• PNF and Movement
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the effects of neck and trunk stabilization exercise on the onset time of trunk muscle contraction in the elderly. Methods: Elderly subjects were divided into 2 groups: a neck and trunk stabilization exercise group (NTSG) and a control group (CG). The NTSG performed both neck and trunk stabilization exercises and the CG performed gait training on a treadmill, at 30 min per session, 3 times per week, over 8 weeks. Surface electromyography was employed to measure the onset times of trunk muscle contractions in the right anterior deltoid, rectus abdominis, external oblique abdominis, internal oblique abdominis, and erector spinae muscles. Results: The NTSG subjects showed earlier and statistically significant onset of contraction in trunk muscles as compared to the CG. Conclusion: The combination of neck and trunk stabilization exercises may more effectively improve the onset of muscle contractions in the elderly than other types of exercise. The present study's findings may be used as basic data for the development of exercise programs suitable to the elderly, specifically for the design of home exercise programs.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.131-146
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• 2002

In the last years, it has become possible to regain some locomotor activity in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) through intense training on a treadmill. The ideas behind this approach owe much to insights derived from animal studies. Many studies showed that cats with complete spinal cord transection(spinalized animals) can recover locomotor function. These observations were at the basis of the concept of the central pattern generator located at spinal level. The neural system responsible for the locomotor restoration in both cats and humans is thought to be located at spinal level and is referred to as the central pattern generator(CPG). The evidence for such a spinal CPG in human is emphasis on some recent developments which support the view that there is a human spinal CPG for locomotion. An important element in afferent inputs for both spinal injured cats and humans is the provision of adequate sensory input related locomotor, which can possibly activate and/or regulate the spinal locomotor circuitry This review article deals with the afferent control of the central pattern generator. Furthermore, the application of adequate afferent inputs related locomotor for stroke patients will be able to facilitate locomotion ability, which is automatic, cyclic, rhythmic. These insights can possibly contribute to a better therapeutic approach for the rehabilitation of gait in patients with stroke.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.109-119
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate differences of the mechanical efficiency on the characteristics of the basketball wheelchairs(cambers & size of the handrims). Nine healthy and normal wheelchair basketball players who had no impairments to their upper extremities were volunteered to participate in this study. $VO_2$ was collected using automatic gas analyzer(vmax29). Gross efficiency, net efficiency and work efficiency were analyzed from the calculated external power output and energy expenditure. The results were followed. First, gross efficiency in the basketball wheelchairs was observed across the range from 4 to 10%. Gross efficiency in this study showed less values than that from the literature reviewed in the arm cranking(15%), racing wheelchair(above 30%), gait(27%) and cycling(18-23%). Second, the small size of handrim(61cm) at the 16 degrees of camber produced higher efficiency values than the large size of handrim(66cm) whereas the different sizes of handrim at the 20 degrees of camber did not show any pattern. Third, both faster speed($1.11^m/s{\rightarrow}1.39^m/s$) and increases in treadmill inclination produced increases in energy expenditure. The results of this study may provide not only better understanding of the mechanical efficiency with adequate camber degree and proper size of handrim but also fundamental information for manufacturing the wheelchair.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2014

연구목적 : 본 연구의 목적은 8주간의 점진적인 속도증진 훈련이 뇌졸중환자의 족저압, 보행주기, 보행대칭성에 어떠한 영향을 주는지 알아보는 것이다. 연구방법 : 연구에 참여한 대상자들은 뇌졸중으로 진단 받고 N병원에 입원한 편마비환자 20명(실험군 10명, 대조군 10명)을 대상으로 하였다. 이들은 모두 물리치료와 작업치료를 받았고, 실험군은 주3회, 8주간의 트레드밀 보행훈련를 받았고, 대조군은 받지 않았다. 실험전, 후에 F-scan을 이용하여 보행주기, 보행대칭성을 검사하였다. 연구결과 : 8주 후, 보행주기는 실험군의 양하지지지기 I II, 단하지지지기에서 모두 유의하게 증가하였으나, 대조군에서는 양하지지지기 II, 단하지지지기에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 유각기는 실험군과 대조군 모두 유의하지는 않았다. 보행대칭성은 입각기 대칭성에서 대조군과 비교하여 실험군에서 유의하게 증가하였으나, 유각기 대칭성은 실험군과 대조군 모두 유의하지 않았다. 결론 : 뇌졸중 환자에 있어 보행훈련은 보행주기과 보행대칭성과 를 개선시키며, 특히 점진적인 속도 증진훈련은 양하지지지기, 단하지지지기, 입각기 보행대칭성에 효과적인 방법으로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 보인다.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.30-36
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• 2021

