• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Agricultural Machinery Conference
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• 1993.10a
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• pp.840-849
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• 1993

In this paper, it is reported that manipulator and hand-required for harvesting tomato were studied. At first, basic physical properties of tomato plant were investigated such as position of fruit, length of stems and leaves, width between ridges and son on . Secondly , basic mechanism of articulate manipulators with 5 to 7 degree of freedom were investigated by using evaluation indexes such as operational space, measure of manipulatability , posture diversity and so on. From the results, an articulate manipulator with 7 degrees of freedom was selected and the manipulator was manufactured as a trial according to the mechanism. Thirdly , physical properties about fruit and peduncle of tomato were also researched such as diameter, length , picking force and so on. Based on the properties , tomato harvesting hand with absorptive pad were also made as a trial. Finally, after the hand was attached to the manipulator, harvesting experiment was done in greenhouse . It was observed th t the robot could harvest satisfactorily , not only since the robot adapted to physical properties of tomato plant was manufactured but also since phyllotaxis of tomatoes was so methodical that all fruit clusters emerged in the same direction.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.840-845
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• 2015

Improvement in functional gait is one of treatment goals in treatment of cerebral palsy children. This study intended to examine the effects of insoles for postural correction on gait in spastic cerebral palsy patients by investigating changes in gait temporal spatial parameters. As the subjects, 15 spastic bilateral cerebral palsy patients participated in this study. Temporal spatial parameters of gait were measured using GAITRite system under three gait conditions. Bare foot gait, gait in shoes, and gait in insoles for postural correction were conducted. In order to look at differences in temporal spatial parameters according to three gait conditions, repeated one way analysis of variance was conducted. As post hoc test, Bonferroni was conducted. A significant level was set at ${\alpha}=.05$. According to the result of this study, gait velocity, cadence, step length, stride length of the left lower extremity significantly changed. When the subjects put on customized insoles for postural correction, the effect was greatest. There were no significant changes in stance time, single support time, double support time, swing % of gait, and stance % of cycle. Therefore, gait with insoles for postural correction positively influenced functional gait improvement and will be able to be usefully employed for spastic cerebral palsy children as one of gait assistance devices.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.325-331
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• 2010

In this study, we have evaluated the physical characteristics of neonate, female, and male Mongolian racerunners (Eremias argus) and determined the age structure of a population of the species in a field located in Taean-gun, Chungnam, South Korea. The physical parameters of females and males, including snout-vent length (SVL), head length, head width, and body mass were found to be significantly interrelated. Male Mongolian racerunners exhibited significantly longer heads than the females, but other physical parameters, such as SVL, head width, and body mass did not differ between the female and male specimens. In the study population, the females ranged in age from two to eleven years old and the males ranged between two to eight years of age. The number of females and males, when separated into different age classes, did not differ within each age class. Male Mongolian racerunners evidenced greater SVL growth coefficients than the females, but asymptotic SVL did not differ between the females and males.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was done to identify effects of a fall prevention program on physical fitness and psychological functions in community dwelling elders. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out with a nonequivalent control group pre & post-test design. The program, which included exercises and education, consisted of a 12-week group program and an 8-week self-management program using a health calendar. An experimental group (32) and a control group (21) participated. Results: There were significant differences in SPPB (t=-3.92, p<.001), TUG test (t=4.94, p<.001), standing with right leg (t= -3.60, p=.001), standing with left leg (t=-3.74, p<.001), front and rear maximum step length test (t=-4.34, p<.001), right-left maximum step length test (t=-2.65, p=.011), and fall efficacy (t=-2.42, p=.019). Fall efficacy, fear of falling and depression showed significant differences following the 12-week exercise program and 8-week self-management program in the experimental group. Conclusion: Study findings indicate that the fall prevention program is an effective nursing intervention to enhance physical fitness and psychological functions for elders. Using a health calendar, the self-management program was more effective for psychological functions compared to only the group program. Therefore, health providers should develop diversified fall prevention programs which include motivation plans to encourage clients in participating.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.293-299
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• 2014

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of functional training using a sliding rehabilitation machine (SRM) on the mobility of the ankle joint and balance in children with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The subjects consisted of 11 children who were diagnosed with spastic CP. They carried out the functional training using the SRM for 30 minutes, three times a week, for 8 weeks. Before and after all of the training sessions, the subjects were tested using the Pediatric Balance Scale (PBS) and Gross Motor Function Measurement (GMFM), range of motion (ROM) in the ankle joint, the pennation angle of the gastrocnemius muscle and the fascicle length of gastrocnemius muscle were measured to determine the mobility of the ankle joint and balance ability. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the pre-test and post-test in the PBS and GMFM. The ROM of the ankle joint was significantly increased after the functional training using the SRM. Moreover, the fascicle length was increased and the pennation angle was decreased after the functional training using the SRM, but the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that functional training using the SRM may have some effect on the mobility of ankle joint and balance in children with CP. According to the results, this study could present an approach to the rehabilitation or treatment of children with CP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.73-79
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• 2015

