• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.443-455
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• 2012

The configuration of a musculoskeletal (MS) system is closely related to the individual motions of the human body. Many researches have been focused on evaluating the associations between the MS configuration and the individual motion using patient-specific MS models, but it still remains a challenging issue to accurately predict the motion by differed configurations of the MS system. The main objective of this paper is to predict the changes of a patient-specific gait by altering the geometric parameters of the hip joint using function-based morphing method (FBM). FBM is suitable for motion analysis since this method provide a robust way to morph a MS model while preserving the biomechanical functions of the bones. Computed-muscle control technique is used to calculate the muscle excitations to reproduce the targeted motion within a digital MS model without the motion-captured data. We applied this approach to a patient who has an abnormal gait pattern. Results showed that the femoral neck length and the angle significantly affect to the motion especially for the hip abduction angle during gait, and that this approach is suitable for gait prediction.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2018

Background: Stroke patients show abnormal walking patterns due to brain injury. In order to have the desired walking pattern, appropriate stimulation is required to activate the central pattern generator. For this reason, our study performed treadmill ambulatory training with rhythmic auditory stimulation. However we did not consider the influence of visual feedback. Objects: The purpose of this study was to compare the gait abilities in chronic stroke patients following either treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback (TRASVF) or treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation (TRAS) alone. Methods: Twenty-one stroke patients were divided into two groups: A TRASVF group (10 subjects) and a TRAS group (11 subjects). They received 30 minutes of neuro-developmental therapy (NDT) and walking training for 30 minutes, five times a week for three weeks. Temporal and spatial gait parameters were measured before and after the training period. The Biodex gait trainer treadmill system measured gait parameters. Results: After the training periods, the TRASVF group showed a significant improvement in walking speed, the step length of the affected limb, and time on each foot of the affected limb when compared to the TRAS group (p<.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation and visual feedback improved individual gait ability more than the treadmill walking training with rhythmic auditory stimulation alone. Therefore, visual feedback should be considered along with rhythmic auditory stimulation training.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of aquatic walking exercise on gait and balance parameters of elderly women. Method: 15 elderly people were recruited for this study (age: 73.20±5.19 yrs, height: 153.87±3.36 cm, mass: 60.33±5.73 kg). All variables were measured using Gaitview AFA-50. The variables were the heel contact time ratio, gait angle, and M/P change ratio for gait patterns and ENV, REC, RMS, Total Length, TLC, Sway velocity, and Length/ENV for balance abilities. A paired t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test were carried out to verify the differences in the test scores after participating in the water walking program. The significance level for all statistical analyses was set to α=.05. Results: As for the changes in their walking function after the exercise, heel contact time ratio (p<.01) showed a statistical significance, while gait angle and M/P change ratio did not reveal statistically significant differences. In the test of balance ability on both feet and with eyes opened, statistical significance was found in ENV, REC, RMS, TLC (p<.01), and sway velocity (p<.05), while the test with eyes closed showed statistical significance in length/ENV as well as ENV, REC, RMS, sway velocity (p<.01) TLC, and total length (p<.05). As for the single-leg stance balance ability, ENV and REC revealed statistically significant differences. Conclusion: These results show that water walking is effective for improving the function of the ankle flexor muscles, providing stability to the ankle joint during walking and helping efficient walk. In addition, it is also expected to help prevent falls due to loss of balance by improving the stability of lower extremity muscles and trunk.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.633-650
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during ascent ramp climbing at different inclinations. Twenty-three subjects ascended a four step at four different inclinations(level, $8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$). The 3-D kinematics was analysed by a camera-based falcon system. Groups difference was tested with one -way ANOVA and SNK test. The different kinematic patterns of ramp ascent were analysed and compared to level walking patterns. The kinematics of ramp walking could be clearly distinguished from the kinematics of level walking. In sagittal plane, Ankle joint was more dorsiflexed at initial contact and Max. dorsiflex. during stance phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination and more plantarflexed at toe off and Max. plantarflex. during swing phase with $24^{\circ}$(p<.001). Knee joint was more flexed at initial contact with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.001). Hip joint was more flexed at initial contact and Max. flex. during swing phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination and at toe off with $24^{\circ}$(p<.001) and was more extended at Max. ext. during stance phase with $24^{\circ}$(p<.05). In frontal plane, ankle joint was more everted at Max. eversion. during stance phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.001). Knee joint was more increased at Max. varus. during stance phase with $16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.001). Hip joint was not differentiated with different inclinations. In horizontal plane, all joints were not differentiated with different inclinations. Conclusionally, In ascent ramp walking, the different gait pattern generally occurred at over $16^{\circ}$ on the ascending ramp in sagittal and frontal plane. These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between a level walking and a ascent ramp walking gait pattern. This shows their motor control strategy between level and ascent ramp walking. Further studies are necessary to confirm and detect the ascent ramp gait patterns.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.184-192
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• 2020

