• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.446-454
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• 2011

In terms of the anatomy and mechanics of the human foot, a flexible robot foot with toes and heel joints is designed for a bipedal walking robot. We suggest three design considerations in determining foot design parameters which are critical for walking stability. Those include the position of the frontal toe, the stiffness of toes and heels, and the position of the ankle joint. Compared with the conventional foot with flat sale, the proposed foot is advantageous for human-like walking due to the inherent structural flexibility and the reasonable parameter values. Simulation results are provided to determine the design parameters and also show that the proposed foot enables smaller energy consumption.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2016

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexibility and foot pressure on stretching exercise of hamstring muscle with and without pelvis neutral position. Methods : This study was performed on 30 subjects. Thirty subjects were divided into two group; hamstring passive stretching exercise with pelvis neutral position(n=15), hamstring passive stretching exercise without pelvis neutral position(n=15). Both of the group performed the exercise 4 times a week for 6 weeks. The data was analyzed by the paired t-test for comparing before and after changes of factors in each group and the independent t-test for comparing the between groups. Results : The results were as follows. There was statistically significant difference of before and after hamstring flexibility, foot pressure in pelvis neutral position(p<0.05). There was statistically significant difference of before and after hamstring flexibility, foot pressure without pelvis neutral position group(p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference of between the two group in hamstring flexibility, foot pressure(p>0.05). Conclusion : As a result of this study, though no statistically significant difference of the between groups, we suggest that stretching exercise of hamstring muscle with pelvic neutral may be effective more than stretching exercise of hamstring muscle without pelvic neutral in flexibility, foot pressure.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.22-32
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ankle-foot orthosis and lumbosacral orthosis on movement patterns used to rise from the supine position to erect stance. Thirty-two healthy adults participated. Subjects were videotaped while rising from a supine position on a floor mat. Each subject performed 10 trials each of three condition;general condition, right ankle-foot orthosis, lumbosacral orthosis. subjects rose most commonly using a symmetrical push pattern of the upper extremities, a symmetrical squat pattern in the lower extremities, a symmetrical in the trunk under each of three conditions. Changes in the incidence of movement patterns occurred in lower extremities of the ankle-foot orthosis and lumbosacral orthosis condition and trunk of the ankle-foot orthosis condition. From a dynamic pattern theory perspective, ankle motion is a control variable for the supine position to erect standing movement.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.197-204
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate driving performance of normal subjects for controlling the steering wheel by using foot operated steering devices in the driving simulator. Many people with complete bilateral loss or loss of use of upper limbs but with normal lower limbs are frequently left without use and/ or control of their hands, arms, or the upper extremities of their bodies. As a result, persons disabled in this manner have problems in operation an automobile because they cannot grasp and manipulate a conventional steering wheel. Therefore, if foot operated steering devices are used for controlling the vehicle on in people with disabilities, the disabled people could improve their community mobility by driving a car safely. Ten normal subjects were involved in this research to evaluate steering performance by using three types of steering devices(conventional steering wheel, pedal type foot steering, circular type foot steering) in driving simulator. STISim Drive 3 program was used for testing the driving performance in two road scenarios: straight road and curved road at low and high speed of vehicle (40 km/h and 80 km/h). This study used two-way ANOVA to compare the influences of two factors(type of foot steering device and road scenario) in the three dependent variables of steering performance(standard deviation of lateral position, the lateral position of vehicle and the number of line crossing). The average values of the three dependent variables(standard deviation of lateral position, lateral position and the number of line crossing) of driving performance were significantly smaller for conventional steering wheel or pedal type foot steering than circular type foot steering.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.27-41
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to supply basic data for the impact on the accuracy of basic CPR according to position and foot-board height of basic CPR provider. Methods : Study design was within - group design. Subjects were 25 EMT-P Students in K city. Interventions was basic CPR performed on a resuscitation manikin placed on a hospital bed, kneeling on the bed adjacent to the manikin. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and Friedman test. Results : In case of the basic CPR performed on a resuscitation manikin placed on a hospital bed, ventilation accuracy was the highest in less than 160 cm height, foot-board height : $34.2{\pm}1.48cm$, 91.4% and in 161-165 cm height, foot-board height : $26.0{\pm}2.14cm$, 88.4% and in 171-175 cm height, foot-board height : $23.0{\pm}1.41cm$, 91.3% and in the above 176 cm, kneeling on the bed, 95%. Chest compression accuracy was the highest in less than 160 cm height, foot-board height : $30.2{\pm}1.48cm$, 95.6% and in 161-165 cm height, kneeling on the bed, 97.6% and in 171-175 cm height, kneeling on the bed, 98.5% and in the above 176 cm, kneeling on the bed, 98.7% and foot-board height : $20.5{\pm}1.91cm$, 98.7%. Chest compression error was due to too weak : 2.0-35.4 times. There were ststistically significant differences in 191-195 cm group according to chest compression mean depths($x^2=10.824$, p = .013) and chest compression error (p = .040). Conclusion : In contrast to current guidelines, the position and foot-board height of basic CPR provider are very important to the accuracy of the basic CPR. Furthermore, we recommend that a using real time audiovisual feedaback system significantly improve the quality of chest compression and ventilation during resuscitation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in muscle activation associated with foot position during a sit-to-stand exercise among normally healthy elderly subjects. Methods: Eight subjects (male=3; female=5; mean age=$70.13{\pm}{\pm}2.53$years) were recruited.The activation of six muscles (neck extensor; lumbar extensor; hamstring; rectus femoris; gastrocnemius; tibialis anterior) was measured by surface EMG (TeleMyo 2400T G2, Noraxon Inc., USA) during a sit-to-stand protocol under three different foot positions (ankle dorsiflexion of 0, 15, or 30 degrees). Results: Muscle activation of the neck extensor and hamstring was decreased according to the change in foot position (p<0.05), but activation of the rectus femoris was increased (p<0.05). Muscle activation of the neck extensor was significantly different between 0 and 15 degrees (p<0.05). Muscle activation of the hamstring was significantly different between 0 and 15 degrees and between 0 and 30 degrees (p<0.05). Muscle activation of the rectus femoris was significantly different between 0 and 30 degrees and between 15 and 30 degrees (p<0.05). However, activation of lumbar extensor, gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles did not significantly differ between foot positions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that muscle activation during a sit-to-stand movement differs depending on foot position. We believe that these differences should be considered when educating the elderly regarding proper body movements.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2017

