• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-25
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to analyze the factors that affect the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance (DSB), biomechanical characteristics, and physical characteristics in spinal cord injuries (SCI) patients. Background: Virtual ski training systems, ski equipment, and training protocols for disabled skiers are being studied to spread awareness. However, few studies have been reported on the sitting balance ability associated with chair mono skiing. Method: A dynamic sitting balance border system was built to investigate the ability to maintain dynamic sitting balance in SCI patients. Trunk muscle activity was evaluated by electromyogram while conducting dynamic sitting balance tests. The trunk muscle strength was tested with a portable handheld dynamometer. Physical activity scores were measured with the physical activity recall assessment. Results: There were high levels of correlation between the ability to maintain DSB and trunk flexor strength, extensor strength, rotator strength, and physical activity score. However, height, weight, and injury level in SCI patients were not correlated with the ability to maintain DSB. Additionally, strong negative correlations were found between muscle activities of the external oblique and lumbar erector spinae muscles and the ability to perform the backward tilt test. Trunk extensor muscle activity during the ball lifting test was significantly higher than in other tests. Conclusion: The results indicate that improving trunk muscle strength and physical activity can increase the ability to maintain DSB. Application: The findings of a close relationship between trunk strength, physical activity, and the ability to maintain DSB need to be reflected in the chair mono ski training program.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.153-157
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• 2003

Purpose: To identify injuries and profile the characteristics of injured skiers and to use this information in designing injury-prevention programs and protective equipment. Materials and Methods: Injured skiers treated at a clinic of a ski resort located in Kangwon province in Korea were reviewed from 1998 to 2001. An injury was defined as any accident occurred during alpine skiing that required medical treatment. All injured skiers were asked to fill in a questionnaire which documented the mechanism of injury, their experiences , and the slope where they were injured Results: 1197 patients experienced ski injuries over a three-year-period. The overall incidence of ski injuries was 6.4 injuries per 1000 skiers. There was a slightly higher proportion of men than women and the mean age was in the third decade. The injury rate was higher for beginners and for less difficult slopes . The sprain and ligament injuries were most common and knee injuries accounted for 30$\%$ of all ski injuries . Conclusion: In our study , ski injuries occurred more often compared with foreign reports. it was concluded that an insufficient injury prevention system, an increasing number of skiers and a growing proportion of beginners was responsible for such a result.