• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.445-453
• /
• 2010

It is necessary to quantitatively evaluate the workload of workers in order to improve the level of safety and efficiency as well as to prevent workers from musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study is to introduce biomechanical methods that are largely used to quantitatively evaluate workload. The biomechanical methods use kinematics and kinetics to analyze the movement and force of biomechanical body. Motion analysis, joint angle measurement, ground reaction force, mathematical model, and electromyography (EMG) were introduced as a tool or device for biomechanical evaluation. In this study, the special feature of each method was emphasized and important tips for field measurement were summarized. The information and technique disclosed in this summary can be used to evaluate and design the workplace better by effectively control the workload of field workers.

• Journal of KSNVE
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.811-818
• /
• 2000

This paper deals with the design of a car seat for enhancing dynamic ride quality using a Biomechanical Model that was developed from the measured whole-body vibration characteristic. For evaluation of seat ride quality, the z-axis acceleration of floor as an input of biomechanical model was measured on a driving passenger car at highway and national road. Form the floor signal and the estimated biomechanical model, overall ride value evaluated by parameter study of seat stiffness and damping. The result shows that overall ride value decreases as the seat damping increases and the sear stiffness decreases. A lot of polyurethane foams were manufactured and tried to evaluate dynamic ride quality of a seat. It is found that stiffness and damping of a seat show a linear relationship, which means the stiffness and damping are not independent each other, So the optimal seat parameters within practically achievable space are determined.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.13-25
• /
• 2009

Existing footwear biomechanics studies rely on simplified kinetics and kinematics, plantar pressure and muscle electromyography measurements. Because of the complexity of foot-shoe interface and individualized subject response with different footwear, consistent results regarding the biomechanical performance of footwear or footwear components can yet be achieved. The computational approach can be an efficient and economic alternative to study the biomechanical interactions of foot and footwear. Continuous advancement in numerical techniques as well as computer technology has made the finite element method a versatile and successful tool for biomechanics researchdue to its capability of modelling irregular geometrical structures, complex material properties, and complicated loading and boundary conditions. Finite element analysis offers asystematic and economic alternative in search of more in-depth biomechanical information such as the internal stress and strain distributions of foot and footwear structures. In this paper, the current establishments and applications of the computational approach for footwear design and evaluation are reviewed.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
• /
• 2001.06c
• /
• pp.464-469
• /
• 2001

This work provides the biomechanical evaluations of a manual wheelchair with a bi-directional driving system. The new propulsion strategy can be accomplished by employing a special gear system that converts the oscillatory motion of a handrim into the unidirectional output motion of a wheel. A main feature of the forward. backward propulsion is to supply continuous driving torque without break. Motion. analysis has been performed through 2-dimensional image processing for measuring the kinematic properties of the upper arm and fore arm. Then, the inverse dynamics analysis has been done for obtaining the joint torques, the handrim forces and input/output powers. Results show that the output power by the forward. reverse propulsion is almost twice as much as that by conventional propulsion. Also, the new propulsion is expected to reduce the fatigues and injuries at arm joints by employing more muscle groups for movement. In conclusion, the forward. reverse propulsion can greatly improve the performances of manual wheelchairs by providing better mobility as well as by guaranteeing several advantages from a biomechanical viewpoint. Future development of a manual wheelchair optimized for the bi-directional propulsion will further improve the propulsion performances.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.103-108
• /
• 1995

This study was performed to investigate a relationship between a biomechanical analysis of compressive force at L5/S1 and electromyographic analysis of erector spinae muscle during lifting task. In the experiment, isometric contractions at 25, 50, 75, 100%MVC for short duration and sustained isometric contractions at 50%MVC were performed. For muscle recruitment patten and compressive force analysis, rectified EMG amplitudes analysis and computerized biomechanical analysis were used. To achieve data, angles of neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and length of body segments were measured. Results shows that trends of initial EMG rectified amplitude were similar to those of biomechanical calculation value and for sustained isometric contraction at 50%MVC EMG rectified amplitude of erector spinae muscle after 40seconds was increased up to level of 75%MVC. Based on the results of this study, biomechanical analysis should be supplemented considering muscle fatigue, and it is also suggested that work-rest cycle critera and the evaluation of back-pain injuries should include muscle fatigue.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.255-264
• /
• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop new balance evaluation index that can discriminate fall risk factors and provide effective interventions for healthy elderly. In order to conduct this study, the balance assessment tools (TUG, mCTSIB, OLST, FRT and BBS) currently used in clinic were re-evaluated using biomechanical analysis. Method: The participants were healthy elderly people over 65 years old, n=26, age: 69.31±3.13 years; height: 154.00±4.12 cm, body weight: 56.13±6.04 kg. The variables are length of CoM-BoS, length of CoP-BoS, range of CoP, mean distance of CoP, mean frequency of CoP, root mean square of CoP, joint angle, ASM (%SL), CoP-CoM angle. Results: As a result of this study, the following items were included in the list of new balance evaluation index for the healthy elderly, showing differences in the biomechanical evaluation based on the clinical evaluation (Inclusion list: TUG, OLST, 8th assessment item of BBS (reaching forward with outstretched arm), 11th item (turning 360 degrees), 13th item (standing with one foot in front), 14th item (standing on one foot)). Conclusion: Based on the results, the new balance evaluation index for the healthy elderly determined through this study can be used to prevent the fall by evaluating the balance ability in various situations that can be experienced in the normal daily life of the healthy elderly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Operations and Management Science Society Conference
• /
• 1994.04a
• /
• pp.596-605
• /
• 1994

