• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.23-30
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• 2012

In this study, we developed a wireless rehabilitation auditory feedback gait training system for symmetrical weight-bearing in patient with CVA. The device consists of an instantaneous shoe equipped with two load-cell sensors. Auditory feedback can be applied according to the weight-bearing. For gait patterns analysis, cadence, walking velocity, stance/swing phase ratio and gait cycle were examined. The clinical test with six healthy volunteers and two hemiplegic patients was performed applying the auditory feedback system. Both normal subjects and hemiplegic patients were increased strength on weight-bearing in affected limb, walking velocity, and cadence after biofeedback device. Also, the stance time with weight-bearing was increased while the swing time was decreased in gait phase. It can be expected that by using the feedback system, the patient with lower limb disorder will be able to reach a better quality of weight-bearing during gait.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.24-24
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• 2003

For the elderly, achieving a close-to-normal ambulation is important for activities of daily life. Recent researches of SE(Silver Engineering) restoring physical ability would help the elderly by developing the advanced gait assisting devices and orthoses. For the applications using the advanced technologies, the gait characteristics of the elderly must be understood. However, a few studies were performed to investigate the physiological or pathological gaits. The purpose of this study is to provide the gait analysis data and also to investigate relationships between alignment of the lower limb, foot progression angle and knee joint moments in the healthy elderly. By participating a total of 20 healthy elderly persons in this study, the following facts were found: 1) Cadence showed 114.8 steps/min, gait speed showed 1.05 m/s, time per a stride showed 1.06 sec, time per a step showed 0.53 sec, single-supporting phase was 0.41 sec, double-supporting phase was 0.24 sec, stride length was 1.04m, Step length was 0.56m; 2) The maximum knee flexion angle through swing phase showed left 46.82$^{\circ}$, right 40.19$^{\circ}$ and the maximum knee extension angle showed left -1.32$^{\circ}$, right 2.01$^{\circ}$. Knee varus showed left 26.90$^{\circ}$, right 30.93$^{\circ}$; 3) The maximum knee flexion moment showed left 0.363 Nm/kg, right 0.464 Nm/kg, The maximum knee extension moment showed left 0.389 Nm/kg, right 0.463 Nm/kg. The maximum knee adduction moment showed left 0.332 Nm/kg, right 0.379 Nm/kg. The maximum internal rotational moment showed left 0.13 Nm/kg, right 0.140 Nm/kg; 4) The subjects who had varus alignment of the lower extremity had statistically higher in knee adduction moment in mid stance phase; and 5) The subjects who had large foot progression angle had statistically lower in knee adduction moment in late stance phase.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.95-106
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• 2006

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the kinematics of young adults during ramp climbing at different inclinations. Methods: Twenty-three subjects ascended and descended four steps at four different inclinations(level, $8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$). Temporal-spatial parameters were measured by GaitRite system(standard mat). Groups difference was analysed with on-way ANOVA and Student-Newman-Keuls test. Results: The different kinematics of ramp ascent and descent were analysed and compared to level walking patterns. In ascending ramps, step length and stride length decreased with $24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Stance duration increased with $24^{\circ}$, but swing duration decreased with $24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Step time and velocity decreased with $16^{\circ}C,\;24^{\circ}$ inclination (p<.000). Cadence decreased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). In descending ramps, step length and stride length, velocity decreased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). Stance duration increased with all inclination($8^{\circ},\;-16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$) and swing duration decreased with all inclination($-8^{\circ},\;-16^{\circ},\;-24^{\circ}$)(p<.000). But Step time was not differentiated with different inclinations. Cadence decreased with only. $8^{\circ}$ inclination(p<.05). Conclusion: These results suggest that there is a certain inclination angle or angular range where subjects do switch between level walking and ramp walking gait pattern. This shows their motor control strategy between level and ramp walking. Further studies are necessary to confirm and detect the ascent and descent ramp gait patterns.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.101-113
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of leg length discrepancy (LLD) on the human body during gait and standing posture. Methods: The study group comprised of 17 adult participants with LLDs of <1 cm. LLDs were artificially induced to 0, 1, 2, and 3 cm. The proportion of weight distribution, shift of the mean center of pressure, and Cobb's angle were measured in the standing position. Kinematic variables such as walking and striding width and time, and the proportion of stance phase for single- and double-limb gait were measured as well. The participants were required to either stand or walk on a treadmill (Zebris FDM) with a pressure plate, and the Cobb's angle measurements were obtained from radiographs. Results: A discrepancy of 3 cm in leg length resulted in a statistically significant shift of the center of pressure in the standing position. Moreover, the Cobb angle increased as the discrepancy became larger. The step length and width of the longer (left) leg during gait statistically significantly increased when the discrepancy was 2 cm. In addition, step time was statistically significant when the discrepancy between the longer (right) and shorter (left) legs was more than 2 cm. The proportion of single-limb stance phase was statistically significant as the discrepancy became larger, especially when the discrepancy was >2 cm for the longer (right) leg and 1 cm for the shorter (right) leg. Conclusion: The study showed that LLD influenced deformations of the human body and walking.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 1996

