• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.187-196
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• 2009

The foot type is classified into normal, high or low arch according to either foot print or medial longitudinal arch (MLA) height. Plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Achilles tendinitis, stress fracture, metatarsalgia, knee pain, shin splint pain, and etc are common foot disorders and associate to the foot type. The purpose of this study was to evaluate several suggested bony inclination used to classified the abnormal foot and if the arch index (AI) was correlated with foot morphology. Lateral view and dorso-plantar view of radiographic images and flatbed scanner measurements obtained from 57 college students were analyzed. Results showed that AI measured in this study was higher than Caucasian Americans and European, but similar with African. The ethnic origin could influent the AI distribution. The AI provided a simple quantitative means of assessing the structure of lateral and medial longitudinal arches. The correlation coefficients of true bone height with AI could be further improved by normalized foot width rather than foot length. AI also demonstrated as a good indicator of inclination between calcaneus-fifth metatarsal (CalM5) and calcaneus-first metatarsal (CalX), it is a good means to classify the foot type.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.83-98
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the test-retest of plantar pressures using the F-Scan system over speeds and plantar regions. 6 healthy female subjects in 20's were recruited for the study. Plantar pressure measurements during locomotor activities can provide information concerning foot function, particularly if the timing and magnitude of the loading profile can be related to the location of specific foot structures such as the metatarsal heads. The Tekscan F-Scan system consists of a flexible, 0.18mm thick sole-shape having 1260 pressure sensors, the sensor insole was trimmed to fit the subjects' right. left shoes - sneakers shoes & dress shoes. It was calibrated by the known weight of the test subject standing on one foot. The Tekscan measurements show the insole pressure distribution as a function of the time. This finding has important implications for the development of plantar pressure test protocols where the function of the forefoot is important. According to the result of analysis it is as follows 1) Center of force trajectory in women's dress shoes display direct movement, compare with center of force trajectory in Sneaker shoes displays a little bit curved slow pronation movement. Sneaker shoes in forefoot part display very quick supination movement, therefore, this shoes effects negative effectiveness for ankle's stability Considering center of force trajectory analyzing the more center of force close straight line, the more movement can be quick movement for locomotion. For foot pressure distribution, center of force trajectory in locomotion is better to curved trajectory with pronation movement. So sneaker shoes style is good shoes considering center of pressure distribution trajectory compare with women's dress shoes. 2) Women's dress shoes increased peak pressure in medial, this is effected by high hill's height. The more increased women's dress shoes's height, the more women's peak pressure will increase, pronation can increase compare with before. Supination movement increase, this focused pressure in lateral, also, supination increased more. If the supination movement increased, foot pressure focused in lateral, therefore, it is appeared force distribution in gait direction. This is bad movement in foot's stability. 3) Women's dress shoes in landing phase displayed a long time, this is when women's dress shoes wear, gait movement is unbalance, so, landing phase displayed a long time. For compensation in gait, swing phase quick movement. 4) Women's dress shoes displayed peak pressure distribution in lateral of rearfoot part, Sneakers shoes displayed peak pressure distribution in medial of forefoot part. Its results has good impact absorption compare with women's dress shoes. In forefoot part, sneakers shoes has good propulsive force compare with women's dress shoes.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2023

