• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2017

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the differences in skiing time and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) between the basic parallel turn and short turn. Method: Eleven alpine ski instructors (age: $28.73{\pm}4.29yrs$, height: $172.36{\pm}6.30cm$, body mass: $71.45{\pm}9.16kg$, career: $11.09{\pm}2.70yrs$) participated in this study. Each skier was asked to perform a basic parallel turn and short turn on a $16^{\circ}$ groomed slope. A foot pressure measurement system was used to measure the skiing time and vGRF under the three plantar regions (forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot). Results: Skiing time decreased significantly in all three phases during the short turn (p<.05). In the initiation phase, the vGRF showed a greater decrease on the midfoot and rearfoot during the short turn (p<.05). In the steering phase 1, the vGRF showed a greater increase on the forefoot and decreased on the midfoot during the short turn (p<.05). In the steering phase 2, the vGRF showed a greater increase on the forefoot and rearfoot during the short turn (p<.05). Conclusion: Our findings proved that the skiing time and vGRF changed during the short turn. Consequently, we suggest that recreational skiers should decrease the skiing time of the steering phase compared to that of the initiation phase and increase the vGRF on the forefoot and rearfoot in the steering phase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.305-320
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• 2014

This study identifies the foot shapes of elderly women by classifying foot type according to the 3D shape of the foot and 2D sole type analyzing individual characteristics. The subjects were 295 elderly women over 60 years of age who live in Gwangju. A foot scanner (K&I Technology $Nexcan^{(R)}$) was used to obtain three-dimensional shapes of feet and a flat bad scanner (HP Scanjet G2410) was used to obtain the two-dimensional shapes of soles. The anthropometric measuring items consisted of 59 items estimated on the right foot of each subject. Data were analyzed by various statistical methods such as factor analysis, ANOVA and cluster analysis using the SPSS 19.0 statistical program. To classify the side type of elderly women's feet, three-dimensional measurement data were analyzed for the 27 measurement items using factor analysis and 6 factors were extracted (inside height and side gradient, ankle thickness, toe height and midfoot size, lateral malleolus height, instep, and heel height and gradient). A cluster analysis resulted in three types: 36.5% belonged to Type 1 (high forefoot and high midfoot), 31.1% belonged to Type 2 (high forefoot and low midfoot), and 32.4% belonged to Type 3 (low forefoot and high midfoot). The distribution was relatively even. For the sole, 8 factors were extracted (ball width and medial foot protrusion, lateral foot protrusion, forefoot and hindfoot length ratio, ball gradient, heel size, toe breadth, lateral ball length, and foot length) and a cluster analysis resulted in three Types (Type H, Type D, and Type A). The largest proportion (42.7%) belonged to Type H, which is the same as the elderly men's case.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-121
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of forefoot rocker shoes equipped with a metatarsal bar on lower extremity muscle activity and plantar pressure distribution. Ten healthy women in the age of twenties were participated in this study as the subjects. All subjects walked on a treadmill(Gait Trainer, BIODEX, USA) wearing normal shoes and metatarsal bar shoes, during which the plantar pressure distribution and muscle activity were measured. Using Pedar-X system(Novel Gmbh, Germany), the plantar pressure was measured for six regions of the foot: forefoot, midfoot, rearfoot, 1st metatarsal, 2-3th metatarsal, and 4-5th metatarsal, and for each sub-region, 4 features such as maximum force, contact area, peak pressure, and mean pressure were analyzed based on the plantar pressure. EMG(Electromyography) activity was measured by attaching surface electrodes to the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius medial head, and magnitude of muscle contraction was analyzed in IEMG(Integrated EMG) value. The results show that the maximum force, contact area, peak pressure, and mean pressure in the midfoot all increased while maximum force, peak pressure, contact area, mean pressure in the 1st metatarsal and 2-3th metatarsal all decreased when wearing functional shoes. Also, muscle activities in the four muscles were all decreased when wearing the functional shoes. This paper suggests that forfoot rocker shoes equipped with a metatarsal bar can help disperse the high pressure and absorb the shock to the foot as well as give positive influence on gait pattern and postural stability by reducing muscle fatigue during walking.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2020

Objective: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common musculoskeletal deformity that is accompanied with pain and continues to decrease one's quality of life and ability to perform daily life activities by affecting gait and static stability. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the angle of HV (HVA) and to compare the one-legged stance and gait parameters in young adults with less HV and severe HV. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty young adults were divided into two groups, where HVA ≥15° (n=20) was defined as HV, and HVA <15° (n=20) was defined as normal. For balance ability, the center of pressure (COP) path, velocity, length of axis of the COP path, deviation of the x-axis and y-axis, and percentage of foot pressure were measured, and gait, the foot rotation angle, step length, percentage of each phase of the gait cycle, time change from the heel to forefoot, and maximum pressure of the forefoot and midfoot were measured. Results: Significant differences were found in sway length and time change from heel to forefoot during walking between the normal and HV groups (p<0.05). Most parameters were not associated with the HVA, but parameters such as length of axis and time to change from heel to forefoot were significantly associated with the HVA (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that most one-legged stance and gait parameters were not significantly affected by the HVA in young adults; therefore, future studies are needed in order to address other dynamic parameters and other methods of gait analysis for detecting clinically meaningful conditions.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.66 no.12
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• pp.1810-1814
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• 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 Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.148-155
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• 2020

