• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.459-466
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze of obstacle gait using spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables in children with autism. Fifteen children with autism and fifteen age-matched controls participated in the study. Spatio-temporal and foot pressure variables was investigated using GAITRite pressure sensor system. Each footprint was divided into 12 equal trapezoids and after that the hindfoot, midfoot and forefoot analysis was developed. Independent t-test was applied to compare the gait variables between the groups. The results showed that the autism group were significantly decreased in velocity, cadence, cycle and swing time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased in step width and toe out angle compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and forefoot of lateral part of footprint and forefoot of medial part of footprint in the peak time compared to the control group. The autism group were significantly increased at midfoot and hindfoot in $P^*t$, at midfoot in active area, and at hindfoot in peak pressure compared to the control group. In conclusion, the children with autism showed abnormal obstacle gait characteristics due to muscle hypotonia, muscle rigidity, akinesia, bradykinesia and postural control impairments.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of high heeled shoes with the total contact insert (TCI) on the frontal plane of the joints for the lower extremity during the gait. Ten healthy females voluntarily participated in this study and the height of the high heeled shoes was 7 cm. A three-dimensional motion analysis system (VICON) and force plates were used to analyze the movements of the joints for the lower extremities. The results were as follows: There were no significant differences for the angle value on the event of the gait cycle in the maximum eversion and inversion of the ankle joint, the varus and valgus of the knee joint, and the adduction and abduction of the hip joint (p>.05). But, there was a significant difference or the range of motion in the ankle joint (p<.05). The value of ankle and knee moment with a TCI was less than the value for no TCI. And there were significant differences for the moment value of the maximum inversion and eversion on the ankle joint and for the maximum varus and valgus on the knee joint (p<.05). Therefore, a TCI would be effective in stabilizing the joints of the lower extremities and increasing the balance of a body to reduce the injure from a fall during the gait.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.129-136
• /
• 1999

The purpode of this study was to determine the EMG characteristies of 7 subjects with hemiplegic gait receiving therapeautic exercise after stroke. The akin electrode and gait analysis system were used. The normal gait of 6 health volunteers was analysised. The results were following. 1. Gluteus maximus, the extensor of hip joint had high level of activity compared to normal, and had two peak in late stance phase and early Swing phase. 2. Medial hamstring, the flexor of knee joint had low level of activity compared to normal, and had continuous low amplitude pattern. 3. Vastus lateralis, the extensor of knee joint had high level of activity compared to normal, and had not continuous high amplitude. From early stance phase and mid stance phase, activity had high level but after swing phase. similar to normal. 4. Gastrocnemius, plantar flexor of ankle joint had low level of activity compared to normal and had continuous low amplitude. 5. Tibialis anterior, dorsiflexor of ankle joint had similar muscle activity to normal and had continuous low amplitude.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.74-80
• /
• 2010

This paper presents the three dimensional gait analysis of the patients with osteoarticular knee allograft reconstruction. The gait analysis has been performed in some medical fields such as orthopedics and neurosurgery for the purpose of the rehabilitation of patients. However, to the author's knowledge, the analysis of gait for the patients with osteoarticular knee allograft reconstruction caused by tumor has not been reported. In this work, In this work, we confirmed the validity of this method by analyzing 50 samples per one gait cycle obtained from each of 3 patients and 3 normal persons. The motion capture was performed using six infrared cameras. The symmetry and stability of the gait patterns are investigated (patients' r=0.39, p<0.05, normal persons' r=0.65, p<0.05) respectively using the correlation coefficients and the standard deviations of the joint angles of the left and right legs. It also would be applied to the comparison analysis where artificial knee joint is transplanted.

• Safety and Health at Work
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.183-188
• /
• 2017

Background: Recommendations have been proposed for minimum aerobic fitness among firefighters but it is unclear if those criteria relate to performance on the fireground. Less fit individuals fatigue more quickly than fit individuals when working at comparable intensity and may have gait changes, increasing risk of falls. We evaluated the effect of fatigue during a live burn evolution on gait parameters and functional balance comparing them to aerobic fitness levels. Methods: A total of 24 firefighters had gait and balance tested before and after a live burn evolution. Data were stratified by aerobic fitness of greater/less than 14 metabolic equivalents (METs). Results: Analysis of gait cycles measurements before and after the live burn evolution revealed that single leg stance, cycle, and swing time decreased (p < 0.05) but there were no differences in the other measures. There were no differences in time to complete the functional balance test, or errors committed before or after a live burn evolution. When firefighters were sorted by fitness level of 14 METs, there were no differences for errors or time before or after the live burn evolution. Balance data were analyzed using a linear regression. Individuals with lower fitness levels required more time to complete the test. Conclusion: A 14-MET criterion failed to distinguish gait or balance characteristics in this group. However, less fit firefighters did require more time to complete the balance test (p = 0.003). Aerobic fitness alone does not predict gait changes among firefighters following a live burn evolution but does appear to influence functional balance.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.131-136
• /
• 2007

In this study, we developed an active ankle-foot orthosis(AAFO) which can control dorsi/ plantar flexion of the ankle joint to prevent foot drop and toe drag during walking. 3D gait analyses were performed on five healthy subjects under three different gait conditions: the normal gait without AFO, the SAFO gait with the conventional plastic AFO, and the AAFO gait with the developed AFO. As a result, the developed AAFO preeminently induced the normal gait compared to the SAFO. Additionally, AAFO prevented foot drop by proper plantarflexion during loading response and provided enough plantarflexion moment as a driving force to walk forward by sufficient push-off during pre-swing. AAFO also could prevent toe drag by proper dorsiflexion during swing phase. These results indicate that the developed AAFO may have more clinical benefits to treat foot drop and toe drag, compared to conventional AFOs, and also may be useful in patients with other orthotic devices.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2020

