• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.1082-1091
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• 2007

In this paper, we developed a new hybrid mobile robot which can climb stairs and go over thresholds by crawl gait with embedded real-time control software. This robot is also categorized into hybrid robot that has advantages of wheeled mobile robot and legged mobile robot, but adopts gait feature of crocodile named belly crawl. We imitated the belly crawl using four legs of 2 DOF, four omni-directional wheels, and embedded control software which controls legs and wheels. This software is developed using RTAI/Linux, real-time drivers. As a result, the new hybrid mobile robot has crawl gait. Using this feature, the new hybrid mobile robot can climb stairs and go over thresholds just by path planning of each leg with size of stairs and thresholds, and computing the movement distance of robot body center without considering stability. The performance of our new hybrid mobile robot is verified via experiments.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1998 no.11
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• pp.88-89
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• 1998

In this paper, a transfemoral prosthesis with a microprocessor controlled pneumatic knee developed at KOREC is presented. The resistance of the knee is changed automatically via a microprocessor as the amputee's gait speed changes, so that the prosthetic side of the amputee can follow the sound limb. Gait analysis has been conducted to evaluate the performance of the developed prosthesis and the improvement of the gait pattern including the gait symmetry was observed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.655-666
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• 2010

Purpose : The examine the reliability and validity of the modified Emory Functional Ambulation Profile(mEFAP) for assessing gait function in chronic stroke patients. Methods : A total of 45 stroke patients, who had a stroke more than 6 months, participated in the study. Reliability was determined by Intra-class Correlation Coefficient($ICC_{3,1}$), including Bland and Altman method (Standard Error of Measurement: SEM, Small Real Differences: SRD). Validity was examined by correlating results to the gait ability(mEFAP, Modified Motor Assessment Scale-Gait(MMAS-G), Scandinavian Stroke Scale-Gait(SSS-G), Functional Ambulation Category(FAC), 10m Waking Test(10m WT)), and Fugl Meyer-Lower/Extremity(FM-L/E), Berg Balance Scale(BBS). Results : Inter-rater reliability for the total mEFAP was High($ICC_{2,1}$=.998), and absolute reliability were excellent (SEM: 1.75, SRD: 4.85). Subjects without assistance factor performed better on all tests than did subjects who had stroke. There were significant correlations between the mEFAP and MMAS-G, SSS-G, FAC(r=-.66~-.79), 10 m WT(r=-.86), and FM-L/E, BBS(r=-.72~-.78), indicating good validity. Increased times on the mEFAP correlated with poor performance on the gait ability, motor function of lower extremity, BBS and slow gait speeds on the 10 m WT in stroke patients. Conclusion : The mEFAP can be administered easily and comprehensively. It is a reliable gait assessment tool for patients with stroke and correlated with known of function, the mEFAP may be a clinically useful measure of ambulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.135-144
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT) and parallel bar gait training(P-bar) on gait and balance ability of subacute stroke patients. The subjects were consisted of 27 patients with subacute stroke, and they were randomly devided into two groups which were BWSTT group and P-bar group. Method : The timed up and go(TUG), 10m gait speed were used to measure gait speed, Bergs balance scale(BBS) was used to measure dynamic balance ability, and balance performance monitor(BPM) was used to measure sway area, sway path, max velocity. Result : 1. The TUG and 10m gait speed of BWSTT group and P-bar group were significantly decreased (p<.05). The TUG and 10m gait speed were different significantly between BWSTT group and P-bar group(p<.05). 2. The BBS and sway area of BWSTT group and P-bar group were significantly decreased (p<.05). The BBS and sway area were not different significantly between BWSTT group and P-bar group(p>.05). 3. The sway path and max velocity of BWSTT group and P-bar group were significantly decreased (p<.05). The sway path and max velocity were not different significantly between BWSTI group and P-bar group(p>.05). Conclusion : The outcomes suggest that patient with subacute stroke can improve their gait and balance through body weight support treadmill training.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.183-188
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• 2017

Background: Recommendations have been proposed for minimum aerobic fitness among firefighters but it is unclear if those criteria relate to performance on the fireground. Less fit individuals fatigue more quickly than fit individuals when working at comparable intensity and may have gait changes, increasing risk of falls. We evaluated the effect of fatigue during a live burn evolution on gait parameters and functional balance comparing them to aerobic fitness levels. Methods: A total of 24 firefighters had gait and balance tested before and after a live burn evolution. Data were stratified by aerobic fitness of greater/less than 14 metabolic equivalents (METs). Results: Analysis of gait cycles measurements before and after the live burn evolution revealed that single leg stance, cycle, and swing time decreased (p < 0.05) but there were no differences in the other measures. There were no differences in time to complete the functional balance test, or errors committed before or after a live burn evolution. When firefighters were sorted by fitness level of 14 METs, there were no differences for errors or time before or after the live burn evolution. Balance data were analyzed using a linear regression. Individuals with lower fitness levels required more time to complete the test. Conclusion: A 14-MET criterion failed to distinguish gait or balance characteristics in this group. However, less fit firefighters did require more time to complete the balance test (p = 0.003). Aerobic fitness alone does not predict gait changes among firefighters following a live burn evolution but does appear to influence functional balance.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.6-11
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• 2011

