• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.799-807
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• 2014

This paper describes the development of an indoor locomotion assistive robot, Ball-Chair, comprising a novel drive system. This robot facilitates locomotion assistive operation in narrow spaces, in which common wheelchairs cannot move easily. The Ball-Chair has two main features: its structural feature and driving mechanism. The exoskeleton frames of the Ball-Chair have been designed with octagonal shapes resembling a circle, for minimizing its volume and weight. Additionally, all its driving parts (including the ball) are mounted within of the robot to enhance its safety. The Ball-Chair features a reverse ball-mouse driving mechanism comprising two driving omni-wheels in the x- and y-axes. By controlling the speed of each omni-wheel, a holonomic driving system that can facilitate omnidirectional locomotion has been achieved using only two wheels. The effective movement of the Ball-Chair in any direction within narrow indoor spaces was experimentally verified. The paper outlines the development procedure in detail.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2023

Background: Most Pilates programs for older adults have been based on mat Pilates, and there has been limited research on Pilates with mini-balls. Therefore, this study aims to compare the effects of Pilates with mini-balls and mat Pilates interventions on strength, total body endurance, flexibility, and dynamic equilibrium to determine the differences. Methods: The elderly aged 65 or older living in Gyeongsan, Daegu, were divided into two groups, and the experimental group (n=10) conducted a Pilates exercise program using mini balls for 12 weeks, and the control group (n=10) conducted a mat Pilates exercise program for 12 weeks without mini balls. Strength, endurance, flexibility, and dynamic equlibrium were measured as a pre-test, and post-test was performed in the same way after 12 weeks of application. Results: Comparing the mini-ball Pilates group to the mat Pilates group, there was a significant difference (p<.05) in the 'chair sit and reach' after the intervention. In the within-group comparison, there was a significant increase (p<.05) in 'arm curl right', '30-second chair stand', '2-minute walk', 'back scratch', 'chair sit and reach', and '2.44m up and go' in the experimental group using the mini-ball Pilates program. Mat Pilates program significantly increased the within-group comparisons in '30-second chair stand' and 'chair sit and reach' (p<.05). Conclusion: It is suggested that mini-ball Pilates has a positive effect on the senior fitness and will be a good exercise method for using it as an exercise program for the elderly in the future.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.65-73
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• 2021

Sponge ball cleaning can generate an abrasion effect, which leads to an attractive increasing in both permeate flux and membrane rejection. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the daily sponge ball cleaning (SBC) on the performance of different UF cross-flow membrane modules integrated with a bioreactor. Two 1"-membrane modules and one 1/2"-membrane module were tested. The parameters measured and controlled are temperature, pH, viscosity, particle size, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total suspended solids (TSS), and permeate flux. The permeate flux could be improved by 60%, for some modules, after 11 days of daily sponge ball cleaning at a transmembrane pressure of 350 kPa and a flow velocity of 4 m/s. Rejection values of all tested modules were improved by 10%. The highest permeate flux of 195 L/㎡.h was achieved using a 1"-membrane module with the aid of its negatively charged membrane material and the daily sponge ball cleaning. In addition, the enhancement in the permeate flux caused by daily sponge ball cleaning improved the energy specific demand for all tested modules. The negatively charged membrane showed the lowest energy specific demand of 1.31 kWh/㎥ in combination with the highest flux, which is a very competitive result.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1349-1357
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate to effect of core exercise with swiss ball on sarcopenia index in agriculture older women. A total of 30 subjects(15 Ex group, 15 Con group, 65 over agriculture older woman) were participated in this study. Intervention group were assigned to performing a progressive core exercise training program for 12 weeks(2 time/week). Dependent variable were grip strength, chair stand, muscle mass, 4m gait speed, Timed up and go, and 400m walking. As a result were following. Grip strength was not significantly difference but chair stand was significantly difference in time. And muscle mass was significantly difference in groups. And 4m gait speed, Timed up and go and 400m walking were significantly difference in time. In conclusion, lower body muscle strength and short physical performance battery by muscle activating with core muscle strength training.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.419-422
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• 2014

Floor impact sound level is affected by various factors. This study was examined about impact sources and floor coverings influenced at floor impact sound. So this study wishes to get method to reduce sound pressure level of receiving room. Light-weight impact sound in mid frequency and Heavy-weight impact sound in low frequency was affected by floor coverings. Therefore, method to reduce floor impact sound level is to use proper floor coverings. Some coverings can amplify the heavy-weight impact sound in low frequency. Floor impact sound sources used measurement and analysis were standard heavy-impact source(Tapping, Bang, Ball) and living impact sources(Cleaner, Chair, Toy-car, Soccer ball). And Floor coverings used measurements were various thickness vinyl, laminate(or ply-wood) floor. Especially vinyl floor coverings were very effective method to reduce floor impact.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.327-333
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• 2023

