• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.252-260
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• 2021

For frailty management, the importance of resistance exercise has been emphasized, and various devices have been developed. Recently, digital weight control technology that converts electromagnetic resistance to a digital weight is attracting attention, but there are no reports confirming the effectiveness and safety of the device for seniors in Korea. This study conducted a biomechanic-based ergonomic analysis of an elderly-friendly exercise device utilized in digital load control technology to suggest a direction for development. Twenty seniors (age: 62.40 ± 2.09 years) were included. The load of the device was classified into three levels, and the muscle activity and heart rate were assessed during three experimental motions. A questionnaire based on the International Organization for Standardization 9241-11 was adopted to evaluate the stability, operationality, efficiency, and satisfaction with the software and device. The program could be divided into three exercise intensities that can be utilized in the field depending on whether the exercise load, muscle activity, and heart rate were consistent. The monitor size needed to be enlarged to make the menu Korean, reduce the device size, and minimize noise. Considering these findings, the development of an advanced age-friendly exercise device by improving the size, display, and noise is suggested.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.133-139
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• 2021

Objective: This study aims to verify the conventional deadlift motions using by two different grips, thereby elucidating the grounds for effective training methods that can minimize the risk of injury. Method: Total of 18 healthy young adults were recruited for this study (age: 25.11±2.19 yrs., height: 175.67±5.22 cm, body mass: 78.5±8.09 kg, 1-RM: 125.75±19.48 kg). All participants were asked to perform conventional deadlift with two types of grips which are overhand grip (OG) and underhand grip (UG). In each grip, participant perform the deadlift with 50% and 80% of the pre-measured 1-RM. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 8 infrared cameras and 3 channels of EMG was performed in this study. A two-way ANOVA (group × load) with repeated measure was used for statistical verification. The significant level was set at α=.05. Results: There were significant differences in grip type and weight on the right shoulder joint, and only significant difference in grip on the left shoulder joint (p<.05). The hip joint ROM was significantly increased as the weight increased in both types of grips on phase 1, while the ROM of hip joint was significantly decreased as the weight increased only in the case of OG on phase 2 (p<.05). In case of the OG, as the weight, increased significantly increased L1 ROM and L3 ROM were revealed on phase 1 and phase 2, respectively (p<.05). Moreover, as the weight increased, UG revealed significantly decreased L5 ROM on phase 1, while both grips showed significantly increased ROM on phase 2 (p<.05). In addition, the erector spinae and the biceps femoris, which are synergist for the motion, showed a significant difference in both types of grip according to the weight (p<.05). The muscle activity ratio of gluteus maximus/biceps femoris showed a significant difference only in the UG according to the weight (p<.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, beginners might be suggested to use the UG for maintaining the neutral state of the lumbar spine and focus on the gluteus maximus muscle, which is the main activation muscle. For the experts, it may recommend alternative use of the OG and UG according to the training purpose to minimize the compensation effect.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect Tiger-step walking on the movement of the lower extremities during walking. Method: Twenty healthy male adults who had no experience of musculoskeletal injuries on lower extremities in the last six months (age: 26.85 ± 3.28 yrs, height: 174.6 ± 3.72 cm, weight: 73.65 ± 7.48 kg) participated in this study. In this study, 7-segments whole-body model (pelvis, both side of thigh, shank and foot) was used and 29 reflective markers and cluster were attached to the body to identify the segments during the gait. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 8 infrared cameras and 7 channeled EMG was performed to find the effect of tigerstep on uphill walking. To verify the tigerstep effect, a one-way ANOVA with a repeated measure was used and the statistical significance level was set at α=.05. Results: Firstly, Both Tiger-steps showed a significant increase in stance time and stride length compared with normal walking (p<.05), while both Tiger-steps shown significantly reduced cadence compared to normal walking (p<.05). Secondly, both Tiger-steps revealed significantly increased in hip and ankle joint range of motion compared with normal walking at all planes (p<.05). On the other hand, both Tiger-steps showed significantly increased knee joint range of motion compared with normal walking at the frontal and transverse planes (p<.05). Lastly, Gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, medial gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior of both tiger-step revealed significantly increased muscle activation compared with normal walking in gait cycle and stance phase (p<.05). On the other hand, in swing phase, the muscle activity of the vastus medialis, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior of both tiger-step significantly increased compared with those of normal walking (p <.05). Conclusion: As a result of this study, Tiger step revealed increased in 3d range of motion of lower extremity joints as well as the muscle activities associated with range of motion. These findings were evaluated as an increase in stride length, which is essential for efficient walking. Therefore, the finding of this study prove the effectiveness of the tiger step when walking uphill, and it is thought that it will help develop a more efficient tiger step in the future, which has not been scientifically proven.

