• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle activity by electrode location in the biceps brachii during the arm curl isometric exercise and to provide the basic data needed to develop the proper electrode location of the biceps brachii based on the study results comparing the muscle activity by the angle of the elbow joint. Method: 17 adult males (Age: 21.50±4.63 yrs, height: 175.29±5.97 cm, weight: 63.79±15.31 kg, upper-arm length: 30.10±1.22 cm) participated in the study. In the arm curls isometric exercise, the experiment was divided into 1st and 2nd steps to compare muscle activity according to electrode location in the biceps brachii and muscle activity according to elbow angle change. In the first experiment, the surface electrode was attached at one-third point on the line from medial acromion to cubital fossa, according to the measurement method indicated by SENIAM. The elbow angle was set to 90°. In the second experiment, according to the proposed method of this study, the electrodes were separated at one finger's width in the left and right direction at one-third point on the line from medial acromion to cubital fossa, attached at the long head and short head. From the long head electrode, in about a width of two fingers in proximal direction, a total of three electrodes were attached at the myotendinal junction of the long head. The elbow angles were set as 70°, 90°, and 110°, and the isometric exercise (100% MVC) for 5 seconds was maintained with keeping the forearm and the rope to be 90° for the first and second experiments. Results: During the arm curl isometric exercise, there was no significant difference in SH and SENIAM proposition location proposed by this researcher. LH was shown to be lower than the muscle activity of the location proposed by SENIAM and there were significant (p<.01) differences. MJ appeared lower than the muscle activity of the location proposed by SENIAM and there were significant (p<.001) differences. The muscle activity by the elbow joint angle of SH in the biceps brachii was shown in large order of 70°<90°<110°, but there was no significant difference. The muscle activity by the elbow joint angle of LH was shown in large order of 90°<70°<110°, but there was no significant difference. The muscle activity by the elbow joint angle of MJ was shown in large order of 110°<90°<70°, but there was no significant difference. Conclusion: During the arm curl isometric exercise of the biceps brachii, it is judged appropriate to attach surface electrodes to the location proposed by SENIAM.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.323-333
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of gait patterns and muscle activations with increased loads during stair walking. Also, it can be used as descriptive data about continuous stair walking in a real life setting. Method : Twelve sedentary young male adults(Age: $27.0{\pm}1.8yrs$, Weight: $65.8{\pm}9.9kg$) without any lower extremity injuries participated in this study. Participants performed stair walking up 7 floors and their ascending and descending motion on each floor was analyzed. A wireless electromyography(EMG) were attached on the Rectus Femoris(RF), Biceps Femoris(BF), Gastrocnemius(GN), Tibialis Anterior(TA) muscle to calculate integrated EMG(iEMG), median frequency(MDF) and co-contraction index(CI). Chest and left heel accelerometer signal were recorded by wireless accelerometer and those were used to calculate approximate entropy(ApEn) for analyzing gait pattern. All analyses were performed with SPSS 21.0 and for repeated measured ANOVA and Post-hoc was LSD. Results : During ascending stairs, there were a statistically significant difference in Walking time between 1-2nd and other floors(p=.000), GN iEMG between 2-3th and 6-7th(p=.043) floor, TA MDF between 1-2nd and 5-6th(p=.030), 6-7th(p=.015) floor and TA/GN CI between 2-3th and 6-7th(p=.038) floor and ApEn between 1-2nd and 6-7th(x: p=.003, y: p=.005, z: p=.006) floor. During descending stairs, there were a statistically significant difference in TA iEMG between the 6-5th and 3-2nd(p=.026) floor, and for the ApEn between the 1-2nd and 6-7th(x: p=.037, y: p=.000, z: p=.000) floor. Conclusion : Subjects showed more regular pattern and muscle activation response caused by regularity during ascending stairs. Regularity during the first part of stair-descending could be a sign of adaptation; however, complexity during the second part could be a strategy to decrease the impact.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.275-281
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• 2015