Objective: The objective of the present study was to analyze the relationship between strength of the lower extremity's joints and their local dynamic stability (LDS) of gait in elderly women. Method: Forty-five elderly women participated in this study. Average age, height, mass, and preference walking speed were 73.5±3.7 years, 153.8±4.8 cm, 56.7±6.4 kg, and 1.2±0.1 m/s, respectively. They were tested torque peak of the knee and ankle joints with a Human Norm and while they were walking on a treadmill at their preference speed for a long while, kinematic data were obtained using six 3-D motion capture cameras. LDS of the lower extremity's joints were calculated in maximum Lyapunov Exponent (LyE). Correlation coefficients between torque of the joints and LyE were obtained using Spearman rank. Level of significance was set at p<.05. Results: Knee flexion torque and its LDS was negatively associated with adduction-abduction and flexion-extension movement (p<.05). In addition, ratio of the knee flexion torque to extension and LDS was negatively related to internal-external rotation. Conclusion: In conclusion, knee flexion strength should preferentially be strengthened to increase LDS of the lower extremity's joints for preventing from small perturbations during walking in elderly women.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.487-494
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of metatarsal pad (MP) compared with barefoot and MP with using different insoles on gait. 15 healthy females who had no history of injury in the lower extremity with an average age of 22.7 year(SD=1.35), height of 160 cm(SD=3.4), weight of 48.8 kg(SD=5.52) and average foot size of 232.5 mm(SD=6.8) participated in this study as the subjects. The subjects walked on a treadmill under four different experimental conditions: 1) walking with barefoot, 2) walking wearing MP 3) walking wearing a soft insole with MP(SIMP), 4) walking wearing a rigid insole with MP(HIMP). During walking, foot pressure data such as force, contacting area, peak pressure, and mean pressure was collected using Pedar-X System(Novel Gmbh, Germany) and EMG activity of lower limb muscles such as tibialis anterior(TA), lateral gastrocnemius(LG), rectus femoris(RF), and musculus biceps femoris(MBF) was gathered using Delsys EMG Work System(Delsys, USA). Collected data was then analyzed using paired t-test in order to investigate the effects of each of experimental conditions. As a result of the analysis, when MP and HIMP were equipped, overall contacting area was increased while the force, peak pressure and the mean pressure were decreased. Especially, when the SIMP was equipped, every data were significantly decreased. In case of EMG, wearing MP, SIMP and HIMP made three muscles(TA, LG, RF)'s activity decrease. A result of the analysis will be able to apply for manufacturing functional shoes, diabetes shoes, senior shoes and lower extremity orthosis. Significance of the study due to a metatarsal pad and the insole is to analyze the changes in muscle strength.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.303-309
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• 2021