Purpose : There is no validated method for measuring the toe flexor strength that can isolate the intrinsic muscles of the foot from the extrinsic muscles. This study compared the hallux flexion force (HFF) and muscle activity in the foot and ankle according to ankle position [plantarflexion (PF), neutral, and dorsiflexion (DF)]. Method : The study enrolled 17 subjects. In the sitting position, the HFF and activities of the abductor hallucis (AbdH), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GCM) muscles were measured using a digital dynamometer and a wireless electromyography system, respectively. Subjects were instructed to flex the great toe maximally in three different ankle positions. Three 5-second trials were performed to measure the HFF and muscle activities in each condition. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the variables and paired t-tests with the Bonferroni correction were used for post-hoc pair-wise comparisons. The significance level was set at .016. Result : The HFF in DF was significantly greater than in any other ankle position (p<.01). The TA activity was greatest in ankle DF and that of the GCM was greatest in PF (both p<.01). However, there was no significant difference in AbdH activity according to ankle position. Conclusion : These results suggest that selective strength measurement of the foot intrinsic muscles in HFF should be performed with the ankle in the neutral position.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.76-81
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the effects of squatting with different foot positions on the muscle activation of the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles in subjects with genu varum. Methods: Thirty four subjects participated in this study. Surface electromyography was used to measure the muscle activation of the VMO and VL muscles at the knee angles ($15^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$) at three foot positions (internal rotation, neutral position, external rotation) during squatting. Results: Muscle activation differences at different knee angles and foot positions differed significantly between the VMO and VL muscles in both the varus and normal groups. In addition, there was a significant difference according to the knee angles with the foot in external rotation in the VMO and VL ratio. In the varus group, however, the VMO and VL ratio were significantly different only with the feet in internal rotation. In the muscle activation changes of the knee angle differences in the foot position, there was no significant difference in the varus group, but both the VMO and VL muscles were significant different in the normal group. Conclusion: In both groups, regardless of the foot position, muscle activation of the VMO and VL muscles increased with increasing knee flexion angle. In the normal group, when squatting with the feet in external rotation, the VMO and VL muscles activations increased with increasing knee angle. In the varus group, however, the foot position did not affect the VMO or VL muscle activation. This study shows that subjects with genu varum and normal subjects have different VMO and VL muscle activation patterns during squat exercises.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.55-65
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• 2021

PURPOSE: This study compared the effects of sit-to-stand training with various foot positions combined with visual feedback on the postural alignment and balance. METHODS: Thirty stroke patients were assigned randomly into three groups of standing with a symmetrical foot position (SSF) (n = 10), asymmetrical foot position with the affected foot at the rear (SAF) (n = 10), and visual feedback and asymmetrical foot position (SVAF) (n = 10). Sit-to-stand training with different foot positions was performed for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, for a total of four weeks, and the effects on postural alignment and balance were assessed. RESULTS: The angle between the midline and scapula peak of the affected side was decreased significantly at sitting and thigh-off in the SAF group and at sitting, thigh-off, and standing in the SVAF group (p < .05). The angle between the midline and scapula peak of the non-affected side was increased significantly at sitting and thigh-off in the SAF group and at sitting, thigh-off, and standing in the SVAF group, the difference in the angle between the scapular peaks of the left and right sides was decreased significantly at sitting and thigh-off in SSF group, and at sitting in SAF group (p < .05). In the SVAF group, the angle at sitting, thigh-off, and standing was decreased significantly (p < .05). A comparison of the balance ability showed that BSS in the SVAF group was improved significantly (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Based on these results, the postural alignment and balance ability were improved in stroke patients who participated in sit-to-stand with visual feedback and asymmetrical foot position training.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.115-123
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sit-to-stand training with various foot positions combined with visual feedback on muscle onset time and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty stroke patients were randomly assigned into three standing groups: one with a symmetrical foot position (SSF; n = 10), one with an asymmetrical foot position with the affected foot at the rear (SAF; n = 10), and one with visual feedback and an asymmetrical foot position (SVAF; n = 10). Sit-to-stand training with different foot positions was performed for 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, for a total of 4 weeks. The effects on muscle onset time and balance were assessed. Results: In a comparison of the onset time of muscle contraction, the onset time of the affected side tibialis anterior and less-affected side gastrocnemius muscle and tibialis anterior was significantly shortened in the SAVF group. And onset time of the less-affected side tibialis anterior was shortened in the SAF group. There was a significant difference in the result of functional reach testing in the SVAF group. Conclusion: VRG was effective in improving muscle activity and balance in elderly women aged 65 and older. In this study, sit-to-stand training with visual feedback and asymmetrical foot position showed significant functional improvement.