• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2016

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the knee and ankle joint kinematics and kinetics by comparing downhill walking with valley-shape combined slope walking. Method: Eighteen healthy men participated in this study. A three-dimensional motion capture system equipped with eight infrared cameras and a synchronized force plate, which was embedded in the sloped walkway, was used. Obtained kinematic and kinetic parameters were compared using paired two-tailed Student's t-tests at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The knee flexion angle after the mid-stance phase, the mean peak knee flexion angle in the early swing phase, and the ankle mean peak dorsiflexion angle were greater during downhill walking compared with valley-shape combined slope walking (p < 0.001). Both the mean peak vertical ground reaction force (GRF) in the early stance phase and late stance phase during downhill walking were smaller than those values during valley-shape combined slope walking. (p = 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively). The mean peak anterior GRF, appearing right after toe-off during downhill walking, was also smaller than that of valley-shape combined slope walking (p = 0.002). The mean peak knee extension moment and ankle plantar flexion moment in late stance phase during downhill walking were significantly smaller than those of valley-shape combined slope walking (p = 0.002 and p = 0.015, respectively). Conclusion: These results suggest that gait strategy was modified during valley-shape combined slope walking when compared with continuous downhill walking in order to gain the propulsion for lifting the body up the incline for foot clearance.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.175-187
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to find the relationship between Achilles tendon angle, angular velocity from 2D cinematography utilized to easily analyze the functions of shoes, ankle joint moment, knee joint moment, and hip joint moment from 3D cinematography utilized to predict the injury. Also, this study was to provide the optimal standard to analyze the injury related to the shoes. Subjects in this study were 30 university male students and 18 conditions (2 types of running speed, 3 of midsole hardness, 3 of midsole height) were measured using cinematography and force platform. The results were as following. 1) Hip joint abduction moment was effected by many variables such as running speed, midsole height, maximum achilles tendon angle, ground reaction force. 2) Knee joint rotational moment in running was approximately 1/10 - 1/4 times of the injury critical value and eversion moment was approximately 1/4 - 1/2 times of the injury critical value. 3) Ankle joint pronation moment in running was 1/3 - 1/2 times of the injury critical value. 4) Knee joint rotational moment was found to be irrelevant with maximum achilles tendon angle or angular velocity. 5) Pronation from running was thought to be relevant to rather eversion moment activity than rotational moment activity of knee joint. 6) Plantar flexion abductor of ankle showed significant relationship with the ground reaction force variable. 7) When the loading rate for ground reaction force in passive region increased, extensor tended to be exposed to the injury. Main variables in biomechanical analysis of shoes were impact absorption and pronation. Among these variables, pronation factor was reported to be relevant with knee injury from long duration exercise. Achilles tendon angle factor was utilized frequently to evaluate this. However, as the results of this study showed, the relationship between these variables and injury relating variable of knee moment was so important. Studies without consideration on this finding should be reconsidered and reconfirmed.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.227-236
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12-week combined exercise program on gait parameters in elderly women with osteoarthritis. Method: The subjects of this study were 11 elderly women (age: $67.09{\pm}2.47$, height: $157.35{\pm}4.30cm$, weight: $62.49{\pm}6.36kg$) with knee osteoarthritis. The combined exercise program of this study was divided into aerobic exercise and lower extremity strengthening exercises. The exercises were performed for 60 minutes per session, three times a week, for a total of 12 weeks. The maximum joint moments of the hip, knee, and ankle joints with walking were obtained with 8-3D cameras (MX-T20, Vicon, USA) and 2-force plate (AMTI OR6-7-400, AMTI, USA). SPSS Windows version 23.0 was used for statistical analysis. A paired t-test was used for pre-post comparison. An alpha level of .05 was utilized in all tests. Results: The maximum extension moment was significantly higher in the hip joint after P1 on the X axis. The maximum joint moment of P3 in extension was statistically significantly lower after intervention. On the Z axis, the maximum joint moment was significantly lower after the exercise intervention at P3. There was a statistically significant increase in the extension moment of the left and right knee joints in the X axis after exercise intervention. In the right ankle joint, P1 (plantar flexion moment) showed a statistically significant high moment after exercise intervention. Conclusion: These results suggest that combined exercise, including lower limb and aerobic exercise, may have a positive effect on mobility and walking moments in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-42
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• 2014

