• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.137-148
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to investigate the visual bio-feedback training for 5 weeks on balance and postural control for patients with stroke. Methods : The 26 subjects were randomly selected from the patients of the E hospital in the S city who met the study conditions. They were divided into a visual bio-feedback training group of 13 patients and a self-resistance exercise group of 13 patients. The visual bio-feedback training group received visual bio-feedback and general physiotherapy for five weeks and the self-resistance exercise group received cycling and general physiotherapy for the same period. The subjects were measured and compared for stability index, weight distribution index, fall down index, functional reach test and timed up and go test before and after the program. Results : The visual bio-feedback training group showed significant changes after the experiment in stability index, weight distribution index, functional reach test and timed up and go test(p<0.05), and the self-resistance exercise group also showed significant differences(p<0.05). The changes between prior to and after the experiment show that the visual bio-feedback training group had more significant effects than the self-resistance exercise group(p<0.05). Conclusions : The visual bio-feedback training for five weeks had effects in the improvement of the balance and posture control of stroke patients. Based on these results, more effective training programs should be developed and propagated.

• Journal of Practical Engineering Education
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Depending on the college graduation project and graduation thesis regulations for the certification and graduation requirements, the quadcopter acting as a Li-Po battery that charges by solar energy are proposed a design method and improvements in theory. Quadcopter posture is balanced and confirmed by the position sensor, through a PID (Proportional Integral Differential) control. Battery switching circuit is composed of two Li-Po battery. Driving the quadcopter as one battery, and does not use other battery is charged by solar energy. A battery switching circuit is fabricated in a manner that uses two types of relays. Even if completely not charged to the battery is being driven a certain switch by the battery charging voltage from time to time, it proposes a method for increasing the endurance time and range.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the core muscle strength enhancement of the elderly on 8 weeks training using the core exercise equipment for the elderly on the ability to control the whole-body center of mass in posture stabilization. Method: 16 females (10 exercise group, 6 control group) participated in this study. Exercise group took part in the core strength training program for 8 weeks with total of 16 repetitions (2 repetitions per week) using a training device. External perturbation during standing as pulling force applied at the pelvic level in the anterior direction was provided to the subject. In a UCM model, the controller selects within the space of elemental variables a subspace (a manifold, UCM) corresponding to a value of a performance variable that needs to be stabilized. In the present study, we were interested in how movements of the individual segment center of mass (elemental variables) affect the whole-body center of mass (the performance variable) during balance control. Results: At the variance of task-irrelevant space, there was significant $test^*$ group interactions ($F_{1,16}=7.482$, p<.05). However, there were no significant main effect of the test ($F_{1,16}=.899$, p>.05) and group ($F_{1,16}=1.039$, p>.05). At the variance of task-relevant space, there was significant $test^*$ group interactions ($F_{1,16}=7.382$, p<.05). However, there were no significant main effect of the test ($F_{1,16}=.754$, p>.05) and group ($F_{1,16}=1.106$, p>.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the 8 weeks training through the core training equipment for the elderly showed a significant decrease in the $Vcm_{TIR}$ and $Vcm_{TR}$. This result indicates that the core strength training affects the trunk stiffness control strategy to maintain balance in the standing position by minimizing total variability of individual segment CMs.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.709-717
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• 2013

This paper presents the development of a specialized underwater leg with a manipulator function(convertible-to-arm leg) for the seabed walking robot named CRABSTER200(CR200). The objective functions of the convertible-to-arm leg are to walk on the seabed and to work in underwater for precise seabed exploration and underwater tasks under coastal area with strong tidal current. In order to develop the leg, important design elements including the degree of freedom, dimensions, mass, motion range, joint structure/torque/angular-speed, pressure-resistance, watertight capability and cable protection are considered. The key elements of the convertible-to-arm leg are realized through concept/specific/mechanical design and implementation process with a suitable joint actuator/gear/controller selection procedure. In order to verify the performance of the manufactured convertible-to-arm leg, a 25bar pressure-resistant and watertight test using a high-pressure chamber and a joints operating test with posture control of the CR200 are performed. This paper describes the whole design, realization and verification process for implementation of the underwater convertible-to-arm leg.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.419-422
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• 2012

