• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.433-441
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to understand the injury mechanism and to provide quantitative data to use in prevention or posture correction training by conducting kinematic and kinetic analyses of risk factors of lower extremity joint injury depending on the change of direction at different angles after a landing motion. Method: This study included 11 men in their twenties (age: $24.6{\pm}1.7years$, height: $176.6{\pm}4.4cm$, weight: $71.3{\pm}8.0kg$) who were right-leg dominant. By using seven infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden), one force platform (AMTI, USA), and an accelerometer (Noraxon, USA), single-leg drop landing was performed at a height of 30 cm. The joint range of motion (ROM) of the lower extremity, peak joint moment, peak joint power, peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF), and peak vertical acceleration were measured. For statistical analysis, one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance was conducted at a significance level of ${\alpha}$ <.05. Results: Ankle and knee joint ROM in the sagittal plane significantly differed, respectively (F = 3.145, p = .024; F = 14.183, p = .000), depending on the change of direction. However, no significant differences were observed in the ROM of ankle and knee joint in the transverse plane. Significant differences in peak joint moment were also observed but no statistically significant differences were found in negative joint power between the conditions. Peak vertical GRF was high in landing (LAD) and after landing, left $45^{\circ}$ cutting (LLC), with a significant difference (F = 9.363, p = .000). The peak vertical acceleration was relatively high in LAD and LLC compared with other conditions, but the difference was not significant. Conclusion: We conclude that moving in the left direction may expose athletes to greater injury risk in terms of joint kinetics than moving in the right direction. However, further investigation of joint injury mechanisms in sports would be required to confirm these findings.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence on the ground reaction force parameters according to wearing positions of backpack for during stair ascending and descending. Methods : Participants selected as subject were consisted of young female(n=10) and performed stairs walks(ascending and descending) with 2 types of wearing position(front of trunk[FT], rear of trunk[RT]). Passive(Fz 1) and active(Fz 2) forces of the vertical GRF were determined from time function and frequency domain. Also shear forces(Fx, Fy 1, Fy 2), dynamic postural stability index(MLSI, APSI, VSI, DPSI), loading rate and center of pressure (${\Delta}COPx$, ${\Delta}COPy$, COP area) were calculated from time function and frequency domain. Results : Fx, Fy 1, Fy 2, and Fz 1 in GRF didn't show significant differences statistically according to the wearing positions of backpack(p>.05), but stair descending showed higher forces than that of stair ascending. Particularly, Fz 2 of stair ascending showed higher forces than that of stair descending(p<.001), RT types showed higher than that of FT types(p<.05). MLSI, APSI, VSI, and DPSI of stair descending showed the increased stability index than that of stair ascending(p<.05), MLSI of RT types showed the decreased stability index than that of FT types(p<.05). Loading rate didn't show significant differences statistically according to the wearing positions of backpack(p>.05), but stair descending showed higher loading rate than that of stair ascending(p<.001). Also, ${\Delta}COPx$ in stair descending showed the increased movement than that of stair ascending(p<.05). Conclusions : A backpack of 10 kg(10 kg(ratio of body weights $17.61{\pm}1.17%$) showed significantly change GRF parameters according to wearing positions during stair ascending and descending. If possible, we suggest that the dynamic stability, in case of stairs walking with a smaller weights can be further improved.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.169-178
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• 2008

