• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.335-345
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of foot type and ankle joint fatigue levels on the trajectories of center of pressure and center of mass during a single-leg stance. The study subjects included 24 healthy women (normal foot group, n=10; pronated foot group, n=14). Ankle joint muscle fatigue was induced by using an isokinetic dynamometer, where the fatigue levels were measured on plantar flexion and dorsiflexion at angular velocities of $30^{\circ}/s$ at 50% and 30% of the peak torque of ankle plantar flexion. Following assessments in the anteroposterior direction according to the level of fatigue, the pronated foot group showed decreased single-leg stance ability at 50% and 30% of the fatigue level. Moreover, the normal foot group showed better single-leg stance ability than the pronated foot group at 30% of the fatigue level. Following assessments in the mediolateral direction, we noted that the single-leg stance ability did not differ significantly according to the levels of fatigue or foot type. In conclusion, ankle plantar flexion at 50% and 30% of the peak torque reduced the ability of the pronated foot group to achieve a single leg stance in the anteroposterior direction. Moreover, the normal foot group showed better single-leg stance ability than the pronated foot group.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.81-94
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to critically review biomechanical studies on foot orthoses (FO) in normal and diseased foot and provide beneficial information obtained from researches until now and future researching focus. The search was performed by Medline and Embase database including studies published in English from January 1980 to April 2007. The searching terms were foot orthoses, foot orthotics, insoles and shoe insert. 57 studies including 54 journal articles and 3 abstracts were finally selected under the conditions of having clinical trials, FO, control condition, movement, scientific measuring system. The reviewed studies were divided into 10 categories according to subject characteristics; healthy normal, excessive pronation or flexible flat foot, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, medial knee osteoarthritis, forefoot varus, plantar fasciitis, patellofemoral syndrome, cavus foot and finite element model. In summary, first, soft and semirigid FOs with some degree of cushioning showed much higher comfort and efficacy than rigid FO. Second, no big differences between prefabricated and custom FO were shown. Third, the full length's FO was preferable to the half length's FO or simple arch supports. Fourth, the wearing of FO combining medial arch supports and metatarsal dome made positive roles to enhance comfort and functionality and redistribute plantar pressure under the foot. Fifth, for patients with knee-related diseases lateral wedges were preferable. Sixth, measuring systems were properly applied according to the types of foot diseases.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.143-153
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• 2005

J.Y. CHOI,S. J. KIM, E. L. LEE. Change of plantar pressure Distribution of Open Stance during Forehand Strke in Tennis. Korean Journal of Sport Biomechanics, Vol. 15, No. 1, PP. 143-153, 2005. Recently among several tennis techniques forehand stroke has been greatly changed in the aspect of spin, grip and stance. The most fundamental factor among the three factors is the stance which consists of open, square and close stance and it is very important to know the patterns of plantar pressure distribution for the better understanding of forehand stroke. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the change of plantar pressure distribution in open stance during forehand stroke in tennis. Three high school tennis players were recruited for the study and required to perform forehand stroke five consecutive trials in the condition of open stance. The forehand strokes were filmed with two digital video cameras and measured with pedar system for plantar pressure. The plantar regions under the foot were divided into 3 regions, which were forefoot, midfoot, and rear foot. In conclusion, The plantar pressure of open stance during forehand stroke was distributed more largely to the right foot. The plantar pressure of open stance during forehand stroke was distributed more weight loads on forefoot of right than heel of right

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2017

Objective: This study investigated the effect of a 16-week upright body exercise program on body balance and plantar pressure balance in elderly women. Method: The subjects included elderly women in B Metropolitan city who participated in an upright body exercise program twice weekly for 16 weeks. The subjects' physical characteristics (height, weight, body mass index [BMI]), posture balance, and foot plantar pressure were measured before and after the experiment. Results: The upright body exercise program showed positive changes in posture balance and foot plantar pressure balance in seven elderly women. Conclusion: The second version of the upright body exercise program improved and may prevent postural imbalance in elderly women. This program could be utilized to improve posture and foot balance in elderly persons.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.173-184