• 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 the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.4689-4696
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate biomechanical characteristics of trekking shoes using 3D Bootie method as mimics barefoot form of F Co. that provides the best comfort and plantar pressure dispersion. The control group is normal trekking shoes of M Co. and K Co.. 13 healthy males measured the foot pressure, EMG and GRF. Collected data was analyzed using One-way ANOVA in order to investigate the effects of each trekking shoes. The results are as follows: Trekking shoe of F Co. was significantly wider in contact area than others at MF and significantly lower in maximum force, peak pressure than others at RF. In the case of muscle activity, acted in the same way as the effect of barefoot walking. In the case of GRF, effectively absorbed the impact force, so it is possible to efficient walking. As a result of the analysis, trekking shoe using of 3D Bootie method of F Co. can be efficient walking by reducing the load of foot during walking.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.825-831
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• 2007

An elbow orthosis with a pneumatic rubber actuator has been developed to assist and enhance upper limb movements and has been examined for the effectiveness. The effectiveness of the elbow orthosis was examined by comparing muscular activities during alternate dumbbell curl exercises with and without the orthosis. The subjects participated in the experiment were younger adults in their twenties. The subjects were instructed to perform dumbbell curl motion in a sitting position with and without orthosis in turn and a dynamometer was used to measure elbow joint torque outputs in an isovelocity mode. The measurements were done with four various dumbbell loads: 0 kg, 1 kg, 3 kg, and 5 kg. The orthosis was pneumatically actuated and controlled in a passive mode. The most comfortable air pressure to the pneumatic actuator was determined to be 0.294MPa. Electromyography(EMG) was also measured during curl exercises. The muscles of interest were biceps brachii(BB), triceps brachii(TB), brachioradialis(Bo), and flexor carpi ulnaris(FCU) in the upper limbs. The experimental results showed that the muscular activities themselves significantly reduced with elbow orthosis on in performing similar activities without orthosis. As a result of this experiment, the effectiveness of the developed upper limb orthosis was confirmed and the level of assistance was quantified.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.647-653
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between female and male ballet dancers in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors during the box drop landing task. Nine female and nine male collegiate ballet dancers participated in this study. Kinematic and ground reaction data were collected and combined with inverse dynamics to estimate the knee extensor and abductor moment. EMG data from the biceps femoris and rectus femoris were used to estimate the ratio of quadriceps-hamstrings muscle activity. No gender differences in anterior cruciate ligament injury risk factors were found during the box drop landing task. A significant relationship was found between female and male ballet dancers in the knee flexion angle.

• Proceedings of the Korea Contents Association Conference
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• 2012.05a
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• pp.99-100
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• 2012

본 연구의 목적은 정상 성인에게 지상, 수중, 가상현실 운동을 실시하여 균형 능력과 근 활성도에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 알아 보고자 한다. 연구 방법은 정상성인 48명을 대상으로 6주간 지상 운동그룹(n=16), 수중 운동그룹(n=16), 가상현실 운동그룹(n=16)을 시행 하였다. 측정 도구로 Biodex, TWT, EMG,를 사용 하였다. 결과는 운동 후 세 그룹 모두에서 균형 능력과 근 활성도가 운동전에 비해 운동 후 통계적으로 유의한 향상이 있었다(p<.05). 수중 운동그룹과 다른 두 그룹간의 유의한 차이가 있었지만, 지상 운동그룹과 가상현실 운동 그룹간 에는 유의한차이가 없었다(p<.05). 결론은 수중 운동이 지상 운동과 가상현실 운동 보다 균형 능력과 근 활성도 향상에 더 효과적인 중재 방법으로 사용되어질 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였다.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2016

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop a farming shovel to reduce workload, which helps farmers lower the risk of musculoskeletal disease. Background: Most of work using farming tools including shovels requires repetitive works and awkward postures on body parts, and it could possibly cause work-related musculoskeletal disorders. It is necessary to develop and distribute farm equipment and tools in order to reduce physical workload. Method: To improve the most uncomfortable task perceived by ten farmers during the work with a shovel, the improved shovel was designed and made as a prototype for experiment for the comparison of the existing and improved shovels. Twenty males were recruited for this experiment, and muscle activity (%MVC) of six body parts and subjective discomfort ratings by body parts while working with a shovel were measured. A paired t-test was performed to compare physical workload between the existing shovel and the developed one. Results: A shovel applying foothold tied between shaft and blade was designed, which can help workers reduce repetitive bending of back and pressures for upper limbs while digging soil. According to compared evaluation of the developed shovel and the existing shovel, the developed shovel's %MVCs in all experimental muscles were significantly lower than those of the existing shovel. The developed shovel showed the biggest drop in perceived subjective discomfort rating of back, followed by arm and neck, compared to the existing shovel. Conclusion: It was confirmed that attaching a foothold to a shovel was an effective way of reducing workload in back and upper limbs during digging. Application: In the near future, if we put the prototype of developed shovel to practical use after making up for defects, it will help farm work environment be healthier and safer.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities on the changes of illuminations in the elderly women. Ten older women ($70.90{\pm}3.28$ years, $154.70{\pm}3.47$ cm, $53.80{\pm}5.39$ kg) with normal vision and no gait disabilities participated in this study. All the experiments were performed on a level walkway from low to high lighting (six conditions). A 3-dimensional motion capturing system, force-plate, and EMG were used to acquire and analyze walking motion, force, and muscle activity data; the sampling frequency was 100 Hz, 1000 Hz and 1000 Hz respectively. To test the differences on walking standard time and joint powers of the lower extremities between the six lighting conditions, one-way repeated ANOVAs were evaluated. The following results were drawn: First, mean standard time was about 1.3 sec/stride, and velocities were smaller with lighting increasing except 100 Lx. Second, the joint power patterns of ankle and knee were not consistent, but only hip joint power was a greatest in 6 Lx and a smallest in 400 Lx. Third, standard times(100 Lx<300 Lx, 400 Lx) were statistically significant, and hip joint max powers (100 Lx>others) were also statistically significant. But ankle and knee joint max power were not statistically significant. These results showed that standard times from low to high lighting were not consistent, and hip joint of 100 Lx has a greatest rotational torque. We suggested that gait strategies of them as to changing illuminations were not consistent and findings may represent a lack of adaptability in the elderly women.