• KIEAE Journal
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.29-34
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• 2007

Discomfort glare from windows is an important issue in window and daylighting design. This study aims to investigate the effect of luminance difference between the lower and the upper part of a large glare source. Experiments were conducted using a luminous body divided into two parts, the upper part and the lower part. The degree of discomfort glare from the luminous body was examined. The result shows that the part with lower luminance is perceived as a glare source when the part has higher luminance then the background luminance. The degree of discomfort glare was estimated for the experimental conditions, and compared to the observations. The estimation was made using two methods: one summed the glare sensation for each section, and the other used the average luminance of the whole luminous body. The result of the comparison shows that the method using the average luminance has approximate values to the observations. Consequently, the use of the average luminance was proposed for evaluation of discomfort glare from non-uniform large glare sources.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.695-703
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• 2011

Objective: This study was to investigate the effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures on the subjective discomfort rating, heart rate, and muscle activities. Background: Although generally many checklists such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA were applied to evaluate various body postures, the body postures were might be overestimated or underestimated because each body part(i.e., back, shoulder, and elbow etc.) was evaluated separately, and then added all rates of individual body parts to assess an overall risk level for the body posture in these methodologies. Methods: A total of 20 participants maintained 14 postures which were combinations of back, shoulder, and elbow flexion angles and then muscle activities, subjective discomfort, and heart rates were collected every three minute during a sustained 15 minute and 0.5kg weight holding task. Four muscle groups were investigated: erector spine, anterior deltoid, upper trapezius, triceps brachii. Results: Results showed that subjective discomfort was the lowest when the angle of back and shoulder were both $0^{\circ}s$, while the body posture with $45^{\circ}$ of back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder angle was rated as the most subjective discomfort posture. In general, the subjective discomfort ratings increased as back and shoulder flexion angles increased. It was noted that, however, the subjective discomfort of body posture with a $45^{\circ}$ back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle was lower than that of body posture with a $0^{\circ}$ back and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle. The research findings of heart rates and muscle activities showed similar results for the analyses of subjective discomfort ratings. Conclusions: The possible limitations of the current ergonomics evaluation techniques which assessing a body posture with summing all body part score after individually analyzed in this study. Based on the analyses of subjective discomfort, heart rate, and muscle activities, it was recommended that a use of effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures would be considered when one evaluates work-load for various working postures. Application: These findings can be used for developing a more accurate assessment checklist for working posture as well as preventing musculoskeletal disorders of workers in workplaces.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.105-110
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• 2008

This study focused on the decreased effect of the work load on using the lower extremity supporter in kneeling posture. Fatigue measures included subjective discomfort ratings through the use of the Borg's CR-10 scale based parameters. The resting period and work method were considered as independent variables. The break time conditions are grouped into 10 seconds after work for 1 min and not exist break time. The method of work conditions are divided into four types. There are kneeling with the lower extremity supporter, kneeling with the knee protector, just kneeling and squatting. The result of the ANOVA of the shift value of subjective discomfort showed the followings: 1) There were differences as regards to the method of the work, the break time and the part of body($p{\leq}0.05$). 2) The lower extremity supporter showed the least subjective discomfort in other part of body except the upper leg.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.306-317
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• 2002

The Sample was consist of 216 female adults who were selected with my convenience from residing women in and around Seoul, Korea. The result were as fellowing; According to the factor analysis of their foot discomfort, it is divided into 3 factors: the discomfort of whole body (factor 1), the discomfort of foot sole (factor 2), and the discomfort of toes (factor 3). And the foot part of discomfort is more frequent in the order of the big toe, 2·3 metatarsal bones, and the little toe. As the age gets older, the discomfort of foot sole and toes are reported more frequently, and, particularly, more student and office employees have the discomfort of whole body while more sales women and housewives have the discomfort of foot sole. In terms of the shoe types, the higher the hill height, the more the discomfort of foot sole with wearing the sharp toe. As the wearing time is longer, the discomfort of foot sole increases. Being related to the from patterns, the broad and short type has more of the discomfort of foot sole, the flat foot feel more discomfort from the entire body and the sole. Walking with leaning toward the frontal the discomfort on toes and sole increases.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.529-533
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• 1995