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the batting characteristics in elite baseball players. Seven skilled collegiate players hit the ball which was thrown by a pitching machine linearly and strongly to the center of the field. Time, velocity, angle and pound reaction force variables were measured by using high-speed video cameras and pound reaction force analyzer. The results were as follows: 1. The elite players finished their stride performance in a short time and they stayed longer in a swing phase. The increases in the range of trunk rotation were associated with the delay of the swing phase. 2. The 'take-back' phenomenon in the trunk was showed after the stride phase. 3. The down swing demonstrated powerful line drives. 4. Equivalent body weights were placed on both feet during the ready phase. 95% of the body weights were moved to the rear foot during the stride phase, whereas the body weights were driven to the front foot during the swing phase. 95% of the body weights were placed on the front foot at impact.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.65-79
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was firstly to investigate correctional function of custom semi-rigid foot orthotics for excessively pronated people during gait by observing comfort, navicular movement and leg muscles' activity according to short-term and mid-term wearing duration and secondly to understand positive and/or negative point of view of a recently proposed paradigm related to foot orthotics more profoundly. Sixteen subjects who showed excessive pronation at navicular drop test were recruited for this study. Custom semi-rigid foot orthotics were made fitting for foot characteristics of the subjects by podiatry division of Otto Bock Korea company. While wearing the foot orthotics for two months, comfort of wearing were questioned and vertical navicular movement and electromyography of leg muscles during gait were measured at the condition of both immediately after and 2 months after including a control condition, respectively. The subjects were required to walk on a treadmill at the speed of 1.5m/s and four digital video camera filmed the movement of navicular process at the speed of 60 frames/s. In conclusion, in excessively pronated group continuous increase of comfort from short-term to mid-term wearing of custom foot orthotics is assumed to be closely related with short-term and mid term correctional action, of which are consisted the decrease of the range of navicular drop and navicular raisins- the faster timing of minimum navicular position occurring, and the decrease of leg muscles' activities. This conclusion could lead to positively accept new paradigm related to foot orthotics suggested by Nigg and the author suggest that in the future study the variable which could observe navicular movement would be one of major variables to study preferred path of skeleton in the paradigm.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.321-335
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck traction and foot type on plantar pressure distribution during walking. Method: Total of 24 data were collected from women working with a computer for more than 6 hours every day. Three groups by foot type were divided: Pes Planus, normal foot, and Pes Cavus. Depending on the foot type and cervical traction, plantar pressure variables were measured; CA, MF, PP, and CT. Each variable was divided into 12 masks. MANOVA was performed for the difference of plantar pressure variables by foot type, and a paired t-test was performed for the cervical traction within groups. Results: The total CA decreased in the Pes Planus (p<.001) and Pes Cavus (p<.05) groups. MF increased in the big toe (p<.01) and 2nd toe (p<.05) of the normal foot, and MF-3rd metatarsal decreased (p<.01). The MF-2nd toe (p<.01) and 3rd toe (p<.05) of Pes Cavus decreased. The PP decreased in 2nd toe (p<.05), 3rd toe (p<.01), and 4th toe (p<.05) of the Pes Cavus. In normal foot, the PP-3rd metatarsal (p<.05) and PP-4th metatarsal (p<.01) reduced. In Pes Planus, PP decreased in the hindfoot (p<.05). In Pes Cavus group wearing a neck-tractor, the CT-hindfoot increased (p<.05). Conclusion: There was a significant change in the plantar pressure change by foot type after neck traction. When walking with a neck-tractor, the heel impact was alleviated in the Pes Planus, and the Pes Cavus showed the smooth and effective propulsion in the push-off. Overall, weight acceptance was effectively performed when walking with neck-traction. It was also found that the neck-tractor corrects the alignment of the neck, thereby creating a more stable gait pattern.