In this paper, we propose a gait-based human identification system using eigenfeature regularization and extraction (ERE). First, a gait feature for human identification which is called gait energy image (GEI) is generated from walking sequences acquired from a camera sensor. In training phase, regularized transformation matrix is obtained by applying ERE to the gallery GEI dataset, and the gallery GEI dataset is projected onto the eigenspace to obtain galley features. In testing phase, the probe GEI dataset is projected onto the eigenspace created in training phase and determine the identity by using a nearest neighbor classifier. Experiments are carried out on the CASIA gait dataset A to evaluate the performance of the proposed system. Experimental results show that the proposed system is better than previous works in terms of correct classification rate.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.390-405
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• 2021

Gait analysis trackers have been developed to monitor daily gait patterns to improve users' running performance and reduce the risk of injuries. A variety of gait analysis trackers are available on the market(e.g., foot pods, insoles). Depending on the type of gait analysis tracker, users' discomfort or satisfaction as well as required properties may differ. Hence, the purpose of this study was to compare and analyze user experience of three different types of commercial shoe-mounted gait analysis trackers and their mobile applications in a laboratory environment using questionnaires based on actual experiences of each product. Ten males and ten females who regularly enjoy walking and running exercises participated in the experiment. After the participants set up the tracker and application themselves without support from researchers, ten to thirty minutes' exercise was permitted on each product. Following this, the participants answered questionnaires containing evaluation variables on the device and mobile application, as well as satisfaction, intention to use, recommendation, and purchase. In addition, they were asked questions about the attractive features and shortcomings of each device and application. The results showed that the PRO-SPECS^® smart insole was preferred over the others for ease of use, perceived durability, psychological burden of the design, and usefulness of the information provided by the application. Along with the results of questionnaire, this study also discussed strategies and recommendations for future product design and development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.55-64
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• 2023

PURPOSE: Examine the effects of auditory feedback and functional electrical stimulation on balance, walking ability, and lower extremity function of subacute stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-seven subjects diagnosed with subacute stroke within six months were randomly divided into three groups: test group 1, which performed walking exercises with auditory feedback and functional electrical stimulation; test group 2, which performed walking exercises only with functional electrical stimulation; control group applied only functional electrical stimulation, with nine subjects each. RESULTS: There were significant pre- to post-intervention differences in BBS in the gait training group with auditory feedback and functional electrical stimulation treatment, and significant pre- to post-intervention differences in BBS, sit-to-stand time, and average step speed in the gait training group with functional electrical stimulation, but no statistically significant differences in between-group comparisons. CONCLUSION: Gait training with auditory feedback and functional electrical stimulation can improve the balance and gait performance in stroke patients. Therefore, in the future, gait training with auditory feedback and functional electrical stimulation therapy may be suggested as a gait rehabilitation training tool for stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.269-273
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the effect of kinesio taping (KT) on vertical jumping performance. Methods: Young women (n=24) performed vertical jumping under three conditions: kinesio taping, placebo taping, and no taping. All tapes were applied to both quadriceps and the gastrocnemius of the subjects. Vertical jump height and power were measured using an OptoGait, and the non-parametric Friedman test was used to identify differences between conditions. Results: No significant differences in maximum jump height or peak jump power between were observed between taping conditions. Conclusion: The results showed that KT did not facilitate muscle performance by generating higher jumping power or yielding a better jumping performance. As the functional performance is related to muscle strength, this finding may be explained by the fact that KT has no effects on muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of observing a self-video or a video of another person performing balance and gait training, followed by actual performance of the observed movements on the balance and walking ability of chronic stroke patients. METHODS: Thirty patients, who had experienced a stroke and were admitted to S rehabilitation hospital for treatment, were selected randomly and divided into three groups with 10 patients each: self-action observation (SAO) group, other-action observation (OAO) group, and treadmill walking training (TWT) group. The training program was conducted five times per week for four weeks. The GAITRite system, 10 m walking test, and timed up and go test were performed to measure the subjects' gait and balance ability. RESULTS: The velocity, cadence, double support, and stride length were increased significantly in the SAO and OAO groups (p<.05) but the T group showed no significant changes; no significant difference was observed among the groups (p >.05). The 10MWT decreased significantly in the OAO group (p<.05), but there were no significant changes in the SAO and T groups, and no significant difference was observed among the groups (p>.05). The TUG decreased significantly in the SAO and OAO groups (p<.05), but there were no significant changes in the T group, and no significant difference was observed among the groups (p>.05). CONCLUSION: The self or other action observation training helps improve the balance and gait ability.