• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2001

Aging has been recognized as the primary cause of disc degeneration. A biomechanical characteristics of disc degeneration has been demonstrated that intradiscal pressure is reduced. With the increasing population of elderly people, disc degeneration and associated problems of nerve entrapment are becoming more prevalent. Presently, research on reduced intradiscal pressure associated with degeneration is insufficient. In this study. we used the Finite Element Method (FEM) of computerized simulations to investigate the effects of variation in intradiscal pressure on mechanical behaviours of L4-5 intervertebral disc degeneration. Degeneration was classified using four grades based on initial intradiscal pressure; Normal (135 kPa), mild(107 kPa), moderate (47 kPa) and severe (15 kPa). The predicted results f3r bending loads were as follows; 1 . Range of motion increased progressively with severity of degeneration with flexion and lateral bending moments, but decreased with extension moments. 2. Discal bulging of posterolateral aspect was larger in lateral bending and extension moment. But bulging was increased with severity of degeneration in lateral bending and torsion(same side).3. The rate of increasing intradiscal pressure was decreased in all bending motions with severity of degeneration. In conclusion, lateral bending and extension moment yield greatest bulging in severe degeneration. In torsion, although bending load produces disc bulging, disc bulging was associated more strongly with severity of degeneration than increasing torsional moments. Clinical Implications: Discal bulging may produce nerve root impingement and irritation. The effect of loading and posture on the varying degrees of disc degeneration has important implications especially in the elderly. In the presence of disc degeneration, avoidance of end range postures, especially extension and lateral bending may help reduce discal bulging and in turn, nerve entrapment.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.455-467
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effects of disc degeneration on the biomechanical behaviors of the intervertebral disc in term of axial displacement, intradiscal pressure. disc bulge at the 1.4-1.5 functional spinal unit(FSU). The degeneration is divided 4 grade by initial intradiscal pressure: normal: 135kPa. mild: 107kPa. moderate: 47kPa, severe: 15kPa, The predicted results were follows: 1. The magnitude of the bulge is found to be maximum at the anterior, minimum at the postero-lateral portion. The bulge of lateral, postero-lateral is found to be maximum in severe grade. followed by moderate. mild, normal grade. 2. Tho displacement was increased with increasing compressive load in all four grades.'rho stiffness of disc was found to be reduced by progressing from normal to severe grade. 3. The intradiscal pressure was increased nearly linearly with increasing compressive load in normal and mild grade. But the increasing rate in moderate and severe grade was showed apparently different from nomal and mild grade. Specially, it was increased very slightly in severe grade. In conclusion, decreased intradiscal pressure resulted in increase of axial displacement and disc bulge with compressive load increasing. these may compromise the nerve root impingement or irritation. Therefore posture and activities must be focus to reduce compressive load applied on the back or disc.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.817-822
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• 1995

Even though back pain therapy has greatly improved as spinal bio-mechanics is introduced, many patients still have difficulties due to low back pain. At the initial therapeutic stage, the aim of rehabilitation therapy for low back pain is pain control, but, at the later therapeutic stage, the prime aims are to reduce the late complication and to prevent the recurrence of low back pain. Accurate diagnosis should be a first step before any therapy is planned. Thus, accurate physical, neurologic, E.M.G. and radiologic tests are required to give prescription for therapeutic exercise to the patients. In addition to this, the roles of theraphists and therapeutic exercise should be re-evaluated after the therapeutic exercise is performed. Fist of all, the most important things are to educate the patients to understand the low back pain and to let the patients join the therapeutical planning. 1. Bed rest and muscle relaxing exercise for releasing the muscle tention are required for the treatment of acute low back pain. An active exercise is recommended rather than a passive exercise. If the therapeutic exercise depravate the low back pain, the exercise should be immediately terminated and the therapeutical exercise should be replanned. 2. For the treatment of the chronic back pain, stretching exercise and para-spinal muscle strengthening exercise should be performed steadily and actively to prevent the recurrence of low back pain and the low back injury due to minor damage. The patients should be educated to do proper exercise and to maintain good posture in everyday life. 3. As the low back pain is released and the body function is recovered, control of whole body function is necessary. Swiming, bicycling and walking for $30\sim40$ minutes a day and $3\sim4$ days a week are recommended. Other exercise could be recommended depending on the patients condition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.866-876
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• 2019

