• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.1-7
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• 2005

Excessive pronation and impact force during running are related to various running injuries. To prevent these injuries, three type of running shoes are used, such as cushioning, stability, and motion control. Although there were may studies about the effect of midsole hardness on impact force, no study to investigate biomechanical effect of motion control running shoes. The purpose of this study was to determine biomechanical difference between cushioning and motion control shoes during treadmill running. Specifically, plantar and rearfoot motion, impact force and loading rate, and insole pressure distribution were quantified and compared. Twenty male healthy runners experienced at treadmill running participated in this study. When they ran on treadmill at 3.83 m/s. Kinematic data were collected using a Motion Analysis eight video camera system at 240 Hz. Impact force and pressure distribution data under the heel of right foot were collected with a Pedar pressure insole system with 26 sensors at 360 Hz. Mean value of ten consecutive steps was calculated for kinematics and kinetics. A dependent paired t-test was used to compare the running shoes effect (p=0.05). For most kinematics, motion control running shoes reduced the range of rearfoot motion compared to cushioning shoes. Runners wearing motion control shoe showed less eversion angle during standing less inversion angle at heel strike, and slower eversion velocity. For kinetics, cushioning shoes has the effect to reduce impact on foot obviously. Runners wearing cushioning shoes showed less impact force and loading rate, and less peak insole pressure. For both shoes, there was greater load on the medial part of heel compared to lateral part. For pressure distribution, runners with cushioning shoes showed lower, especially on the medial heel.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2023

Purpose: Postoperative exercise for acute Achilles tendon rupture is important for a patient's return to daily life and sports. On the other hand, the protocol requires considerable effort to educate patients and continuous checking. This study evaluated the outcome of a new simple and delayed rehabilitation protocol after Achilles tendon rupture repair. Materials and Methods: From July 2014 to November 2020, one hundred eighty-three patients were operated on by one surgeon. The exercise protocol was classified into two methods. One group (immediate protocol, control group) started immediate full weight bearing with a 20° plantar flexion range of motion from two days postoperatively. Ankle dorsiflexion was restricted to 0°. The other group (delayed protocol, case group) started full weight bearing with a controlled ankle motion boot from two weeks postoperatively. No range of motion exercise was allowed until six weeks postoperatively. Age, sex, body mass index, ankle range of motion, muscle power, time to return to previous physical activity, functional score, and complication rate were evaluated. The results of the two groups were compared using a Mann-Whitney test. Statistical significance was set as p<0.05. Results: The range of motion, double heel rising, and one-leg standing were achieved faster in the control group (p<0.05). However, single-heel rising, repeated single-heel rising, return to previous activity (work, run, and sport), and functional scores showed no statistical difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: Simple and delayed postoperative rehabilitation of acute Achilles tendon rupture without active range of motion exercises showed satisfactory functional results and a low complication rate.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-119
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• 2004