안장은 인체하중이 집중되고, 자전거의 충격과 진동이 직접 전달되는 부위로서 주행 안락도를 높이고 buttock의 discomfort를 감소시킬 수 있도록 설계되어야 한다. 본 연구의 목적은 인체곡면을 본뜬 안장형상 설계를 통하여 buttock의 국부적 discomfort를 감소시키고자 하는 것이다. 인간의 앉은자세에 대한 해부학적 고찰을 통해 좌골결절(Ischial Tuberosity)과 치골결합면(Symphyseal Surface)이 안장과 직접 맞닿는 면으로 파악되었으며, 이들 부위에 대한 집중적 개선이 이루어져야 할 것으로 제안되었다. 문헌조사를 통해 의자설계시 고려해야 할 인체치수 및 지침을 파악하였으며, 안장과 의자의 기능비교를 통해 이를 선별적으로 적용하였다. 인체곡면 측정을 위해 Rod Matrix(3cm 간격, 13*20)방법을 이용하여 10명의 buttock contour를 측정하였으며, 측정된 자료를 분석하여 안장의 곡면형상을 결정하였다. General Comfort Rating, Body Part Discomfort 등의 주관적 안락도 평가방법을 통하여 기존 자전거 안장과 본 연구를 통해 개발된 안장을 비교 평가한 결과, 전반적인 안락도의 향상과 좌골결절 및 치골 결합부의 discomfort 감소효과를 가져온 것으로 파악되었다.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.146-153
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• 2012

Objectives: The introduction of computerized numeric control (CNC) technology in manufacturing industries has revolutionized the production process, but there are some health and safety problems associated with these machines. The present study aimed to investigate the extent of postural discomfort in CNC machine operators, and the relationship of this discomfort to the display and control panel height, with a view to validate the anthropometric recommendation for the location of the display and control panel in CNC machines. Methods: The postural discomforts associated with CNC machines were studied in 122 male operators using Corlett and Bishop's body part discomfort mapping, subject information, and discomfort level at various time intervals from starting to end of a shift. This information was collected using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA. Results: Neck discomfort due to the positioning of the machine displays, and shoulder and arm discomfort due to the positioning of controls were identified as common health issues in the operators of these machines. The study revealed that 45.9% of machine operators reported discomfort in the lower back, 41.8% in the neck, 22.1% in the upper-back, 53.3% in the shoulder and arm, and 21.3% of the operators reported discomfort in the leg. Conclusion: Discomfort increased with the progress of the day and was highest at the end of a shift; subject age had no effect on patient tendency to experience discomfort levels.

• Journal of Fashion Business
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.49-61
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• 2001

In this study, girdle wearing was surveyed on the female college students in Seoul and Seoul satellite cities. Data were collected by convenient sampling method, and sample size was 252 subjects in 18 to 29 years. Questionnaire was composed of 5 parts: experience of girdle wearing, the preference of girdle type, degree of dissatisfaction/discomfort in wearing girdle, wear sensation evaluation of girdle fabrics, including demographic and anthropometric data. The results of surveys are as follows: Experience of girdle wearing (season of wearing girdle, main intention of wearing girdle, frequency of wearing, body part to want to be shaped by girdle) was examined. Especially body parts to be shaped by girdle were in order of abdomen > hip > thigh > waist-hip sideline. Therefore, it would be considered that female college students want to care about the shape of abdomen or hip. The long leg panty type was most preferred among the girdle types. The reason of preference of long leg panty type was cost > easiness of putting on-and-off > shaping many body parts at once. For dissatisfaction/discomfort in wearing the commercial girdles, it showed in order of poor ventilation at sweating > static electricity with outer garment > difficult breathing due to pressure > deformation after laundering.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.655-665
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• 2010

