• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.401-412
• /
• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of hip joint exercises and orthotics on RCSP, ankle's range of motion, and core muscle strength of middle school students with pes planus. Method : Out of the original pool of 200 students, 60 students with pes planus (RCSP < -2) were selected for the study. The selected 60 students were then divided into four groups. The first group was a combined orthotics and exercise group (12 students), the second was the orthotics-only group (9 students), the third was the exercise-only group (8 students), and the last was the control group (10 students). Exercise groups worked out twice a week for 60 minutes per session over 8 weeks. The independent variables were corrective hip joint exercises and orthotics. The dependant variables consisted of kinematic and kinetic variables. The kinematic variables were RCSP, and ankle's range of motion (dorsiflexion and plantarflexion). The kinetic variables were muscles forces that consist in core muscle strength, which are hip joint adduction, abduction, and flexion muscles forces. Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS 18.0 with multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) and a paired t-test was used. Results : The left foot was more responsive to the treatments, both exercise and orthotics, than the right foot. RCSP improved significantly in the left foot for the first and third groups. Only the first group significantly improved hip joint adduction, abduction, and flexion muscles' strengths. As for the ankle's range of motion of the left foot, plantarflexion showed improvement when treated with exercise, orthotics, or both. Conclusion : This study found that exercise is more effective in correcting RCSP and foot orthotics is more effective in reinforcing core muscle strength. Future studies should expand on these results to examine the relationship between the ankle, hip, and pelvis.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.7-16
• /
• 2020

Objective: It is to find factors related to stability through analysis of plantar pressure factors according to the level of instability when performing Snatch. Method: Foot pressure analysis was performed while 10 weightlifters performed 80% of the highest level of Snatch, and motion was classified and analyzed in 3 grades according to the level of instability. Results: First, in Bad Motion, the movement distance of the pressure center in the direction of ML and AP was larger significantly in Phase 2. Second, in Phase 2, the number of zero-crossing in the AP direction was larger statistically significantly in Good Motion. Third, in the bad motion in Phase 3, the number of zero-crossing in the ML direction showed a significantly larger value. Fourth, in Phase 4, it was found that the more stable the lock out motion, the greater the activity of foot controlling in the left and right directions. Fifth, Phase 3, the greater the Maximum/Mean foot pressure value, the more stable the pulling action. Sixth, in Phase 2, the foot pressure was concentrated with a wide distribution in the midfoot and rearfoot. Seventh, the triggering number of the forefoot region was small in the last pull phase. Eighth, the number of triggers in the toe area was significantly higher during Good Motion in Phase 4. Conclusion: Summarizing the factors of instability in Snatch, there was no significant difference in Phase 1 for each condition. In order to enhance the stability in Phase 2, the sensory control ability in the AP direction is required, and focusing the foot pressing motion with a wide distribution in the middle and rear parts increases the instability. In Phase 3, it was found that the more unstable, the more sensory control activity was performed in the ML direction, the stronger the forefoot pressing action should be performed for a stable Snatch. In Phase 4, It is important that the feet sensory control activity in ML directions and the control ability of the toes in order to have stable Lock out motion.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.95-103
• /
• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in spatiotemporal gait performance, function, and pain of lower-extremity according to foot morphological characteristics. Method: This case-control study recruited 42 adults and they were classified into 3 groups according to foot morphology using navicular-drop test: pronated (≥ 10 mm), normal (5~9 mm), and supinated (≤ 4 mm) feet. Spatiotemporal gait analysis and questionnaires including Foot and Ankle Ability Measure activities of daily living / Sports, Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Tegner activity score were conducted. One-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results: The pronated feet group showed longer loading response and double limb support in both feet and increased pre-swing phase in non-dominant feet. The supinated feet group demonstrated a longer swing phase in non-dominant feet and single limb support in dominant feet. However, there was no significant group difference in function and pain of knee joint and lower-extremity between groups. Conclusion: Our results indicated that abnormal spatiotemporal gait performance according to foot morphology. Although there was no difference in lower extremity dysfunction and pain according to the difference in foot morphology, they have the possibility of symptom occurs as a result of continuous participation in activities of daily living and sports. Therefore, individuals with pronated or supinated foot should be supplemented by utilizing an orthosis or training to restore normal gait performance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.89-114
