• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate change of muscle activities during level walking, stairs and ramp climbing in old adults. Methods: Twelve old adults were recruited and agreed this study. Muscle activity was measured by MP150 system (BIOPAC System Inc., Santa Barbara, USA). Statistical analysis was used one-way ANOVA to know the difference according to gait conditions (level walking, stairs and ramp ascending) Results: In stance phase, muscle activities of low extremities with old adults were generally significant difference in ramp ascending. In swing phase, rectus femoris and biceps femoris activity in old adults generally more increased during stairs ascending and tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius activity in old adults generally increased during ramp ascending. Conclusion: These results indicate that stair and ramp climbing is different muscle recruit pattern to level walking.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.77-82
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the pathway of COP and plantar foot pressure and to determine the correlation between plantar regions during the ascending and descending of a ramp. Methods: Fifteen healthy adults who had no musculoskeletal problems participated in our study. They were asked to walk on a level surface and on an ascending and descending ramp in their bare feet. Pathway of COP and plantar foot pressures were recorded using the Matscan system (Tekscan, Boston, USA). For pressure measurements, the plantar foot surface was divided into seven regions: two toe regions, three forefoot regions, a midfoot region, and a heel region. To determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between pathway of COP and plantar foot pressures during walking, we used repeated measuremes ANOVA. Results: In comparison to results for a level walking, pathway of COP while ascending a ramp had a tendency to be shifted medially in the forefoot and became longer till the big toe. Pathway of COP while descending a ramp also was shifted medially, but ended in the forefoot. Plantar foot pressure of the second and third metatarsal head and the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads was significantly decreased while descending the ramp. Conclusion: These results indicated that plantar foot pressure is changed while ascending and descending a ramp and demonstrated that ramp walking can affect the structure and function of the foot. Therefore, gait environment is associated with significant changes in foot characteristics, which contribute to altered plantar loading patterns during gait.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.247-252
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of muscle activities during level walking, stairs and ramp climbing in hemiplegic patients. Methods: Eight hemiplegic patients were recruited and agreed to participate in this study. Muscle activity was measured by MP100 system (BIOPAC System Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, USA). Statistical analysis was used as a one-way repeated measure of ANOVA to know the difference according to the gait conditions (level walking, stairs and ramp ascending). Results: In the swing phase, muscle activity of rectus femoris muscle, with the side lower extremities affected, were generally significantly different in the stair and ramp ascending. In addition, biceps femoris muscle with unaffected side lower extremity was generally significantly different in the ramp ascending. In the swing phase, muscle activity of tibialis anterior muscle with unaffected side lower extremities was generally showed a significant difference in the ramp ascending. In the stance phase, climbing stairs and ramps showed an increase in the muscle activities. Further, climbing the stairs increased muscle activities of the gastrocnemius muscle. Conclusion: These findings indicate that compared with the level walking climbing stairs, ramps and muscle activities of lower extremity during each showed different results. It can be seen that in accordance with the terms of gait are different muscles group recruitment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.21-28
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematic adaptation of head and trunk to ascend stairs and a ramp. Subjects were healthy young adults. Three-dimensional kinematic patterns of head and trunk movements were examined during stair climbing and steeper ramp climbing. Methods: Fourteen young subjects with no history of chronic or acute musculoskeletal, cardiovascular or respiratory disorders took part in this experiment. Kinematic data were collected using a 6 camera Vicon system (Oxford Metrix, Oxford, England). Repeated measures ANOVA analyses were used to investigate the effect of gait mode on kinematics of the head and trunk. Results: The angle of the trunk while ascending stairs or a ramp was modified in three human planes (p<0.05). The angle of head and neck during the ascending of stairs or a ramp was not changed in the sagittal plane but was changed in the frontal and transverse planes (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study describes and discusses some basic kinematic mechanisms underlying the pattern of head and trunk changes during stair and ramp climbing and showed that postural adaptation of the head and trunk is necessary to maintain balance.