This study analyzed the effects of skinny jean on women's health by questionnaire survey and measuring the pressure experienced under the clothing and participants' subjective view of the pressure level. The average size women in their 20s' waists is 26 inches and so three pairs of jeans were prepared and worn by 4 female participants. A survey was conducted to investigate how often participants wear skinny jeans and whether they had had any feelings of discomfort as a result of this. Participants responded that they hadexperienced middle to high levels of discomfort due to the high pressure inside skinny jeans. For the maximum value of clothing pressures, jean f2 at the part of buttocks showed $48.7gf/cm^2$. The pressure inside the clothing was found to be highest around the buttocks followed by the knees and finally the belly. The mean values of 7 measuring parts are different according to the jean type; f3 $20.8gf/cm^2$ > f2 $16.4gf/cm^2$ > f1 $15.5gf/cm^2$, which is corresponding to the order of pressure sensation, but not corresponding to the order of ease amount of clothing pattern: f2 > f3 > f1. Mean pressure values were also measured according to the body posture: they were found to by highest when sitting on a chair (21.3gf/$cm^2$), second highest when sitting on the floor ($19.2gf/cm^2$) and lowest when standing ($15.0gf/cm^2$). This is not always same to the order of participants subjective perceptions of the pressure, which is, they estimated pressure to be highest when sitting on the floor followed by sitting on a chair and lowest in a standing position.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.488-501
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• 2008

The purpose of this study presents bra pattern using the 3D measurements of the upper body subject to women in their 30's. Brassieres available in the market are mostly designed for straight body shape and many women seem to have experienced bearing discomfort in a great extent as they grow older. Brassieres should be designed to cover diverse body types and the accurate measurement of body type and breast shape is needed to accomplish that. As for the study method, 3D human body types were analyzed with RapidForm 2006, and the upper-body types and breast shapes were statistically classified through technical statistics analysis, cluster analysis, t-test, variance analysis, and cross analysis. The wearing tests went through the comparison of the brassieres of three makers in the market and the experiment brassieres(first and second) and then the evaluations were made by the subjects, the outer appearance assessment by experts, and 3D measurements. The results of this study showed that the evaluation of experiment brassieres was excellent in every item, and the significant difference was found out particularly in the items of pressure, rear center, front center, breast underneath, adequate level by wing, and adequate level by armhole. According to the results of 3D evaluation, experiment brassieres had a highest point in fitness with no physical pressure at the wing part and no overall deviation at the cup part.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.207-214
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• 2020

Background: Prolonged sitting at work can lead to adverse health outcomes. The health risk of office workers is an increasing concern for the society and industry, with prolonged sitting work becoming more prevalent. Objective: This study aimed to explore the variation in muscle activities during prolonged sitting work and found out when and how to take a break to mitigate the risk of muscle symptoms. Methods: A preliminary survey was conducted to find out the prevalence of muscle discomfort in sedentary work. Firstly, a 2-h sedentary computer work was designed based on the preliminary study to investigate the variation in muscle activities. Twenty-four participants took part in the electromyography (EMG) measurement study. The EMG variations in the trapezius muscle and latissimus dorsi were investigated. Then the intervention time was determined based on the EMG measurement study. Secondly, 48 participants were divided into six groups to compare the effectiveness of every break type (passive break, active break of changing their posture, and stand and stretch their body with 5 or 10 mins). Finally, data consisting of EMG amplitudes and spectra and subjective assessment of discomfort were analyzed. Results: In the EMG experiment, results from the joint analysis of the spectral and amplitude method showed muscle fatigue after about 40 mins of sedentary work. In the intervention experiment, the results showed that standing and stretching for 5 mins was the most effective break type, and this type of break could keep the muscles' state at a recovery level for about 30-45 mins. Conclusions: This study offers the possibility of being applied to office workers and provides preliminary data support and theoretical exploration for a follow-up early muscle fatigue detection system.