This study wan described the movement patterns when rising from supine to erect stance in the third through eighth decades. Two hundred fifty six subjects, ranging in age from 30 year to 89 were filmed while rising from a supine position. Movement patterns were classified using categorical descriptions of the action of the upper and lower extremity, head-trunk region. This study was designed to determine whether within the rising task the movement patterns of different regions of the body vary with age level and sex, to describe time by subjects to perform this task. The incidence of each movement pattern was calculated and graphed wi th respect to age level and sex. Erect standing time was increased by age increasing in beth sex group. The most common form of rising for subject in the third through fifth decades both sex usually involved symmeytrical push with upper extremity, symmetrical squat pattern with lower extremity, partial rotation pattern wi th head-trunk and symmetrical push to push and reach pattern with upper extremity, symmetri cal squat pattern with lower extremity. partial rotation with head-trunk. In the sixth through eighth decades usually involved symmetrical push to push and reach pattern with upper extremity, symmetrical squat pattern with lower extremity, partial rotation pattern with head-trunk in both sex group.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.111-119
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate muscle activity and gait pattern in lower limb depending on the outsole of heel rockers. Fifteen healthy men volunteered for this experiment. Each subject performed totally three trails with two pairs of different heel rocker shoes and a pair of normal running shoes at speed of 1.33m/s for 1 minute during walking on a treadmill. Kinematic data gathered in 100Hz was recorded and analyzed by using the 3D motion capture system to measure the trunk tilt and joint angle of the right lower limb. And the lower extremity muscle activities were simultaneously recorded in 1000Hz and assessed by using EMG. The statistical analysis was the one-way ANOVA with the repeated measures to compare among the three kinds of shoes. The level of statistical significance for all tests was 0.05. Joint angle of lower limb was showed statistically significant different in MST(hip joint), LHS(ankle joint), and RTO(knee and ankle joint). Muscle activity of rectus femoris and biceps femoris was statistically increased in both heel rocker shoes during gait cycle on treadmill. The maximum peak time of tibialis anterior in the negative heel rocker showed the delay of approximately 23.8%time than normal shoes. Gait pattern variability of the negative heel rocker was increased in the first half of the stance phase and the variability of the positive heel rocker was increased in the terminal stance phase. In Conclusion, stability was decreased in between joints of lower limb on positive heel rocker than negative heel rocker. This study found that there were different joint angle, muscle activity, gait pattern and coordinate system of the lower limb in each kind of shoes. These unstability affected the lower extremity and the whole body. A further study has to be continued with study of rehabilitation and exercise for a long-term.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.471-478
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• 2021

Background: The effect of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), which occurs with similar degenerative conditions, when seen together, has not been studied. The aim of this study is to examine and compare the relationship between pain, balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia in LSS patients with intermittent vascular claudication (IVC). Methods: Seventy-two patients diagnosed with LSS using magnetic resonance imaging participated in this study. Thirty-five patients with IVC symptoms and showing vascular lesions by lower extremity venous and arterial Doppler ultrasonography imaging were included in the IVC-LSS group. The pain, static balance, dynamic balance, disability, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were evaluated using the numeric rating scale, single leg stance test, Time Up and Go (TUG), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Fall Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK), respectively. Results: Age and female sex were found to be higher in the IVC-LSS group (P = 0.024; P = 0.012). The IVC-LSS group had a shorter single leg stance time and TUG test duration, pain intensity, ODI, FES-I, and TSK scores were higher than patients with LSS (P = 0.001). Pain, fear of falling, and kinesiophobia were moderately correlated with disability in the IVC-LSS group. No relationship was found between pain and dynamic balance. Also, the pain was not related to kinesiophobia. Conclusions: The findings indicated that IVC causes loss of balance and an increase in pain, disability, fear of falling, and kinesophobia in patients with LSS.

