• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2009

Kinematic analysis of MTC (Muscle-Tendon Complex) units is a key indicator for diagnosis of patients with musculoskeletal disorders because the contracture or shortening of musculo-tendinous units is known to produce pathological gaits. Therefore, the principal objective of this study was to assess the length change in the triceps surae prior to and after wearing an AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthoses) in patients with musculoskeletal disorders during a gait. In this study, analyses were conducted using a Muscle Tendon Complex model coupled with the trajectory data from markers attached to anatomical landmarks. As a result, the maximum length change in the triceps surae during a gait was 4.87% when a barefoot walking group and a walking group with AFO were compared. In particular, the difference in length changes between both groups in Soleus MTC units was found to be statistically significant in all gait phases. Our results revealed that MTC length in the AFO walking group was clearly increased over that of the barefoot walking group. In the future, further studies will be required in order to more adequately assess musculoskeletal disorders using many cases studies with regard to agricultural working conditions because this study deals with the kinematic analysis of musculo-tendinous units in the case of clinical experiments.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.185-189
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• 2021

An aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) can occur in many parts of the human body, but a primary ABC of the talus is extremely rare. ABCs are benign, but aggressively growing tumors that usually occur in the first two decades of life. Patients mainly complain of pain, limited movement of the involved joint or a palpable mass. Pain may worsen suddenly because of pathological fractures. If not treated properly, ABC has a risk of local recurrence, followed by the destruction of the joint and a significant functional deficit. While the complete removal of the bone tumor is essential, it is also important to treat the resultant bone defect after removal. The talus has an important part to play in weight-bearing. Therefore, an appropriate bone graft is required for large bone defects that occur after an ABC removal from the talus. We report a primary ABC of the talus in a 28-year-old male that was treated by curettage and a bone pillar pattern graft of autologous tricortical iliac crest bone. The patient had an excellent functional outcome with early weight-bearing, and there was no recurrence at 16 months of follow-up.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.105-115
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to elucidate the mechanical characteristics of lower extremity joint movements at different walking speeds in obese people and suggest the very suitable exercise for obese person's own body weight and basic data for clinical application leading to medical treatment of obesity. This experimental subjects are all males between the ages of 20 and 30, who are classified into two groups according to Body Mass Index(BMI): one group is 15 people with normal body weight and the other 15 obese people. Walking speed is analysed at 3 different speeds ($1.5^m/s$, $1.8^m/s$, $2.1^m/s$) which is increased by $0.3^m/s$ from the standard speed of $1.5^m/s$. We calculated joint moments of lower extremity during stance phase through video recording and platform force measurement.Two-way ANOVA(Analysis of Variance, Mix) is applied to get the difference of moments according to walking speeds between normal and obese groups. Pearson's Correlation Analysis is applied to look into correlation between walking speeds and joint moments in both groups. Significance level of each experiment is set as ${\alpha}=.05$. As walking speed increases maximum ankle plantar flexion moment in the stance phase is smaller in obese group than in normal group, which is suggestive of weak toe push-off during terminal stance in obese group, and the highest maximum ankle plantar flexion moment in obese group during the middle speed walking($1.8^m/s.$). Maximum ankle dorsal flexion moment in obese group is relatively higher than in normal group and this is regarded as a kind of compensatory mechanism to decrease the impact on ankle when heel contacts the floor. Maximum knee flexion and extension moments are both higher in normal group with an increase tendency proportional to walking speed and maximum hip flexion and extension moments higher in obese group. In summary, maximum ankle plantar flexion moment between groups(p<.025), maximum knee moment not in flexion but in extension(p<.001) within each group according to increasing walking speed, and maximum hip flexion and extension moment(p<.001 and p<.004, respectively according to increasing walking speed are statistically significant but knee and hip moments between groups are not. Pearson correlation are different: high correlation coefficients in maximum knee flexion and extension moments, in maximum hip extension moment but not hip flexion, and in maximum ankle dorsal flexion moment but not ankle plantar flexion, in each group. We suspect that equilibrium imbalance develops when the subject increases walking speed and the time is around which he takes his foot off the floor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.9-17
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This research was designed to study the correlations between physical activities such as foot sensory impairment, balance and ambulatory abilities, as well as fall risk factors and mental activities such as cognitive performance and depression in order to provide fundamental data for the prevention of falling in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 36 elderly people over the age of 65 years who voluntarily joined the research were selected as subjects. Sensory perception in both feet was measured by using a monofilament in 10 parts with each part given one point. The points for each foot were integrated to analyze the correlations between physical and mental activities indices, and the results were analyzed by using Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: The results of this research show that the extent to which senses in feet were impaired was correlated to TUG, a functional activity index involved in tranfers, gait, and turning movements, which was correlated to BBS (balance index) as well as MMSE-K and K-GDS (mental activities index). BBS was interrelated to FES-K (physical activities index) and MMSE-K. The muscular strength of the right ankle dorsiflexor had mutual relations with FES-K. CONCLUSION: The results of this research indicate that TUG is widely correlated to foot sensory impairment as well as general physical and mental activities in elderly people. BBS was also shown to be correlated with TUG, FES-K, and MMSE-K. Thus, it might be necessary that TUG and BBS be included as two items in physical and mental check-ups for the elderly, and further studies on correlations using evaluation items for physical and mental activities should lead to the simplification of the evaluation criteria.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.60-66
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• 2011

