• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.190-195
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of isokinetic eccentric training (IET) on lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity according to slow velocity and fast velocity of isokinetic eccentric training in stroke patients. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into three groups: experimental group I (n=10), group II (n=10), and control group III (n=10). Each group was provided intervention under three conditions, as follows: isokinetic eccentric training + slow velocity (group I), isokinetic eccentric training + fast velocity (group II), and sit to stand training (group III). The training program was conducted for eight weeks (five times per week; 30 minutes per day). Subjects were measured on lower extremity muscle (vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, gastrocnemius) activation and walking velocity. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were performed for comparison of lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity between different intervention methods. Results: Significant difference in lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity was observed in experimental group I and group II compared with the control group III (p<0.01). Results of post-hoc analysis showed a significant in lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity in group I compared with group II and group III. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that slow velocity and fast velocity using isokinetic eccentric training may have a beneficial effect on improvement of lower extremity muscle activation and walking velocity in stroke patients.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

The main purposes of this study were to find the correlation between walking ability assessment tools using the Modified Barthel Index (MBI), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Spinal Cord Injury Measurement II (SCIM II), Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI), walking velocity, and walking endurance. The study population consisted of 56 patients with spinal cord injury referred to the department of Rehabilitative Medicine in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. All subjects were ambulatory with or without an assistive device. All participants were assessed by MBI, FIM, SCIM II, WISCI, walking velocity, and walking endurance. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and X2. There was significant correlation between the MBI, FIM, SCIM II, WISCI, walking velocity, and walking endurance (p<.01). In particular, WISCI has a significant correlation with SCIM II(p<.001). Therefore the WISCI scale is an appropriate assessment tool to predict the gait ability of patients with spinal cord injury. Further study about MBI, FIM, SCIM II, WISCI, walking velocity, and walking endurance is needed using a longitudinal study design.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.16-23
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• 2019

Background: High-heeled shoes can change spinal alignment and feet movement, which leads to muscle fatigue and discomfort in lumbopelvic region, legs, and feet while walking. Objects: This study aimed to identify the effects of different shoe heel heights on the walking velocity and electromyographic (EMG) activities of the lower leg muscles during short- and long-distance walking in young females. Methods: Fifteen young females were recruited in this study. The experiments were performed with the following two different shoe heel heights: 0 cm and 7 cm. All participants underwent an electromyographic procedure to measure the activities and fatigue levels of the tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), rectus femoris (RF), and hamstring muscles with each heel height during both short- and long-distance walking. The walking velocities were measured using the short-distance (10-m walk) and long-distance (6-min walk) walking tests. Results: Significant interaction effects were found between heel height and walking distance conditions for the EMG activities and fatigue levels of TA and MG muscles, and walking velocity (p<.05). The walking velocity and activities of the TA, MG, and RF muscles appeared to be significantly different between the 0 cm and 7 cm heel heights during both short- and long-distance walking (p<.05). Significant difference in the fatigue level of the MG muscle were found between the 0 cm and 7 cm heel heights during long-distance walking. In addition, walking velocity and the fatigue level of the MG muscle at the 7 cm heel height revealed significant differences in the comparison of short- and long-distance walking (p<.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that higher shoe heel height leads to a decrease in the walking velocity and an increase in the activity and fatigue level of the lower leg muscles, particularly during long-distance walking.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.477-483
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• 2002

This paper deals with a workspace analysis of multi-legged walking robots in velocity domain(velocity workspace analysis). Noting that when robots are holding the same object in multiple cooperating robotic arm system the kinematic structure of the system is basically the same with that of a multi-legged walking robot standing on the ground, we invented a way ot applying the technique for multiple arm system to multi-legged walking robot. An important definition of reaction velocity is made and the bounds of velocities achievable by the moving body with multi-legs is derived from the given bounds on the capabilities of actuators of each legs through Jacobian matrix for given robot configuration. After some assumption of hard-foot-condition is adopted as a contact model between feet of robot and the ground, visualization process for the velocity workspace is proposed. Also, a series of application examples will be presented including continuous walking gaits as well as several different stationary posture of legged walking robots, which validate the usefulness of the proposed technique.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2006

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate if two different age groups(young vs. old) had differences in walking velocity and heel contact velocity and, furthermore, if these gait characteristics could adversely influence initial friction demand characteristics(i.e. RCOF) and the likelihood of slip-initiation. Twenty eight(14 younger and 14 older adults) participated in the study. While wearing a safety harness, all participants walked at their preferred gait speed for approximately 20 minutes on the linear walking track(1.5m× 20m) consisting of two floor-mounted forced plates. During subsequent 20 cameras, respectively. The results indicated that older adults walked slower(i.e., slower whole body center-of-mass velocity), exhibited lower heel contact velocity, and produced lower initial friction demand characteristics (i.e. RCOF) in comparison to younger adults. However, ANCOVA indicated that the diferences in heel contact velocity between the two age groups were due to the effects of walking velocity. The bivariate analysis further suggested that walking velocity was correlated to RCOF and heel contact velocity, while heel contact velocity was not found to be correlated to RCOF. In conclusion, could be a better indicator for predicting initial friction demand characteristics(i.e. RCOF) not hel contact velocity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.59-69
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• 2011

