• ETRI Journal
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2020

Gait analysis is an effective clinical tool across a wide range of applications. Recently, inertial measurement units have been extensively utilized for gait analysis. Effective gait analyses require good estimates of heel-strike and toe-off events. Previous studies have focused on the effective device position and type of triaxis direction to detect gait events. This study proposes an effective heel-strike and toe-off detection algorithm using a smart insole with inertial measurement units. This method detects heel-strike and toe-off events through a time-frequency analysis by limiting the range. To assess its performance, gait data for seven healthy male subjects during walking and running were acquired. The proposed heel-strike and toe-off detection algorithm yielded the largest error of 0.03 seconds for running toe-off events, and an average of 0-0.01 seconds for other gait tests. Novel gait analyses could be conducted without suffering from space limitations because gait parameters such as the cadence, stance phase time, swing phase time, single-support time, and double-support time can all be estimated using the proposed heel-strike and toe-off detection algorithm.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.196-209
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• 2003

본 연구의 목적은 보통 보행과 장애물 보행 시작시에 accuracy constraints, 즉 발꿈치 닿기(swing limb heel-strike)의 정확도가 힘판(forceplate) 상에서 힘의 조절 (force modulation)과 EMG에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 분석하는 것이다. 본 실험의 대상자는 힘판(forceplate)위에서 보통 보행과 장애물 보행을 하되, 대상자 앞에 놓인 표적(target)에 정확히 발꿈치 닫기 (heel-strike)를 하도록 유도되었다. 이 때 힘판 자료와 전경골근(tibialis anterior)및 가자미근 (soleus)의 근전도 (EMG)의 활동을 양쪽 다리에서 측정하였다. 대상자 앞에 놓인 표적 (target)에 정확한 발꿈치 닫기(heel-strike)가 요구되었을 때에는 발끝밀기(swing toe-off) 시간이 증가되었으며 힘판(forceplate)상에서의 peak farce와 slope to peak force 가 감소되는 것으로 나타났다. 전경골근 (tibialis anterior)의 활동역시 큰 차이로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다. 하지만 보통 보행과 장애물 보행시의 근전도 혹은 힘판상의 자료에는 큰 차이점이 없는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과는 기존의 상지(upper extremity)에서 보여준 운동제어 (motor control)의 이론들이 하지(lower extremity)에서도 동일하게 적용될 수 있음을 보여주는 것이다.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.164-174
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• 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the impact characteristics of the lower extremity on strike pattern during running. Method: 19 young subjects (age: 26.53 ± 5.24 yrs., height: 174.89 ± 4.75 cm, weight: 70.97 ± 5.97 kg) participated in this study. All subjects performed treadmill running with fore-foot strike (FFS), mid-foot strike (MFS), and rear-foot strike (RFS) to analyze the impact characteristics in the lower extremity. Impact variables were analyzed including vertical ground reaction force, lower extremity joint moments, impact acceleration, and impact shock. Accelerometers for measuring impact acceleration and impact shock were attached to the heel, distal tibia, proximal tibia, and 50% point of the femur. Results: The peak vertical force and loading rate in passive portion were significantly higher in MFS and FFS compared to FFS. The peak plantarflexion moment at the ankle joint was significantly higher in the FFS compared to the MFS and RFS, while the peak extension moment at the knee joint was significantly higher in the RFS compared to the MFS and FFS. The resultant impact acceleration was significantly higher in FFS and MFS than in RFS at the foot and distal tibia, and MFS was significantly higher than FFS at the proximal tibia. In impact shock, FFS and MFS were significantly higher than RFS at the foot, distal tibia, and proximal tibia. Conclusion: Running with 3 strike patterns (FFS, MFS, and RFS) show different impact characteristics which may lead to an increased risk of running-related injuries (RRI). However, through the results of this study, it is possible to understand the characteristics of impact on strike patterns, and to explore preventive measures for injuries. To reduce the incidence of RRI, it is crucial to first identify one's strike pattern and then seek appropriate alternatives (such as reducing impact force and strengthening relevant muscles) on that strike pattern.

