• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.78-84
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare gait patterns during pregnancy. Because of the changes in hormone levels and anatomical changes such as body mass, body-mass distribution, joint laxity, and musculotendinous strength that result from pregnancy, it was possible that there would be certain gait deviations associated with these changes. Three-dimensional gait analyses were performed from a self-selected pace, and six subjects(height : $163{\pm}5.3cm$, mass : $61.3{\pm}3.80kg$, $65.3{\pm}5.14kg$, $70.2{\pm}4.98kg$) participated in the three times(the early, middle and last years). 7 cameras(Proreflex MCU-240, Qualisys) and 2 force plates (Type 9286AA, Kistler) were used to acquire raw data. The parameters were calculated and analyzed with Visual-3D and Joint moments computed using inverse dynamics. In conclusion, pregnant women's gait patterns were changed during pregnancy period because pregnancy makes them physical changes. The main changes were joint moments and kinematic factors during pregnancy period. The pregnancy transformed normal gait pattern Into toe out position. Therefore, exercise programs to improve muscle activity were necessary where joint moments were small. The development of simulator should be studied for pregnant women's tailored shoes and accessories in future.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.77-86
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the variations in gait parameters in terms of the type of arm sling used in hemiplegic patients. Ten patients with hemiplegia and ten healthy adults participated in this study and walked at self-selected speeds on a GAITRite-instrumented carpet. The activities of the opposite shoulder girdle muscle including the latissimus dorsi, anterior deltoid, and posterior deltoid were simultaneously recorded using surface EMG during gait. They were randomly assigned a condition: without an arm sling, a single strap arm sling, a Harris hemi arm sling, a Rolyan humeral cuff arm sling, and a Bobath roll arm sling. The following gait variables were analyzed: the temporo-spatial parameters of velocity, step length, stride length, swing phase, stance phase, single support, step time and toe in/toe out. The statistical analysis was one-way ANOVA with repeated measures to compare the variation of each variable. In comparison of parameters in each trial in the hemiplegia group, the non-affected side stride length, single support, and toe in/toe out resulted in statistically significantly changes (p<.05). But without an arm sling group did not show any gait parameter differences with arm slings. This study found that several arm slings varied gait patterns in patients with hemiplegia and in healthy adults. In the EMG analysis, the Rolyan humeral cuff arm sling and the Bobath roll arm sling were higher muscle activity for the latissimus dorsi muscle than did the single strap ann sling. Further study should examine the problems that appeared in patients who worn arm slings by focusing on a larger number of subjects and by studying the variety of responses in more detail using an assessment tool that measures variation.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.291-300
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• 2019

Purpose : This study focuses on the influence of bridge exercise combined with whole body vibration on muscle activity and balance. Methods : 30 stroke patients were recruited for subjects. The subjects were divided to bridge exercise combined stable surface (Group I), bridge exercise combined unstable surface (Group II), and bridge exercise combined bridge exercise (Group III), of which 10 subjects were randomly allocated. The subjects were given 30 minutes of neurologic physical therapy which included gait training and muscular strength training, and additionally given 30 minutes of bridge exercise combined stable surface, bridge exercise combined unstable surface, and bridge exercise combined whole body vibration for each group, five times a week, for 8 weeks. Their muscle activity and balance were analyzed before the intervention. After 8 weeks of the intervention, the mentioned parameters were measured once more for between-group analysis. Results : Comparative analysis of the muscle activity and balance between the groups showed statistically significant difference, and post-hoc analysis showed the Group III had greater changes in muscle activity and balance than Group Iand Group II. Conclusion : Such results revealed that bridge exercise combined with whole body vibration is effective in muscle activity and balance. Based on the current study, more effective program is to be proposed for elite athletes as well as stroke patients. Based on the current study, studies that incorporates various frequencies of vibration is required for development of effective whole body vibration exercise program.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.97-105
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of an aquatic exercise program on physical fitness, body composition, and gait characteristics using trunk and pelvic angle in women living in urban fringe area. Methods: An aquatic exercise program consists of exercise in a swimming pool and self-help group activity with 16 women living in urban fringe (mean age: 63 years) for 8 weeks (twice a week for 2 hours). Physical fitness, body composition, trunk and pelvic angle using 2D video motion analyzer, and a questionnaire including socio-demographic variables were measured from July to August, 2013. Data were analyzed using a paired t-test with the SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Results: At the end of 8 weeks intervention, there were significant decreases on body weight (p=.025), body fat (p=.030) and BMI (p=.011). There were significant increases on muscle strength (p=.001) and flexibility (p=.015). Trunk angle was significantly improved, which means participants less moved their body from side to side when they walked (p=.001). Conclusion: From this results, the aquatic exercise program could be an effective nursing intervention to improve physical fitness, body composition, and gait ability for women living in urban fringe area.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.109-111
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• 1989

