• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.379-386
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate and identify the differences in lower extremity energy dissipation strategies between drop-landing and countermovement-jump maneuvers. Fourteen recreational athletes(Age : $23.3{\pm}2.1years$, Height : $172.3{\pm}4.0cm$, Weight : $69.2{\pm}4.7kg$) were recruited and instructed to perform drop-landing from 45 cm height and countermovement-jump from 45 cm to 20 cm height. The landing phase was taken as the time between initial contact and peak knee flexion. A motion-capture system consisting of eight infra-red cameras was employed to collect kinematics data at a sampling rate of 200 Hz and a force-plate was used to collect GRF data at a sampling rate of 2000 Hz. Paired t-test was performed to determine the difference in kinematics and kinetics variables between each task. During the countermovement-jump task, all of lower extremity joint ROM and the hip joint eccentric moment were decreased and the ankle joint plantarflexion moment was increased than drop-landing task. In the eccentric work during countermovement-jump task, the ankle joint displayed greater while knee and hip joint showed lesser than drop-landing. Therefore, the knee joint acted as the key energy dissipater during drop-landing while the ankle joint contributed the most energy dissipation during countermovement-jump. Our findings collectively indicated that different energy dissipation strategies were adopted for drop-landing and countermovement-jump.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.241-248
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in muscle strength, kinematics, and kinetics between injured and non-injured sides of the leg after Achilles Tendon Rupture surgery during walking and running. Method: The subjects (n=11; age = 30.63 ± 5.69 yrs; height = 172.00 ± 4.47 cm; mass = 77.00 ± 11.34 kg; time lapse from surgery = 29.81 ± 10.27 months) who experienced Achilles Tendon Rupture (ATR) surgery participated in this study. The walking and running trials were collected using infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden, 100 Hz) on instrumented treadmill (Bertec, U.S.A., 1,000 Hz) and analyzed by using QTM (Qualisys Track Manager Ver. 2.15; Qualisys, U.S.A). The measured data were processed using Visual 3D (C-motion Inc., U.S.A.). The cutoff frequencies were set as 6 Hz and 12 Hz for walking and running kinematics respectively, while 100 Hz was used for force plate data. Results: In ATR group, muscle strength there were no difference between affected and unaffected sides (p> .05). In kinematic analysis, subjects showed greater ROM of knee joint flexion-extension in affected side compared to that of unaffected side during walking while smaller ROM of ankle dorsi-plantar and peak knee flexion were observed during running (p< .05). In kinetic analysis, subjects showed lower knee extension moment (running at 2.2 m/s) and positive ankle plantar-flexion power (running at 2.2 m/s, 3.3 m/s) in affected side compared to that of unaffected side (p< .05). This lower positive ankle joint power during a propulsive phase of running is related to slower ankle joint velocity in affected side of the subjects (p< .05). Conclusion: This study aimed to investigate the functional evaluation of the individuals after Achilles tendon rupture surgery through biomechanical analysis during walking and running trials. Based on the findings, greater reduction in dynamic joint function (i.e. lower positive ankle joint power) was found in the affected side of the leg compared to the unaffected side during running while there were no meaningful differences in ankle muscle strength and walking biomechanics. Therefore, before returning to daily life and sports activities, biomechanical analysis using more dynamic movements such as running and jumping trials followed by current clinical evaluations would be helpful in preventing Achilles tendon re-rupture or secondary injury.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of landing height on the lower extremity during a counter movement jump. Fourteen healthy male subjects (age: $27.00{\pm}2.94$ yr, height: $179.07{\pm}5.03$ cm, weight: $78.79{\pm}6.70$ kg) participated in this study. Each subject randomly performed three single-leg jumps after s single-leg drop landing (counter movement jump) on a force platform from a 20 cm and 30 cm platform. Paired t-test (SPSS 18.0; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) was performed to determine the difference in kinematics and kinetics according to the height. All significance levels were set at p<.05. The results were as follows. First, ankle and knee joint angles in the sagittal plane increased in response to increasing landing height. Second, ankle and knee joint angles in the frontal plane increased in response to increasing landing height. Third, there were no significant differences in the moment of each segment in the sagittal plane for the jumping height increment. Fourth, ankle eversion moment and knee valgus moment decreased but hip abduction moment increased for the jumping height increment. Fifth, Ankle and knee joint powers increased. In percentage contribution, the ankle joint increased but the knee and hip joints decreased at a greater height. Lastly, as jumping height increased, the power generation at the ankle joint increased. Our findings indicate that the height increment affect on the landing mechanism the might augment loads at the ankle and knee joints.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2019