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to analyze impact absorption function of midsole in cushioned marathon shoes. The foot is made up of a complex interaction of bones, ligaments, and muscles. These structures help the foot alternate between being a mobile, flexible adaptor and a stable rigid lever. The foot is broken down into two functional parts, the forefoot and the rearfoot. Cushioned marathon shoes for high arches have generous cushioning for efficient and high-mileage runners. Cushioned marathon shoes are made for feet that have high arches or no excessive motion and don't roll inward or roll outward. This condition is known as underpronation. Especially, Cushioned marathon shoes are designed to reduce shock and generally have the softest (or most cushioned) midsoles and the least medial support. They are usually built on a semicurved or curved last to encourage foot motion, which is helpful for underpronators (who have rigid, immobile feet). Cushioning marathon shoes recommended for the high-arched runner, whose foot may roll outward (supinate) rather than the natural slight inward roll, or whose feet may be relatively rigid. Cushioning shoes emphasize flexibility and usually are built on a curved or semicurved last to encourage a normal motion of the foot. Cushioning shoes usually offer no medial (inner foot) support. Cushioned marathon shoes have the single-density midsole, which is stable and relatively firm for a cushioned shoe, stays the same. But the forefoot is more rounded, and the rearfoot now includes a new and supportive rearfoot cradle. A foam midsole, perhaps with layers of different densities, to provide cushioning and shock absorption. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and PU (polyurethane), the materials from which these foams usually are made. EVA is slightly softer than PU. EVA and PU may be layered together in a shoe, or a shoe may have more than one density of EVA.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate plantar foot pressure and static balance according to the type of insole in the elderly. Methods: Thirteen elderly (mean age: $67.08{\pm}2.25years$, mean height: $159.63{\pm}9.64cm$, mean body weight: $61.48{\pm}9.06kg$) who had no previous injury experience in the lower limbs and a normal gait pattern participated in this study. Three models of insoles of the normal, 3D, and triangle types were selected for the test. The Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 3.3 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 20 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Static balance test was conducted using Gaitview AFA-50, and balance (opening eyes, closing eyes) was inspected for 20 s. One-way ANOVA was conducted to test the significance of the results with the three insoles. p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean foot pressure under the forefoot regions was the lowest with the 3D insole during treadmill walking (p<.05). The mean value under the midfoot was the highest with the 3D insole (left: p<.05, right: p<.01). The mean value under the rearfoot was the lowest with the 3D insole (p<.001). The maximum foot pressure value under the foot regions was the lowest on both sides of the forefoot with the 3D insole. A statistically significant difference was seen only in the left foot (p<.01). The maximum value under the midfoot was the highest with the 3D insole (p<.001). No statistically significant difference was detected on the values under the rearfoot. In the case of vertical ground reaction force (GRF), statistically significant difference was seen only in the left side rearfoot (p<.01). However, static balance values (ENV, REC, RMS, Total Length, Sway velocity, and Length/ENV) did not show significant differences by the type of insole. Conclusion: These results show that functional insoles can decrease plantar pressure and GRF under the forefoot and rearfoot. Moreover, functional insoles can dislodge the overload of the rearfoot and forefoot to the midfoot. However, functional insoles do not affect the static balance in the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.663-669
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional role of foot effectiveness when humans execute running turn maneuvers. Foot rotation angle at the starting turn and body angle at the vertical axis were analyzed through three-dimensional image analysis and ground reaction force analysis. Then, we created a simple equation: foot effectiveness = total foot rotation angle/total body rotation angle at the vertical axis. This equation made it possible to explain the dynamics of angular running turns. We analyzed data from running turns(0, 30, and 60) at average initial running velocities of 4.5, as well as rotations around the vertical axis during the running turns. As a result, the stance time, foot placement, and left and right force increased.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2014