An electrical stimulator was designed to induce locomotion for paraplegic patients caused by central nervous system injury. Optimal stimulus parameters, which can minimize muscle fatigue and can achieve effective muscle contraction were determined in slow and fast muscles in Sprague-Dawley rats. Stimulus patterns of our stimulator were designed to simulate electromyographic activity monitored during locomotion of normal subjects. Muscle types of the lower extremity were classified according to their mechanical property of contraction, which are slow muscle (msoleus m.) and fast muscle (medial gastrocneminus m., rectus femoris m., vastus lateralis m.). Optimal parameters of electrical stimulation for slow muscles were 20 Hz, 0.2 ms square pulse. For fast muscle, 40 Hz, 0.3 ms square pulse was optimal to produce repeated contraction. Higher stimulus intensity was required when synergistic muscles were stimulated simultaneously than when they were stimulated individually. Electrical stimulation for each muscle was designed to generate bipedal locomotion, so that individual muscles alternate contraction and relaxation to simulate stance and swing phases. Portable electrical stimulator with 16 channels built in microprocessor was constructed and applied to paraplegic patients due to lumbar cord injury. The electrical stimulator restored partially gait function in paraplegic patients.

• Journal of Sport and Applied Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.21-29
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was to investigate the effects of isometric exercise on muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers. Research design, data, and methodology: Twenty gait asymmetry people were divided to unilateral exercise group (UG, n=10) and bilateral exercise group (BG, n=10). UG were performed unilateral exercise for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks, and BG were performed one side and then the other side alternately for 60 minutes, three times a week, and 16 weeks. Muscle activity and body balance ability were measured before, after 4 and 16 weeks isometric exercise. Moreover, SI (symmetry index; SI) was calculated from the measured value of SL (step length). Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and two-way ANOVA with repeated measures, a paired t-test, and multiple comparisons according to Scheffe. Results: In the muscle activity, ST decreased significantly in short step length(S-SL) and BG of LS compared to before isometric exercise(p<.05), and GCM decreased significantly in BG of S-SL(p<.05). As for body balance ability, the mSEBT-A difference between L-SL and S-SL was decreased significantly in UG(p<.05). And the respective total scores of L-SL and S-SL, mSEBT-PM and mSEBT-PL were increased significantly in BG(p<.05). Conclusions: As a result, in this study above, it was confirmed that isometric exercise improved muscle activity and body balance ability in asymmetrical walkers.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.145-150
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• 2023

Purpose: This study examined the effects of ankle control training using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), leg muscle activation, and balance in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty-one stroke patients diagnosed with cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage were selected for the study. The experimental group underwent ankle control training using NMES, while the control group applied NMES to the paretic tibialis anterior muscle for 30 minutes per session, five times a week for four weeks. The muscle activity changes were measured using surface electromyography, and balance parameters were evaluated using a functional reach test (FRT). Results: The intra-group comparison of the concentric muscle activity revealed improvements in the experimental group, including paretic tibialis anterior (TA) muscle (p<0.05), medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) (p<0.01), and lateral gastrocnemius muscle (LG) (p<0.05), as well as MG (p<0.05), LG (p<0.05), soleus muscle (p<0.05) of the non-paretic side, and soleus muscle symmetry index (p<0.05). The intra-group comparison of the eccentric muscle activity showed improvements in the experimental group, including MG (p<0.01) and LG (p<0.01) of the paretic side, as well as MG (p<0.01), LG (p<0.01) of the non-paretic side, and LG symmetry index (p<0.01). The intra-group comparison of the functional reach test revealed significant differences in the test results in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ankle control training using NMES had a positive effect on the changes in muscle activation and improved balance in patients with stroke.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.110-119
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• 2023

