• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2018

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effects of freezing of gait on spatiotemporal variables, ground reaction forces (GRFs), and joint moments during the sit-to-walk task at the preferred and maximum speeds in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Method: The subjects were classified by a neurologist into 12 freezers, 12 non-freezers, and 12 controls. Sit-to-walk parameters were measured during three repetitions of the task in a random order at the preferred and maximum possible speeds. Results: In the sit-to-walk task at the preferred speed, the freezers and non-freezers exhibited a higher peak anterior-posterior GRF (p<0.001) in the sit-to-stand phase and lower step velocity (p<0.001), step length (p<0.001), and peak anterior-posterior GRF (p<0.001) in the first-step phase than the controls. The freezers had higher peak anterior-posterior GRF (p<0.001) and peak moment of the hip joint (p=0.008) in the sit-to-stand phase than the non-freezers. In the sit-to-walk phase at the maximum speed, the freezers and non-freezers had lower peak moment of the hip joint (p=0.008) in the sit-to-stand phase than the controls. The freezers and non-freezers displayed lower step velocity (p<0.001) and peak anterior-posterior GRF (p<0.001) in the first-step phase than the controls. The freezers showed higher peak moments of the hip joint in the sit-to-stand phase than the non-freezers (p=0.008). Conclusion: The PD patients had reduced control ability in sit-to-stand motions for efficient performance of the sit-to-walk task and reduced performance in the sit-to-walk task. Furthermore, the freezers displayed reduced control ability in the sit-to-stand task. Finally, the PD patients exhibited a lower ability to control dynamic stability with changes in speed than the controls.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.344-350
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• 2013

A recent study reporting significantly reduced symmetry in arm swing amplitude in early Parkinson's disease (PD), as measured during gait by auditory cues velocity, led to this investigation of arm swing symmetry and amplitude in PD. The subjects were 14 elderly patients diagnosed with PD. Patients were measured of three conditions performed in random order: slow, general, fast. The auditory cue velocity consisted of a metronome beat ${\pm}20%$ than the subject's general gait speed. Using a motion analysis measurement system, changes in kinematic variables were compared to arm swing analysis. PD groups showed a highly significant reduction of the arm swing amplitude on the more affected body side(MAS)(p<.05). Comparison between the auditory cues velocity, there was a significant increase arm swing amplitude in fast velocity gait than slow and general velocity gait(p<.05). We conclude that motion analysis during gait by auditory cues velocity allows reliable investigation of asymmetric arm movements in early PD patients which attenuate with ongoing disease. The measurement of limb kinematics during gait by auditory cues velocity can broaden our methodological line-up for the analysis of complex motor programs in movement disorders.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to identify effects of walking speed and a cognitive task during treadmill walking on gait variability. Experiments consisted of 5 different walking speeds(80%, 90%, 100%, 110% and 120% of preferred walking speed) with/without a cognitive task. 3D motion analysis system was used to measure subject's kinematic data. Temporal/spatial variables were selected for this study; stride time, stance time, swing time, step time, double support time, stride length, step length and step width. Two parameters were used to compare stride-to-stride variability with/without cognitive task. One is the coefficient of variance which is used to describe the amount of variability. The other is the detrended fluctuation analysis which is used to infer self-similarity from fluctuation of aspects. Results showed that cognitive task may influence stride-to-stride variability during treadmill walking. Further study is necessary to clarify this result.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.762-770
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect on the vertical ground reaction force, the elapsed time, and the center of pressure factors during gait by maepsi exercise program, which is a whole body exercise, to middle-aged women for 8 weeks. A total of 25 subjects participated in this study, 13 in the exercise group(age, 41±4.4 years; heigh, 162.5±5.8cm; weight, 57.8±6.7kg; body mass, 21.9±2.4kg/m2) and 12 in the control group(age, 41.1±5.6 years; height, 160.9±5.5 cm; weight, 576.2±8.1 kg; body mass, 21.7±2.9 kg/m2). In the exercise group, the maepsi exercise program consisting of 7 areas, 23 types and 77 movements, was conducted 3 times a week for 8 weeks. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to verify the ground reaction force factors during gait, and the post-test was analyzed with bonferroni adjustment(a=.05). In the exercise group, compared to the control group, the exercise group showed higher values than the control group in the elapsed time to FMWA and FPO, vertical ground reaction force at FMWA and FPO, and RMS factors of COP in the AP direction. Therefore, it was found that the 8-week maepsi exercise program improved the acceleration and deceleration exercise functions of middle-aged women who performed gait.