• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.206-210
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• 2015

Background: Fatigue has a strong impact on workers' performance and safety, but expedient methods for assessing fatigue on the job are not yet available. Studies discuss posturography as an indicator of fatigue, but further evidence for its use in the workplace is needed. The purpose of the study is to examine whether posturography is a suitable indicator of fatigue in clerical workers. Methods: Thirty-six employees (${\emptyset}$ 34.8 years, standard deviation = 12.5) participated in postural tasks (eyes open, eyes closed, arm swinging, and dual task) in the morning and afternoon. Position of their center of pressure (COP) was registered using a Nintendo Wii Balance Board and commercial software. From registered COP time series, we calculated the following parameters: path length (mm), velocity (mm/s), anterior-posterior variance (mm), mediolateral variance (mm), and confidence area ($mm^2$). These parameters were reduced to two orthogonal factors in a factor analysis with varimax rotation. Results: Statistical analysis of the first factor (path length and velocity) showed a significant effect of time of day: COP moved along a shorter path at a lower velocity in the afternoon compared with that in the morning. There also was a significant effect of task, but no significant interaction. Conclusion: Data suggest that postural stability of clerical workers was comparable in the morning and afternoon, but COP movement was greater in the morning. Within the framework of dynamic systems theory, this could indicate that the postural system explored the state space in more detail, and thus was more ready to respond to unexpected perturbations in the morning.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.85-94
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence on the ground reaction force parameters according to wearing positions of backpack for during stair ascending and descending. Methods : Participants selected as subject were consisted of young female(n=10) and performed stairs walks(ascending and descending) with 2 types of wearing position(front of trunk[FT], rear of trunk[RT]). Passive(Fz 1) and active(Fz 2) forces of the vertical GRF were determined from time function and frequency domain. Also shear forces(Fx, Fy 1, Fy 2), dynamic postural stability index(MLSI, APSI, VSI, DPSI), loading rate and center of pressure (${\Delta}COPx$, ${\Delta}COPy$, COP area) were calculated from time function and frequency domain. Results : Fx, Fy 1, Fy 2, and Fz 1 in GRF didn't show significant differences statistically according to the wearing positions of backpack(p>.05), but stair descending showed higher forces than that of stair ascending. Particularly, Fz 2 of stair ascending showed higher forces than that of stair descending(p<.001), RT types showed higher than that of FT types(p<.05). MLSI, APSI, VSI, and DPSI of stair descending showed the increased stability index than that of stair ascending(p<.05), MLSI of RT types showed the decreased stability index than that of FT types(p<.05). Loading rate didn't show significant differences statistically according to the wearing positions of backpack(p>.05), but stair descending showed higher loading rate than that of stair ascending(p<.001). Also, ${\Delta}COPx$ in stair descending showed the increased movement than that of stair ascending(p<.05). Conclusions : A backpack of 10 kg(10 kg(ratio of body weights $17.61{\pm}1.17%$) showed significantly change GRF parameters according to wearing positions during stair ascending and descending. If possible, we suggest that the dynamic stability, in case of stairs walking with a smaller weights can be further improved.

• 대한치과기공학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.63-67
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• 2015

Purpose: This study, it was observed on the effect of material and thickness of the mouth guard on postural balance in order to assess the influence of the use of a mouth guard. Methods: The mouth guards of 10 adults selected as the experiment subject was sorted into each of hard and soft material, and these were made as thickness of 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm by each of the material. Results: The results of this study are expected to wear the mouthguard hard to influence positive influence on the improvement of the muscle strength, static balance. Conclusion: Suggest the need for additional research on dynamic balance.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.47-52
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• 2021

