• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.16-23
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• 2018

Postural instability can increase the likelihood of hazardous slip and fall accidents in workplaces. The present study intended to extend understanding of the effect of abnormal neck posture on postural control during quiet standing. The effect of body fatigue on the postural control was also of primary concern. Twelve healthy undergraduate students volunteered to participate in the experiment. Standing on a force platform with the neck neutral, flexed, extended, or rotated, subjects' center of pressures (COP) were measured under the two levels of body fatigue. For the fatigue condition, Subjects exercised in a treadmill to meet the predetermined level of body fatigue. Analyzing the position coordinates of COPs, the length of postural sway path was assessed in both medio-lateral (ML) axis and anterior-posterior (AP) axis. Results showed that, in AP direction, neck extension or rotation significantly increased the sway length as compared with neck neutral. Neck extension led to greater sway length compared to neck rotation. Neck flexion did not differ from neck neutral. The sway length in the AP direction also became significantly larger as the body fatigue accumulated after treadmill exercise. In ML direction, as compared to neutral posture, the neck extension, flexion, or rotation did not significantly affect the length of postural sway path. However, the sway length seemed to increase marginally with the neck extended during the fatigued condition. This study demonstrates that abnormal neck posture may interfere with postural control during standing. The ability to maintain postural stability decreases significantly with the neck extended or rotated. Body fatigue leads to postural instability further.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of functional ankle instability (FAI) and surgical treatment (ST) on postural stability and leg stiffness during vertical-drop landing. Method: A total of 21 men participated in this study (normal [NOR]: 7, FAI: 7, ST: 7). We estimated dimensionless leg stiffness as the ratio of the peak vertical ground reaction force and the change in stance-phase leg length. Leg length was calculated as the distance from the center of the pelvis to the center of pressure under the foot. Furthermore, the analyzed variables included the loading rate and the dynamic postural stability index (DPSI; medial-lateral [ML], anterior-posterior [AP], and vertical [V]) in the initial contact phase. Results: The dimensionless leg stiffness in the FAI group was higher than that of the NOR group and the ST group (p = .018). This result may be due to a smaller change in stance-phase leg length (p = .001). DPSI (ML, AP, and V) and loading rate did not show differences according to the types of ankle instability during drop landing (p > .05). Conclusion: This study suggested that the dimensionless leg stiffness was within the normal range in the ST group, whereas it was increased by the stiffness of the legs rather than the peak vertical force during vertical-drop landing in the FAI group. Identifying these potential differences may enable clinicians to assess ankle instability and design rehabilitation protocols specific for the impairment.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.93-103
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dancers with chronic ankle instability (CAI) exhibit different characteristics in dynamic postural control ability and ankle joint laxity compared to dancers without CAI and non-dancers with CAI. Method: Twelve dancers with CAI, 14 dancers without CAI, and 12 non-dancers with CAI participated in the study. Dynamic balance was evaluated using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and the single-leg hop balance. The laxity of the ankle joint was evaluated through the anterior drawer test and the talar tilt test. SEBT measured maximum reach distances in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions. Single-leg hop assessed center of pressure (COP) and time-to-boundary (TTB) outcomes. One-way ANOVA and Chi-square tests were performed to compare the outcome variables among the three groups. Results: Dancers with CAI demonstrated greater reach distance in the posterolateral direction compared to non-dancers with CAI during SEBT (p=.014). Secondly, dancers without CAI showed greater reach distance in the posterolateral (p<.001) and posteromedial (p=.001) directions during SEBT compared to non-dancers with CAI. Additionally, dancers without CAI exhibited better postural control with higher TTB AP mean of minima (p=.003) and TTB AP standard deviation of minima (p=.012) during single-leg hop compared to nondancers with CAI. Thirdly, dancers with CAI showed a lower positive rate during the anterior drawer test compared to non-dancers with CAI (p=.019). Conclusion: Dancers with CAI demonstrated better ankle function and reduced mechanical instability compared to non-dancers with CAI. Therefore, to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of lateral ankle sprain and CAI development exacerbation in dancers, additional factors that can affect ankle sprain, such as visual dependence during postural control and evaluation in dance movements, should be explored.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.519-528
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• 2009