Background: Osteoarthritis is a common condition with an increasing prevalence and is a common cause of disability. Osteoarthritic pain decreases the quality of life, and simple gait training is used to alleviate it. Knee osteoarthritis limits joint motion in the sagittal and lateral directions. Although many recent studies have activated orthotic research to increase knee joint stabilization, no study has used patellar tendon straps to treat knee osteoarthritis. Objects: This study aimed to determine the effects of patellar tendon straps on kinematic, mechanical, and electromyographic activation in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Patients with knee osteoarthritis were selected. After creating the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), leg length difference, Q-angle, and thumb side flexion angle of the foot were measured. Kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation data during walking before and after wearing the orthosis were viewed. Results: After wearing the patellar tendon straps, hip adduction from the terminal stance phase, knee flexion from the terminal swing phase, and ankle plantar flexion angle increased during the pre-swing and initial swing phases. The cadence of spatiotemporal parameters and velocity increased, and step time, stride time, and foot force duration decreased. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the increase in plantar flexion after strap wearing is inferred by an increase due to neurological mechanisms, and adduction at the hip joint is inferred by an increase in adduction due to increased velocity. The increase in cadence and velocity and the decrease in gait speed and foot pressure duration may be due to joint stabilization. It can be inferred that joint stabilization is increased by wearing knee straps. Thus, wearing a patellar tendon strap during gait in patients with knee osteoarthritis influences kinematic changes in the sagittal plane of the joint.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.49-56
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematic characteristics and muscle activities during the following two conditions: transition from half-kneel to standing on the affected leg and non-affected leg. Methods: Twenty-one hemiplegic patients participated in the study. A motion analysis system was used to record the range of motion and angle velocity of the hip, knee and ankle from the half-kneel to the standing position. Electromyography was used to record the activity of 4 muscles. Results: The statistical analysis showed that the minimum ROM of the hip joint was less on the affected leg during transition from half-kneel to standing. However, the minimum ROM of the knee and ankle joints was less on the non-affected leg during transition from half-kneel to standing. The angle velocity of the knee and ankle joints was less during transition from half kneeling to standing on the non-affected leg. Muscle activity of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior was less while moving from half-kneel to the standing position on the affected leg. Conclusion: These results show that greater active ROM of the knee and ankle was required on the affected leg for transition from half-kneel to the standing position than for normal gait. Muscle activity of the rectus femoris and tibialis anterior is normally required for movement from the half-kneel to the standing position during normal gait. Further studies are needed to investigate the antigravity movement in healthy subjects and hemiplegic patients in order to completely understand the normal and abnormal movement from the half-kneel to the standing position.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.38-58
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• 2004

The regain of independent ambulatory ability is a important goal in the rehabilitation program of hemiplegic patient. Not only the function of lower extremity muscles, but also trunk muscles which stabilize extremities and pelvis, are important factors in normal gait. Therefor, it is necessary to develop an effective program which can improve muscle strength and symmetric activity of trunk muscles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of trunk muscle strengthening by forceful respiratory exercise on the gait asymmetry ratio in hemiplegic patient. 45 Hemiplegic patients due to stroke was randomized in 3 groups, forceful expiratory training(FET), forceful inspiratory training(FIT) and control group. In the experimental groups, ordinary physical therapy with forceful expiratory training and forceful inspiratory training for 20 minutes duration 3 times per week for 6 weeks were respectively performed. In the control group, only ordinary physical therapy was done. Before and after experiments, temporal-spatial gait parameters was measured in all patients. The data of 28 patients who carried out the whole experimental course were statistically analysed. The results of these experiment are as follows : 1. In comparison of difference of single support time asymmetry ratio among 3 groups, the FET group was significantly decreased than the control group (p<.05). 2. In comparison of difference of step length asymmetry ratio among 3 groups, the FIT group was significantly decreased than the control group (p<.05). Based on these results, it is concluded that the forced respiratory exercise program for 6 weeks can be improve the gait asymmetry ratio in hemiplegic patients. Therefore, the forced respiratory exercise is useful to improve the walking ability in hemiplegic patients. Since this study dealt only with the patients who could walk more than 3 meters in distance on floor independently, the further study for evaluating the influence of the forceful respiratory exercise on patients with acute stage stroke and also the development in various methods of use are expected.