• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2013

This study examined 24 right-handed amateur baseball players. Twelve who had played baseball for more than 6 years were grouped as skilled players, while 12 who had played for 1-3 years were the unskilled player group. The swing motion was divided into four event phases: stance, backswing, impact, and follow-through. The mean and maximum plantar pressure, center of pressure, and ground reaction force were measured during each event phase. The mean and standard deviations for each variables were calculated and differences were validated with the independent sample t-test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results were as follows. 1)The ideal stance is a stable, balanced position with more than 65% of weight on the right foot. There was significant difference in mean left plantar pressure, while the maximal plantar pressure and mean right plantar pressure did not differ significant. 2)The effective backswing of a skilled player is comprised a rightward shift in weight to build maximum energy. More than 90% of the weight was on the right foot. There was a significant difference in the mean left plantar pressure, while the maximal plantar pressure and mean right plantar pressure did not differ significantly. 3) For an effective impact, a rapid shift in weight to the left foot is essential, so that a power hit is obtained. Significant difference in the mean and maximum plantar pressures of both feet were observed. 4)Follow-through requires wight balance, more on the right than the left, without leaning leftward. There was no significant difference in the mean or maximum plantar pressure. 5)The center of plantar pressure should move from the center of the foot to the toe. 6)The analyses of the ground reaction force suggest that a good swing involves a gradual shift in weight to the right side and a rapid leftward shift at impact. Good balance, with the center of gravity on the right side at follow-through, is also required.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2011

This study determined the effects of the height and the quality of the material of popular heel-up insole on mean plantar foot pressure during walking. Seven healthy college students who are studying at S university in Busan were as participants in this study. After sufficiently explaining about the research to the subjects before the experiment, mean plantar foot pressures were examined using F-Scan Pressure Measure System 5.23 for the gait with shoes inserted insole and the data were compared among the height and the quality of material of insoles. In the result, there was a difference significantly in the mean plantar foot pressure followed the height of insoles both left and right. Especially, mean plantar foot pressure in left indicated significantly lower in 3 cm and 5 cm insoles than in 0 cm and 1 cm insoles. Also mean plantar foot pressure in right showed significantly lower in 3 cm and 5 cm insoles than in 0 cm, and indicated significantly lower in 5 cm insoles than in 1 cm and 3 cm insoles. The mean plantar foot pressure followed the quality of the material of insoles were different significantly. In left, the mean plantar foot pressure of urethane poly-acetyl insole was lower significantly than urethane poly-acetyl inserted air insole, power-gel insole and jelly insole. And the mean plantar foot pressure of urethane poly-acetyl insole was lower significantly than power-gel insole and jelly insole in right. We showed that 3 cm and 5 cm insoles in the height of insoles and Urethane poly-acetyl insole in the quality of material were suitable to reduce a fatigue which is felt in plantar foot during the walking.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.442-449
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• 2013

This study was to compare a domestic comfort shoes to the popular import(SAS$^{(R)}$) to gain a better understanding in biomechanical characteristics for shoe design for the elderly. For each shoe type, morphologic dimensions, shock absorption, and flexibility were assessed. From subjects(n = 20, $72.4{\pm}5.5$ years, $67.7{\pm}7.9$ kg), mean peak pressure(MPP) and contact area(CA) at the plantar surface were analyzed. The domestic shoes reflecting anatomic contour of the plantar surfaces of Asians resulted in wider CA(by 30.4 $cm^2$), higher shock absorption(by 2.4%) and stiffness(by 0.5 N/mm) than the import. With the domestic shoes, significantly less MPPs were found at the forefoot(by 42~49%) regions(p < .05) and higher CA was noted additionally at hallux and lessor toes(by 26~63%). More anatomically-contoured insole and favorable mechanical characteristics may help reduce the plantar pressures more effectively and more evenly, especially across the central forefoot and midfoot regions of the plantar surface, especially for the design of the comfort shoes for the elderly.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.235-244
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate of the foot plantar pressure and usability after gait training using the ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton robot in an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) patient. Design: A case study Methods: Six participants with an asymmetry in motor and sensory function completed the gait training using ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton robot for 15 sessions, five per weeks, 3weeks. They were divided into two groups (low and high strength group) and group differences were evaluated about session at stating of gait, gait distance at final session and foot plantar pressures and useability after training. Results: Low strength group was faster than high strength group on adaptation of robot gait. And high strength group increased faster than low strength group on the gait distance during training. In standing and gait, weaker leg was higher than stronger leg on mean foot plantar pressure in low strength group. And stronger leg was higher than weaker leg on foot plantar pressure in high strength group. The length of the anterior-posterior trajectory of the center of pressure during gait was similar in low strength group, but different in high strength group. useability was positive about ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton gait after training. Conclusions: ExoAtlet wearable exoskeleton robot gait training was positive about improving gait in all participants regardless of differences in severity of symptoms and gait abnormalities.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.59-65
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shift of COP pathway and the plantar foot pressure among level walking and stairs and ramp climbing in young and elderly people. Plantar foot pressure was measured by MatScan system(Tekscan, USA). Statistical analysis was used One-way ANOVA to know the characteristics of peak plantar pressure during walking with different the facilities. In young adults, COP pathway during stairs climbing was slightly shorten and trended to abduct at forefoot. COP pathway during ramp climbing was also shorten but trend to adduct at forefoot. Peak plantar pressure of 2-3 metatarsal head and heel during ramp climbing was more decreased than level walking. In elderly people, COP pathway during stairs climbing was more shorten and abducted than leve walking and COP pathway during ramp climbing was more unstable than level walking. Peak plantar pressure of first metatarsal head increased at stair climbing and decreased at ramp climbing. That of second metatarsal head and heel was more decreased at ramp climbing. Conclusionally, Peak plantar pressures of each foot region generally increased and more changed during ramp climbing.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2017

