• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.89-98
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• 2011

Background: Although considerable efforts have been made to improve the graft patency in coronary artery bypass surgery, the role of biomechanical factors remains underrecognized. The aim of this study is to investigate the influences of geometric configurations of the bypass graft on hemodynamic characteristics in relation to anastomosis. Materials and Methods: The Numerical analysis focuses on understanding the flow patterns for different values of inlet and distal diameters and graft angles. The Blood flow field is treated as a two-dimensional incompressible laminar flow. A finite volume method is adopted for discretization of the governing equations. The Carreau model is employed as a constitutive equation for blood. In an attempt to obtain the optimal aorto-coronary bypass conditions, the blood flow characteristics are analyzed using in vitro models of the end-to-side anastomotic angles of $45^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$ and $90^{\circ}$. To find the optimal graft configurations, the mass flow rates at the outlets of the four models are compared quantitatively. Results: This study finds that Model 3, whose bypass diameter is the same as the inlet diameter of the stenosed coronary artery, delivers the largest amount of blood and the least pressure drop along the arteries. Conclusion: Biomechanical factors are speculated to contribute to the graft patency in coronary artery bypass grafting.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences of shock attenuation strategies between double-leg and single-leg landing on sagittal plane using statistical parametric mapping. Method: Nine healthy female professional soccer players (age: 24.0±2.5 yrs, height: 164.9±3.3 cm, weight: 55.7±6.6 kg, career: 11.2±1.4 yrs) were participated in this study. The subjects performed 10 times of double-leg and single-leg landing from the box of 30 cm height onto force plates respectively. The ground reaction force, angle, moment, angular velocity, and power of the ankle, knee, and hip joint on sagittal plane was calculated from initial contact to maximum knee flexion during landing phase. Statistical parametric mapping was used to compare the biomechanical variables of double-leg and single-leg landing of the dominant leg throughout the landing phase. Each mean difference of variables was analyzed using a paired t-test and alpha level was set to 0.05. Results: For the biomechanical variables, significantly increased vertical ground reaction force, plantarflexion moment of the ankle joint, negative ankle joint power and extension moment of the hip joint were found in single-leg landing compared to double-leg landing (p<.05). In addition, the flexion angle and angular velocity of the knee and hip joint in double-leg landing were observed significantly greater than single-leg landing, respectively (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggested that negative joint power and plantarflexion moment of the ankle joint can contribute to shock absorption during single-leg landing and may be the factors for preventing the musculoskeletal injuries of the lower extremity by an external force.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.597-603
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• 2011

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare one-hand and two-hands lifting activity in terms of biomechanical stress for the range of lifting heights from 10cm above floor level to knuckle height. Background: Even though two-hands lifting activity of manual materials handling tasks are prevalent at the industrial site, many manual materials handling tasks which require the worker to perform one-hand lifting are also very common at the industrial site and forestry and farming. Method: Eight male subjects were asked to perform lifting tasks using both a one-handed as well as a two-handed lifting technique. Trunk muscle electromyographic activity was recorded while the subjects performed the lifting tasks. This information was used as input to an EMG-assisted free-dynamic biomechanical model that predicted spinal loading in three dimensions. Results: It was shown that for the left-hand lifting tasks, the values of moment, lateral shear force, A-P shear force, and compressive force were increased by the average 43%, as the workload was increased twice from 7.5kg to 15.0kg. For the right-hand lifting task, these were increased by the average 34%. For the two-hands lifting tasks, these were increased by the average 25%. The lateral shear forces at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks, notwithstanding the half of the workload of two-hands lifting tasks, were very high in the 300~317% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. The moments at L5/S1 of one-hand lifting tasks were 126~166% of the one of two-hands lifting tasks. Conclusion: It is concluded that the effect of workload for one-hand lifting is greater than two-hands lifting. It can also be concluded that asymmetrical effect of one-hand lifting is much greater than workload effect. Application: The results of this study can be used to provide guidelines of recommended safe weights for tasks involved in one-hand lifting activity.

• 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.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.495-502
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• 1998

A mathematical model of viscoelasticity on the material property of human pharyngeal tissue utilizing Y.C. Fung's Quasi-linear viscoelastic theory is proposed based on cyclic load, stress relaxation, incremental load, and uniaxial tensile load tests. The material properties are characterized and compared with other biological materials' results. The mathematical model is proposed by combining two characteristic functions determined from the stress relaxation and uniaxial tensile load tests. The reduced stress relaxation function G(t) and elastic response function S(t) are obtained from stress relaxation test and uniaxial tensile load test results respectively. Then the model describing stress-time history of the tissue is implemented utilizing two functions. The proposed model is evaluated and validated by comparing the model's cyclic behaviour with experimental results. The model data could be utilized as an important information for constructing 3-dimensional biomechanical model of human pharynx using FEM(Finite Element Method).

