• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.257-261
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare plantar foot pressure distribution in adults and elderly according to obstacle height. Methods: Nine healthy adults and nine older adults were recruited and the subjects provided written informed consent consent prior to participation. Both groups walked and crossed obstacles with heights of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% of their height. Foot pressure was measured by peak pressure using the Pedar System (Novel Gmbh, Germany) during obstacle walking with barefeet in shoes. Three trails were calculated on eight areas and then averaged for data analysis. Results: A significant difference in great toe, little toes, and lateral metatarsal area was observed between adults and elderly groups, but other areas did not show significant differences. Foot pressure was increased in groups according to obstacle height. Conclusion: These findings showed that change in foot pressure distribution is more lateral in elderly in order to maintain postural control during obstacle crossing.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.229-238
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of taping therapy and inner arch support on pes planus lower extremity alignment and gait. Method: The study was conducted on 13 women in their 20s who had pes planus and no gait problems. Independent variables were the condition of wearing basic socks (S1) and the condition of wearing socks with taping therapy and inner arch support (S2). The dependent variables were resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP), plantar pressure distribution during gait, and underlying and medial longitudinal arch angle measured using radiography. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test with SPSS 23.0 for comparison of S1 and S2. Results: In the RCSP measurement, the angle range of S2 changed to normal. Meary's angle appeared to be less than the angle of S1, indicating alleviation of the degree of pes planus. The calcaneal pitch angle increased at S2 from that at S1. The plantar pressure distribution was divided into four areas (toe, forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot). At S2, the maximum pressure increased in the toe and midfoot. The maximum force increased significantly in the toe and midfoot but decreased significantly in the forefoot and hindfoot. In addition, the contact area increased overall especially at the midfoot and hindfoot. Contact time decreased in the toe and forefoot, but increased in the midfoot and hindfoot. Conclusion: Taping therapy and inner arch support showed structural improvement of the pes planus. In addition, the force and pressure applied to the foot during walking are distributed evenly in the area of the sole, thus positively affecting walking.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of foot angles on plantar pressure and the center of pressure (COP) trajectory length during level walking. Methods: The study subjects were 30 female university students without orthopedic diseases in the foot. The foot angle was divided into three forms (out-toeing, normal, in-toeing). The subjects practiced each type of gait, and then performed each of level walking, three times, and their averages were calculated. A plantar pressure measurement instrument was used, and the maximum force was obtained by dividing the foot into nine regions covering the anterior medial-lateral, middle medial-lateral, and posterior medial-lateral. The COP trajectory length was statistically processed by obtaining medial-lateral, anterior-posterior, and entire travel distance. Results: During normal walking, the maximum force was significantly higher in the anterior lateral than in the other areas, and the COP trajectory length was significantly shorter in the front-back and entire travel distances (p<0.05). During stair climbing. Conclusion: Walking at abnormal foot angles does not cause appreciable problems in the short term as pressure is concentrated on a specific plantar part. However, it becomes the cause of deformed foot structures and can result in musculoskeletal disabilities in the long term. Therefore, a kinesiatrics-based intervention is required to maintain normal foot angles.

• 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 Korea
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.64-70
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship existed between foot type and the location of plantar callus in healthy subjects. Twenty-five healthy subjects with plantar callus were recruited for this study. Foot deformities were classified according to the operational definitions as 1) a compensated forefoot varus, 2) an uncompensated forefoot varus or forefoot valgus, or 3) a compensated rearfoot varus. The location of plantar callus was divided into two regions. Fourteen of the 19 feet with compensated forefoot varus and six of the 9 feet showed plantar callus at the second, third or fourth metatarsal head. Five of the 6 feet with uncompensated forefoot varus and twenty of the 16 feet with forefoot valgus showed plantar callus at the first or fifth metatarsal head. A significant relationship was found between foot type and location of callus (p<.01). The results support the hypothesis that certain foot types are associated with characteristic patterns of pressure distribution and callus formation. We believe diabetic patients with insensitive feet and with the types of foot deformity should be fit with foot orthoses and footwears that accommodate their respective deformity in a position as near to the subtalar joint as possible with the goal of preventing plantar ulceration.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.81-85
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the changing plantar foot pressure by the backpack load of 0, 10, 15, and 20% of their body weight while level walking in flat foot and so to recommend suitable backpack weight limitations for flat foot subjects. Method : 14 young flat foot subjects($24.29{\pm}2.16yrs$) participated in this study. the subjects were assigned to carry backpack load and there was four level walking modes : (1) unloaded walking(0%), (2) 10% body weight(BW) load, (3) 15% BW load and (4) 20% BW load. Repeated ANOVA was used to compare each region data of foot according to different backpack weight. Results : As backpack load became increased, the contact area of midfoot was significantly increased, and contact area of forefoot and rearfoot were significantly decreased. maximum pressure at each region during walking tended to be greater as the load increased, but a significant difference was found only for the heel medial and lateral regions Conclusion : Based on this data, the weight of backpack could influenced structure and function of the foot in flat foot.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.11-18
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• 2020