Objective: In this study, we applied a neurodynamic sciatic nerve sliding technique to healthy adults to elucidate its effects on hamstring flexibility and postural balance. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: This study targeted twenty four healthy adults (16 men, 8 women). A neurodynamic sciatic nerve sliding technique was applied 5 times to all subjects' dominant leg. The subjects were asked to sit on the bed while performing cervical and thoracic flexion, as well as knee flexion with ankle plantar flexion. Then, they were asked to perform cervical and thoracic extension and knee extension with their ankle in dorsiflexion and maintain the position for 60 s. For postural balance, we measured postural sway while the subjects maintained a one-legged standing posture using the Good Balance System and measured the hip joint flexion range of motion using a standardized passive straight leg raise (SLR) test. Results: SLR test increased significantly from $79^{\circ}$ before the intervention to $91.67^{\circ}$ after the intervention (p<0.05). Regarding the participants' balance evaluated using the one-legged standing test, the X-speed decreased significantly from 18.61 mm/s to 17.17 mm/s (p<0.05), the Y-speed decreased from 22.28 mm/s to 20.52 mm/s (p<0.05), and the velocity moment was significantly decreased from $89.33mm^2/s$ to $74.99mm^2/s$ after the intervention (p<0.05). Conclusions: Application of the neurodynamic sciatic nerve sliding technique exhibited improved hamstring flexibility and postural balance of healthy adults.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.27-37
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• 2010

Purpose : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of stepper exercise using lower extremity patterns of PNF(Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) on ankle muscle strength and balance ability of females in their twenties. Method : Twenty subjects participated in this experiment were carried out the exercise program dose of 5 days per week for 2 weeks. They were divided into two groups; using twist stepper group(lower extremity patterns of PNF group, n=10) and using straight stepper group(n=10). The effects of twist stepper and straight stepper were evaluated by measurements of normal standing(NSEO, NSEC), and dynamic type 1 and dynamic type 2, respectively. For each case, the experimental data were obtained about static balance in 3 items : mean X speed, mean Y speed and velocity moment, that of dynamic balance in 4 items : mean X speed, mean Y speed, time, distance. Results : The results of this study were as follows; 1) In straight stepper group, the statistically significants were significants were shown on right/left ankle muscle strength in case of dorsi-flexion. 2) In twist stepper group, the statistically significants were significants were shown on right/left ankle muscle strength in case of dorsi-flexion. 3) In straight stepper group, the statistically significants were significants were shown on right ankle muscle strength in case of plantar-flexion. 4) In twist stepper group, the statistically significants were significants were shown on right/left ankle muscle strength in case of plantar-flexion. Conclusion : The above results revealed that twist stepper exercise using lower extremity patterns of PNF was more effective than straight stepper exercise for improving the ankle muscle strength.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-28
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to improve the ankle joint to mechanical energy in Crouching start according to the backward block inclined angle(F, F(+1), F(+2)) increase. For purpose of this study the ankle joint was considered as a single hinge joint rotation about a transverse axis. A two-dimensional(sagittal plane) analysis was performed on data collected from 3 spriters(university student). During Crouching start, the ankle joint moment showed a similar patterns according to the backward block inclined angle increase. The peak values of ankle joint moment was plantar flexion approximately 80% throughout the contact phase for Crouching start. The absorbed and generated energy represented different values from the backward block inclined angle increase at ankle joint. On the backward block inclined angle F, subject A($55^{\circ}$) and C($50^{\circ}$) Produced energy generation more than other block inclined angles. On the backward block inclined angle F(+2), subject B($50^{\circ}$) showed largest energy generation.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.241-248
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference in muscle strength, kinematics, and kinetics between injured and non-injured sides of the leg after Achilles Tendon Rupture surgery during walking and running. Method: The subjects (n=11; age = 30.63 ± 5.69 yrs; height = 172.00 ± 4.47 cm; mass = 77.00 ± 11.34 kg; time lapse from surgery = 29.81 ± 10.27 months) who experienced Achilles Tendon Rupture (ATR) surgery participated in this study. The walking and running trials were collected using infrared cameras (Oqus 300, Qualisys, Sweden, 100 Hz) on instrumented treadmill (Bertec, U.S.A., 1,000 Hz) and analyzed by using QTM (Qualisys Track Manager Ver. 2.15; Qualisys, U.S.A). The measured data were processed using Visual 3D (C-motion Inc., U.S.A.). The cutoff frequencies were set as 6 Hz and 12 Hz for walking and running kinematics respectively, while 100 Hz was used for force plate data. Results: In ATR group, muscle strength there were no difference between affected and unaffected sides (p> .05). In kinematic analysis, subjects showed greater ROM of knee joint flexion-extension in affected side compared to that of unaffected side during walking while smaller ROM of ankle dorsi-plantar and peak knee flexion were observed during running (p< .05). In kinetic analysis, subjects showed lower knee extension moment (running at 2.2 m/s) and positive ankle plantar-flexion power (running at 2.2 m/s, 3.3 m/s) in affected side compared to that of unaffected side (p< .05). This lower positive ankle joint power during a propulsive phase of running is related to slower ankle joint velocity in affected side of the subjects (p< .05). Conclusion: This study aimed to investigate the functional evaluation of the individuals after Achilles tendon rupture surgery through biomechanical analysis during walking and running trials. Based on the findings, greater reduction in dynamic joint function (i.e. lower positive ankle joint power) was found in the affected side of the leg compared to the unaffected side during running while there were no meaningful differences in ankle muscle strength and walking biomechanics. Therefore, before returning to daily life and sports activities, biomechanical analysis using more dynamic movements such as running and jumping trials followed by current clinical evaluations would be helpful in preventing Achilles tendon re-rupture or secondary injury.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.637-645
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biomechanical alterations in the punching motion of 10 elderly women after 12 weeks of taekwonaerobics training. Seven infrared cameras(Qualisys MCU-240) and 2 force platforms(Kistler-9286AA) were used to acquire raw data. The results were as follows. First, the minimum joint angles of the lower limbs had a statistically significant difference between both the dorsiflexion/plantar flexion(1eft, $p=0.001^*$) and the inversion/eversion(both, $p=0.009^*$, $p=0.04^*$) from the ankle angle. There were differences in abduction/adduction(left, $p=0.04^*$) from the knee angle, as well as internal/external rotation(both, $p=0.07^*$, $p=0.02^*$) from the hip angle. Second, the maximum resultant joint moments of the lower limbs had statistically significant differences in the inversion/eversion moment from the ankle joint(both, $p=0.05^*$, $p=0.05^*$), the abduction/adduction moment(left, $p=0.08^*$) from the knee joint, and the internal/external rotation moment(right, $p=0.09^*$) from the hip joint. Third, the maximum resultant joint powers of the lower limbs had a statistically significant difference both in flexion/extension joint powers(both, $p=0.05^*$, $p=0.01^*$) and in abduction/adduction(both, $p=0.02^*$, $p=0.00^*$) from the hip joint, as well as abduction/adduction(left, $p=0.00^*$) from the knee joint, In conclusion, the elderly women were somewhat changed after 12 weeks of taekwonaerobics training.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2008