Foot posture is important in the development of the musculoskeletal structure in the lower limbs because it can change the mechanical alignment. Although foot orthotics are widely used for the correction of malalignments in the lower extremities, the biomechanical effects of wedges have not yet been cleared. The aim of this study was to investigate whether medial wedges affect the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the knee and hip joints in healthy adults that are performing one leg standing. Seventeen healthy volunteers performed the one leg standing under two foot conditions: A level surface, and a $15^{\circ}$ medial wedge. The subjects' EMG data for the gluteus maximus (Gmax), gluteus medius (Gmed), tensor fasciae latae (TFL), biceps femoris (BF), vastus lateralis (VL), and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) were recorded, along with the surface EMG, and all were analyzed. The EMG activity of the Gmed and TFL had significantly decreased under the medial wedge condition during one leg standing. Further study is needed in order to investigate whether medial wedges influence the EMG activity and kinematic data of the knee and hip joints as well as the ankle joints in adults with flexible flatfoot, while they are performing one leg standing.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze muscle activation of the lower extremities as a function of changes of the center of pressure (CoP) of the foot during squats in order to provide quantitative information to trainers who would like to teach correct movements for developing muscles. Method: Ten men with over three years of weight training experience participated in this study (age: $26.1{\pm}0.8yrs$, height: $171.2{\pm}3.9cm$, body mass: $71.1{\pm}5.7kg$, 60%RM: $84{\pm}9kg$, career: $4.0{\pm}0.7yrs$). The participants were instructed to perform a squat in each of 3 conditions, with different CoP's (the front, middle, and rear of the foot). Results: The position of the CoP showed significant differences according to instructions in both the eccentric and concentric contraction phases (p < .05). The range of movement of the hip and ankle joints showed significant differences corresponding to changes of the CoP position (p < .05). The rectus femoris and gluteus maximus muscle showed significant differences for different CoP positions only in the concentric contraction phase, while the gastrocnemius and anterior tibialis were significantly different in both the concentric and eccentric contraction phase (p < .05). Conclusion: When the target muscle of squat training is the gastrocnemius, the CoP should be located in the front of the foot for effective muscle training. When the target muscles of squat training are the gluteus maximus and quadriceps femoris, the CoP should be located on the rear of the foot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.51-61
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyse and comparison the differences of kinematic variables for Fente skill in Fencing. Method: For this, 15 people were selected as 5 beginners with less than 2 years of experience, 5 intermediate-class people with more than 2 years and less than 4 years, and 5 experts-class people with more than 4 years. Through the comparison of Marche Fente motion according to proficiency, for the necessary time, travel distance, the kinematical factor of joint angle, oneway ANOVA was performed in order to identify differences according to variables by phase. Results: The time required for each phase was shown to be shorter for all phases experts than for beginners and intermediates. At the horizontal displacement of the foot, the right foot left out the last phase and the experts appeared long. The left foot showed short beginners in all phases. The angle of forward lean showed that the angle of forward lean was tilted forward by the experts of all phases. There was a difference between the left and right joint angles of the lower limb, both of the ankle, knee and hip joints. Conclusion: In overall, Beginners should quickly widen the distance of their feet when they make a Fente movement. The beginner shall tilt the upper body forward in order to increase the angle of forward lean. The beginner shall, in the last phase, have a smaller angle on the hip joint.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.39-46
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• 2000