The goals of this study were to provide data of 3 dimensional ground reaction force(GRF) parameters during stair ascent and descent on three different stair runs and to investigate variability and asymmetry index of them. 10 healthy adults participated in this study and performed 7 different types of gait with 10 trials each. After data analysis, following results were found. Firstly, stair run did not affect on the pattern of GRF parameters, coefficient of variation and asymmetry index. Secondly, a significant different GRF pattern was found between level walking and stair walking. Especially, ascending stair walking has only large Fz1 and small Fz3 while level walking and descending stair walking have a "M" shape connected by Fz1, Fz2 and Fz3. Thirdly, only vertical GRF parameters of stair walking revealed acceptable coefficient of variation and asymmetry index.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in the center of pressure (COP), ground reaction force (GRF) and joint angles of elderly people and young people while stair-descent. The participants in this experiment were 5 elderly people and 5 young people, each of which was asked to descend stairs of three different heights (8 cm, 16 cm, and 32 cm). As they climbed down the stairs, they received vibration stimulation on the lower limb. The change of COP, GRF and joint angles were analyzed during the standing phase. COP decreased as the Achilles tendon and tibialis anterior tendon were vibrated. Vertical GRF increased as the Achilles tendon was vibrated, and the joint angle differed according to vibration stimulation conditions. These results mean that ankle joint, knee joint and hip joint were influenced by the vibrations on the lower limb as the participants descended the stairs. It was concluded that the vibration stimulation on the lower limb allowed the participants to efficiently climb down the stairs.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2007

Ground reaction force (GRF) measures are one of the most commonly used in biomechanical study. GRF system is very useful educational tool to explain and demonstrate the Newton's law of universal gravitation and laws of motion as well. However, accuracy, intra- and inter- force platform measures' consistency, reliability, noise, and the effect of platform mounting to GRF measures were not clearly viewed. The aim of this study was to examine the above. GRFs of a plastic dummy and two subjects' quiet upright standing were collected at four university laboratories eight force platforms. The types of platforms, analysis programs, and platform set-up were various. Three 100s-trials were conducted with sampling frequency of 100 Hz. First two trials' vertical component of GRFs, Fz, and CoP sway ranges of mid-60s-portion of 100s trials were analyzed by the paired t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Six of eight platforms' 1st and 2nd trial dummy Fz were statistically different (p<.05) and all platforms ICC were poor (<.28). Fz of the two platforms in every four laboratories were statistically different (p<.05). There were white noises and/or very distinctive noises at specific frequency ranges in all Fz measures. 5 Hz low-pass filtering made clear the Fz differences. CoP ranges of dummy were less than 0.5 cm and the best was 0.02 cm. This CoP range finding agrees with previous results suggests the importance of force platform mounting and A/D card resolution.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2024

Background: Landing from a step or stairs is a basic motor skill but high incidence of lateral ankle sprain has been reported during landing with inverted foot. Objects: This study aimed to investigate the effect of landing height and visual feedback on the kinematics of landing and supporting lower limbs before and after the touch down and the ground reaction force(GRF)s. Methods: Eighteen healthy females were voluntarily participated in landing from the lower (20 cm) and the higher (40 cm) steps with and without visual feedback. To minimize the time to plan the movement, the landing side was randomly announced as a starting signal. Effects of the step height, the visual feedback, or the interaction on the landing duration, the kinematic variables and the GRFs at each landing event point were analyzed. Results: With eyes blindfolded, the knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion on landing side significantly decreased before and after the touch down. However, there was no significant effect of landing height on the anticipatory kinematics on the landing side. After the touch down, the landings from the higher step increased the knee flexion and ankle dorsiflexion on both landing and supporting sides. From the higher steps, the vertical GRF, anterior GRF, and lateral GRF increased. No interaction between step height and visual feedback was significant. Conclusion: Step height and visual feedback affected the landing limb kinematics independently. Visual feedback affected on the landing side while step height altered the supporting side prior to the touch down. After the touch down, the step height had greater influence on the lower limb kinematics and the GRFs than the visual feedback. Findings of this study can contribute to understanding of the injury mechanisms and preventing the lateral ankle sprain.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2014