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the impact of the location of a walker-aid pocket that is attached to the walker while walking. METHODS: The research subjects included 10 male adults and 10 elderly people. The subjects used a two-wheeled walker for the walking analysis, and a firm velcro-type pocket that can be attached to the walker aid was used for weight loading. The size of the external loads was set at 2kg, which corresponds to approximately 2.5% of the mean body weight of the subjects. The pocket was attached to the left, center, and right sides of the walker aid. Stride length, stride, step width, and time were investigated according to the location change. RESULTS: No statistical differences were observed in all the walking factors among the adults and elderly people regardless of the changes in the location of the walker pocket. In cases of no weight and the 2kg walker pocket, stride length and strides were longer for the adults, while the step width was greater and walking time was longer for the elderly people. CONCLUSION: The weight of the walker pocket turn out to retard walking speed, although the location of the walker pocket is not affect walking with the walker-aid.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.136-142
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• 2013

Purpose: The application of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is beneficial for joint movements, inhibition of spasticity, and the improvement of walking ability in patients with chronic hemiplegia. This study aimed to identify the effect of the application of TENS to the knee extensor on the affected side with respect to postural-sway distance and velocity during the sit-to stand movement. Methods: We included 19 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia in this study. They underwent measurements during the sit-to stand movement on a force plate with 5 different stimulation dosages applied over 7 s:No TENS, high-frequency and high intensity TENS, high-frequency and low intensity TENS, low-frequency and high intensity TENS, and low-frequency and low intensity TENS The 5 different condition were administered in random order. Results: The group that received TENS application exhibited a significant decrease in path length and average velocity of center of pressure (COP) displacement compared with the group that did not receive TENS application. TENS dosage at low frequency (3Hz) and high intensity yielded a significant decrease in path length, average velocity, mediolateral distance and anteroposterior distance of COP displacement (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated the effectiveness of the application of low-frequency TENS on STS performance. These findings provide useful information on the application of TENS for the reduction of postural sway during the sit-to-stand movement after stroke.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.303-306
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• 2017

Purpose: Gait variability is defined as the intrinsic fluctuations which occur during continuous gait cycles. Increased gait variability is closely associated with increased fall risk in older adults. This study investigated the influence of attention-demanding tasks on gait variability in elderly healthy adults. Methods: We recruited 15 healthy elderly adults in this study. All participants performed two cognitive tasks: a subtraction dual-task (SDT) and working memory dual-task (WMDT) during gait plus one normal gait. Using the $LEGSys^+$ system, we measured the coefficient of variation (CV %=$100{\times}$[standard deviation/mean]) for participants' stride time, stride length, and stride velocity. Results: SDT gait showed significant increment of stride time variability compared with usual gait (p<0.05), however, stride length and velocity variability did not difference between SDT gait and usual gait (p>0.05). WMDT gait showed significant increment of stride time and velocity variability compared with usual gait (p<0.05). In addition, stride time variability during WMDT gait also significantly increased compared with SDT gait (p<0.05). Conclusion: We reported that SDT and WMDT gait can induce the increment of the gait variability in elderly adults. We assume that attention demanding task based on working memory has the most influence on the interference between cognitive and gait function. Understanding the changes during dual task gait in older ages would be helpful for physical intervention strategies and improved risk assessment.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.2028-2035
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• 2020

Background: Weakness of the trunk muscles decreases the trunk control ability of stroke patients, which is significantly related to balance and gait. Objectives: To compare the impact of diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface and a stable surface for trunk rehabilitation on trunk control, balance, and gait ability in stroke patients. Design: Nonequivalent control group design. Methods: Twenty four participants were randomized into the experimental group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on an unstable surface, n=12) and the control group (diagonal pattern self-exercise while sitting on a stable surface, n=12). All interventions were conducted for 30 minutes, three times a week for four weeks, and the trunk impairment scale (TIS), berg balance scale (BBS), functional gait assessment (FGA), and G-walk were measured. Results: All groups indicated significant increases in all variables (TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, speed, stride length) after four weeks. The TIS, BBS, FGA, cadence, gait speed, and stride length group-by-time were significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: We found that, in stroke patients, diagonal pattern self-exercise on an unstable surface is a more effective method for improving trunk control, balance, and gait ability than diagonal pattern self-exercise on a stable surface.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2013

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of treadmill gait trainig on dynamic balance and gait functions in stroke patients. Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled pilot study. Methods: Four subjects following first stroke participated in this study. They were divided randomly into the treadmill gait trainig group (TM group) (n=2) and the control group (n=2). Subjects in both groups received general training five times per week. Subjects in the TM group practiced an additional treadmill gait trainig program that consisted of 60 minutes, three times per week, during a period of four weeks. Timed up and go test (dynamic balance) and the GAITRite test (gait function) were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: In dynamic balance (timed up and go test), the TM group (-14.235 sec) showed a greater decrease than the control group (-13.585 sec). In gait functions, the TM group showed a greater increase in gait speed (12.8 cm/s vs. 10.15 cm/s), step-length (5.825 cm vs. 3.735 cm), and stride-length (5.005 cm vs. 1.55 cm) than the control group. Conclusions: The treadmill gait trainig improved dynamic balance and gait functions. Further research is needed in order to confirm the generalization of these findings and to identify which stroke patients might benefit from treadmill gait trainig.