• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.3834-3842
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to analyze the kinematic characteristics of children with Down syndrome got congenitally joint laxity and muscle hypotonic. The subjects are boys with Down syndrome and don't have the other disabilities. We got three dimensional position data and then calculated spatiotemporal and kinematic variables during walking on treadmill used increasingly for gait analysis and training. In result, in order to overcome their gait instability due to their musculoskeletal characteristics they walked with hip, knee and ankle joints more flexed than the typical gait pattern, and on the propulsion phase they extend the lower limb joints less than the typical, result in propel the body less than. The reason is that the more is the propulsion by extending the joints, the greater is the reaction force from the ground on heel contact. This result is expected to be used to develop the training program for intensification of musculoskeletal system aim to improve the other musculoskeletal disabilities as well as Down syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.528-535
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• 2000

Objective : To investigate objectively the postoperative improvement of gait disturbance in patients with cervical myelopathy through a gait analysis. Patients and Methods : Ten patients who underwent cervical decompression and fusion for cervical myelopathy caused by spondylosis, OPLL, or concomitant hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum were studied. Preoperatively, gait disturbance was present in all patients. The patients were evaluated by gait analysis using three dimensional motion analyzer to collect data of linear and kinematic parameters before surgery, 1 week and 3 months after surgery. Statistical analysis of the related pre-and post-operative data were performed. Results : In the linear parameters, average value of cadence, walking speed, stride length, step time, width and double support were increased postoperatively compare to preoperative value. In the kinematic parameters, average value of knee flexion during initial swing phase, plantar flexion of ankle and range of motion of hip joint were increased as well. These differences were statistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study suggests that gait analysis can be used as a method of quantitative analysis of postoperative gait improvement in patients with cervical myelopathy.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.2221-2228
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• 2020

Background: Shoes cover the feet and ankle joints and come into contact with the ground directly during walking, and the shape of shoes is related to the muscle tone of the lower extremity muscles. However, no study has been conducted on the muscle tone of the lower extremity after wearing combat boots. Objectives: To compare and analyze the effects of walking in combat boots and in athletic shoes on muscle tone and stiffness, to identifying the effect of the characteristics of shoes on the muscle tone. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: Thirty subjects were randomly divided into a combat boots group and an athletic shoes group, and interventions were implemented. Both groups walked for 30 minutes on a treadmill at 4.2 km/h. MyotonPRO was used to measure the muscle tone and stiffness of the lower extremity. The measuring sites were set to five muscles on both legs. Results: In the combat boots group, muscle tone and stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius on the dominant side, the muscle tone and stiffness of rectus femoris, and the muscle stiffness of hamstring on the non-dominant side significantly decreased after walking. In the athletic shoes group, there was no significant change in the muscle tone and stiffness. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used to inform the wearing combat boots while walking on a treadmill reduces the muscle tone and stiffness of the lower extremity compared to athletic shoes. It indicates that the restriction of joint movement occurring when wearing combat boots influences reducing muscle tone and stiffness.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in spatiotemporal gait performance, function, and pain of lower-extremity according to foot morphological characteristics. Method: This case-control study recruited 42 adults and they were classified into 3 groups according to foot morphology using navicular-drop test: pronated (≥ 10 mm), normal (5~9 mm), and supinated (≤ 4 mm) feet. Spatiotemporal gait analysis and questionnaires including Foot and Ankle Ability Measure activities of daily living / Sports, Western Ontario and McMasters Universities Osteoarthritis Index, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Tegner activity score were conducted. One-way analysis of variance was used for statistical analysis. Results: The pronated feet group showed longer loading response and double limb support in both feet and increased pre-swing phase in non-dominant feet. The supinated feet group demonstrated a longer swing phase in non-dominant feet and single limb support in dominant feet. However, there was no significant group difference in function and pain of knee joint and lower-extremity between groups. Conclusion: Our results indicated that abnormal spatiotemporal gait performance according to foot morphology. Although there was no difference in lower extremity dysfunction and pain according to the difference in foot morphology, they have the possibility of symptom occurs as a result of continuous participation in activities of daily living and sports. Therefore, individuals with pronated or supinated foot should be supplemented by utilizing an orthosis or training to restore normal gait performance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.49-55
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• 2022

