• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.426-438
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Walking practice is a representative indicator of the level of physical activity of local residents. Although the world health organization addressed reduction in prevalence of insufficient physical activity as a global target, the rate of walking practice in Korea has not improved and there are large regional disparities. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the spatial variations of walking practice and its associated factors in Korea. Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using Community Health Outcome and Health Determinants Database 1.3 from Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A total of 229 districts was included in the analysis. We compared the ordinary least squares (OLS) and the geographically weighted regression (GWR) to explore the associated factors of walking practice. MGWR 2.2.1 software was used to explore the spatial distribution of walking practice and modeling the GWR. Results: Walking practice had spatial variations across the country. The results showed that the GWR model had better accommodation of spatial autocorrelation than the OLS model. The GWR results indicated that different predictors of walking practice across regions of Korea. Conclusion: The findings of this study may provide insight to nursing researchers, health professionals, and policy makers in planning health programs to promote walking practices in their respective communities.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.223-228
• /
• 2011

In this paper, we proposed a technique to recognize three states in stance phase of gait cycle. Walking assistive devices are used to help the elderly people walk or to monitor walking behavior of the disabled persons. For the effective assistance, they adopt an intelligent sensor system to understand user's current state in walking. There are three states in stance phase; Loading Response, Midstance, and Terminal Stance. We developed a foot pressure sensor using 24 FSRs (Force Sensing/Sensitive Resistors). The foot pressure patterns were integrated through the interpolation of FSR cell array. The pressure patterns were processed to get the trajectories of COM (Center of Mass). Using the trajectories of COM of foot pressure, we can recognize the three states of stance phase. The experimental results show the effective recognition of stance phase and the possibility of usage on the walking assistive device for better control and/or foot pressure monitoring.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.257-270
• /
• 2019

Purpose: This study is designed as a non-equivalent, control group pre/post-test for identifying effectiveness of a workplace walking program using a fitness tracker including individual counseling and tailored text messaging. Methods: Seventy-nine employees from two large companies were allocated into an intervention group (n=39) and a control group (n=40). Participants were asked to wear a fitness tracker (Fitbit Charger HR) during 24-hour, 5-days per week, for 10 weeks. The intervention group was provided with daily walking steps measured by Fitbit, weekly counseling with a specifically designed workbook, and seven weekly text messaging, and the control group with the fitness tracker only. Results: At the week 10 measurement, there were significant differences between the intervention and control groups in physical activity self-efficacy (p<.001), physical activity behavior (p<.001), daily walking steps (p<.001), systolic blood pressure (p=.033), and wellness (p<.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that the workplace walking program using a fitness tracker including individual counseling and tailored text messaging is more effective for persons with 10,000 steps/day. Therefore, it is recommended to actively apply this workplace walking program to inactive employees for encouraging regular physical activities and improving their wellness.

• Journal of the Architectural Institute of Korea Planning & Design
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.117-125
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study is to examine urban built environments associated with the walking behavior in order to identify the problem of urban infrastructure from the perspective of Universal design theory. Using the walkability criteria developed based on the findings of previous studies on Universal design theory and walking environment, the urban built environments in old town area of Seoul were evaluated. The results of the evaluation indicated that the pedestrian infrastructure in the study area had several shortcomings to improve in order to provide walking-friendly environments. First, the pedestrian infrastructure for visually impaired people were severely limited. Second, walking traffics in large portion of the street networks were interrupted by a variety of obstacles such as parked cars, signboards, and illegal street shops. Third, there were certain areas where the quality of pavement was not properly managed. In summary, this study provides an empirical data to understand the current situation of pedestrian infrastructure in the urban areas. Improvement of pedestrian infrastructure is needed to address the issues related to the mobility of the disabled people. It is also recommended to construct the GIS data on walking environment in order to develop and mange a long-term public investment plan for walking-friendly urban environments.

• 제어로봇시스템학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2000.10a
• /
• pp.446-446
• /
• 2000

This paper presents the design of a passive biped walking robot based on limit cycle analysis. By using numerical analysis and experiment, we identify better design criterion for biped walking robot. In designing robot parameters we apply global search method to find limit cycles for given robot parameters and ground angle. Internal parameter variation changes limit cycle behavior, total energy, strides, etc and the characteristics of walking is analyzed by simulation and experiments.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.329-335
• /
• 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavior and performance of male and female broiler chickens reared under three different colors of light (white, blue and red) in a 23L:1D of lighting program. Day-old broiler chicks were obtained and assigned to six pens (16 males and 16 females per pen). Two pens each were located in three different rooms in an environmentally controlled shed and received the different light colors. All birds received same husbandry conditions. After a 3-day adaptation to the light color, behavior observations (pecking, resting, standing and walking) were made on six focal birds per pen, representing the sex ratio, by direct visual scans for 120 minutes daily for five days a week throughout the 5-week study. Body weights and feed intake were recorded at weekly intervals. On days 19 and 33, welfare indicators (tonic immobility reaction on the 19 and 33 days old; gait scores, foot pad and hock burns scores on 33 days old) were determined. Light color had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the weight gain and feed intake of broilers, but significantly (P<0.05) influenced the feed conversion ratio. Birds receiving the blue light were more (P<0.05) efficient than those receiving white and red lights. Resting was observed to be the major behavior pattern, irrespective of sex or light color. During early growth, resting behavior tended to be lower in birds receiving red light. However, standing and walking behaviors tended to be higher in birds receiving red light in 4 to 18 day-old age and all of experimental periods, respectively. These data indicate that light color can influence broiler performance and behavior.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.1-16
• /
• 2018

