• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.948-955
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to compare plantar pressure and COP parameters in three types of arch support insole during stair descent in elderly with flatfoot. A total of 14 women elderly were recruited for this study. Pedar-X was used to obtain plantar pressure(peak pressure, mean pressure, and contact area) and COP(distance, displacement, excursion) parameters. One-way ANOVAs were used to compare peak pressure, mean pressure, and contact area, distance of COP, displacement of COP, and excursion of COP. Among the plantar pressure parameters, significant(p<0.05) differences were observed in M3 for the peak pressure, M2, M3, and M4 for the mean pressure, and M2, M3, and M6 for the contact area. Among the COP parameters, distances of COP both in the mediolateral and anteroposterior axes revealed significant(p<0.05) differences. The larger peak pressure values of type A and B insoles were observed as compared to normal insole. The larger peak pressure and shorter COP distance values of type A and B insoles were observed as compared to normal insole.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) rely on their upper limbs for body-lifting activity (BLA). While studies have examined the electromyography (EMG) and kinematics of the shoulder joints during BLA, no studies have considered foot position during BLA. Objects: This study compared the effects of different foot positions during BLA on the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion in individuals with SCI. Methods: The study enrolled 13 mens with motor-complete paraplegic SCI, ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) A or B. All subjects performed BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest and on the floor independently. Surface EMG was used to collect data from the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii. The peak plantar pressure was measured using pedar-X and the knee flexion angle with Image J. Borg's rating perceived exertion scale was used to measure the physical activity intensity level. The paired t-test was used to compare the shoulder muscle activities, peak plantar pressure, knee flexion angle, and rating perceived exertion between the two feet positions during BLA. Results: The activity of the latissimus dorsi, pectoralis major, serratus anterior, and triceps brachii and rating perceived exertion decreased significantly and the peak plantar pressure and knee flexion angle increased significantly when performing BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest compared with on the floor (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings suggest that individuals with SCI may perform BLA with the feet positioned on the wheelchair footrest for weight-relief lifting to decrease the shoulder muscle activities and the rating perceived exertion and to increase the peak plantar pressure and the knee flexion angle.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of the subtalar sling ankle taping, by measuring changes in peak plantar pressure and subtalar angle during jump landing and walking in healthy subjects with subtalar sling ankle taping applied of the ankle joint. Fifty healthy subjects(8 males and 7 female, aged 22 to 25) were randomly divided into a participated in this study. They were free of musculoskeletal injury and neurologic deficit in lower extremity. The subjects were asked to perform 5M walking and single leg jump landing by under the guidance of physical therapists. Subtalar motions were typically measured as the angle made between the posterior aspect of the calcaneous and the posterior aspect of the lower leg during walking with taping or not. This measurement were made using a video system (30Hz sampling rate, rectified 60 Hz sampling rate). At the same time, peak lateral and vertical pressure were investigated using pressure distribution platforms(MatScan system) under foot during walking and single leg jump landing with taping or not. Statistical analysis was done by paired t-test and intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC(3.1)], using software SPSS. We have recently demonstrated significantly altered patterns of subtalr joint and peak plantar pressure when applied subtalar sling ankle taping(p<.05). Inversion angle of subtalar joint significantly decreased with taping(p<.05). The result suggest that pressure patterns observed in subjects are likely to result due to significant decrease in stress on ankle joint structures during jump landing and walking. Also, the result that the subtalar sling ankle taping procedure provides greater restiction of motion associated with ankle inversion. However, this study involved asymptomatic subjects without history of ankle inversion injury, further research is needed to assess the motion restraining effect of the subtalar sling ankle taping in subjects with lateral ankle instability.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.197-204
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• 2009

It bas been hypothesized that foot ulceration might be internally initiated. Current instruments which merely allow superficial estimate of plantar loading acting on the foot, severely limit the scope of many biomechanical/clinical studies on this issue. Recent studies have suggested that peak plantar pressure may be only 65% specific for the development of ulceration. These limitations are at least partially due to surface pressures not being representative of the complex mechanical stress developed inside the subcutaneous plantar soft-tissue, which are potentially more relevant for tissue breakdown. This study established a three-dimensional and nonlinear finite element model of a human foot complex with comprehensive skeletal and soft-tissue components capable of predicting both the external and internal stresses and deformations of the foot. The model was validated by experimental data of subject-specific plantar foot pressure measures. The stress analysis indicated the internal stresses doses were site-dependent and the observation found a change between 1.5 to 4.5 times the external stresses on the foot plantar surface. The results yielded insights into the internal loading conditions of the plantar soft-tissue, which is important in enhancing our knowledge on the causes of foot ulceration and related stress-induced tissue breakdown in diabetic foot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.173-180
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• 2007

