• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.77-95
• /
• 2003

Many factors affect foot and ankle biomechanics during walking, including gait speed and anthropometric characteristics. However, speed has not been taken into account in foot kinematics and kinetics during walking. This study examined the effect of walking speed on foot joint motion and peak plantar pressure during the walking phase. Eighty healthy subjects (40 men, 40 women) were recruited. Maximal dorsiflexion and excursion were measured at the first metatarsophalangeal joints during walking phase at three different cadences (80, 100, and 120 step/min) using a three dimensional motion analysis system (CMS70P). At the same time, peak plantar pressure was investigated using pressure distribution platforms (MatScan system) under the hallux heads of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones and heel. Maximal dorsiflexion and excursion and excursion at the ankle joint decreased significantly with increasing walking speed. Peak plantar pressure increased significantly under the heads of the first of the first, second, and third metatarsal bones, and heel with increasing walking speed: three was no change under the hallux. There were no significant changes in maximal dorsiflexion or excursion at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The results show that walking speed should be considered when comparing gait parameters. The results also suggest that slow walking speeds may decrease forefoot peak plantar pressure in patients with peripheral neuropathy who have a high risk of skin breakdown under the forefoot.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of two shoe size conditions on foot pressure, ground reaction force (GRF), and lower extremity muscle fatigue. Seven healthy men participated. They randomly performed walking and running in two different conditions: proper shoe size and 10 mm greater than proper shoe size. Peak foot pressure, and vertical, anterior and mediolateral force components were recorded with the Parotec system and Kisler force platform. To assess fatigue, the participants performed treadmill running for twenty-five minutes twice, each time wearing a different shoe size. Surface electromyography was used to confirm localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of four muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis, rectus femoris, and biceps femoris). The results were as follows: 1) In walking conditions, there was a significantly higher peak pressure in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size insole sensor 1, 2, 14, and 18 (p<.05). 2) In running conditions, there was a significantly higher peak pressure in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size insole sensor 5, 14, and 15 (p<.05). 3) In walking conditions, there was a significantly higher first maximal vertical GRF in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size (p<.05). 4) In running conditions, no GRF components were significantly different between each shoe size condition (p>.05). 5) Muscle fatigue indexes of the tibialis anterior and rectus femoris were significantly increased in the 10 mm greater than proper shoe size condition. These results indicate that wearing shoes that are too large could further exacerbate the problems of increased foot pressure, vertical GRF, and muscle fatigue.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
• /
• v.66 no.12
• /
• pp.1810-1814
• /
• 2017

This paper develops an approach to the algorithm of Gait pattern Analysis and step measurement with Multi-Pressure Sensors. The process of gait consists of 8 steps including stance and swing phase. As 3 parts of foot is supporting most of human weight, multiple pressure sensors are attached on the parts of foot: forefoot, big toe, heel. As 3 parts of foot is supporting most of human weight, multiple pressure sensors are attached on the parts of foot: forefoot, big toe, heel. normal gait proceed from heel, forefoot and big toe over time. While normal gait proceeds, values of heel, forefoot and big toe can be changed over time. So Each values of pressure sensors over time could discriminate whether it is normal or abnormal gait. Measuring Device consists of non-inverting amplifiers and low pass filter. Through timetable of values, normal gait pattern can be analyzed, because of supported weight of foot. Also, the peak value of pressure can judge whether it is walking or running. While people are running, insole of shoes is floating in the air on moment. Using this algorithm, gait analysis and step count can be measured.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.97-102
• /
• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to find the effect of foot bath on blood pressure(BP) following treadmill exercise. Methode : Subject of study were forty healthy males without any cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and neurologic diseases. Following twenty minutes walking at a speed of 5m/s on the treadmill, ten twenty subjects in experimental group received foot bath, on the dominant lower limb while sitting in chair. Foot bath was applied to the level of the lateral and medial malleoli keeping the temperature of the paraffin bath at $40{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$. Twenty subjects in control group took a rest sitting in chair in a comfortable position. BP was measured in right brachial artery. BP was measured five times(before exercise, immediately after exercise, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, and fifteen minutes after exercise). Results : The study showed that for diastolic blood pressure, there was no significant difference between the experimental and the control group. However, systolic blood pressure(SBP) increased significantly after exercise compared with SBP before exercise (p<.05). In addition, SBP in five minutes after exercise decreased significantly compared with SBP in immediately after exercise (p<.05). On the other hand, the control group had significant difference between SBP measured before exercise and SBP measured at the other measure time (p<.05). In five minutes after exercise, SBP in experimental group had significant difference with SBP in control group (p<.05). Similarly, in ten and fifteen minutes after exercise, SBP in experimental group had significantly difference with SBP in control group (p<.05). Conclusion : Consequently it was confirmed that when foot bath was applied, the increased BP induced by the exercise returned to normal range rapidly.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.893-902
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of wearing a weightlifting belt, which is an auxiliary equipment used during squat, by measuring and analyzing biomechanical difference in lower limb and proposing safer and to suggest a more effective exercise method for general population. Selected 8 male participants in their 20s who have not performed regular resistance exercise for at least a year, but have experience of performing squat. The comprehensive method of study is as follows: subjects were notified of the purpose of the study and were told to practice warm-up and the squat motion for the experiment for 20 minutes. When the participant believed they were ready to begin, the experiment was started. At controlled points, foot pressure distribution sensor has been installed. Then left and right feet have been placed on the pressure distribution sensor, from which data for successful squat position that does not satisfy the criteria for failure have been collected and computed with Kwon3D XP program and TPScan program. For data processing of this study, SPSS 21.0 was used to calculated mean (M) and standard deviation (SD) of the analyzed values, and paired t-test has been conducted to investigate the difference before and after wearing the weightlifting belt, with p-value of ${\alpha}<.05$. As for time consumed depending on usage of weightlifting belt in squat, statistically significant difference has been found in P2, which is recovery movement. Lower limb angle depending on usage of weightlifting belt in squat has shown statistically significant difference in E1 foot joint(p<. 001). There has been statistically significant difference in E2 knee joint. Foot pressure percentage depending on usage of weightlifting belt in squat were found to be statistically significant (p<. 01) in both regions of anterior and posterior foot.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.223-231
• /
• 2010