Purpose: Minor foot amputations are performed for recurrent or infected ulcers or osteomyelitis of the diabetic feet. Patients may require a large amount of bone resection for wound closure. On the other hand, this results in more foot dysfunction and a longer time to heal. The authors describe fillet flap coverage to avoid more massive resection in selected cases. This study shows the results of fillet flap coverage for the closure of diabetic foot minor amputation. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case series of patients who underwent forefoot and midfoot amputation and fillet flap for osteomyelitis or nonhealing ulcers between March 2013 to November 2017. In addition, the patient comorbidities, hospital days, complications, and duration to complete healing were evaluated. Results: Fourteen fillet flap procedures were performed on 12 patients. Of those, two had toe necrosis, nine had forefoot necrosis, and three had midfoot necrosis. Eleven forefoot amputations and three midfoot amputations were performed. Among forefoot necrosis after a fillet flap, three patients had revision surgery for partial necrosis of the flap, and two patients had an additional amputation. Two patients had additional amputations among those with midfoot necrosis. By the fillet flap, the amputation size was reduced as much as possible. The mean initial healing days, complete healing days, and hospital stay was 70.6 days, 129.0 days, and 60.0 days, respectively. Conclusion: The fillet flap facilitates restoration of the normal foot contour and allows salvage of the metatarsal or toe.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.459-466
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze of obstacle gait using spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables in children with autism. Fifteen children with autism and fifteen age-matched controls participated in the study. Spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables was investigated using GAITRite pressure sensor system. Each footprint was divided into 12 equal trapezoids and after that the hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot analysis was developed. Independent t-test was applied to compare the gait variables between the groups. The results showed that the autism group were significantly decreased in velocity, cadence, cycle and swing time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased in step width and toe out angle compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and forefoot of lateral part of footprint and forefoot of medial part of footprint in the peak time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and hindfoot in $P^*t$, at midfoot in active area, and at hindfoot in peak pressure compared to the control group. In conclusion, the children with autism showed abnormal obstacle gait characteristics due to muscle hypotonia, muscle rigidity, akinesia, bradykinesia and postural control impairments.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.77-82
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the pathway of COP and plantar foot pressure and to determine the correlation between plantar regions during the ascending and descending of a ramp. Methods: Fifteen healthy adults who had no musculoskeletal problems participated in our study. They were asked to walk on a level surface and on an ascending and descending ramp in their bare feet. Pathway of COP and plantar foot pressures were recorded using the Matscan system (Tekscan, Boston, USA). For pressure measurements, the plantar foot surface was divided into seven regions: two toe regions, three forefoot regions, a midfoot region, and a heel region. To determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between pathway of COP and plantar foot pressures during walking, we used repeated measuremes ANOVA. Results: In comparison to results for a level walking, pathway of COP while ascending a ramp had a tendency to be shifted medially in the forefoot and became longer till the big toe. Pathway of COP while descending a ramp also was shifted medially, but ended in the forefoot. Plantar foot pressure of the second and third metatarsal head and the fourth and fifth metatarsal heads was significantly decreased while descending the ramp. Conclusion: These results indicated that plantar foot pressure is changed while ascending and descending a ramp and demonstrated that ramp walking can affect the structure and function of the foot. Therefore, gait environment is associated with significant changes in foot characteristics, which contribute to altered plantar loading patterns during gait.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-11
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• 2017

Purpose: We retrospectively analyzed the radiographic and clinical results after the first ray of forefoot osteotomy using low profile wedge plate without additional cancellous bone grafting for pes planus correction. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this study. Medial cuneiform opening wedge osteotomy was performed in 12 patients (Cotton osteotomy, group C) and first metatarsal base osteotomy was performed in 12 patients (group MT). Results: On average, the wedge size was 5.61 mm (5~6 mm). The mean time to radiographic union was 3.18 and 3.27 months in groups C and MT, respectively. Postoperative talonavicular coverage angle, talo-first metatarsal angle (anteroposterior), talo-first metatarsal angle (lateral), talo-calcaneal angle (lateral), medial cuneiform height, and American orthopaedic foot, as well as ankle society midfoot scale were significantly improved in both groups. Nonunion, delayed union or fixation failure was not presented in our series. Conclusion: We have shown that low profile wedge plate was effective in the case of first ray forefoot osteotomy for pes planus correction without any additional cancellous bone grafting.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.602-607
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• 2017

This study was undertaken to compare the gait characteristics between the Korean elderly and young adults, we measured the plantar pressure and contact time of gait with barefoot along a walkway at their preferred walking speed. The results indicate that older people exhibited significantly less plantar pressure than young adult in all 3 regions (FF, MF and RF) and significantly less time % on the initial contact phase (ICP), forefoot push-off phase (FFPOP) and significantly more % forefoot contact phase (FFCP) and foot flat phase (FFP). The converted plantar pressure value to percentage, it showed more pressure in forefoot (FF) in the elderly person than the young adults. It could be explained that the forward shifting in plantar pressure are associated with a more flexed posture of elderly such as actual stabilizing fearrelated adaptations. Longer total foot contact time in the elderly means that the old people show the decreased gait velocity. In other words, lower velocity was found to be associated with pre-existing fear of falling. With longer contact time and slower stepping movement, the elderly become more unstable. With these findings, it could be confirmed that there were significant changes in foot characteristics which contribute to alter the plantar pressure and contact time during gait with advancing age. Further research is required to establish possible links to risk of falling and development of footwear in the elderly adults.