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing an ankle weight belt while performing gait in water by focusing on the effect of using ankle weights have on the gait kinematics and the muscle activities for developing optimum training strategies. Method: A total of 10 healthy male university students were recruited for the study. Each participant was instructed to perform 3 gait conditions; normal walking over ground, walking in water chest height, and walking in water chest height while using ankle weights. All walking conditions were set at control speed of $4km/h{\pm}0.05km/h$. The depth of the swimming pool was at 1.3 m, approximately chest height. The motion capture data was recorded using 6 digital cameras and the EMG was recorded using waterproof Mini Wave. From the motion capture data, the following variables were calculated for analysis; double and single support phase (s), swing phase (s), step length (%height), step rate (m/s), ankle, knee, and hip joint angles ($^{\circ}$). From the electromyography the %RVC of the lower limb muscles medial gastrocnemius, rectus femoris, erector spinae, semitendinosus, tibialis anterior, vastus lateralis oblique was calculated. Results: The results show significant differences between the gait time, and step length between the right and left leg. Additionally, the joint angular velocities and gait velocity were significantly affected by the water resistance. As expected, the use of the ankle weights increased all of the lower leg maximum muscle activities except for the lower back muscle. Conclusion: In conclusion, the ankle weights can be shown to stimulate more muscle activity during walking in chest height water and therefore, may be useful for rehabilitation purposes.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.16-25
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during descent ramp climbing at different inclinations. Twenty-three subjects descended four steps at four different inclinations (level, $-8^{\circ}$, $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$). The 3-D kinematics were measured by a camera-based Falcon System. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Student-Newman-Keuls test. The kinematics of descent ramp walking could be clearly distinguished from the kinematics of level walking. On a sagittal plane, the ankle joint was more plantar flexed at initial contact with $-16^{\circ}/-24^{\circ}$ inclination, was decreased in the toe off position with all inclinations (p<.001),and was decreased at maximum plantar flexion during the swing phase (p<.001). The knee joint was more flexed at initial contact with the $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.001), was more flexed in the toe off position with all inclinations (p<.001), and was more flexed at minimum flexion during stance phase and at maximum flexion during swing phase with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.001). The hip joint was more flexed in the toe off position with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination and was deceased at maximum extension during stance phase with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.05). In the frontal plane, the ankle joint was more everted at maximum eversion during stance phase with $-16^{\circ}/-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.01) and was decreased at maximum inversion during swing phase with $-16^{\circ}$, $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.01). The knee joint was more increased at maximum varus during stance phase with $-16^{\circ}/-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.001). The hip joint was deceased at maximum adduction during stance phase with $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.05). In a horizontal plane, only the knee joint was increased at maximum internal rotation during stance phase with $-24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.05). In descent ramp walking, the different gait patterns occurred at an inclination of over $16^{\circ}$ on the descending ramp in the sagittal and frontal planes. These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between level walking and descent ramp walking gait patterns.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.633-650
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during ascent ramp climbing at different inclinations. Twenty-three subjects ascended a four step at four different inclinations(level, $8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$). The 3-D kinematics was analysed by a camera-based falcon system. Groups difference was tested with one -way ANOVA and SNK test. The different kinematic patterns of ramp ascent were analysed and compared to level walking patterns. The kinematics of ramp walking could be clearly distinguished from the kinematics of level walking. In sagittal plane, Ankle joint was more dorsiflexed at initial contact and Max. dorsiflex. during stance phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination and more plantarflexed at toe off and Max. plantarflex. during swing phase with $24^{\circ}$(p<.001). Knee joint was more flexed at initial contact with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.001). Hip joint was more flexed at initial contact and Max. flex. during swing phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination and at toe off with $24^{\circ}$(p<.001) and was more extended at Max. ext. during stance phase with $24^{\circ}$(p<.05). In frontal plane, ankle joint was more everted at Max. eversion. during stance phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.001). Knee joint was more increased at Max. varus. during stance phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.001). Hip joint was not differentiated with different inclinations. In horizontal plane, all joints were not differentiated with different inclinations. Conclusionally, In ascent ramp walking, the different gait pattern generally occurred at over $16^{\circ}$ on the ascending ramp in sagittal and frontal plane. These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between a level walking and a ascent ramp walking gait pattern. This shows their motor control strategy between level and ascent ramp walking. Further studies are necessary to confirm and detect the ascent ramp gait patterns.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.24 no.2 s.191
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• pp.64-72
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• 2007