To enhance our understanding of the loads on the foot during treadmill running, we have used a pressure-sensitive insole system to determine pressure, rate of loading and impulse distributions on the plantar surface during treadmill running, both in minimally cushioned footwear and in cushioned shoes. This report includes pressure, rate of loading, impulse and contact time data from a study of ten subjects running on a treadmill at 4.0m/s. Among heel-toe runners, the highest peak pressures and highest rates of loading were observed under the centre of the heel and in the medial forefoot. The arch regions were only lightly loaded. Contact time was greater in the forefoot than in the heel. Two-thirds of the impulse recorded during the step was the result of forces applied through the forefoot, mostly in the region of the metatarsal heads. The distribution of loads in the shoe suggests that the load distributing properties of the cushioning system are most important in the centre of the heel, under the metatarsal heads and great toe. Shock attenuation is primarily required under the centre of the heel and to lesser extent under the metatarsal heads. Some energy dissipation may be desirable in the heel region because it causes shock to be absorbed with less force. All the 'propulsive' effort is applied through the forefoot. Therefore, this region should as resilient as possible.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between strength balance and joint position sense related to the ankle joint in healthy women. Methods: Twenty-six healthy women were recruited. Isokinetic strength and joint position sense (JPS) were measured using a Biodex System 4 pro Dynamometer and a Biodex Advantage Software Package. Prior to measuring the JPS and isokinetic strength, the dominant foot was determined according to the Waterloo Footedness Questionnaire. After the JPS test, isokinetic strength was evaluated in velocity $60^{\circ}s$, including practice trial ($90^{\circ}s$). Using the measured isokinetic strength, a Strength Balance Index (SBI) was calculated. Results: Relative to the SBI, the degree of imbalance was varied; but there were imbalances. For each starting position, JPS error showed no significant differences (p>0.05). The relationship between SBI and JPS was found during the inversion to eversion process, eversion to inversion, and dorsi flexion to plantar flexion. Conclusion: There are moderate to mild relationships between JPS and SBI during ankle movement. It is suggested that to prevent ankle injuries, strength balance should be considered along with the other potential factors including anatomical alignment, proprioception, and soft tissues problems.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyse scientific according to period of rehabilitation training of ACL patients. ACL patients seven subjects participated in this study. Gait (1.58 m/sec) analysis was performed by using a 3-D Cinematography, a Zebris system and a electromyograph system. The data were analyzed by paired t-test. The joint angles were recorded from the ankle, knee, hip joints. Peak max dorsi-flexion and peak max plantar-flexion identified significant differences (p<0.05). Another angles were no significant difference. Vertical force (Fz) and max pressure variables improved 6 month RTP better than 3 month RTP. EMG were collected from 4 muscles (rectus femoris, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior) with surface electrides in gait system. EMG signals were rectified and smoothed data. EMG signas were no significant difference but they also improved 6 month RTP better than 3 month RTP. More research is necessary to determine exactly what constitutes optimal rehabilitation training period for ACL patients.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this research was to verify the relationship between three-dimensional (3D) ground reaction force (GRF) and severity of leg length discrepancy (LLD) while walking at a normal speed. It used a 3D motion analysis system with force platforms in standing workers with LLD. Methods: Subjects comprising 45 standing workers with LLD were selected. Two force platforms were used to acquire 3D GRF data based on a motion analysis system during gait. Vicon Nexus and Visual3D v6 Professional software were used to analyze kinetic GRF data. The subjects were asked to walk on a walkway with 40 infrared reflective markers attached to their lower extremities to collect 3D GRF data. Results: The results indicated the maximal force in the posterior and lateral direction of the long limb occurring in the early stance phase during gait had significant positive correlation with LLD severity (r = 0.664~0.738, p <0.01). In addition, the maximal force medial direction of the long limb occurring in the late stance phase showed a highly positive correlation with the LLD measurement (r = 0.527, p <0.01). Conclusion: Our results indicate that greater measured LLD severity results in more plantar pressure occurring in the foot area during heel contact to loading response of the stance phase and the stance push-off period during gait.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was to investigate how induced microcurrent shoes affect relief of feet pain, which often occurs to persons who are more than fifty years old and how they prevent fatigue of feet generated during everyday life. The subjects of this study were comprised af five males and five females, who agreed with this research and ate more than fifty years old. And they all have plantar faciitis and pain in their feet. Methods: Subjects ware the induced microcurrent shoes far more than 4 hours everyday during the test. When they wore those shoes, they also wore the specially produced shacks made of silver-mixed thread and they were asked to avoid serious exercise. Prior to starting test and after the test, assessments were carried out two times. In the examination before the test, general shoes were used and in examination after the test, induced microcurrent shoes used. Muscle fatigue was measured by electromyography(MP150, Biopac, USA). When the walking rate of subjects on a treadmill was increased from 2.Km/h to 3Km/h for 10 minutes, muscle activities of a lower leg were measured during the whale walking process by MP150 remote monitoring system(TEL 100C). And pain was measured by VAS. Results: The results are as follows. 1. Comparisons of VAS before and after experimentation showed that degree of pain was significantly decreased(p < .05). 2. Degree of fatigue of Tibialis anterior was significantly decreased after 6 weeks of treatment(p < .05). 3. Degree of fatigue of Soleus was slightly decreased after 6 weeks of treatment, but did not show significant difference (p > .05). Conclusion: The above results suggest that induced microcurrent shoes is helpful decreasing fatigue of feet and relief of feet pain.

• 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.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2008

This study investigated gait characteristics, kinematics, and kinetics in the lower extremities between two different shoe conditions (high heeled shoes (7 cm), and high heeled shoes with a total contact insert (TCI)) after lower extremity muscle fatigue. Although TCI shave been applied in high heeled shoes to increase comfort and to decrease foot pressure, no study has attempted to identify the effects of TCI in fatigue conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of walking in high heeled shoes with TCI after lower extremity muscle fatigue was induced. This study was carried out in a motion analysis laboratory at Hanseo University. A volunteer sample of 14 healthy female subjects participated. All in fatigue conditions, the subjects were divided into two groups. The muscle fatigue was induced by 40 voluntary dorsi- and plantar-flexion exercises and 40 heel-rise exercises of the dominant foot. Surface electromyography was used to confirm the localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of three muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis). The results were as follows: (1) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI decreased the peak flexion angle of the hip joint significantly in the early stance phase (p<.05) and increased the peak hip flexion moment in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (2) In muscle fatigue conditions, the application of TCI also increased peak hip power generation in the early stance phase and peak hip power absorption in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (3) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI reduced the impact force significantly and increased the secondary peak vertical GRF. These findings suggest that the TCI may provide beneficial effects when muscle fatigue occurs for a high heeled shoe gait. Future research employing the patient population and various types of TCI materials are required to clarify the effects of TCI.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.532-542
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the body's strategy through kinematic variables of the lower extremities and ground reaction forces to maintain the club-head speed and ball accuracy despite the three stances during the golf swing. Ten male golfers who official handicap two were participate in the experiment. All subjects performed swing after maintaining the address posture according to stance conditions(square; SS, open: OS, closed: CS). Using a 3D motion analysis system and force plateform, the results were calculated with the 7-iron full swing each stance. In result, there was no difference in center of displacement, and left and right hip and knee joint angle displacement. Left ankle joint was largely plantar-flexed in OS, and right ankle joint was largely performed in CS from the address to the downswing. From address to take-back, right foot had a large left direction and the left foot had a right direction were greater in OS than in CS. Therefore, despite various stances, maintaining the same posture at impact is thought to have a positive effect on club head speed and ball direction.