This study investigated gait characteristics, kinematics, and kinetics in the lower extremities between two different shoe conditions (high heeled shoes (7 cm), and high heeled shoes with a total contact insert (TCI)) after lower extremity muscle fatigue. Although TCI shave been applied in high heeled shoes to increase comfort and to decrease foot pressure, no study has attempted to identify the effects of TCI in fatigue conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of walking in high heeled shoes with TCI after lower extremity muscle fatigue was induced. This study was carried out in a motion analysis laboratory at Hanseo University. A volunteer sample of 14 healthy female subjects participated. All in fatigue conditions, the subjects were divided into two groups. The muscle fatigue was induced by 40 voluntary dorsi- and plantar-flexion exercises and 40 heel-rise exercises of the dominant foot. Surface electromyography was used to confirm the localized muscle fatigue using power spectral analysis of three muscles (tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius medialis and lateralis). The results were as follows: (1) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI decreased the peak flexion angle of the hip joint significantly in the early stance phase (p<.05) and increased the peak hip flexion moment in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (2) In muscle fatigue conditions, the application of TCI also increased peak hip power generation in the early stance phase and peak hip power absorption in the terminal stance phase (p<.05). (3) In muscle fatigue conditions, the use of TCI reduced the impact force significantly and increased the secondary peak vertical GRF. These findings suggest that the TCI may provide beneficial effects when muscle fatigue occurs for a high heeled shoe gait. Future research employing the patient population and various types of TCI materials are required to clarify the effects of TCI.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.66-72
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• 2004

Purpose: To evaluate the compensatory mechanism in vivo and develop the treatment guide by performing the comprehensive functional tests of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) deficient subjects. Material and Methods: 10 PCL deficient subjects and 10 healthy control group were evaluated. Performed functional tests were range of motion, posterior drawer test, Telos, 30$^{\circ}$ flexion wt-bearing view, KT-1000 arthrometer, gait analysis, EMG test and isokinetic tests. Results: Physical, KT-1000, Telos posterior tests showed significant differences, but 300 full weight bearing lateral view, muscle strength test revealed no difference between two groups. Less knee flexion at initial contact and reduced maximum valgus moment were observed in PCL deficient group. In vertical drop landing, PCL group had increased plantar flexion angle at initial contact. Conclusion: Compensatory mechanisms such as reduced unstable components and absorbing the maximal load of the joint were occurred after PCL insufficiency, which result in good clinical and functional outcomes. Further investigations would be needed to understand the functional adaptations of PCL deficient subjects.