Objective : In order for Taekwondo athletes to perform destructive kicking performance, they are expected to have Taekwondo-specific muscle properties such as high muscle strength and power. The purpose of this study was to investigate the joint angle-dependent force-producing property of Taekwondo athletes' knee extensor muscles, which is one of the primary muscle groups involved in kicking performance. Method : Ten Taekwondo male athletes (age: $19.9{\pm}0.7yrs$, height: $180.6{\pm}6.2cm$, body mass: $75.9{\pm}8.9kg$, career: $9.2{\pm}2.9yrs$.) and 10 healthy male non-athletes (age: $26.3{\pm}2.6yrs$, height: $174.2{\pm}4.8cm$, body mass: $72.8{\pm}7.7kg$) participated in this study. Subjects performed maximum isometric knee extension at knee joint angles of $40^{\circ}$, $60^{\circ}$, $80^{\circ}$, and $100^{\circ}$ (the full knee extension was set to $0^{\circ}$) with the hip joint angles of $0^{\circ}$ and $80^{\circ}$ (the full extension was set to $0^{\circ}$). During the contractions, knee extension torque using an isokinetic dynamometer simultaneously with muscle activities of the rectus femoris (RF), and the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) using surface electromyography were recorded. Based on the torque values at systematically different knee-hip joint angles, the joint torque-angle relationships were established and then the optimal joint angle for the knee extensor was estimated. Results : The results of this study showed that the isometric knee extension torque values were greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group at all hip-knee joint angle combinations (p<.05). When the hip joint was set at $80^{\circ}$, the peak isometric torque was greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($313.61{\pm}36.79Nm$ and $221.43{\pm}35.92Nm$, respectively; p<.05) but the estimated optimum knee joint angles were similar ($62.33{\pm}5.71^{\circ}$ and $62.30{\pm}4.67^{\circ}$ for the Taekwondo athletes and non-athlete group, respectively). When the hip joint was set at $0^{\circ}$, the peak isometric torque was greater for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($296.29{\pm}45.13Nm$ and $199.58{\pm}25.23Nm$, respectively; p<.05) and the estimated optimum knee joint angle was larger for the Taekwondo athletes compared with the non-athlete group ($78.47{\pm}5.14^{\circ}$ and $67.54{\pm}5.77^{\circ}$, respectively; p<.05). Conclusion : The results of this study suggests that, compared with non-athletes, Taekwondo athletes have stronger knee extensor strength at all hip-knee joint angle combinations as well as longer optimum muscle length, which might be optimized for the event-specific required performance through prolonged training period.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.343-351
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects in the muscle function following 8-week dead-lift training with Whole-body Vibration(WBV) in rehabilitation for sports players. Method : Twenty young sports players. Each subjects were randomly assigned to a resistance training with Whole-body vibration group(TG, n=10), a resistance training without Whole-body vibration group(CG, N=10). The measurements which physical fitness test and joint torque test were performed before the randomization and after the 4-week and 8-week. The WBV group performed the dynamic Dead-lift exercise on a vibration platform during one minute. The CG group performed the equal training without vibration. The WBV and CON group repeated 5 set and trained two times weekly for 8-weeks. Paired t-test was used to test for differences between the groups at baseline and after 4-weeks and 8-Weeks. And independent t-test was used to test for differences between the groups at TG and CG. All analyses were executed using SPSS software 18.0. The level of significance was set at p<.050. Results : Following the 8-Weeks training sessions, an increase in the back-muscle strength was found to be greater for the TG compared with the CG group(p<.05). Muscle endurance was significantly decreased after training than before training only for the CG(p<.05). Isometric Hip/Lumber Extension/Flextion measurement was found to be significantly greater for the TG compared with the CG group(p<.05). The finding indicates that WBV effects as an efficient training stimulus to enhance muscle function by facilitating neural control trail. Following muscle activation in motor unit synchronization of the co-contraction of the muscles. Conclusion : The results imply that the WBV training may have enhanced muscle function in rehabilitation for sports players.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.311-322