Objective: The bobsleigh shoes used in the start section are one of the most important equipment for improving the competition. Despite the importance of the start section, there are no shoes that are specific for bobsleigh athletes in Korea and Korean athletes have to wear sprint spike shoes and practice the start instead of wearing bobsleigh shoes. The objective of the present study was to provide data for improving the performance of Korean bobsleigh athletes by investigating the differences in their split time, plantar pressure, and forefoot bending angle based on skill levels at the start of a run under the same conditions as training conditions. Method: Six Korean bobsleigh athletes were divided into two groups, superior (n=3) and non-superior (n=3). A digital speedometer measured the split time at the start; the Pedar-X system (Novel, Germany) measured plantar pressure. Plantar pressures and split times were measured as the athletes pushed a bobsleigh and sprinted at full speed from the start line to the 10-m mark on the bobsleigh track. An ultra-high-speed camera was used to measure the forefoot bending angle during the start phase. Results: Significant between-group differences were found in split times (p<.000; superior = 2.38 s, non-superior = 2.52 s). The superior group had a larger rearfoot (p<.05) contact area, maximum rearfoot force (p<.01), and a larger change in angles 3 and 4 (p<.05). Conclusion: At the start of a bobsleigh run, proper use of the rearfoot for achieving effective driving force and increasing frictional resistance through a wider frictional force can shorten start time.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.99-118
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• 2004

The aim of this study is to evaluate tennis shoes's plantar pressure distribution in tennis prayers and to determine the influence of the shoe on various tennis movements. When investigating the biomechanics of movement in tennis, one of the first things to do is to understand the movement patterns of the sport, specifically how these patterns relate to different tennis shoes. Once these patterns are understood, footwear company can design tennis shoes that match the individual needs of tennis players. Plantar pressure measurement is widely employed to study foot function, the mechanical pathogenesis for foot disease and as a diagnostic and outcome measurement tool for many performance. Measurements were taken of plantar pressure distribution across the foot and using F-Scan(Tekscan Inc.) systems respectively. The F-Scan system for dynamic in-shoe foot pressure measurements has enabled us to assess quantitatively the efficacy of different types of footwear in reducing foot pressures. 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. For this study 4 university male, high level tennis players were instructed to hit alternated forehand stroke, backhand stroke, forehand volley, backhand volley, smash, service movement in 4 different tennis shoes. 1. When impact in tennis movement, peak pressure distribution of landing foot displayed D>C>B>A, A displayed the best low pressure distribution. A style's tennis shoes will suggest prayer with high impact. If prayer with high impact feeling during pray in tennis wear A style, it will decrease injury, will have performance improvement. 2. When impact in tennis movement, plantar pattern of pressure distribution in landing foot displayed B>A>C>D in stability performance. During tennis, prayer want to stability movement suggest B style tennis shoes when tennis movement impact keep stability of human body. B style tennis shoes give performance improvement 3. When impact in tennis movement, plantar pattern of center of force(C.O.F.)trajectory in landing foot analyzed this : 1) When stroke movement and volley movement in tennis, prayer better to rearfoot movement. 2) when service movement, prayer midfoot strike movement. 3) when smash movement, prayer have forefoot strike movement.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.8
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• pp.257-265
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different ramp inclination on the maximum plantar foot pressure and pathway of the center of pressure. Fifteen healthy adults who had no musculoskeletal disorders were participated with this study and descended the ramp with different inclination(level, $-5^{\circ}$, $-10^{\circ}$, $-15^{\circ}$). Plantar foot pressures were recorded by the Matscan system(Tekscan, Boston, USA) during level and descending ramp 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. Repeated ANOVA was used to compare each region data of foot according to different ramp inclination. As descending ramp inclination became increased, the pressure of hallux region was significantly increased at $-15^{\circ}$ inclination and the pressure of 2-3 metatasal head region were significantly decreased at $-5^{\circ}$, $-10^{\circ}$, $-15^{\circ}$ inclination. The pathway of COP had a tendency to be shifted inside in forefoot and prolonged to great toe as the descending ramp inclination increased. The results indicated that plantar foot pressure could be changed at hallux and forefoot regions with $-5^{\circ}$ ramp inclination and these findings demonstrated that ramp inclination could affect the structure and function of foot.

• 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.