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wearing an immediate vibration feedback device at the lumbar region on the spine angle in a sitting position. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: The subjects were 28 healthy university students who were randomized to three interventions. Each condition (A: in a normal chair with an immediate feedback device, B: on the gym ball, C: in a normal chair) spent 10 minutes watching the video, and the order of the experiments was randomized, and the measurements were taken consecutively. Results: The results showed significant differences in cervical and thoracic angles between conditions and time. Post hoc tests showed no difference at 1 minute, but significant differences at 5 and 10 minutes. Conclusions: In conclusion, all angles increased over time in all conditions, but the condition of wearing an immediate vibration feedback device with a lower increase was more useful in maintaining spinal angles than the other two conditions. This study suggests that immediate vibration feedback devices may be an alternative to prevent the loss of spinal angle in occupations and environments with prolonged sedentary postures, and further research is needed to investigate the effectiveness of prolonged application.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance (DSB), biomechanical characteristics, and physical characteristics in spinal cord injuries (SCI) patients. Background: Virtual ski training systems, ski equipment, and training protocols for disabled skiers are being studied to spread awareness. However, few studies have been reported on the sitting balance ability associated with chair mono skiing. Method: A dynamic sitting balance border system was built to investigate the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance in SCI patients. Trunk muscle activity was evaluated by electromyogram while conducting dynamic sitting balance tests. The trunk muscle strength was tested with a portable handheld dynamometer. Physical activity scores were measured with the physical activity recall assessment. Results: There were high levels of correlation between the ability to maintain DSB and trunk flexor strength, extensor strength, rotator strength, and physical activity score. However, height, weight, and injury level in SCI patients were not correlated with the ability to maintain DSB. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between muscle activities of the external oblique and lumbar erector spinae muscles and the ability to perform the backward tilt test. Trunk extensor muscle activity during the ball lifting test was significantly higher than in other tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that improving trunk muscle strength and physical activity can increase the ability to maintain DSB. Application: The findings of a close relationship between trunk strength, physical activity, and the ability to maintain DSB need to be reflected in the chair mono ski training program.

• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of vestibular stimulation activity on visual perception. Methods : A total of 58 healthy adults in chungnam was participated in this study. I divided into the total 3 groups and studied. Group A was no vestibular stimulation, they sat on general chair and performed the visual perception task. Group B and C sat on general chair and ball chair respectively, after vestibular stimulation activity and they performed visual perception task. I measured the visual perception task with the time. Results : There was a significant difference between Group A and B and C. There was no significant difference between group B and C. Conclusion : The result shows that the vestibular stimulation activity is effective for an improvement in visual perception.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.75-83
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of balance training with upper extremity exercise on the improvement of balance performance in people who have had a stroke. Eighteen candidates who have all experienced a stroke, were living in Dong-Gu, Ulsan and were participating in a community based rehabilitation program, have been included in this study. The program was conducted three times weekly, 1 hour per session, for 7 consecutive weeks. Subjects were tested with 7 m and 100 m Timed Gait Test (sec), Timed Get Up and Go Test (sec), Functional Reach Test (cm) and 5 items of Berg's Balance Test at pre-training and post-training. Total balance index and balance ratios were measured by K.A.T. 3000. The balance training program performed by sitting on a chair and gymnastic ball and standing on stable and unstable surfaces during upper extremity exercises such as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) upper extremity pattern, picking a ball up from floor, throwing and catching it. After seven weekends of balance training, subjects showed a significant difference in balance test results. The exceptions were three items of Berg's Balance Test (p<.05). Balance index score and affected and unaffected side balance ratio had a larger improvement than pre-training (p<.05). The result of this study showed that intervention of this balance training program could improve the balance performance in people who have had a stroke.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.551-563
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• 1999

In this study, university students were allowed to wear the slacks varying the thigh circumference(slim/straight type) and crotch length(long, middle, short crotch type). Tightness and uncomfortability for each slacks were measured to be expressed 5point-likert type. The results can be summarized as follows: 1. At the research for measuring uncomfortability, measures of slim types and straight types of thigh circumference, crotch length B and C, and the body movement such as sitting down on the chair, sitting down with their body curling like a ball, and getting down on their knees were higher in slim types than in straight types. 2. Only crotch length C had different measures between these two types in tightness. 3. In uncomfortability, each of them had different measures among three kinds of crotch length and two types of thigh circumference had different measures among three kinds of crotch length. Four kinds of movement had different measures among three kinds of crotch length in uncomfortability. While uncomfortability of crotch length B was the highest one, that of crotch length A was the lowest one. 4. In tightness, each of them had different measures among three kinds of crotch length. While tightness of crotch length C was the highest one, that of crotch length A was the lowest one. Four kinds of movement had different measures among three kinds of crotch length in tightness.