• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2013

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to find out variations in body posture by using the baby carrier at the front side and back side. METHODS: Thirty two healthy and young female who will bring up infants and had no musculoskeletal disorders of neck, lumbar and low limb were recruited for this study. They were each marked about ears of tragus, cervical 7th, acromion anterior end, anterior superior iliac spine, posterior superior iliac spine, greater trochanter and lateral malleolus as landmarks to measure variations of body posture when they carry infants at the front side and back side. Landmarks were regarded as the creteria in order to measure NeckFlexion angle(NF), Foreward shoulder angle(FSA), Pelvic tilt(PT), Sway angle(SA), Head displacement(HD) and Scapular displacement(SD). Variations in body posture were measured from the neutral position to the front and back side by using Image J. RESULTS: There were significance level (p<.05) in NF, PT, SA, HD and SD except for FSA in two different side. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that each of the using ways of baby carrier for baby care was influenced postural responses of young women. therefore, it could be considered to apply to women who have abnormal body posture in order to minimize musculoskeletal disorders.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
• /
• v.18 no.1 s.25
• /
• pp.253-265
• /
• 1988

This study was designed to compare the normal head posture group with the extended head posture group in order to investigate the relatinship between head posture and craniofacial morphology. The subjects were devided into two groups; one included 80 children with normal head posture and occlusion, and the other 60 malocclusion patients with extended head posture. Their lateral cephalograms were traced and analysed based on 38 selected items. The following conclusion were reached. 1. The craniocervical angulations in normal group; OPT to SN, CVT to SN, OPT to FH and CVT to FH angles were $101.7^{\circ},\;104.8^{\circ},\;91.7^{\circ}\;and\;100.7^{\circ}$, respectively. 2. Compared with normal group, experimental group showed increase in mandibular plane angle, decrease in facial plane angle, airway space and posterior facial height but, there were insignificant differences in anterior facial height and tongue level between two groups. 3. Of the craniocervical angulations, OPT to FH angle was most highly correlated to the variables of the craniofacial morphology. 4. The effect of craniocervical angulation on craniofacial morphology in experimental group was different from that in comparison of normal group and experimental group.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.637-644
• /
• 2011

Objective & Background: When applying various evaluation tools that analyze work posture risk through observation, accurate measurement of body flexion angle is very important. Method: This study investigated differences and appropriateness of 5 different existing reference points commonly used in the analysis of the work posture. Twenty five ergonomist and trained professionals were participated in this study. A Same flexion angle was utilized for the evaluation of risk assessment of musculoskeletal disorders using five different reference points to investigate the degree of difference between them. To investigate how different the observers' preferred flexion angle measuring methods were compared to the ISO 11226 Reference Posture, a virtual body model was constructed using the Poser 6.0 program. Six types of body flexion postures were constructed, and since neck flexion differs according to body angle, five types of neck flexion postures were constructed with the trunk bending $20^{\circ}$ forward, making up a total of 30 virtual flexion postures. Results: Results showed that the observers used personally preferred reference points instead of reference points recommend in the evaluation tools. Also the results revealed the their seems to be 6 types of flexion angle for the trunk and 11 types of measurement methods for the neck flexion angle in the form of personally preferred reference points. The results showed that a mean difference of $14^{\circ}$($4{\sim}23^{\circ}$) occurred in the trunk, and a mean difference of $20^{\circ}$($-8{\sim}51^{\circ}$) occurred in the neck. To increase accuracy when using the 5 evaluation tools in combination, the ISO 11226 standards, observers' preferred flexion posture standards, and common flexion posture standards of the evaluation tools were compared with the reference points of the 5 evaluation tools. Results showed considerable variance in angle difference for each evaluation tool. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, considering the angle difference between the flexion angle reference points of the evaluation tool and the reference points selected by the observers, it is concluded that instead of personally preferred reference points, the standardized reference points to enhance the accuracy and the objectivity. Application: The result of this study can be used as reference guide to develop the standardized reference point in the future.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.695-703
• /
• 2011

Objective: This study was to investigate the effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures on the subjective discomfort rating, heart rate, and muscle activities. Background: Although generally many checklists such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA were applied to evaluate various body postures, the body postures were might be overestimated or underestimated because each body part(i.e., back, shoulder, and elbow etc.) was evaluated separately, and then added all rates of individual body parts to assess an overall risk level for the body posture in these methodologies. Methods: A total of 20 participants maintained 14 postures which were combinations of back, shoulder, and elbow flexion angles and then muscle activities, subjective discomfort, and heart rates were collected every three minute during a sustained 15 minute and 0.5kg weight holding task. Four muscle groups were investigated: erector spine, anterior deltoid, upper trapezius, triceps brachii. Results: Results showed that subjective discomfort was the lowest when the angle of back and shoulder were both $0^{\circ}s$, while the body posture with $45^{\circ}$ of back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder angle was rated as the most subjective discomfort posture. In general, the subjective discomfort ratings increased as back and shoulder flexion angles increased. It was noted that, however, the subjective discomfort of body posture with a $45^{\circ}$ back angle and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle was lower than that of body posture with a $0^{\circ}$ back and $45^{\circ}$ shoulder flexion angle. The research findings of heart rates and muscle activities showed similar results for the analyses of subjective discomfort ratings. Conclusions: The possible limitations of the current ergonomics evaluation techniques which assessing a body posture with summing all body part score after individually analyzed in this study. Based on the analyses of subjective discomfort, heart rate, and muscle activities, it was recommended that a use of effects of coordinated upper-limb body postures would be considered when one evaluates work-load for various working postures. Application: These findings can be used for developing a more accurate assessment checklist for working posture as well as preventing musculoskeletal disorders of workers in workplaces.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
• /
• 2009.05a
• /
• pp.396-398
• /
• 2009

Scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity caused by lateral curvature of the spine. The existing braces used to correct the posture were some drawbacks such as inconvenience, tightness as well as unfitness to wear. In this study, we devised a posture guidance system in order to monitor a posture continuously and lead to pose correctly and a new method fur measuring a Cobb's angle value in third dimension based on two 3-axis accelerometers. As a result, the correlation coefficients between desired and measured angles were and standard error between desired and measured angles were 0.99, 1.32(x-axis), 0.99 and 1.10(y-axis), respectively. The devised system showed good potential for the optimal posture guide and an early detection of scoliosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.4
• /
• pp.425-432
• /
• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate that the differences in sternocleidomastoid muscle activity, neck rotation angle, neck lateral bending angle and neck lateral bending onset time between conditions with and without visual biofeedback during neck rotation. METHODS: Ten male and four female adults with condition of forward head posture were recruited in this study. Subjects conducted to left and right maximal neck rotation under the conditions with and without visual biofeedback. During neck rotation, kinematic data of neck rotation, neck lateral bending movement, and electromyography activities of bilateral sternocleidomastold muscles were collected. Differences in dependent variables between conditions with and without visual biofeedback were analyzed using paired t-test. RESULTS: There were significant decreases in lateral bending angle, while lateral bending movement onset time was delayed significantly when applying visual biofeedback (p<.05). However, there were no significant differences in the activation of left and right sternocleidomastoid muscles and neck rotation angle between conditions with and without visual biofeedback (p>.05). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that visual biofeedback may be effective for axial rotation of cervical spine during neck rotation in adults with forward head posture.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.165-172
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine effects of 12-week wearing of unstable shoe on the standing posture and gait mechanics. Nine healthy men were asked to wear the unstable shoes for 12-week and walk for 30 minute everyday. Their standing posture and gait mechanics were measured before and after treatment. Standing posture was measured for each side(anterior, posterior, lateral) for standing position. And gait analysis was measured joint angle of a right lower limb between first right heel contact and second right heel contact. Kinematic data were collected using video camera at 30 frame per seconds. Statistical analysis was paired t-test(p<.05) to compare before training with after that. A head tilt angle was significantly decreased for posterior side(p<.05). The angle of between center of line and surface was significantly decreased at midstance and take off during walking(p<.05). Ankle dorsiflexion significantly increased at heel contact2(p<.05) and ankle plantarflexion significantly increased at midstance and midswing(p<.05). The increase of ankle dorsiflexion showed that our results consisted with previous study. In conclusion, there was not large significant difference in static standing posture but joint angle of lower limb represented many changes with increasing of ankle motion during walking. These were of benefit to body by increasing leg muscle activity but it was necessary for man having a ankle problem to consider. Further studies concerning optimum outsole angle of unstable shoes are necessary.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.63-72
• /
• 2017

Background: The purpose of this case study was to investigate into the effect of complex exercise program on the postural change, gait and balance ability in elementary school students with forward head posture. Methods: Four patients with forward head posture were recruited. They were evaluated pre-treatment, and after 6weeks, using neck disability index (NDI), numeric pain rating scale (NPRS), balance ability, foot pressure (fore foot/rear foot peak pressure ratio, F/R ratio), gait ability (cadence, toe out angle, stance phase). Results: First, the angle of forward head posture (craniovertebral angle; CVA and cranialrotation angle; CRA) was decreased in all subjects. The NPRS and NDI were decreased in all subjects. Also, The cadence, toe out angle and F/R ratio were increased in all subjects. The stance phase of gait cycle was positively change in all subjects. Lastly, the static balance ability improved in all subjects. Conclusion: According to the results above, the complex exercise program for students with forward head posture can help improve the postural change, gait and balance ability. Also, the complex exercise program was able to select interventions depending on the patient's condition and the desired goal.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.153-157
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of self-postural control on foot pressure in subjects with forward head posture. Methods: Forty-two healthy adults were recruited in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: The forward-head postural (FHP) group (craniovertebral angle<$53^{\circ}$, n=22) and the control group (craniovertebral angle${\geq}53^{\circ}$, n=20). In the FHP group, foot pressure was measured using three different standing postures: Comfortable standing posture (CSP), subjective neutral standing posture (SNSP), and neutral standing posture with visual feedback (NSP-VP). Each position was performed in random order. In the control group, foot pressure was measured only using the comfortable standing posture. Results: With respect to CSP and SNSP, there was a significant difference on heel pressure between the two groups (p<0.05). Regarding NSP-VP, however, there was no significant differences on heel pressure between the two groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: We suggest that cervical posture control using visual feedback has a positive effect on the distribution of foot pressure in subjects with forward head posture.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2010

Purpose : This research intended to find out the effects of scalenus medius muscle relaxed posture on the increase of head-neck rotation for general adults. Methods : This research was conducted on 30 subjects whose both sides head neck rotation angles are not the same and that agreed to participate in the experiment. In a posture of sitting erectly on a mat, both sides head neck rotation angles were measured with C-ROM equipment, and while supporting arm in direction opposite the side where head neck rotation limited and leaning over the body at 45 degree and neck at vertical condition against ground, head-neck rotation angles were measured each with C-ROM equipment. Results : The Head-Neck rotation angle on the side of limited head-neck rotation demonstrated more increase in scalenus medius relaxed posture than in erect sitting posture, showing significant difference statistically(p<0.05). The head-neck rotation angle on the side of non-limited Head-Neck rotation demonstrated more decrease in scalenus medius relaxed posture than in erect sitting posture, not showing any significant difference statistically (p>0.05). Conclusions : This posture may be used for preventing limit of head-neck rotation caused of scalenus medius muscle tension and increasing head-neck rotation.