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of landing height and knee joint muscle fatigue on the movement of the lower extremity during cutting after landing. Method : Subjects included 29 adults (age: $20.83{\pm}1.56years$, height: $172.42{\pm}9.51cm$, weight: $65.07{\pm}10.18kg$). The subjects were asked to stand on their dominant lower limb on jump stands that were 30 and 40 cm in height and jump from each stand to land with the dominant lower limb on a force plate making a side step cutting move at a $45^{\circ}$ angle with the non-dominant lower limb. The fatigue level at 30% of the knee extension peak torque using an isokinetic dynamometer. Results : The results showed that the difference of landing height increased maximum range of motion and angular velocity of hip, knee, and ankle joints in the sagittal plane, and in the angular velocity of motion of the hip joint in the sagittal plane. The maximum range of motion of the knee joint in the sagittal plane and the frontal plane decreased on landing from both heights after the fatigue exercise. The angular velocity of the hip joint in the sagittal plane, and the maximum range of motion of the hip joint in the transverse plane decreased for both landing heights after the fatigue exercise. The angular velocity of the hip joint in the frontal plane decreased for the 30 cm landing height after the fatigue exercise. On the other hand, the angular velocity and maximum range of motion of the ankle joint in the sagittal plane for both landing heights, and the angular velocity and maximum range of motion of the ankle joint in the frontal plane increased on landing from the 40 cm height after the fatigue exercise. Conclusion : Different landing heights of 30 and 40 cm and 30% fatigue of peak torque of knee extensor found a forefoot and stiff landing strategy, when cutting after landing. These results might be due to decline in the shock absorption capability of the knee joint and the movement capability related to cutting while increasing the contribution of the ankle joint, which may cause increased ankle joint injuries.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.335-342
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• 2015

Objective : The purposes of this study was to analyze the effects of the stirrup length fitted to the rider's lower limb length and it's impact on less skilled riders during trot in equestrian events. Methods : Participants selected as subjects consisted of less skilled riders(n=5, mean age: $40.02{\pm}10.75yrs$, mean heights: $169.77{\pm}2.08cm$, mean body weights: $67.65{\pm}7.76kg$, lower limb lengths: $97.26{\pm}2.35cm$, mean horse heights: $164.00{\pm}5.74cm$ with 2 type of stirrups lengths(lower limb ratio 74.04%, and 79.18%) during trot. The variables analyzed consisted of the displacement for Y axis and Z axis(head, and center of mass[COM]) with asymmetric index, trunk front-rear angle(consistency index), lower limb joint(Right hip, knee, and ankle), and average vertical forces of horse rider during 1 stride in trot. The 4 camcorder(HDR-HC7/HDV 1080i, Spony Corp, Japan) was used to capture horse riding motion at a rate of 60 frames/sec. Raw data was collected from Kwon3D XP motion analysis package ver 4.0 program(Visol, Korea) during trot. Results : The movements and asymmetric index didn't show significant difference at head and COM, Also, 74.04% stirrups lengths in trunk tilting angle showed significant difference with higher consistency than that of 79.18% stirrups lengths. Hip and knee joint angle showed significant difference with more extended posture than that of 74.04% stirrups lengths during trot. Ankle angle of 79.18% stirrups length showed more plantarflexion than that of 74.04% stirrups lengths. Average vertical force of rider showed significant difference with higher force at 79.18% stirrups lengths than that of 74.04% stirrups lengths during stance phase. Conclusion : When considering the above, 74.04% stirrups length could be effective in impulse reduction with consistent posture in rather less skilled horse riders.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.595-602
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• 2011

The long jump motion of 8 finalist of men's long jump of IAAF World Championships Daegu 2011 were analysed and the kinematic characteristics of the technique were investigated. The kinematic characteristics of long jump motion of 8 finalist were as follows. In the run-up phase, the average length of 3, 2, and 1 stride were $2.21{\pm}0.08$ m, $2.46{\pm}0.18$ m, and $2.19{\pm}0.16$ m, respectively. The change in the height of the center of gravity was $0.09{\pm}0.02$ m. The average velocity of 3, 2, and 1 stride was $10.37{\pm}0.32$ m/s, $9.63{\pm}0.32$ m/s, and $10.69{\pm}10.69$ m/s, respectively. In the take-off phase, the horizontal velocity, the vertical velocity, the reduction of horizontal velocity was $9.00{\pm}0.37$ m/s, $3.04{\pm}0.27$ m/s, and $1.69{\pm}0.34$ m/s, respectively. The minimum knee angle and the take off angle was $157{\pm}6.57^{\circ}$ and $18.5{\pm}2.24^{\circ}$, respectively. In the flight phase, the flight time and the maximum height of the center of gravity was $0.82{\pm}0.05$ s, and $1.70{\pm}0.10$ m, respectively. In the landing phase, the landing length was $0.51{\pm}0.06$ m. The body angle, the knee angle, and the hip angle was $71{\pm}20.93^{\circ}$, $136{\pm}19.19^{\circ}$, and $85{\pm}9.58^{\circ}$, respectively. The kinematic characteristics of long jump motion with good record were shown as follows. The reduction of the horizontal velocity in the take-off phase was minimized while the velocity of the run-up were maximally maintained. The vertical velocity in the take-off phase was increased with rapidly extended knee and the high center of gravity.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2011