• Asia-pacific Journal of Multimedia Services Convergent with Art, Humanities, and Sociology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.533-540
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• 2019

This study investigated the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy on nerve regeneration in nerve injured rats. In this study, we used 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 230-280g and 6 weeks old. Study groups were divided into two groups using a random sampling method: experimental group (n=15) treated with extracorporeal shock wave after sciatic nerve injury and control group (n=15) treated without extracorporeal shock wave after sciatic nerve injury. In this study, extracorporeal shock wave therapy equipment (OPTIMUS, SALUS TALENT 3, Korea) was used to apply extracorporeal shock wave therapy and applied to the sciatic nerve crush area of the right hind limb using low intensity. We measured the stance time and stride distance of the affected side using dartfish software. There was a statistically significant difference in the change of stance time and stride distance of the affected side between the experimental group using extracorporeal shock wave therapy and the control group without extracorporeal shock wave treatment. In conclusion, extracorporeal shock wave therapy has a positive effect on nerve regeneration.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters and muscle activity of the lower extremities between forward walking on sand (FWS) and backward walking on sand (BWS) in normal adults. Methods: This study was conducted on 13 healthy adults. Subjects performed FWS and BWS and the spatiotemporal and kinematic gait parameters of stride time, stride length, velocity, cadence, step length, stance, swing, double support, and hip range of motion (ROM), knee ROM were measured by a wearable inertial measurement unit system. In addition, the muscle activity of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA), and gastrocnemius (GA) was measured. Results: The stride length, stride velocity, cadence, and step length in the BWS were significantly lower than FWS (p<0.05), and stride time was significantly greater (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the ratio of stance, swing, and double support between the two (p>0.05). The kinematic gait parameters, including hip and knee joint range of motion in BWS, were significantly lower than FWS (p<0.05). The muscle activity of the RF in BWS was significantly higher than FWS (p<0.05), but the muscle activity of the BF, TA, GA did not show any significant differences between the two movements (p>0.05). Conclusion: A strategy to increase stability by changing the gait parameters is used in BWS, and this study confirmed that BWS was a safe and effective movement to increase RF muscle activity without straining the joints. Therefore, BWS can be recommended for effective activation of the RF.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2024

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact acceleration, shock attenuation and biomechanical variables at various running speed. Method: 20 subjects (height: 176.15 ± 0.63 cm, weight: 70.95 ± 9.77 kg, age: 27.00 ± 4.65 yrs.) participated in this study. The subjects ran at four different speeds (2.5 m/s, 3.0 m/s, 3.5 m/s, 4.0 m/s). Three-dimensional accelerometers were attached to the distal tibia, sternum and head. Gait parameters, biomechanical variables (lower extremity joint angle, moment, power and ground reaction force) and acceleration variables (impact acceleration, shock attenuation) were calculated during the stance phase of the running. Repeated measures ANOVA was used with an alpha level of .05. Results: In gait parameters, decreased stance time, increasing stride length and stride frequency with increasing running speed. And at swing time 2.5 m/s and 4.0 m/s was decreased compared to 3.0 m/s and 3.5 m/s. Biomechanical variables statistically increased with increasing running speed except knee joint ROM, maximum ankle dorsiflexion moment, and maximum hip flexion moment. In acceleration variables as the running speed increased (2.5 m/s to 4.0 m/s), the impact acceleration on the distal tibia increased by more than twice, while the sternum and head increased by approximately 1.1 and 1.2 times, respectively. And shock attenuation (tibia to head) increased as the running speed increased. Conclusion: When running speed increases, the magnitude and increasing rate of sternum and head acceleration are lower compared to the proximal tibia, while shock attenuation increases. This suggests that limiting trunk movement and increasing lower limb movement effectively reduce impact from increased shock. However, to fully understand the body's mechanism for reducing shock, further studies are needed with accelerometers attached to more segments to examine their relationship with kinematic variables.