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to qualitatively analyze pressure intensity and the center of pressure(COP) trajectory according to shoe type. Subjects were ten first-year female university students. The EMED-AT 25/D(Novel, Germany) was used to measure pressure intensity and COP trajectory. The COP Excursion Index(CPEI) was used for within subject test design. Independent variables were bare feet and six types of shoes. Dependent variables were center of pressure trajectory and pressure intensity. Barefeet and five toed shoes had a similar pressure intensity and COP trajectory. COP trajectory for all other shoe types showed a medial wobble at the heel. Pressure intensity for all other shoe types was related to the structure of the shoes. In conclusion, different shoe types can not only affect gait, but they can also influence foot deformities, pain, and dysfunction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the dynamic range of motion (ROM) of the hip, knee, and ankle joint when wearing different shoe sole lifts, as well as the limb asymmetry of the range according to the leg length discrepancy (LLD) during normal speed walking. METHODS: The participants were 40 healthy adults. A motion analysis system was used to collect kinematic ROM data. The participants had 40 markers attached to their lower extremities and were asked to walk on a 6 m walkway, under three different shoe lift conditions (without an insole, 1 cm insole, and 2 cm insole). Visual3D professional software was used to coordinate kinematic ROM data. RESULTS: Most of the ROM variables of the short limbs were similar under each insole lift condition (p>.05). In contrast, when wearing a shoe with a 2 cm insole lift, the long limbs showed significant increases in flexion and extension of the knee joint as well as; plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, pronation, eversion, and inversion of the ankle joint (p<.05). Of the shoes with the insole lifts, significant differences in all ROM variables were observed between the left and right knees, except for the knee internal rotation (p<.05). CONCLUSION: As the insole lift was increased, more ROM differences were observed between the left and right limbs, and the asymmetry of the bilateral lower limbs increased. Therefore, appropriate interventions for LLD are needed because an artificial mild LLD of less than 2.0 cm could lead to a range of musculoskeletal problems of the lower extremities, such as knee and ankle osteoarthritis.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.321-335
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neck traction and foot type on plantar pressure distribution during walking. Method: Total of 24 data were collected from women working with a computer for more than 6 hours every day. Three groups by foot type were divided: Pes Planus, normal foot, and Pes Cavus. Depending on the foot type and cervical traction, plantar pressure variables were measured; CA, MF, PP, and CT. Each variable was divided into 12 masks. MANOVA was performed for the difference of plantar pressure variables by foot type, and a paired t-test was performed for the cervical traction within groups. Results: The total CA decreased in the Pes Planus (p<.001) and Pes Cavus (p<.05) groups. MF increased in the big toe (p<.01) and 2nd toe (p<.05) of the normal foot, and MF-3rd metatarsal decreased (p<.01). The MF-2nd toe (p<.01) and 3rd toe (p<.05) of Pes Cavus decreased. The PP decreased in 2nd toe (p<.05), 3rd toe (p<.01), and 4th toe (p<.05) of the Pes Cavus. In normal foot, the PP-3rd metatarsal (p<.05) and PP-4th metatarsal (p<.01) reduced. In Pes Planus, PP decreased in the hindfoot (p<.05). In Pes Cavus group wearing a neck-tractor, the CT-hindfoot increased (p<.05). Conclusion: There was a significant change in the plantar pressure change by foot type after neck traction. When walking with a neck-tractor, the heel impact was alleviated in the Pes Planus, and the Pes Cavus showed the smooth and effective propulsion in the push-off. Overall, weight acceptance was effectively performed when walking with neck-traction. It was also found that the neck-tractor corrects the alignment of the neck, thereby creating a more stable gait pattern.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