Background: Compared with normal people, stroke patients have decreased voluntary craniocervical motion, which affects their balance. Objects: This study was conducted in order to examine the effects of active craniocervical movement training using a cognitive game on stroke patient's cervical movement control ability, balance, and functional mobility. Methods: The subject of this study were 29chronic stroke patients who were randomly allocated to either an experimental, cognitive game group (n = 15), or control group (n = 14), to which only neuro-developmental treatment (NDT) was applied. The intervention was conducted 5 times per week, 30 minutes per each time, for a total of 4 weeks. Active angle reproduction test, static stability test, limits of stability test, and Time up and Go (TUG) test, respectively, were carried out in order to evaluate cervical movement control ability, static balance, dynamic balance, and functional mobility. Paired t-test was used in order to compare differences between prior to after the intervention, along with an independent-test in order to compare prior to and after-intervention differences between the two groups. Results: After the craniocervical training with a body-driven cognitive game, the experimental group showed significant differences in flexion, extension, and lateral flexion on the affected side, and rotation on the affected side in the active angle reproduction test. The experimental group indicated significant differences in sway length both with eyes-open and with eyesclosed in the static stability test and in limits of stability test and TUG test. The control group to which NDT was applied had significant differences in flexion in the active angle reproduction test and in limits of stability test and TUG test. Conclusion: The above results mean that craniocervical training using a body-driven cognitive game positively influences stroke patient's cervical movement control ability and as a result their balance and functional mobility.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.30-36
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the ankle dorsiflexion passive range of motion (DF PROM) under a non-weight bearing condition and the normalized reach distance in three directions of the Y-Balance Test (YBT). Sixty-one healthy adults (32 males and 29 females, age: $23.0{\pm}3.0$ years, height: $169.3{\pm}8.9cm$, weight: $61.9{\pm}5.4kg$) participated in this study. The ankle DF PROM was measured using a goniometer. To assess dynamic balance, all subjects performed three trials to determine the maximum lower extremity reach in the anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions of the YBT. The relationship between the ankle DF PROM and both the normalized reach distance in each direction and the composite score of the YBT were analyzed using the Pearson correlation. Only the normalized reach distance in the anterior direction of the YBT was significantly related to the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition (r=.50, p<.001). Neither the normalized reach distances in the posterior directions nor the composite score of the YBT were significantly correlated with the ankle DF PROM measured under a non-weight bearing condition. These findings suggest that ankle DF PROM does not affect the overall dynamic balance of the lower extremity, with only the anterior dynamic balance affected among the three directions.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.151-160
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the GRF(ground reaction force) parameters according to the shoes's heel heights and ground landing distances during downward stairs on bus. Participants selected as subject were consisted of young and healthy women(n=9, mean age: $21.30{\pm}0.48$ yrs, mean height: $164.00{\pm}3.05cm$, mean body mass: $55.04{\pm}4.41kg$, mean BMI: $20.47{\pm}1.76kg/m^2$, mean foot length: $238.00{\pm}5.37mm$). They were divided into 2-types of shoe's heel heights(0 cm/bare foot, 9 cm) and also were divides into downward stairs with 3 types of landing distance(20 cm, 35 cm, 50 cm). A one force-plate was used to collect the GRF(AMTI, USA) data from the sampling rate of 1000 Hz. The GRF parameters analyzed were consisted of the medial-lateral GRF, anterior-posterior GRF, vertical GRF, loading rate, Center of Pressure(${\Delta}COPx$, ${\Delta}COPy$, COP area) and Dynamic Postural Stability Index(MLSI, APSI, VSI, DPSI) during downward stairs on bus. Medial-lateral GRF and vertical GRF didn't show significant differences statistically according to the shoe's heel heights and landing distance, but 9 cm shoes heel showed higher vertical GRF than that of 0 cm bare foot in landing distance of 50 cm. Also anterior-posterior GRF didn't show significant difference statistically according to the shoe's heel heights, but landing distance of 20 cm showed higher than that of landing distances of 35 cm and 50 cm in anterior-posterior GRF. Loading rate didn't show significant difference statistically according to the landing distance, but 9 cm shoe's heel showed higher than that of 0 cm bare foot during downward stairs. The ${\Delta}COPy$ and COP area didn't show significant differences statistically according to the shoe's heel heights and landing distance, but 0 cm bare foot showed higher than that of 9 cm shoe's heel in ${\Delta}COPx$. Dynamic Postural Stability Index(MLSI, APSI, VSI, DPSI) didn't show significant differences statistically according to the landing distance, but 9 cm shoe's heel showed decreased value than that of 0 cm bare foot in dynamics balance. Considering the above, parameters of GRF showed different characteristics according to the shoe's heel heights and ground landing distances during downward stairs on bus.