An efficient measurement and evaluation system for hand tool tasks will provide a practical solution to the problem of designing and evaluating manual tool tasks in the workplace. Few studies on the biomechanical analysis of hand postures and tool handling tasks exist because of the lack of appropriate measurement techniques for hand force. A measurement system for the finger forces and joint angles for analysis of manual tool handling tasks was developed in this study. The measurement system consists of a force sensing glove made from twelve Force Sensitive Resistors and an angle-measuring glove (Cyberglove$\^$TM/, Virtual technologies) with eighteen joint angle sensors. A biomechanical model of the hand using the data from the measurement system was also developed. Systems of computerized procedures were implemented integrating the hand posture measurement system, biomechanical analysis system, and the task analysis system for manual tool handling tasks. The measurement system was useful in providing the hand force data needed for an existing task analysis system used in CTD risk evaluation. It is expected that the hand posture measurement developed in this study will provide an, efficient and cost-effective solution to task analysis of manual tool handling tasks. These tasks are becoming increasingly important areas of occupational health and safety of the country.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.69-81
• /
• 1995

Few studies on the biomechanical analysis of hand postures and tool handling tasks exist because of the lack of appropriate measurement techniques for hand force. A measurement system for the finger forces and joint angles for the analysis of manual tool handling tasks was developed in this study. The measurement system consists of a force sensing glove made from twelve Force Sensitive Resistors and an angle-measuring glove (Cyberglove$^{TM}$, Virtual technologies) with eighteem joint angle sensors. A biomechanical model of the hand using the data from the measurement system was also developed. Systems of computerized procedures were implemented inte- grating the hand posture measurement system, biomechanical analysis system, and the task analysis system for manual tool handling tasks. The measurement system was useful in providing the hand force data needed for an existing task analysis system used in CTD risk evaluation. It is expected that the hand posture measurement developed in this study will provide an efficient and cost-effective solution to task analysis of manual tool handling tasks.s.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.339-347
• /
• 2011

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate of various material of pillows by using biomechanical variables such as the cervical stability, head pressure distribution, and muscle activity. Method: Eight subjects participated in the experiment. Three different materials such as polyester sponge, memory foam and the buckwheat shell used for Korean traditional pillow were tested. Electro-goniometer, six channels of electromyography(EMG), ten channels of the head pressure sensors were used to measure the biomechanical responses. Surface electrodes were attached to the right/left semispinals capitis(RSC, LSC), the right/left sternocleidomastoid(RSM, LSM), the right/left upper trapezius(RUT, LUT). The cervical stability was evaluated by the angle deviated from the standing neck position. The head pressure distribution was evaluated by the pressure per unit area recorded on the sensors and the intensity of peak pressure. Electromyography(EMG) data were analyzed by using root mean square(RMS) and mean power frequency(MPF). Results: The buckwheat shell material showed a higher stability in the cervical spine then the other pillows during spine position. In terms of head pressure distribution, the memory form indicated the lowest pressure at supine position, buckwheat shell material indicated the lowest pressure during lying down to side, and polyester cushion recorded the highest pressure at all postures. Conclusion: The buckwheat shell material has a biomechanical advantage to maintain a healthy neck angle and reduce the pressure on the head, which means the buckwheat shell is a potential material for ergonomic pillow design. The pillow with memory form showed second best biomechanical performance in this study. Application: The shape of the buckwheat shell pillow and the characteristics of materials can be used to design the pillow preventing neck pain and cervical disk problems.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.494-499
• /
• 2011

This paper presents the biomechanical analysis and evaluation technology of musculoskeletal system by multi-body human dynamic model and 3-D motion capture data. First, medical image based geometric model and material properties of tissue were used to develop the human dynamic model and 3-D motion capture data based motion analysis techniques were develop to quantify the in-vivo joint kinematics, joint moment, joint force, and muscle force. Walking and push-up motion was investigated using the developed model. The present model and technologies would be useful to apply the biomechanical analysis and evaluation of human activities.