This study presents a gait analysis method (including time series analysis) using a smart insole as an objective and quantitative evaluating method after lumbar scoliosis surgery. The participant is a degenerative lumbar scoliosis patient. She took 3-min-gait-test four times(before and 8, 16, and 204-days after surgery) and 6-min-gait-test once(204-days after surgery) with smart-insoles in her shoes. Each insole has 8-pressure sensors, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. The measured values were used to compare the characteristics of gait before and after surgery. The analysis showed that all of the patient's gait parameters improved after surgery. And after 6 months, the gait was more stable. However, after long walk, the swing duration of one leg was slightly shorter than that of the other again. It was a preclinical problem that could not be found in the visual examination by the practitioner. With this analysis method we could evaluate the improvement of patient quantitatively and objectively. And we could find a preclinical problem. This analysis method will lead to the studies that define and distinguish gait patterns of certain diseases, helping to determine appropriate treatments.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.15-23
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was done to establish reference data for temporo-spatial, kinematic and kinetic parameters for normal Koreans as they age. Methods: Normal adults and children without a previous history of musculoskeletal problems were enrolled in this study. The normal subjects were divided by age into three groups: Group I: children ($11.95{\pm}0.29$ years); Group II: young adults ($23.90{\pm}3.67$ years); Group III: older adults ($71.40{\pm}4.08$ years). The temporo-spatial and kinematic data were measured using 6 MX3 cameras while each subject walked through a 10 m walkway at a self-selected speed. The kinetic data were measured using 2 force plates and were calculated by inverse dynamics. Results: Motion patterns are typically associated with a specific phase of the gait cycle. Our results were as follows: 1. There were significant differences between the different age groups in temporo-spatial parameters such as cadence, double support, time of foot off, stride length, step length, and walking speed. 2. There were significant differences between the groups in kinematic parameters such as range of motion (ROM) of the hip, knee and ankle in the sagittal plane, ROM of the pelvis, hip and knee in the coronal plane and ROM of the pelvis, hip and ankle in the transverse plane. 3. There were significant differences between the groups in kinetic parameters such as joint moments of force, joint mechanical power generation or absorption and ground reaction forces. Conclusion: The results of this study can be utilized (a) as a reference for kinematic and kinetic data of gait analysis in normal Koreans, and (b) as an aide in evaluating and treating patients who have problems relating to gait.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a handrail (presence and position) on treadmill gait and balance in stroke patients during gait training. Methods: 39 patients with stroke (male 31, female 8) participated in this study. The training groups were classified into a no-handrail group (NHG), front handrail group (FHG), and bilateral handrail group (BHG). Each group comprised 13 subjects. The subjects were trained to walk in a straight path 30 minutes per day for 8 weeks. The Good Balance System was used to measure static balance and dynamic balance. To measure walking ability, timed up and go (TUG) was also assessed. Results: The NHG showed no significant differences in static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. The FHG was significantly different in their medial-lateral speed of static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. The BHG was significantly different in their static balance, dynamic balance, and TUG. Conclusion: These findings consider the effects of holding handrails concomitantly with changes in postural stability. We conclude that for training stroke patients, treadmill walking while holding handrails improves balance and gait more than treadmill walking without holding handrails. The resulting changes in muscle activity patterns may facilitate the transfer to a gait pattern. The results of this study suggest methods for training treadmill walking in stroke patients.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2019

