• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.1873-1878
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• 2019

Background: Walking is a complex activity. The main components of walking include balance, coordination, and symmetrical posture. The characteristics of walking patterns of stroke patients include slow walking, measured by gait cycle and walking speed. This is an important factor that reflects post-stroke quality of life and walking ability. Objective: This study aimed to examine the effect of deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise on the spatiotemporal walking ability of stroke patients. Design: Quasi-experial study Methods: The experiment was conducted 5 times per week for 4 weeks, with 30 minutes per session, on 10 subjects in the experimental group who performed the deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise and 10 subjects in the control group who performed a regular exercise. Variables that represent the spatiotemporal walking ability (step length, stride length, step rate, and walking speed) were measured using GAITRrite before and after the experiment and were analyzed. Results: There was a significant difference in the pre- and post-exercise spatiotemporal walking ability between the two groups (p<.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference in the step rate and walking speed between the two groups (p<.05). Conclusions: Deep lumbar muscle stabilization exercise is effective in improving the walking ability of stroke patients. Therefore, its application will help improve the spatiotemporal walking ability of stroke patients.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 2011

In this paper, we proposed a technique to recognize three states in stance phase of gait cycle. Walking assistive devices are used to help the elderly people walk or to monitor walking behavior of the disabled persons. For the effective assistance, they adopt an intelligent sensor system to understand user's current state in walking. There are three states in stance phase; Loading Response, Midstance, and Terminal Stance. We developed a foot pressure sensor using 24 FSRs (Force Sensing/Sensitive Resistors). The foot pressure patterns were integrated through the interpolation of FSR cell array. The pressure patterns were processed to get the trajectories of COM (Center of Mass). Using the trajectories of COM of foot pressure, we can recognize the three states of stance phase. The experimental results show the effective recognition of stance phase and the possibility of usage on the walking assistive device for better control and/or foot pressure monitoring.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.253-256
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• 1997

KESF-1 foot conceptually provides storage of potential energy and is converted to kinetic energy throughout the weight - bearing phase of the gait cycle. This stored energy is progressively released as the foot continues through the toe-off phase to rebound and propel the body forward. A weight deflects the keel through a predetermined range, then the keel "springs back" as weight is removed. Foot designs criteria were selected to guide development beyond the proof-of concept composite material keels; 1) store and return energy (1-3/4 " metatarsal deflection at 435 pounds vertical load), 2) natural feel and stability; 3) useful life of 3-years: 4) lightweight; 5) reduced production costs. The purpose of this study is developed the comfortable stable foot that fitted with Korean lifestyle and road condition. The results produced the realistic cosmetic foot cover with polyurethane form and the keel composed with composite materials of both glass fiber and carbon fiber.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.143-150
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of opposite lower extremity lateral muscle activation by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercise targeting the lower extremities. Methods: Nineteen patients with chronic hemiplegia volunteered to participate in this study. PNF flexion, abduction, and internal rotation patterns; initial, end range, and extension patterns; abduction and internal rotation patterns; and initial and end range patterns were applied to the dominant lower extremity. Activation of lateral muscles (multifidus, gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata, and peroneous longus) of the paralyzed leg was then measured by electromyography (EMG). Results: There were significant differences in lateral muscle activation, depending on the PNF pattern applied, with the differences more significant in flexion, abduction, internal rotation, and end range patterns. Conclusion: PNF flexion, abduction, and internal rotation patterns can improve lateral muscle activation of one leg in the standing position in the gait cycle.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.587-592
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• 1999

