• International Journal of Fuzzy Logic and Intelligent Systems
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.308-313
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• 2010

This paper presents a performance index-based evaluation for a better quadruped robotic walking configuration. For this purpose, we propose a balance-based performance index that enables to evaluate the walk configuration of quadruped robots in terms of balance. In order to show the effectiveness the proposed performance index, we consider some types of walking configurations for a quadruped robotic walking and analyze the trend of the proposed performance index in those quadrupedal walking. Through the simulation study, it is shown that an effective walk configuration for a quadrupedal walking can be planned by adopting the proposed performance index.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.447-454
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• 2011

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of circuit class training on the performance of locomotor tasks in chronic stroke. Methods : The study included 45 patients with chronic stroke randomly divided into experimetal group and control group. Both groups participated in exercise classes three times a week for 8weeks. The experimental group had 10 workstation of circuit class designed to improve walking. The control group practiced fitness exercises by equipment in health center. Walking performance was assessed by measuring walking speed(timed 10-meter walk and TUG), GAITRite analysis and peak vertical ground reaction force through the affected foot during walking. Results : The experimental group demonstrated significant improvement(p<.05) compared with the control group in 10-meter walking and vertical ground reaction force after training. The experimental group showed significant improvements in the walking velocity and cadence by GAITRite system(p<.05). Conclusion : Task- oriented circuit class training leads to improvements in locomotor function in chronic stroke. Further studies are necessary to occur in usual environments to improve walking performance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2020

Objective: The study aimed to develop a functional performance index that evaluates the functional performance of Parkinson's patients, i.e., to integrate biomechanical measurements of walking, balance, muscle strength and tremor, and to use multiple linear regression with stepwise methods to identify the most suitable predictors for the progression of disease. Method: A total of 60 subjects were tested for sub-variables of four factors: walking, balance, isometric strength and hand tremors. Potential independet variables were extracted through correlation analysis of the sub-variables and dependent variables, Hoehn & Yahr scale. And then, a stepwise multiple regression analysis using the potential independent variables was performed to identify predictor of Hoehn & Yahr scale. Results: First, the results of the study showed that physical composition and gait had a relatively more correlated with the progression of the disease, compared to balance and hand tremor. Second, Parkinson's functional performance is characterized by dynamic pattern of walking, such as foot clearance and turning angle (TA) of walking, and a high-explained regression model is completed. Conclusion: The study emphasized the importance of walking variables and body composition in minor pathological features compared to Parkinson's patient's balancing ability and hand tremor. Specifically, it revealed that dynamic walking patterns functionally characterize patients. The results are worth considering when assessing functional performance related to the progression of the disease at the site.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.13-19
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• 2011

Purpose: In real life there are both straight-paths and curved-paths. To evaluate walking ability of both kinds, a figure-8 walking test (F8WT) was developed. The aim of this study was to validate the measure in hemiplegic patients with walking difficulties and to identify correlations of curved walking ability with straight walking ability, motor function, and walking performance ability. Methods: Twenty subjects participated in this study. Curved walking was measured by a F8WT. Straight walking ability was measured by a 10-meter walking test (10MWT). Dynamic balancea bility was measured by timed up and go (TUG) tests. Walking performance ability was measured using a modified motor assessment scale (MMAS). Motor function was measured by the Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA) scale. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis. Linear regression analyses were performed to explore other functional tests in mobility ability by F8WT time, 10MWT (dependent variable). Results: There was a significant positive correlation of F8WT time with 10MWT and TUG. There was a significant negative correlation of F8WT time with MMAS and FMA-coordination. There was a significant positive correlation of 10MWT with TUG. There was a significant negative correlation of 10MWT with MMAS and FMA-coordination. The F8WT time for curved walking ability was attributed to 10MWT for straight walking ability as 94% level of contribution. Conclusion: The results suggest that the F8WT is a good instrument for measuring walking ability because there is a robust correlation of F8WT time with 10MWT, TUG, MMAS, and FMA-coordination in hemiplegic patients who, after stroke, have a mobility deficiency.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2003.11c
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• pp.404-407
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• 2003

In this paper, we have designed the humanoid robot's leg parts with 12 D.O.F. This robot uses ankle's joints to confirm stability of walking performance. It is less movable to use ankle's joints than to do upper body's balancing joints like IWR-III, which needs three parts of via points, support leg, swing leg and balancing joints. Instead, the proposed humanoid robot needs support leg and swing leg via points. ZMP(Zero Moment Point) is utilized to guarantee the stability of robot's walking. The humanoid robot uses the ankle's joints to compensate for IWR-III's balancing joints movement. Actually we concern about a motor performance when making a real humanoid robot. So a simulator is employed to know each joint torque of humanoid robot. This simulator needs D-H(Denavit-Hartenberg) parameters, robot's mass property and two parts of via points. The simulation results are robot's walking trajectories and each motor torque. Using the walking trajectories, we can see the robot's walking scene with 3D simulator. Before we develop the humanoid robot, simulation of the humanoid robot's walking performance is very helpful. And the torque data will be used to make humanoid's joint module.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2010