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of foot orthotics on the overall comfort and muscle activity during running. The subjects were 10 members from the joggers' club which consisted of 2 women and 8 men. These individuals ran on the treadmill by 4.0m/s speed with and without the custom foot orthotics. The data concerning the overall comfort was collected by a questionairre that examined the overall comfort, heel cushioning, forefoot cushioning, medio-lateral control, arch height, heel cup fit, shoe heel width, forefoot width, and shoe length The MegaWin ver. 2.1(Mega Electronics lid, Ma. Finland) was used to gain electromyography signals of the muscle activity; Tibialis anterior, medial gastronemius, lateral gastronemius, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and rectus femoris were measured. The results of the study were as follows. 1. During running the overall comfort was higher for the foot arthotic condition than the nonorthotic condition. Among the inquiries the overall comfort showed the biggest difference comparing the two conditions. and the shoe heel width showed the highest score for contort. 2 The muscle activity of the biceps femoris, and vastus lateralis in the stance period decreased. due to the foot orthotics. The muscle activity of the vastus medialis in the swing period also decreased and the muscle activity tibialis anterior in the stance and swing stance decreased as well During running, orthotics showed positive result in foot comfort. The foot comfort related to decreased stress, muscle activity, and foot arch strain. Overall comfort and the adequate decrease of muscle activity were associated with injury prevention and the best method to prevent injury semms to be the maintenance of foot comfort.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of improvement of posture and foot balance between the exercise group and the control group after upright body type exercise program of 12 weeks with 14 female students in B female high school. According to the procedure of this study, following conclusion came out. First, The change of head's posture became near a centerline and a significant decrease from $7.57{\pm}13.95mm$ to $2.71{\pm}5.23mm$ in experimental group and there was a statistically significant difference (p<.002). The change of left foot balance was near the perfect balance (50%) from $48.93{\pm}3.87%$ to $49.74{\pm}2.95%$ and right foot balance was from $51.07{\pm}3.87%$ to $50.26{\pm}2.95%$ in experimental group and there were near the perfect balance (50%). The change of left foot balance of control group fall away the perfect balance (50%) from $49.97{\pm}2.67%$ to $49.08{\pm}1.41%$, right foot balance also fall away the perfect balance (50%) from $50.03{\pm}2.67%$ to $50.92{\pm}1.41%$. As a conclusion, upright body type exercise program considered to effect posture and foot balance in female high school girls. Consequently It was suggested that upright body type exercise program with improvement and prevention for posture's unbalance of female high school girls. This program could be utilized for improvement of youth posture and foot balance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide kinematic data on the characteristics of spinal disease patients by comparing and analyzing kinematic variables related to foot balance and gait pattern of spinal disease. Method: The subjects of the study included 40 adult men and 60 adult women who visited the hospital in Busan. Patients who were diagnosed with spinal disease by a physician through X-ray examination were selected as subjects for the diagnosis of vertebral disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spinal disease diagnosed with spinal disease and the general public. Left and right foot pressure and contact area were checked by Gaitview pro meter. X-ray photographs were taken with a Zen-2090 mobile fluoroscopy under physicians' direct participation. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the differences between the kinematic variables and post-hoc was performed by the Duncan method. Results: The difference in contact area between the left foot and the right foot was $115.30{\pm}14.15cm^2$ in the left side and $124.25{\pm}13.65cm^2$ in the left side in the spinal disease patients. The difference in pressure between the left and right side of the spinal disease patients was wider than that of the general people. Especially, the right side of the spinal disease patients showed a larger area of left foot contact than the general population. Conclusion: Spinal disease patients have wider contact area of the left foot than those of the general population. In the case of right spinal disease, the left foot support area is widened due to pain. In the gait, women showed slightly more posterior body center than men, and the upper body muscle imbalance and immobilization due to the spinal disease caused imbalance of the muscles moving to the lower limb, It was analyzed to inhibit movement.