Background: The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between high heels and body imbalance among female college students in their twenties who mainly wear high heels and prevent associated problems. Methods: The subjects included 89 female college students in their twenties. They were measured in plantar pressure with a gait analyzer. Their legs were measured in length with a tape measure. Their pain intensity and pain frequency were measured in visual analog scale and in pain rating score. Results: There were statistically positive correlations between right leg length and low back pain frequency (p<.05) and negative correlations between the left hindfoot and low back pain frequency (p<.05). There were statistically positive correlations between right leg length and knee pain frequency (p<.05) and positive correlations between the ankle pain intensity and right leg length (p<.05). Conclusion: The stronger the pain was in the ankle, the stronger and more frequent their lumber pain was. When the pressure of the left heel was lower, the frequency of lumbar pain increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2017

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of stretching and elastic band exercise on the knee space distance and plantar pressure distribution in people with genu varum. METHODS: The subjects of this study were students of a college who had genu varum of 14 subjects. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups as a stretching group (n=7, 4 males and 3 females, age: $20.14{\pm}2.54years$, height: $167.1{\pm}9.78cm$, weight: $58.6{\pm}10.13kg$) and a Thera-band group (n=7, 5 males and 2 females, age: $19.85{\pm}2.04years$, height: $166.5{\pm}5.82cm$, weight: $54.2{\pm}5.59kg$). The stretching and the There-band exercises were performed three times per a week, for four weeks. We measured changes in plantar pressure during walking, using a Gait Analyzer and distance of both knees at pre and post-intervention. RESULTS: These results suggest that the space distance of both knees showed differences before and after the intervention. The plantar pressure distribution was no changes in both groups before and after the intervention except for the left foot in a stretching group. CONCLUSION: As a result, the space distance of knees in both groups was significantly reduced. These result suggested that the Thera-band and stretching exercises were effective ways in alleviating genu varum.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.189-199
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare pflugbogen's biomechanical characteristics between on the ski simulator and snowed ski slope to develop interactive ski simulator. Nine ski instructors(sex: male, age: $29.6{\pm}5.4yrs$, height: $176.0{\pm}5.6cm$, body mass: $76.0{\pm}14.0kg$) belong to Korean Ski Instructors Association participated in this research. 24 Infrared cameras for snowed ski slope experiment and 13 infrared camera for ski simulator experiment were installed near by path of pflugbogen. The participants did pflugbogen on the snowed ski slope and the ski simulator both. During the experiment, the participants weared motion capture suit with infrared reflective makers on it, and plantar pressure sensors in ski boots, so that ski motion and plantar pressure data were collected together. Displacement of COG(center of gravity) movements, trunk flexion/extension angle, adduction/abduction angle, and plantar pressure data were significantly different between on the simulator and ski slope. However, percentage of time of COG movement in the phases during medial/lateral and anterior/posterior movement were not significantly different. Findings indicate that the difference between two groups occurred because the ski simulator's drive mechanism is different from ski motion on the slope. In order to develop the ski simulator more interactively for pflugbogen, the ski simulator's drive mechanism need to be reflected 3D motion data of pflugbogen on the slope that were purposed in this research.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.43-53
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• 2006

Among several movements that occurred upon a slope, golf swing is the most typical one because environmental conditions dynamically vary with many kinds of slopes. Some studies on the golf swing were performed about a weight transfer on flatland, however, there couldn't be seen any study about the weight transfer on slope elsewhere. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to provide quantified data to objectively test the coaching words and keys about the weight transfer at sidehill slope during goal impact EspeciaIly sidehill Slopes with ball above the feet. Four highschool golfer, who have average handy 5, were recruited for this study. Plantar pressure distribution and cinematographic data were collected during golf swing in the conditions of flatland, $5^{\circ}$, $10^{\circ}$ and $15^{\circ}$sidehill slope simultaneously. The two data were used to synchronize the two data later. The plantar regions under the foot were divided into 8 regions according to the directly applied pressure pattern of the subject to insole sensor. The 8 foot regions were hullux, medial forefoot, central forefoot, lateral forefoot, medial midfoot, lateral midfoot, medial heel, and lateral heel. And the plantar pressure data was also divided into four movement address, phases-backswing. downswing, and follow-through phases according to the percentage shown to the visual information of film data. Based on the investigations on public golf books and experiences of golfers, it was hypothesized by the authors in the early of this study that the steeper slopes are, the more weight loads on left foot that positions at the higher place. When observing the results of plantar pressure and vertical force curves according to the sidehill slope conditions, the hypothesis could be accepted.