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the differences in biomechanical variables of golf driving motion according to gender. Method: A total of 21 healthy golfers (11 men and 10 women) who have more than 5 years of professional experience and have been registered in the Korea Golf Association was recruited. A 250-Hz 8-camera motion capture system (MX-T20, Vicon, LA, USA) was used to capture the motion trajectories of a total of 42 reflective markers attached to the golfer's body and club. Moreover, two 1,000-Hz AMTI force plates (AMTI OR6-7-400, AMTI, MA, USA) were used to measure the ground reaction force. The mean and standard deviation for each parameter were then calculated for both groups of 21 subjects. SPSS Windows version 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. The independent t-test was used to determine the differences between groups. An alpha level of .05 was utilized in all tests. Results: There were differences in joint angles according to gender during golf driver swing. Men showed a statistically significantly higher peak joint angle and maximum range of angle in sagittal and frontal axis of the pelvis, hip, and knee. Moreover, women's swing of the pelvis and hips was found to have a pattern using the peak joint angle and range of angle in the vertical axis of the pelvis and hip. There were the differences in peak joint moment according to gender during golf driver swing. Men used higher joint moment in the downswing phase than women in the extensor, abductor, and external rotator muscles of the right hip; flexor and adductor muscles of left hip joint; and flexor and extensor muscles of the right knee. Conclusion: This result reveals that male golfers conducted driver swing using stronger force of the lower body and ground reaction force based on strength of hip and thigh than female golfers.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.413-420
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare different kinds of outdoor walking shoes in terms of muscle fatigue and ground reaction force on walking, and to provide foundational data for developing and choosing outdoor walking shoes that fit the users. Method: The study subjects were 30 healthy men. The experiment was conducted by using outdoor walking shoes with different inner and outer harnesses of the midsole, and shapes of the outsole. For data collection, electromyography was used to measure the muscle fatigue of the anterior tibial muscle and gastrocnemii, which contribute to the dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the ankle joint, and the biceps muscle of the thigh and lateral great muscles, which contribute to the flexion and extension of the knee joint. A GRF measurement device was used to measure the X, Y, and Z axes. Results: In the type A outdoor walking shoes, regarding the hardness of the midsole, the inner part was soft, while the outer part was hard. The vertical ground reaction force was the lowest, which means least impact while walking and light load to the knees and ankles. The type C outdoor walking shoes were intended to provide a good feel in wearing the shoes. The tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemii indicate low fatigue, which means that during a long-distance walk, it will minimize the fatigue in the muscles of the lower limbs. Conclusion: To sum up the study results, the different types of outdoor walking shoes indicate their unique characteristics in the biomechanical comparison and analysis. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Thus, a systematic and constant follow-up research should be conducted to cope with expanding market for outdoor walking shoes. Lastly, this study is expected to present foundational data and directions for developing outdoor walking shoes.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.185-196
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to suggest correct and effective way of squat through biomechanical analysis variables on the change of the toe-out angle. Method: 7 high school male weightlifter (age: $17.57{\pm}0.53yrs$, height: $174.0{\pm}3.93cm$, weight: $81.0{\pm}9.17kg$, 1RM: $164.29{\pm}20.7kg$) participated in this study. Results: Angle of the hip joint at E2 was smaller than toe-out angle was in $20^{\circ}$ than in $0^{\circ}$ (p<.05). Angular velocity of the foot joint at E1 and E3 was quicker that in $10^{\circ}$ than in $30^{\circ}$ (p<.05). Anterior-posterior stability index was greater that toe-out angle was in $30^{\circ}$ than in $0^{\circ}$ (p<.05). In average iEMG of flexion phase, VM of right, left leg showed high activity at toe-out angle $30^{\circ}$. In average iEMG of flexion phase, extension phase and in peak iEMG, RF of right leg, VM and VL of left leg showed high activity at all of the toe-out angles. In average iEMG of flexion phase, extension phase and in peak iEMG, all of the muscles activity of right leg showed high in $10^{\circ}$ and low in $0^{\circ}$, $30^{\circ}$. Conclusion: It is judged that setting the toe-out angle $10^{\circ}$ in squat help to efficiently use muscles and ensure stability.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.189-198
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of biomechanical variables on gait according to indoor and outdoor environmental conditions in elderly women at risk of falling. Method: 26 elderly women aged 70 years or older, and consisted of 13 elderly people with a walking speed of less 1.0 m/s and 13 people in the fall risk group as normal groups. Depending on the purpose of the study, physical examination and psychological questionnaire were prepared, and then walking was performed in an indoor/outdoor environment, and the gait pattern, muscle activity, and plantar pressure results were compared and analyzed in the elderly females through a 2 group × 2 environment 2-way repeted ANOVA analysis. Results: The gait variable showed an interaction effect the cadence. The muscle variables showed interaction effects in the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles, and the interaction effects of the plantar pressure variables were confirmed in the forefoot and midfoot of the contact area, and the midfoot of the mean pressure. Conclusion: These results indicate that both groups are exposed to falls risk when gait in an outdoor environment, but the fall risk group has a higher risk of falls in both the gait pattern, muscle activity, and plantar pressure variables. The results of this study are considered to be helpful as basic data and development of exercise programs to prevent falls.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.285-291
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• 2020

Objective: Shoes midsole are crucial for reducing impact forces on the lower extremity when someone is running. Previous studies report that the cushioning of running shoes make it possible to use less muscular energies. However, the well cushioned shoes result in energy loss as the shoe midsole is compressed. Cushioning reduces the load on the body, it also results in the use of more muscle energy to create propulsion force. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the difference of shoe hardness & resilience on the running. Method: Shoes midsole are crucial for reducing impact forces on the lower extremity when someone is running. Previous studies report that the cushioning of running shoes make it possible to use less muscular energies. However, the well cushioned shoes result in energy loss as the shoe midsole is compressed. Cushioning reduces the load on the body, it also results in the use of more muscle energy to create propulsion force. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the difference of shoe hardness & resilience on the running. Results: In vastus lateralis muscle Activation, Type 55 were significantly higher for Type 50 and X (p=0.019, p=0.045). In Gluteus Maximus muscle activation, Type 55 was significantly lower for type 50 (p=0.005). In loading late, Type 55 and X were significantly higher for type 45 (p=0.008, p=0.006). Conclusion: The components of a shoe are very complex, and there can be many differences in manufacturing as well. Although some differences can be found in the biomechanical variables of the high elastic midsole, it is difficult to interpret the performance enhancement and injury prevention.