Objective: This study aims to verify the front squat motions using by two different surfaces, thereby elucidating the grounds for effective training environment that can minimize the risk of injury. Method: Total of 10 healthy male crossfit athletes were recruited for this study (age: 32.30 ± 3.05 yrs., height: 173.70 ± 5.12 cm, body mass: 82.40 ± 6.31 kg, 1RM: 160 ± 13.80 kg). All participants are those who know how to do front squats well with more than five years of crossfit athlete experience. All participants have sufficient experience in front squats on two types of surface which are soft surface (SS) and hard surface (HS). In each surface, participant perform 10reps of the front squat with 80% of the pre-measured 1RM. A 3-dimensional motion analysis with 8 infrared cameras and 2 channels of EMG was performed in this study. Paired sample t-test was used for statistical verification between two surfaces. The significant level was set at α=.05. Results: The significantly decreased rectus femoris muscle activation was found in SS compared with that of HS on phase 1 (p<.05). Also, ROM of ankle joint was significantly increased in the SS compare with that of HS on phase 1 (p<.05). The muscle activity ratio of gluteus maximus/rectus femoris showed a significant difference only in SS compared with that of HS on phase 1 (p<.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, Korean crossfit boxes should consider the use of hard surface, which has a relatively less risk of injury than soft surface, in selecting flooring materials. For the Crossfit athletes, they are also considered appropriate to train on a relatively hard surface.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.59-67
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• 2022

PURPOSE: This study examined the effectiveness of task gait exercise combined with self-observation training to provide basic clinical data by analyzing the factors that task gait exercise combined with self-observation training has on the leg muscle activity and gait improvement in stroke patients. METHODS: The subjects were assigned randomly to experimental Group I, which mediated task gait exercise combined with self-observation training, and experimental Group II, which mediated task-walking movement. They received 30-minute interventions three times a week for four weeks. The leg muscle activity and 10 m walking test (10MWT) were conducted as pre-intervention tests, and they underwent a post-test four weeks later in the same manner as the pre-test. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was observed in all muscles and 10MWT (p < .01) in experimental group I (p < .05), while there were significant differences only in the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, and 10MWT (p < .05). In a comparison of the changes between groups, there were statistically significant differences only in the tibialis anterior, soleus muscle, and 10MWT (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Self-observation training in experimental group I was effective in increasing the leg muscle activity and improving walking speed by discovering and correcting incorrect movements and following a normal gait pattern using the ankle joint. Therefore, the task gait exercise combined with self-observation training should be introduced and actively utilized for the rapid social recovery of stroke patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.233-246
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• 2022

Purpose : The study aims to determine the effects of virtual and non-virtual realities in a normal person's mirror walk on gait characteristics. Methods : Twenty male adults (Age: 27.8 ± 5.8 years) participated in the study. Reflection markers were attached to the subjects for motion analysis, and they walked in virtual reality environments with mirrors by wearing goggles that showed them the virtual environments. After walking in virtual environments, the subjects walked in non-virtual environments with mirrors a certain distance away after taking a 5 min break. To prevent the order effect caused by the experiential difference of gait order, the subjects were randomly classified into groups of 10 and the order was differentiated. During each walk, an infrared camera was used to detect motion and the marker positions were saved in real time. Results : Comparison between the virtual and non-virtual reality mirror walks showed that the movable range of the leg joints (ankle, knee, and hip joints), body joints (sacroiliac and atlantoaxial joints), and arm joints (shoulder and wrist joints) significantly differed. Temporal characteristics showed that compared to non-virtual gaits, the virtual gaits were slower and the cycle time and double limb support time of virtual gaits were longer. Furthermore, spacial characteristics showed that compared to non-virtual gaits, virtual gaits had shorter steps and stride lengths and longer stride width and horizontally longer center of movement. Conclusion : The reduction in the joint movement in virtual reality compared to that in non-virtual reality is due to adverse effects on balance and efficiency during walking. Moreover, the spatiotemporal characteristics change based on the gait mechanisms for balance, exhibiting that virtual walks are more demanding than non-virtual walks. However, note that the subject group is a normal group with no abnormalities in gait and balance and it is unclear whether the decrease in performance is due to the environment or fear. Therefore, the effects of the subject group's improvement and fear on the results need to be analyzed in future studies.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.147-154
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed 1) to compare the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) score and movement patterns during landing of the lesser dorsiflexion range of motion (LDFROM) group to that with the greater dorsiflexion range of motion group, and 2) to identify the correlation between the weight-bearing dorsiflexion range of motion (WBDF ROM), LESS score, and movement patterns during landing. Method: Fifty health adults participated in this study. WBDF ROM was measured using the weight bearing lunge test while movement patterns during landing was assessed using the LESS. The joint angles of the ankle, knee and hip joints during landing were analyzed using the 2D video analysis. After mean value of WBDF ROM was calculated, participants were divided into two groups (GDFROM and LDFROM) based on the mean value. The Mann-Whiteny 𝒰 test was used to identify differences in movement strategies during landing between two groups and the Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to determine relationships between WBDF ROM and movement strategies. Results: The LDFROM group showed the poorer LESS score and stiffer landing kinematics during landing compared to the GDFROM group (p<0.05). In addition, DFROM was significantly related to the LESS score and landing kinematics (p<0.05) except for total hip excursion (p=0.228). Conclusion: Our main findings showed that the LDFROM group had poorer landing quality and stiffer landing movements compared to the GDFROM group. In addition, increase of WBDF ROM significantly improved landing quality and soft-landing movements. To reduce shock during landing such as ground reaction forces, individuals need to better utilize WBDF ROM and lower extremity movements based on our findings. Therefore, intervention programs for safer landings should include exercises that increase WBDF ROM and utilize eccentric contraction.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1-11
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• 2006