• Journal of information and communication convergence engineering
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.244-249
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• 2017

Wearable sensor-based gait analysis has been widely conducted to analyze various aspects of human ambulation abilities under the free-living condition. However, there have been few research efforts on using wearable sensors to analyze human walking on an unstable surface such as on a ship during a sea voyage. Since the motion of a ship on the unstable sea surface imposes significant differences in walking strategies, investigation is suggested to find better performing wearable sensor-based gait analysis algorithms on this unstable environment. This study aimed to compare two representative gait event algorithms including time domain and frequency domain analyses for detecting heel strike on an unstable platform. As results, although two methods did not miss any heel strike, the frequency domain analysis method perform better when comparing heel strike timing. The finding suggests that the frequency analysis is recommended to efficiently detect gait event in the unstable walking environment.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.117-123
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to convergence comparison the ankle joint angle change during walking of college students in their 20s with flat foot according to the heel height of insole shoes. Qualisys Track Manager Software ver. 2.8 (Qalisys Track Manager) was used for 15 college students. Functional shoes with insoles were manufactured, and the heel heights of the shoes were set to 3cm and 7cm. The subjects wore shoes with two high heels and gaited by attaching a reflex marker to the side of the ankle joint. The angle change of the ankle joint was measured in the gait stance phase. The angle of the ankle joint significantly decreased both heel strike, foot flat, midstance, and toe off to the heel height increased when the subjects with flat feet wore insole shoes. Therefore, it is thought that flat feet should wear low shoes when wearing insoles to reduce the fatigue of the soles and to walk comfortably.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.21-27
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• 2019

PURPOSE: This study examined the changes in the kinematic variables during walking on a downhill ramp according to the shoe heel height. METHODS: The subjects were 10 adult women with no history of musculoskeletal disorders who agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected using a motion analysis system (VICON) consisting of six infrared cameras. The slope was 120 cm in width, 200 cm in length, and 15 in inclination. To confirm the change in gait parameters (stride length, gait speed) and lower extremity joint angle according to the heel heights of the shoes, flat, 5 cm, and 10 cm heel shoes were prepared and walked alternately. RESULTS: As a result, both the stride length and walking speed showed significant differences according to the heel height between flat and 10 cm (p<.05). In the sagittal plane, there was no significant difference in the hip joint and knee joint, but a significant difference was observed in all events in the ankle joint on all heel heights (p<.05). In particular, the heel strike and mid stance events showed significant differences among all height conditions (p<.05). No significant difference was observed in any of the joint angle changes in the frontal plane (p>.05). CONCLUSION: As the shoe heel height increased, the instability increased and efforts to secure the stability were made, leading to a shortened stride length, walking speed, and angle of the ankle joint.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.149-163
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the lower extremity's joint and segment coupling patterns between forward and backward running in subjects who were twelve healthy males. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected with Qualisys system while subjects ran to forward and backward. The thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation, thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension, tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion, knee internal/external rotation and ankle inversion/eversion, knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion, knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension, and knee flexion/extension and tibia internal/external rotation coupling patterns were determined using a vector coding technique. The comparison for each coupling between forward and backward running were conducted using a dependent, two-tailed t-test at a significant level of .05 for the mean of each of five stride regions, midstance(1l-30%), toe-off(31-50%), swing acceleration(51-70%), swing deceleration(71-90), and heel-strike(91-10%), respectively. 1. The knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension coupling pattern of both foreward and backward running over the stride was converged on a complete coordination. However, the ankle flexion/extension to knee flexion/extension was relatively greater at heel-strike in backward running compared with forward running. At the swing deceleration, backward running was dominantly led by the ankle flexion/extension, but forward running done by the knee flexion/extension. 2. The knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion coupling pattern for both running was also converged on a complete coordination. At the mid-stance. the ankle movement in the frontal plane was large during forward running, but the knee movement in the sagital plane was large during backward running and vice versa at the swing deceleration. 3. The knee flexion/extension and tibia internal/external rotation coupling while forward and backward run was also centered on the angle of 45 degrees, which indicate a complete coordination. However, tibia internal/external rotation dominated the knee flexion/extension at heel strike phase in forward running and vice versa in backward running. It was diametrically opposed to the swing deceleration for each running. 4. Both running was governed by the ankle movement in the frontal plane across the stride cycle within the knee internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation. The knee internal/external rotation of backward running was greater than that of forward running at the swing deceleration. 5. The tibia internal/external rotation in coupling between the tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion was relatively great compared with the foot inversion/eversion over a stride for both running. At heel strike, the tibia internal/external rotation of backward running was shown greater than that of forward(p<.05). 6. The thigh internal/external rotation took the lead for both running in the thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation coupling. In comparison of phase, the thigh internal/external rotation movement at the swing acceleration phase in backward running worked greater in comparison with forward running(p<.05). However, it was greater at the swing deceleration in forward running(p<.05). 7. With the exception of the swing deceleration phase in forward running, the tibia flexion/extension surpassed the thigh flexion/extension across the stride cycle in both running. Analysis of the specific stride phases revealed the forward running had greater tibia flexion/extension movement at the heel strike than backward running(p<.05). In addition, the thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension coupling displayed almost coordination at the heel strike phase in backward running. On the other hand the thigh flexion/extension of forward running at the swing deceleration phase was greater than the tibia flexion/extension, but it was opposite from backward running. In summary, coupling which were the knee flexion/extension and ankle flexion/extension, the knee flexion/extension and ankle inversion/eversion, the knee internal/external rotation and ankle inversion/eversion, the tibia internal/external rotation and foot inversion/eversion, the thigh internal/external rotation and tibia internal/external rotation, and the thigh flexion/extension and tibia flexion/extension patterns were most similar across the strike cycle in both running, but it showed that coupling patterns in the specific stride phases were different from average point of view between two running types.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.225-233
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to estimate the potential injury via analyzing ground reaction force components that were resulted from a prolonged-run-induced fatigue. For the present study, passive and active components of the vertical ground reaction force were determined from time and frequency domain. Shear components of GRF also were calculated from time and frequency domain. Twenty subjects with rear foot contact aged 20 to 30, no experience in injuries of the extremities, were requested to run on the instrumented tread-mill for 160 minutes at their preference running speed. GRF signals for 10 strides were collected at 5, 35, 65, 95, 125, and 155 minute during running. In conclusions, there were no significant difference in the magnitude of passive force, impact load rate, frequency of the passive and active components in vertical GRF between running times except the magnitude of active force (p<.05). The magnitude of active force was significantly decreased after 125 minute run. The magnitude of maximum peak and maximum frequency of the mediolateral GRF at heel strike and toe-off have not been changed with increasing running time. The time up to the maximum peak of the anteroposterior at heel-strike moment tend to decrease (p<.05), but the maximum peak and frequency of that at heel and toe-off moment didn't depend significantly on running time.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.379-386
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• 2009