The effects of taping on the use of such measures for prevention have already been comprehensively described in the literature. However, few studies have analyzed ground reaction forces and postural stability with functional ankle instability subject during dynamic activities with ankle taping The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of ankle taping on ground reaction force and postural stability during jump landing. Fourteen players who has ankle instability were participated in this study. we used vicon and force platform. The application of taping who has ankle instability decreased DF and inversion angular velocity and peak vertical ground reaction force during landing. It also improved A-P cop, M-L cop in stability. The findings of this study support the use of taping as part of injury prevention for subject with functional ankle instability in clinical setting.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate how the chronic ankle instability affects postural control during forward jump landing. Method: 20 women with chronic ankle instability (age: 21.7 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 162.1 ± 3.7 cm, weight: 52.2 ± 5.8 kg) and 20 healthy adult women (age: 21.8 ± 1.6 yrs, height: 161.9 ± 4.4 cm, weight: 52.9 ± 7.2 kg) participated in this study. For the forward jump participants were instructed to stand on two legs at a distance of 40% of their body height from the center of force plate. Participants were jump forward over a 15 cm hurdle to the force plate and land on their non-dominant or affected leg. Kinetic and kinematic data were obtained using 8 motion capture cameras and 1 force plates and joint angle, vertical ground reaction force and center of pressure. All statistical analyses were using SPSS 25.0 program. The differences in variables between the two groups were compared through an independent sample t-test, and the significance level was to p < .05. Results: In the hip and knee joint angle, the CAI group showed a smaller flexion angle than the control group, and the knee joint valgus angle was significantly larger. In the case of ankle joint, the CAI group showed a large inversion angle at all events. In the kinetic variables, the vGRF was significantly greater in the CAI group than control group at IC and mGRF. In COP Y, the CAI group showed a lateral shifted center of pressure. Conclusion: Our results indicated that chronic ankle instability decreases the flexion angle of the hip and knee joint, increases the valgus angle of the knee joint, and increases the inversion angle of the ankle joint during landing. In addition, an increase in the maximum vertical ground reaction force and a lateral shifted center of pressure were observed. This suggests that chronic ankle instability increases the risk of non-contact knee injury as well as the risk of lateral ankle sprain during forward jump landing.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2016

Background: Instability due to ankle sprains will be accompanied by a problem of balance and pain change. Balance trainer is used to improve the ankle strength and balance ability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the change of pain and postural balance ability in ankle joint after balance trainer application in patients with ankle sprain and instability. Methods: Twenty patients in K hospital in Incheon were enrolled. Balance trainer was applied to 10 subjects in the experimental group and 10 subjects in the Balance cushion under the same conditions as the experimental group to compare the pain and balance ability. Results: In the experimental group, there was a significant difference in the change of the pain variation. In the postural balance ability comparison, there was a significant difference in total and post - posterior comparison compared to the control, but there was no significant difference in the postural balance ability comparison. Conclusion: Pain and postural balance ability of patients with instability due to ankle sprain improved the pain and balance ability of the Balance trainer group compared to the Balance cushion training group.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

The objective of this study is to identify the effects of material position and physical fatigue on postural stability. Ten male subjects participated in this study. After bicycling exercises, their centers of pressure (COPs) were measured under four material handling positions and four excercise levels. The measured COPs were then utilized to calculate postural sway length in each experimental condition. Subjects' postural stability was quantified using the sway length. Results showed that the effect of different material handling position was significant on the postural sway length in both the posterior-anterior axis and the medio-lateral axis. Results also showed that the postural sway length was increased as physical fatigue accumulated, significantly in subject's posterior-anterior axis. The results imply that bearing a material on the back or front with both hands appeared to cause least sway length and instability.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.220-227
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• 2019

Objectives: Parkinson's disease is the neurodegenerative disease that affects both motor and non-motor function, including postural instability. Camptocormia is an abnormal condition in which the thoracolumbar spine bends forward during walking or standing. However, the treatment options are limited and often not effective. The purpose of this study was to report on the Korean medical treatment of a Parkinson's disease patient with postural instability who presented with camptocormia. Methods: We used Korean medical treatment including herbal medicine (Jemageopung-tang), acupuncture and pharmacopuncture therapy to the patient who was admitted to the hospital for 21 days. The clinical symptoms were assessed with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and walking time without assistance. Results: After treatment, the UPDRS Parts 2 and 3 scores were decreased from 5 to 3 and 20 to 9, respectively. Also, the walking time without assistance was improved. Conclusion: This study suggested that Korean medical treatment could be an effective option for treating Parkinson's disease with postural instability.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.96-102
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Korean Medicine on postural instability and gait difficulty(PIGD) in patient with parkinsonism. Methods: We reviewed the charts of patients with parkinsonism who were admitted to the department of Korean internal medicine, stroke and neurological disorders center, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from October 2009 to May 2017. We analyzed the data of UPDRS (Unified Parkinson's disease rating scale) and calculated PIGD related UPDRS before and after the admission. Results: The average of PIGD score for the 23 patients of Parkinsonism significantly decreased from $8.35{\pm}5.13$ to $4.52{\pm}3.68$ after treatment. The average of PIGD score for the 16 patients of idiopathic parkinson's disease and 7 patients of atypical Parkinsonism decreased from $9.13{\pm}4.46$ to $4.63{\pm}4.15$ and from $6.57{\pm}6.45$ to $4.29{\pm}2.56$ after treatment, respectively. Conclusions: These results provide that Korean Medicine has an effect on the motor function of patients who suffer from Parkinsonism with Postural Instability and Gait Difficulty. Furthermore it could be effective for improving activities of daily life.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.11
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• pp.276-279
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• 1997

A simple bio-feedback system was developed to monitor and to analyze patient's postural balance. Two load celIs were used to measure the weight of each side. A specially designed electronic circuit was made to pick up the weight signals and to feed into the data acquisition system. Clinical trials were also made on 20-30 year-old normal subjects and nine hemiplegia patients who had the potential instability in weight bearing. A Microsoft window-based software collected and analyzed the postural balance data. Normal subjects showed only 5% deviations of their body weight. However, hemipegic patients had significant weight shifts toward the healthy limb. With the present system, patients can also exercise their balance and weight bearing. The present system should be of convenience to monitor in real-time and analyze the postural balance control of hemiplegic patients.