• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of action observation with observation type on the limits of stability and dynamic gait ability in stroke patients. METHODS: The 20 stroke patients who participated in this study were randomly divided into two experimental groups who underwent training three times a week for 4 weeks. Their balance was tested as the limit of stability with Biorescue. Their Dynamic gait ability was tested with the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) before the intervention, and after 4 weeks. Independent and paired t-tests were used to analyze the results. RESULTS: The results confirmed the limit of stability on the moving areas of the paralyzed and non-paralyzed sides. The limit of stability and dynamic gait index measurements confirmed that the moving area showed a significant difference after the intervention in the whole movement observation group (p<.05), but the partial movement observation group showed no significant difference (p>.05). A significant difference was also noted for the comparison between the both groups after the interventions (p<.05). The functional walking ability showed a significant difference when compared to the ability before the intervention, as determined by the changes in scores obtained for the dynamic gait index (p<.05). CONCLUSION: Interventions utilizing whole movement confirm that training improves stability and functional walking ability in stroke patients with disabilities in balance and walking ability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of loading position on plantar center of pressure(COP) displacement when carrying a schoolbag during walking. Methods : Forty-four normal subjects were randomly assigned to five groups according to the method of carrying a schoolbag. The carrying a schoolbag methods were classified into five conditions: no bag (condition 1), a backpack (condition 2), a shoulder bag (condition 3), a cross bag (condition 4), a one-hand bag (condition 5). COP displacement such as anteroposterior distance and mediolateral distance of COP were measured with F-scan system. The repeated one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test were used to confirm the statistical significance. Results : In the comparison of parameters of COP displacement between conditions, anteroposterior distance and mediolateral distance in the left foot and mediolateral distance in the right foot were not significantly different(p>.05), but anteroposterior diatance in the right foot was significantly different(p>.05). Between left and right foot, at condition 1 and 5 the mediolateral distance of COP was significantly different(p<.05) but anteroposterior distance at condition 1 and 5, anteroposterior distance and mediolateral distance of COP at condition 2, 3 and 4 were not significantly different(p>.05). Conclusion : These findings showed that the various loading position by five types of carrying a schoolbag didn't have influence significantly on COP displacement on during walking because of mechanism of postural adaption.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.99-108
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• 2020

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of the confusion level in performing dual tasks using smartphones while walking in subjects with chronic ankle instability (CAI). METHODS: Twenty subjects with CAI and 20 healthy subjects participated in the study. The spatial, temporal, spatial-temporal, and variability gait parameters were measured using GAITRite under four different conditions: general gait, web surfing during gait, texting during gait, and gaming during gait. Two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the interaction according to the group (2) and confusion level in dual-tasks (4). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to compare the changes within the group according to the confusion level in dual-tasks. The changes between groups were compared using an independent t-test. The statistical significance level was set to p = .05. RESULTS: Significant interactions in the temporal and spatial-temporal gait parameters were found between the dual-task conditions and the other groups (p < .05). Significant within-group differences in the spatial, temporal, and spatial-temporal gait parameters were found according to the confusion level in dual tasks (p < .05). Significant between-group differences were observed in the temporal and spatial-temporal gait parameters according to the confusion level in dual tasks (p < .05). CONCLUSION: The effect of the confusion level in dual tasks was greater in subjects with CAI than in healthy individuals. This study suggests that to prevent reinjury to the ankle, subjects with CAI should avoid dual tasks such as using smartphones while walking.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.95-107
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• 2016

Objectives: Physical activity is well known as one of the most effective health behaviors for maintaining and promoting health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional variation, compositional and contextual factors on physical activities in Korea. Methods: This study analyzed data of 6,353 adults in 4th-1, 2 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Independent variables were compositional factors that included general characteristics, health behaviors, health status, and contextual factors that included physical environment, political environment, and social safety net. Dependent variables were vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity, and walking activity. Multilevel analysis were used to determine a variation of physical activity between levels of compositional factors and contextual factors. Results: Physical activities of the Korean people were affected by the regional variables. Financial independence and population density were related with moderate physical activity significantly. Population density, school sport or rally spaces, cultural facilities, and social safety concerns were related with walking activity significantly. These variables impacted on physical activities along with variables at the individual level. Variance Partition Coefficient were 9.94% at moderate physical activity and 2.91% at walking activities, respectively. Conclusions: The results suggest that the regional variables should be considered when planning public intervention to promoting physical activities in Korean adults.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.19-24
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• 2011