Purpose : The most effective intervention for flat foot is strengthening exercises for the intrinsic and extrinsic of the foot. Additionally, visual feedback is necessary for movement accuracy. However, the effectiveness of the intervention when combined with visual feedback was not revealed. To confirm this, the research was to investigate the effect of visual feedback and a complex exercise program on navicular bone height, plantar pressure, and lower extremity alignment. Methods : The twenty eight adult men and women with flat foot were randomly assigned to group 1 (n=14) and group2 (n=14), group1 performed complex exercises with visual feedback, and group 2 performed only complex exercises. Both groups performed a 40 minute compound exercise program three times a week. Navicular drop test, plantar pressure test, and lower extremity alignment test were performed equally in both group. Results : As a result of comparing the change in navicular height within the group according to the intervention, both groups showed a significant difference before and after the exercise (p>.05). There was not significant difference comparing the difference between the groups in the navicular height (p>.05). Comparing the change in plantar pressure within groups, there was not significant difference in the change in plantar pressure in both groups (p>.05). Coparing the difference before and after exercise between groups, there was not significant plantar pressure (p>.05). Comparing the change in leg alignment within the group, there was a significant difference in the change in ankle before and after exercise in group 1 (p<.05), but there was not significant difference in group 2. There was not significant difference in pelvic tilt and knee tilt before and after exercise in both groups (p>.05). Comparing the before and after exercise difference between groups, there were not significant in all variables of leg alignment (p>.05). Conclusion : The results of this study showed that complex exercise applied to patients with flat foot were effective in increasing the height of the navicular bone and ankle angle, but there was no effect due to visual feedback.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.15-22
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• 2011

Purpose: This research investigated falls due to obstacles that occur among elderly people by assessing changes in the values of plantar foot force, peak force, and plantar foot pressure in elderly subjects while they were stepping over obstacles of different heights. Methods: The subjects were 20 elderly people aged 70-80 years; Pressure was measured on flat ground(0 cm), and after installing obstacles of 8 cm and 12 cm using the F-scan system, which is a resistance-type pressure sensor. A one-way analysis of variance was performed to compare pressure on each part of the foot according to various heights after collecting data using the Tekscan program. The least significant difference test was used for the post-hoc analysis, A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: The force value for the toe area (parts 1, and 2) and contact pressure increased significantly with the 12 cm obstacle (p<0.05). The peak force value and the peak contact pressure for part 1 increased significantly with the 12 cm obstacle (p<0.05). Conclusion: Larger changes appeared in the functions and structure of the foot while subjects walked over obstacles of different heights compared to flatland walking. This result suggests that people have safety strategies to prevent falls, and that there is a need for a more realistic approach through practice to overcome obstacles of various heights to prevent falls.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.674-682
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of aquatic gait training on plantar foot pressure, foot kinesiology and gait speed in right hemiplegic patients. The subject were 20 stroke patients who elapsed from 12 month to 24 month after stroke(aquatic gait training group(n=10), land gait training group(n=10)). This study measured plantar foot pressure, toe out angle, subtalar joint angle, gait speed from data of gate on 2m long measuring apparatus for RS-scan system(RS scan Ltd. German). This experiment performed in twice, before and after the aquatic gait training and land gait training. Collected data were statistically analyzed by SPSS Ver. 12.0 using descriptive statistics, paired t-test. Aquatic gait training group had more variety pressure area on their foot such as T1(Toe 1), HM(Heel medial), and HL(Heel lateral). But motion of subtalar joint flexibility and toe out angle decreased considerably and gate speed also increased. According to the result, aquatic gait training is considered as more effective way in foot stability and normal gait pattern than land gait training.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2012

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body balance according to insole height and to provide basic information about body balance by insole height. Method : We examed 40 university students who had healthy body without balance impairment. Plantar pressure was measured by EMED system and the measurement of MTD balance used the MTD-balance master in static stance posture. Both of equipments are various measurement method. We measured plantar pressure and MTD balance each three different height insole(0cm, 3cm, 7cm) and each trial was 30 second in duration. Result : The results were as follows : 1) It showed significantly differences between bare foot and height insole. The anterior plantar pressure with 3cm or 7cm insole were more higher than bare foot(P<.05). 2) There were no significantly differences between barefoot and height insole with MTD-balance master(P<.05). Conclusion : In conclusion, the measurement of MTD balance showed right and left balance ability didn't change by insole height, but plantar pressure was moved on anterior side of foot so we could know insole's height cause the effect to anterior and posterior balance ability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2011