Purpose : The Purpose of this study was to compare muscle activation and foot pressure on baby carrier and sling for baby care. Methods : Thirty one women subjects (mean age 23.2 years) participated in four static conditions : unloaded quite standing, carrying an anterior baby carrier, carrying a posterior baby carrier, and sling. The baby carrier and sling were loaded with baby model that filled 7.6kg loads. Surface electromyography was used to measure activity in the internal oblique, T4, L3, L5 paraspinal muscle, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius for four conditions. And foot pressure was measured by using MatScan system(Tekscan, USA). Results : The activation of Biceps femoris, T4, L3, and L5 paraspinal muscle were significant differences(p<.05), but other muscles were no significant differences in four conditions(p>.05). Right foot contact area and peak pressure of right mid foot area were significant differences in four conditions(p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that the use of baby carrier of sling for baby care were influenced postural responses of young women. Further work is recommended to find out the influences of various assistive devices for baby care.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2017

It is important to train lower limb muscle strength using a tilting table to recover the lower extremity function of hemiplegia patients. It is known that the foot deformity and poor posture of hemiplegia patients can reduce the effectiveness of lower limb rehabilitation training. In this study, we developed a sensor system that can measure the foot pressure distribution of the patients for the load control of the lower extremity during lower limb rehabilitation training and it can be substituted for conventional high-cost technologies.

• 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.20 no.4
• /
• pp.469-477
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of insole-equipped ankle-foot-orthoses (AFO) on gait. 10 healthy males who had no history of injury in the lower extremity participated in this study as the subjects. The foot of each subject was first scanned, and the insole fit to the plantar was made using BDI-PCO(Pedcad Gmbh, Germany). The subject then was made to walk on a treadmill under four experimental conditions: 1) normal walking, 2) walking wearing AFO, 3) walking wearing AFO equipped with the insole, 4) walking wearing pneumatic-ankle-foot-orthosis (pAFO) equipped with the insole. During walking, foot pressure data such as maximum force, contacting area, peak pressure, and mean pressure was collected using Pedar-X system (Novel Gmbh, Germany) and EMG activity of lower limb muscles such as gastrocnemius medial head, gastrocnemius lateral head, and soleus was recorded using MP150 EMG module (BIOPAC System Inc., USA). Collected data was then analyzed using paired t-test in order to investigate the effects of the insole. As a result of the analysis, when insole was equipped, overall contacting area was increased while both the highest peak pressure and the mean pressure were significantly decreased, and EMG activity of the lower limb muscles was decreased. On the contrary, the cases of wearing AFO showed the decreased contacting area and the increased pressures. Therefore, the AFO equipped with a proper insole fit well to the foot can help comfortable walking by spreading the pressure over the entire plantar.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.6 no.4
• /
• pp.25-32
• /
• 2003

This paper suggests the evaluation method of gait analysis in measurements obtained using the "Foot Scanner" and "Foot Analyzer" system. Previous examination method with the unaided eye on the sole of the foot and analysis method of pressure distribution in gait have been discussed by many researchers. Also they have concerned with pressure curve, COP(center of pressure) trace, and velocity in COP. However experiment results depend on test environment and conditions of subjects. Consequently we need to regard the special energy parameter for solving the problem. The kinetic energy and impulse parameter can be used as parameters of gait analysis. The results of this study confirmed the validity of presented of the parameters through the experiment with eight subjects.