압력측정시스템은 입각기동안 동적압력분포를 성공적으로 측정할 수 있으나 하중수용기-중간입각기, 말기입각기-전유각기의 전환기들에 대해서는 운동분석시스템을 사용하지않고는 정확한 정의가 불가능하다. 따라서 저자들은 수평자유보행 시 압력중심의 이동을 이해하기 위해서 정상적인 발을 가진 20-30대 성인남자 78명을 대상으로 동작분석과발바닥 압력측정을 동시에 수행하였다. 결과로 하중반응기-중간입각기 전환시기의 발바닥 압력중심점은 후족부와 중족부의 경계선에서 앞쪽으로 1.9$\pm$1.5frame(32$\pm$24msec)에 위치하였으며 말기입각기-전유각기 전환시기에는 중족골두 최대 압력점의 앞쪽으로 2.3$\pm$2.0 frame(38$\pm$33msec)에 위치하였다. 정상수평보행에 있어서 최초접지 순간 압력중심은 전방으로 빠르게 이동하다가 바로 급속히 감소하여 하중반응기-중간입각기의 전환시기에는 작은 속도로 이동하였다. 압력중심의 이동속도는 그 후 다시 서서히 증가하다가 전체 보행주기의 25% 전후에서 서서히 감소하여 비교적 일정하다가 말기입각기-전유각기의 전환시점에서 다시 급격한 증가를 보였다. 족부질환과 보행특성을 판단하는데 있어서 압력중심의 이동궤적은 매우 유용한 인자가 될 것으로 기대된다. 본 연구를 통해서 압력측정시스템만으로는 정의할 수 없었던 두 전환기인 하중반응기-중간입각기, 말기입각기-전유각기를 결정할 수있게 되었다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2016.10a
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• pp.761-763
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• 2016

근래 물리치료에서 외관이 아닌 내부의 움직임을 볼 수 있는 장비를 요구하고 있다. 즉, 관절과 같은 눈에 보이지 않는 움직임을 살펴보고자 한다. 지금까지 나온 장비로는 카메라를 이용한 장비로 움직임에 따른 관절의 움직임을 비롯하여 높은 성능으로 정확한 정보를 제공한다. 하지만 장비의 주체가 카메라이기 때문에 많은 제약사항이 따른다. 일정한 공간이 필요하고, 암막상태이며 단순 보행주기를 실험하는 것에도 많은 준비가 필요하다. 따라서 본 논문에서는 위와 같은 제약을 모두 없애고 센서를 착용하기만 하면 관절의 움직임을 측정할 수 있는 간편한 측정방법을 제공하고자 한다. 그 중 압력센서를 동반하여 보행주기를 정확히 측정하고 관절의 움직임을 볼 수 있는 방법을 제시하고자 한다. 본 논문에서 제시하는 방법은 모션센서의 회전각을 이용하여 관절의 움직임을 유추하고 그 값을 그래프로 출력하는 방식이다. 또한 연구 실험 결과, 보행주기를 측정하기 위해 압력센서를 이용하여 보행 1주기의 4포인트를 정확히 측정할 수 있고자 한다.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect Tiger-step walking on the movement of the lower extremities during walking. Method: Twenty healthy male adults who had no experience of musculoskeletal injuries on lower extremities in the last six months (age: 26.85 ± 3.28 yrs, height: 174.6 ± 3.72 cm, weight: 73.65 ± 7.48 kg) participated in this study. In this study, 7-segments whole-body model (pelvis, both side of thigh, shank and foot) was used and 29 reflective markers and cluster were attached to the body to identify the segments during the gait. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 8 infrared cameras and 7 channeled EMG was performed to find the effect of tigerstep on uphill walking. To verify the tigerstep effect, a one-way ANOVA with a repeated measure was used and the statistical significance level was set at α=.05. Results: Firstly, Both Tiger-steps showed a significant increase in stance time and stride length compared with normal walking (p<.05), while both Tiger-steps shown significantly reduced cadence compared to normal walking (p<.05). Secondly, both Tiger-steps revealed significantly increased in hip and ankle joint range of motion compared with normal walking at all planes (p<.05). On the other hand, both Tiger-steps showed significantly increased knee joint range of motion compared with normal walking at the frontal and transverse planes (p<.05). Lastly, Gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior of both tiger-step revealed significantly increased muscle activation compared with normal walking in gait cycle and stance phase (p<.05). On the other hand, in swing phase, the muscle activity of the vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior of both tiger-step significantly increased compared with those of normal walking (p <.05). Conclusion: As a result of this study, Tiger step revealed increased in 3d range of motion of lower extremity joints as well as the muscle activities associated with range of motion. These findings were evaluated as an increase in stride length, which is essential for efficient walking. Therefore, the finding of this study prove the effectiveness of the tiger step when walking uphill, and it is thought that it will help develop a more efficient tiger step in the future, which has not been scientifically proven.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.108-116
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• 2007