Purpose : The Purpose of this study is to investigate the values of foot pressure during gait cycle according to adaptation and sudden remove of various color information. Methods : Participants who met the criteria for this study (n=13). RS-Scan was used to measure plantar foot pressur according to Five kinds of color information in this study. Results : The adaptation of various color information is no statistically significant on all area. But sudden remove of various color information is statistically significant on T2-5, M5 and MF area. Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that sudden remove of various color information reduces the ability of balance during gait in normal adults. And these results means that increase risk of falling down according to sudden remove of various color information.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.191-200
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of trekking boots for assessing their functionality. Subjects participated in this study included 10 university male students who had no injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The size of all subjects was 270mm. Five models of trekking boots, most popular in Korea (A, B, C, D & E company), were selected for the test. Using the PEDAR-X system and PEDAR-X insoles, 5 different walking stages were analyzed for the foot-pressure distribution: (a) straight gait; (b) $45^{\circ}$ turn gait; (c) $25^{\circ}$ uphill gait; and (d) $25^{\circ}$ downhill gait. Results of the foot-pressure distribution and functionality on each stage were as follow; 1. Straight gait - In case of Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there was not a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and A company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. 2. $45^{\circ}$ turn gait - In Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and A company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E and A company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. 3. $25^{\circ}$ uphill gait - In Max ground reaction force, mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E and C company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E and C company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. 4. $25^{\circ}$ downhill gait - In Max ground reaction force, Mean plantar pressure and Max plantar pressure, there wasn't a distinct tendency; however, products manufactured by E company showed relatively lower pressure distribution. Results also revealed that the products manufactured by E company were superior to those by other companies in terms of functionality. Overall, five pairs of trekking shoes selected in this study showed the excellent performance in several conditions. The findings above may provide us with the important criteria for choosing trekking boots.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different obstacle heights on the plantar foot pressure during obstacle crossing. Sixteen healthy adults who had no musculoskeletal disorders were instructed to perform unobstructed level walking and to step over obstacles corto 10cm, 20cm, 30cm. Plantar foot forces and pressures were recorded by the Footmat system(Tekscan, Boston, USA) during level and obstacle walking with barefoot. Plantar foot surface was defined as seven regions for pressure measurement; two toe regions, three forefoot regions, one midfoot region, one heel region. One-way ANOVA was used to compare each region data of foot according to various heights. The results indicated that there are significant differences on peak pressure and maximal forces regarding each region at stance phase. As height of obstacle became high, the pathway of COP had a tendency to be short and abducted. Plantar pressure of foot could be changed by obstacle height and these findings demonstrated that obstacle with different height have an effect on structure and function of the foot.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.122-127
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• 2008

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome of proximal plantar fasciitis after nonoperative treatment, and also to find the correlation of the heel pain with the plantar fascia thickness measured by ultrasonography. Materials and Methods: The study is based on 41 patients, 46 feet of the proximal plantar fasciitis that were treated conservatively with at least 12 months follow-up. All were treated with heel pad, Achilles and plantar fascia stretching and pain medications for at least 3 months. Heel ultrasonography was performed at the beginning of the treatment to measure the plantar fascia (PF) thickness and the echogenicity. PF thickness over 4 mm and less were grouped in to group A and B respectively to compare the clinical outcome. Results: Average thickness of the PF at the calcaneal attach was 5.2 mm. Symptom duration before the treatment was average 13.2 month; group A being 14.6 months and group B being 9.0 months with no significant difference (p=0.09). As functional evaluation, Roles-Maudsley score improved from 3.4 initially to 2.3 at final follow-up, while morning heel pain also improved from average VAS pain score of 7.2 to 4.0. However Maudsley and VAS score both didn't show statistical difference between the 2 groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Plantar fasciitis improved substantially with the nonoperative treatments. However, the 2 groups, divided according to 4 mm thickness by ultrasonography, didn't show significant difference in either symptom duration or in the clinical outcomes.