This study examined the changes in the cardiopulmonary functions of stroke patients by adjusting the s heart rate during walking training. This study was conducted on 20 chronic stroke patients. The experimental group conducted walking training by varying the walking speed according to the change in heart rate on the treadmill. In contrast, the control group conducted walking training by the subjective speed of the subject. The walking training was conducted for 32 minutes, three times a week, for a total of six weeks. The changes after the intervention of the subjects were determined by measuring the VC, ERV, IRV, FVC, FEV1, and PEF. The study revealed interactions between the groups and timing in the VC, ERV, and IRV(p<.05). There were no interactions between the groups and timing in FEV1, FVC, and PEF. The main effects showed no significant differences between the groups (p>.05) but showed significant differences between periods (p<.05). These results suggest that the cardiopulmonary function was improved significantly when the training was conducted by changing the pace of the heart rate in the walking process, leading to significant changes in the cardiopulmonary function.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.804-810
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to apply treadmill training through motor learning to cerebral palsy children and examine its effects on their motor Functions and balance. The subjects of this study were 16 spastic diplegia children who had difficulty in independent gait, and GMFCS level III, IV. The participant's were allocated randomy to 2 groups: a motor learning group(n=8) and the control group(n=8), Both groups received muscle strengthening exercise for 3 session, 30 minutes per week over 7 weeks period. Data collected from the 16 spastic diplegia children the results were as follows. The motor learning group showed significant increase in motor function(p<.05). The motor learning group showed significant increase in balance(p<.05). Between motor learning group and control group, motor functions and balance was a statistically significant difference(p<.05).

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.113-122
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the foot-pressure distribution of 2D(2 dimensional form) & 3D(3 dimensional form; a customized arch-fit for posture correction) insoles for assessing their biomechanical functionality. Background : Recently there has been increased interest in both foot health and foot pain patients. Analysis of the plantar pressure was often used to solve the problems of the foot displayed by such people as rheumatoid arthritis patients. Method : Subjects who participated in this study were 17 female university students who had no previous injury experience in lower limbs and a normal gait pattern. The shoe size of all subjects was 240 mm. Two models of insoles of 2D(typical flat insole - 2 dimensional form) and 3D(special production - 3 dimensional form) were selected for the test. Using the Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 4.0 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 50 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Results : Results of the foot-pressure distribution and biomechanical functionality on each insole were as follows; analyses of mean plantar pressure, maximum plantar pressure, maximum vertical GRF, and plantar pressure curve shape all showed overall low plantar pressure and GRF. Conclusion : This can be evaluated as an excellent insole for low levels on the plantar pressure and GRF. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that according to this analysis the 3D Customized Arch-fit Insole was better than 2D insole on the basis of these criteria.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.115-126
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate plantar foot pressure and static balance according to the type of insole in the elderly. Methods: Thirteen elderly (mean age: $67.08{\pm}2.25years$, mean height: $159.63{\pm}9.64cm$, mean body weight: $61.48{\pm}9.06kg$) who had no previous injury experience in the lower limbs and a normal gait pattern participated in this study. Three models of insoles of the normal, 3D, and triangle types were selected for the test. The Pedar-X system and Pedar-X insoles, 3.3 km/h of walking speed, and a compilation of 20 steps walking stages were used to analyze foot-pressure distribution. Static balance test was conducted using Gaitview AFA-50, and balance (opening eyes, closing eyes) was inspected for 20 s. One-way ANOVA was conducted to test the significance of the results with the three insoles. p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean foot pressure under the forefoot regions was the lowest with the 3D insole during treadmill walking (p<.05). The mean value under the midfoot was the highest with the 3D insole (left: p<.05, right: p<.01). The mean value under the rearfoot was the lowest with the 3D insole (p<.001). The maximum foot pressure value under the foot regions was the lowest on both sides of the forefoot with the 3D insole. A statistically significant difference was seen only in the left foot (p<.01). The maximum value under the midfoot was the highest with the 3D insole (p<.001). No statistically significant difference was detected on the values under the rearfoot. In the case of vertical ground reaction force (GRF), statistically significant difference was seen only in the left side rearfoot (p<.01). However, static balance values (ENV, REC, RMS, Total Length, Sway velocity, and Length/ENV) did not show significant differences by the type of insole. Conclusion: These results show that functional insoles can decrease plantar pressure and GRF under the forefoot and rearfoot. Moreover, functional insoles can dislodge the overload of the rearfoot and forefoot to the midfoot. However, functional insoles do not affect the static balance in the elderly.