Objective: Hallux valgus (HV) is a common musculoskeletal deformity that is accompanied with pain and continues to decrease one's quality of life and ability to perform daily life activities by affecting gait and static stability. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of the angle of HV (HVA) and to compare the one-legged stance and gait parameters in young adults with less HV and severe HV. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Forty young adults were divided into two groups, where HVA ≥15° (n=20) was defined as HV, and HVA <15° (n=20) was defined as normal. For balance ability, the center of pressure (COP) path, velocity, length of axis of the COP path, deviation of the x-axis and y-axis, and percentage of foot pressure were measured, and gait, the foot rotation angle, step length, percentage of each phase of the gait cycle, time change from the heel to forefoot, and maximum pressure of the forefoot and midfoot were measured. Results: Significant differences were found in sway length and time change from heel to forefoot during walking between the normal and HV groups (p<0.05). Most parameters were not associated with the HVA, but parameters such as length of axis and time to change from heel to forefoot were significantly associated with the HVA (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that most one-legged stance and gait parameters were not significantly affected by the HVA in young adults; therefore, future studies are needed in order to address other dynamic parameters and other methods of gait analysis for detecting clinically meaningful conditions.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.816-824
• /
• 2017

Purpose. This study was classified into normal and demented elderly through K-MMSE. The purpose of this study was to analyze gait characteristics of normal elderly and demented peoples using GAITRite walking system. Methods. The subjects of this study were selected as elderly people receiving home visit physical therapy. An independent t-test was conducted to verify the statistical significance of the time-space variables of the elderly with dementia. Results. Step time(p=0.041), cycle time(p=0.037), distance(p=0.024), and cadence(p=0.048) were significantly shorter in the normal elderly than in the demented elderly on flat place. The mean age was significantly longer in normal elderly than in elderly persons with dementia. Step time(p=0.022), cycle time(p=0.023), distance(p=0.019), and cadence(p=0.015) were significantly shorter in the mat walking. The mean age was significantly longer in normal elderly than in elderly patients with dementia. Stretch time, cycle time, distance, and hair support time were significantly shorter in the mat walking. The mean age of the elderly was significantly longer than that of the elderly with dementia. The spinal support time, which is a spatial variable, was significantly shorter in the normal elderly than in the demented elderly. Conclusions. It compares the various gait characteristics of the normal and demented elderly people, thereby increasing the walking ability of the elderly person more effectively. This study should be utilized as basic data for preventing fall-down.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.176-182
• /
• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the athletic knee show greater rotation and translation movement than non-athletic knee during the treadmill walking with their preferred speed in a complete gait cycle. Method: Thirty young and healthy male subjects participated in the study, fifteen handball players (mean age: 19.6 ± 1.4 years old, mean weight: 85 ± 11.9 Kg, mean height: 179.8 ± 4.7) and fifteen non-athletes (mean age: 22.8 ± 1.2 years old, mean weight: 74.5 ± 8.6 Kg, mean height: 175 ± 5.9). Three-dimensional positional coordinate of lower limb during treadmill walking were analyzed. Results: There were significant differences (t (22.014)=1.585, p=0.127 in the range of internal and external rotation with mean value for handball player (M=14.4513, SD=2.3839) was higher than non-athletes (M=13.3327, SD=1.337). The magnitude of the difference in the means (mean difference=1.11867, 95% CI: -0.34489 to 2.5822) was significant. There were also significant differences (t (17.956)=1.654, p=0.116 in the max abduction and adduction with mean value for handball player (M=5.7160, SD=2.49281) was higher than non-athletes (M=4.5773, SD=0.94667). The magnitude of the difference in the means (mean difference=1.138, 95% CI: -0.30805 to 2.58539) was significant. At significance level 0.05. Conclusion: Finding of this study suggest that to understand the actual characteristic of knee motion studies have to be done in different walking and running trial at variable speed.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.24-31
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of the hip internal rotation on gluteal and erector spinae muscle electromyographic (EMG) activity during treadmill walking. Eleven healthy subjects were recruited. All subjects performed treadmill walking while maintaining the hip in neutral position (condition 1) and in internal rotation (condition 2). Surface EMG activity was recorded from four muscles (gluteus maximus (GM), gluteus medius (GMED), tensor fascia latae (TFL), and erector spinae (ES)) and the hip internal rotation angle was measured using a three dimensional motion analysis system. The gait cycle was determined with two foot switches, and stance phase was normalized as 100% stance phase (SP) for each condition using the MatLab 7.0 program. The normalized EMG activities according to the hip rotation (neutral or internal rotation) were compared using a paired t-test. During the entire SP of treadmill walking, the EMG activities of GM in condition 1 were significantly greater than in condition 2 (p<.05). The EMG activities of TFL and ES in condition 2 were significantly greater than in condition 1 (p<.05). The EMG activities of the GMED in condition 1 were significantly greater than in condition 1 (p>.05) except for 80~100% SP. Further studies need randomized control trials regarding the effect of hip internal rotation on the hip and lumbar spine muscle activity. Kinetic variables during gait or going up and down stairs are also needed.