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide kinematic data on the characteristics of spinal disease patients by comparing and analyzing kinematic variables related to foot balance and gait pattern of spinal disease. Method: The subjects of the study included 40 adult men and 60 adult women who visited the hospital in Busan. Patients who were diagnosed with spinal disease by a physician through X-ray examination were selected as subjects for the diagnosis of vertebral disc herniation, spinal stenosis, spinal disease diagnosed with spinal disease and the general public. Left and right foot pressure and contact area were checked by Gaitview pro meter. X-ray photographs were taken with a Zen-2090 mobile fluoroscopy under physicians' direct participation. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the differences between the kinematic variables and post-hoc was performed by the Duncan method. Results: The difference in contact area between the left foot and the right foot was $115.30{\pm}14.15cm^2$ in the left side and $124.25{\pm}13.65cm^2$ in the left side in the spinal disease patients. The difference in pressure between the left and right side of the spinal disease patients was wider than that of the general people. Especially, the right side of the spinal disease patients showed a larger area of left foot contact than the general population. Conclusion: Spinal disease patients have wider contact area of the left foot than those of the general population. In the case of right spinal disease, the left foot support area is widened due to pain. In the gait, women showed slightly more posterior body center than men, and the upper body muscle imbalance and immobilization due to the spinal disease caused imbalance of the muscles moving to the lower limb, It was analyzed to inhibit movement.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2011

The femoral nerve innervates the quadriceps muscles and its dermatome supplies anteromedial thigh and medial foot. Paralysis of the quadriceps muscles due to the injury of the femoral nerve results in disability of the knee joint extension and loss of sensory of the thigh. A child could walk independently even though he had injured his femoral nerve severely due to the penetrating wound in the medial thigh. We measured and analyzed his gait performance in order to find the mechanisms that enabled him to walk independently. The child was eleven-year-old boy and he could not extend his knee voluntarily at all during a month after the injury. His gait analysis was performed five times (GA1~GA5) for sixteen months. His temporal-spatial parameters were not significantly different after the GA2 or GA3 test, and significant asymmetry was not observed except the single support time in GA1 results. The Lower limb joint angles in affected side had large differences in GA1 compared with the normal normative patterns. There were little knee joint flexion and extension motion during the stance phase in GA1 The maximum ankle plantar/dorsi flexion angles and the maximum knee extension angles were different from the normal values in the sound side. Asymmetries of the joint angles were analyzed by using the peak values. Significant asymmetries were found in GA1with seven parameters (ankle: peak planter flexion angle in stance phase, range of motion; ROM, knee: peak flexion angles during both stance and swing phase, ROM, hip: peak extension angle, ROM) while only two parameters (maximum hip extension angle and ROM of hip joint) had significant differences in GA5. The mid-stance valleys were not observed in both right and left sides of vertical ground reaction force (GRF) in the GA1, GA2. The loading response peak was far larger than the terminal stance peak of vertical ground reaction curve in the affected side of the GA3, GA4, GA5. The measured joint moment curves of the GA1, GA2, GA3 had large deviations and all of kinetic results had differences with the normal patterns. EMG signals described an absence of the rectus femoris muscle activity in the GA1 and GA2 (affected side). The EMG signals were detected in the GA3 and GA4 but their patterns were not normal yet, then their normal patterns were detected in the GA5. Through these following gait analysis of a child who had selective injuries on the knee extensor muscles, we could verify the actual functions of the knee extensor muscles during gait, and we also could observe his recovery and asymmetry with quantitative data during his rehabilitation.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.75-84
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• 2013

In this study, the patterns and characteristics according to gait cycle were analyzed using to EMG signals during walking, and analyzed in the time domain and frequency domain. The experiments was performed divide to level-ground walking and stair walking, and gait cycle was analysis by stance and swing. In the sagittal plane by using the tilt sensor measures the angle of the lower leg, and EMG was measured from the quadriceps and biceps femoris. The tilt of the lower leg was showed the biggest tilt at HS, and showed lowest value at TO. All in walking according to the gait cycle IEMG showed a specific pattern, and is expected useful to determine the gait cycle and kind. In the frequency domain analysis was using STFT on able to frequency analysis according to time, and using the tilt sensor was identify gait cycle. We analyzed also spectrum of the results of the STFT in all gait types, and recognized that stance had broad bandwidth than that of swing. Through this study, it was confirmed the possibility of judgment and analysis of the gait cycle using EMG and the tilt in the sagittal plane of the lower leg. When used it, can improve the quality of life of amputation patients