• 한국운동역학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.285-292
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• 2016

Objective: This study collected data on muscle fatigue and ground reaction force during walking to provide a basis for development of custom-fitted outdoor walking shoes. The study analyzed an upright body exercise program using spine stabilization technique to determine the effect on foot plantar pressure in archers, demonstrate the effectiveness of upright body exercise, and develop a new, effective, and efficient training program. Method: A 12-week upright body exercise program was evaluated for the effect on plantar pressure in archers. Ten prize-winning archers (3 men, 7 women) in B metropolitan city, each with ${\geq}10years$ of experience, were given an explanation of the content and purpose of the program, and provided informed consent. Upright body exercise was performed 3 times a week for 12 weeks. A resistive pressure sensor was used to measure foot plantar pressure distribution and analyze quantitative information on variation in postural stability and weight shifting in dynamic balance during shooting, as well as plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open and closed. Results: There were no significant differences in foot plantar pressure before and after participation in the exercise program. There was no statistically significant difference in foot plantar pressure in static balance with the eyes open or closed, or in foot plantar pressure in dynamic balance during shooting. Conclusion: An upright body exercise program had positive effects on foot plantar pressure in static and dynamic balance in archers by reducing body sway and physical imbalance during shooting and with eyes closed. This program is expected to help archers improve their posture and psychological state, and thereby improve performance.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.235-246
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare and assess the effects of lumbar stabilization exercise on the balance ability of young college studets with low back pain after having performed spinal stabilization exercise by using 3-dimensional air-balance system and gym ball. Methods: The subjects of this study were 34 low back patients in their early twenties. They were divided into two groups: 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17) and gym ball lumbar stabilization exercise group(N=17). The period of the intervention was for five weeks. VAS(Visual Analogue Scale) for pain test, ODI(Oswestry Disability Index) for ADL limitation test, Tetrax system for static balance test, and Air-balance system 3D for dynamic balance test were used as evaluation tools for this study. Results: Pain showed significant decrease in both groups after having performed the experiment, but ADL limitation of the groups did not show any remarkable difference between before and after the experiment. Dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional angle comparison test significantly increased in all directions except for the backward, left-backward, and right-backward directions. As for dynamic balance ability in the 8-directional postural test, 3D exercise group showed statistically significant reduction in every direction while gym ball exercise group did not(p<.05). However, when it comes to static balance ability in the weight distribution and stability test, there was not significantly change between pre and post test in both groups. Conclusion: This study shows 3-dimensional lumbar stabilization exercise is more effective in the lumbar stabilization of coordinated movement than gym ball exercise, which may imply that 3D air-balance system can be used for the therapeutic treatment of body imbalance for patients with low back pain.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.23-28
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a handrail (presence and position) on treadmill gait and balance in stroke patients during gait training. Methods: 39 patients with stroke (male 31, female 8) participated in this study. The training groups were classified into a no-handrail group (NHG), front handrail group (FHG), and bilateral handrail group (BHG). Each group comprised 13 subjects. The subjects were trained to walk in a straight path 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks. The Good Balance System was used to measure static balance and dynamic balance. To measure walking ability, timed up and go (TUG) was also assessed. Results: The NHG showed no significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. The FHG was significantly different in their medial-lateral speed of static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. The BHG was significantly different in their static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. Conclusion: These findings consider the effects of holding handrails concomitantly with changes in postural stability. We conclude that for training stroke patients, treadmill walking while holding handrails improves balance and gait more than treadmill walking without holding handrails. The resulting changes in muscle activity patterns may facilitate the transfer to a gait pattern. The results of this study suggest methods for training treadmill walking in stroke patients.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to determine whether high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve balance ability in acute stage stroke patients. METHODS: The study was conducted on 30 subjects diagnosed with hemiparesis caused by stroke. The experimental group consisted of 15 patients that underwent rTMS for 15 mins and the control group consisted of 15 patients that underwent sham rTMS (for 15 minutes). A 70-mm figure 8 coil and a Magstim Rapid stimulator was used in both groups. Patients in the experimental group received 10 Hz rTMS applied to the hotspot in the lesioned hemisphere in 10-second trains with 50-second intervals between trains, for 15 minutes (total 2,000 pulses). Both groups received conventional physical therapy for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 4 weeks. Static balance ability analysis was performed using the Gaitview system to measure pressure rate, postural sway, and total pressure, and dynamic balance ability analysis was performed to measure pressure variables using a balance system. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in post-training gains for pressure rate, total pressure in static balance, and overall stability index in dynamic balance between the experimental group and the control group (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that high frequency rTMS may be beneficial for improving static and dynamic balance recovery in acute stroke patients.