During running, the human body experiences repeated impact force between the foot and the ground. The impact force is highly associated with injury of the lower extremity, comfort and running performance. Therefore, shoemakers have developed shoes with various midsole properties to prevent the injury of lower extremity, improve the comfort and enhance the running performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of midsole hardness on vertical ground force and heel strike angle during men's and women's running. Five male and five female expert runners consented to participate in the study and ran at a constant speed with three different pairs of shoes with soft, medium and hard midsole respectively. In conclusion, regardless of gender, there was ill significant difference among three shoes in maximum vertical ground reaction force, impact force peak and stance time. However, the loading time decreased and the loading rate increased as the midsole became harder. Female subjects showed more sensitive reaction with respect to the midsole hardness, while male subjects showed subtle difference. The authors expect to apply this results for providing a guideline for utilizing proper midsole hardness of gender-specific shoe.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.12
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• pp.419-425
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• 2021

The objective of this study is to verify the effects of the application of flossband to the ankles of healthy adults on the functional range of ankle and walking ability. Total 20 people participated in the experiment, and through the randomization, one foot was set up as experimental side while the other foot was set up as control side. To analyze the two factors(before/after intervention/experimental side and control side), the two way-repeated ANOVA was conducted. The significance level was set up as 0.05. In the results of this study, compared to the control side, the experimental side showed significant increase in WBLT and heel strike(p=.05). In the test before/after intervention, the experimental side showed significant increase in WBLT, heel strike, and toe off(p=.05). The control side showed significant increase in toe off(p=.05). Thus, the application of floss band on ankle joint performed in this study would be helpful for improving the functional range and walking ability in the sports & rehabilitation field.