Purpose: This study compared the effects of non-cold and cold conditions on the viscoelastic properties of tendon structures in vivo. Methods: Seven male subjects perfomed plantar flesion exercise with maximal isokinetic voluntary contraction, which consisted of muscle contraction for 6 see and relaxation for 60 secs, 10 times for 1 set, Totally 10 sets were repeated. Before and after each task, the elongation of the tendon and aponeurosis of the medial gastrocnemius muscle (MG) was directly measured by ultrasonography. (The relationship between the estimated tendon force and tendon elongation.) Tendon cross-sectional area and ankle joint moment arm were obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The tendon force was calculated from the joint moments and the tendon moment arm and stress was obtained by dividing force by cross-sectional areas (CSA). The strain was measured from the displacements normalized to tendon length. Results: After cooling, the tendon force was larger in cold than non-cold. The value of the tendon stiffness of MVC were significantly higher under the cold condition than under the non-cold condition. The maximal strain and stress of $7.4{\pm}0.7%$ and $36.4{\pm}1.8$ MPa in non-cold and $7.8{\pm}8.5%,\;31.8{\pm}1.1$ MPa in cold (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study shows for the first time that the muscle endurance in cooling increases the stiffness and Young's modulus of human tendons. The improvement in muscle endurance with cooling was directly related to muscle and tendon.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.225-228
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• 2006

Purpose: Accurate clinical evaluation of the alignment of the calcaneus relative to the tibia in the coronal plane is essential in the evaluation and treatment of hindfoot pathologic condition. Previously described standard anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique radiographic methods of the foot or ankle do not demonstrate alignment of the tibia relation to the calcaneus in the coronal plane. The purpose of this study was to introduce hindfoot coronal alignment view. Material : 1) Both feet were imaged simultaneously on an elevated, radiolucent foot stand equipment. 2) Both feet stood on a radiolucent platform with equal weight on both feet. 3) Both feet are located foot axis longitudinal perpendicular to the platform. 4) Silhouette tracing around both feet are made, and line is then drawn to bisect the silhouette of the second toe and the outline of the heel. 5) The x-ray beam is angled down approximately $15^{\circ} to $20^{\circ} Result : 1) This image described tibial axis and medial, lateral tuberosity of calcaneus. 2) Calcaneus do not rotated. 3) The view is showed by talotibial joint space. Conclusion: Although computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging techniques are capable of demonstrating coronal hindfoot alignment, they lack usefulness in most clinical situations because the foot is imaged in a non-weight bearing position. But hindfoot coronal alignment view is obtained for evaluating position changing of inversion, eversion of the hindfoot and varus, valgus deformity of calcaneus.