Many human-body motions such as walking, running, jumping, etc. require a significant amount of power. To achieve a high power-to-weight ratio of the humanoid robot system, this paper proposes a new design of the bio-mimetic leg mechanism resembling musculoskeletal system of the human body. The hip joints of the system considered here are powered by 5 human-like bi-and mono-articular muscles, and the joints of knee and ankle are redundantly actuated by both bi-articular muscles and joint actuators. The kinematics for the leg mechanism is derived and a kinematic index to measure force transmission ratio is introduced. It is demonstrated through simulation that incorporation of redundant muscles into the leg mechanism enhances the power of the mechanism approximately 2 times of the minimum actuation.

• Advances in biomechanics and applications
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2014

The purpose of the study was to investigate the kinematics between the double collar-tie and double underhook Thai Boxing clinching positions. Ten amateur mixed martial arts athletes executed six knee strikes for both clinching positions with their dominant limb directed towards a target. A standard two-dimensional video motion analysis was conducted, and the results showed a statistical significant difference at the hip joint angle and the angular acceleration of the knee and ankle. Within both clinching positions, there was a statistically significant correlation between the hip and knee joint angles, hip and knee angular velocities, and hip angular acceleration. Between both clinching positions, there was a statistically significant correlation at the knee joint angle, knee angular velocity, and hip angular acceleration. This study demonstrates the importance of the hip and knee joint movements in both clinching positions, which implies the applications of strength training and flexibility at these joints for sports performance and injury prevention. It is suggested that future studies analyzing the non-dominant leg are warranted to fully understand the Thai Boxing clinch.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 2021

Objective: This study investigated the different in isokinetic peak strength of the knee joint, and kinetics and kinematics in drop landing pattern of lower limb between the patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) patients and normal. Method: 30 adult females were divided into the PFPS (age: 23.13±2.77 yrs; height: 160.97±3.79 cm, weight: 51.19±4.86 kg) and normal group (age: 22.80±2.54 yrs, height: 164.40±5.77 cm, weight: 56.14±8.16 kg), with 15 subjects in each group. To examine the knee isokinetic peak strength, kinematics and kinetics in peak vertical ground reaction force during drop landing. Results: The knee peak torque (Nm) and relative strength (%) were significantly weaker PFPS group than normal group. In addition, PFPS group had significantly greater hip flexion angle (°) than normal group. Moreover, normal group had significantly greater moment of hip abduction, hip internal rotation, and left ankle eversion than PFPS group, and PFPS group had significantly greater moment of knee internal rotation. Finally, there was significant differences between the groups at anteroposterior center of pressure. Conclusion: The PFPS patients had weakened knee strength, and which can result in an unstable landing pattern and cause of more stress in the knee joints despite to effort of reduce vertical ground reaction force.

• 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.