This study examined the physiological and psychological effects of wearing gloves at rest in a cold environment. Seven elderly females participated in two separate trials: wearing gloves (WG) and bare hands (BH). The experiment was conducted for 60 min in a climatic chamber (air temperature 7.8±0.3℃ with 44±2%RH) with a sedentary posture. Microclimate temperature on the left palm was 4.16℃ higher in WG compared to that in BH (p<.1). Microclimate temperature on the chest during the last 5 min increased compared to the initial 5 min only in WG (p<.05). During the last 5 min, skin temperatures at the arm and hand in WG were higher than those in BH (p<.05). There was no statistical difference in the change of rectal temperature between WG and BH. Heart rate in BH was significantly higher compared to the WG (p<.05). Subjects also felt less cold on the whole body and hand in WG than those in BH (p<.05). The findings indicate that wearing gloves for elderly females affected the distribution of skin temperature and cardiovascular response in cold environments. Elderly females should be informed about the importance of wearing gloves through the clothing guideline in winter.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.432-438
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• 2021

Background: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and its associated agricultural work-related, biomechanical factors among this population. Methods: We analyzed initial survey data from the Safety for Agricultural Injury of Farmers cohort study involving adult farmers in Jeju Island. The prevalence of LBP was calculated with associated factors. Results: In total, 1,209 participants were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of LBP was 23.7%. Significant associations for LBP were the type of farming activity, length of farming career, prior agricultural injury within 1 year, and stress levels. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed three biomechanical factors significantly related to LBP: repetitive use of particular body parts; the inappropriate posture of the lower back and neck. Conclusions: Some occupational, and biomechanical risk factors contribute to LBP. Therefore, postural education, injury prevention education, and psychological support will be needed to prevent LBP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.405-415
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• 2019

This study examined the physiological and psychological effects of wearing a winter cap at rest in a cold environment. Seven older males participated in two separate trials: wearing a winter cap (CAP) and non-wearing a winter cap (CON). The experiment was conducted for 60 min in a climatic chamber (air temperature $7.8{\pm}0.3^{\circ}C$ with $43{\pm}2%RH$) with sedentary posture. Microclimate temperature at the vertex of the head was $6.88^{\circ}C$ higher in CAP compared to CON (p<.01). Microclimate humidity at the vertex was lower in CAP than in CON only during the last 5 min (p<.01). Skin temperature at the forehead in CAP was higher than in CON (p<.01). During the last 5 min, rectal temperature was higher in CAP than that in CON (p<.05). Unlike CAP, the heart rate in CON during the last 5 min decreased significantly compared to the initial 5 min (p<.05). Subjects also felt less cold on the head/face in CAP than that in CON (p<.01). The results indicate that wearing a cap for elderly males positively affected body temperature regulation and cardiovascular response in cold environments. The importance of wearing warm hats for elderly males in winter should be emphasized.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.341-347
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to introduce a tool for evaluating eye movement and analyze the reliability of measurement based on 10 cases of evaluating the oculomotor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy Methods: The participants were selected by 6 medical and welfare institutions in Busan as GMFCS grade 1-3 among spastic diplegia and hemiplegia. Seven examiners evaluated 3 children for the evaluation of inter-rater agreement of Ocular Motor Score (OMS) and evaluated the condition of the ocular motor of 10 children using OMS, a re-examination was performed at six weeks after the initial examination. SPSS ver.25.0 was used to calculate the interclass correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test, Mann Whitney-U test. Results: The inter-rater agreement of OMS was 0.89. Second mean values were decreased compared first examination in motility/ductions/version, saccades and smooth pursuit, but there was no significant difference. Children under 6 years old had a high mean value of saccades in first examination and the motility/ductions/version, fixation, saccades in second examination, but there was no significant difference. Spastic diplegia children's mean values were higher in head posture, fixation in 8 gaze directions than hemiplegia children in both first and second examination, but there were no significant differences. Conclusion: Ocular motor function in 10 children of spastic children who participated in the study and could see that the scores was differed depending on age, type, grade of cerebral palsy. OMS may be available for this purpose.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.183-196
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• 2017