This study researched into the left-right inclination of the rear foot at the lower limb joints, knee joint angle, angular velocity of the knee joint, angular acceleration and the max. Based on the analysis of kinematics according to the changes in the height of step box (6, 8, 10 inches) during step aerobics of female college students majoring in physical education. The findings of this study are as follows: Then angle of the knee joint decreased as the height of the step box increased the min. Angle was measured right before the right foot was on the step box, and the angle tended to decrease as the step box get heightened. The left-right inclination of the rearfoot angle according to the height of step box increased as the height increased. In the 'pull-up' stage during which the weight was loaded on the right foot the angle increased, while in the right foot stepping stage during which the right foot was on the ground, the left-right inclination of the rearfoot angle increased as the height of the step box increased. The angular velocity of the knee joint according to the height of step box started increasing when the right foot initially stepped on the step box and during the initial stepping section, the angular velocity decreased as the height of step box increased. The changes in angular acceleration of the knee joint according to the height of step box increased as the height of step box increased.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.277-284
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study was to find out the changes in beginners' batting movements after taking undergraduate baseball lectures, by comparing and analyzing the speed of bat, the angle of body and its segments, the angular velocity and so on. For this purpose, the author picked up five undergraduates who had not taken baseball lectures, and conducted three-dimension computerized tomography twice on them, that is, before and after taking baseball classes, with eight infrared cameras and two force platforms. The conclusions are, first, the time required for swing was shortened after taking the classes. Second, the maximum velocity of the bat-end was increased. Third, at the time of impact, while the rotation angles of the pelvis and the tip of left foot were increased, the left elbow had more flexion after the classes. Fourth, the size of ground reaction force was increased at the point of swing where the ground reaction force of left foot became maximized. As we can infer from these conclusions, beginners' hitting movements before taking baseball classes tended to swing only with the arms, without waist rotation and weight shift of the lower body, but after the classes, their movements were proved to be corrected into the swing using the lower body. For the future studies, the author expects a research in a close to real environment by using pitching machine.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.475-482
• /
• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate mean plantar foot pressure, maximum plantar pressure and ground reaction force, and center migration path of pressure according to the type of trekking shoes for the development of shoes. Method : Subjects of the study averaged $22.10{\pm}2.05years$ of age. Their average height was $169.27{\pm}7.62cm$ and their average weight was $64.34{\pm}10.22kg$. The method of this study was administered measuring 50 steps, at once, 3 times at a speed of 4 km/h and using the data of 30 steps. Pedar-X system measured the mean foot pressure, maximum foot pressure, mean maximum force, and center migration path of pressure by subjects' position while walking. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 23.0 using a paired t-test. Results : Results of the study showed Nestfit trekking shoes lower foot pressure of both feet in mean foot pressure and maximum foot pressure. Nestfit trekking shoes showed high ground reaction force (p<.001) in the midfoot, and low mean ground reaction force in the rearfoot. The center migration path of pressure showed the Nestfit trekking shoes were more stable than flat insole trekking shoes. Conclusion : It can be concluded that wearing Nestfit trekking shoes spreads pressure efficiently and induces walking stability because Nestfit trekking shoes spread the pressure of the forefoot and rearfoot to the midfoot and the center migration path of pressure shows regularly.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.155-171
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study was to analyze the kinematic variables of over head kick(OHK) in soccer with three dimensional analysis technique and show the kinematic characteristics of it. The 7 subjects were university football player who have been playing football more than 7 years. The OHK was filmed on 16mm video camera(30frame/sec.) kinematic variables were temporal, postures, and COG(center of gravity). The mean values and the standard deviation for each variables were obtained and used as basic factors for examining characteristics of OHK. The results of this analysis were as follows : Temporal variables : The total time elapsed(TE) of OHK was $0.95{\sim}1.14sec$, the 1st phase was 0.35sec., 2nd phase was 0.46sec., and 3rd phase was 0.22sec.. Posture variables : When subjects performed OHK at the impact event, the ankle and knee angle of kicking foot were more extend than supporting foot. but the hip angle of supporting foot were more extend than kirking foot. Moving distance of the center of mass of the both foot. When subject performed OHK at the impact event, the range of distance on mediolateral direction aspect into right left shoulder line, anteroposterior direction aspect was $20.9{\pm}10.5cm$, vertical direction aspect was $92.3{\pm}19.9cm$. Angular velocity : the faster angular velocity of knee ankle on the kicking foot pew form jump position to landing position, the faster velocity of ball became. C. O. G. variables. When subject performed OHK at the impact event, upper part of the body was getting lower, lower part of the body was getting higher.