Purpose: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of the lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise on balance and ambulation of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: 10 subjects who participated in this research undertook the 12-week the lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise program, which consisted of a series of mat exercises and sling exercises. The statistical significances were examined by using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, a non-parametric test, for evaluating the improvement of balance and ambulation of the subjects. In order to evaluate the correlation among the variables, Pearson's correlation coefficients were also calculated. In all statistical analyses the significance level was selected as ${\alpha}$=0.05. Results: Berg balance scale(BBS) was significantly increased after the intervention(p<.05). Percentage weight bearing(PWB) was decreased after the intervention, but there was no significant difference. Time up and go test(TUG) value was significantly decreased(p<.05). Gait velocities was increased after the intervention, but there was no significance. Stride length, step lengths of the affected side and the sound side were significantly increased after the intervention(p<.05). In the correlation analyses of the measures before the intervention, TUG had significant negative correlation to BBS and gait velocity(p<.05). Stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side had significant positive correlation between themselves(p<.01). In the correlation analyses of the measures after the intervention, TUG had significant negative correlation to BBS and gait velocity(p<.05). BBS revealed significant positive correlations to stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side(p<.05). Stride length, step lengths of the sound side and the affected side had significant positive correlation between themselves(p<.01). Conclusion: Based upon the outcomes as above, it is likely that the muscle strength exercises have substantial effects on balance and ambulation of children with cerebral palsy. Thus various lower extremity muscle strengthening exercise programs are required to be studied and developed in order to contribute to functional improvements of children with cerebral palsy.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.249-257
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• 2018

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effects of additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface on the balance and walking ability of individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Sixteen patients with chronic stroke participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: experimental group (n=8) and control group (n=8). All the participants underwent a typical physical therapy program for 30 min a day. Moreover, the experimental group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on an unstable surface, whereas the control group participated in a 30 min trunk exercise program on a stable surface. Both groups performed the exercises five times a week for three weeks. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to measure changes in balance. The gait variables were measured using the GAITRite system (CIR System Inc., Clifton, NJ, USA) to examine changes in walking ability. Results: Both groups showed a significant intragroup improvement in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). In the intergroup comparisons after the intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements over the control group in balance, gait speed, cadence, stride length, and double support period (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study applied additional trunk exercises on an unstable surface to chronic stroke patients, and the results showed a significant improvement in the patients' balance and walking abilities. Therefore, trunk exercise on an unstable surface may be applicable as an intervention method to improve the balance and walking ability of chronic stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.59-70
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to propose a task-related circuits program for stroke patients and to test the difference in functional improvements between patients undergoing conventional physical therapy and those participating in a task-related circuits exercise program. The subjects were 10 stroke in-patients of the Korea National Rehabilitation Center in Seoul. We measured the following variables: Motor Assessment Scale (MAS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tone Assessment Scale (TAS), speed of gait, rate of step, physiological costs index, age, weight, height, site of lesion, onset day and whether the subject participated in an exercise program. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 10.0/PC using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon rank sum test and Spearman's correlation. The results of the experiment were as follows: (1) In the pre-test and post-test for function, there was not a statistical significance between the group partaking in a task-related circuits program and the group of conventional physical therapy (p>.05). (2) In the MAS, BBS and speed of gait test, the group undergoing conventional physical therapy showed a statistical significance (p<.05). (3) In the MAS, BBS, speed of gait, PCI, TAS (passive, associated reaction, TAS total score), the group of task-related circuits program showed a statistical significance (p<.05). As a result, the group participating in a task-related circuits program had a more functional improvement than the group participating in conventional physical therapy. Therefore, an intervention recommended for a stroke patient would be a task-related circuits program consisting of a longer session of each task for a more improved functional recovery.