Objective: The purpose of this research was to assess the agreement between job physical risk factor analysis by ergonomists using ergonomic methods and physical examinations made by occupational physicians on the presence of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities. Background: Ergonomics is the systematic application of principles concerned with the design of devices and working conditions for enhancing human capabilities and optimizing working and living conditions. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent injuries and physical and emotional stress. The major types of ergonomic injuries and incidents are cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs), acute strains, sprains, and system failures. Minimization of use of excessive force and awkward postures can help to prevent such injuries Method: Initial data were collected as part of a larger study by the University of Utah Ergonomics and Safety program field data collection teams and medical data collection teams from the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH). Subjects included 173 male and female workers, 83 at Beehive Clothing (a clothing plant), 74 at Autoliv (a plant making air bags for vehicles), and 16 at Deseret Meat (a meat-processing plant). Posture and effort levels were analyzed using a software program developed at the University of Utah (Utah Ergonomic Analysis Tool). The Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) was developed to assess the risk of epicondylitis from observable job physical factors. The model considers five job risk factors: (1) intensity of exertion, (2) forearm rotation, (3) wrist posture, (4) elbow compression, and (5) speed of work. Qualitative ratings of these physical factors were determined during video analysis. Personal variables were also investigated to study their relationship with epicondylitis. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association between risk factors and symptoms of epicondyle pain. Results: Results of this study indicate that gender, smoking status, and BMI do have an effect on the risk of epicondylitis but there is not a statistically significant relationship between EEM and epicondylitis. Conclusion: This research studied the relationship between an Ergonomic Epicondylitis Model (EEM) and the occurrence of epicondylitis. The model was not predictive for epicondylitis. However, it is clear that epicondylitis was associated with some individual risk factors such as smoking status, gender, and BMI. Based on the results, future research may discover risk factors that seem to increase the risk of epicondylitis. Application: Although this research used a combination of questionnaire, ergonomic job analysis, and medical job analysis to specifically verify risk factors related to epicondylitis, there are limitations. This research did not have a very large sample size because only 173 subjects were available for this study. Also, it was conducted in only 3 facilities, a plant making air bags for vehicles, a meat-processing plant, and a clothing plant in Utah. If working conditions in other kinds of facilities are considered, results may improve. Therefore, future research should perform analysis with additional subjects in different kinds of facilities. Repetition and duration of a task were not considered as risk factors in this research. These two factors could be associated with epicondylitis so it could be important to include these factors in future research. Psychosocial data and workplace conditions (e.g., low temperature) were also noted during data collection, and could be used to further study the prevalence of epicondylitis. Univariate analysis methods could be used for each variable of EEM. This research was performed using multivariate analysis. Therefore, it was difficult to recognize the different effect of each variable. Basically, the difference between univariate and multivariate analysis is that univariate analysis deals with one predictor variable at a time, whereas multivariate analysis deals with multiple predictor variables combined in a predetermined manner. The univariate analysis could show how each variable is associated with epicondyle pain. This may allow more appropriate weighting factors to be determined and therefore improve the performance of the EEM.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.638-647
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• 2018

We have to prepare for the existing threats from North Korea and potential threats in the future. It is important to utilize our resources as effectively as possible to build military power that brings victory in a war. Based on a sustainable required operational capability, weapons systems at the acquisition stage need to maintain a combat-readiness posture and ensure operational sustainability. To achieve this, establishment of procedures that develop elements of depot maintenance at the beginning, which enables economical and effective depot maintenance during that stage, is essential. First, the requirement paper needs to develop the concept of the depot maintenance requirement through the pre-study outlined by this paper. Second, at the system development stage, a Development Plan of Depot Maintenance draft should be proposed. This is the initial paper that can develop the elements of depot maintenance, and it should be verified by a field test. Third, each force's logistics command should write a Depot Maintenance Direction draft and a Mid-term Requirement of Elements of Depot Maintenance draft with the proven Development Plan of Depot Maintenance draft. Also, the verified paper needs to be realized and renewed by the time the Requirement of Elements of Depot Maintenance draft is completed. In conclusion, the procedures explained above will contribute to build an economical and effective military power in a reality faced with a resource shortage and threats from the enemy.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.363-377
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• 2021

The present study investigated the effects of dynamic tubing gait training(I and II) on the postural alignment, gait, and quality of life in chronic patients with Parkinson's disease. This study is based on the case study that recruited a total of 3 patients with chronic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn and Yahr Stage of 1 to 3 each one person). Dynamic tubing gait training (I and II) applied to chronic patients with Parkinson's disease for 25 sessions, 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, over 5 weeks period. To investigate the effects of this study, evaluating using the postural alignment test, muscle activity tests, gait analysis, and quality of life scale for patient with Parkinson's disease. After the intervention of Dynamic tubing gait training (I and II), Trunk flexion was decreased. Also, during walking from initial contact (IC) to mid stance (Mst), muscle activity of Quadriceps, Hamstring, and Tibialis Anterior (TA) was increased and muscle activity of Gastrocnemius was decreased. The muscle activation of Erector Spinae (ES T12, L3) was increased in the H&Y I and III stages and decreased in the H&Y II stage. Length of gait line, single support line, ant/post position and lateral symmetry of center of pressure (COP) parameters improved. The spatio-temporal gait parameters including of step length, stride length, and velocity was increased, and cadence decreased. Further the quality of life of patients with Parkinson's disease was improved. Based on these findings, Dynamic tubing gait training (I and II) could be applied as a new approach to improve posture, gait, quality of life in chronic patients with Parkinson's disease for more than 5 years, whose drug resistance is halved.