The purposes of this study was to investigate the biomechanical influence of the walking shoe with a plate spring in the heel and interchangeable heel cushioning elements. Eighteen subjects walked in three conditions: 1) the walking shoes Type A-1 with a soft heel insert, 2) the Type A-2 shoe with a stiff heel insert, 3) a general walking shoe(Type B). Ground reaction forces, leg movements, leg muscle activity and ankle, knee and hip joint loading were measured and calculated during overground walking. During walking, the ankle is a few degrees more dorsiflexed during landing and the knee is slightly more flexed during takeoff with the Type A shoes. As a result of the changes in the walking movement, the ground reaction forces are applied more quickly and the peak magnitudes are higher. Muscle activity of the quadricep, hamstring and calf muscles decrease during the first 25% of the stance phase when walking in the Type A shoes. The resultant joint moments at the ankle, knee and hip joints decrease from 30-40% with the largest reductions occurring during landing.

• Journal of Advanced Marine Engineering and Technology
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1285-1295
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• 2008

A research on a simulator for a side walking path of a 16 degree-of-freedom (d.o.f) biped walking robot(BWR) which is composed of 4 d.o.f upper-part body and 12 d.o.f lower-part of the body is presented. For generation of stable side walking motion, the kinematics, dynamics and the zero moment of point(ZMP) of the BWR were analyzed analytically and included in the simulator. To operate the motion simulator for stable side walking of the BWR, a graphic user interface program was developed which needs inputs for the side distance between legs, base joint angle, walking type, and walking velocity. The simulator was developed to generate joint angle data of legs for side walking, and the data are transmitted to the BWR for stable side walking. In the simulator, a new path function for smooth walking motion was proposed and applied to the simulator and actual motion of a BWR. Also for actual side walking, an algorithm for estimating backlashes of the actuating joint motors was proposed and included in the simulator. To validate the performance of the proposed motion simulator, the simulator was operated and its side walking data of the simulator were generated for a period of side walking.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.141-145
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• 2019

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare walking conditions (straight line and curved path) on walking patterns in persons who had experienced hemiplegic stroke and to determine whether if they adapt their walking pattern and performances according to changes in environmental conditions. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty-four hemiplegic stroke survivors participated in this study. This study measured walking performance in three different walking conditions, such as straight walking, the more-affected leg in the inner curve walking, and less-affected leg in the inner curve walking conditions, and a 2-dimentional gait analysis system was used as a primary measurement. This study also measured secondary clinical factors including the Timed Up-and-Go Test, the Trunk Impairment Scale, and the Dynamic Gait Index. Results: After analyzing, cadence and step length of the less-affected side, stride length in the more-affected side, and stride length in less-affected side were significantly different among the three different walking conditions in this study (p<0.05), but other temporospatial parameters were not significant. Cadence was the largest in the straight walking condition. Step length in the less-affected side, stride length in the more-affected side, and stride length in less-affected side were also the longest in the straight walking condition. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that hemiplegic stroke survivors show walking adaptability according to changes in walking demands and conditions, and moreover, cadence and step and stride lengths were significantly different between straight and curved walking conditions.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.484-491
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• 2002

We developed a new type of human-sized BWR (biped walking robot) driven by a new actuator based on the ball screw which has high strength and high gear ratio. Each leg of the robot is composed of three pitch joints and one roll joint. In all, a 10 degree-of-freedom robot with two balancing joints was developed. A new type of actuator for the robot is proposed, which is composed of four bar link mechanism driven by the ball screw. The robot overcomes the limit of the driving torque of conventional BWRs. The BWR was designed to walk autonomously by adapting small DC motors for the robot actuators and has a space to board DC battery and controllers. In the performance test, the BWR performed sitting-up and down motion, and walking motion. Through the test, we found the possibility of a high performance biped-walking.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.103-110
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• 2013

Purpose : The aim of study was to assess the effect of backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training for patients with spinal cord injury. Methods : Forced vital capacity(FVC), forced expiratory volume at one second(FEV1), peak expiratory flow(PEF) and FEV1/FVC ratio(FER) were measured with a spirometer for on subject of T12 spinal cord injury. 10 meter walking test(10MWT), timed up & go test(TUG) and 6-Minute walking test(6MWT) were the measured. Intervention consisted of backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training five times a week for 12 weeks. Results : The date of 10MWT, TUG, 6MWT were improved. Furthermore, the date of PEF, FEV1, FVC, FER showed a improvement. Conclusion : Backward walking combined with body weight supported treadmill training may be a better and more effective method for gait performance and respiratory on incomplete spinal cord injury.