This study aimed to determine the effects of the blockage of visual feedback on joint dynamics of the lower extremity. Fifteen healthy male subjects(age: $24.1{\pm}2.3\;yr$, height: $178.7{\pm}5.2\;cm$, weight: $73.6{\pm}6.6\;kg$) participated in this study. Each subject performed single-legged landing from a 45 cm-platform with the eyes open or closed. During the landing performance, three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremity and ground reaction force(GRF) were recorded using a 8 infrared camera motion analysis system (Vicon MX-F20, Oxford Metric Ltd, Oxford, UK) with a force platform(ORG-6, AMTI, Watertown, MA). The results showed that at 50 ms prior to foot contact and at the time of foot contact, ankle plantar-flexion angle was smaller(p<.05) but the knee joint valgus and the hip flexion angles were greater with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). An increase in anterior GRF was observed during single-legged landing with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). Time to peak GRF in the medial, vertical and posterior directions occurred significantly earlier when the eyes were closed as compared to when the eyes were open(p<.05). Landing with the eyes closed resulted in a higher peak vertical loading rate(p<.05). In addition, the shock-absorbing power decreased at the ankle joint(p<.05) but increased at the hip joints when landing with the eyes closed(p<.05). When the eyes were closed, landing could be characterized by a less plantarflexed ankle joint and more flexed hip joint, with a faster time to peak GRF. These results imply that subjects are able to adapt the control of landing to different feedback conditions. Therefore, we suggest that training programs be introduced to reduce these injury risk factors.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.541-550
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematic characteristics of the $5^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ hurdle clearances during the final of the 100-m hurdles event at the IAAF World Championships, Daegu 2011. To this end, the hurdling motions of the top 4 ranked female hurdlers in the competition were analyzed. A total of 12 cameras were used to record their motions, with a sampling frequency of 120 Hz. The cameras were calibrated using $11{\times}2{\times}1\;m$ control objects that covered all of the lanes ($1^{st}{\sim}8^{th}$ lanes). After analyzing all the data, we arrived at the following results. For the take-off phase, a negative relationship between the take-off time (CT) and athlete's rank was found. In addition, the average distances from the hurdle to take-off (L1) were shown to be 2.23 m and 2.17 m for the $5^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ hurdles, respectively. For the distance from the hurdle to landing (L2), Pearson ($1^{st}$ rank) and Carruthers($2^{nd}$ rank) showed inconsistent patterns whereas Harper ($3^{rd}$ rank) and Porter ($4^{th}$ rank) showed consistent patterns. All althetes revealed similar 3 steps patterns between hurdles, which consisted of a shorter $1^{st}$ step, longer $2^{nd}$ step and shorter $3^{rd}$ step.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.603-610
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• 2011

The long jump motions of 8 finalists in the women's long jump at the IAAF World Championships, Daegu 2011 were analyzed, and the kinematic characteristics of their techniques were investigated. The kinematic characteristics of the long jump motion of the 8 finalists were as follows. In the run-up phase, the length of the 2 stride was $108{\pm}6.92%$ that of the 3 stride. The length of the 1 stride was $91{\pm}5.78%$ that of the 2 stride. The change in the height of the center of gravity was $0.07{\pm}0.03$ m. The maximum velocity during the run-up phase was $9.44{\pm}0.13$ m at the 1 stride. In the take-off phase, the horizontal velocity, vertical velocity, reduction in horizontal velocity were $7.80{\pm}0.15$ m/s, $2.96{\pm}0.14$ m/s, and $1.64{\pm}0.19$ m/s, respectively. The minimum knee angle and take-off angle were $151{\pm}8.89^{\circ}$ and $20.7{\pm}1.03^{\circ}$, respectively. In the flight phase, the flight time and maximum height of the center of gravity were $0.78{\pm}0.03$ s, and $1.60{\pm}0.05$ m, respectively. In the landing phase, the landing length was $0.50{\pm}0.07$ m. The trunk angle, knee angle, and hip angle were $74{\pm}18.75^{\circ}$, $131{\pm}10.45^{\circ}$, and $82{\pm}9.03^{\circ}$, respectively. The kinematic characteristics of the motion of a good long jump were as follows. The reduction in the horizontal velocity in the take-off phase was minimized, and the maximum velocity of the run-up was maintained. The vertical velocity in the take-off phase was increased using a rapidly extended knee and high center of gravity.