Purpose: Malalignment of the lower limbs may increases the difficulty of maintaining equilibrium. The purpose of this study was to study the effects of genu varum and poor posture in the sagittal plane on postural stability. Methods: We had 27 subjects with varus and 27 normal subjects participate in this study. Subjects for whom the distance between the medial epicondyles in the knee joint was more than 3 cm were classified as varus group, and subjects for whom the distance was less than 3 cm were classified as normal group. The measurements of static and dynamic stability were used overall stability index (OSI), anterioposterior stability index (APSI), and mediolateral stability index (MLSI) using a Biodex balance system. Results: When measuring the static stability index, there were significant differences in the mediolateral stability index between the varus and control groups. When measuring the dynamic stability index, there were significant differences in the overall, anteriorposterior, and mediolateral stability index between the varus and control groups. These results demonstrated that genu varum affects mediolateral movement in static stability, and overall, anterioposterior and mediolateral movements in dynamic stability. Conclusion: As genu varum affects static and dynamic stability in young adults, it increases the risk of injuries or falls. Exercise and surgery are required for realigning the genu varum. Future studies about postural stability in young children and elderly people who have a risk of falls due to lower postural control ability, are needed, as well as in young adults.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.289-297
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• 1997

Work-related low back pain(below LBP) is one of the major cause of morbidity, disability, limitation of activity and economic loss. Therefore the work-related LBP is one of the major issue in the field of industrial safety and health. This study was performed for detecting the risk factors and proposing the effective control programs of work-related LBP. The subjects were male workers employed at the welding and metal factory. The data was collected by self-reported questionnaire, interview and checking abdomen muscular and grasping power for two days on October, 1993. The contents of questionnaire were as follow: the experience of LBP, general characteristics, physical characteristics, employment status, type of work and working environment. The number of cases was 104 with a history of work-related LBP, so the prevalence of work-related LBP was 35.0%, and the number of controls was 140 without any history of LBP. As a result, marital status, educational level, abdomen muscular power, tenure, category of job, satisfaction of job, working posture, satisfaction for table and chair and lifting materials showed a statistical significance between the case and control groups. 284 Lifting jobs were quantified by NIOSH lifting equation method and ergonomic computer modelling methods. There were no significant differences in the action limit and disc compression force between group with LBP and without LBP. But in the lifting frequency and cumulative disc compression force there were significant differences. Therefore work-related LBP should be prevented by the ergonomic and environmental control.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.159-163
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the interaction among the neck, trunk, and lower extremities on the non-paretic side in head rotation along with non-paretic-side weight shifting of stroke patients. To compare stroke patients' ability to control posture through muscle activity variation related to pertubation during head rotation along with the non-paretic limb. Methods: We tested 15 hemiplegic patients and 15 normal individuals. Each group's muscle activity was measured by electromyography in neutral head position and head rotation position. We compared each group's resu lt based on measured values in patients' non-paretic neck muscles, trunk muscles, and lower limbs muscles activation. Results: The study showed that muscle activity increased in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (102.26%, 53.00%), splenius capitis muscle (97.93%, 54.93%), erector spinae muscle (241.00%, 127.60%), external oblique abdominal muscle (256.66%, 152.00%), and internal oblique abdominal muscle (252.80%, 152.6%), peroneus longus muscle (117.53%, 137.13%) and gastrocnemius muscle (119.06%, 137.20%), while the results for the sternocleidomastoid muscle, splenius capitis muscle, erector spinae muscle, external oblique abdominal muscle, internal oblique abdominal muscle, peroneus longus muscle, and gastrocnemius muscle showed a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is hard for stroke patients to engage in normal movement control under suggested conditions because of the insufficient movement against gravity on the stroke patient's non-paretic side and impaired cooperative patterns. To solve these problems, patients need their bodies to improve through effective movement, resulting in advanced control of their effective and functional activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 2015