Recently, it has been reported that the posterior stabilized implant, which is clinically used for the total knee replacement (TKR), may have failure risk such as wear or fracture by the contact pressure and stress on the tibial post. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the mal alignment of the posterior stabilized implant on the tibial post by estimating the distributions of contact pressure and von-Mises stress on a tibial post and to analyze the failure risk of the tibial post. Finite element models of a knee joint and an implant were developed from 1mm slices of CT images and 3D CAD software, respectively. The contact pressure and the von-Mises stress applying on the implant were analyzed by the finite element analysis in the neutral alignment as well as the 8 malalignment cases (3 and 5 degrees of valgus and varus angulations, and 2 and 4 degrees of anterior and posterior tilts). Loading condition at the 40% of one whole gait cycle such as 2000N of compressive load, 25N of anterior-posterior load, and 6.5Nm of torque was applied to the TKR models. Both the maximum contact pressure and the maximum von-Mises stress were concentrated on the anterior-medial region of the tibial post regardless of the malalignment, and their magnitudes increased as the degree of the malalignment increased. From present result, it is shown that the malalignment of the implant can influence on the failure risk of the tibial post.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.182-186
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• 2007

Purpose: We examined the relationship of interdigital neuroma occurring site and the surrounding structures, including the deep transverse metatarsal ligament (DTML) by cadaver study and clinical results. Materials and Methods: Seventeen fresh frozen cadavers study were done to evaluate the relationship of interdigital neuroma occuring site and the DTML at two phase of the gait cycle with 60 degree of metatarsophalangeal dorsiflexion and with 15 degrees of ankle dorsiflexion. We measured the distance from interdigital nerve bifurcation of the common digital nerve to anterior margin of the DTML and longitudinal length of DTML itself. Clinically, we checked the location of interdigital neuroma and DTML length during surgery in 32 feet. Results: In the second and third web space, the mean distance from bifurcation of the common digital nerve of foot to the anterior margin of DTML was 16.7 mm, 15.1 mm in the mid-stance position, and 15.9 mm. 14.6 mm in heel-off position. Second, Third web space ligament itself length were average 12.8 mm, 10.6 mm. Clinically, all of the cases of interdigital neuroma started at the bifurcation area of the common digital nerve and interdigital neuroma was average 7.5 mm (range; 6-11 mm). Conclusion: Interdigital neuroma were located more distally than DTML in both the mid-stance and heel off stage. The main lesion was located between metatarsal head and metatarsophalangeal joint and more distal than the DTML anterior margin.

• The Journal of The Korea Institute of Intelligent Transport Systems
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.88-95
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• 2020

In this paper, we propose a new arm swing walking pattern-based walking safety system for safe walking of elderly pedestrians. The proposed system is a walking safety system for elderly pedestrians using haptic-based devices such as smart bands and smart watches, and arm swing-based walking patterns to solve the problem that it is difficult to recognize the fall situation of pedestrians with the existing walking patterns of lower limb movements. Use. The arm swing-based walking pattern recognizes the number of steps and the fall situation of pedestrians through the swing of the arm using the acceleration sensor of the device, and creates a database of the location of the fall situation to warn elderly pedestrians when walking near the expected fall location. It delivers a message to provide pedestrian safety to the elderly. This system is expected to improve the safe walking rights and environment of the elderly.