Purpose : The purposes of this study were to find correlations among Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale, walking velocity, walking asymmetry and balance ability. Methods : The study sample consisted of 50 stroke patients referred to the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine in the Sanggye Paik, Ilsan Paik, Seoul Paik, and Dobong Hospital. All subjects were ambulatory with or without an assistive device. All participants were assessed on Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale and walking velocity, walking asymmetry. The data were analyzed using independent t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression. Results : The results revealed that upper extremity coordination, balance and pain items of Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale were significantly correlated with walking velocity and upper extremity and upper extremity motor and balance items of Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale were significantly correlated with walking asymmetry. Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale was not significantly correlated with Static Balance Index, Dynamic Balance Index and Weight Distribution Asymmetry Index. Their power of explanation regarding comfortable walking velocity and comfortable walking asymmetry were 60.3%, 42.5% respectively. Conclusion : These results showed that Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale is significantly correlated with walking velocity, asymmetry and not significantly correlated with balance ability. Therefore Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale is an appropriate assessment tool to predict walking ability of patients with stroke. Futher study about walking velocity and asymmetry by change of Fugl-Meyer Assessment scale is needed using a longitudinal study design.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.49-53
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• 2018

Objective: This study was performed to examine differences in the association between straight and curved walking abilities of inpatients in the subacute phase and walking independence level. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Subjects were divided into an independent group and a supervised group (n=10 each) by walking independence level within the ward decided by physical therapists. Inclusion criteria comprised the ability to ambulate independently within the ward, regardless of the use of walking aids. Straight walking abilities (walking velocity, stride length, and cadence) were evaluated using the 5-meter walk test. Curved walking abilities were evaluated using the Figure-of-8 Walk Test (F8W) and the 3-meter zigzag walk test (3ZW). Differences in associations between straight and curved walking abilities of inpatients were examined by calculating correlation coefficients between straight and curved walking abilities. Results: Age, walking velocity, stride length, F8W and 3ZW varied markedly between independent and supervised groups. In the independent group, F8W and 3ZW correlated significantly with walking velocity and cadence (p<0.05). In the supervised group, F8W correlated significantly with walking velocity and stride length (p<0.05), but 3ZW did not correlate significantly with straight walking abilities. Conclusions: The association between straight and curved walking abilities varied between inpatients who could ambulate independently and inpatients requiring supervision for ambulating. These differences may depend on skill on straight and curved walking abilities. There is a possibility that curved walking exercise is necessary for supervised group.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Clinical Electrophysiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2004

This study aims to the influenced factor analysis of spinal cord independence measure(SCIM), on walking velocity, walking endurance, time up & go(TUG), and subject characteristics. The subject of this study were 12 persons with incomplete spinal cord injury(ASIA C, D). All subject ambulatory with or without an assistive device. All participants were assessed on SCIM(score), walking velocity(m/s), walking endurance(m) and TUG(s). The data were analyzed using independent t-test and stepwise multiple regression. The results revealed that no statistical difference was noted in subject characteristics among SCIM, walking velocity, walking endurance, TUG(p>0.5). The independence score, breathing-sphincter control and ambulation were important factors in TUG(31.4%). The results suggest that SCIM may be an inappropriate assessment tool to predict gait ability of patient with incomplete spinal cord injury. Further study about gait speed, gait endurance and TUG by change of SCIM is needed using to patient of incomplete spinal cord injury.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.271-278
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• 2014

PURPOSE: This study researched the effects of different types of high heels on the muscles surrounding the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, and the lumbar spine by analyzing muscle activation of the paraspinal muscles during walking while wearing high heels. The high heels were all of the same height: 8cm. METHODS: The 28 subjects in this experiment were females in their 20s with a foot size of 225-230mm. To measure the muscle activation of the paraspinal muscles, EMG electrodes were attached on the paraspinal muscles around C6, T7, and L5. The muscle activation during walking while wearing 8cm high wedge heels, setback heels, and french heels was measured. The measurements were performed 3 times each and the mean value of the result was used for analysis. Two kinds of velocity were used in this study. One of the velocity was 2.5 m/s. The other was 3.5 m/s. RESULTS: The muscle activation of paraspinal muscles increased significantly according to increase of walking velocity. But there was no significant difference according to the heel types. CONCLUSION: In view of the results, the height of heels and the velocity of walking are more convincing variables than the width of the heels on the muscle activation of paraspinal muscles. So wearing high heels is not recommended for those who have pain or functional problem of cervical and lumbar vertebrae.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.162-169
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• 2010

This paper deals with the recognition algorithm of walking will based on torque estimation. Recently, concern about walking assistant aids is increasing according to the increase in population of elder and handicapped person. However, most of walking aids don't have any actuators for its movement. So, general walking aids have weakness for its movement to upward/download direction of slope. To overcome the weakness of the general walking aids, many researches for active type walking aids are being progressed. Unfortunately it is difficult to control aids during its movement, because it is not easy to recognize user's walking will. Many kinds of methods are proposed to recognize of user's walking will. In this paper, we propose walking will recognition algorithm by using torque estimation from wheels. First, we measure wheel velocity and voltage at the walking aids. From these data, external forces are extracted. And then walking will that is included by walking velocity and direction is estimated. Here, all the processes are verified by simulation and experiment in the real world.