The purpose of study was to compare plantar pressure during walking wearing the curved rear balance and normal shoes. Twelve university students(height: $177.2{\pm}4.6cm$, weight: $68.4{\pm}5.8kg$, age: $26.2{\pm}1.6yrs.$) who have no known musculoskeletal disorders were recruited as the subjects. Plantar foot pressures were evaluated using the Tekscan's pressure measurement systems while subjects walked upright position wearing the curved rear balance and normal shoes in random order at a speed of 1.3 m/s. The contacting dimension, the mean plantar pressure, and the peak plantar pressure were determined for each trial. For each dependent variable, paired t-test was performed to test if significant difference existed between shoe conditions (p<.05). As a result, the curved rear balanced shoes showed as large as 38 up to 50 % of area at the rear side of feet than the normal shoes when measuring the contact area with upright position. In the distribution of average pressure, the curved rear balanced shoes displayed fairly low pressure compared to other normal shoes in general except for one area, which is M2, and especially, the measured pressures at the both rear (M1) and middle (M5) side of feet were low and statically significant. The contact area of the curved rear balanced shoes when walking was significantly larger at the rear (M1) and fore (M6, M7) side of feet. When considering pressure distribution at walking, low pressure was detected at the rear side of feet with the curved rear balanced shoes and at the fore side of feet for other normal shoes. The results showed that the contacting dimension of the curved rear balance shoes that acts between shoes and feet was higher than the corresponding value for the normal shoes in general; therefore it would reduce the pressure to the feet by allowing the each sole of the foot on the ground evenly.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.31-36
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• 2009

Hemiplegia-induced immobilizatoin and reduction of mechanical loading in chronic stroke limbs are common cause of disuse osteoporosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of asymmetrical weight bearing on the loss of bone mineral in the individual with chronic stroke. Sixteen hemiplegic patients with strokes were evaluated. The measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) were evaluated with the quantitative ultrasound system on the calcaneus region of the paretic and non-paretic side. Plantar pressure was measured using the Mat-Scan system. The paretic side showed significantly smaller values in the T-score of BMD, and peak value of plantar pressure, which included forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot, than the non-paretic side (p<.05). Results from the pearson correlation analysis showed statistically significant correlation between the BMD difference and the peak-pressure difference of midfoot pressure (p<.05). This finding indicated that BMD loss depended on decrease of body weight born on the paretic leg.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.105-111
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect that difference in forefoot of shoe flexibility during the quick lunge from a jump smashing on the lower limbs and the plantar pressure distribution. For this 10 elite badminton players with over 10 years experience and right handed participated. Two kinds of badminton shoes were selected and tested mechanical testing for the forefoot flexibility. Motion analysis, ground reaction forces and plantar pressure distribution were recorded. It was required to conduct lunge movement after jumping smashing as possible as high. Photo sensor was located in 3 meter away from standing position and its height was 40 cm. Subjects were conducted to return original position after touching the sensor as under clear movement as possible as fast. Forefoot stiffness had an effect on shoe peak bending degree and peak bending angular velocity in propulsion phase. Forefoot flexibility had an effect on ankle plantar flexion and knee flexion moment. It appears that joint power on lower limb and peak plantar pressure were not influenced by the flexibility of shoes.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2003

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between radiographic parameters of the forefoot and plantar pressure in patients with hallux valgus. Materials and Methods: Plantar pressures of 21 patients with hallux valgus were examined with EMED-ST system. The data were compared with the parameters on the simple weightbearing dorsoplantar radiographs of the feet. The radiographic parameters that were measured were hallux valgus angle, 1-2 intermetatarsal angle, relative lengths of the metatarsals which were measured with the methods described by Maestro et al. and Okuda et al. Results: Statistically significant correlation was found between peak pressures under 2, 3 metatarsal heads and the relative lengths of 2, 3 metatarsals which were measured with the method described by Maestro et al. However they could explain only 13% of the pressures under the 2, 3 metatarsal heads by multivariate analysis. Conclusion: These results suggest that we cannot predict the plantar pressures under the foot with the parameters on the simple weightbearing dorsoplantar radiographs of the feet.

• 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.