This study investigated foot pressure patterns between experienced skiers and intermediate skiers during alpine skiing. Five experienced skiers and five intermediate skiers participated in this study. Foot pressure measurement system was used to measure vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) and contact area under the six plantar regions. Each participant was asked to perform basic parallel turns and carved turns on a $18^{\circ}$ groomed slope. Each right turn was divided into the initiation phase, the steering phase 1 and 2. For the initiation phase of the basic parallel turns, significantly greater contact area was found on the LRF and RRF of the intermediate skiers (p<.05) and significantly greater vGRF was found on the LRF of the intermediate skiers (p<.05). Also significantly greater vGRF and contact area were found on the LRF and RRF of the intermediate skiers at the steering phase 1 (p<.05) and on the LRF of the intermediate skiers at the steering phase 2 (p<.05). For the carved turns, significantly greater vGRF and contact area were found on the LRF and RRF of the intermediate skiers at all three phase (p<.05). On the other hand, significantly greater vGRF was found on the RFF of the experienced skiers at the steering phase 1 (p<.05). Also significantly greater vGRF and contact area were found on the RMF of the experienced skiers at the steering phase 2 (p<.05). In order to increase performance, we suggest that the intermediate skiers should be unweighted at the initiation phase and shift the body weight to the forefoot of the outer foot at the steering phase 1. Also, the outer ski should be loaded more than the both skis at the steering phase 1 and 2.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2011

This study aimed to determine the effects of the blockage of visual feedback on joint dynamics of the lower extremity. Fifteen healthy male subjects(age: $24.1{\pm}2.3\;yr$, height: $178.7{\pm}5.2\;cm$, weight: $73.6{\pm}6.6\;kg$) participated in this study. Each subject performed single-legged landing from a 45 cm-platform with the eyes open or closed. During the landing performance, three-dimensional kinematics of the lower extremity and ground reaction force(GRF) were recorded using a 8 infrared camera motion analysis system (Vicon MX-F20, Oxford Metric Ltd, Oxford, UK) with a force platform(ORG-6, AMTI, Watertown, MA). The results showed that at 50 ms prior to foot contact and at the time of foot contact, ankle plantar-flexion angle was smaller(p<.05) but the knee joint valgus and the hip flexion angles were greater with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). An increase in anterior GRF was observed during single-legged landing with the eyes closed as compared to with the eyes open(p<.05). Time to peak GRF in the medial, vertical and posterior directions occurred significantly earlier when the eyes were closed as compared to when the eyes were open(p<.05). Landing with the eyes closed resulted in a higher peak vertical loading rate(p<.05). In addition, the shock-absorbing power decreased at the ankle joint(p<.05) but increased at the hip joints when landing with the eyes closed(p<.05). When the eyes were closed, landing could be characterized by a less plantarflexed ankle joint and more flexed hip joint, with a faster time to peak GRF. These results imply that subjects are able to adapt the control of landing to different feedback conditions. Therefore, we suggest that training programs be introduced to reduce these injury risk factors.

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1995.10a
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• pp.141-155
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• 1995

To understand kinetic characteristics during the process of initation of gait from standing, from the visual cue to toe off of the stance limb, vertical ground reaction forces(GRF) and center of pressure(COP) during gait initation period were evaluate with two force platforms placed side by side in thirty two adults(young 16, elderly 16, each mean age 27.79 and 51.70 years) with no history of 7 neuromusculo-skeletal abnormality. Gaint initation period of swing and stance limbs, percentage of gait initiation period and ratio of the vertical forces to body weight at each peak of the vertical forces of both limbs, and also movement of net COP were measured and described. 2 groups, one of 16 young adults and another of 16 elderly adults, were compared statistically. These data showed the increase of initiation of gait period and the decrease of movement of net COP, nd also can now be used as a part of database when initation of gait in subjects with neuromusculoskeletal abnormalities need to be evaluated.

• Journal of Electrical Engineering and Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.733-738
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• 2014

We propose a new approach called as a peak time approach for faster detection of step initiation for the lower limb exoskeleton. As faster detection of step initiation is an important criterion in evaluating the lower limb exoskeleton, many studies have investigated approaches to detect step initiation faster, including using electromyography, the center of pressure, the heel-off time and the toe-off time. In this study, we will utilize vertical ground reaction force events to detect step initiation, and compare our approach with prior approaches. Additionally, we will predict the first step's heel strike time with vertical ground reaction force events from multiple regression equations to support our approach. The lower limb exoskeleton should assist the operator's movement much faster and more reliably with our approach.