: 177.32 ± 4.31 cm, Weight: 65.8 ± 3.87 kg) participated in this study. All subjects tested wearing the same type of running shoes by classifying bending stiffness (A shoes: 3.2~4.1 N, B shoes: 9.25~10.53 N, C shoes: 20.22~21.59 N). They ran 10 m at 3.3 m/s (SD ±3%) speed, and the speed was monitored by installing a speedometer at 3 m intervals between force plate, and the measured data were analyzed five times. During running, ankle joint, MTP joint, coupling angle, inclination angle (anterior-posterior, medial-lateral) was collected and analyzed. Vector coding methods were used to calculate vector angle of 2 joint couples during running: MTP-Ankle joint frontal plane. All analyses were performed with SPSS 21.0 and for repeated measured ANOVA and Post-hoc was Bonferroni. Results: Results indicated that there was an interaction between three shoes and phases for MTP (Metatarsalphalangeal) joint angle (p = .045), the phases in the three shoes showed difference with heel strike~impact peak (p1) (p = .000), impact peak~active peak (p2) (p = .002), from active peak to half the distance to take-off until take-off (p4) (p = .032) except for active peak~from active peak to half the distance to take-off (p3) (p = .155). ML IA (medial-lateral inclination angle) for C shoes was increased than other shoes. The coupling angle of ankle angle and MTP joint showed that there was significantly difference of p2 (p = .005), p4 (p = .045), and the characteristics of C shoes were that single-joint pattern (ankle-phase, MTP-phase) was shown in each phase. Conclusion: In conclusion, by wearing high bending stiffness shoes, their body instability was increased during running.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.839-847
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of ankle flexibility, gender, and Q-angle on the ankle joint injury factors during one leg drop landing. For this study, 16 males(age: 20.19±1.78 years, mass: 69.54±10.12 kg, height: 173.22±4.43 cm) and 16 females(age: 21.05±1.53 years, mass: 61.75±6.97 kg, height: 159.34±4.56 cm) in their 20's majoring in physical education using the right foot as their dominant feet were selected as subjects. First, an independent t-test of joint motion and joint moment according to the experience of ankle injury was conducted to determine the effect of physical characteristics on ankle joint injury during one leg drop landing(α = .05). Second, the variable that showed a significant difference through t-test was set as the dependent variable, and the ankle flexibility, gender difference, and Q-angle were designated as independent variables to use Multiple Linear Regression(α =. 05). As a result of this study, it was found that the group that experienced an ankle joint injury was found to use a landing strategy and technique through adduction of the ankle joint and internal rotation of the knee joint, unlike the group without an injury. It was also confirmed that this movement increases the extension moment of the ankle joint and decreases the extension moment of the hip joint. In particular, it was found that the dorsi flexion flexibility of the ankle affects the ankle and knee landing strategy, and the gender difference affects the ankle extension moment. Therefore, it was confirmed that physical characteristics factors affecting ankle joint injuries during one leg drop landing.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.40-46
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• 2021

Purpose: This study compared the muscle activity of the lower limb according to the three types of fixed angles of the ankle joint during a lunge exercise. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects performed the lunge motion in a trial including the three types of fixed angle. The lunge motion with a neutral, 20° dorsiflexion, and 20° plantarflexion of the ankle joint were randomized and measured repeatedly. The muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), and semitendinosus (ST) was measured by surface electromyography. Results: In the change in ankle joint angle, the RF, VL, BF, and ST muscle activity showed significant differences (p<0.05). In the 20° dorsiflexion position, the muscle activity of VL, BF, and ST showed a significant decrease compared to that in the neutral position (p<0.017). The muscle activity of RF and VL in the neutral position was greater than that in the 20° plantarflexion position (p<0.017). Only the muscle activity of the BF in the 20° plantarflexion position was significantly greater than the 20° dorsiflexion position (p<0.017). Conclusion: These results revealed a difference in the muscle activity of lower extremities in the proximal region according to the angle of the ankle joint during the lunge.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2011

Purpose:This study was designed to investigate difference in isokinetic muscle strength in the knee extensor muscle and characteristic differences in muscle strength between males and females through the ankle joint angles. Methods: Seventy-four subjects participated in this study. There were two groups: 36 males and 38 females. The mean age of the men was 24.58 years and women was 23.74 years. Subjects were seated on a CON-TREX LP (leg press) lean to back of chair, and there bodies were fixed by straps with the hip joint at an angle of $130^{\circ}$. After randomly fixing the ankle joint at $0^{\circ}$, $20^{\circ}$, and $40^{\circ}$ of plantar flexion (PF) in range of full extension of knee joint. We studied force max average, force max average/kg, power average, and total work through the angle of the ankle joint when the knee joint was extended from $90^{\circ}$ to $180^{\circ}$. Results: In the male group, all maximum measured value showed at the ankle joint $0^{\circ}$, all minimum measured value showed at $40^{\circ}$ PF (p<0.01). In the female group, all maximum measured value showed at the ankle joint $20^{\circ}$ PF, especially the power average increased significantly. All minimum measured value showed $40^{\circ}$ PF (p<0.01). Conclusion: There are differences between males and females in isokinetic muscle strength of the knee extensor through ankle joint angles in healthy adults. Males and Females have different characteristics of muscle strength through the ankle joint angles.