Background: The elderly are likely to fall due to physical and mental atrophies, and experiencing falls may result in fear of falls and lack of self-confidence, which also leads to hesitation to physical activities and changes in walk and balance, the major variables in independent daily life. Methods: In three senior citizen centers located in D city, 22 elderly women aged 65 or older were chosen, and they filled in the questionnaire which included their agreement to voluntarily participate in the survey and medical histories. As to whether they had falls experience, the medical history items in the questionnaire asked them if they had falling down or falls once a year, twice for the three years. The objects were divided to NFE (non-falls experience) and FE (falls experience). Results: 1. As to walking abilities, significant difference was found between NFE and FE regarding walk width, stepping with two feet, and stride length while there was no significant different in terms of cadence. 2. As to balancing abilities, was significant difference between NFE and FE in terms of the physical body center area. As to the sit-to-stand, tandom gait test, no significant difference was found, and neither in the timed up and go test. Conclusions: The elderly with falls experience has inferior walking and balancing abilities to those without falls experience, and thus they are more exposed to the risks of falls.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.349-353
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible age differences in the attenuation of acceleration in the upper body (from pelvis through shoulder to head) during fast walking. Thirty young and 29 elderly subjects participated in this study. Wireless acceleration sensors were attached on head, shoulder, and pelvis. Subjects performed two trials of fast walking on a treadmill, where the fast speed was defined as 1.5 times of the comfortable speed. Root-mean-squared (RMS) accelerations of each axis were compared with age group and sensor position as independent factors. In the AP direction, the pelvis acceleration was greater in the young and the shoulder-to-head attenuation was also greater in the young (p<0.001), so that the head acceleration was comparable between age groups (p=0.581). In the ML direction, the pelvis acceleration was greater in the young and also the pelvis-to-shoulder attenuation was greater in the young (p<0.001), so that the head acceleration was greater in the elderly group (p<0.001). Insufficient attenuation ML acceleration in the elderly resulting in the greater acceleration in the head may deteriorate the balance control which utilize feedback signals from the sensory organs in head, e.g., vestibular and visual systems.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) on gait speed and balance in patients with hemiplegia. Methods: Among the adult patients with hemiplegia that were hospitalized at Michuhol Rehabilitation Center after being diagnosed with stroke, 10 that were capable of independent walking for more than five minutes and that understood and cooperated with the therapy and test methods of this research, were selected as subjects. The therapy was implemented based on the concept of PNF, and it was performed on a low mat and a height-adjustable mat, as proscribed by the fundamental procedure for PNF. Symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied to the patients in the decubitus position. The therapy scheme included stabilizing reversals, rhythmic stabilization, and a combination of isotonics, rhythmic initiation, and dynamic reversals. To investigate gait speed and body trunk mobility before and after the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises were applied, walking speed for a distance of 10 m was measured and balance was tested based on the Berg-Balance scale test table. The Berg-Balance scale test was performed by one therapist to minimize any error that could occur from the subjective evaluation method used by therapists. Results: Gait speed increased by 8.97 seconds after applying the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis exercises using the concept of PNF, showing a significant difference (p<0.01). However, balance showed no significant difference after the therapy (p>0.14). Conclusion: Exercise therapy that uses the symmetrical-reciprocal pattern of scapula and pelvis with the concept of PNF can be said to be a useful therapeutic technique that can enhance the walking speed of patients with hemiplegia.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Landscape Architecture
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.57-65
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• 2010

Physical activity of the people has decreased due to a sedentary lifestyle according to developing the economy throughout the world. It is thought to increase the risk of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, etc. People are interested in walking, which is an easy activity to engage in as an antidote to chronic diseases. The aim of this study is to increase the diminishing physical activity of modem society by inducing walking as part of everyday life through building a walking-based activity-friendly city where people can live merrily, safely and pleasantly. For this purpose, this study conducted a satisfaction survey to dwellers of Jinhae on the physical pedestrian environments which affect determining walking participation and intentions of people, and also provided a valid model to evaluate the effects of the physical environmental factors on walking satisfaction using factor analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. The results are summarized as follows. The 18 variables of the physical pedestrian environments were selected based on pre-literature reviews. The results of the satisfaction surveys showed that the satisfaction of crossing aids in segments was highest, while the building feature was the lowest. Factor analysis was run through a two-step process. The first analysis was conducted to examine the adequacy of this factor analysis on the selected 18 variables. As a result, two variables were removed and the remaining 16 variables were extracted to the four factors by second analysis. Each factor was named function of path, effect of traffic, amenity and safety based on the each factor's commonality. Each factor score of the extracted four factors was set as the independent variable, while the overall walking satisfaction was set as the dependent variable. Then, the multiple linear regression analysis was conducted and showed that all four factors had a positive influence on the overall satisfaction of walking, especially the 'function of path' and 'amenity' factors, followed by 'effect of traffic' and 'safety'. The results of this research will be used as foundational data for creating a walking-based activity-friendly city.

• KSCE Journal of Civil and Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.6D
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• pp.541-552
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• 2010

The light rail transit (LRT) having bus lines as subsystem is being constructed or planned in the suburban area of metropolitans and medium size cities. However, there is difficulty in establishing the service coverage (SC) of the LRT because the LRT is a completely new transit mode in Korea. The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data and techniques to be used for establishing the SC of the future LRT by understanding the SC characteristics of buses and subways and building models to estimate the walking distances of their users. Busan City is selected as the study city and the SC's of buses and subways are surveyed simultaneously. A total of 9 variables for 82 stations are collected and the cluster analysis is conducted about the variables. The station areas are divided to three types of CBD (Central Business District), sub-CBD and regional center based on the analysis. A station in each area is selected as the study station. At the walking distance (WD) analysis for each mode, the 80 percentile WD of the subway is 672 m and that of the bus is 472 m. In comparing the SC's of both modes by the type of station areas, there are not significant differences between the SC's of sub-CBD and regional center except CBD. At analysis of the relationship between the personal attributes and the WD, for subway users the WD of female is longer than that of male and apartment residents use subway more positively than single house residents do. For the models to estimate the walking distances, the simple regression models were built employing the income as independent variable by dividing the stations into CBD abd non-CBD stations.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2016

Background: This study purposed to analyze the relationship between regional obesity rates and regional variables. Methods: Data was collected from the Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and Community Health Survey in 2012. The units of analysis were administrative districts such as city, county, and district. The dependent variable was the age-sex adjusted regional obesity rates. The independent variables were selected to represent four aspects of regions: health behaviour factor, psychological factor, socio-economic factor, and physical environment factor. Along with the traditional ordinary least square (OLS) regression analysis model, this study applied geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis to calculate the regression coefficients for each region. Results: The OLS results showed that there were significant differences in regional obesity rates in high-risk drinking, walking, depression, and financial independence. The GWR results showed that the size of regression coefficients in independent variables was differed by regions. Conclusion: Our results can help in providing useful information for health policy makers. Regional characteristics should be considered when allocating health resources and developing health-related programs.