• 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 of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate characteristics of the muscle activities during level walking and stairs ascending in young adults. Methods : Fifteen young adult were recruited this study. Muscle activity (BIOPAC System Inc., Santa Barbara, U.SA). Statistical analysis was difference between level and stair walking. Results : In stance phase, muscle activity of low extremity generally more increased during ramp ascent both young adults. In swing phase, muscle activity of low extremity generally more increased during stairs ascent in young adults. Conclusion : These results indicate that stair and ramp ascent is more difficult task than level walking in young adults. Muscle activity was more changed at ramp ascent. In the future, we suggest that studies of stair and ramp gait pattern regarding ambulatory patient with disabilities be further studied and an appropriate stairs and ramp inclination will be indicated.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.95-106
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during ramp climbing at different inclinations. Methods: Twenty-three subjects ascended and descended four steps at four different inclinations(level, $8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$). Temporal-spatial parameters were measured by GaitRite system(standard mat). Groups difference was analysed with on-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: The different kinematics of ramp ascent and descent were analysed and compared to level walking patterns. In ascending ramps, step length and stride length decreased with $24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Stance duration increased with $24^{\circ}$, but swing duration decreased with $24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Step time and velocity decreased with $16^{\circ}C,\;24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Cadence decreased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). In descending ramps, step length and stride length, velocity decreased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). Stance duration increased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;-16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$) and swing duration decreased with all inclination($-8^{\circ},\;-16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). But Step time was not differentiated with different inclinations. Cadence decreased with only. $8^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between level walking and ramp walking gait pattern. This shows their motor control strategy between level and ramp walking. Further studies are necessary to confirm and detect the ascent and descent ramp gait patterns.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.137-144
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) on muscle activity in the trunk and legs while subjects walk on a ramp. Methods: The subjects were healthy adult males (n=15) and females (n=8) in their twenties. The subjects were asked to maintain the ADIM contraction for 15 minutes using a pressure biofeedback unit. Their muscle activity was then measured while ascending or descending the ramp with or without the ADIM contraction maintained. Activity in the sternocleidomastoid, splenius capitis, rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominal, transversus abdominis, erector spinae, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis muscles was measured using surface electromyography (TM DTS, Noraxon, USA). A paired t-test was conducted using SPSS 18.0 (IBM) for statistical data processing. Results: Maintaining the ADIM contraction during ascension led to a significant increase (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis, but a significant decrease (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the erector spinae, when compared to the same activity without the ADIM maintained. Furthermore, maintaining the ADIM contraction during descent led to a significant increase (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the rectus abdominis, external abdominal oblique, transversus abdominis, vastus medialis, and vastus lateralis, but a significant decrease (p<0.05) in muscle activity for the erector spinae, when compared to the same activity without the ADIM maintained. Conclusion: As a result of this study, it maintains the ADIM and reduces lumbar muscle activity at the waist and increases muscle activity in the legs when walking on a ramp. Therefore, maintaining the ADIM contraction during ramp walking is recommended as training to improve the function of patients' muscular skeleton.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.415-424
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of various wheelchair handling directions on the upper limb muscle activities of wheelchair attendants while climbing a ramp. Methods: For the study participants, healthy males over 20 years of age were chosen, and the order of the direction of wheelchair handle grip was determined using a randomized method. The handling directions for pushing the wheelchair up a ramp included a general grip with ulnar deviation, a medial grip with wrist pronation, and a neutral grip with a neutral wrist. The muscle activities in the participants' upper limbs were measured using surface electromyography. For statistical data processing, SPSS 18.0 was used to perform repeated measures ANOVA in order to compare the muscle activity among the intervention groups. A contrast test was also conducted among the participants. The significance level (${\alpha}$) was set to 0.05. Results: There was a significant difference between groups using a general grip and a medial grip in the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and flexor carpi radialis muscles (p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between using a general grip and a neutral grip in the biceps brachii and flexor carpi radialis muscles (p<0.05), and there was a significant difference between using a medial grip and a neutral grip in the biceps brachii and extensor carpi radialis brevis muscles (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, the wheelchair assistants' wrist muscle activity was the lowest with a neutral grip while ascending a ramp. Accordingly, this study proposes that wheelchair assistants push wheelchairs up ramps with a neutral grip.

• The Korean Journal of Petroleum Geology
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• v.9 no.1_2 s.10
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• pp.1-15
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• 2001

Hierarchically controlled sequence stratigraphic analysis shows that the Lower Ordovician mixed carbonatesiliciclastic Mungok Formation, Korea consists of three depositional sequences: T1, T2, and T3 in ascending order. Sequence boundaries are generally marked by abrupt transition from coarse-grained shallow-water carbonates to finegrained deeper-water carbonates mixed with fine-grained siliciclastics, and show indication of subaerial exposure such as karstification. Within this sequence stratigraphic framework, facies characteristics indicate that the Mungok sequences were mostly deposited on a subtidal ramp without slope break. The Mungok ramp had been under the influence of frequent tropical storm activity during deposition. The difference in lithology of tempestites seems to have been controlled by the nature of substrates and by proximality. High-frequency cycles consist of upward-shallowing facies successions. Cycles of shallow-water and basinal deposits are not well represented, probably due to cycle amalgamation. Cycle stacking patterns do not show a consistent thickness change that is usually associated with a large-scale sea-level change probably because of unfilled accommodation space.