This study investigated the thermal insulation of an air-cell pack embedded jacket and down jackets to understand the potential of air-cell pack as a filler for winter outdoor wear. A thermal manikin measured the thermal insulation of the following jackets: HD (heavy down jacket, total weight (Tw) 750g, goose down weight (Dw) 350g), LD (light down jacket, Tw 560g, Dw 140g), AF (air-cell pack embedded jacket, Tw 490g, trunk goose down in LD was replaced to air cell), F (film jacket, Tw 469g, but removed the air in the air-cell pack from the AF), and Control (control jacket, Tw 438g, removed the air-cell pack film from the F). Thermal insulations of each experimental condition were measured in a static standing posture. Total thermal insulations (IT) were 1.29clo (HD), 1.23clo (LD), 1.16clo (AF), 1.20clo (F), and 1.08clo (Control). Body regional thermal insulation was higher in the chest and back than in the abdomen and hip in all conditions. The results suggest that an economical and versatile outdoor jacket with superior thermal insulation will be feasible if the air volume is properly controlled in air-cell pack embedded jackets in consideration of regional different distribution and used in combination with film and down.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.583-589
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• 2016

BACKDROUND/OBJECTIVE: Constipation is a condition that can result from intestinal deformation. Because humans have an upright posture, the effects of gravity can cause this shape deformation. Oligosaccharides are common prebiotics and their effects on bowel health are well known. However, studies of the physiological functionality of a product that contains both lactulose and galactooligosaccharides are insufficient. We investigated the constipation reduction effect of a dual-type oligosaccharide, Dual-Oligo, in loperamide-treated rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Dual-Oligo consists of galactooligosaccharides (15.80%) and lactulose (51.67%). Animals were randomly divided into four groups, the normal group (normal), control group (control), low concentration of Dual-Oligo (LDO) group, and high concentration of Dual-Oligo (HDO) group. After 7 days of oral administration, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, watercontent of fecal were measured. Blood chemistry, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and intestinal mucosa were analyzed. RESULTS: Dual-Oligo increased the fecal weight, and water content of feces in rats with loperamide-induced constipation. Gastrointestinal transit ratio and length and area of intestinal mucosa significantly increased after treatment with Dual-Oligoin loperamide-induced rats. A high concentration of Dual-Oligo tended to produce more acetic acid than that observed for the control group, and Dual-Oligo affected the production of total SCFA. Bifidobacteria concentration of cecal contents in the high-concentration oligosaccharide (HDO) and low-concentration oligosaccharide (LDO) groups was similar to the result of the normal group. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that Dual-Oligo is a functional material that is derived from a natural food product and is effective in ameliorating constipation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2012

Purpose: This study examined the effect on postural control during the stimulation of haptic touch with fingertip on the stable surface at quiet standing posture, squat flexion stage, 60 degrees squat stage and squat extension stage. Methods: The postural sway was measured on the force platform, while 30 subjects were squatting, under three different haptic touch conditions (No Touch [NT], Light Touch [LT], Heavy Touch [HT]), above the touch pad in front of their body midline. Three different haptic touch conditions were divided into 1) NT condition; squatting as right index fingers held above the touch pad, 2) LT condition (<1N); squatting as the touch pad was in contact with right index fingers pulp with a pressure not exceeding 1N and 3) HT condition; squatting as subjects were allowed to use the touch pad for mechanical support by transmitting onto it with as much force, choosing with their index fingers. Results: There was significant decrease in LT, rather than that of NT (p<0.01), and in HT, rather than that of LT (p<0.01), as the results of the distance and velocity of center of pressure (COP) in mediolateral direction at quiet standing position. In anteroposterior direction, the distance and velocity of COP in LT and HT showed significant decrease, when compared to that of the data of NT (p<0.01). There was no significant difference between the 3 conditions (NT, LT, and HT), with respect to the distance and velocity of COP in mediolateral direction, during dynamic balance (squat flexion stage, squat extension stage) (p>0.05). In anteroposterior direction, the results of the distance and velocity of COP in HT showed significant decrease when compared to that of the data of NT (p<0.05). Conclusion: Light touch, during the task, decreased the postural sway at static balance. The results suggest that haptic touch should be applied, appropriately, because it varies the effects according to different conditions.