Objectives: This study aimed to examine systems behavior of urban walking by analyzing a dynamic structure in Seoul, South Korea. Methods: As a systems thinking approach to urban walking and health promotion, we developed a Casual Loop Diagram based on literature review and expert consultation. The reviewed literature included: 1) qualitative studies that explores the experiences of urban walkers in Seoul; 2) a systematic review study on the built environmental factors related to walking; 3) policy research reports related to urban walking in Seoul. Results: The feedback structure for urban walking was related to the three urban environments (safety & walking environment, socioeconomic environment, and public transportation environment), and was characterized by a trade-off consisting of eight reinforcing loops and four balancing loops. Conclusions: The policies for a walkable city require multi-sectoral cooperation in order to change the causal loop structure related to the decline of walking. Therefore, it is necessary to establish legal and institutional conditions so that multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches are possible.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.357-364
• /
• 2014

The aim of the study was to identify the effects of a social-support-based walking program for residents in rural areas. Data were collected from 120 residents who are residential in Chungcheongnam-do and participated in walking program at community health centers from March and September 2013. Collected data included body mass index, body fat mass, and skeletal muscle mass and physical Activity. The data were analyzed using a paired t-test with SPSS19.0. This study showed that a 7-month walking program had positive effects on the physical health index, representing reductions in the body mass index(t=-12.418, p<.001), body fat mass indes(t=13.031, p<.001) and an improvement in the skeletal muscle mass(t=-12.642, p<.001). Health behavior index; dietary practice guideline score(t= -4.324, p<.001), physical activity day(t=-8.715, p<.001), high risk drinking day(t=6.298, p<.001) were improved through walking program. These results indicated that the walking program for the community was effective in improving the health status of the participants. Therefore, I suggest that the development and running of various social-support-based walking program be required by applying the results.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.35-45
• /
• 2006

In Korea, about 8.3% over aged 65 are suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other type of dementia. Among dementia-related behaviors, wandering is the one of strongest factors on burden and stress of caregivers. On Lee and Kwon's report with community living persons with dementia, upto 85% of caregivers reported wandering as a problem. Wandering is a frequently encountered problem in communities and long-term care facilities, but it is among least understood dementia. related behavior. Despite the prevalence of wandering, its significant adverse outcomes, and the increase in persons with dementia in Korea, no systematic research has been conducted in Korea. The purpose of this study is to review on literature related to wandering behavior among persons with dementia. The specific topics related to wandering are included: definition, the prevalence of dementia and wandering behavior, the influencing factor on wandering, outcomes of wandering behavior, and the measurement method. Wandering is defined as "aimless walking" and "Meandering, aimless or repetitive locomotion that exposes one to harm and is incongruent with boundaries, limits, or obstacles". Wandering is viewed as a problematic behavior, however, it has to be understood as need-driven compromised behavior. For example, wandering may be an expression of searching for familiar person and/or place. Recently, in Korea, there is an effort for establishing the therapeutic environment for elders who are wanderers in long-term-care facilities. Cognitive impairment of persons with dementia is found to be a consistent factor on wandering behavior through many national and international studies. The adverse outcomes of wandering are serious problem in persons with dementia as well as their caregivers. The adverse outcomes include falls, fractures, getting lost, use of restraints, or even death. In fact, wandering is one of the major reasons for a patient to be institutionalized. For measurement of wandering behavior, two methods are broadly used: observation using stop watch, and survey form. A revised instrument of the Korean version of Algase wandering scale (K_RAWS) is established the psychometric properties (Son, Song, & Lim, 2006) demonstrating valid and reliable instrument in measuring wandering behavior among persons with dementia who are residing in communities. K_RAWS has a 39 items with six subscales including persistent walking, repetitive walking, spatial disorientation, eloping behavior, negative outcome, and mealtime impulsivity. In conclusion, studies including the prevalence of wandering behavior and predictive factors on wandering should be conducted to understand wandering clearly before developing any types of intervention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.74-82
• /
• 2017

This study was conducted to test the impacts of distractions caused by smartphones on pedestrians whilst walking alongside or across vehicular traffic in a high-density urban zone in South Korea. Through this study, we propose objective evidence for a link between the risk of traffic accidents and distractions from smartphones for pedestrians because of less likely notice activities surrounding road along their walking. This means that smartphones usage may cause inattentional blindness even during a simple activity that should require few cognitive resources. We conducted an experiment comparing pedestrian behavioral patterns of walking with smartphone distractions (such as listening to music with earphones or sending text messages) and normal walking without any distractions. In the experiment, participants walked along a pedestrian path prescribed by researchers and were observed at 8 points which were as follows: two observation points through which participants were instructed to listen to music whilst walking, two points where participants were instructed to send text messages, and four points through which participants were instructed not to use a smartphone at all. According to pedestrian behavior analysis, there is a trend for attention to be distributed amongst whatever other activities pedestrians are doing whilst walking. Therefore, this study proposes that pedestrians walking with such distractions are at a higher risk of traffic accidents compared to those who walk without such distractions. Thus, we advise for the South Korean government to consider ways to traffic policy that will enhance traffic safety for pedestrians.