본 연구는 강직성 편측 뇌성마비 환자의 보행 기시(gait initiation)의 특성을 파악하고, 동적 단하지 보조기(dynamic ankle foot orthosis : DAFO)가 이런 환자들의 보행 기시에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위하여 실시하였다. 연구대상자는 19세 선천성 강직성 우측 뇌성마비를 가진 여자 대학생이었다. 연구대상자는 4개의 다른 보행 기시 조건에서 각 조건당 7회의 보행 기시를 하였는데, 각각의 보행 기시 조건은: 1) 보조기 없이 좌측 하지로 보행 기시; 2) 우측 하지 보조기 착용 상태에서 좌측하지로 보행 기시; 3) 보조기 없이 우측 하지로 보행 기시; 4) 우측 하지 보조기 착용 상태에서 우측 하지로 보행 기시였다. 두개의 힘 판(force plate) 위에서 본인이 선택한 가장 편안한 방법과 속도로 2 m를 걷도록 하였다. 연구대상자가 보행 기시를 하는 동안 양쪽 가자미근과 앞정강근에 부착된 4개의 표면 전극으로부터 근 전도 신호와 보행 기시를 하는 연구 대상의 양 발 아래 놓인 두개의 힘 판의 자료를 분석하여 체중(body weight : BW)으로 정량화 하였다. 실험결과는 각 조건마다 7회 실시된 측정값들의 평균을 이용하였다. 본 사전연구의 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 보행 기시 전 양다리로 선 상태에서 환측보다 건측으로 많은 체중지지를 하였으나(환측 42.57%BW, 건측 58.03%BW) 보조기의 착용이 환측으로의 체중지지를 향상시켰다(환측 44.46%BW, 건측 55.54%BW). 2. 보행 기시 중 가자미근과 앞정강근의 동시수축(coactivation)이 계속되었는데 이러한 양상은 보조기의 착용 유무에 따라 크게 달라지지 않았다. 3. 힘 판에서 들어온 지면 반발력(ground reaction force)의 수직 분력(vertical element, Fz)과 전후 분력(anterior-posterior element, Fx)을 분석한 결과, 건측 다리로 보행 기시를 할 때 보조기 착용은 가속을 촉진시켜 역학적으로 유리하였다. 이상의 연구 결과는 보조기의 착용이 건측 다리로 보행 기시를 할 때 미치는 신경학적, 역학적 장점들에 대한 구체적 연구의 필요성 및 근거를 제시하고, 환자들의 보행훈련 접근에 보다 효율적인 보행방법을 소개하는데 이용될 수 있다.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.375-386
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• 2022

Work involving standing or walking for a long time can cause swelling, pain, and fatigue in the lower extremities due to the effect of gravity on the circulation of the body. This study aimed to confirm the effects of aromatherapy essential oils, as a complementary and alternative therapy, on lower extremity edema, pain, and fatigue when applied as a foot bath or spray. The study was conducted after daytime work over two consecutive days on nurses who volunteered at the E University Hospital in D Metropolitan city between 15 August 2018 and 11 October 2018. This randomized controlled study. The foot bath group received a foot bath in 9 L of water containing 0.5 ml of essential oil blended with grapefruit and peppermint in a 1:1 ratio. The spray group received the same solution in 3% dilution in the form of a spray. Edema was assessed by measuring calf and ankle circumference, while pain and fatigue were evaluated using a numerical rating scale. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and repeated-measures ANOVA. The calf circumference in the foot bath and spray groups significantly reduced compared to that in the control group (F = 14.053, p <.001) after the interventions. Lower extremity pain (F = 42.497, p < .001) and fatigue (F = 20.641, p < .001) also significantly reduced in the foot bath and spray groups compared to those in the control group after the interventions. Foot bath is recommended to relieve swelling and pain in the lower extremities, and aroma spray is highly recommended considering the ease of application.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.159-164
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• 2018

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the impact peak force and kinematic variables in running speed and investigate the relationship between them. Method: Thirty-nine male heel strike runners ($mean\;age=21.7{\pm}1.6y$, $mean\;mass=72.5{\pm}8.7kg$, $mean\;height=176.6{\pm}6.1cm$) were recruited in this investigation. The impact peak forces during treadmill running were assessed, and the kinematic variables were computed using three-dimensional data collected using eight infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden). One-way analysis of variance ANOVAwas used to investigate the influence of the running speed on the parameters, and Pearson's partial correlation was used to investigate the relationship between the impact peak force and kinematic variables. Results: The running speed affected the impact peak force, stride length, stride frequency, and kinematic variables during the stride phase and the foot angle at heel contact; however, it did not affect the ankle and knee joint angles in the sagittal plane at heel contact. No significant correlation was noted between the impact peak force and kinematic variables in constantrunning speed. Conclusion: Increasing ankle and knee joint angles at heel contact may not be related to the mechanism behind reducing the impact peak force during treadmill running at constant speed.